When we moved into this house nine months ago I was so completely in love with having my own space, the fact that there was barely any natural light hardly bothered me.
Hardly.
Then when I ‘made’ my big worktable, the honeymoon continued on.
But, like all romances, every once in a while you need to spice things up a bit. Make it new and fresh.
Since I can’t add any additional light, I decided I needed to face down my demons and attempt to paint a piece of furniture again.
Yes, it’s true. When it comes to painting furniture, I’m impaired. Challenged. Inept.
People don’t believe me. They think that because I can paint some pretty pictures that certainly I could paint a few simple boards of wood.
Wrong.
I vowed two, no three, years ago to never ever paint a piece of furniture again. And other than a can of spray paint here and there, I haven’t painted a single piece.
However, my entire relationship with my workroom – where I spend about 80% of my time – hinged on adding some light to the room.
I know, I know. Most people would give their eye teeth for a work space like this. And I do love it, I do.
But what relationship have you ever had where you didn’t think, “if only they’d change that one little thing“? Or maybe two . . . hundred.
See now, me and my room . . . we don’t have that many issues.
And the ones we do have can be solved with a little white paint.
As long as I can overcome my furniture painting ‘issues’.
Which, I think, I have.
I’d tried enamel, oil-based, latex, high gloss, satin, you-name-it paint. But I had never tried Chalk Paint.
As I write this from my game table – because there are bright white drawers strewn about my workroom, I think I’ve met the paint that can tame my OCDish tendencies. I’m not positive yet. I haven’t waxed the desk and drawers but, so far, it’s looking pretty good.
Now . . . as crazy as this sounds . . . I couldn’t leave a freshly painted white desk sitting there so . . . . white.
It’s like looking at a blank canvas, calling out . . . Paint me! Make me pretty!
(Yes, I have issues. But certainly you already knew that, didn’t you?)
So, yes, I’ve decided to tempt Fate and paint something pretty on my pristine white desk. Which begs the question – what to paint?
I’m pretty much over the distressed look, at least for me. My original plan was to make my downstairs living space kind of a rustic/vintage theme. But now . . . not so much.
I want fresh. Clean. Bright. Cheerful.
So, off to Pinterest to find a cheerful desk . . .
Pretty. Really, really pretty, even though my own desk doesn’t have all of those sweet details. I do like the simple lattice stencil on the side. But I think what I like the most about this photo is the bright yellow chair and curtains.
Very pretty too. And I love harlequin diamonds. But I don’t love measuring them. But still . . . definitely a contender.
Ohh . . . ombre. Love me some ombre. Adds such style without a lot of busyness a pattern can bring.
Here’s another ombre desk, closer to my color palette. This just might be the winner.
But wait . . . this is gorgeous too. But is it just the aqua color I’m drawn to, or the chevron top? I do like the slight distressing on the work surface, because that’s pretty much bound to happen on mine at some point.
Looking at the chevron in grey and white makes it easier to decide . . . no. I think having the zig zag on my work surface would drive me buggy. Buggy-ER. Although, you usually can’t see too much of my desktop at any given time with the mounds of paper piled on top.
This is lovely. And doable, without a stencil. I could even do a sprig of leaves on the desk top. And maybe a little birdie too? Definitely a contender here.
Oh dear. This is lovely too. I love the oversized graphic that’s so big, it’s doesn’t bring the busyness of the chevron.
Yep, I definitely think I’ll go with this last one.
But those branches. Those are so sweet.
And what about the ombre? Couldn’t I do branches over ombre?
Aren’t you glad you don’t live with me? Because you know I’d be driving you nuts, going back and forth. Unless you do what Mom (and Marlon) do . . . just nod your head.
I honestly can’t decide and I need to. I need my workroom back! So something is getting painted on the desk today so my love affair with my workroom can continue.
If you follow me on Instagram, there might be a hint there.
Colleen
I like the one with the branches the best because it wouldn’t be distracting when you are designing something with the addition of birds, a red and blue one, red for luck and blue for happiness. Maybe some yellow flowers at the base of the branch to make it pop. JMO for what its worth. I am sure that whatever you do will look good. Bottom line you have to live and work on it. IMO the chevron would be way to busy.
Like the branches and the big swirly thing. I think the swirly would be great. I’m loving the blue rug on Instagram, did you paint that too?
Hi Cindy! No, I picked the rug up at Walmart, just because I loved the color. Had no idea where it’d go for the longest time. Now it’s under the desk and works perfectly! But I would like to paint a rug, or use Sharpies, sometime soon!
Hi! Thanks for posting my desk project. The link is broken. Will you please correct it? Here is the correct link http://mudpiestudio.blogspot.com/2010/10/office-desk-makeover-before-after.html Thank you!
Lori
Thanks for letting me know. All fixed!
Hi where did you get the designs for the turqouise desk on top and what color did you use ?
Hi joAnn,
These desks were my inspiration; I didn’t paint any of them. The turquoise one has a link underneath it to Pinterest, however it goes to Etsy.com, not a tutorial.
I can’t help with the paint color but you could get the zigzag or chevron pattern either with painter’s tape or making your own ‘stencil’ out of mylar or an old manila file folder. I believe there’s a FrogTape available in chevron but, in a pinch, you certainly could DIY it.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful,
Colleen