French Country Desk Makeover
Today, we’re sharing the French Country Desk Makeover we recently completed for Week 2 of the One Room Challenge.
If you’re not familiar with this event, The One Room Challenge is currently in its fifteenth season and to date, more than 3,000 rooms have been transformed by featured designers, guest participants, and design influencers.
The entire process is documented over a six-week period as each participant shares inspiration, diy ideas, favorite tips and tricks, shopping resources, as well as a behind the scenes look at how everything is coming together along the way. It’s fun to follow because you never know what is going to happen during the 6 weeks!
As always, a big shout out to Linda of Calling it Home who created The One Room Challenge and to Better Homes and Gardens for being the official media partner of the ORC.
When I first thought about transitioning my office back into a bedroom, I wanted it to be calm and relaxing, but I also wanted to make it as functional as possible.
There are times when our sweet senior dogs are up at 2 or 3 in the morning and I just can’t go back to sleep right away. So, I knew I would need a desk that could easily serve as a nightstand but would also be big enough for a laptop.
A few years ago, I found this desk and hutch duo for a great price. Although the desk was black
and the hutch had been given a pretty bad diy spray paint job.
I knew with a bit of love and a fresh coat of paint we could shine both of these pieces right up though.
While the desk and hutch have mostly served us well over the years, I have to say, it was hard to work at the desk sometimes because the hutch took up some of the surface area on the desk.
Not wanting to lose either piece, we married the desk hutch with the buffet we’ve been using on the lanai at Bliss Barracks last month and it was a perfect fit.
The bonus is that we were then free to use the desk as a work station and also as a nightstand.
As I’ve shared with you guys before, we’ve been working really hard to create a more consistent color palette in our home these past few months. Even though I loved the Lambs Ear color the desk has been previously painted, I knew it wouldn’t work with the vision we had for the French Country inspired bedroom makeover.
So, I sanded down the desk (save for a few areas around the legs) with 80-grit sandpaper, followed by 120-grit sandpaper.
Then I painted the desk by creating a wash (equal parts water and paint) with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Paris Grey,
and allowed the desk to dry completely.
Next, I waxed the desk with a coat of clear furniture paste wax,
followed by a coat of dark furniture paste wax in an effort to create a bit of French Country patina.
I buffed the desk and the legs with a brush.
I changed out the hardware from the foxes to these knobs
and while they didn’t look bad at all, I decided to use Rub N Buff in Antique Gold on the knobs. Once they had dried, I lightly brushed the knobs with dark furniture paste wax just to knock the “new” off.
Of course, I’ll have to let the wax completely cure before I put anything on the desk.
But it’s fun to see how everything is coming together so far.
I mean, can we talk about these perfectly patinaed legs for a hot minute?
It’s such a small detail but I think it really makes this French Country inspired desk have an aged over time feel.
I’m still trying to decide on things like wall art, rugs and accessories so I’m hoping to make a decision on those items soon. If there ever was a room to try and sneak a little animal print in though, this bedroom makeover would be a great candidate.
Don’t forget to check out all the other fabulous One Room Challenge transformations that are happening this week. You can check out the featured designers here and all the guest participants here .
I’ll see you guys back here tomorrow with scenes from our week, a few menu ideas, all our favorite things from around the web and the event that will definitely alter the pace of our ORC bedroom makeover in the coming weeks. Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
Coco, I love the desk makeover! And you are so right, those legs are beautiful…I would take them over my two any day!! They are a heck of lot smoother and look so much better! 🙂 I am going to be posting this week as well…not much going on yet as we have had company and that prohibits reno work. Have a great day! Hugs!
ha ha you are so funny, Benita, I totally get ya on the legs! Super excited to see how your room is coming together. I know it’s going to be fabulous. I’m running behind already too so you’ll be in good company. Hope you had time with your guests this week. Hugs, CoCo
Um perfectly patinaed is right!!! That color came out AMAZING! Every detail you put into it is seriously perfect CoCo….and do I spy a tiny bit of that Antelope fabric I love in that last Photo : )
You’re so sweet, Lindsey, thank you! I’ve been trying to sneak that antelope print fabric in all over the house ha ha. I think I might ultimately use it in my office which I’m hoping to get back in order once we’re finished with this bedroom makeover. Sending you hugs and cheering you on as we enter Week 3 of the One Room Challenge. Hugs, CoCo
It looks beautiful! I love the inspiration board and that artwork.
Thanks so much, Deb, I really appreciate it! I’m looking forward to your little girl’s room. I know it’s going to be amazing. Hugs, CoCo
CoCo – this transformation is fabulous. Your attention to detail is amazing! Plus, you are the master of beautiful finishes! Love following along this ORC journey! Much love!
Thank you so much, ladies! I really appreciate you both being such great cheerleaders! Hugs, CoCo
Hi again, in one night, CoCo! I must’ve missed this post but I saw where you’d posted it on someone else’s blog I follow! Glad I clicked on it or I would’ve missed this beautiful French country style desk! ( French country is my style decor) and I adore the French country flair this paint job gave to this table. It truly looks great! Can’t wait to see how you use an animal print in the room! Great work, CoCo! Have a great Friday! ???
PS if you ever see comments from a Jo P. On IG, I won’t say my last name because can’t you see it when we sign up for your blog? You’ll figure it out, lol! Anyway, that’s my nickname that everyone calls me, friends, family etc.. and I just wanted you to know I’m leaving comments and likes over there as well! I still have no clue how to use IG properly yet but I’m learning as I go! I finally came out of the dark ages and decided to see what social media was all about and now I’m hooked, lol !! Have a great weekend! ?
You always leave the sweetest comments, Jo, thank you! You are also a creative so I know you already know it takes a little bit of this and a little bit of that to pull the look together 🙂 I will definitely look you up on IG thank you for letting me know. We absolutely want to stay connected with you so I will have S do a bit of research on the back end of the subscribers list to make sure we do just that. I don’t want to miss anything you’re doing either so I’d love to follow along. Hugs for a happy day, CoCo
Another fab makeover by Coco!
Thanks so much, Amber! I really appreciate it, hugs, CoCo
Oh wow, that desk is stunning! The patina is perfect! Nicely done, CoCo!
Niky @ The House on Silverado
Thank you so much, Niky, I really appreciate it! It might seem like painting all those extra layers is extra work sometimes but the effort is always worth it. Hugs, CoCo
Your desk makeover turned out gorgeous.
Happy spring,
Kippi
I really appreciate it, Kippi, thank you so much! It’s been such a desk to work at. Hugs, CoCo
The desk looks fabulous! I love your sense of style:) Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. Pinned! xo Kathleen
You are so sweet, Kathleen, thank you. It took a hot minute to add on all the layers but the effort was totally worth it. Sending you hugs, CoCo
Hi Coco, first time on your blog and I love your French Country style.
Welcome, Cheryl, and thanks so much for your kind words. I really appreciate it! I hope your day is a special one, CoCo