An old school desk, is my contribution for Metamorphosis Monday, hosted by Susan of Between Naps on the Porch. It also fits in well with Rhoda’s Monday event, Today’s Thrifty Treasures.
The desk was purchased around 1975, when the local school replaced desks like this, with newer modern furniture. When we acquired the desk, for oldest daughter, it had been “antiqued”.
Our three daughters used the desk for homework assignments, including the dissection of frogs, for high school Biology.
Youngest daughter’s best friend Lisa, pledged her undying love for a boy named Tommy, with a little note, written on the sliding writing surface. The girls have been friends since elementary school.
While J was sanding and preparing the desk for painting, he found a note under one of the drawers. The note, folded to resemble an envelope, was addressed to youngest daughter, in History. The return address showed the name of the above mentioned longtime friend, in Study Hall. The subject of the note had something to do with what someone was wearing and how it compared to what he had worn the day before, or some such. The note was written around 1988. We’ll pass it along to youngest daughter, when we see her, next time.
After the girls were out of school, the desk was given to oldest daughter, who kept it until 2 years ago, when she decided to put it in our garage sale. I thought the desk would look pretty painted; so we kept it.
As so often happens with our projects, the desk sat in the garage for almost 2 years. About a month ago, J began sanding it. We sent the desk to a local auto body shop, for painting, Monday, June 15th. The following Wednesday afternoon, we got the call; the desk was ready to bring home.
This is not the first time we’ve taken a piece of furniture to the body shop for painting. Last year, we had a headboard done for the front guest room. The cost is reasonable and the painter does a wonderful job, painting the pieces in a dust free environment. Well worth the money!
Today, almost 35 years after it was purchased, the old desk has found a new home, in our hearth room. It looks perfect, sitting in a corner, near the windows. It was meant for the desk, with sweet school days memories, to stay with our family.
Desk Paint:
Benjamin Moore-Egg Shell (satin) Black.
The black 2 drawer box is from Target, about 4 years ago, the color is original, to the box.
91 comments:
Hi Pat
I've been a bad blog friend this week, but I'm sure having fun this afternoon catching up with everyone.
I remember you mentioning re-doing the old desk recently and I loved seeing the finished project. Pat, it looks wonderful. Perfect!
Hugs!
Kat
Gorgeous Pat...quite the butterfly!
Just wonderful Pat...I loved the story behind the desk...How cool that you still have the note..Loved the way you have her all done up...just beautiful my friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
I love, love, love it painted black. Oh, how I adore things that have sentimental value. I'm posting tomorrow on Wise Old Owl about an old porch swing we still own that I used to sit in with our daughter and watch for the school bus!!! Wonderful, sweet, precious memories!!! You did an amazing job refinishing!!!
What a wonderful old desk and it looks great painted black! I never thought about sending something to an auto body shop for painting. Great tip! And, dang if I don't want one of those chicken wire cloches!!
Robin@Miscellaneous Thoughts
That cute little black box on top really adds to the charm of this family heirloom. I bet you are very happy you resisted selling the desk. Sally
Hi Pat! The desk looks wonderful...ready to take on its new life! What a great idea to have an auto body shop paint it! I love the old note between friends...lol! As a teacher, I found lots of those in the desks at school! And...I must say that I heart the rooster lamp and the wire cloche and its rooster! Have a great week!...Debbie
Pat - The desk looks wonderful. I used a body shop here in town for repainting my grandmother's wrought iron furniture that is on our back deck. It was white and I selected a dark brown for it. He did a fantastic job and was very particular which I love. What kind of paint did he use on the desk? Did he also do that matching box?
We will head home from the lake in about an hour. It was horribly hot here over the weekend but my four sweeties kept me so busy, I had little time to notice.
Have a great week.
Charla
The desk looks great! I have the exact same desk. mmmmmm.......
Pat, it looks wonderful. And, I agree that it was meant for that spot.
We have an old desk and chair from a school, and our grandson has it in his room now.
I think it is a lovely desk. I'd like to find someone in our area who would do the painting for us. Do you provide the paint for them?
Hi Pat !
I love your "new" desk ! Never thought about an auto body guy painting...that is what my hubby does - but on a larger scale - fire trucks..anyway I could ask him to do my large pieces in his shop but, I might wait forever :o)
I guess if I paid him...nah..LOL !
I really do love your desk and great to keep something that has been in the family !
Hugs ~ Kammy
p.s. thanks for visiting my blog and yes, I have many, many more projects to finish and post !
Pat, don't you just love it when you get a new life for something that you already had....and something with so many memories. Love the way you had it finished and decorated. Linda
What a wonderful transformation with the desk that holds such a sweet history. You always find the perfect spot to place things, and believe me, I have used your pictures for reference over and over. Being the tile girl that I am, I must say that I am smitten with your floor.
XOSue
Evening, Dear Pat! Oh, this turned out so lovely! I would never have thought of painting this desk black! It's beautiful! What a wonderful spot too, in the corner between the two windows! Oh, now I'm coveting that little rooster lamp just a tiny bit! It's precious! You have the desk decorated so beautifully, just like every thing else you do!
