Hello again, friend!
It’s trash to treasure makeover day and I have an amazing project to share with you! I started with this desk I bought for cheap at an estate sale… it was definitely trashy:
My husband (Mr. GITG) convinced me to paint it for the vintage market, even though I had been avoiding it for ages.
It was SO filthy and gross. And several of the drawers had ink spilled all over inside…
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I was not looking forward to this project! I started by cleaning it with damp cloths and then painting it in a few coats of Zinsser Bullseye Primer.
The ink came off onto my favorite Purdy brush which I didn’t like, so then I ended up pouring some primer into the drawer and spreading it around with paper towels. After about 5 coats of primer, the ink wasn’t budging. Time for Plan B…
I decided to line the drawers with paper, and I chose something dark but still feminine. I bought 12×12 sheets of scrapbook paper and cut them to size with my paper cutter (quick and easy for these kinds of projects!).
Before gluing the paper inside though, I painted the sides of the drawers in leftover pink paint from my stash. Thankfully it was dark enough to cover the ink on the sides.
The drawer was longer than my paper so I cut a small strip and glued that on with Mod Podge in the back, then glued the larger section in the front.
Be careful to not use too much Mod Podge, go slowly, and smooth out wrinkles as you go.
You can see the layout of the large middle drawer here – two thin sections for the back and two larger sections (one is a full sheet) for the front.
I use Matte Mod Podge for this kind of project because if you’re a little messy and get some glue on the sides (like me), the matte won’t be near as noticeable as the glossy would be.
The rest of the desk was painted in about 3 coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White…
Even the handles.
Finally, I used General Finishes Topcoat for the protective finish. (Update: Now I only use Annie Sloan’s furniture wax as a topcoat. Most others tend to yellow even when they claim they won’t!) Watching this vintage French Provincial desk go from filthy yellow to bright, clean white was so satisfying! <3
I love how it looks so simple from the outside and then you open the drawers and it’s like BAM! – a bold pop of unexpected color.
Such a fun secret, right?
I finished this desk makeover a couple weeks ago and took photos right before we loaded it into the trailer to take to the market. A very nice couple ended up buying it. 🙂
I like adding a fun surprise in my projects – do you too? In this case it was necessity, but it all worked out for the best!
My friends are sharing trashy makeovers too… Below are their “Before” photos – click the links underneath to go to each tutorial and see the “After” photos.
Carla says
I love your desk transformation!
Marcie Lovett says
That was a pretty tragic “before.” Love the after!
Paula@SweetPea says
The painted drawer sides and lined drawers really make this piece pop. It looks like a beautiful white desk and then when you open the drawers, the surprise is wonderful!
Carolyn says
What a nice change! I think it would have looked nice with gold handles too.
Monica says
I just want to tell you that I absolutely love what you have done with this piece!!! So beautiful with a clean, white exterior and surprising pop of color on the inside! I just love your taste! Thank you for sharing! I always feel inspired when I see the cool things others have done with old/sad pieces.
Christy@Confessions of Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
I love this so much, Jen!! Funny how the problem issues are what lead us in a different direction, that often results in something so much better than the original idea! The drawers really up the wow factor!! XOXO
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
Oh my do I LOVE the surprise waiting inside that desk! I actually gasped out loud when I saw the photo. The strong red color combined with the soft white – perfection and the papered drawers just pulled it all together. No surprise it sold. Pinned to share but 🙂
Kim says
Absolutely love the desk makeover. The colors are perfect!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
wow, classic and beautiful!!! I love the drawers. 🙂
Joanne Taggart says
Love the desk and especially the surprise when you open the drawers. I think they are the icing on the cake and who doesn’t like cake. Beautiful job and thanks for sharing.
Audra @ Renewed Projects says
wow! What a quiet and unassuming piece with a bold secret to share! Love it!
Jen says
Thanks so much, Audra! I love doing neutrals so this was a fun way to add some unexpected color. 🙂
Jen says
Thank you Joanne! Now you’ve got me craving some cake 😉
Jen says
Thanks so much Nancy! xo
Jen says
Thank you Kim! I was lucky to already have pink paint that matched the paper. 🙂
Jen says
Thanks so much Marie, I’m glad you like it! xo
Jen says
Oh yes, so true! Hey I warned you a few weeks back I was working on a white FP piece like your white and gold buffet 😉
Jen says
Thanks so much, Monica! Your sweet comment made my day!
Jen says
Oh yes, I love how white and gold look together!
Jen says
Thank you Paula! 🙂 I had to break away from another solid neutral project, LOL
Jen says
Thanks so much, Marcie! You can tell why I put off doing this makeover for so long – that Before was nasty!
Jen says
Thank you so much, Carla!
DiB says
Love it! I also love the appointments that you used to display the desk!
Nicole says
Do you know how well the paint on the sides of the drawers stays? Wondering if it scrapes off by pulling drawers in and out – does it hold up to repeated wear over months?
Thanks! It looks beautiful!
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thanks Nicole! It really depends how much room your drawers have on either side. If it’s a tight fit already, I wouldn’t paint them and take the chance of it scraping. If there’s plenty of room, I say go for it!
Colette says
So Pretty! I love the pink drawers and floral paper. Do you know what colour of pink you used on the drawers? I want to paint my dresser and I love that colour?
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Thank you! I think it’s the same color I used on this chair makeover: https://girlinthegarage.net/2013/05/berry-blush-chair-makeover “Berry Blush”
Lynette Coppernoll says
Hello! I have a desk that looks very similar to the “before” desk of yours. I have a few questions.
1. Did you strip the desk before painting it?
2. What kind of paint did you use?
3. Did you prime it first?
Thank you
Jen, Girl in the Garage says
Hi Lynette, I think you’ll find the answers inside the blog post. 🙂 The desk couldn’t be stripped because it’s not real wood.