THIS SALVAGED MCM DESK GETS A RESTYLE USING A CHOCOLATE PAINT WASH | YOUTUBE VIDEO
Hello creative friends! I’m back today with this thrift store MCM Desk and a super easy paint wash I used to freshen it up.
It’s also the fourth Thursday of the month and this means it’s Furniture Fixer Upper Day. I’m sharing my blogging besties’ FFU makeovers below. And exciting news, we have a NEW addition to our crew. Gail from My Repurposed Life has joined our FFU tour and I can’t wait to see what she’s done!
Here’s the MCM Desk I started with. I picked it up from the Restore for $80. This is a little more than I would usually spend on a desk this size but I was inspired as soon as I saw it. I fell in love with all the gorgeous texture.
The textured veneer on this desk really excited me even though it was old and dingy.
And check out this Formica (laminate) top. Have you ever seen a top like this on a wood desk before? This was a first for me.
THIS POST IS SPONSORED AND/OR CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I LOVE AND USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST
MCM Desk – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Gorilla Epoxy Stick (similar)
Slick Stick Primer for Laminate
2″ Chip Brush
Coffee Bean Chalk Mineral Paint
Chocolate Chalk Mineral Paint
Gator Hide Topcoat
TOOL LIST
Paint Scraper Multi-Tool
Scrubby Brushes
Heat Gun
4″ Mohair Roller
Paint Gun for Topcoat
TEXTURED MCM DESK MAKEOVER
Here’s how this desk all came together using a super simple paint wash!
CLEANING
This desk needed A LOT of cleaning! I used this White Lightening Cleaner mixed with some water in a spray bottle. I sprayed the inside and outside of the drawers and wiped everything back with a large sponge. But the grooved wood veneer needed extra attention. So I brought out a few different-sized scrubby brushes. This worked amazingly to get into all the grooves.
Pro Tip – Don’t forget to clean the bottoms and backs of the drawers and body. You never know what is hiding out there.
FILL HARDWARE HOLES
Once the dresser was clean and dry, I filled the hardware holes using Gorilla Epoxy Stick. This epoxy stick looks and feels like hard clay but it’s very easy to use.
- Cut off a little piece using a putty or utility knife.
- Knead it in between your fingers until it becomes pliable and all one color.
- Then press it into the old holes or any dings and dents.
PAINT WITH WASH
To give this desk a NEW textured wood look, I created a wash using a 50/50 mix of water and this yummy-looking Chocolate Paint. When this chocolate paint color is mixed into a wash, it creates a beautiful warm wood tone. This is such an easy paint finish and VERY little paint is needed for a wash.
- I mixed 50% paint into 50% water
- Using a chip brush, I brushed the wash onto the textured wood
- Then I wiped back the excess wash with a large sponge
Dixie Belle now has small 4oz sizes of most colors which would be perfect for a project like this. Check out the difference this chocolate wash makes in the pics below!
PRIMING FORMICA TOP
To paint the Formica/Laminate top, I gave it a quick scuff sanding with an 80-grit sanding sponge. (Not needed but I wanted to remove some of the wash that had been brushed onto the top) Then I primed the laminate top with two coats of Slick Stick Primer using a 4″ foam roller.
Before painting, I performed a scratch test with a screw (which I’m sharing in the Youtube video below) to make sure this primer had adhered to the laminate top 100%… and it had!
PAINTING
I wanted a smooth finish for my top so I used this 4″ Mohair Roller. It’s made of 50% Wool and 50% synthetic fibers. It’s shed-resistant and made specifically for very smooth finishes. I bought mine from Sherwin Williams and they are the Rollingdog brand but they sell similar types of Mohair Rollers on Amazon as well.
Three coats of Coffee Bean Chalk Mineral Paint were used to get full coverage on the top. However, I was surprised that the finish didn’t come out 100% smooth. I think my Coffee Bean paint was too thick for the Mohair Roller. I’ve used these rollers with mineral and latex paints and they’ve always worked beautifully. As you can see below, when sanding between coats, you can see the very fine texture the mohair roller created.
Before I added the last two coats to the top, I gave the body a light sanding as well. This helped bring out the texture a little more.
To protect this piece, I spray three coats of this heavy-duty Gator Hide Topcoat using my new paint gun. Isn’t she pretty all shiny and green?!!! My Husky paint gun is over 10 years old and has been a workhorse so I decided to retire her and try something new.
And totally off-topic, but I’d LOVE your opinion. What do you think of these new logos? I think I’ve picked my favorite but I’d love to hear your thoughts as well!
