HOW TO TURN A $14.99 THRIFTED DESK INTO A REGAL ROYAL DAMASK BEAUTY | YOUTUBE VIDEO
Hi, sweet #sifamily, and thanks for joining me today! If you follow me on my IG and FB Stories, you may have already seen this steal of a deal I’m sharing today. Last week I picked up this GORGEOUS vintage desk at my local thrift store for $14.99! I’m always thrilled when I find pieces like this and it’s such an honor to work on them.
Here’s the desk in the Thrift Store. It was sandwiched between a brown couch and a huge cabinet which I moved so I could take this pic.
Before I get into the how-to details here’s the NEW look! What do you think? Worth $14.99?
Omgosh… I’m in love! It’s such a romantic vintage piece!
THIS POST IS SPONSORED/CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I USE. YOU CAN SEE MY FULL DISCLOSURE HERE.
SOURCE LIST
$14.99 Desk – SALVAGED
White Lightning
Scrubby Soap
Paint Brush
Putty Knife
Sanding Pad
Orbital Sander
BIN Shellac Primer
French Linen Chalk Mineral Paint
Buttercream Chalk Mineral Paint
Royal Damask Stencil
White Mud
Satin Clear Coat
$14.99 ROYAL DAMASK DESK MAKEOVER
Here’s how it all came together…
PREP | CLEAN
I removed the drawers and gave the inside and outside of this desk a good cleaning with this TSP substitute. I like using it in a spray bottle and wiping it down with a large sponge. As you can see, the inside of the drawers are in really good condition.
SCUFF SANDING
After the desk was clean and dry, I brought it into my sanding room and gave the entire piece a scuff sand with 120 grit sandpaper and this orbital sander. You can see in the pic below how cracked and damaged the finish on this piece was. To sand the curved areas, I used this sanding pad attached to my sander which allows me to curve into the details.
PRIME
This type of vintage furniture is notorious for bleeding through. Bleedthrough is when the tannins from the wood show through your paint looking like ugly splotches and discoloration. To stop the bleedthrough, I used BIN Shellac Based Primer. I have a full tutorial on how to use this stain-blocking primer here.
PAINT
Do you remember the last Furniture Fixer Upper Linen Dresser Makeover? You may recall I mixed a cup of paint with a cup of Flotrol. It was WAY too much for that project and I had at least half left over. I didn’t want it to go to waste so I used the leftover French Linen and Flotrol to paint this vintage desk. French Linen is a classic neutral and perfect for this vintage desk!
RAISED DEMASK STENCIL DESIGN
After the two coats of French Linen had dried, I created a raised stencil design on the five drawers and sides of this desk using this Royal Damask Stencil and Dixie Belle White Mud.
Creating a raised stencil is SO SATISFYING and easy to do. Remember, it doesn’t have to be totally perfect to have a gorgeous effect. In Saturday’s upcoming video, you’ll see how many tries it took me to get one of these drawers done and how to ‘erase’ the raised stencil to start again.
Here are the steps I took to get this Damask raised stencil design:
- I picked this Royal Damask stencil design to match my furniture
- I placed the stencil and using a putty knife, I skimmed the stencil with the White Mud
- Once the Mud had covered the entire design, I carefully lifted the stencil to reveal the raised design
- For a quick dry (you can let it dry naturally as well), I used my heat gun but a hairdryer would work just as well
- I painted over the dry raised stencil with French Linen
- Once the paint dried, I lightly sanded the raised stencil to reveal the design
DRY BRUSH DETAILS
To tie the piece together, I dry-brushed all the details with this Buttercream. To dry brush, all I do is add a tiny bit of paint on the end of my paintbrush, then brush the paintbrush on a shop towel to remove the excess. You want VERY LITTLE paint on the tip. Then very gently, I brush the end of the paintbrush over the details. The paint ‘kisses’ the details and leaves a gorgeous highlight as seen below.
I loved these gorgeous large pulls but the yellow undertones weren’t working with the French Linen. So I used the same dry brush technique explained above to lighten these gorgeous pulls. The only difference is they got two treatments. One with the Buttercream and then I repeated with the French Linen.
