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You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Transform Your Furniture » The Rags to Riches Story of a Thrift Store Desk

The Rags to Riches Story of a Thrift Store Desk

by Lindsay Ballard on April 23, 2009 83 Comments

Two months ago, I showed you this desk I picked up at Goodwill for $25. I actually had to fight another lady off of it, which made me want it more. Yes, I’m totally that person.

My husband thought I was crazy. I told him that all he’d have to do is help me tighten up the screws in the legs because they were a little wobbly. He laughed.

He laughed even harder when I told him that I wanted the finished project to look like a mix between this picture:

and this picture:

Okay, so maybe I had my work cut out for me.

It literally took me two months to finish this project. I wasn’t working on it every day, of course, but I sanded and primed and sanded and painted and painted and painted and sanded and painted …you get the picture. I made the mistake of choosing black glossy paint, which is pretty much the hardest paint to use since it shows EVERY drip and flaw.

Tom’s contribution grew and grew as the days went by. What began with his helping me take out and replace some stripped screws turned into completely replacing the legs and cutting a new skirt that I drew by hand. We also added some trim to hide some of the original flaws.

For two months, I heard Tom complain about how the desk was built by monkeys and that he should just throw it out and build me another one. Today, I heard him say, “Linds, I really like that.”

She cleaned up pretty nicely, didn’t she?

I ordered the vinyl decal from Say It With Style on Etsy. I needed it to be a bit smaller than what she offered in her store, so she custom-sized it for me. It arrived about 3 days after I ordered it, and I couldn’t be more pleased. It’s exactly what I wanted.

I lined the inside of the desk with a black and ivory floral wrapping paper I found at Target. I just used my Hard Coat Mod Podge so that the lining will be durable for storage.

We have a little nook set into our staircase, and that space will be her new home. I’m now on the search for a wooden chair to paint black and put next to the desk. After adding a chair, a lamp, and some accessories, I think this is going to be one of my favorite little areas.

Just for fun, let’s see a before and after side-by-side:

You see? A little elbow grease and a coat of paint can really give a piece of thrift store furniture a rags to ritches story.

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

« Make Running Errands With Your Toddler Easier
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Comments

  1. Lanie says

    April 23, 2009 at 6:31 am

    WOW! That is so awesome! I wish I could redo furniture like that!

    Reply
  2. Emily@remodelingthislife says

    April 23, 2009 at 6:54 am

    Wow! So cute!!! Fabulous job!

    Reply
  3. Kristen says

    April 23, 2009 at 7:52 am

    I seriously want that desk.

    Reply
  4. St. Michael's Wife says

    April 23, 2009 at 7:56 am

    You ROCK!!!! This desk is freakin’ adorable!

    Reply
  5. Alison says

    April 23, 2009 at 7:57 am

    absolutely adorable! You did an amazing job.

    Reply
  6. southerninspiration says

    April 23, 2009 at 8:07 am

    Whoa, what a transformation!! I soooo love that desk! You took a little frog and made a KING, not just a prince!! LOVE it!

    Suzanne

    Reply
  7. Annie says

    April 23, 2009 at 8:28 am

    great job!! i love seeing the before and after 🙂

    Reply
  8. Empty Nest Full Life says

    April 23, 2009 at 8:42 am

    What a transformation! Looks amazing! Great job. Jackie

    Reply
  9. Jenny says

    April 23, 2009 at 8:48 am

    Wow! Definitely a rags to riches story. Love, love, love it 🙂

    Reply
  10. the BLAH BLAH BLAHger says

    April 23, 2009 at 9:03 am

    Wow, that freaking looks AWESOME! I honestly think this is my favorite DIY before and after that I’ve ever seen in blogland!

    Reply
  11. Mrs. Jones says

    April 23, 2009 at 4:49 am

    Sounds very similar to my story. I found a little desk and Mr. Jones thought I was crazy. Check it out here: http://heatherjslife.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-little-desk.html

    I think after seeing yours, I might paint a monogram on the drawer.

    Great job!

    ~Heather

    Reply
  12. Songbirdtiff says

    April 23, 2009 at 10:03 am

    Fantastic! You really had quite the vision. I’m so glad it worked out.

    Reply
  13. Allidink says

    April 23, 2009 at 10:19 am

    That is so awesome! You are so inspiring! I loved the desk before but I would have probably just left it and never realized it could look so much better!

