I always wonder why people throw away perfectly good furniture. Is it infested with bed bugs? Are they too lazy to call the Salvation Army for a free pick-up? Or do they just enjoy filling landfills with stuff that may never decompose?
Eh– whatever the reason, thrifty souls like myself look at it as an opportunity to transform other people’s cast-offs from the “uninspiring” to the “unbelievable.”
And that’s exactly what happened with this “dumpster desk”! Check out THIS transformation! Would you ever believe that this:
Hard to believe this used to be next to the dumpster before I made it over!
….used to look like this?
FYI: The drawers were all there! It’s just that I almost forgot to take a “BEFORE” shot, and quickly did so without remembering to put the drawers back in! Ooops!
I had found this desk a little over a year and a half ago, right next to the dumpster in the condo where we used to live. I had backed my car out, ready to leave for work, and–SCREEEEEECH–what is THAT?! Oh, hellz yeah!
Because I couldn’t pimp it out the back of my trunk (like I do all my other crap), I lugged it the 20 yards or so back to my building…..down a flight of stairs…..and shoved it into the basement storage unit for safe-keeping, until I (eventually) would have a place to work on it and to use it.
And now I do!
I have been itching to try out *THE* paint that everyone is talking about, Annie Sloan paint, which has a reputation for being a bad-ass in the DIY toolbox. It doesn’t smell….doesn’t require priming….sticks to nearly anything….blah, blah, blah. Yep, I’m sold. And I don’t care that it costs nearly $40 a quart. I had to have it!
The only thing I didn’t like about it is that when you’re working with the can open, it tends to thicken up a bit quickly, forcing you to work faster. Slathering it on wide spaces when it’s drying out can leave large spaces a bit splotchy. Otherwise, it’s a great paint!
I bought both the Pure White, and Duck Blue, which is a greenish-aqua color. Simply gorgeous.
After playing around with it for a few minutes, I knew I wanted to lighten it up a bit, so I swirled in some Pure White into an old bowl filled with Duck Blue.
And just look at how many more shades you can make! I decided to do the tri-color tones on the desk. Of course, Pinterest contributed to the inspiration!
I had picked up these glass knobs from Antropologie when they were on sale. I knew they would be perfect for a future project.
Normally, knobs like this go for about $8 or $9 each at that store, but I picked these up for about $2-$3 about 6 months ago (FYI: Hobby Lobby has awesome deals on the knock-off Antropologie knobs).
I also like these crystal glass knobs, which are really cute! I have a few pieces of furniture where these would look really nice, especially on classic pieces!
The first thing I had done, however, was to prime the desk, although you don’t have to prime surfaces with Annie Sloan paint. I hadn’t been sure what paint I’d be using, so I primed it just in case.
The primer I used was suuuuper thick. I think it was “Gripper” from Lowe’s. It’s supposed to stick to anything.
The drawers had 2-screw handles, and I needed just one handle for those pretty little Antropologie handles. So I whipped out my power drill.
(Did you know that the invention of the first electric drill is credited to Arther James Arnot and William Blanch Brain in 1889 in Melbourne, Australia? Wilhelm Fein invented the portable electric drill in 1895, in Stuttgart, Germany. And in 1917, Black & Decker patented a trigger-like switch mounted on a pistol-grip handle). ~Wikipedia
Anyhow….interested little tidbit!
Next, I filled the old holes with wood filler.
….and sanded it down when it was dry.
The side of the desk also had a gouged out area.
I laid it on thick, so there was a lot to fill the large area, then sanded it out.
After all those little tedious things were done, it was time to bring on the paint!
Seriously, buy this paint. The color is so rich, and the coverage is so hearty, you will never look at regular paint the same way! If price is a factor, I did see a link on how to make your own chalk paint. Something to look out for!!
And so there you go, folks– it’s possible to find “trash” (literally) and turn it from this:
LIFE shouldn't be financial suicide! Thrift Diving is about finding cheap solutions to life's expenses, via thrift stores and second-hand goods: I paint used furniture and decorate my house with it....my family rocks cute thrift store clothing.....and I invest tons of DIY (do-it-yourself) home improvement hours into fixing up our old 1973 single-family home. Thrift Diving is about turning the "expensive" into the "affordable." Thanks for joining me! Happy Thrift Diving!
Beautiful! I’ve made my own chalk paint and I lOve it. I would like to try the Annie Sloan to compare it to but it’s hard to get where I live. Question about the drawers, did you get all of them when you found it? It looked like some were missing, if you had to make some to replace them I’d be interested in hearing how you did that.
Love!!! This is sooo inspirational since I’ve been searching for the perfect desk to reprint and make my own. I also love how you included each step of your transformation!
Kim, yes, you must try! But as Rachel, the commenter below, mentioned, you can try to make your own chalk paint. I have been meaning to try this. I can’t wait to explore that. Then you could use any paint color you life. Annie Sloan colors are a bit limited.