So after adding new knobs to the top drawers, here’s how it all came together.
What do you think? I have to say I’m loving all this gorgeous texture!
The chocolate paint wash gave this desk new life. It looks so warm and rich.
And here’s a close-up of the Coffee Bean Top after three coats of Gator Hide. Because of the small variance in texture, it’s reminding me of a leather top. It’s not what I set out to do, but it looks beautiful!
I can’t wait to hear what you think!
YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on Youtube. If you have any problems viewing it below, feel free to watch it on my Youtube Channel HERE. Our #siyoutubefamily is already a community of 37K 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 team of Furniture Fixer Upper ladies do. Below are the BEFORE photos. Visit the links underneath to see the amazing AFTERS and learn how they did it! I’m heading over to take a peek as well! x
1. CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL DIYER
2. MY REPURPOSED LIFE
3. PETTICOAT JUNKTION
4. SALVAGED INSPIRATIONS (HAPPY YOU’RE HERE!)
Here’s another look at this MCM Desk before and after. I hope this chocolate-painted makeover has inspired you and given you some new ideas for your projects.
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS MCM TEXTURED DESK MAKEOVER. 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::
ROYAL DAMASK PAINTED DESK
REPURPOSED DESK TO NIGHTSTANDS
HOW TO REVAMP YOUR OLD DESKS
PAINTED LACE SECRETARY DESK
SALVAGED SEWING DESK MAKEOVER
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Hello again... I'm so happy you dropped by! Let's keep in touch! Follow me on social media or sign up for a dose of furniture painting inspiration and diy tutorials. :) 
Hey, you do wonderful work as always. Is there a way to paint a table to look industrial or just aged but not shabby chic?
Hello! I love piece! Is it for sale?
Hi Susanna, thanks for inquiring! I haven’t listed it yet but YES it is! Feel free to email me at [email protected] for details.😊
The desk is so rich looking. What a beautiful finish.
I really like the new logo. It has a creative flare that also shows in your work. It’s you!
Thanks Joanne, I appreciate this! Hope your day is going great! XOXO
Amazing! Love the look and love, love, love the new watermark!
Please tell me where you got the copper planter you used in the display.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you! And thanks for chiming in re the watermark! 🤗 The planter, I bought it from Pier 1 before the store here in our city closed. But I believe they still have online shopping available.
Denise
I missed what you did with the white table. I have the same table but the veneer on the top is splitting off, It don’t look like it can be saved too much damage.
Please let me see it again. Love all your make overs.
Hi Darlene! I’d be happy to share what I did with the white table but I’ve done so many pieces, I’m embarrassed to say I’m not exactly sure which table you’re referring to.🤷♀️ Can you give me a few more details? Then I’ll do my best to link.😊
Denise,
I love the new look of this desk. I like using rollers, but haven’t used a mohair roller before. I’ll have to try that someday.
I love the new watermark, especially the est–mine is 2009. I think that shows authority about your knowledge and experience.
Too funny!! Imagine, WHO would put gum under a drawer? lol
I’m so happy to be part of this amazing team.
gail
pinned!
Thanks so much Gail! And 2009 WOW, that’s amazing. I have to change mine watermark to 2012 (when I actually started)… it’s been so long I’ve forgotten!😆
The desk is lovely with it’s new update. I think you did a great job with that Formica top.
Your new logo is totally “YOU.” Always wise to visualize what you want to convey as yourself and product.
BTW: My did used to use Soy Sauce as a stain for projects once in a while. I have a couple of pieces he restored using it as part of the stain. That was way back in the 1970s. He also used the Soy Sauce for wooden kitchen items that would come into contact with food. No worries about toxic properties in the finish. I have a bread board he made and “retouch” it every so often.
Whaaaaat… Soy Sauce!!! I’ve never heard of this but how brilliant… now I want to try!😃 Thanks Robin and have a super weekend!
You really warmed up a dull looking finish, and kept it simple with the subtle knobs. It looks so much better now. Must try that Gorilla stick! Your new logo has a classy feel too.
You’ll love the Gorilla Stick. It dries hard as a rock! And thanks my friend. Wishing you a fabulous weekend. XOXO
The logo is really nice! When I was looking into logos, I knew what I wanted and found it difficult to explain to even start to create it. I just found it hard to find a logo you like, knowing it will be stamped on everything you do. Love the desk. It’s so charming! I love Chocolate but haven’t used it on furniture yet. I do while crafting, though. Love all your work and refer back to your videos ALL THE TIME! If I question myself on anything i think, ‘how did Denise do that’? LOL.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
ahhh, I love that! I’m so glad you’re finding the #siblog and vids helpful Lisa!!! And ya, re the logo/watermark, I agree… it’s can be a bit of a challenge finding one that suits your personality and brand.
