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Grain Sack Desk {Annie Sloan Chalk Paint}

Thanks for sharing!

My mom called me all excited a couple of weeks ago!

She found me a beautiful antique mahogany desk to paint for only….drum roll please….$15!

The original plan was that I was going to paint it for her.  She couldn't decide on a color so I used one of my favorite two colors that I already had on hand.  I had been wanting to try a grain sack look, and I thought this desk would be a perfect candidate!

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I picked the desk up at mom's.  It is a very sturdy beauty with all original jewelry!  BUT……ohhhhhh what a job she would be!  Quite a few drawer fronts had to have the veneer glued back in place.  Did you see the top?  Lots of wood filler were used there.  BUT the biggest pain, was that everywhere you touched it, red came off on your hands.  It was like someone had tried to apply a stain to the top of the desk to make it look better and it wouldn't absorb.  It just sat on top and bubbles had formed especially on the drawer fronts.  Yuck!  Lots of sanding on the drawer fronts and top with the rotary sander.  Then because of the red coming off on your hands was such an issue that I decided to prime with not one, but two coats of stain blocking water based primer.  GRRRRRR!!!!! I was too concerned with bleed through, and I so didn't want to waste my Annie Sloan chalk paint on multiple coats to cover the stain.

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One coat of primer turned the brush pink.  At this point I am worried and discouraged that this project is going to be a big fat fail!

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Not exactly sure why I was worried?  I am painting with the wonder chalk paint by Annie Sloan!  I painted two coats.  It fills in cracks and completely covered any remaining pink!  I painted the body in French Linen.  The coverage is amazing!  I've painted several things with that one quart, and I still have enough for another smaller project!

Also on OSH!  Coastal Needlework Makeover

I let this dry overnight only because I was tired!  I used the above materials to create a wider grain sack look in Old White.

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I taped off the center stripe to paint first.  I carried the stripe down both sides of the desk as well for an overall effect.  

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I painted two light coats on the stripe, but honestly since I am later distressing, I probably could have gotten by with just one.  I waited just a couple of short minutes while I put my brush in the fridge and removed the tape.  I always pull at an angle away from the just painted part.  I waited a couple of hours and then taped up the other two stripes and painted them.

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Next just a couple of hours later, I started distressing.  I kept my vacuum handy with the furniture brush attachment.  I vacuumed away any dust as I went to clearly see where I needed to distress.  I used a fine grit sanding block.  If you are new to distressing with chalk paint, you might get a little scared at first…..I sure was!  Notice how in these pictures marked by arrows how the edges of the stripes are ruffed and white from sanding.  This goes away when you wax!

I continued to distress just the edges of the desk and the edges of the drawer fronts.  Distressing is completely up to you.  You could distress the sides and top more, but the edges and just the stripes were the look I was going for.

After sanding and really thoroughly dusting the desk, I began to wax with clear wax.  I did one all over coat on the desk with an additional coat on the top for durability.  I prefer applying wax with an old t-shirt.  I feel like I have better control and can really work it into the piece.  I did two coats of clear wax on the drawer fronts.  I had to paint the interior and sides of the drawers in Old White, but didn't want to waste my wax or fool with the whole process.  I took the easier and cheaper route and just covered them with one coat of wipe on poly.

Also on OSH!  Simply Fresh Patio Makeover

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This is what it looks like all finished.  Now to decide where she is going to go!  Mom just couldn't decide so it is going in my teen son's room.  She really just didn't have the space.  So up it went up the stairs with my handy-dandy helpers!

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I knew exactly where I wanted it to go, but that involved a complete room rearrange that I was NOT planning on….yes more work!  The funny thing is that my poor son didn't know this was going on to his room!  He is a creature of habit! He doesn't like change and was not happy with the new arrangement.  He has learned to put up with his mom and sister's decorating ways!

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Ashlyn started setting up the lights while I started taking things off the dressers and placing them on the bed.  We were not planning on moving the bed, but had to…grrr!  This means that I am now going to have to re-hang wall stuff and hopefully not have to paint!  I am really liking the new bed arrangement!  It is always fun to create a new look with what you already have!

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Grain sack desk painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen and Old White with clear wax.

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It's all in the details!  I was able to use all of the original hardware.  It was pretty nasty, but cleaned up well.  I like that it is really old and looks old!!!

