Thursday, January 08, 2015

experimenting--a book, and a new life for a laminate desk.

Well, it's a new year, the perfect time for some arty experimenting.  Altered Pages is partnering with DecoArt for the month of January, and today I'm sharing the beginnings of a hand bound book at the Altered Pages Artsociates blog.  The pages are all Gelli plate prints, and the cover uses several of the new DecoArt media special effects products.  Here's a peek:
You can see some of the crackle from the Crackle Paste, and the gold from the Interference Paint shimmering behind the little fairy.  For more photos and info, please see the Artsociates post HERE--it's worth a little visit, just to get in on the chance at some of those DecoArt goodies!

Okay, and now the DESK.  Here's the story--I was aching to try out the DecoArt Chalky Finish paints on a piece of furniture.  Our oldest son's father-in-law drives a truck, and is in the habit of picking up stray furniture type things from the side of the road.  He happened to have a very plain, but very sturdy, white laminate desk--you know the type, but of course I forgot to take a "before" photo!  But surely you've seen them, they all look something like this:
Its only defect was a minor scratch on the front edge, nothing a little sandpaper didn't tidy up quickly.  I gave it a base coat of a color called Heritage, followed with Chalky Finish Crackle Medium and a coat of Vintage: 
Love the crackle!!!!  :)
As if the crackle wasn't enough fun, next I layered stenciled images--French Text, Keys, and that gorgeous Brocade from the Americana Decor series, plus a sweet little bird and a smaller brocade from the Large Fleur de Lis set:
one side
the other side
so cute! 



I replaced the original knob with a vintage crystal one from my stash.
this is on the desk top
this is also on the desk top--still lovin' the crackle!
Let me tell you, it's difficult to photograph desks . . . anyway, in the spirit of experimentation, it seemed fit to protect part of the paint with the Chalky Finish Creme Wax, and part with the Satin Varnish.
My daughter is very pleased with her new study desk, and I had a fabulous time rehabbing a roadside discard.  If you've refinished any furniture, or have any helpful hints, please share a link, I'd love to stop by and visit!

6 comments:

Krisha said...

FUN, FUN, FUN!! They turned out fabulous!!

trisha too said...

Thank you, Krisha!! (It WAS fun!)

:)

Anonymous said...

Your book looks wonderful but it is the desk .... sorry to sound so needy and greedy but I want that desk LOL.
A brilliant makeover.
Wishes
Lynne

Accidental Outdoorswoman said...

I LOVE this. You just gave me the
inspiration for my home office re-do in a few weeks. I have white bookcases and wanted to do something cool with them, but haven't had time to think about it.

Thanks for the push!

Michele said...

complete and total adoration of this piece and your work! xo

Shoshi said...

Oh I love this Trisha!! What a transformation! It's a work of art and I'm not surprised your daughter loves it. I've got 2 very tired cabinets on the landing (one of which houses my 12x12 papers) both of which I have been intending to transform, and you've certainly added to my stock of ideas! What a difference such a small thing as changing the knob makes, too. Totally fabulous.

Shoshi