Desk Redo with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and New Top

We have one more project we can now check off Madison's Big Girl Room makeover.

When she started kindergarten last year, the first thing she asked for was a desk.  She couldn't wait to do her homework in her room at her very own desk.

We searched for a long time for just the right desk (i.e. cheap).  I finally found it at an estate sale for $20.00.  It was a hunk of junk.  I got the usual eye rolls when I brought it home and then I started to wonder what I was thinking when I bought it.  I did not have high hopes for this makeover.

When we first started working on Madison's room she wanted pink walls.  I did not want a pink room, so we compromised and I told her we could paint her new desk pink.  I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Antoinette.  Madison told me not to distress the desk because she thinks distressing makes everything look old and she didn't want that kind of stuff in her room.  Her reasoning:  "I'm getting a new princess room and princesses do not have old things."

The paint is not actually as bright as it looks in this picture, it's more of a pale rose color.  I just have terrible lighting in this room so none of my pictures came out very clear.

 

This is what it looked like when I first got it home.

 

Not only was it chipped and dented, but it had water damage on one side and was so dirty.  I think it sat in a garage for many years.

 

The first thing I did was do a lead test on the paint.  It was negative so we were good to go.  I pried off the top because there was no way to fix it. 

I used 1x6's and 1x3's to build a new top.  I cut the boards to size, sanded the tops and sides, rounded the corners and stained the boards.

I used flat metal plates from Home Depot to connect the boards together to make one solid top.

 

I placed the top on the desk and used L brackets underneath the desk to connect everything together.

 

Last, I cleaned the hardware with Brasso and steel wool and put everything back together.

 

Madison and I both love it how turned out.  The only thing left to do is get a piece of glass for the top so she can actually use the desk.

 



 

Linking to:

 

Elizabeth & Co., Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

A Bowl Full of Lemons, Between Naps on the Porch

DIY Showoff, Thrifty Décor Chic, Miss Mustard Seed