French Inspired Desk

reLoved Before & After French Inspired Desk, a furniture make-over story.

Over the weekend, I was able to finish up this little French cutie. It had really great lines, a small attached hutch for extra storage and was in solid, sturdy condition… But take a look at how ugly it was!!

Ugly Desk Makeover

This one got the full treatment: sanded, primed, and painted. (I used Zinsser Cover Stain for my primer)

Here she is all primed out! Looks a million times better already!

(Don’t laugh at my furniture risers!)

french desk primed

Underneath some old cruddy, 1980′s contact paper was this gorgeous original vintage drawer liner. I carefully removed the contact paper, only to find one of the liners was pretty damaged! I had to salvage it because the other 6 drawers weren’t that bad, considering the age. So, I hand painted the damaged areas to blend in.

Remove Drawer Liners

I chose a Creamy Cottage White for the paint color.  I accented the drawers with a soft blue-grey. After everything was dry, I did some antiquing to accentuate some of the details and bring out the SLIGHT distressing… At this point, my French Inspired Desk idea was really starting to come together.

French Inspired Desk redo

But, I thought it needed a little something…

I found this scrap book paper that really spoke to me! It was saying “buy me and go home and scrap!!”

scrapbook paper inspiration

But, I had to resist…. *sigh* So I decided to go home and hand paint a similar design on the desk.

French Inspired Desk Hand Painted

Then I stenciled a little darker blue on top of my hand painted design to coordinate with the blue drawer fronts.  Here you can see the pretty vintage drawer liners!

French Inspired Desk

The drawer pulls were so pretty, they just needed cleaning up… I soaked them in vinegar, and then scrubbed with some baking soda.

And there you have it!! My finished French Inspired Desk!

 

French Inspired Desk

Sorry, my lighting is not the greatest!

French Inspired DeskReally… The lighting just kills is…

French Inspired Desk by Painted Vintage

Painting furniture is my passion!! If you enjoyed my French Inspired Desk reLoved Before and After photos, please subscribe to my blog.

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I also do commissioned work and custom refurbishments on furniture you already have. Feel free to email me if you have something you would like repurposed, or personalized. Whether your style is Chalk Painted Shabby Chic, a Fun and Funky Zebra Lover, or that Heavily Distressed Barn Look, I can make-over your furniture into a a work of art, the coordinates with your home’s decor!!

 

Comments

  1. Clair

    I love you colour choices. I have been struggling to find a blue-grey, can you share the name and maker of the blue-grey you used on the inside of the drawers on the french inspired desk?

  2. Becky Altobelli

    Do you use chalk paint on your pieces or something different. If paint what brand do you use. It looks so smooth.

    • Sometimes I use chalk paint. But for the most part, I like to sand, prime and paint with a good quality latex paint. This piece was finished with Sherwin Williams paint.

  3. Kathleen Cutolo

    I also would like to know if this desk is for sale…. or already gone….. Looking for one like it, please let me know, Thanks, Kathleen

  4. Hey was wondering if this desk is for sale through you and if so how much! Your work is fantastic and I’m looking for an either ornate styled desk or super simple flat top single drawer super vintage styled like 20 s era if ya have anything! Thanks!

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