To trash it, or not to trash it? That is the question.

I did not take a before picture and I really should have. The truth is, I really did not think that there would be an after picture for this old drafting table. I was ready to throw it into the garbage.

The table was dismantled, and the pieces did not look promising. The top had a raised patch from being stored in a leaky shed for 8 years. The wood was a dowdy old brown stain job. Depressing! And besides, the top was 5 inches too deep for my space. But the men folk insisted that they could cut the size of the top and glue down the raised spot so that we could flip it over and use the other side as my work area. I was going to paint it anyway, right? I humored them, all the while in my mind’s eye thinking of dumpsters filled with drafting tables parts and helpful men folk.

Well, the patching part went fine, but what about the dowdy wood? I got out my Martha Stewart Sharkey Grey paint and slathered it on. I threw a few droplets of other colors here and there for my faux-finish and sanded some of the edges to make it look used. I let it dry overnight, feeling better about it, but not sure how this jumble of painted parts would all come together.

The next morning things were looking up. I added some Briwax as a finish coat and started to feel that there were some possibilities here. We put the table together in my workroom.

What a delightful work table! It is waist height so I can stand and work which I love. I have 2 big drawers to stuff with all kinds of clutter.

And you might notice the window trim, which my son Nate finished as per Mom’s specifications. The nice ledge for vintage things or plants. On top of the old filing cabinet I have white Ikea storage boxes and an Anthropologie paper bag. I am so inspired by my chic vintage desk.

My sincere apologies to helpful men folk everywhere!

Smiles ~ Karen