Antique Desk Rescued and Lovingly Transformed with Chalk Paint

Wow! What a transformation! Look at how this poor thing looked when I found it! My heart went out to it when I saw this antique desk. An artisan made, well constructed, solid wood desk…complete with dovetailed drawers, seven drawers to be exact, a pull out tray on each side, and all the original hardware! A throw back to the old days when furniture was really made to last…So, I did what any responsible antique furniture lover would do, I lovingly re-finished it! Gorgeously (if I do say so myself) re-done in Old White with Versailles on the edges and in the detailing…

With the Versailles I used a chip brush to apply to the edges of the desktop and a smaller hobby brush to layer it in the detailed grooves. The dovetail drawer interiors and exteriors are now lovely in Duck Egg Blue (yes, this took FOREVER to do, but, it was certainly worth it for the final look!) I finished every part of the desk off with clear wax to seal it. You simply can’t skip steps, every detail must be just right.

Finally, I gave it some antiquing with dark wax and distressed it with sandpaper to bring out the color of the underlying wood. The finishing touch was then polishing it all with a soft cloth by hand. Making this distressed antique desk a piece I think I will keep for my own and put in a place of honor in my bedroom! Yes mom, I know I said I’d sell it on the site, but, it is so beautiful and just looks so nice in my house…

Here is a video of how to wax wooden drawers and runners to make them glide smoother, I did these on this desk:

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