Hey guys! I hope you’ve all had a good week thus far – it’s almost Friday! My week has been… interesting. Super busy with all my jobs and then to top it off my car’s alternator died on me while I was in the middle of a 6 lane road as I was coming home from work at the library. Wah wah wahhhhhh. First my radio went out, which I thought was strange, followed by my speedometer, and gas gauge. Then as I was sitting at a stoplight the whole thing went kaput. The engine wouldn’t turn over at all and I couldn’t even get my hazards to flash, so I got a lot of rude honks and glares. Ouch! Luckily a nice man pulled over and helped me push my car to the side of the road where I then proceeded to wait for 3 hours for a tow truck in scorching 87 degree heat. Whew, what an afternoon.
Today I’m bringing you a sweet desk makeover as my big project for the week! My mother-in-law had this desk/table sitting in her garage for a long time and decided she didn’t want it anymore. I gladly volunteered to give it a new home! I think my exact words might have been “I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!” Jusy saying. I loooove it’s fun scallop detailing on the bottom and the chippy white paint. After having it in my home for a while I decided to give the desk a makeover. My whole house is basically white and this sweet desk was blending in a little too much. So I decided to get crafty and add a few touches that really give it some pop! This is what I started with:
I started off by sanding down the top with a fine grit sandpaper. Once I wiped off the top with a cloth I taped sharply around the edges with painters tape as I only wanted to paint the table top. Gave this baby a few quick coats of my fave Chalkboard Spray Paint
After the chalkboard paint was set, I took a piece of regular chalk
Meanwhile, when I was waiting for the paint to dry I took some regular kraft paper
And now my favorite part! The knob! My little foxy knob! I got it from Anthropologie with the giftcard that I won in Delineate Your Dwelling’s bloggiversary giveaway. It’s so so so adorable. I can’t even handle it. I can’t even. I have named him Basil.
It actually took a surprising amount of work to get the old knob off and Basil on. I unscrewed the rusty screw with some effort and went to pull the knob off and… nothing. It was painted on! So I got my trust hammer and after a few good whacks it popped free with minimal damage. Proceeded to put Basil in place but found that the hole was too small so I had to break out my trusty power drill
Basil is finally home!
He opens quite nicely 🙂
With Basil in place, here is my finished desk makeover!
I usually put all my library books on this desk so they’re all in one place and I don’t lose them. I wrote the date the books are due with chalk for an easy reminder!
I got this little greenhouse from Ikea for $20 bucks and put in some plants (they’re fake, shhhh, don’t tell anyone) and some river rocks from Target. Let’s hope the “grow” tricks people into thinking they’re real plants.
It’s the perfect little console table to go under the windows in our front room! I’m totally in love with how it turned out 🙂
Would you use this piece as a desk, side bar, or console? Also (and even more importantly) if you had a pet fox, what would you name it?
I love it, it’s so pretty!!
Thanks, Leigh Anne! I really like it 🙂 A little more customized from what it was!
This is SUPER cute!!! Totally digging that scalloped detail too and that little knob and craft paper drawer liner were the perfect finishing touches!
Thanks, lovely! I’m very much in love with this piece, particularly little Basil! 🙂
This turned out so great! Quite honestly, I think if anyone had a fox the only logical name would be Basil….it’s perfect. lol
Haha, I know, right?? Basil is the perfect name for a classy little English fox 😛
Oh Erica . . . I am in love with this little desk. Everything about it is perfect. Please ship it to Chicago ASAP. XO Bre
Aww, thanks! Haha, I wish I could ship it to you! Basil says hello! 😀
You’re making me so proud! This is adorbs and I especially love Basil. He’s the bomb. The scallop detailing is gorgeous, I want to find a piece like that! Awesome job girl!
Aww thanks so much, Bre! I always feel good when the queen of furniture makeovers tells me that I’m making her proud! 🙂
Erica, I love how you’re using the chalkboard top! So smart and creative!!! And that Basil sure is a charmer! Haha! 🙂
Haha, isn’t he though?? He’s certainly charmed his foxy little way into my heart 🙂
Erica, it’s gorgeous! That foxy knob is just darling. And I love the little vignette that you’ve set up on top. Glad you finally got home safely!
I’m glad I got home safely, too! What a day, what a day. And thanks! I think this is one of my new fave projects thus far 🙂
I LOVE that you made the top a chalkboard!!! I’ve been eyeing that greenhouse at Ikea too! So cute! Andddd Basil is totally adorbs.
Thanks, Nicole! I was eyeing hat greenhouse foreevverr too but finally just broke down and bought it 🙂 Not a shabby $20 bucks to spend!
Erica, I absolutely LOVE everything about this! Everything turned out amazing! Love all the little details.
Thanks so much, Tara! I’m really happy with how it turned out, too 🙂
Beautiful – and the inside of the drawer was a super creative touch! I love it…
Thank you so much! I’m glad you love it 🙂
This is so cute Erica! Adding the plants on top adds such a nice touch! I’m seriously in love with all the fun makeovers we can do with spray paint. Thanks so much for sharing this at Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop!
Thanks so much, Carrie! I absolutely love spray paint, too – so versatile!
Great makeover! I love that little desk… and Basil. Thanks for sharing it at #MerryMonday!
Your desk is awesome, Erica! Thanks so much for sharing at Project Inspire{d}. This will be one of tonight’s features.
Aw, thanks so much, Mary Beth!! I’m honored to be featured! Love Project Inspire{d} 🙂
I love it, expecially Basil. Think I would have done the drawer liner detail on the outside front of the drawer itself, I love it that much. Basil great for a cat, how about cumin for the fox? Just kidding.
I really love the pattern of the drawer liner too and definitely plan to use it elsewhere in my home! Cumin is a fun name too – I will have to find a new animal friend to name that!