This thrift store desk gets a floral makeover using an EASY paint and color wash stain + some gorgeous magnolia details! | Youtube Video
Hi, creative #sifamily! I originally thought this piece was a desk but now I’m wondering if it’s an old-school telephone table. Either way, I’ve given it a brand new look using a paint stain and some florals and I can’t wait to hear what you think.
It’s also Furniture Fixer Uppers Day and I’m joining my FFU crew and sharing links to their projects below. I hope you join me in visiting their before and afters. I can’t wait to see what these talented ladies do.
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Here’s the thrift desk I started with. The drawers are old school but work great. It is a nice solid wood piece.
The top was a little scratched.
It looks like the middle shelf on this piece was meant to be left open. I saw no signs of backing on this piece. I’m wondering if this is an old telephone table/desk. ?? If you know, I’d love to hear in the comments below!
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WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Thrift Desk – SALVAGED
Sand Pads | Shop Towels
White Lightning Cleaner
Bonding Boss Primer
Paint Brushes
Water Mister Bottle
Magnolia Transfer (similar)
Dried Sage Chalk Mineral Paint
English Ivy Chal Mineral Paint
Gator Hide Top Coat
MAGNOLIA PAINTED DESK
Here’s how it all came together. I had a lot of fun working on this piece. As I mentioned in a few of my recent posts, it’s the beginning of the gardening season here in the GTA. The budding flowers and tending my garden is inspiring my furniture makeovers!
CLEAN/PREP
I started by giving this piece a cleaning with White Lightning. Once I wiped it down a few times until my sponge looked clean.
SANDING
I scuff-sanded the body and drawers with a 120-grit sanding pad to give the surface a little tooth for good paint adhesion. The top was sanded until the finish was removed and all the scratches were sanded out. To do this, I started with a 60 grit, then 100 grit, then 150. Then using a tack-cloth, I removed all the sanding dust before priming.
PRIMING WITH BONDING BOSS
To seal any bleed-through and create a surface that the paint will stick to, I brushed on this Clear Bonding Primer. The clear primer goes on milky so you can see exactly where you are brushing or where you have missed. Then it dries clear and invisible. I like using a cheap chip brush or roller to apply this primer.
Tip – When using this Bonding Boss, I’m careful not to clean the brush in my sink or pour any of this bonding primer down my drain. It will block up the pipes because it sticks to everything. I suggest using a bucket to clean your brush OR using a cheap brush that you don’t mind throwing away.
PAINTING
Now for the fun part! I painted the body of this desk in two coats of this Dried Sage. Well not really. I slipped up…lol. The first coat was Dried Sage. The second coat was a custom mix (I believe Endless Shore mixed with Cactus) I had sitting on my counter right beside the Dried Sage. As I was painting I thought, wait a minute… this looks darker!
HOW TO APPLY A PAINT STAIN
Then I created a wash mixing 50% Dried Sage with 50% water and brushed on a paint stain to the sanded back top. I worked in sections brushing on some paint and wiping the excess off with a shop towel.
MAGNOLIA GARDEN TRANSFER
I applied bits and pieces from Magnolia Garden Transfer to give this desk a sweet floral flare. Unfortunately, this transfer is out of stock but if you’re interested, I’ve included a similar one HERE on Amazon.
I added florals to the drawers.
And created a floral top. I love piecing transfers together to make original designs.
PINSTRIPING DETAILS
I decided to add some pin striping to tie in the magnolia florals. I masked off each side with painter’s tape. Using this English Ivy Green, I dry-brushed the pinstriping going lighter around the florals. I wanted the stripes to fade as they got closer the flowers.
I was so happy when I pulled up the tape. It turned out exactly as I envisioned it.
GATOR HIDE TOPCOAT
To protect this piece I sponged/wiped on Gator Hide topcoat. I made sure to mix the topcoat (not shake – shaking can cause bubbles while applying) before pouring some onto a paper plate. Then I dipped the applicator sponge into the topcoat and removed the excess on the side of the plate. In one smooth swoop, I work my way across the surface. I applied three coats waiting a few hours in between.
I also found some plain brass knobs in my inventory and finished the look by adding them on.
THE FINISHED LOOK
Here’s the finished look…
I think she’s beautiful and kind of like the no backing on the middle shelf but I’m curious to see what you think.
A close-up of the magnolia design up top and on the drawers. The florals all came together with the custom green paint.
And what do you think of the pinstriping?
The plain brass knob gives the piece some ‘shine’ without taking away from the floral details.
PIN FOR LATER 🥰
YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
Here’s the full step-by-step video tutorial. Our #siyoutubefamily is already a community of 45.7K so don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t done so already! So exciting, thank YOU!
And now for some FURNITURE FIXER UPPER FUN!
You’re going to LOVE what my creative FFU ladies do! Below are the BEFORE photos. Visit the links to see the amazing AFTERS and learn how they did it! I’m heading over to take a peek as well!
1. MY REPURPOSED LIFE
2. PETTICOAT JUNKTION
3. SALVAGED INSPIRATIONS (HAPPY YOU’RE HERE!)
4. A RAY OF SUNLIGHT
5. CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL DIYER
Here’s another look at this magnolia-painted desk before and after. I hope it inspired you and gave you some ideas for your upcoming furniture painting projects.