I have a desk just like yours except mine has a leatherlike top on it. I use it for my sewing table. Lots of storage!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Beautiful job with the desk and what a great story to go with it.
Oh I love this little desk. It is just absolutely gorgeous. I am also so intrigued with the way you have it accessorized. You always do such a fantastic job with accessories. I love love it all. Perfect. Hugs, Marty
The desk looks great! I wonder what a body shop would charge to paint something like that around here. I may have to look into that option.
Glenda
This is just adorable. The Target box really adds so much to it. What a wonderful job the fella did on the painting. I just love it!
xo bj
Wonderful color selection for the desk Pat! I'm looking for "shades" of black for a couple of reinventions & this one is now at the top of my list. Love the vignette & I ♥ your chicken wire cloche! ☺ Diane
I always have a question about such projects... did they paint the interiors of the drawers also?
And is it just latex paint? like what you'd use on walls? or is it an enamel or oil based paint?
it looks so pretty and I can just imagine you sitting there blogging at it!
The desk is so fabulous!! You did a wonderful job. I love it and I love how it looks with all the accessories you chose... Good eye!!
You were right-that little desk looks good painted. I'm glad you kept it. It looks great. I love the little wire cloche.
Rhonda
Pat...your desk looks awesome! Wow, what a great job they did painting it! I love how it's not too big...just the perfect size to tuck into the corner! I know you are glad you kept it! And I see you have excellent test in literature! You can never go wrong with a book by Michael Lee West!
:-) Susan
I love the painted desk and I think it is so sweet that you have a desk with such memories. Paint is wonderful isn't it?
Oh, what a little black paint can do to a tired piece of furniture.... I had a desk like that in my classroom when I first taught school back in the dark ages in 1978. It's beautiful and deserves to remain in the family. Thanks for sharing!
The desk looks great! It is identical to one we pulled out of a trash heap on the side of the road. We refinished it, and it has been in my son's room ever since. It is beautiful and your room is beautiful! Jackie
The desk is perfect for your beautiful room. Love it. 5*
Great job on the desk!! I just painted my black desk white! You know how we all need change sometimes :) And the rooster lamp, my Mimi would LOVE it, she's got her kitchen in French Country.
And your floors are really nice too!! Thanks for all the pretty pics.
Oh Pat, what a beautiful and heartfelt story! I am so moved by this. I graduated high school in 1975. Didn't realize they looked like such antiques. How we forget! It is so pretty now. So vibrant and rich in color. I'm going to take my things to be painted at the body shop here from now on. I'm terrible at painting and asthma gets me when there's dust. Thanks for the idea!
Brenda
The best looks so good in black. Look at all these years of use you've gotten out of it!!!
It came out so nicely! I would not have thought of bringing furniture to the auto body shop, great idea. You must be so happy you kept this great desk. It looks wonderful!
~Michelle
Pat, that old desk looks fantastic in it's new black coat of paint. I love it there in the corner & your pics are awesome. Perfect for the laptop and sitting for a spell. I love how you all take things to the body shop for painting. I'll definitely have to remember that if I get something big that needs painting. It looks beautiful!
That looks great! I've never thought of taking this to a body shop for painting.
That looks great! I've never thought of taking this to a body shop for painting.
That desk is FAB!!!!! I love what you did with it. Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the sweet comment. Hope you have a great evening!
That's a wonderful story. The desk looks great, and I love your hearth room.
D
What a great decision to keep this desk!!! It looks absolutely gorgeous painted black... you just can't buy new desks with those kinds of memories or character! Love it!!
Gorgeous! Just love it!!!
Pat...this is simply beautiful!!! I am a huge lover of black furniture so this just speaks to me!!! You have it so beautifully accessorized as well...loving the rooster lamp!!! Love it!!!
Have a wonderful Monday!!!
XOXO
Cathy
Gorgeous desk makeover! You have a great eye for a diamond in the rough.
the desk looks great black, it is good you were able to keep that piece of family memories in your home
An absolutely fantastic redo!!!!
Your "vision" for decor never ceases to amaze me, Pat!! Love how this turned out, and that you restored part of your family's history!! I would expect no less from you!!
I am trying so hard to order my days so I can finish up some larger projects. It sure isn't easy, though.
Hope your week is wonderful,
Blessings,
Becky
a beautiful project, I love stories like this, how you have had it for a long time and isn't it amazing how up-to-date it looks with a different colour to it - the Power of Paint gets me every time I see a project like this
oh and can I say, wowza to your desk, I'm only wishing mine look half as good as that, my study is a disgrace, just can't seem to get it together, maybe a touch of flowers would do the trick
Sarah
Pat,
This turned out amazing! I don’t feel so bad knowing I am not the only one who procrastinates on projects every now and then.
Cathy
Stunning...love the rooster lamp also, I have one that is similar. Thanks for the great tip on using an auto body painter. I'll be looking for one for my bigger pieces.