I’ll be spraying and protecting this piece with this Satin Clear Coat when I bulk batch my finished.
Here’s the finished look!
Check out these gorgeous pulls! They tie in with the Royal Damask theme perfectly… like big chunky jewelry!
YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on Youtube. If you have any problems viewing below, feel free to watch it on my Youtube Channel HERE. Our #siyoutubefamily has hit 13.9K so don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t done so already! So exciting, thank YOU! 🙂
Here’s another look at this dresser’s before and after. I hope it’s inspired you and given you some new ideas for your projects!
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS $14.99 ROYAL DEMASK PAINTED 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::
DIY ANTHROPOLOGIE DRESSER
HOW TO PAINT FAUX LINEN DRESSER
HOW TO STOP BLEEDTHROUGH
HOW TO APPLY STENCIL TEXTURE
HOW TO REVAMP YOUR OLD DESK
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Absolutely beautiful. Made for a Queen or princess.
I’m in love with it.
Aw, thank you Carol! Much appreciated!😊
Beautifully reimagined piece. IMHO, however, the pulls are too large for the top row of drawers. They also look still yellow?
Hi Robin. The pulls ARE oversized, that’s the exact look I was after. And yes, they received a wash – not a full paint over.
They are absolutely beautiful. Great job you made it your own. Love it.
Thanks so much Linda!😘
Hi again!
I’m really looking forward to your video tomorrow. I’m especially interested in how you do the raised stencil.
I’ve been watching your other videos. The yellow desk with magnolias is gorgeous! I’m wondering if you have even used slick stick with a coat of boss on top? The dresser that I’d like to put a raised stencil on has a very shiny factory finished mahogany veneer, which I’m sure will bleed. I’m scared to try sanding it off especially since it’s in excellent condition.
Thanks so much!
Hi Val! I usually use one or the other but I’m ‘guessing’ both could be used together as they are both water-based. You might also consider BIN Shellac Based primer as it’s a gripping primer and stain blocker all in one!
Thanks so much! That’s a great tip!
This desk for $14.99? Now that’s a bargain! And the end result is simply…Stunning! It’s beautiful!
Such a bargain!!! Thanks Sherry! XOXO
My jaw dropped when you mentioned that you only paid $14.99 for this gorgeous desk. I would have sat on top and not moved until a sold ticket was placed on the top (been there-done that). LOL You gave it a stunning makeover, Denise! I like your tip of painting the raised stencil the same color as the piece and then dry brushing white over top.
Believe me, I didn’t actually sit on the piece but close enough…lol. Thanks my friend! XOXO
A beautiful finish, I sometimes worry about how a piece will turn out, but never with you, everything you do turns out perfectly and you never ruin a piece.
This is super sweet Janette buuuuut yes, I’ve ruined my fair share of pieces!😆 And I think we ALL worry how a piece will turn out. It means we care.💜 I get bored of doing the same paint techniques and furniture styles over and over so I do like to try new things. Trying new things means it doesn’t always turn out perfect but that’s okay. Sometimes I learn the VERY most from the pieces that don’t turn out 100%. And the great thing about painted finishes is it’s JUST PAINT. We can always redo it!
I have to say, this one is a stunner and a great price. Win-win! You do beautiful work. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Such a GREAT price and thanks Tess! XOXO
An absolutely gorgeous reincarnation! And finding that desk for $14.99 was the bargain of the year! Thank you for sharing !
Bargain of the year, right!?!😃 So glad you like it, and thank you Gayle!
I want to do this on a dresser, so I need a little help. How do I mix the flotrol with paint? Like how much would I put with 16 oz of paint.
Bonnie, you really don’t need to use Flotrol to do this raised stencil technique. I used it because I had leftovers from this Linen Dresser project but you can use any brand of paint (straight out of the can or jar) to paint over the raised stencil. If you’re interested in using flotrol to cut down on brush marks or create a faux finish, I used a 50/50 mix. So 16 oz of paint to 16 oz of Flotrol.
What a beautiful piece-before and finished. You are so talented. I have been following you for a while now.
Super kind of you to say, thanks so much, Donna!