    All the best,
    Allison

    Reply
  14. debbie says

    April 23, 2009 at 11:01 am

    Wow,, that looks great,, like a completley different piece of furniture.. love the decal.

    Reply
  15. C. Beth says

    April 23, 2009 at 12:46 pm

    Okay, I am totally, totally impressed. Lindsay, that is beautiful!! Great job!

    I know you’re out of town so no pressure at all–but I’m asking for some decorating advice on my blog today. I’ve gotten tons of good ideas and would love to add yours to the mix if you have time!

    Reply
  16. The Professional Family Manager says

    April 23, 2009 at 8:07 am

    Beautiful! (And great work wrestling the desk…I did that with an artificial Christmas tree a few years ago…hubby didn’t know I had that in me!)

    Reply
  17. Chandra says

    April 23, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    Amazing transformation! I, too, am “that” lady in thrift stores…I just love finding a diamond in the rough!

    Reply
  18. Sherrie says

    April 23, 2009 at 8:37 am

    What a wonderful job you did! Who would have thought this could have such a transformation? Obviously you did! What great insight you have!
    ~Sherrie

    Reply
  19. Kathie @ Just a Happy Housewife says

    April 23, 2009 at 8:58 am

    Lindsay,

    That is amazing!!! I wish I were as creative to think of something like that when I go thrift shopping! What to go with me next time? 🙂 Great job!

    Reply
  20. Jennifer says

    April 23, 2009 at 9:02 am

    Wow!!! Just wow!!! I have the perfect spot for something like that…I’ll definately be on the lookout.

    Reply
  21. Princess of Everything (and then some) says

    April 23, 2009 at 9:18 am

    OMG!! It is beautiful! I bet that lady would fight you even harder for it now!

    Reply
  22. Christy says

    April 23, 2009 at 9:31 am

    Wow, that’s gorgeous! You need to post more details on how you added the scalloped edging and the legs!!!

    Reply
  23. Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick says

    April 23, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    Gorg!! And with so little effort!! (HA!) It really is beautiful!! The new skirt is what makes it.

    Reply
  24. queenbee says

    April 23, 2009 at 10:09 am

    Simply Amazing!! I love to see “trash” to treausure projects, they are soooo inspirational. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  25. Paisley Girl says

    April 23, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    Just found your blog from hopping through other craft blogs and I am so glad I found your blog. I love what you and your hubby did with that desk. You truly gave it a second life. You should both be proud of your work. 🙂

    Reply
  26. Kimm at Reinvented says

    April 23, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    Wow. Great job, it’s just fabulous. I’ve been looking for a BIG “B” for above our bed, I’ll have to check out out your resource!

    Reply
  27. Brook Ellen says

    April 23, 2009 at 4:34 pm

    Wow this is GORGEOUS!!! You did a super job!

    Reply
  28. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    April 23, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    What a makeover!!! Great job, and how cool that you teamed up with the hubby?

    Reply
  29. GeraldineMander says

    April 23, 2009 at 4:47 pm

    This is adorable! I want to make one!

    Reply
  30. Janeen says

    April 23, 2009 at 5:05 pm

    What vision!! That is fantastic! Love it inside and out!

    Reply
  31. gatornic says

    April 23, 2009 at 5:22 pm

    That is gorgeous! I love Goodwill finds. And you have made that little storage desk an heirloom.

    Reply
  32. maya | springtree road says

    April 23, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    dang! good job. i couldn’t possibly do that!

    Reply
  33. Tracy says

    April 23, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    Wow! Wow! Wow!!! That’s amazing! Such a beautiful job. Glad you fought for it! Thanks for sharing this wonderful project. That monogram is just the perfect finishing touch.

    Reply
  34. Christina says

    April 23, 2009 at 7:09 pm

    What a fantastic re-do!!! Love it! I would have picked it up too. Great vision.

    Reply
  35. Chrissie Grace says

    April 23, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Wow.
    This has got to be one of my favorite furniture make-overs ever!
    Great job!
    Chrissie Grace

    Reply
  36. Mary Wadsworth says

    April 23, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    Wow, this is fabulous!

    Mary

    Reply
  37. Small House says

    April 23, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    oooooh, gorgeous. Very, very pretty.

