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Thrifted Desk Easy Redo… without sanding!

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

I love thrifting.  There is something SO fun about finding great treasures for SUPER cheap!  I am not usually good about redos, since I have great intentions and ideas, but don’t usually deliver with the follow through.  :)

I found this very cute little desk at my favorite thrift store for $15!  It seemed to be in great shape and really would have been FINE to keep as it was.

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

BUT…

I have been reading DIY blogs for too long and have seen TOO MANY amazing desk makeovers not to want to try something a little bit different!

I had planned to try Annie Sloan Chalk Paint {not Chalkboard paint… this is a special chalky type paint} because you don’t have to sand! I even got a free sample in the color I wanted at Haven… but I was afraid it wouldn’t be enough.  Plus, it’s only available in certain specialty stores, and I would also need the wax to protect it.

So, I was SUPER excited to come across the pin on pinterest… how to paint WITHOUT sanding! Uh, yes, please!

Here’s what we used…

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

  • Zinsser Cover Stain Primer
  • Paint Color: “Deepest Aqua”
  • Minwax Polyurethane Topcoat

It really worked!  The only issue we had was with drippage since you aren’t sanding in between coats.  I am an OCD painter, so I didn’t have any drip problems, but others of us are Speedy Gonzales painters.

Ahem.

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

Because of the drips, Chris did end up pulling out the sander and sanded those spots out on the drawers. BUT, if you were conscious of that issue and are careful, you shouldn’t have any problem!

You do end up ruining a paint brush with the primer, so be sure to use a cheapo brush you don’t mind throwing out.

I love how it turned out!

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

I think after all my years of reading DIY blogs this was my F-I-R-S-T attempt at PAINTING FURNITURE.  I finally joined the painting things turquoise bandwagon!  Can I get a Woohoo for the latecomer?

It is definitely a bright spot in my classroom…

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

Here’s a long angle shot so you can see where it is in my room… This is a pic of Haylee and I celebrating Decade Day that I shared on facebook yesterday…

Thrifted Desk Easy Redo

What do ya think?

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

Here’s to one RENOVATION down and many more to come!

6 Responses to Thrifted Desk Easy Redo… without sanding!
  1. Rachel
    October 4, 2012 | 11:11 am

    That’s really lovely! Great job. How’s the little man doing?

  2. Jessica @ Decor Adventures
    October 4, 2012 | 12:21 pm

    Woo Hoo! Looks great! That primer is awesome!

  3. Christina@ The Frugal Homemaker
    October 4, 2012 | 10:06 pm

    Very cute! Love the color you chose! And I may have to try that no sanding method.

    want to see pictures of your whole class room! :)

  4. Meagan Ethridge
    October 7, 2012 | 8:49 am

    I think that outfit for decade day is so cute on you you could wear it anyday!

  5. […] Do you remember that dark and dreary thrift store find that I transformed to bright and cheery? […]

  6. Steph
    July 21, 2015 | 6:51 pm

    I have primed and painted 2 dressers, my fireplace mantle, and a bed without sanding, and they have turned out great! I’m just wondering if I should polyurethane them or not?? Do I have to? My mantle has been painted the longest, about 2 years, and it still looks nice and new.

Thrifted Desk Easy Redo… without sanding!

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

I love thrifting.  There is something SO fun about finding great treasures for SUPER cheap!  I am not usually good about redos, since I have great intentions and ideas, but don’t usually deliver with the follow through.  :)

I found this very cute little desk at my favorite thrift store for $15!  It seemed to be in great shape and really would have been FINE to keep as it was.

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

BUT…

I have been reading DIY blogs for too long and have seen TOO MANY amazing desk makeovers not to want to try something a little bit different!

I had planned to try Annie Sloan Chalk Paint {not Chalkboard paint… this is a special chalky type paint} because you don’t have to sand! I even got a free sample in the color I wanted at Haven… but I was afraid it wouldn’t be enough.  Plus, it’s only available in certain specialty stores, and I would also need the wax to protect it.

So, I was SUPER excited to come across the pin on pinterest… how to paint WITHOUT sanding! Uh, yes, please!

Here’s what we used…

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

  • Zinsser Cover Stain Primer
  • Paint Color: “Deepest Aqua”
  • Minwax Polyurethane Topcoat

It really worked!  The only issue we had was with drippage since you aren’t sanding in between coats.  I am an OCD painter, so I didn’t have any drip problems, but others of us are Speedy Gonzales painters.

Ahem.

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

Because of the drips, Chris did end up pulling out the sander and sanded those spots out on the drawers. BUT, if you were conscious of that issue and are careful, you shouldn’t have any problem!

You do end up ruining a paint brush with the primer, so be sure to use a cheapo brush you don’t mind throwing out.

I love how it turned out!

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

I think after all my years of reading DIY blogs this was my F-I-R-S-T attempt at PAINTING FURNITURE.  I finally joined the painting things turquoise bandwagon!  Can I get a Woohoo for the latecomer?

It is definitely a bright spot in my classroom…

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

Here’s a long angle shot so you can see where it is in my room… This is a pic of Haylee and I celebrating Decade Day that I shared on facebook yesterday…

Thrifted Desk Easy Redo

What do ya think?

thrifted desk before and after without sanding

Here’s to one RENOVATION down and many more to come!

6 Responses to Thrifted Desk Easy Redo… without sanding!
  1. Rachel
    October 4, 2012 | 11:11 am

    That’s really lovely! Great job. How’s the little man doing?

  2. Jessica @ Decor Adventures
    October 4, 2012 | 12:21 pm

    Woo Hoo! Looks great! That primer is awesome!

  3. Christina@ The Frugal Homemaker
    October 4, 2012 | 10:06 pm

    Very cute! Love the color you chose! And I may have to try that no sanding method.

    want to see pictures of your whole class room! :)

  4. Meagan Ethridge
    October 7, 2012 | 8:49 am

    I think that outfit for decade day is so cute on you you could wear it anyday!

  5. […] Do you remember that dark and dreary thrift store find that I transformed to bright and cheery? […]

  6. Steph
    July 21, 2015 | 6:51 pm

    I have primed and painted 2 dressers, my fireplace mantle, and a bed without sanding, and they have turned out great! I’m just wondering if I should polyurethane them or not?? Do I have to? My mantle has been painted the longest, about 2 years, and it still looks nice and new.