Toni
What a wonderful tranformation! Reminds me of something you would see in a Pottery Barn catalogue!
When I first started teaching over 22 years ago, I sat at a desk that was identical to this!!
Beautiful job and I love the way you accessorized it!! :-) L~
Fabulous transformation! Hard to believe that's the same desk! What a great idea to take it to the body shop. laurie
This is beautiful! I love that it has been in your family for awhile and is now given "new life"...it looks perfect in it's new spot!
Love the desk it looks like it was made for that spot! Enjoyed the story too!
Thanks for sharing!
Tina
Love it! Wherever did you find the chicken wire cloche? So many wonderful accessories.
What a snazzy makeover, Pat! Love this. It's perfect in black and just makes that whole corner come to life. Great makeover!
XO,
Sheila :-)
Pat, the desk looks amazing! I guess it was worth the 35 year wait! I also love how you've accessorized it. Looks like it's straight out of a magazine.
Now that is my favorite kind of transformation. If only makeup could make my face look as good as a coat of paint did that desk! Thanks for sharing, and I really covet your chicken lamp!
Sharon
Pat, What a great desk and tranformation. Not only does it look great, but there are lots of memories associated with it. I am sure you think of your daughters when you use the desk.
Great story.
Come and visit me, I am having a giveaway.
the desk and everything else came out just gorgeous.
x
Love it.
Cheri
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
It's so perfect black!
wow! Nicely done.
What a beautiful desk and story to go along with it! It looks really nice black and your photos look really great too!
I love to see the end product of a furniture project. Excellent job! Very pretty desk and I like the way it suits the room so well. Clean, fresh and relaxing.
I really enjoy all the pics you have every day. They are well done and always beautiful.
Thank you for sharing your blog!
I just love that desk. What a great place to work on the computer. I bet you spend lots of time there!
The desk turned out beautiful! My husband used to be an auto painter and he painted our kitchen cabinets and all the doors in our home. It makes a huge difference in the finish doesn't it?
Terrific job once again. Do you ever do anything bad? Your such an inspiration to us mere decor mortals!
Very pretty
A beautiful love story with this old desk. Thanks for sharing it.
I'll bet your daughters want it back now! It's beautiful and I love it painted black.
Hugs,
Cathie
What a wonderful desk! It looks beautiful painted black. I love that it has so many wonderful memories to it. Precious!
Traci
Too cute!!! The local body shop, huh? I'll be on the lookout for one! I used to use them on a daily basis when I taught! My fav part of this style was the pullout thingie above the draweres! A perfect writing space.
Hugs,
Susan
I love it! It turned out fabulous.
Hi Pat,
It's always amazing to me what a little paint can do to a piece.
It looks just great!
Rosemary
What an awesome piece of furniture, Pat. I loved the background on it and it's eventual transformation into a functional and gorgeous item---in the perfect spot of your home!! What a show piece.
I was going to ask you what kind of paint they used---then you told us! :)
Of course, your photos are wonderful!
Have a great day---it's heating up in KC!! Dana
I love the desk painted white, it does not look like the same desk! I love the little box drawer on it. The chicken lamp! There is your wire cloche! I just love it.
What a good idea to have an auto body shop paint it for you! It really has a smooth finish. I'll have to remember this! It looks just beautiful!
Manuela
Dear Pat, Your desk is just beautiful! I would have never thought to take furniture to an auto shop for painting. You always have the most wonderful ideas. I love the story behoind the desk.
Pat, I love your desk and your story. Wonderful!!
Barb
What a beautiful desk with such beautiful memories! It looks lovely.
Stunning - it looks stunning!
Wow! I'm impressed! This turned into two gorgeous pieces of furniture, and the best part is, a desk and chair similar to that would never be made of solid wood nowdays. Love the story that goes along with it.
The desk looks great! I loved the way you decorated it too! Clever taking it to an auto body shop! I have an dresser that needs to be painted, I think I'll check into that!
What a great transformation on the desk. Love it!
Blessings,
Sandra
Hello - love your desk make-over! It's fabulous. And I think the story behind it is neat.
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
You have to be the most clever woman in the universe--sending a desk to the auto paint shop! I'll remember. My son is a body-man. He could do it for free!
Thanks for sharing such good ideas. Beautiful, beautiful desk.
Wow well it looks great! LOL. Great idea taking it to an autobody place!
All the best,
Allison
Loved the history of the desk - it looks fabulous in its new home and will be so useful.
Pat... what a great story and a beautiful job on the desk... not to mention the magnificent setting you've provided... beautiful and inviting...
Wow!! I just love it! It looks totally fabulous painted black. I love the total look of the desk and accessories! Huggy Hugs!!
love the desk black and all decorated.
I love that desk. My computer desk is an old desk that was my grandmothers and I painted it black. I also have a rooster lamp on it.
What a transformation! I love it and I'd love to have one...a real teacher desk. How neat is that?!
Lovely story too!
Blessings,
Lisa
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