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Needless to say, I am amazed yet again what Annie Sloan Chalk Paint can transform!  My initial fears faded after I started painting the first few swipes with my brush.  This desk does look great in my son's room!  Now to find a chair……I am thinking an industrial metal chair.  Even though this was not a planned room make-over, it looks like there may be a few changes in store!  I already have plans for something over the bed.  So glad to not have a FatHead over the bed anymore!  I think the whole change is starting to grow on Woods.

Also on OSH!  Painting Outdoor Furniture {Thrift Store Find}

I hope you'll follow along if not already to see how this room comes together!

I have several more furniture transformations to share with you!

Have a lovely Thursday!

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Link Parties that OSH parties at on occasion!

 

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Saturday:  Funky Junk Interiors

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Thursday:   From My Front Porch to Yours, 52 Mantels, Stone Gable, Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life, The Shabby Creek Cottage, No Minimalist Here

Friday:  French Country Cottage, My Repurposed Life, Miss Mustard Seed Furniture Friday, Common Ground, The Charm of Home, Rooted in Thyme, Imparting GraceKeep Calm and Link Up

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33 Comments

  1. I’ve just painted a desk with AS chalk paint ( the desk top is Melamine) and left it to dry after 3 coats of paint for 3 days. I’ve waxed it and after another 2 days it has bubbled in patches. What can I do? Help please!!

    1. Krissie, I am so sorry you have had such a difficult time! I have never painted melamine, but about everything else! I did a little research for you. Here is a clip from: http://www.anniesloanunfolded.com/faqs Scroll down and you will find a Q and A on this directly from Annie’s site.

      Here are a few responses from a trusted painting friend:
      http://www.artsychicksrule.com/2013/05/thrift-desk-makeover-chalk-paint.html

      For me….when in doubt….I lightly sand to give the paint tooth. I have also had great success using Zinnser water based primer.

      Please let me know if you need anything else!!! ~Christy

      1. Thankyou for getting back to me.. I’m going to sand it back and repaint, leave it for a couple of days and then wax and take it from there! I will let you know how I get on with the finished result… Fond regards
        Kris x:))

  2. Oh I am amazed.I love the desk. You make things look so easy. And with your detailed walk through of your project, I am convinced I to can do this. Thank you for virtually allowing me into your home! Beautiful piece! You have done it once again.

    1. Thanks bunches, Karla!!! It was a very rewarding project especially being that it was in such bad shape before! XXOO Christy

  3. I love using ASCP and your desk turned out great!! Thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursdays!!

    xoxo
    Denyse

  4. Love it! I have been itching to try something with Annie Sloan’s chalk paint. I did just order some Miss Mustard Seed’s milk paint to try on a great old dresser I found in northern Georgia. Must start somewhere, right?

    1. You will love ASCP, Lisa! I just got to play around with the MMS milk paint at the Haven Conference last week. I loved it and can’t wait to try it on a piece! ~Christy

      1. I did it and while I really liked the milk paint, I’m not crazy about the end result color. I chose French Enamel, but it just seems to be too much on the dresser. I’m going to live with it for a while and if I still don’t like it may go a completely different direction, such as Linen or Typewriter. And I definitely want to try AS’s chalk paint. Now I just need to find some more furniture to practice on and experiment!

        Jealous that you got to go to Haven! Sounds like so much fun.

  5. So I am ready to paint like crazy with annie sloan. It does seem to be very common to distress everything which I am not sure I like. My question is if you have veneer tops in bad shape does annie sloan still work and also laminate cheap laminate with particle board worth painting over. Nice job on on desk!

    1. Hi, Tom! Thanks so much! I have been using ASCP for over a year now. It is just an amazing paint with wonderful coverage! You do not have to distress! You can simply add just a clear wax…..or simply some rub-on poly! You can’t uses the ASCP wax and poly together though. I used the poly on a side table in the bonus room because I knew it would have heavy family/teen use. As far as the veneer goes, you would want to glue down any loose pieces first and make repairs. You would be surprised at the imperfections that it covers up. I would fill in any deep scratches with wood filler as well. I have painted wood, pressed board furniture, brass lamps, picture frames and more with the product! It will adhere to pretty much any surface! If I have something fairly shiny, I usually rough it up a bit with a sanding block just to break the shine. I have not personally painted laminate…yet! I have seen numerous tutorials and projects on Pinterest about painting laminate. I’d go on Pinterest and look those up! My thoughts are that I’d probably sand lightly, maybe prime first and then paint. I’d research it. Let me know if you need any help finding out. I have several more experienced painter friends that I could ask for you. The Purple Painted Lady site is also a wealth of information and great to answer questions. Good luck! ~Christy

