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Saturday, April 23, 2011

Old As Dirt!


I started this antique desk a MONTH ago and I finally finished it! LOL! It was grouped in with my massive load of ambitious projects over my Spring Break, and I just had to let it wait. The previous owners weren't sure exactly how old this is, but they think 1920's/1930's.

This is about the best I can do for a before shot.  It was a gorgeous desk, just pretty beat up.


I don't know the color name because it isn't printed on the can, but it was a pretty yellow from Lowes.  I flipped the desk over about half way through so I could get the inside and lower parts easier.

Similar to how I did The Pink Lady, I cut out a harlequin stencil from cardstock.  This time, however, I used painter's tape to apply it to the desk, and I made an actual stencil rather than a bunch of diamonds.


In order to get the color I wanted I mixed a little paint from my $5 wall art and my yellow office chair.


I would then pull up my stencil and overlap the bottom diamond on the stencil with the uppermost diamond that I painted.

Here it is halfway finished:


Then all the way finished:


After the paint dried I distressed the crap out of the whole piece.


I wanted this desk to look old, dirty and beat up. Mission accomplished! It almost looks like it needs to be cleaned! LOL!  I antiqued the desk with my Minwax Dark Walnut stain, then covered the desk with poly.





I'm undecided as to how I feel about the back and sides.  I typically use darker colors so the stain isn't as pronounced.  I wanted the desk to look old and worn, but I'm not sure that I'm in love with how the big blank spots look. I guess the back will probably be up against a wall anyway.

I adore the hardware!


I love the little chunky legs too!


I like the subdued look of the harlequin pattern and how it looks worn.



I'm going to put this baby on Craigslist once the poly completely cures.. keeping my fingers crossed! =)



I hope everyone has a 'hoppy' Easter weekend! ;)

Cheers!!

82 comments:

  1. I absolutely love it. It looks so romantic! I just want to stack some old antique books on it and a vase full of roses and enjoy the view. Have you ever sold anything like that on craigslist before?

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  2. it is freaking gorgeous!!! i love the colors and finish- superb!!!

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  3. For the love, I about died when I saw that desk, I freakin' LOVE it!

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  4. I LOVE the name of your blog,,, your photos are great,, what a great idea for the finish,, beautiful,,I'm new at this blogging but I'm really enjoying this,,I have joined as a follower but my eyes are crossing from reading past posts,,thank you for sharing,,,

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  5. Oh my gosh! This turned out looking so beautiful :) Amazing.

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  6. i love that desk!!! what a fun color! what kind of poly do you like to use? im getting ready to do my very first furniture paint redo. i need some tips :)

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  7. I really love the "subtlety" of the design on the top...looks like it has faded over time. Very pretty!

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  8. I love it! I wish I could have it! I think the blank spots look great too. I hope you haven't sold it by the time I come so I can see it in person! Great job. You're amazing.

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  9. I love it! You did a great time! That yellow is awesome! I have a similar desk that is in need of paint....you inspired me!

    Visiting from the linky party at Stephanie lynns'. (Greens)

    Cindy

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  10. Yay for yellow! This looks great- you should be super proud of it!

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  11. So cute! I'm going to have to copy your harlequin stencil on something!!

    Julie
    paintedparlor.blogspot.com

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  12. Beautiful desk, you did a great job. I'm following you! :)
    Have a wonderful week!
    Hugs, Wendy

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  13. I love this desk! It is beautiful. One day after much blog reading I am going to be able to re-do furniture also. I am a follower now, I found you at the creative blog hop party.

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  14. I love what you did with this desk, it's beautiful! I just started a new link party, you should link this up, here's the link: http://www.askannamoseley.com/2011/04/new-weekend-warrior-link-party.html

    Anna
    www.askannamoseley.com

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  15. I absolutely love the desk! the stencil effect is a great idea too! gorgeous color and love the chunky legs too! great job!

