Earlier this week I showed you some of my recent finds. This desk was one of my recent freebies. The drawers are in great shape, but the bottom (veneer) is rough.
This veneer is more than I wanted to deal with in repairing.
Each side of the desk has some issues also.
My Repurposed Life is all about changing things up. I could have just put on some trim, painted it and called it a day. But I’m always ready to use some power tools.
With the help of 3M DIY, I was prepared with the proper tools and was able to safely give this desk the change it needed.
I used my jigsaw to cut the desk down to size, removing all the bad wood.
Note:gail wearing safety glasses and ear protection. I KNOW I’m suppose to wear these, but sometimes I get in a hurry. Recently while taking apart a privacy fence section I was using a crow bar and a hammer. There was ONE loud clang, and I felt a pain in my ear. Just like any good mom, I must remind you, do as I say, not as I do!
If you feel inclined, you can watch this video of me in action. Ignore the extra chins, and the grimace on my face due to a little thing known as damaged rotator cuff. You could use a circular saw, but I think a jigsaw is a little less intimidating to those of you who might be afraid of power tools. I also felt like the jigsaw might not hurt my shoulder as bad.
This was really simple to cut. This is not the first time I’ve cut something down to size. Do you remember the bench and the entertainment center I cut down from a chest of drawers?
Here it is cut down—oops! It looks like I made a little miscalculation.
I have this really great chair I want to use for the desk. Because it’s so old, I decided I should do a leadcheck test on it. It’s this little tube. You crush a glass cylinder inside the cardboard to release a yellow liquid.
Then you rub it on your piece for 30 seconds.
If it turns pink, there is evidence of lead. Mine just turned yellowish/brown.
So, anyway, I wanted to use the red chair for this desk. I measured the height of the desk to match the height of the chair. BUT I didn’t allow for the center drawer.
This black chair fits. I haven’t decided what I’m going to do with the desk. I plan on working on it today. Thoughts? Should I use the great vintage red chair by removing the drawer? Or should I leave the drawer and use this generic black chair?
I love demoing furniture! It’s so fun.
UPDATE: see the finished desk in my post Kid's Camouflage Desk
gail
Related Content: See More Desk Projects Here
Content and/or other value provided by our partner, 3M DIY.
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Sara E
I also live in the Louisville area (on the sunny side of the river) and never seem to find any good thrifts or freebies. Where is a good place to look?
melissa @ daisymaebelle.com
What a great way to save this desk! I usually shy away from damaged furniture. Instead, I need to rethink it! And, I need some power tools! Life to the full, Melissa
sandra
Well---I say figure out what the best working height would be for the desk. Will the black chair be too low? If it really doesn't matter, comfort-wise, then just use whichever. Or consider where you will use the remaining one. I love the red chair, but you can always use it down the road. Everything you do is fabulous, so you will do something great, either way.
freddyandpetunia
I love the red chair with it!
I think it was a great mistake--add some bun feet to the bottom of the desk to give it a little more height and change the look a little too!
I LUV power tools and cutting up furniture!
Catherine
Mindi@MyLove2Create
You never cease to amaze me! Oh, such a hard decision! I like both chairs!
Corn in my Coffee-Pot
Oh cool...Options!
You know I don't make decisions easily.
If I had to pick right now...I'd say keep the drawer and use the little chair. What kid doesn't want an extra drawer for junk?!
If there were a mirror on the back...a little girl could certainly use that drawer for her jewels if she were dressing up!
However--I DO LIKE THE RED CHAIR! See? I'm torn.
is 'DEMOING' A WORD? I bet spell check was having a time with that one! lol..
Pat
Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence
Brilliant Gail--I never would have thought to do this. I can't wait to see it finished.
Suzanne@Meridian Road
I think keep the drawer~use the black chair and maybe paint it a fun color.
You're giving me more reasons to take those things that I think are hopeless!
Korrie@RedHenHome
What a great idea to give the desk new life! I say use the black chair, but paint it a non-generic color.
paola
USE THE BLACK CHAIR!!! i love the little black chair and am not keen on the actual design of the red chair, reminds me of those horried kitchen chairs that used to crack and pinch my but at my grandma when we used to have breakfast in her kitchen, lol.
Can see you doing something fab with the little wooden chair. Good luck for the mri
smiles
Paola
Lisa
Gail,
I'm so glad you included the lead paint testing. It is so important, and many DIY people are exposing themselves and their children to toxic lead paint. Kudos to you for doing a little safety and education!
Bliss
I like the black chair, I can see you doing something to that. Save the drawer.
~Bliss~
Terri
Had to laugh at your "oops"...that is so something that I would do. Measure twice, cut once and I can STILL screw it up, lol!
I think that it definitely has enough drawers that cutting out the center one won't matter at all! Can't wait to see it all done!
Sue
I'd love to see the red chair, even if you had to remove the drawer (which I'm sure you'd make another project ;o))...Take it easy on the work load with the shoulder girl!
Hugs and happy Wednesday,
Sue
gina
Good luck with your MRI. I say lose the drawer and use the red chair!
I have a desk very similar I found on the side of the road but with claw feet. Really want to redo it but one of the side drawers is majorly STUCK. Any suggestions?
Anonymous
Now I'm kidding myself for not stopping to take that nice desk I saw on the side of the road last week ...
I Play Outside The Box
You're just amazing!! Hope you find out something from your MRI soon.