      1. Christy,
        I just saw your reply thank you for that. A month ago I did a night stand and some old interesting small table that was left for dead in my attic. Using ASCP , I did old white on night stand and blue duck something on other piece. The painting went well, I did discover not to go over painted area like a wall it begins to pull or distort paint. After drying no issue. Ok time for my real problem. Waxing ooooh waxing to much to little brush strokes are seen. Use a cloth to apply or use a AS wax brush…….. On one piece I used to much wax, I believe and buffed and buffed days later not sure if it changed anything. I was expecting the wax to make or have a slippery feel after drying with no brush strokes visible. It was very stressful for last week or so, thinking I failed at first waxing. Shouldn’t waxing piece be relaxing and fun? Please let me know how to wax and relax!
        Next job is rocker (Paris Grey) and hopefully shaker tape seat. Then a dresser/amoire with lots of detail.

  6. Really, really awesome job. I have yet to use Annie Sloan but I am looking forward to it. I can’t wait to use her Barcelona Orange and paint some awesome piece of furniture with it!!! Love your blog.

    1. Thanks so much, Kathleen! I love Barcelona Orange, but haven’t used it yet! Hint about ASCP….a little goes a long way! If you are painting something small like accessories, mirrors or lamps and want to try a bold color….buy the small sample pots especially if you don’t plan to use a lot of it! You will love ASCP. I am so happy to have you stop by and thanks again for the sweet compliments! ~Christy

  7. LOVE the desk Christy! I thought I already commented here (duh..no!) I think it turned out perfectly…and it looks great in your son’s room. 😉

    Nancy

    1. Thanks so much, Nancy! I had really been wanting to try that technique! So easy and looking forward to using it on something else! ~Christy

  8. Your desk turned out great! I love the feedsack idea. I’ll have to remember that in the future. I hope your son enjoys and appreciates all the hard work you put into it. Take care – Dawn

    1. Thanks so much Dawn! I think he really likes it. Most boys just don’t care about that kind of thing! LOL!! I really appreciate you stopping by for a visit! ~Christy

  9. $15?! You lucky lady! I love the paint job, it turned out really great. My son is a creature of habit too, wonder if its a boy thing? LOL Thanks for linking up to ITS PARTY TIME. Sharing this masterpiece via G+ and Pinning. xoxo

    1. Clydia, you are so right….they are creatures of habit! Has taken the same thing in his lunch box since K5!!!! LOL!!! Thanks so much for the compliments! Means so much coming from you! Wow…thanks so much for the shares, sweet lady! 🙂

  10. Stopping by from DIY Show Off. Your grain sack desk is amazing, i love it! And a great tutorial on how to create those lines. I haven’t seen anyone show that step and wasn’t sure how it was done. Pinning and thanks for sharing! ~ Amy @ StowandTellU

    1. Thanks so much, Amy! Had to just look at pictures of others online and figure it out from there. Glad I’ve created a little tutorial! 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful week! ~Christy

  11. Lovely, Christy! I haven’t tried the ASCP yet but I’m dying to. I love how you took this old lady and made her young again. *Swoon*
    I’m visiting today from DIY Showoff. I hope you get a chance to visit my blog, too. I’m co-hosting the DIY Sunday Showcase and would love for you to come by and link up!
    ~ Megin of VMG206
    Open Now! DIY Showcase ~ Come Link Up!

    1. Thanks bunches, Megin! I was so worried when I started the project. You will love ASCP! It is just so easy and fun to work with! Have a lovely week! ~Christy

      1. If you ever come to Wilmington while in Southport, I would love for you to see the historic1910 cottage we are redoing.

        1. Private message me ([email protected]), Kathy with you phone number and address! I may just take you up on that! Heading to Caswell Beach Friday and will be there for about 3 weeks! We always head into Wilmington to hang out on occasion! I LOVE historic houses. ~Christy

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