Dining Table Turned Desk
I’ve been busy this week. Besides the fact that the kids are home from school & wanting my attention, there are several other things going on this week. Yet, in the midst of it all, I decided to take on a project that’s been waiting its turn in the garage. I think this was my biggest project yet, & I’m proud to say that I did it all myself, from sanding & cleaning to painting & cleaning up. I actually do most of my projects myself, but this one seemed different because it was just BIG. Here’s how it looked when I found it:
To you, it may look like a dining table, but to me, it’s the perfect desk I had been searching for for our highly under-decorated library. If you’ve been around here long, you know I’m going on the philosophy of “Use-What-You-Find Decorating” since we moved into our house last fall. This simply means that I keep my eyes peeled (usually at the thrift stores) for pieces I like & when I come across something at a price I can live with (this table was a steal at $38), I make it work. The fun part is, I never know what I’ll be working on next!When I found this piece at Goodwill, the first thing I noticed were the legs. I’m not sure what the correct decorating term would be for these legs, but I call them a harp/turned leg combination. And I thought right away that they are the perfect look for a desk. If the table had been solid wood, I would’ve chosen to stain it, but since the top is veneer, like so many dining tables, I had to paint. So, it went black. And I’m very happy with the result. My husband wanted to use the entire table with the leaf at first, but at 76″ long, it was a little out of scale with the room, so we removed the leaf & it’s the perfect size.
At the advice of an expert at Sherwin Williams, I used their enamel in Low Sheen Black, right off the shelf. It only took a half a quart to do 2 coats on this desk. And no protective top coat is necessary! 
This gives you an idea of just how pitiful this room is at the moment. But at least I have a desk now, and that’s a small step up. 
Now I’ve added “desk chair” to my mile-long list of things I’m on the look-out for. And who knows, maybe soon the books will come out of the boxes & I may actually get some curtains for this room as well!I’m linking up with some of these parties. Come get inspired!
July 1, 2010 @ 3:25 am
I love it's new life!
July 1, 2010 @ 1:15 pm
What a great table/desk, Julie! I love it black, too. Good to know about the SW enamel paint. I have to remember that for future projects.
July 1, 2010 @ 2:03 pm
That is an awesome desk! It looks like a very expensive, rich library desk. Nice job!
July 1, 2010 @ 2:24 pm
Hi Julie,
I think this looks great! I love the shape of the table and what a great workspace! I also like the fact that the painting looked like it was easy {with no top coat of poly!} I'm working on a project myself and will use the same type of paint! Thanks for sharing!
Sharlotte
Ms. Sharlotte's…Southern Reflections
July 1, 2010 @ 2:57 pm
LOVE how it turned out! Looks great!
July 2, 2010 @ 2:47 am
Very cool! Love the look of library tables and that one fits the bill for sure!!
July 2, 2010 @ 3:03 am
You've inspired me to buy the same paint and take on some chairs and a table I've been avoiding when I walk thru the garage. Thanks for your blog, you are inspiring.
July 2, 2010 @ 3:10 am
I love how it turned out, great transformation!
July 2, 2010 @ 3:14 am
It turned out GORGEOUS! Way to make a new & improved use out of that table!
just discovered your blog & will be your newest follower in a couple seconds:)
July 2, 2010 @ 4:58 pm
Wow that looks great. Fits the space good too. What a great find.
July 2, 2010 @ 5:06 pm
Great minds think alike! I have 2 large white tables I painted and my plan is to move one into the seldom used livingroom corner and use it for a desk too. I need more space! Now I need a few strong men to do the moving for me.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
July 2, 2010 @ 9:03 pm
What a great idea. I'm always so scared to paint wood furniture!
July 3, 2010 @ 2:17 am
I love it! Love the details of the legs. Stopping by from Tatertots & Jello 🙂
July 3, 2010 @ 2:20 am
Looks great! I love that leather wingchair too!
July 3, 2010 @ 2:31 am
That looks great! Wow! What an awesome deal too. The color looks great. I just love Sherwin-Williams' paints too.
July 3, 2010 @ 3:54 am
Wow! It looks great and super modern!
July 3, 2010 @ 6:15 am
Gorgeous! I'd not thought of putting a dining table in our "library" but it would be great. Thanks for the inspiration 😉
July 3, 2010 @ 8:19 am
Great job! It was so worth the work you put into it and it totally looks like a nice big desk!
July 3, 2010 @ 11:58 am
It looks fabulous!! I'm loving it! Can't wait to see how the room turns out!
July 3, 2010 @ 4:50 pm
Oh I adore this project. It is going in my style file for sure!
Happy 4th of July!
July 4, 2010 @ 1:54 pm
I love your new desk.
July 5, 2010 @ 12:17 am
It perfect!! Well done.
July 5, 2010 @ 4:58 am
I can't believe the price of that table!?! That's amazing!! It looks gorgeous! 😉