Absolutamente precioso, me encanta el color, estoy impresionada con tu talento. Hace tiempo que no comento, porque lo hago en español , es posible que te cueste entenderme y no quiero molestarte, pero hoy no he podido resistirme a esta belleza. Felicidades.
ME ENCANTA recibir comentarios en todos los idiomas. ¡Me alegra el día, así que no dudes en dejar un comentario en cualquier momento, Mercedes! Y gracias por el hermoso cumplido. ¡Me alegro de que te guste el escritorio! besos y abrazos
Another very amazing transformation !
You are so talented 🙂
Thank you so much Helene!
You always inspire me! I love getting mail from Salvaged Inspirations. Thank you
I appreciate you subscribing Carol and thank YOU! XOXO
It is stunning! Love your work♥️
Thank you Rhonda!😊
Excellent!
Sheila
Thanks Sheila!🤗
It’s beautiful. I love the texture and colors.
Hiii Lizzzzy! 🤗 Thank you so much!
I couldn’t imagine how you could make the style of that desk better but you did! Fantastic work! I just love it.
It was such a great piece to start with… those curves and details, right!?! 😃
Beautiful! I can’t wait to see what you do with the matching dresser. I’m anxiously awaiting the video this weekend. Forgive me for my impatience, but what do you use to hold the stencil onto the piece while you use it? I am hoping to do a raised stencil on a dresser I’m working on but I’m having a very hard time keeping it stationary. Thanks!
Hi Val and thanks! For the drawers I didn’t use anything other than my hand to hold it down. This was because the drawers are inset and the ledge made it tricky to use painters tape or a spray adhesive. If you watch the video on this Saturday, you’ll see I did a sloppy job the first few times but it’s easy to remove and start over. For the sides of this desk, I used painters tape but a spray adhesive would work well too. I do find that once you add a little mud, the mud holds the stencil down pretty snug though!
Thanks, Denise! I can’t wait for the video.
It will be published between 8-10 am on Saturday, but I’ll send out a quick email with a direct link so you don’t have to check back here or search for it on Youtube.😊
Omgoodness!! It is GORGEOUS!!! You are so talented!! Love seeing your work!
I’m so glad you like it Jennifer and thanks so much! xo
C’est magnifique!! Simply stunning!! How do you part with all the wonderful pieces you’ve done. They all deserve to be cast on movie sets or in those chi-chi boutique shops in the rich parts of town! Just reviewed your video on applying BIN & you really simplify that horrible part of the job, much thanks. Looking forward to this video on applying raised stencil, which I did once with vinyl spackling.
I think you’re c’est magnifique Tracy! 🤗 and thanks so much! And I’m horrible at listing my furniture uggh. I often do live with it for a while before I decide to part with it…lol. So happy the BIN vid helped to simplify the horrible part… and we all know what that is! Have a super day my friend. XOXO
Denise it’s absolutely stunning. What a score at $14.99. I’m in the Midland ON area and there is never anything like this at that price point at the local Restore. You have breathed new, beautiful life into this vintage piece. It would look stunning in my bathroom 😉.
I didn’t know you were from the Midland Penetang area! We used to drive up there to camp in the surrounding area. I remember visiting the Martyrs Shrine. Its a beautiful area! Thanks so much Catherine and I LOVE your bathroom idea. It would look amazing with as a sink/vanity!
This is an absolutely stunning piece! What a steal at $15 with a dresser at $20, WOW! I enjoy your blog very much.
Thank you, Laurie and ya, both pieces for $35… I thought I won the lottery!😆
Wow what a deal and you did a bang up job on the piece….TKS your inspiration with us all☀️🙂
Thanks for this Louise!💕
just when I see something I absolutely love. I see this…stunningly gorgeous. For many years I painted using Annie Sloan and painted on a regular level…no longer able to do this I am salivating and hoping (insert laughing emoji) this is being delivered to my home. Excellent creative piece of work Sharon.
lets try Denise…my bad
No worries Linda!💜
Hoping it’s being delivered to your home eh?! 😆… well that’s a HUGE compliment Linda, thank you! It reminds me whenever Andrea and I see something we love we always say “that should be mine!!!”🤣
The finished desk is gorgeous! I love the damask stencil. A few years ago I used DAP to add a raised stencil to the cabinet doors in my hall bath. It was an easy and inexpensive way to add details to a plain surface. Seeing this makes me want to find a new project! Thank you for the inspiration.
