A Welcoming Workspace

This project comes from a wooden desk that was left behind from previous tenants.  I believe the source was another IKEA put together yourself furniture.  When I moved in, I figured I could use this desk as I left behind my last desk a few years back when I graduated from college.  This desk was probably one of my biggest neglects.  You couldn't see the ground underneath the desk as I stored boxes full of seasonal decorations, cords and cables, odds and ends.  The top of the desk became a place where I'd put my laptop to charge and "important" papers that I figured I should keep.

Unfortunately I didn't capture a before shot with all the junk surrounding the desk, so use your imagination when looking at this pic:

I've been obsessed with the color palette of grey and yellow, and thought grey would be perfect for this desk.  Plus, I scored a brass lamp with a funky shape at goodwill a few months ago that I spray painted yellow and added a grey lampshade that I thought would complete a grey desk perfectly.

Materials - Paint in a color of your choice, paint roller/paint brush, sandpaper, primer

Step One:
Sand the desk and clean thoroughly!  I always use traditional soap and water to clean pieces.  It's always shocking to me how dirty things like this get.  After using the soft side of a sponge to soap up, I dried with a paper towel, and that thing was black.  How gross.


Step Two:
Prime!  I'm all one for shortcuts because I get so impatient (I hate waiting for paint to dry!) but this is one that you can't skip.

Step Three:
Paint!  I was able to use only one coat, plus a second in some spots for touch up areas.

Step Four:
I wanted some new knobs, preferably yellow ones that went with the lamp.  I got these beauties for $8 each at Anthropologie.  They have got the best selection of knobs.  Unfortunately not the best price, particularly for the reinventing goal of this blog, but I had gotten a coupon in the mail for 15% off your total purchase for your birthday month, so I decided to treat myself (treat yo self from Parks and Rec anyone?? You tube it, and then treat yo self!).

I also got this awesome book called The New York Times 36 Hours:  150 Weekends in the USA & Canada.  After perusing through a few cities, it is a very precise scheduled weekend that highlights more local and off the beaten path activities so I'm really excited to try some of these out.  I'll keep ya updated after trying one out.

Finished Product:
Painting furniture is easy and really adds an instant upgrade.  The only thing it takes is patience, which unfortunately I have a short supply of... but I am really excited about this desk!  Even typing up this post I'm sitting at my new desk, which rarely got used previously.  Hopefully the non-clutter looks stays!