I was out of town all weekend for a MOPS retreat. We drove up to VA and stayed in a fantastic home in a fabulous setting. It was such a relaxing and fun weekend! Since I was gone {and had no access to the Internet} I was suppose to have a guest post for you today. However, we are having some technical difficulties, so I will have to postpone that. Luckily I had this as back up:
Some of you might be saying that this looks a little familiar. Well, you are right. I showed these pieces for a guest post I did over at Remodelaholic several weeks ago. Some of you might not have seen it though, so I thought I’d share it again, just in case.
Would you believe me if I told you this desk and chair cost less than $20? Well, it’s the truth!
As most of you know I love turning someone else’s trash into my own new treasure. Particularly furniture. It’s garage sale season and I am up and out early on Saturday mornings in hunt of some great bargains! I found this chair for just $5!
I gave it a good cleaning with the hose and let it dry out in the sun before taking my mouse sander to it. I roughed it up pretty well to make sure the varnish was taken off.
I used one coat of Kilz {water-based} primer and then three coats of Olympic Irish Cream {just slightly off white} in a satin finish.
Then, after all that hard work, I took my sandpaper and started distressing it! I use a very low grit to remove the paint but then use a very fine sand block to smooth it out.
Here is a preview of what it looked like after distressing. You’ll see the finished product in just sec. First let me show you the second part to this project.
My mother-in-law gave me an old sewing table a while back. Now I know I’m going to get some grief for saying this, but I removed the table top and sewing machine and replaced it with a large piece wood because I love the look of the legs, but the table top was not functional. It wasn’t one of the nice ones with the drawers, just a flat table that unfolded. I wanted to use it for a writing desk and once the sewing machine was removed the original table top had a big hole in it. So i decided to make a new top all together.
Here is the stained piece of wood after I took my mouse sander to it. It had a thick coat of varnish on it, so it took some elbow grease to rough this baby up.
Then I took a hammer to it and it was actually quite fun! I softened up the sharp edges a bit and put some dings and dents all over the edges, sides and top.
One coat of primer and three coats of the same paint used on the chair .
Then again, I took my low-grit {rough} sand paper and started scraping away at the paint. This knot above is a result of the hammer. Love it! I wasn’t quite getting the result that I wanted with the sandpaper, it was still too clean and white.
So out came my handy dandy mouse sander again and it worked like a charm. Sneak peak. . .
Okay, are you ready to see my new writing desk?
I hope to be back either later today or first thing tomorrow with the guest post.
This week I’m linking up to these fabulous parties:
I love the distressed look. And I agree, the sewing table is a great look.
Hi Jennifer! 🙂 Glad you like my laundry room..I absolutely adore it! I stand in the doorway like a kid in a candy store, and just stare. 🙂 I'm weird, I know, but I can't help it! lol
Your writing desk and chair are lovely..love the distressing!
Have a great week
Missy
Aww, I love your little work station! So beautiful – I love the old photographs hanging above. Nice touch. 😉
Jen! I am so excited you are featuring my wedge salad on Friday! Thank you so much! And…I love your blog. I have been a follower for a while and I would love it if you would follow back!? Have a great day! AND thanks again…
Impressive! AND under $20!!! What a great find and vision.
I love what you did with these pieces…they look like they belong in the Pottery Barn catalogue and all for 20 bucks!
WOW! I love this…you just gave me an idea! beautiful work
I'm jealous, I so want that desk! I found you at the Creative Blog and would love it if you stopped by:) I love your blog!
hi, i love it. i actually just picked up a sewing machine bottom to do the same thing i found mine at an estate sale for 7 dollars with a marble top but i didnt like the marble top want to do something like you did. its beautiful and i love that you made it into a desk.
lauren
What a cute project! I saw someone else make a sewing table into a planting bench. Makes me want to search for old sewing tables to re do into cute stuff!
I found you through the Tip Me Tuesday link party. I'm your newest follower through google and would love a follow back if you're interested! http://creativecarissa.blogspot.com
You are amazing…
Honestly, I love this table and the chair SO much!
I know I am not one with a "cool party" but I'd love for you to share it there 😉
WOW!
As I was scrolling through the post, I couldn't help but notice your cute outfit in the picture of you painting the chair. Can you tell us where the shirt, jeans and sandals are from?? Love the look!! Thanks!!
Good job! I want the kids to leave home so that I can have this kinda stuff.
This looks great!! TFS!! Stopping by from The Shabby Chic Cottage linky party. I'm already a follower and now a follower on FB.
This is what I shared this week: http://craftybrooklynarmywife.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-pillows.html
Very nice! They look fabulous together. Great job. Thanks for linking up to this week's Catch a Glimpse party.
Looks great and you did a wonderful job!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
This turned out great! It makes me wish I hadn't gotten rid of my antique sewing table!
Nice job! It looks great!
Benita
No grief from me! Your new writing desk is wonderful. I have an old sewing table too I am getting ready to paint to use as a table too but I keep putting the job off. You gave me inspiration. 🙂
I know I saw this at Remodelaholic, but I still love it! I want an old sewing machine base NOW…
Fantastic job. I love the writing desk.
You are so creative! Thank you for the inspiration!
Hi Jen! Great projects! They're both just gorgeous! I'm going to definitely have to get one of those cute mouse sanders! I was recently given the bottom of an antique sewing table which I planned on making a table out of. May I ask how you attached the tabletop to the bottom? Thank you – and hope you're having a great weekend! 🙂
xoxo laurie
This is such a sweet set. Years ago (25) I did the same thing. I used it for sewing, and I used it in the kitchen as a tiny eating table in my apartment.
Haha! Someone (Charissa) asked about my outfit. I couldn't directly email you back b/c I didn't have your email, so I hope you do read this. It's all from Forever 21 (I don't buy all my clothes there, but many of them). And when I get the urge to paint, I just go do it w/out changing. I've ruined many pairs of pants. I don't know if I'll ever learn! Thanks to everyone for all your comments!
Jen
No yelling from me, I LOVE what you did with the sewing table. I have a base and have not fixed it up yet. thanks for inspiring me again.
Love the way the chair turned out too.
blessings
barbara jean
love to feature this on my next revival monday, please let me know if this would be ok with you.
lauren
i am in love with this project {& that you dress so cute when painting — i will no longer be donning yoga wear when painting} — found you through a post on mod podge!