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…
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-45-1200x899.jpg)
And after sanding, caulking, and priming the desk base, here’s what it looks like…
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-46-900x1200.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-42-1200x900.jpg)
And here it is after yesterday’s work…
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-48-1200x900.jpg)
And before…
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-43-1200x900.jpg)
And after…
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-54-1200x900.jpg)
With the various parts in three different colors, everything looked confusing and disconnected, and certain parts stood out more than others.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-44-1200x900.jpg)
But having everything painted one solid, unifying color really brought everything together so that no single part stands out more than others.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-47-1200x900.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-49-1200x900.jpg)
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!
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-50-1200x900.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-51-1200x900.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-52-1200x900.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-53-1200x900.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-55-1200x900.jpg)
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.
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-56-900x1200.jpg)
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!
![](https://www.addicted2decorating.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/desk-makeover-57-900x1200.jpg)
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.