The Horrendous Waterfall Desk

Ok. Feast your eyes on this beauty.  A CL find. It had been sitting out on a balcony.  Boy oh boy, she did not look good for her age.  The veneer was in shambles. No way to save it the bottom portion. The top was stained beyond recognition, the drawers were beat to hell and back.  Why did I buy this? (Gasp, "you actually paid money for this creature??") Um yeah,,15 bucks. What the heck; it's how we learn people! Besides, I just love me a good challenge! So here ya go,,,,feast your eyes:

 This baby put my wood finishing  skills to the test. 

Don't fret. When you see the finished top you will think I replaced it. I didn't. 

 I used, oh, about a pound of bondo and wood filler. 

 

                                         
     Since the veneer was peeling so badly from the inside panels, I chose to remove the worst part
                 and replace it with a piece of wood.  Sometimes you just have to improvise.

                                  Much to my surprise, the top sanded down rather nicely.......(Just you wait!)

Those wet stains are an attempt to bleach out the black stains (usually caused by water). 

It's supposed to set for a day or so. Uh no, I neither have the patience or inclination to wait.

 I hoped the stain would cover it. I used Minwax dark walnut (use a wood conditioner first).

Well Shut my mouth! Looka that finish! Not too B A D.....if I do say so myself. 

(Dont'cha yall peek now...just stay with me and scroll slowly to the bottom)

I believe I used a mixture of stains again. Gel walnut is great tho. 

 I like to use this Deft instead of poly. This is a waterbourne acrylic finish. It goes on beautifully. I turned the desk on it's back and painted it on like that. I didn't want it running down the front curved part. It dries fast and doesn't leave brush marks. Very important to use a quality brush. This was brand new. I clean them immediately and only use this for finishes. If you use a brush that was used with paint, you are likely to get little paint bits in the finish. Keep your brushes separate. 

So I had patched the knob holes but since I was leaving these unpainted, they were kind of noticeable. 

I decided to do some light stenciling with a metallic glaze on the drawer fronts, on the inside toe kick pieces and on the faux drawer right in front.

And here she is....all dressed up,,,

I am so diggin' this gorgeous walnut! I swear it's the same top. 

Paint color is a mixture of light blue and a gray/blue cut with some white. 

remember the replacement wood??? These were placed on the inside

as well as on the outside. I tried to make it seem like it was made that way. 

                           The flash has wiped out all the stenciling. You can barely see it.

You cant really tell in these pics, but the knobs are black w/a metallic-y iridescence.

Speaking of old-style decor. These blue baubles are from that era. They belonged to my mother.
I believe they are from the 50's-60's.  I remember her looking so glamorous when I was a kid.
Plus I just had to add one last shot of this vanity top.

Linking up at my fave parties!! :

Kammys Korner - Trash to Treasure Tuesdays

Domestically Speaking - The Power of Paint Party

Stacey Embracing Change - Thursday 

Miss Mustardseed - Furniture Feature Friday

Redoux - Friday Link Up Party

Funky Junk Interiors - Saturday Night Special

Knick of Time Interiors - Knick of Time Tuesday

Tuesday-Elizabeth and Co., My uncommon Slice of Suburbia,

Savvy Southern Style. Weds, Beyond the Picket Fence, PJH Designs

From my Front Porch to Yours,  The 36th Avenue,

Monday-Between Naps on the Porch, The Dedicated House,

My RePurposed Life, No Minimalist Here-Thurs.    
Under the Table and Dreaming-Sunday Party

Remodelaholic,  MinettesMaze-Sun party