MID CENTURY DESK (kinda:)- BEFORE AND AFTER


I am getting better at remembering to take my before pics.  Usually I forget.  Even if I do remember, I can't find my camera or the memory stick is still in the computer and the battery is dead!  Always something, and by then I am over it and ready to just start sanding.  I'm really trying though:)


I have been doing a lot of desks for people lately.  Generally I would love to get my hands on a real live DESK, but I have been seeing a lot of awesome mid century sewing tables lately and have been thinking, these things are so unique and built so solid, there is no reason they could not be used as a "desk".


Here is an example of one that I just refinished and am putting in the "shop"...


It had a seam or two that needed to be filled in, and the top needed to pin nailed down, but with 4 functional drawers (even a cool "hidden" shelf under front apron), really not much different than any desk!  

I am a little obsessed with grey's right now, as is the rest of the world...but it is such a wonderful, rich, and versitile color.


I LOVED the original hardware, but 2 handles were missing.  Seriously!  I understand this desk is like, 60 years old, but WHY ARE THERE HANDLES MISSING!!!  I'm sure I will get over it eventually.


I did manage to find some antique handles that I think look great though.

ANTIQUE DESK UPDATE


I thought I would share a quick before and after of a desk I picked up on Craigslist.  Evidently she had a handful of interested people, but they quickly ran the other way when they saw the condition it was in.  I guess I was up for a good challenge.

The veneer was not only a complete mess on the top, but along the sides and on many of the drawers.

I used a lot of wood glue and clamps.  I originally was thinking of just taking off the top veneer layer by scaping and using my belt sander, but realized it was going to be WAY more work than being patient and doing a few nice layers of wood filler.

Not to mention I did not think this would be a good "practice piece" to try out the belt sander I borrowed from my father in law:)

I am so glad I stuck with this project!  After a few coats of primer, spraying on high gloss paint and sealing it, I think it turned out so pretty! 

I reused the original handles, which I really like to do if possible.  You like?

WELCOME!!

I am excited to be able to share my passion of painting, transforming, making and sometimes completely messing up projects!  My husband and I are definitely "project" people and we have renovated and built a few homes during our 13 year marriage, doing most of the work ourselves.  We are currently in the middle of renovating our mid-century home, room by room.

I have always loved to paint and transform furniture, as well as just about anything I can get my hands on.  It has been recently that I have had the confidence and time to take that passion to the next level, which is custom painting pieces for others and creating my new website SIMPLE REDESIGN.

This website is just a place for me to display my past projects, list my current items for sale and talk about some DIYing around the house.  Because I have always enjoyed and appreciated tutorials from other sites, I would also like to include some "how to's" ranging from painting furniture to DIY projects.  I love to share my knowledge of what to do (or what not to do:) and learn from others as well.

CURRENT COLOR OPTIONS - BLUES

SW GALE FORCE 7605

SW CLOUDBURST 6487

SW MAXI TEAL 6769

SW SPLASHY 6942

SW BRACING BLUE 6242

BM- TROPICANA CABANA

BM BIRDS EGG 2051-60

BM VAN COURTLAND BLUE HC-145

BM PROVIDENCE BLUE 1636

BM OLD NAVY 2063-10

SW NAVEE 1511