Rachel, so what recipe do you use for making chalk paint? Please share! As for the drawers, yep, they were all there. I just happened to take a jacked-up “before” shot. LOL I had almost forgotten to take one before I started priming!
Raina, thanks so much! Glad I was able to inspire you!!! Stop by ThriftDiving again I love commenters! And I have a whole bunch more projects coming!
I’m confused, the original picture is flat out missing drawers and the new desk is not missing any. Were the originals not pictured? Did you have to build drawers?
Sorry! The drawers were intact! I had just almost forgotten to take a “before” pic and didn’t think to put it “back together” before taking the pic. I will be cognizant if that next time, for sure!!
Ann, that’s so thoughtful! I appreciate your comment! If more people could appreciate that the best things in life aren’t new–they just need a pretty coat of paint– this earth would be a better place!
Ansley, well, now’s the time to do it! It’s sooo much fun!
Wendy, thanks so much! I think the color is simply amazing. I’ve been obsessed with turquoisey greens and blues, and if I could paint ALL furniture this color, I would, but I think my husband would, uh, hate me. LOL
This is amazing! I love the color you chose. You made it totally different and it’s beautiful! Great job Serena! Beckie recently posted…How to Upcycle a Sweater: Ipad Cover
I love it! I have made my own chalk paint for years. It works great and you can buy any color. I use plaster paris mixed with water for a paste and to get lumps out, then mix: (1 part to 3 parts paint) stir and if you need to add a little water, but I have never had to add anymore water. No need to prime… works on anything! Saves a LOT of money!! Do a Google search…
Great job,this is a keeper.
Looks great! I’m going to have to do some research on chalk paint.
Beautiful! I’ve made my own chalk paint and I lOve it. I would like to try the Annie Sloan to compare it to but it’s hard to get where I live.
Question about the drawers, did you get all of them when you found it? It looked like some were missing, if you had to make some to replace them I’d be interested in hearing how you did that.
Great work!
Love!!! This is sooo inspirational since I’ve been searching for the perfect desk to reprint and make my own. I also love how you included each step of your transformation!
I live the post and thanks for sharing!!
Kim, yes, you must try! But as Rachel, the commenter below, mentioned, you can try to make your own chalk paint. I have been meaning to try this. I can’t wait to explore that. Then you could use any paint color you life. Annie Sloan colors are a bit limited.
Rachel, so what recipe do you use for making chalk paint? Please share!
As for the drawers, yep, they were all there. I just happened to take a jacked-up “before” shot. LOL I had almost forgotten to take one before I started priming!
Raina, thanks so much! Glad I was able to inspire you!!! Stop by ThriftDiving again
I love commenters! And I have a whole bunch more projects coming!
I’m confused, the original picture is flat out missing drawers and the new desk is not missing any. Were the originals not pictured? Did you have to build drawers?
Very beautiful work, good job!
Sorry! The drawers were intact! I had just almost forgotten to take a “before” pic and didn’t think to put it “back together” before taking the pic. I will be cognizant if that next time, for sure!!
You need your own show!
Joanna, you are too sweet! I’m sure the line ahead of me to get their own show is very long! But, I love what I do, and sharing here is exciting!
I absolutelly love the desk and the colors! Awesome Awesome JOb!~ I am your newest folower!
Cool!!! Love the colors.
Thank you so much for linking this up with us at the “Cowgirl Up!” Linky party.
Have a wonderful day!
♥Linsey
That looks awesome!! Great job!!
Thanks, Brooke! It’s still awaiting some WAX or some poly, and then this baby is becoming “one” with my laptop!
An incredible salvage job. I love the paint scheme and the knobs. And, best part is, you kept this piece out of the landfill. The earth thanks you.
Ann, that’s so thoughtful! I appreciate your comment! If more people could appreciate that the best things in life aren’t new–they just need a pretty coat of paint– this earth would be a better place!
Love this! I’ve been wanting to do a project with the fading color drawers!
I think this is my favorite make-over! The photo caught my eye as soon as I clicked on your blog. Well done!
Ansley, well, now’s the time to do it! It’s sooo much fun!
Wendy, thanks so much! I think the color is simply amazing. I’ve been obsessed with turquoisey greens and blues, and if I could paint ALL furniture this color, I would, but I think my husband would, uh, hate me. LOL
wow this is GORGEOUS! I absolutely love the blue, lucky you for finding such a treasure!
This is just lovely! Great job!
I hopped over from Roadkill Rescue. The desk is fabulous!! Great job.
This is amazing! I love the color you chose. You made it totally different and it’s beautiful! Great job Serena!
Beckie recently posted…How to Upcycle a Sweater: Ipad Cover
Love your style and your outlook on making it work without breaking the bank. I’m gonna start following you…
I love it! I have made my own chalk paint for years. It works great and you can buy any color. I use plaster paris mixed with water for a paste and to get lumps out, then mix: (1 part to 3 parts paint) stir and if you need to add a little water, but I have never had to add anymore water. No need to prime… works on anything! Saves a LOT of money!!
Do a Google search… 