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A Birthday Present To Myself!

November 5, 2013 Rachel 21 Comments

Today is my birthday! So as a present to myself, I finally got around to finishing this knee-hole desk last night!
For starters I got this FOR FREE on craigslist several months ago. 🙂 People are crazy sometimes.
 I knew I wanted to herringbone on the drawers for awhile, but was dreading taping off  and measuring and blah blah soundslikeanightmare. So it sat in my room for probably 2 months, untouched. I also knew I would keep the desk, so it was low on my priority list to finish.
When StencilGirl Products contacted me a couple months ago to do a tutorial using their stencils, and I ended up making the Greek Inlay Tables. While I was looking around on their site, I found this herringbone stencil! It was perfect for what I had imagined for this desk! I love StencilGirl stencils because they are designed by individual artists and made available for you to purchase at a VERY reasonable price (around $15 for the large stencils). Each one is unique and unlike ANYTHING out there that I have seen! They are not paying me to say this. They did not give me the herringbone stencil for free. This is truly my opinion!
I stenciled these drawers differently than I did the table, so I’m going to show you a couple pics of how I did it! 
Paint drawer fronts with the color you want the herringbone stripes to be (in this case ASCP Duck Egg). It only took 1 coat to get this coverage!
Then, I slightly sprayed some adhesive on one side of the stencil. Note: this will gum up a little after several uses, but with a little effort and warm water, can and will need to be removed after 4-5 uses if you spray in between each use.

The reason I used the spray adhesive is because the drawer fronts were curved and I wanted the pattern to go in the up/down direction instead of sideways. It would have made it impossible to hold in place securely if I didn’t use the spray adhesive. 
I used a foam roller to apply Old White ASCP, but I made sure the roller had VERY LITTLE paint and I was careful to remove any excess so bleeding wouldn’t occur. If minor bleeding DID occur, I used a toothpick and cleaned up the lines while it was still wet. 
It required 2 coats of Old White.

After 2 coats were done, I had to move it over a little to finish off the drawer front. The whole process went actually pretty quickly!
Finished drawer front!

Ta da! I love how it adds a little more visual texture to the drawers! Since I’ve seen the two-tone look over and over, I love that this is a little different yet still easy to decorate around. 

I love this quote. Copied the design online and it is a great reminder hanging in our living room, especially this month!

The hardware isn’t something my husband is crazy about. I wasn’t at first either, but once I finished the whole thing, I don’t hate it! I might change out the pulls if I can find something cooler, but for now, they look pretty neat. 
Light distressing was a must. I almost didn’t. But when I did, suddenly the pulls didn’t look so ‘off’.
I love it! Can’t go wrong with blue and white! 😉
 Here’s a sneak peak of an antique chair I refinished last night as well. MMS Milk Paint in Ironstone… it didn’t chip so I gave it some good distressing. Love the super-weathered look on it!

Gallery, Tutorials

Comments

  1. RPK Interiors says

    November 5, 2013 at 10:30 pm

    Great step by step, Rachel, and smart way to bring about the two tone technique with a non-traditional look!
    Robin

    Reply
  2. Mel@JunkinJunky says

    November 5, 2013 at 11:34 pm

    Happy Birthday, Rachel! Wishing you a year of blessings.

    That is a fabulous desk! I love your chalkboard sign too.

    Reply
  3. Danielle says

    November 5, 2013 at 11:47 pm

    Happy Birthday, Lady! LOVE the desk and tell the hubby I love the pulls too. I think they look fantastic on it. Love the frame and the quote. Ah, I love it all. Fantastic job, my friend. x

    Reply
  4. Melissa T. says

    November 6, 2013 at 12:23 am

    That desk is so fun! I’d say you’re on a roll. Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  5. Melody Smith says

    November 6, 2013 at 12:46 am

    Love this! Great job

    Reply
  6. Anne says

    November 6, 2013 at 2:38 am

    Happy Birthday Rachel! I love the desk! Beautiful work once again!
    Anne

    Reply
  7. Holly Gums says

    November 6, 2013 at 3:52 am

    That is sooooo cute! I love it!!! Great Job

    Reply
  8. espnsportstv says

    November 6, 2013 at 6:14 am

    Happy Birthday! Bdayo.Com was created with one goal in mind to help our users enjoy, celebrate, and remember their birthday! Bdayo allows you to find unlimited amount of Birthday Freebies in your area and offer unique features to help you learn more about that special day!

    Reply
  9. Susan D says

    November 6, 2013 at 6:00 pm

    I love the stencil! The pulls are awesome and work perfectly with it. Happy birthday to you!

    Reply
  10. Emily says

    November 6, 2013 at 6:48 pm

    another GORGEOUS piece!! glad you’re keeping this one for yourself 🙂

    Reply
  11. Patti-Ann says

    November 6, 2013 at 11:35 pm

    Another winner as usual. Double the pleasure because you get to keep it. It is wonderful and I can see how the distressing on the desk made the pulls more at home. Love it.

    Reply
  12. Jen @ Girl in the Garage says

    November 8, 2013 at 3:44 am

    Gorgeous- and very tastefully done! I kind of like the handles too- gives it a touch of vintage glamour. Stopping by from the MMS party and pinning!

    Reply
  13. Jen @ Girl in the Garage says

    November 8, 2013 at 3:45 am

    And happy belated birthday! 🙂

    Reply
  14. Katie @decoratemylife says

    November 8, 2013 at 3:49 am

    Beautifully understated. Great photos too!

    Reply
  15. Jenny@thelavendermagnolia says

    November 8, 2013 at 4:33 am

    I would have kept it too! Lovely.

    Jenny

    Reply
  16. Erin at diypassion says

    November 8, 2013 at 1:27 pm

    I’m really digging the colours you chose to do this…and the herringbone looks perfect 🙂 I have an armoire that will likely get similar treatment ….someday!

    Reply
  17. Elena says

    November 8, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    That is FABULOUS! Great job!

    Reply
  18. Jessica @ FourGenerationsOneRoof says

    November 9, 2013 at 12:36 am

    Very pretty 🙂 I pinned this to the Better Homes and Gardens home project board. I saw this on Finding Silver Pennies facebook page 🙂

    Reply
  19. Sarah says

    November 9, 2013 at 3:04 am

    This piece turned out beautiful! I am a new follower…would love if you could follow back http://churchstreetdesigns.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  20. Alexis @ Persia Lou says

    November 15, 2013 at 5:37 am

    Love the desk and the chalkboard! Just lovely!

    Reply
  21. Marie Ledbetter says

    November 15, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    Very pretty! Great Job!
    Marie @ Fort ledbetter

    Reply

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