Desk Re-Do

A few weeks ago Grace climbed on our computer desk to get some forbidden treat off the kitchen counter, and a big chunk of it broke off.

With Josh crawling and pulling himself up (sniff!) I knew we needed a new desk. I didn't want to do the cheap-o computer desk route again and wanted something nice that would last some climbing kids, so I checked out Knock Off Wood.

I found a desk that I loved. Loved. Loved it so much and was so excited and filled with pride at the thought of making my own desk, that I woke Mike up to tell him my grand idea.

It went something like this:

Me: I want to make my own desk.
Mike: Huh?
Me: All I need is a saw and it's going to be so great. After I finish the desk, I can make the kids' new beds and dressers and everything! It will save us a ton of money!
Mike: Yeah. Sure. *Snore...*

I took that as a "Go for it, honey! You can do anything you set your mind to!"

The next day I went down to Sears and purchased a saw, sure that I was going to save our family so much money, that I could justify a little credit card interest.

And then I went to Home Depot to check out the wood.

And then I came to the realization that:

a) I know nothing about wood. Cedar, pine or plywood... all the same to me.
b) That while making your own desk IS a LOT less expensive than buying one at Pottery Barn, it's by no means a cheap project.

I called my dad.

We talked about wood.

We talked about carpentry.

I thought a lot about where I was in my life.

You know the whole I-don't-have-enough-time-to-shower-right-now-so-when-am-I-going-to-find-the-time-to-build-a-desk stage in my life.

And then I returned the saw.

Someday, 'knock-off-Pottery-Barn-desk,' someday.

My dad called a few days later and told me about a desk that my Great-Grandpa Ethan had built. It was old and needed paint, but in great condition.

When they came up for the fourth of July they brought it to us. We realized then that it was way too small for a computer desk. BUT perfect for a homework desk for Adam/sewing desk for me.

I spent the week painting it, putting on new handles, and lining the drawers with some flowered fabric I had leftover from a long time ago.


Ask Adam how he feels about having to put his school pencils in flowered drawers.

Or don't.

It's not pretty.

Anyways, here is the before:


And the after:


I LOVE it! I've never been able to leave my sewing machine out before! Whenever I worked on a project, I had to haul it out to the kitchen table, furiously work on my project all day, while bribing/threatening the punks to stay away from it, and then run it back to my closet in time for dinner.


Being able to leave it out is so fabulous! I've been able to get some projects done in snatches of time (I'll post pics soon). I'm hoping to get a few more done before having to turn it over to Adam when school starts.

I'm still in need of a good computer desk, but I've been checking D.I. for something that I can fix up. I'm pretty confident in going that route now.

Re-doing furniture is so fun!

Not as fun as making it yourself, you know, but it's good for now. ;)