Student Desk {Girl}

As promised, we finished up the girl's student desk this weekend.  We got it hauled upstairs, accessorized and it has already been christened (as in, it has marker on the top already).  Last week I shared the desk project that started last November with the purchase of 2 "vintage" student desks.  I spray painted my son's desk brown.  My daughter has white furniture in her room so I brushed on white paint for hers.

I used a white flat paint and put on several coats with a light sanding between each coat.  I really liked using the flat paint as it does not show the sand marks like the satin spray paint did.  For this desk I put 4 coats of paint on the top and drawers in order to offer a strong finish since these areas take the biggest beating.

I followed up the paint with several coats of polyurethane.  In hindsight, I should have used poly-acrylic which offers a clear finish.  The polyurethane created a yellowish tint to the desk.  At some point I will probably go back and redo the finish but for now it is fine.  Again, I put a couple of extra coats on the top to better protect this surface. 

Ultimately, I would like to have a piece of glass cut to fit the top of each of the desks.  Not only will the glass protect the surface, it will allow the kids to put pictures and notes underneath like a scrapbook.  Note, when putting glass in a kids room, it should be tempered glass.  In the event that it breaks, like safety glass, it does not make as big of a mess and is safer by not creating the sharp, jagged edges.

I lined the drawers with another roll of Target Dollar Spot wrapping paper.   My daughter loves the polka dots.  I also added some fun, pink acrylic butterfly drawer pulls that I found in the dollar section at Michael's awhile back.  The knobs fit a bit close to the drawer so I put a white pony bead on as a spacer.  This makes the drawers much easier to open.

Of course, we had to accessorize.  For my girl, we hung a white Ikea magnet board and some kitten pictures from a calendar I picked up at the dollar store.  Target had some cute kitten buttons in the dollar spot.  I added a magnet to the back and they make great "girly" magnets.  I also used a couple of pink and green mini-buckets from the Dollar Spot for markers, pencils, etc.

Again, I am still on the search for the perfect chair for both kids desks.  After having the desks in their rooms, I am thinking we will paint the chairs a fun color - pink for the girl and blue, red or even green for the boy.  I hate to have their furniture too matchy-matchy and the punch of color will be fun. 

I look forward to both kids getting a lot of use out of their desks over the years!

Before

AFTER

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Student Desk {Boy}

School has started again so I decided that it was time to finish up the desks that I bought for the kids last November.  I know, that was a long time ago, and they have been collecting dust in the garage, partially sanded and not done!  Well, last week I got to work.  I started with the smaller desk for the boy because I knew I could finish his a lot quicker than the girls.


I really wanted the kids to each have a nice, wooden desk in their rooms as they grow up.  I am certain the desk will be used for many art projects, coloring and homework as they get older.  Of course, there are two options for desks in the stores.  There seems to be the fancy expensive Pottery Barn desk (which of course I LOVE but am way to cheap to buy) or the basic, metal and pressed board computer desks that have no style OR storage - a must have for kids.

I knew I needed to find an old-school student desk like the wood (albeit thin) desks we had as kids.  The flea market had several to choose from and I was so excited to be able to pick up 2 desk for $30.  There is nothing special about these desks but with a bit of paint, some fun knobs and creativity, they are perfect.

The boy has dark wood furniture in his room.  With his desk I decided to use spray paint (Rust-oleum Painter's Touch Ultra Cover 2x Coverage in espresso brown with a satin finish).  It was so quick and great.  I did about 3 light coats on the desk with a couple of extra coats on the drawers and top since they get the most wear.  I followed up the paint with a few coats of polyurethane.  Again, adding a couple of extra coats to the top for added protection.

After looking at a variety of fun knobs, I decided to go with a nice shiny nickel finish as it gives a nice industrial feel to his room and plays well with the cars theme in his room.

Above the desk we hung a metal bulletin board.  I decided that push pins and kids were probably not a good idea since most everything ends up on the floor.  We picked up this board from Ikea.  The magnets are simply some plastic wheels and Sheriff Woody stars from a couple of tic-tac-toe games I picked up at the dollar store.  I simply added a magnet to the back and they are perfect.

