Hey guys – today I’m sharing my favorite How to Decoupage a Desk project.
This desk came to me from a family friend who asked me to redo it for her teenage daughter’s birthday. She had two requests: French-themed and decoupage. Two of my favorite things!
Chalk Paint the Desk
I planned to do a couple layers and then distress it, so first I painted a layer of Chalk Paint in Old Ochre. The water rings bled through this layer, but it was okay since I planned to paint the desk dark. If I had wanted to keep the desk a light color I would’ve used a shellac primer before painting.
I sanded to smooth out the brushstrokes and then added two coats of Chalk Paint in Graphite. Then I lightly sanded again- especially the edges to give it a distressed, naturally aged look. Both clear and dark wax were used to make the desk look more black. (Graphite with just clear wax looks like dark gray.)
Learn all about how to Chalk Paint furniture here – a beginner’s guide to Chalk Painting.
How to Decoupage a Desk
I used matte Mod Podge to glue French themed scrapbook paper on the drawer fronts. One layer of Mod Podge underneath, a few minutes of smoothing out the paper to avoid wrinkles, and then another thin layer on top.
The hardware was also painted in Graphite and waxed.
I LOVE how the French decoupage desk turned out – but more importantly, my client and her daughter love it too!
The reddish book (second from the bottom) was one of my French textbooks from high school. The others I’ve collected over time, and the top two I brought on our trips to Paris. 😉
Below you can see where some Old Ochre and also the wood underneath are peeking through.
Here’s another look at this painted decoupage desk:
Feel free to share this post with a friend or Pin it to easily find it again later:
– Jen, Girl in the Garage
Next, visit my friends below for more inspiration! Click the links under the collage to see the Afters of their makeovers.
Susan says
Jen, You hit this one out of the park. I’m usually a white and light furniture person, but you’ve won me over with this lovely desk.
Jen says
Thank you so much, Susan! This was a fun project. 🙂
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Ooh, la, la, Jen!! So gorgeous in every way. That decoupage really sets it off and makes a striking statement. 🙂
Vera says
I love your work. Beautiful and funny…
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
This is one of my all-time faves!!! You know how to slam-dunk a black makeover! XO
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer recently posted…French Provincial Chair Makeover {Best of the Archives!}
Kandice says
This came out gorgeous. Love it!
Jen says
Thanks so much, Kandice!
Elizabeth says
Love it – another winner! Quick question…did you use Old Ochre chalk paint as a base coat to lighten up the Graphite or to allow some white to come through when distressing – or both? Cheers! 🙂
Jen says
Thanks Elizabeth! I used Old Ochre just so it would peek through from behind the Graphite after I distressed it.
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
One of my favorites!! Great makeover Jen!
xo
Nancy
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule recently posted…DIY Coastal Wall Art (Trash to Treasure Archives)
Crystal says
It’s beautiful!! You did an incredible job on it!!
Jen says
Thank you so much, Crystal!