THIS DATED 90’S DESK GETS A BRAND NEW LOOK USING A LIVELY PLUM CRAZY PAINT COLOR
Hi, creative #sifamily! I’ve done my fair share of desk makeovers over the years. And with every before and after, I’m always AMAZED at how color can revamp an old desk and bring it new life. Today I have this 1990’s desk and here’s how ONE paint color totally transformed and updated this piece!
Here’s the before. I found this desk selling for $45 at a Restore. It had really good bones, but the finish and backboard were dating it – big time. I believe it’s from the 1990s but if you happen to know what year, I’d love to hear down in the comments.
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SOURCE LIST
1990s Writing Desk – SALVAGED
Paint Brushes
Shop Towel
White Lightning
Dewalt Orbital Sander
Cordless Bosch Edge Router
Sandpaper | Tack Cloth
Water Mister
B-I-N Shellac Base Primer
Plum Crazy Chalk Mineral Paint
Satin Clear Coat
1990s PAINTED DESK MAKEOVER
Personally, I love backboards on vintage furniture. But not so much when it’s a dated piece that I’m trying to look more sleek and modern. So along with changing the color, I removed the backboard and filled it in with my own.
Here’s how it all came together…
REMOVE BACKBOARD & KNOBS
Furniture backboards are easily removed by unscrewing them from the back. I also unscrewed the old white knobs.
REPLACE BACKBOARD
I tried cutting the old backboard down to the size I wanted but that didn’t work out for me. I made a mess…lol. Luckily I found this piece of wood that fits into the existing gap perfectly.
Pro Tip ~ Keep your old wood scraps. They will always come in handy for future projects!
Using my circular chop saw, I cut the piece of wood to fit the length of the writing desk.
ROUTER EDGES (OPTIONAL)
To soften the edges on this scrap piece of wood, I routered the edges using my NEW Bosch Cordless Palm Router. Omgosh, I LOVE this tool. It’s small enough to fit comfortably in my hands and light enough to maneuver easily. I also like that it has a large resting ‘shelf’ that sits on the wood so I don’t have to balance it like other routers I’ve used. This little tool is a game-changer for me!
SAND AND PRIME
Once I finished the backplate, I gave this desk an overall scuff sanding with a 120 grit and primed with BIN Shellac Based Primer.
PAINTING THE DESK
To give this desk a fresh new look, I decided on this Plum Crazy because it’s a crazzzzy good color! It’s the deepest shade of pink with purple undertones that’s versatile enough to hold its own in a sophisticated setting — yet fun enough to be in a kid’s room!
I applied two coats and used my Slap-It-On-Technique to paint these spindles. If you ever have a circular spindle to paint, I have a full Youtube Tutorial on How To Paint Spindles WITHOUT Brushmarks here. Works perfectly and easily every time!
I haven’t spray-coated this desk yet but I will be top coating and protecting it with this Satin Clear Coat.
Lately, I’ve been bulk-batching my furniture makeovers. I wait until I have 3-4 pieces and then topcoat them all at the same time. If you’d like to learn more about my Bulk Batching Tasks, let me know in the comments. I’d be happy to write a post on my process and furniture routines.
Here’s another look at this 90’s desk before and after. I hope it’s inspired you and given you some fresh ideas for your projects.
THANKS FOR JOINING ME TODAY! LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS WRITING DESK NOW. OR FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE… I ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. IT MAKES MY DAY! 🙂
Happy furniture painting friends!
Denise x
RELATED POSTS::
PAINTED SECRETARY DESK
LILAC DESK MAKEOVER
CURBSHOPPED DESK TO NIGHTSTANDS
DIY FRENCH COUNTRY WRITING DESK
5 IDEAS TO UPDATE AN OLD DESK
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So beautiful color! Amazing work! Thank you for inspiration!
Thanks Elizabeth!
Hi Denise. I love your work! This color is bold but beautiful! The desk chair you’ve paired with it is perfect! Where did you find it?
Thanks Cathee! I found this gorgeous unique chair curbside!
Denise, love this color.
Thanks Cheryl! XOXO
Such a pretty color and gorgeous modern desk makeover. Mama needs a palm router for Christmas!
You would do AMAZING things with it Marie! This is the BEST one I’ve used… very comfortable and not at all intimidating to use like the other routers I’ve tried!😃
Love the plum color! Someone gave me a desk that was missing the back piece, meaning there was a gap as it hadn’t fit on top, but behind. I struggled for a while contemplating pieces to fit in the space and finally came up with the idea of removing the top by unscrewing it underneath and then pushing the top back the 1 1/2 inches or so and re-attaching it. There was still plenty of overhang in the front.
Hi Gwen! I LOVE your tip – Thanks for sharing and the reminder💜! I’ve done that on a few of my pieces as well. So long as there is enough lip/overhang once you move it back, it’s the perfect solution!😃
I 💕this color!
Thanks Deb! 🙂
love all your tips would love to hear about your batch spraying. Truthfully I’ve been thinking about this myself it totally makes sense. Clean, repair and sand a few pieces. Paint (spray a couple the same color) and then top coat (spray as well). Easy peavey right! Can’t seem to get that organized. LOL but I think about it. Curious as to how you approach it.
I think you just wrote the “batching blog post” Kim!😄😉 That’s pretty much exactly how I approach it. I find there is a high cost to switching tasks in the sense that I lose time and focus. Thanks for chiming in. I only publishing a few more T2T & FFU posts before I’m offline in December, but I love this idea for a blog post come the new year. We can swap ideas. 🙂 Thank you!💜
Absolutely stunning! And those knobs are the icing on the cake.
Thanks Becky! I like that they were white but had the gold in them as well. 🙂
That palm router looks super handy! (Pun intended). Beautiful transformation!
Super handy!!! I absolutely love it! 🙂
What a difference color makes. You always choose the right shade!
Aw thanks, Cindy! Hope you’re having a fabulous day! xo
Lovely. As is that lamp — where did you find it?
Thanks Cyndel! The lamp was gifted to my sister by her MIL… but is living with me for the time being. 😉
Bulk batching sound brilliant! Let me know your process, please and thank you 🎶💕🎶
Cinda 🎶💕🎶
Okay, good to know. Thanks for chiming in! 🙂
Sooo cute! The older I get, the more I crave color in my surroundings. This desk is perfect for a guest or child’s room – so bright and cheerful! Great job! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much Nan! XOXO
Gorgeous
Thanks Rebecca! XOXO
I love how this turned out! Looks fabulous!
Thanks Sherry! 🙂
Wowzer! This color makes me happy. Beautiful makeover my friend.
It really is a happy color, isn’t it!?! Thanks Do! XOXO
Gorgeous color! What kind of circular chow saw do you use?
Hi Jen and thanks. I use this Ryobi 10″ Compound Miter Saw. And thanks for asking because as I was writing this super early in the morning I forgot to add it. 🙂
This color is full of life and what a beautiful update. Thanks for sharing Denise!
Thanks so much Nicki! XOXO
Where can i find a chair like that
I’m not sure Gail and your not the first to ask. I found it curb-side and loved the shape so I brought it home. It was originally wood and I whitewashed it here.
Hi Denise. I’m plum crazy for this makeover. Teehee;). Love the new updated backboard and bold color choice. It doesn’t even look like the same desk. Beautifully done.
Awww, thanks, Monique! I’m kinda Plum Crazy over this one as well. 😉 XOXO