Pages

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Gustavian Inspired Desk Reveal!


At last, I can say it is finished! Painted and waxed on all sides. 

Of course things never go as quickly as I imagine...
But finally, I have a finished desk, and I love it!



I don't like to point fingers, really, but I totally blame it on the drawer. 



You remember, the middle one with missing molding pieces...



When I tried to pry off the other pieces, it wrecked the top layer of veneer - at least I think it was veneer. 



Anyway, it peeled, and I had to fill and wait to dry, and sand and fill and wait to dry and sand and you get the picture. 

I wish it still had the molding, but I can live with it this way...



Maybe if you didn't know it was there, you might not miss it...so don't tell anyone!



The finish was actually pretty easy to achieve...



I mixed two gray plaster of Paris paints - one warm like ASCP French Linen, and one a bit lighter and cooler like ASCP Paris Gray. I mixed a grayed down white for accents. 



I painted the darker warmer gray on first, then the lighter cooler gray, and finished details in white. The architecture shows much better now...see the feet?



Then, a bit of sanding, a coat of clear Johnson's Paste Wax, and then some Johnson's Paste Wax mixed with brown paint used as a dark wax in certain places.

I was so glad to not have to do anything except deep clean the once NASTY top! Here's a photo to jog your memory...



And another from the day I brought it home...



And this morning, in my living room...



I am glad Julie and I went out to garage sales. I'm glad I asked how much the desk cost. I'm glad it was only $5. I'm glad I know how to mix plaster paint from .50c mismatched paint samples from Lowe's. 

All in all, this desk revision didn't cost a dime. I already had all the stuff I needed for the paint and wax. I kept the same hardware, though painted some of it white since it would not come off! I like it white, anyway, so that is another thing of which I can be glad!

These pieces were my inspiration:

Halse Chest of Drawers on OneKingsLane.com The gently distressed painted gray finish, the antiqued hardware, the fluted legs, and the ornate carved detailing give this two-drawer chest a Gustavian elegance.

18TH CENTURY DANISH GUSTAVIAN CHEST OF DRAWERS in from Georgia Lacey

1123_62219010.jpg (575×575)

Via right here at Revisionary Life! 

Word for the Day:
1 Chronicles 16:31
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

Possibly Linking With:
Sunday
Sunday Show-off Link Party
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Sundays at Home
Monday
Mod Mix Monday
Masterpiece Monday
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com
http://southernhospitalityblog.com
Make it Pretty Monday
Thrifty Treasures
Tuesday
Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
The Scoop
Inspire Me Tuesday
Inspiration Exchange Linky Party
Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Show Me What Ya Got
What’s it Wednesday
Cottage Style Party
Penny Pinching Party
Thursday
Under $100 Link Party
Creative Inspirations
Time Travel Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday
Friday
Feathered Nest Friday
Furniture Feature Friday
Friday Redoux Link Party
Frugal Friday
Fabulously Creative Friday
Saturday
Party Junk
Get Schooled Saturday
Show and Tell Saturday

22 comments:

  1. Wow Revi, this is stunning! You really transformed it :) Blessings, Cecilia

    ReplyDelete
  2. BEAUTIFUL! You did a wonderful job...what a transformation!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You did an amazing job, I love the texture of the painting technique! Looks just like your inspiration pieces!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I can hardly believe it's the same desk! It's just gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  5. amazing job here, revi! and now you have a lovely desk! love your paint finish:) have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is amazing! You turned an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan, Revi!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh Revi you did a fabulous job! That desk is beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gorgeous! the desk is stunning and I love the finish you created!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow! Great job! Love your work on this. Looks wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful job Revi ... looks so perfect in your room.
    You are so talented with your mixed paints and paintbrush.
    Blessings,
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow-this turned out fantastic! What a gorgeous piece! :)
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  12. The beauty of this desk leaves me breathless. I am pinning, sharing G+-ing and whatever else to show off what you have accomplished. The molding is NOT missed.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow this is perfect for your home!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, it's so beautiful! I knew it would be. You have outdone yourself. Applause, applause!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love it! The patina is gorgeous! I pinned it to my patina board!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Omg, tis desk is fabulous! I'm absolutley blown away. Kudos to you for finding the right piece to start with and recognizing its potential, but oh what a magnificent job you did with the transformation. The color gorgeous and I'm quite the Gustavian fan so extra love there. Well done!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gustavian gorgeous!!! Well done, Revi! The patina looks beautiful and so true. I've enjoyed following along :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Revi, this is stunning!!! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features today at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week's party. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2014/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-109.html Hope to see you again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    ReplyDelete
  19. Just gorgeous!!! I love that you bought this for only $5. Thank you so much for sharing. I am featuring at The Handmade Hangout at Redouxinteriors tonight. Pinned this too!

    ReplyDelete
  20. That turned out so pretty! I can't believe how similar it is to your inspiration picture.

    ReplyDelete