Yard Sale Desk UPCYCLED with Chalk Paint!

I don’t always brake for yard sales, however this one was right around the corner from my house and the desk in the driveway caught my eye.  My oldest child is starting Kindergarten this fall and I am in the process of moving him into his own room.  I figured a desk would be the perfect thing for his bedroom, with all the stacks of homework he will be doing. So I jumped out of the car to inquire about the price of this beauty.

I knew this would be the perfect desk when I saw the price….. $5.00

That’s right – five buckaroos!!!

I will give you a minute to close your dropped jaw, I had to do the same.

I mean, I have paid more for a cup of coffee… I’ve paid more for a birthday card…I’ve paid more for a bottle of nail polish.  I mean seriously – five dollars!

Having just read Emily’s tutorial on chalk paint, I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to try it out.  I gathered up some supplies, including: 1 quart flat red paint, new hardware pulls, plaster of paris, a paint brush, wood filler, sand paper, and furniture wax.

I started by removing the old hardware and filled the holes with wood filler.  There were also a few cracks in the drawer fronts and on the desk top which I filled in using a generous amount of wood filler.

Just say no to crack(s).

Knowing that chalk paint will stick to anything, even the existing finish on furniture, I didn’t waste too much extra time sanding.  I gave it a good sanding wherever I had used the wood filler which took a total of 5 minutes.

I mixed up the paint according to Emily’s chalk paint tutorial and starting painting.  I was truly amazed at how evenly the paint went on and how beautifully it covered.  Now if only I could find a make-up that did that!

After it dried I installed the new hardware

ok I lied, I roped my cute husband into doing that part for me

I rubbed it down with a little furniture wax and lightly distressed around the door fronts with a piece of sandpaper.

I once again roped my husband into helping me carry it up the stairs into the bedroom. My little boy could not be happier with the results and I could not be happier about the price or the pride that comes with taking something old and making it beautiful once again.

Raise your brushes, Crafty Friends and share your up-cycled projects with us on our Simply Notable crafty friend’s page. We love seeing what you do!