Janel's January Jumpstart Project: Desk Redo #4 - Finished!

The One Shot paint was a bit of a bear to deal with and I ended up doing three coats total, with sanding in between. Drying time in my unheated apartment building basement (in January!) took a while, too.

The biggest improvement to my DIY process came after my last post - instead of applying the second and third coats with a brush (like the disastrous first coat) I switched to a small, ultra fine roller. A HUGE improvement and one worth noting for next time.

For the photos, I paired it with a small stool from Crate and Barrel that I've had for ages, my prized black lacquer box (one of my favorite things - it has a lime green silk lining!) and a bulb that very cooperatively bloomed just in time for the photo. For now, it is in my bedroom, but actually might end up in my son's room - he's in need of a permanent Lego building station!

All in all, I'm pleased to have had the January Jumpstart "excuse" to get this project done - I really like the new look and LOVE that I did it myself!

Previous Entries on this project:

Janel's January Jumpstart Project: Desk Redo #3

Janel's January Jumpstart Project: Desk Redo #2

Janel's January Jumpstart Project: Desk Redo #1

January Jumpstart Project Preview: Desk Redo

it's really beautiful - great job! (it has such nice lines that it always looked nice - now it looks wow!)

posted by Joan in SB on February 1st 2008 at 8:09am
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Yay!

I was worried for a second,

But it looks beautiful! Good going!

posted by art on February 1st 2008 at 8:20am
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It looks fantastic!

posted by sarah c on February 1st 2008 at 8:22am
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It's gorgeous!

posted by sarahduckie on February 1st 2008 at 8:29am
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Beautiful! The white really sets off the details. I hadn't even noticed those in the before pics. Great job. :)

posted by Kelly on February 1st 2008 at 8:50am
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i love this!

posted by tornados in brooklyn on February 1st 2008 at 8:52am
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Looks great...love the reflection as well....=]

posted by tofu_boy on February 1st 2008 at 9:03am
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Nice job!

posted by naima225 on February 1st 2008 at 9:05am
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Very, very nice. I appreciate the style-matched stool, but it doesn't look like you'll be able to get your knees under the table when sitting :(

posted by superstovall on February 1st 2008 at 9:08am
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Great pairing with the stool!

posted by ami on February 1st 2008 at 9:11am
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Elegant and tasteful are the words that come to my mind. Good job!

posted by Michael W. on February 1st 2008 at 9:21am
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Ooooh, that looks like it would make for a gorgeous dressing table!

posted by sparkle on February 1st 2008 at 9:28am
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Janel,

It's gorgeous!!! Great job. And I love that this might be used as a lego building station. That's the best!

posted by katie on February 1st 2008 at 9:42am
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thanks very much everyone!

It made a difference knowing you were all "out there" while I was working on it. I really wanted it to come out well for all of us! Having a deadline was a also a huge help, especially when it got a little icky in the middle - I just had to keep going no matter what!

I think the January Jumpstart was a great motivator and a fun way to get a project done with lots of support...and yes, art, i was definitely worried for a bit there too!

posted by janel on February 1st 2008 at 9:56am
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Oh, I love it! Much too beautiful for Legos!

posted by a.meyer on February 1st 2008 at 10:15am
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good job! i wonder if there's a high gloss enamel/lacquer paint in the "west elm" chocolate brown color? i'd like to paint my bathroom vanity to match the medicine cabinet i bought in that color.

posted by SD913 on February 1st 2008 at 10:28am
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well done! i too was worried when i saw the last stage, painting against the weather sucks. kudos for seeing this through!

posted by southof290 on February 1st 2008 at 11:15am
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Not that your son doesn't deserve something nice to build his Legos on (and seriously, those things on the corners would probably look great with that) but these photos make me want you to keep that table right where it is -- just as it is -- for a long time. It's VERY nice.

posted by Curtis on February 1st 2008 at 11:26am
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So beautiful, Janel! Way to stick with it, despite the damp cold basements of the midwest.

posted by kate on February 1st 2008 at 12:14pm
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I LOVE your desk! You did a wonderful job! Where did you find it? Thanks!

posted by BobbiH on February 1st 2008 at 12:20pm
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Amazing transformation!

posted by siska Ott on February 1st 2008 at 12:30pm
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It's gorgeous! I LOVE it!

posted by tooshie on February 1st 2008 at 1:53pm
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Janel... Job well done! It looks fantastic.

posted by Devyn on February 2nd 2008 at 9:22am
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Good job, Janel. And you were worried -- pish posh!

posted by Alex on February 3rd 2008 at 2:26pm
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great job! i would pair it with a modern chair though for a more interesting juxtaposition...tension is good.

posted by shoepins on April 24th 2008 at 9:26am
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