I almost didn’t show up on the blog today because I didn’t get as much done on my desk yesterday as I had hoped. Yesterday, I shared how I added trim and new feet to the desk. So yesterday afternoon, I took the desk base outside to sand it, caulk all of the cracks and gaps, and then give the whole thing a coat of primer. I had hoped that I’d be able to get it completely painted, but I ran out of time. It was so hot and humid (the humidity especially got to me) that I had to take frequent breaks to come inside, cool off, and drink water, so I only got it primed. I’ll take it back outside and get it painted today.
So since I didn’t make as much progress as I had hoped, I almost skipped out on y’all today. But then I walked into my studio early this morning, saw how pretty that white desk base (even though it’s just primer) looked against the cabinets and under the pendant light, and I just got so excited that I just had to show y’all. It’s amazing what a huge difference paint (or even just primer) makes on a project like this! Getting everything one solid, unifying color just brought it all together.
Just as a reminder, here’s what the desk looked like before I started working on it yesterday…
And after sanding, caulking, and priming the desk base, here’s what it looks like…
Doesn’t that look so good?! It’s okay if you don’t like it. 😀 I honestly love it. I wasn’t thrilled with those furniture feet being my only option, and I definitely had my doubts along the way as this project has progressed. But once I saw it all one solid color, I absolutely loved it. And I will be painting the desk base white, so this gives us a pretty good idea of what it will look like when it’s painted.
Here’s another view of the base before yesterday’s work.
And here it is after yesterday’s work…
And before…
And after…
With the various parts in three different colors, everything looked confusing and disconnected, and certain parts stood out more than others.
But having everything painted one solid, unifying color really brought everything together so that no single part stands out more than others.
Anyway, with one afternoon and evening of work, I went from having an “I guess it’ll do” attitude to being really excited about this silly little desk now. And all it took was one unifying paint (or primer) color.
Before yesterday, I was literally thinking that I’d make do with this desk while I also keep an eye out for a desk that I really love, whether that’s in two months or two years. But now, I don’t even want to keep an eye out for a new desk. I absolutely love this one!
I can’t wait to get the warm walnut top on it! And just imagine it with my dark red velvet chair sitting behind it.
I have been thinking about a way to add just a touch of gold to the base. I don’t want much. I want it to be just a little accent. And the idea that I came up with is to use gold gilding on the edges of the vine cutout and the frame around it.
I’m still thinking about it, though. A lot of those areas would be very easy to paint. But there are some of those edge areas that are a very tight fit, even for a little craft paint brush. So I’m not 100% decided on that idea just yet, but I’m mulling it over and seriously considering it.
And while I had my doubts for a minute, I’m really excited about how these top panels turned out once they were all one color.
So, I’m sorry I didn’t get more done. I had really hoped we could end this week looking at pictures of my finished desk. I hope to have it finished by Monday. But this is what I saw early this morning when I walked into my studio. This is the view that made me so excited that I just had to share my progress with you today. I just get giddy seeing that white desk base against the pink cabinets with the colorful pendant ight above.
Can you imagine what the finished area will look like? White desk base with subtle gold accents? Warm walnut desktop? Dark red velvet desk chair? Clutter put away? I can see it in my mind’s eye, and I think it’ll be amazing!
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.