I hope the rest of your week and weekend goes well!
Let me know what you think of this desk and if I should leave the cubby AS-IS or add a backing. ?? I always love hearing from you, it makes my day! 🙂
Happy painting my friends!
Denise x
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DIY BOHO NIGHTSTANDS
22 SALVAGED FURNITURE FLIPPING IDEAS
DECOUPAGE ART ON NIGHTSTANDS
HOW TO REVAMP AN OLD DESK
REPURPOSED DESK INTO NIGHTSTANDS
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This is absolutely gorgeous! I am almost finished painting my bedroom furniture. I’m using Gator Hide for the stained tops and have been nervous about using it because I read about it yellowing and streaking. You make it look so easy . I’m less intimidated now. Thank you! One question: where did you get the “lady” vase?
Thank you Patti! I’ve never had issues with Gator Hide yellowing or streaking and I’ve used it on a TON of makeovers. I love the stuff! And the lady vase was purchased at Homesense. 🙂
I love love love the pin stripe. I’m going to try that on a desk I’m working on right now. Thank you for sharing your furniture tips.
Thank you for being here Heather and have fun with your desk makeover!!
Simply stunning!
Thank you Heather!🌸
Denise,
I love the color- at first it looked like a light brown, but the finish picture really showed the green. Love the makeover- the transfer really makes it pop! I’m just starting to refinish/restyle furniture I pick up on Craigslist/Facebook/side of the road (my kids call me the dumpster diver). Perhaps I will take it up as a sidejob after I retire (hopefully in 3 years). I look forward to reading your emails as well as Cristy, Gail, Kathy and many more DIY ladies! Keep up the great work!
Hi Janice! I’m so happy you love the desk and what a great idea for your retirement! I know a good few ladies who have turned their passion into a ‘second career’ after retirement!🤗
Perfect the way it is. Super Job!
Thanks Ruth, and thanks for chiming in! Love getting your opinions.🤗💙
This is another one of your pieces that made my jaw drop at the reveal. It’s so gorgeous! I agree, I like the open center shelf, the transfers, and the pinstripe. I love it all. Thanks for sharing all the details with the transformation.
I have the same sage green Dixie Belle paint sitting and waiting for me to just paint a cleaned, sanded, and primed vintage magazine holder. Now I can’t wait to get back at it after having to leave it for a couple of weeks.
Enjoy the Memorial weekend.
Your magazine holder is going to look gorgeous in Sage Green. Enjoy your Memorial Day long weekend Joanne!🇺🇸
simply stunning
Thanks my friend! XOXO
I wonder too if it was an old telephone desk, like the period when “princess phones” were the thing. Whatever it was, it’s so much better now. Lovely job, as always. That green is fabulous! What I’d like to know is how you placed the tapes so exactly that they gave the exact same line width. I just know that mine would be a smidge off and I’d be pulling my hair out trying to make them exact. LOL!
Yes I agree Caye, it looks like a princess-vanity-phone-desk…🤣. And I just eyeballed the width of the pinstriping but the first strip of tape was laid down perfectly against each edge. 🙂
Denise,
Beautiful makeover. The desk is stunning. I love the pinstriping. I never would have thought of that.
The placement of the transfers is perfect.
I like the cubby open like it is.
Pinned!
gail
Thanks Gail! I think I like the cubby open as well. I appreciated you chiming in and thanks for the PIN! XOXO
I always enjoy your work! The artistry is always spot on with what I love about furniture rehabilitation ideas. The efforts you go through to share and educate on the processes is so admirable. Always looking for your next email “show and tell.”
Diane Pakes
In Time Rewinds By Diane
@intimerewinds
I really appreciate this Diane! Thanks for being here and sharing these makeovers with me! XOXO
Wow! I really love it. What a great color combination. You are so creative.
Thanks you Jaye!😊
This desk is absolutely stunning, Denise, and I love the pin striping! I love the shading…the transfer…I just love it all! XOXO
Yay! Thanks so much my friend. The pin striping was a really fun detail and so easy to do! XOXO
it is a desk.
Thanks Angel.😊 I’m curious, do you think there should be a backing on the cubby hole?
Love the sage desk. Very upscale. I have a similar item and I’m going to try this.
Have fun with your piece Sheri! So happy it’s inspired you to give it a try!🤗
Oh Denise, I LOVE all your pieces and I do believe the magnolia transfer is my all time favorite! I love the little pinstripe you added.
I’m not sure what the original purpose of the table is, but I can see it as a vanity with a hanging mirror.
Yaaa, maybe its a mini vanity?? I don’t know…lol. I just know I really liked it. Thanks so much Gwen. I’m so happy you love this one too! XOXO
This desk is beautiful. You have an artistic eye for putting colors and design together Denise. I would leave off the back. It looks beautiful as-is.
I’m so happy you like it Nicki! And thanks for chiming in. I’m leaning towards leaving the back off as well. 🙂
Beauuutiful!
Thank you Cyndi!🤗