Hi Denise!
Your MCM desk is beautiful!
I always look forward to seeing what you’re up to. I especially like that you demonstrate a variety of styles, techniques and colours. It’s very inspiring for a new painter like me 😊
Thanks so much Val, I appreciate this so much. I get bored of doing the same thing all the time.😆
Subtle work that made it look so classy. I liked the ‘gold’ line under the top two drawers (metal strips already present?) and felt May be the gold touch could, somehow, be repeated in the lowest level to sort of balance it?
Thanks Audrey! And yes, the metal drawer detail was already there on the original two drawers. I left it as is and just swapped out the two knobs for a more modern look. 🙂
I was so anxious to see if you actually used chocolate because I’ve heard of coffee grounds being used to stain. LOL! My brain is already fried this month. I didn’t know about gorilla glue epoxy stick. I will look for that!
I love the simplicity of your logo. It feels clean and modern. Now I can’t remember the old one!
I’ve heard of coffee grounds and tea being used to stain wood as well. Supposedly it works great! But if I was to use real chocolate… it seriously wouldn’t make it onto the furniture!😂🍫 Thanks for chiming in re the logo. I think we have a winner!💕
Wow! Wow! Wow! That desk is yummy! I really love it. Kudos, Denise!
LOVE you new logo too. Keep it! It’s classy, like you.
awww, thanks Caye!!! And I’m so happy you like the desk. I think it looks pretty yummy now too!🤗
What a great save for this piece! What you added to it gave it a richness that just wasn’t there before. And I noticed your new watermark right away… I love it!! And great staging as always!! XOXO
Much better and warmer looking, right?!😃 And thanks Christy, so glad you like the new watermark!
The chocolate color is really nice and rich, and the Coffe Bean top was a really nice contrast to the rest of the desk. Personally, I would never had paid $80.00 for this piece, but I am a tight-wad. Looks great now, Thanks for the tip about the 4 oz. Dixie Belle paints and the Gorilla epoxy stick. Oh, and your logo is very sofisticated. I like it.
Thanks, Michael! And I hear you, I’m thrifty as well and LOOOOVE finding great bargains. What I spent on the desk I made up for in supplies (or lack of supplies) used as this was a super cheap restyle. And ya, the 4oz Dixie Belle Paints are amazing. Great little size for smaller projects!😃
In my neck of the woods, $80 is a steal. I love the clean lines on this beautiful MCM desk. And of course you used my favorite color of ice cream. 😁
Beautiful makeover, Denise. 😘 pinned 📌
Ya, the thrift prices here have really gone up as well but usually, half my fun is finding the bargains. hehe 😉 I’m so glad I bought this desk tho. It was a really simple but fun makeover. Thanks for the PIN my friend. XOXO 😘
The desk looks so much better and you make it look so easy! I have an old coffee table I’m going to try this on. Thank you!
Thanks Nicki and have FUN! I’d love to hear how it all turns out for you!
This is beautiful! It’s not a huge change, but just enough to make a big difference. Also, I love the new logo shown in the last photo of the desk. In my humble opinion, a logo needs to be easy to read without squinting and this one is, plus it’s very pretty! 🙂
Thanks Cyndi! YES, I think I prefer that logo as well for this exact reason. Super easy to read yet adds a little flow, right?!.😉 Thanks for chiming in… I really appreciate it!
Such a sweet little piece and it looks so much richer with the chocolate tone. I think the top looks wonderful.
Making me think I should try to paint my laminate counter tops which are in great shape, just a dated speckle green.
Thanks Carol! And ya, I use to be so intimidated to paint laminate but it’s no more difficult than painting any other surface if you have the right primer.😃 Painted counter tops can look amazing!!!
Hi Denise! I probably would have paid 80 for it too. It turned out perfect! I love the chocolate wash. Your new logo is pretty.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much, Cheryl! XOXO
This is gorgeous. I’m assuming you sanded the epoxy where you filled the hardware holes?
Thanks Jackie! And for this piece, no I didn’t sand the epoxy. I filled the holes as smooth as possible and then used my painters’ tool to create a few ridges in the epoxy to blend it into the finish.
Hi Denise. I love how this mid century modern desk turned out. The warm textured finished paired with the dark top is gorgeous. You brought this desk from blah to beautiful!
Thanks my friend! I think the chocolate really warmed it up too. 🙂