    Im following you from the Homemakeronadime Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop!

    Susan @ http://tea-diary.blogspot.com

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  16. I love the desk! You did a beautiful job on it!

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  17. What a good way to start the party! The desk looks incredible, I love clicking on the thumbnails and then we all get a peek inside to the creative side of others :) Love that yellow.

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  18. It looks fantastic. So elegant yet bright. Good job!

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  19. I love it. You did a great job with that Harlequin pattern. It is subtle yet has the wow factor. Good luck with Craig's List.

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  20. It looks amazing, I love it! Great job. Quick question- I've done one furniture makeover and i used poly. How long are you supposed to let it cure? I don't think I let mine cure enough...

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  21. I am so jealous! I've been searching for a desk like this forever!! Looks beautiful :)

    Lisa

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  22. When I saw your desk, I thought we're posting on the very same desk. But after closer inspection, there are a few differences. I like what you did with yours and the unique color. For some reason, my post isn't showing up at the party, maybe there's a link up problem, but what is it they say, "great minds think alike". Newest follower.
    Cindy

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  23. I love this!!!! That desk is gorgeous! You did such a great job :) Thanks for sharing it on my blog.

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  24. LOVING everything about this desk...especially the color!

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  25. You can just bring that on over to my house now! Seriously, I love it!
    You are on a roll for sure my friend. :-)
    Vanessa

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  26. I just love this! and your blog's name : )

    I hope you will link up to my party @ www.cherishedbliss.com

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  27. Katie, this is gorgeous! Really appreciate you sharing this great post with us at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop.

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  28. I love your crap! I have become your newest follower.

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  29. I LOVE it, Katie! The color looks amazing, and I think the antiquing is just perfect!!!

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  30. Wow! It looks great! Makes me want to try stenciling!

    I really love the way the stain "aged" it. I'll have to give that a try on my next piece.

    Found you through POWW @ Primitive & Proper,

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  31. That came out so great. I love the harlequin design on the top. Very creative. Thanks for sharing at my Swing into Spring party.

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  32. That looks sooooo good. I love the harlequin pattern faded like that. Love yellow and you should have no problem selling that. Thanks for joining WUW.

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  33. Love the yellow...so pretty♥

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  34. I loooove this!! Great color choices!!

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  35. I'm in love with that finish on the top of it... so flipping amazing!

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  36. This is so cool! I love the yellow and the distressing. Very nice.

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  37. OMG I am lovin this! New follorer from eisy Morgan! would LOVE for you check out my blog!
    http://familyfashionandfacts.blogspot.com/2011/04/quilting-galore.html

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  38. Fan-tab-u-lous job! Love the finished product.

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  39. What a fun piece! I love the way you finished it. Why can't I find stuff like this? :)

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  40. Good job! I am your newest follower, from Momma Hens Whatever Wednesday party!

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  41. this is so beautiful! i love it! visiting from eisy morgan! :)

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  42. Just beautiful...can I have it??? ;) Fantastic job!!!

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  43. Okay, the second I saw your blog's title I KNEW I'd have to become a follower. How could I NOT? Love the desk, too and what you've done with it.

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  44. I love it!! It looks fabulous.

    Kathy

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  45. I just discovered your blog and I love the yellow color used on this desk. It's beautiful.

    Kelly
    www.simplykellyblog.com

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  46. Great painting job! thanks for linking this up to wicked awesome wed!

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  47. Gorgeous! I LOVE the lines of the piece and the yellow is fabulous!

    Visiting from Eisy Morgan!

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  48. this is soooo gorgeous! i LOVE the yellow color!!

    I'd love for you to link this up to my link party, Your Whims Wednesday! http://mygirlishwhims.blogspot.com/2011/04/your-whims-wednesday-4-and-features.html

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  49. Super cute! Really like the distressing with the yellow.
    Great job,
    Kristy @ 4 the love of WOOD

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  50. Wow, that is really impressive! Great job! Your dresser turned out awesome! I love yellow as well, since we recently painted a dresser that color!

