Many of you may not be aware, but there are some grumpy people out there. No really, it’s true.
No matter what industry you work in, you’ll find grumpy people. At least that’s my suspicion. Home bloggers encounter them, too. There’s a particularly vocal subset of grumpy people for us. They are the furniture purists.
The furniture purists don’t want ANYTHING changed. Upholstered chair from 1932 that smells like a cross between a tobacco barn and wet dog? DON’T REUPHOLSTER IT! A table missing a leg, an armoire missing an arm, a three poster bed, a room with paneling as far as the eye can see….DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH ANY OF IT!
Change does not suit these folks, one bit. Just switching out drawer hardware is punishable by a zealous keyboard firing squad. And because of these reactions, there are a few things that home bloggers shy away from discussing:
1. politics
2. religion
3. painting furniture
Well, call me an idiot. Call me crazy. Call me a rebel with a bamboo desk cause, but this desk here? It’s getting…
PAINTED.
There, I said it. LOUD AND PROUD, people.
First up, the hardware. I gave it a good cleaning, then sprayed it with my fave gold paint.It’s a great color. Next up, prepping for paint.
If I would have painted this desk with chalk paint, then this prep could have been avoided. But I really wanted a pretty glossy finish for this piece. It just seemed a better fit for the desk.
So I gave the top a light sanding, then got rid of the dust with a damp cloth, followed up by a tack cloth to really make sure all the dust was gone.
Ben Moore Razzle Dazzle was chosen for the paint color. In a semi-gloss sheen (if you have questions about selecting the right sheen for a paint project, check out THIS POST).
Here goes nothing. This is the point where those furniture purists are biting their nails, rocking in a corner finding their happy place, etc…
And if they weren’t verklempt enough, wait til they see this…
The original piece was about 12″ too large for the available space, so we needed to amputate it. After the major surgery, I just had some minor plastic surgery to do with wood filler and sandpaper.
And now, I gotta say, I think she’s pretty in pink. We’re in the third week of this six-week one-room challenge stretch, trying to finish our daughter’s room.
I finished this uber inexpensive storage ottoman/desk chair this week too, but more on that later. By next week, I hope to have some roman shades made.
Wish me luck…I have NO idea what I’m doing. But I like to walk on the wild side 😉
On the hunt for more simple home improvement ideas, and DIY home decorating inspiration? Be sure to check out these articles, too!
Pin this project for later! And if you decide to try it, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try it, too!
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Ida Larson says
LOVE the desk. What grabbed me was the richness of both colors and how well they went together. There must be a relationship between them on the color wheel. I’ve enjoyed all I have seen so far, and you have a new admirer and subscriber, so for goodness sake, Don’t Stop Now!
Heather says
Well thank you ever so much, Ida! So glad you’re here 🙂
signe says
Regarding the painting of the bamboo furniture, if the piece is going to be enhanced by your renovation, be usable and enjoyed by someone, why is it anyone elses business how you remodel that piece? Some people do not know where their nose belongs. I am anticipating redoing a rattan/bamboo sunroom set of furniture and found you tutorial helpful. Does this mean I will get hate mail because I want to improve the look of this set that I purchased nearly 20 years ago? If the look will improve the furniture, enhance my home and make me happy, then what else maters?
Courtney says
So cute- love how it turned out!
fabiola garcia says
Once at a garage sale I saw this beautiful vintage lamp and as I was admiring it my granddaughter asked; what are going to do with, are you going to paint it? My answer was I may, not sure yet but definitely would change the lamp shade. When the owner of the house heard me she refuse to sell me the lamp because I was going to change it. But lo and behold next year garage sale season I returned to the same house and the lamp was there for sale. This time I took the lamp and leave immediately just in case she remember me. Unbelievable!
Heather says
That’s hilarious!
debrashoppeno5 says
The piece had to be painted if it wanted to continue living the good life. It looks beautiful in the Razzle Dazzle Pink.
Heather says
Thanks so much 🙂
Amanda @ The Kolb Corner says
Oh my gosh that thing NEEDED paint. And it looks SO.MUCH.BETTER!
Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!
Heather says
Thanks Amanda 😉
Pam the Goatherd says
I have been in LOVE with Razzle Dazzle for a while now. I’m glad to see I’m not the only person on the planet who also thinks it makes furniture look GREAT!