    Reply
  38. Amanda says

    April 23, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    Oh gosh… love it. Wish my husband was this handy and that I’d find some great piece like that at Goodwill! My husband’s pretty great… maybe if I made room for him in the garage he’d build me something. 😉

    Reply
  39. Betty Jo says

    April 24, 2009 at 3:31 am

    Awesome re-do, and it is totally adorable. Your blog is awesome too. As soon as I have more than a couple minutes I’m going to explore it further. ♥

    Reply
  40. ♥Amber Filkins♥ says

    April 23, 2009 at 11:09 pm

    WOW. Thoroughly impressed!! I’m saving this in my files!! It’s awesome

    Reply
  41. Little Lovables says

    April 24, 2009 at 9:17 am

    Wow, that is crazy how gorgeous it turned out!

    Reply
  42. TheEckLife says

    April 24, 2009 at 9:22 am

    WOW! double WOW! that looks amazing! I am in love with black furniture. way to go! and kuddos to hubs for helping you out.

    Reply
  43. Kara@ Creations by Kara says

    April 24, 2009 at 9:24 am

    Totally amazing! Love how the monogram and the paper inside coordinate. What did you use for the legs?

    Reply
  44. Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says

    April 24, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    Lindsay! That is just so cute, what a great transformation. I love the decal on the front, that totally takes it up a notch.

    Reply
  45. Kim @ Everything Etsy says

    April 24, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    I can tell your husband had to do a bit more than he would have liked, but it looks great! I think I would have fought over it too! You had me with the first photo!

    ~Kim

    Reply
  46. Centsational Girl says

    April 24, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    OOOOOOOooooh I am green with envy over that little desk. I love everything about it – the liner, the decal, the black paint. Right up my alley, girl, great job.

    Reply
  47. Just Add Walter says

    April 24, 2009 at 6:12 pm

    you did such a great job!! it looks absolutely brilliant!

    Reply
  48. RosaMaría says

    April 24, 2009 at 9:54 pm

    wow!!! you did a beautiful work! very chic!!

    Reply
  49. Mama Melissa says

    April 24, 2009 at 10:44 pm

    What an amazing job!!!! That little desk is beautiful!

    Melissa

    Reply
  50. Jill says

    April 25, 2009 at 9:26 am

    nice job!

    Reply
  51. Robyn Kadis says

    April 25, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    Excellent job Lindsay but I have to ask what the B stands for… sorry if I missed the answer to this already. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply
  52. gina says

    April 25, 2009 at 6:43 pm

    lovely!

    Reply
  53. Debbie in Nashville says

    April 25, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    This is wonderful! I’m an architect and when I moved into my own place I ended up building or fixing up old furniture for my place. I love what you have done with this desk! It turned out beautiful! I’m new to blogging so please check out my new blog http://ontherefrigeratordoor.blogspot.com/
    Thanks

    Reply
  54. Sharon says

    April 26, 2009 at 11:20 am

    Just a beautiful Job! It is such a cute little desk!

    Reply
  55. Michelle@Fromhousetohome says

    April 27, 2009 at 7:12 am

    Great desk! I love how you added the detail to the front, it looks amazing. Well worth fighting off the other person at the store!
    ~Michelle

    Reply
  56. Debra from Bungalow says

    April 27, 2009 at 7:28 am

    A beautiful makeover! love it!

    Reply
  57. Amanda says

    April 27, 2009 at 7:53 am

    You did a great job!

    Reply
  58. Chris says

    April 27, 2009 at 8:03 am

    As soon as I scrolled to the “after”, I had to go back up. I just couldn’t believe it was the same desk! It. is. perfect!! You must do a tutorial! I love it!!

    Reply
  59. Kim says

    April 27, 2009 at 8:36 am

    Oooh La La Lindsey!!!! You GO girl! I heart that desk SO much. Funny thing is, I just painted a trash-picked old sewing table (you can see it on my blog) and have been searching for the perfect decal with my initial. So, thanks to you, I will now be ordering my very own custom-sized decal. Thanks so much for the info and it looks amazing Lindsey!

    Reply
  60. Shilo says

    April 27, 2009 at 9:05 am

    Visiting from a Soft Place to Land. What an AWESOME makeover!

    Reply
  61. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    April 27, 2009 at 9:23 am

    I am also here from a Soft Place to Land. This is totally awesome. I love your desk and you did such a fabulous job of redoing it. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  62. Vivienne says

    April 27, 2009 at 11:41 am

    That. Is. GORGEOUS!

    Reply
  63. Anna See says

    April 27, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    Simply adorable. Love the monogram!

