In my quest to downsize, I decided to tackle my office first. I figured a place of peace to write, create and strategize was a good place to start. I’m close to having it done, but I wanted to tell you about the biggest hurdle in this office project. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.
The New Old Desk
I mentioned before (HERE) that the table in my office was too big. I imagined keeping most of it cleared so that with every spare second, I could set up the sewing machine and create wonderful loveliness. I should have known better. Of course the empty space was covered with stacks of things to file, to fix, yarn for my next crochet project, leftover yarn from my last.
I found this wonderful desk at the local antique store. It was rough. My sister thoughtfully pointed out that an effort to downsize and get rid of stuff doesn’t usually start with buying furniture and craft supplies, but…well…
Anyway, my husband was so glad to get rid of the huge table that after I cleared it off, my computer went on the floor and the table was out in the shop with a sewing machine sitting on it, all in that first weekend. Then the computer sat on the floor of the office for weeks while I worked on this desk.
Chalk Paint
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint is all over Pinterest. Annie Sloan is an English company and not easy to find in Wyoming. The closest can of paint was a drive to Billings, Montana or I could have the already hugely expensive paint shipped for $12.99 a quart. So, enter Renaissance Chalk Finish Paint
I’ve got some amazing mid-century modern green chairs in my office. I began to worry that the bright blue and the limeish avacado green chairs would be too much color in the small space. When the blue didn’t cover the desk completely, the decision was made. I made the two hour drive to Billings to pick up a 32oz, $35 can of Annie Sloan’s Old White. I’ll let someone else do the math of $12.99 shipping vs. the gas needed to make a two hour drive in a huge SUV. I rationalized this choice by including a trip to Costco while in town.
The chalk paint covered well. The fancy name brand wasn’t really any different than what I found on Amazon. Keep in mind, I’ve now used chalk paint twice.
I want to include a picture of the oily stain that kept coming through the paint. There was a goo of some sort on top of the desk, we scraped it off and sanded it flat but even three coats of chalk paint couldn’t keep it from seeping through. Although the chalk paint people brag about no need for primer, this oily stain made primer necessary.
After the primer, I added one more coat of the chalk paint to the top of the desk. I let it dry and then applied Regular Finishing Wax
The next step was the most difficult to take. Somehow, distressing (sounds so close to destroying) this piece that I’d worked so hard on to paint, intimidated me. What if I sanded it in the wrong places? What if I did it wrong?
I mentioned here that I’ve been working with someone in this process. She’s a great coach and friend. Her combination of practical advice and “granola, be one with nature” advice is a good fit for me. She pointed out two things that have helped me get going on the downsizing process. Nature doesn’t waste or have excess. It’s self correcting. She used dead plants fertilizing living plants and wildfires clearing out and making a place for new growth as examples. With her voice in my mind, it occurred to me that rarely is nature perfect. The variation in a field of flowers only adds to its beauty. So, with the thought that perfection isn’t necessary, I turned on the sander. Here’s my final result.
Here is a link to the Pinterest ideas and inspiration board I started for this project.
Lessons Learned
1. I don’t usually use a mouse pad but just an hour of using my mouse directly on this desk and a bit of blue started showing through. A piece of paper under the mouse solved the problem.
2. I applied the wax with a towel. I think using a brush (even if it’s not the expensive one recommended) would have worked the wax into the nooks and crannies better than the towel.