 

Since these were used desks the drawers were a bit dirty.  Additionally, the thin plywood bottoms were a bit rough and could cause splinters so I decided to line the drawers.  I had these fun rolls of striped wrapping paper from the Target Dollar Spot.  I simply decoupaged them down by putting a thin layer of decoupage on the bottom of the drawer and placing the paper down, using a credit card to smooth it out and remove any bubbles.  I let this layer dry overnight and then placed a thin top coat on to further protect the paper and create a nice seal.  I love the happy stripe when you open up the drawer!

Of course this project is to be continued (a.k.a. a work in progress)...

•  Desk Chair  -  I am hoping I can find a nice wooden chair similar to the one I found for the perfect little desk downstairs.  I will continue on my thrift store visits until I find just the right chair that can be spray painted up to match!

•  Glass Top  -  While I made sure to add ample layers of protection of paint and poly, I would like to have a piece of glass cut to fit the top of the desk.  Not only will it protect the surface, it will allow the kids to put photos, pictures etc. under the glass to customize their desk.  It is like a scrapbook and desk all in one!

•  Desk Accessories  -  Kids love to feel all grown up so I am working on finding or creating some fun desk accessories like a blotter, calendar, name plate, pencil holder, etc.  With the boys room I want to go with the galvanized theme.  He already has a galvanized metal trash can (lid and all) that he got for Christmas last year from Santa.

Watch for part 2 of the Student Desk posts next week when I unveil the {Girl} desk!

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The Perfect Little Desk: Part 2

You may remember last month when I found this perfect little desk and chair for $10 each at Goodwill to put in this awkward inset in our living room. 

Before                                      After

My wonderful husband got the computer hooked up a few weeks ago - not without a few hiccups.  A different computer and few trips to the store for the right wireless connector and we have Internet!  I still have not allowed the kids to play as I also want to get a timer so we don't have too many arguments when it comes to taking turns!

Today I decided to add some artwork above the computer to brighten up this dark little corner.

I used a fat quarter I picked up a few weeks ago at JoAnns and stapled it over a canvas that I had originally painted with polka-dots for my daughters room in our old house.  The mirror was this cute little molded plastic mirror I found at Goodwill for $1.99 a while back.  It was originally a bronze-gold tone.  I pulled out the bright white spray paint, cleaned up the mirror and hung it on top of the canvas with a piece of pale blue satin ribbon.

The Perfect Little Desk

Dilema #1: 
There is this awkward space to the left of our fireplace that most likely was designed to house a bookshelf to hold the components to your home theater system.  We have neither currently so it is just an odd looking space.

Dilema #2: 
Our kids are forever wanting to play on the computer.  However our desktop computer sits in the office at the front of the house.  We don't want the kids in there playing without being able to keep an eye on them.  So I have been contemplating how and where we could move the computer into the main room without it becoming a focal point (read: messy catchall area).  I love that we have the office space that can house my craft supplies and our home office "stuff".  Reality right now - the office is a storage room where boxes, papers and "stuff" goes to hide because the room has doors!

YIKES!!!

Solution:
The other day I stopped in to my favorite Goodwill store and found the PERFECT FIT!  There amongst the small furniture and other oversized items was a small, Mission style desk that I was convinced would fit into that awkward alcove to the left of our fireplace.  It Did!!!!  I also found a great, simple white chair to go witht he desk. And the the perfect spot to tuck away the computer for the kids was found.

Of course, a birch wood desk and a white chair do not quite go with the warm wood and earth tones in our home.  So I headed to the store, picked up a few cans of satin finish dark brown spray paint and got to work.  I originally thought I would put a glaze over the paint to give it some character but we actually love how it came out so no glaze was necessary.  I did, however finish the top with 3 layers of polyeurothane to further help protect the surface from the inevitable wear and tear it will receive from 2 young kids.

I want to wait a few more days for the finish to fully cure before we put the computer on the desk but I couldn't wait to share this with you.  The kids are so excited to have the computer out here in the main room and to be able to play their games.  This project has gotten me revved up to finish the two student desks I picked up last fall at this awesome flea market that one of the local churches holds.  These desks need a bit more "love" before they are ready for paint but I hope to finish them up this month.  They will love having their very own work spaces in their rooms.

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