    Reply
  64. Jessica says

    April 27, 2009 at 6:01 pm

    It looks fantastic! I am collecting a garage full of items that I have hopes of giving a story like this. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  65. amybluestar says

    April 27, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    WOW! Very cool. I absolutely love. And I see you used Hard Coat Mod Podge. If you like Mod Podge, you might like my blog! Cheers,

    Amy

    http://www.modpodgerocks.blogspot.com

    Reply
  66. Pam says

    April 27, 2009 at 2:38 pm

    One of the best transformations I’ve ever seen!

    Reply
  67. Bonita says

    April 27, 2009 at 8:30 pm

    Wow! That’s quite a transformation! Honestly, when I first saw the purple version I couldn’t believe you would pay $25 and fight over it. Obviously, you are a woman with vision. It’s beautiful! So classy!

    Reply
  68. Amber says

    April 28, 2009 at 11:08 pm

    Wow, this is absolutely lovely. What a nice husband you have to help you, they aren’t all like that, you must be quite special to him.

    Reply
  69. Trish @TheOldPostRoad says

    April 29, 2009 at 8:11 am

    Great job!!!
    http://www.TheOldPostRoadBLOG.blogspot.com

    Reply
  70. Heidi says

    April 29, 2009 at 12:27 pm

    ohmygosh it looks fantastc! 2 months!!! Wow! I am impressed by your patience and endurance!!!

    Reply
  71. Nicole @ BugaBoos says

    May 2, 2009 at 3:19 am

    Ok so this is incredible! I cannot believe the difference. I love it!! You did such an Awesome job on this!

    Reply
  72. Lisa @ akawest says

    May 2, 2009 at 4:58 pm

    The desk is absolutely fantastic! You have a good eye, ’cause yes, that was definitely worth fighting over.

    Reply
  73. Dream Mom says

    May 2, 2009 at 8:37 pm

    Love the desk! You did a great job! I had to laugh when I saw the wrapping paper you chose to line the desk because I just purchased the identical paper this week to put under some glass for these dressers for a client (It’s a little girls playroom makeover.)

    Beautiful job!

    Reply
  74. delightfuldwelling says

    May 15, 2009 at 7:52 am

    Wow! That desk came out so awesome. I love the monogram on the front, so chic. You have a very pretty blog.

    Reply
  75. Jennifer DeDonato says

    May 31, 2009 at 4:16 pm

    wow that looks so much better!! Great job~

    Reply
  76. Hi! My name is erica. Would you be my friend? says

    July 27, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    Whoa! I can't believe it's the same desk! Amazing!

    Curiosity: What do you finish the paint with? I've done numerous spray painting projects with great success, but the one time I brush painted (with glossy) it stained way too easily. And some things (like my cabinets, which were painted haphazardly by the people before us to sell the house) have paint that peels off.

    Any suggestions?

    Reply
  77. Little Austinite says

    August 26, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    Beautiful! Ok, now I see why you would want to hit up the Grande Dame of Goodwills. 🙂 Now you have me inspired, and I might just be the one you fight off for furniture there.

    Reply
  78. Amy {The Red Chair Blog} says

    September 4, 2009 at 8:33 am

    This is GORGEOUS! What vision you had!!

    Reply
  79. Naomi says

    January 28, 2010 at 6:45 pm

    Wow! You have really inspired me. I inherited a desk that is similar and never knew what to do with it. It needs a little work (!)but now that I have seen yours…..I want to do it NOW! I love the initial on it as well.
    A million thanks.
    Naomi

    Reply
  80. Creations By Cindy says

    February 8, 2010 at 10:50 am

    Absolutly divine!

    Reply
  81. Taelin says

    February 8, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    J’adore! Looks amazing and inspiring for future DIY projects! xx

    Reply
  82. Carolyn O'Connor says

    August 15, 2012 at 10:25 am

    This looks fantastic Lindsay! I love the way you revamped it with a new skirt and legs. You really did a fabulous job on this. I know what you mean about black paint. It is really hard to get a smooth seamless finish. If you get a chance, check out my blog, I just started it and would welcome any suggestions. 🙂 I do painted furniture, so your item was of particular interest to me. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Giveaway: WordyBird Vinyl Decor - Makely School for Girls says:
    October 11, 2012 at 10:14 pm

    […] One of the questions I get asked most often about my blog is how I got the decorative ‘B’ on the top of my little, black rehabbed desk. […]

    Reply

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About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


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