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  51. I am a sucker for yellow- what is it about yellow? goodbyecityhellosuburbs

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  52. Simply beautiful! Love the patter, distressing, and antiquing!

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  53. Super fantastic and stunning. You are one talented woman!!

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  54. love this
    I've awarded you the Veratile Blogger Award!
    Check it out...http://realcraftymama.blogspot.com/2011/04/versatile-blogger-award.html

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  55. Love what you did with this diamond in the rough!

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  56. Oh my, Beautiful! Did it sell. . .
    I love what you do!

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  57. Girl... I. AM. IN. LOVE!!! I love everything about this desk- the color, the diamond, the shape of it... LOVE!! :) It looks so fabulous!
    Thanks for linking it up! I'll be featuring it! :)

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  58. Love, love, love that desk! Great job. Patty

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  59. Love it! I have a vanity just like yours that I am working on. It is a slow going process.

    Visiting from Remodelaholic

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  60. this is so charming. I am such a fan. I love the yellow color and the pattern on top. it's lovely.

    new follower!
    kathryn@
    thedragonsfairytail.blogspot.com

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  61. Saw you on 504 Main. Great job!! I love the faintness of the stencil.

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  62. Your desk looks fabulous! I have a chest of drawers I found on the curb that I need to refinish. The wooden tracks are missing for some of the drawers and I don't know how to fix them :(

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  63. Love the desk - it is absolutely darling! I love the subtle design and the color is perfect and beautiful!! Something about yellow furniture I just love!! Thanks for sharing at FNF! :)

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  64. Very nice job on the desk. Love the legs on it, Sweet. I'm your newest follower.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  65. oooh la lah we LOVE LOVE LOVE this! it's gorgeous!!! you did a fab job.

    thanks too for linkin up! (:

    xoxo.kelli & kristi

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  66. This really turned out fabulous! Great job!!
    Thank you so much for stopping by and linking up to {nifty thrifty sunday}!
    I hope to see you again tomorrow!
    xoxo,
    Vanessa

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  67. love the color choice. so fabulous!! we are featuring you at weekend features. thanks for linkin up!!
    Amy
    www.sistersofthewildwest.blogspot.com

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  68. Hi Katie~

    Old as dirt looks pretty darn cute!!
    Thanks for linking to my K.I.S.S. blog bash last week, looking forward to seeing what you share this week.

    Drop By The Tattered Tag

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  69. Well, since yellow is my fav color, I am in love. ;-) Thank you for showing me exactly how to do this technique. Amazing!

    Pamela

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  70. Beautiful- the color is PERFECT! The harlequin print is the icing on the cake! Thanks for linking up!

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  71. This was featured on Craft and Tell Tuesdays! Stop by to pick up your button : )

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  72. What a great piece, Katie! Well worth the features I see you are getting on it! Very clever to do a harlequin stencil yourself and it sounds like it worked out well. I have a large store bought harlequin stencil but I think it's too big for an accent table I want to do. I'm no good at freehanding, so this may be a route I can take. Thanks!

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  73. gorgeous! and with a blog name like craptastic- I could not help but take a look! Saw you on the feature- you rock!

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  74. That's too funny! I was just debating on whether or not to do a harlequin design on an old piece I have, but I had no idea how to do it, and then boom- I see this post! I guess it's a sign that I'm supposed to do it. Now, I do have a question. I know you made your own stencil, but how did you make the diamonds? If you have time, let me know. If not, I'll just wing it.
    Thanks!
    xoxo,
    Kim
    Oh and btw, your desk is amazing!!!

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  75. You are featured tonight at Creative Juice!

    Hope your desk is making you more productive...

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  76. Absolutely brilliant work. I love it!

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  77. beautiful job! if the back were to show, I think harlequin squares in those back panels would look good.

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