I’ve used DAP before as well – the spackling and joint compound and they worked great! And I love Damask as well. It’s a classic. Thanks Nancy!
Now That was an incredible bargain. I’, so glad You found it !
This beautiful classic neutral color – and all the beautiful details returned it to it’s original glory.
The raised stencil is a perfect fit with those knobs. 😉
p
Incredible bargain! And I thought these pulls were a perfect match as well. They are like dangling jewels on a queens gown… my imagination runs wild while I do these makeovers! hehe 😉
Really beautiful! For a nice piece of furniture at a jaw dropping price, you did a great makeover. Makes me want to get out my paintbrushes.
That is the biggest compliment Laura… go bust those paintbrushes out, girl!!! 🖌🎨 👩🎨
What a gorgeous transformation. Absolutely stunning. Now one of my favorites!
Thank you so much Lenore!
OMG Can’t believe you found this beauty for 14.99. Unreal! It turned out beautiful! Absolutely gorgeous !
Unreal right!? Maybe it was a brand new employee pricing that day.
That is absolutely gorgeous, Denise!! $14.99?? That was the the deal of the year right there! XOXO
Deal of the year for sure! Thanks my friend! XOXO
Beautiful!!!
Thanks Lily!
Beautiful as always!!!!!!
Will the Bin Shellac work on a bathroom vanity that is a pine wood look alike not sure of the kind of wood to stop the bleed through of different colors of wood?
Thank you
Thanks Lucille, and yes it will. The BIN Shellac Primer stops bleedthrough on any type of wood.
Denise, this is one of the most beautiful transformations ever!
Awwww, thank you, Janina! Hugs🤗
$15.00 unreal!
What a gorgeous piece!
Your workmanship is stunning and the color and embellishment’s are superb.
Another beautiful piece give yourself a pat on the back for this piece.
The price tag was unreal! I had to double and then triple take that one…lol. Thank you Cecile! 🙂
I just signed up for your blog and wow! This desk is stunning. The color, the raised stenciling, the pulls…..genius.
Hi Esther and a BIG WARM WELCOME to the #siblog! Thanks for subscribing and I’ll do my best to keep inspiring. 🤗 So glad you like the desk! XO
Super gorgeous!! Thanks for letting us know that you had to redo the stenciling at times. It was encouraging for you to give us that heads-up!
Thanks again for all the great jobs you do. I appreciate you so much.
I appreciate you Caye, thank you. And it’s hard to show all my ooops in pictures but I’ll share how I fixed it in the Youtube Video.
SPECTACULAR!
Is it for sale or is it a keeper? You inspired me now!
Love this look…….you def out did yourself on this one!
Its just beautiful!
Dawn
Hi Dawn! After I topcoat I will be listing this one for sale. I wish I had space for it tho!
Shut up! I can’t believe that desk was only $15. It’s gorgeous! Your design is spot on! As always.
Right!?! I can’t believe it either! I also picked up a matching dresser for 19.99…whaaaat!? I don’t know who priced them but it made my week!
This vintage desk was beautiful in its original state but WOW, I can’t believe how beautiful you made it. I wouldn’t have thought to do a raised stencil on a desk but it looks AMAZING!
I’m so glad you love it and thanks so much Nicki! XOXO
Hi Denise. Oh. My. Gosh. What an absolutely gorgeous desk. You couldn’t have made it any more beautiful. I’m in love. And $14.99? You seriously almost stole that piece! Lol.
Right!? I felt like I almost stole it.😂 I haven’t seen a deal that good in years!
Just beautiful, as always. You are one talented lady to envision that piece to the way it looks now. Always look forward to seeing your work. <3
Thanks Cindy, I appreciate this! XOXO
WOW! i wish I had your talent🥰🥰
Thanks so much Gia!💜