Wednesday

Divine? Or Dumpster-Worthy?

I found a little writing desk at an estate sale.  It was laminate and an ugly brown color, but I liked the shape and size and thought I'd paint it black.  I bought it for myself, so I wanted it to be as inconspicuous as possible.  (I'm still "borrowing" space in another room while I work on creating an office/workspace.)  Since it was laminate, I knew I'd have to get serious about primer and hope for the best.

(Oops, no before photo.  I bought this desk same day I bought the pulley here.  I think I was so excited about the pulley that I forgot about the desk!)


I started out by spraying on Kilz spray primer.  The edges all started crackling, which seemed like a bad sign.  I sanded and primed again.  This time I rolled on a grey primer - more crackling.  I'll spare you the details, but let's just say after priming, sanding, priming, sanding, painting, sanding, painting, painting, and painting...I was just plain ready to put the thing in the trash!!

But, that would just be silly.  So, onto plan B.

Plan B, Plan B, wait, what was Plan B?

Oh, yeah... I like this... alot.  In black?!?!

Photobucket
source

I embraced a few remaining crackles, glazed, rubbed, drybrushed, rubbed, waxed, rubbed, bought new pulls and came up with this...






It almost looks like it's wrapped in leather.

I love it!  Bonus: the 14 coats of paint are preventing it from chipping every time I turn and whack it with the arms of my office chair!
SO glad I didn't throw it out!


{ I'd love it if you'd stop by Every Creative Endeavor and vote for my Gear Art Project (#79) for the Creative Bloggers Got Talent Auditions! }

40 comments:

  1. It's cute, and I love how it looks like leather ;)
    Thanks for stopping by Corner of Main!

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  2. Okkk, I clicked on the like at Every Creative Endeavor, but did you see those Tiramisu Brownies girl!!!!

    The desk turned out good after all that elbow grease but seriously it's too small to hold all the crap I keep on my desk. You keep it clean, you hear!

    ~Bliss~

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    1. Aww, you're so good to me! I saw them - they look awesome!! I'd just eat them all though & my back end doesn't need the help!! Desk is a disaster as we speak!! ~Lori

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  3. i think it turned out super cute! i love the shape and i do think it looks like leather, too!

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    1. Cassie, thanks! I like the shape too, but I could sure use ALOT more storage (places to hide all my notes to myself!) :D ~Lori

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  4. It's got so much depth...It's really gorgeous! Don't you love it when the worst turns out to be AMAZING?

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    1. I think I got lucky on this one!!! (It can't be skill!) ~L

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  5. someone made THAT and then covered it in laminate???

    stunned.

    and it looks amazing!

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    1. The sad thing is that I think the edges that crackled were actually some sort of paper just glued on!!! You should do a post on how to not buy cheaply made crap furniture - clearly I could use some pointers! Thanks! ~Lori

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  6. Chair arms are not your friend. Is that dramatic enough?
    I think I would have thrown it to the curb, but your dedication to the job (even with your trauma) paid off big!
    Following you on Linky- hope you'll come by.

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    1. Tina, thanks and yes - just dramatic enough! :D I'm visiting you right now! ~Lori

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  7. i'm not sure why post to comment on .. i love your pinterest post about angry birds. that has become so popular. i love the game. it does suck you in. i'm a new linky followers. would love if you would come by & join my follower group. have a great evening. will stop by again soon. (:

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    1. Beth, I agree about the game - I catch my husband and kids playing all the time! Luckily, my kiddos prefer the 'board game' version!! Thanks for visiting! ~Lori

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  8. I love it! Love, love, love it! It looks like leather which is perfect for your jungle room. Like an old leather suitcase. Love the knobs, too. I have a couple of pieces I would love for you to look at and tell me if they are re-finishable ;-)
    You got game, Girl!
    xxoo- Andi

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    1. Awww, girl you are so sweet! I would LOVE to check out your stuff! You have such great taste, I know you'd do something amazing!! Thanks for making my day! ~L

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  9. Here' drama for you...I am your newest linkuy follower. ;) Love your blog and hope you will join mine too. HAGN

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    1. Jill, love it! Heading your way right now! Thanks for following! ~Lori

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  10. I found you at a linky blog hop. I'm a follower. Stop by and visit www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com

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    1. Jenny, thanks for following! I'm on my way to you now! Thanks! ~Lori

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  11. I came over from the Linky Follower party HOP to follow you and hope you will come follow me as well.

    Cheri from Its So Very Cheri

    (if you are already following me--sorry for the confusion--I am having a hard time keeping track of all the new followers and trying to follow everyone who entered my Linky Follower Party Hop.)

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    1. Cheri - following! Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the party!! ~Lori

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  12. great job.It looks great.I am a new linky follower. I would love it if you followed me back. http://michelleslittlepeiceofheaven. Thanks.

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  13. Happy to find your blog through the Linky Blog Hop! I'm a new Linky Follower! Hope you will come visit me at http://www.eccentricleopard.com/ if you have a free moment. Thanks!

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  14. Divine! Linky Followed you here - what a great way to connect!

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  15. It turned out really pretty! Those types of finishes can take so much TIME! Great work.

    I'm now following you on linky :)

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    1. Sherry, thanks so much! Yes, this one seemed to take forever!! Following you too! ~Lori

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  16. This looks fabulous! Totally worth all of that effort! Great job.

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  17. I found your blog through the Linky Followers Blog Hop. I'm following you now and I hope you will come visit my blog at http://intheoldroad.blogspot.com/

    Shasta

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    1. Shasta thanks for visiting! I'm following you now too! ~Lori

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  18. Love that you kept going until you perfected it! I really love the faux leather top! Thanks for the inspiration. I am off to vote for your project.

    blessings,
    karianne

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  19. Found you via the Linky hop and have become your newest follower. I hope you have a chance to visit and perhaps become a follower of mine as well.

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    1. Suzanne, have been a follower for awhile, but will def follow on Linky, too! Thanks for visiting! ~Lori

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  20. that is a beautiful piece of furniture! You must smile every time you see it now!!
    I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.

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    1. Mom - thanks for following!!! I too, know the magic of cranky children with donuts in the grocery store! And they're doing just fine! ;D ~Lori

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