Heather says
REALLY? That’s so fun Pam! Glad there’s another Razzle Dazzler out there 😉 We gotta stick together!
nicole torres says
That color is super gorgeous. Great job at making her new again. What a stunning transformation.
Heather says
THANK YOU Nicole!! She’s pretty pleased with it, so that’s a win in our book 🙂
Jeanne says
Love the Pink…and that comes from a sort of…no, I guess I really am…Natural Wood Purist…It’s New Look is Fun with a Whole New Life in Front of It. Can’t wait to see the complete transformation!
Linda says
It should have been painted in the first place. Love the color on it, very Lily Pulitzer.
Jen @ Noting Grace says
Ooh! That’s pink-a-licious! Can’t wait to see it all together!
Connie says
It’s fabulous ! I knew you were a smart southern girl. Only they know the smell of a tobacco barn !!!
Brenda says
Omg! Its gorgeous!! What a transformation! I just love it!
Elisabeth says
I think you’ve done humankind a service! That thing was UUUURRRRRGGGLLLYYYY! But! (Sounds of hallelujah chorus is heard off in the distance….. LOUDLY). I love the pink! The handles look great too! Brilliant save and rescue mission. Keep up the good work. 🙂
Betty says
Love, love that color – and that desk is outstanding!!
Heather says
THANK YOU Betty!!!
Sally says
Oy, I’m verklempting!! But in a good way! That desk is gorgeous!
Heather says
Ha!! Thanks Sally 😉
Fonda says
I’m the kind of person that feels if it’s your piece of furniture, you can do whatever you like. As far as me liking it, that’s on me. I love it, by the way. I can’t wait to see it in the room for which it is intended.
Heather says
I agree wholeheartedly, Fonda. If someone buys something, then they have the right to do with it what they please! That said, it’s very nice to hear you like the desk!
Jane Hansen says
Don’t worry. Some of us are only antique oak purists! I enjoy seeing what you do with paint and how it really changes the piece. Thank you for not venturing into politics, religion, etc. I cancelled a blog that I really enjoyed but she strayed into politics and OMG she’s Canadian, like she cared at all! So thank you!
Heather says
You’re very welcome, Jane.
Allison says
I love the pink desk!! I’m all about painted furniture. Looks great and can’t wait to see the completed room!
Heather says
THANK YOU Allison!! Let’s hope the room comes together 🙂
Jody Le Bouton says
Love the pink and I am more of a blue lady. I would have this with no problem. Paint on. Only gets better.
Heather says
Ha! I’m more of a blue lady as well Jody! But I suppose there is a time and place for all of the colors, right?! Thanks for writing.
Amber C Johnson says
A hilarious post with a gorgeous end result. ?
Heather says
Aww, shucks 😉 Thanks Amber.
Sara says
I totally would have painted that too, and not just because the pink is FABULOUS.
Heather says
🙂 🙂 Thank you Sara!!
Carole says
Are you outta your mind? You are destroying beautiful furniture with your slap happy paying zeal. Stop it! Just stop it.Just kidding. ?
Heather says
Virtual wrist slap accepted Carole 😉 I love not keeping my zeal to myself 🙂 Thanks for your comment 😉
Carol Hughes says
it looks so much better painted and if it now is functional and does it’s job well then you did the right thing. Personally I love the new look and would not have had the old look in my home. No reason not to paint it in my book.
Heather says
It’s definitely functional now, Carol. And our daughter is pleased as pink kool-aid about it, so we’ve got that going for us, too 😉
Ariel says
I’m cool with painting furniture as long as it’s done well, like in this case.
It should enhance the piece! And you did 🙂
Delia Gibbs says
OMG! That desk is the world!! My 9 year old loves it painted. Now I feel bad for her because she has a boring looking desk…ha.
Colette @ restyle it wright says
OMG i love it!! This color/sheen looks amazing! I would have done the exact same thing! 🙂
Jillian says
Love it! It looks sooo much better painted.
Heather says
THANKS Jillian!!!
Cassie Bustamante says
oh this one totally needed paint- i am with you! and i actually like a good wood finish (get your mind out of the gutter).
Heather says
I will accept my virtual wrist slap 😉