Remember this picture?
Ugh. Now that is pretty embarassing. But I’m going for honesty here, and that is what my desk looked like most of the time. See the Luvs diaper box under the desk? My trash can. Classy, I know. Purple box on top? Our receipts. And it was oak- which matched our first office, about six years ago. So when we began redoing our room, I decided to take the opportunity to purge, organize, and most importantly, paint!
I was really, really tempted just to buy a new desk. We got this one at Target on clearance for about $70, so I tried to justify that it had served its purpose. But I decided in the end that $70 {bare minimum} could be better spent elsewhere so I decided to go for the re-do.
I had removed the corkboard when it was in its previous location in the bedroom. It was in front of a window, but looking out the window did not, in fact, make paying bills an inspirational activity. So into a corner it goes.
Are you ready? I soooo am! I am tired of painting. It will be a while before I tackle another project like this. {Although I already have my next one in mind! So maybe not so long after all.} One last look at the “old” desk:
And after…
:
I am so happy with it! It is not perfect, but I love how it turned out.
Rundown of what I spent:
blue and white paint- we had already bought for the walls so $0 for this
yellow spray paint $3.50
stencil $3 {Martha Stewart, Home Depot}
frame $4
bowl $2.99
organizational boxes on top: $6 {Ikea}
bowl made from recycled magazines: $4 {Earthbound Trading}
red knob $4
fabric to recover corkboard $3.50
beads to embellish knobs $2.50
Total: $33.49
This is less than I would have spent on just a new desk, not including any fun accessories.
the cute helper I had 🙂
Also, see what I learned from re-doing my desk here.
Link up:
About Kelli Hays
Well done, Kelli! What a fun/pretty transformation! I’m totally impressed! (And totally jealous that you have easy access to places like World Market and Ikea). Yay for finished projects!
Hi Kelli! Oh, my, what a difference! Your desk turned out wonderfully! I like the different colors you’ve used. Now I hope you picked up your adorable little helper and gave her a hug! I’m betting you did! 😉
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
I turned out great! I love the yellow and blue together! Awesome:) I am a new follower!!
http://www.karismaheartsavannah.blogspot.com
That’s awesome! I love blue and yellow! So pretty! Love seeing the before and after! 🙂
Thanks everyone. @Sheila- she has received lots of hugs in exchange for her cooperation. 🙂
@Abbie, come for a visit to Houston and I will take you to all my stores! 🙂
I love your transformation, well done! saw you on link party, now google following you, Karima x http://www.karimascrafts.com
Awesome Kelli….it looks fantastic! I, too, love all the colors. Thanks for the ideals. I’m great when it comes to actually doing the task, but my imagination won’t let me come up with the ideals. I have to try and copy what I see in magizines……or now I can just copy you!! lol 🙂
YOur little one is such a cutie. I love the transformation, it turned out fabulous. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
What a fun and cheerful place to work you have created! Nice job!!
=)
PS. Your blog has been well-named.
I liked the oak desk as was, but the new cheery paint job is very nice, too. Way to go!
Linking up by way of Thursday blog hopping…P is for Parkway and Thursday Two Questions
Your friend,
Cathy Kennedy, Children’s Author
The Tale of Ole Green Eyes
Your desk looks wonderful. I love the yellow drawers.
Wow! Awesome makeover 🙂 Bright, cheerful & happy colors – love it!
I like the touch of yellow, and it goes so well with the white.
I love the pic of your desk with all the stuff on it. It reminds me of mine right now since we’re moving:) Great job!
I love the yellow! What a great difference! I just did mine last week (only the desk and no painting though!) and I love having a clear and organised area to craft (for once!)
The yellow and blue make it so cheery now. Great job!
Your desk redo looks great…very cheery. Don’t you love when you finish something and really love it. Hopped over from the Alphabe-Thursday party,nice to meet you.
Thanks everyone! Y’all are so sweet. @Anita, yes, it feels good to finish something, period! Doesn’t happen a lot around here but now that I have blog “accountability” I must finish what I start, right? 🙂
Very sweet redo and your “helper” is pretty sweet too! 🙂
Visiting from Miss Mustard Seed’s Linky Party tonight
~Suzanne in Illinois
Such a fantastic transformation! You should be so proud of yourself and we are so glad you shared this with us at Inspiration Friday!
Vanessa
lovely.
Looks great! I had my desk by the window for a while. In the summer it was nice and sunny, but the drizzly winter wasn’t inspirational at all!
Hello.
I’m visiting from Miss Jenny’s Alphabe-Thursday.
WoW! What a transformation! So much brighter and more space too.
My wife is a total neat freak and would just about have a meltdown if my desk looked like the before (lol).
Nicely done!
I’m here:
Pages Of Love
I love the blue, white and yellow. Great job!
What a great switcheroo here! Love your colors. And your precious helper is priceless!
Wow- it came out amazing!! Well done! Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday! 🙂
Wow. That is a seriously fantastic before and after!
It’s hard to believe what you can do with imagination. It’s such a valuable tool and it’s FREE!
This was a perfect link to the letter ‘P’.
I enjoyed seeing your transformation!
Thanks for sharing it.
A+
Undoubtedly, the desk looks awesome after all that effort. Love the use of stencils and the things that you have used to decorate the shelves.
Thanks for linking. The party for this week – Tea Time Thursdays @ Kreative Korner – is on. Hope to see you there with latest posts.
http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/2011/08/tea-time-thursdays-2-and-features.html
Thank you!
Thank you so much!
Thanks Jenny! 🙂
Thanks Tanya!
Your are so lucky to have a helper to complete your project!
That poor desk was so sad and now it’s happy and rocking! Great transformation! I am a new follower visiting from Sugar and Spice. Vicky from Mess For Less
So pretty and fresh. I’ll bet you’re loving looking at it now! Thanks for linking up at D2f @ Sugar and Spice!!