You know I love a good challenge, right? It seems I often undertake the hottest mess of projects at times and find myself scratching my head as to the why. ahem. Well, today is one of those days, and I know why. Meet this dilapidated sewing desk that is going to become a Mid Century Modern desk set with a cause.
We have: (1) water damage (2) fun carvings into the wood (3) missing veneer (4) legs removed (5) missing knobs (6) and a top that has taken a beating. Oy!
Even smiley face stickers cover the back. I love it. If you haven't seen my other Mid Century makeovers before, be sure to take a peek
HERE.
The story behind this piece is an exciting one. Why? Because I have been hoping to do something like this for some time now, and I think this is my starting point.
Also, just to give a true start, here is what I first saw to see if I was interested...would it scare you?
THE BACK STORY
If you're not familiar with my
Finding Home program, I'll do a quick breakdown. Over the last year and half, I've been taking applications for folks that nominate someone who deserves a hug. I want to bless someone who is in need of a special reward for a service they have done or are doing, or are dealing with hardships physically and/or financially by sending them a custom-finished piece of furniture.
When selected, the nominee receives, for FREE, one of my custom furniture pieces delivered to their door. In my past
Finding Home posts, you can see the projects from start to finish with delivery to recipients. Unfortunately, after the first episode of my program launch I was finding it hard to get
anyone to nominate
anybody. How sad! I can't wrap my brain around folks will jump all over a giveaway that's for them, but not get involved in demonstrating love for others. It has happened every time I offer a giveaway where the goal is to nominate a recipient for this program or other offers.
PRESENT DAY
However, for today's instance, this Mid-Century Modern desk is going to be finding a new home locally. Though, keep in mind, I am still taking applications for my Finding Home program that can reach anywhere in the continental U.S.
In case you missed last month's post, my Finding Home program presented a custom makeover to a buffet used in the Paid in Full new church location. Take a peek at the
story and makeover HERE.
TIME TO DIY
First, to get this makeover started, I removed that awfully damaged desk top. However, keep in mind the top still could have a use being upcycled for another purpose - it's wood isn't it? {{wink, wink}}
Then, once I had the top removed, I reattached the legs and took a better assessment of what I was facing. The drawer pulls were present and made of brass, but the knobs are missing. No problem. I removed the drawers and set them aside. Also, the capped feet are brass too and just need some TLC.
TIP: to check for brass, use a magnet. If magnetic, it's not brass. You can also use this for checking silver vs. silver plate. All bonafide junkers must carry a magnet with them at all times! hee hee.
As for the rest of the cabinet, I knew it would need to meet Mr. Wood Filler and Mr. Sander. ugh. Look at that hot mess-ness! Someone had a hay-day carving into the surfaces.
SEATS ANYONE?
Of course, every desk is going to need a chair. I say it all the time that when I need one, I can't find one, and when I don't need one, I have five waiting in my stash. ugh. After a couple of trips to various stores, I finally found this set of Heywood Wakefield chairs.
They are as genuine MCM as you can get and the perfect pairing for my project. Thank you to Revivals 2 Thrift Store for giving me a deal to help this ministry project come to fruition.
My sander and I had a job to do and we got 'er done. The wood looks so refreshed now.
Not only did I sand this chair down, but the drawer fronts too so I could give them a fresh stain. However, the desk cabinet was going to get a stain-blocking primer layer to hide the bleed-through as well as the water damage.
Meanwhile, I applied a Hickory Gel Stain to the drawer fronts, let cure, then added two coats of a satin poly.
NEXT
Then, while those cure, I set about to polish all the brass hardware with my Bar Keepers Friend. Talk about amazing stuff!
This is my must-have product for my enameled cast iron sinks, tub, and my stainless cooktop. It is cheap and works wonders.
In addition to the polishing, I also began my work making a new top for the desk. I've saved the old top for another new life, but the sewing machine hole would deem useless for this makeover.
I purchased a project piece of ¾" birch plywood, cut it to size, and then prepared to add edgebanding. This hides the ply sides and gives a beautiful finish.
I simply iron it on, trim, and sand smooth. Easy-peasy!
Once done, I give the desk top and the chair a new stain called Summer Oak. Then, they receive a few coats of a satin poly as well. Notice my furry photo-bomber?
THE REVEAL
After all is said and done, it's finally time to see it all put together.
How about that new top? I am so excited with the outcome of it all. It has the rich tones I love that accent the wood. Whereas the paint also adds the needed contrast that stays true to the Mid-Century style. No brush strokes here thanks to the awesome brushes. Yay!
I even lined the drawers with a vintage roll of drawer liner I found at the thrift store and used on this luggage turned stand
HERE in this post. Just so fun!
Thankfully, I was able to find some coordinating brass knobs to compliment the original pulls. Aren't they sweet?
Also, the upholstery is a remnant piece I had from an
Art Deco vanity that I refinished in a weathered copper patina. You have to take a peek for yourself to see it - glam! And it went to a studio in California. So fun!
Well, my Mid-Century Modern desk makeover is complete and I'm excited to see whose home it will become a part of. I'll add an update here when applicable. Keep reading for more details!
GIVEAWAY
As I mentioned before, this desk makeover is done to support the local community. Not only and I hoping to really bless someone with a custom piece of furniture but inspire folks to see the potential in what they already own.
If you know someone in our local community that could use that hand up from my Finding Home program I described earlier, please use the orange button below to complete the nomination. However, do note that the nomination is for someone other than yourself. This program deadline will be until NOON EST on October 17th, 2019. Recipient will be announced on Tuesday October 22nd, 2019. Sign up for my
free email newsletter for updates.
In addition, for folks outside of the local Paid in Full community and know of a deserving recipient, I am always taking applications for my regular program for upcoming furniture rehab projects. Please submit using the gray box below.
UPDATE
We have selected a nominee!! I can't say enough how excited we are to deliver this Mid Century Modern desk in person to Morgan.
She was nominated by her mother to be celebrated as a person who has undergone life trials that could have overtaken her. However, she is persevering and making the best of all that life gives her.
The desk is finally home! {{applause and happy dance all in one!)
And better news...we are working on the next steps of the Finding Home program for the other 7 nominees via Paid in Full. More news to come!
Do pin and share my Mid-Century Modern Desk makeover. I'm sure there are many more sewing desks out there needing new life.
Up next, I have this entertainment center that was a custom client request for a makeover.
Head here to see the fun new look!
Before you go, be sure to
sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!
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Also, more projects like my Mid Century Modern desk set:
