Sunday, January 6, 2013

Nautical Desk & Waxing Tip

When I got this desk, I knew I wanted to try a two color combo--where the top and drawers are one color and the rest is another color.

The colors that I chose were inspired by We Heart DIY's Lil' Vintage Dresser.  They actually used black and white, but I thought it was navy and white.

The before of this desk kind of looked like this one.
I painted the top and drawers with a base coat of ASCP Paris Grey and two coats of Valspar Indigo Streamer homemade chalk paint

The top had three leather panels that I was able to paint right over.  I painted the rest of the desk with Valspar Swiss Coffee homemade chalk paint.  I used a silver metallic spray paint on the hardware.
**The bottom left drawer is a double drawer and I have since painted the trim in the middle white to have it mirror the other side.

I finished it with the Minwax Paste Finishing Wax for the first time.  I was nervous that the paste is a light brown color, but it goes on clear.  It was so easy to use!  Just apply it with a clean cloth or cheesecloth, wait 10-15 minutes and buff.  The desk is super smooth. 

I had been using the ASCP clear wax, but felt it was very time consuming--I was spending just as much time waxing my pieces as I was painting them--and that it was coming out blotchy. I didn't want to invest in a wax brush, so I decided to try the Minwax Paste since it was only $10 for the 1 pound tub.  I am so glad I did!  I now only use this wax if I don't plan to use a dark wax.

Linking to:
Life on Lakeshore Drive  
Classy Clutter
Too Much Time on My Hands 
Simple Home Life
i should be mopping the floor   
Craft-O-Maniac
Homemaker on a Dime
Kathe With An E
Debbiedoos
Elizabeth&Co.
Coastal Charm
The DIY Dreamer
Southern Lovely
{Primp}
Savvy Southern Style
Embracing Change
House of Hepworths
Beyond the Picket Fence
The Shabby Creek Cottage
Miss Mustard Seed
Lovely Crafty Home
Fluster Buster
Funky Junk Interiors
Too Much Time On My Hands  
Liz Marie
Classy Clutter 

I was featured!
Debbiedoo's

24 comments:

  1. The desk is beautiful! Perfect color combo! What type of cloth did you apply the wax with? The last time I used wax, I used a lint free one but it still left lint!

    Jenna @ rainonatinroof.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. It looks great Susan! I love navy on furniture and the lines of that desk are great. Minwax is fantastic and a much more affordable alternative to Annie Sloan's wax.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That color combination is so elegant and classic. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just love this desk, Susan! Beautiful job.

    I'm having a GOOGLE + Social hop. I'd love for you to hop on over, grab a button and link up your Google +. If you don't have Google + it's ok, come link up your blog or favorite post.

    http://mydailyphotojourney.blogspot.com/2013/01/google-social-hop.html


    I'm also looking for Pinterest Pinners to feature every week beginning in January. If you are on Pinterest and are interested in being featured come link up! Who knows you might meet some other great pinners and gain a few great ideas.

    http://mydailyphotojourney.blogspot.com/2012/12/looking-for-pinners.html

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great job! I love this, and love your tips.
    Leslie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your desk turned out beautifully Susan! I love your color combination - crisp, clean and so classic!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What difference a little paint makes...wow looks great

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a make over, it looks stunning! Really love your tips, I haven't so many furnitures before, thank you for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  9. WOW! The desk looks fabulous!!! The colors are amazing!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer... From Dream To Reality!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Just found your blog. Your instructions are very easy to follow and the extra information you give is very helpful. Your makeovers are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful! I've got a dresser sitting in my dining room that I just bought and was wondering how to refinish - this would be perfect! (Stopping by from Kathe with an E blog hop!)

    ReplyDelete
  12. The desk turned out great! I'm glad to hear you like the minwax. I've been wanting to try it and now I definitely will!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The desk is awesome, I love your tips about using a different wax, I have pinned this :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow! I can't believe the difference between the before and after. Beautiful! I found you from Southern Lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Your desk is amazing. I love the new drawer pulls. I am starting to look at old ratty furniture in a different way.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Susan, I love the colors you chose. I love how the off set and compliment each other. Beautiful job! I just started a new blog hop and would love for you to come over and link up your post or any social media. http://designeddecor.com/talkin-about-thursday-2/
    DeDe@DesignedDecor

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a gorg desk redo! Awesome job, girl!

    ReplyDelete
  18. That turned out great--love the colors! Interesting to hear that the Minwax was easier to use than the Annie Sloan wax...Minwax is all I've ever used, and I kind of hate it. But maybe I just hate all wax, and there's no point searching for something else!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I use Johnson's Paste Wax, which is half the cost of Minwax!! and doesn't have the orange/brown cast. I make my own dark wax by scooping out some of the Johnson's and adding black shoe polish. Works great!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow, it looks great! I love the colors. You did a wonderful job. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent last week. I am so thrilled to have you share. So sorry that I am just now visiting, I had one of those weeks!!! LOL I just followed by email and G+! Love you blog.

    Have a great weekend. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great tutorial! I'd love for you to share this or any of your great ideas at the link party going on now (and every Saturday through Tuesday) at 'Or so she says ...' Hope to see you there!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love the colours you have used; such a classic palette.

    The handles in gold would have been really good; think coco chanel classic blue and white striped shirt with a link gold necklace, but they look great in silver too.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love what you have done! I have a dresser waiting for something like this. I am keeping this in my back pocket as possible color combo. Nice work!

    ReplyDelete
  24. (Plans Review + Book Download) - 16000 Woodworking Plans and Projects...
    https://woodworkingplanspro.weebly.com/

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate and read all your comments. I now reply to all comments on the blog post, so please check back if you asked questions for my response.
Thank you!