I took the advice of many of you late during my pregnancy with Job, focusing on just getting my bedroom in order before he was born and letting go of my typical goal of having my entire house clean and organized. When you can’t do it, you just can’t. I have found it really hard to dig out from the mess and chaos that settled in the months before and after Job was born. Silas and the girls are so much faster than I am, and they have far more free time. It has definitely felt like one step forward, two steps back. But, the good news is that I have been able to keep my room looking pretty and mostly clean much of the time.
When we started the big ongoing project to move all the boys upstairs and the girls down, I lost the little nook where my computer and desk lived just outside our living room. That’s a closet now. The only place to move it was next to our bed. I was pretty bummed about that at first. Having a computer next to my bed is not my ideal. But, I made a few changes, and I am happy with the way things are now. It’s actually kind of nice to be able to shut the door to my room and sit down here to write sometimes without heavy traffic of the two footed type zooming all around me. My monitor and keyboard needed replacing so I bought white ones rather than black. But the big change obviously is that with a little help from my older boys, I painted my dark brown desk a vintage green color. It’s the same color as our kitchen cabinets, (use what you have!) Land of Liberty by Benjamin Moore. I was worried about the paint job, when after the second coat a stain bled through on the top of the desk. Two coats later, and it looks fine, the stain just gives it character now. I painted the large knobs on the big drawer, and replaced the ones on the little upper drawers with small depression green glass knobs that I ordered here. Then I pulled out my sewing machine, dusted it off and sewed a basic skirt to hide my computer and other things that are stored underneath (fabric from JoAnn). I hung it on a simple tension rod. I was worried that it would get tugged down by my kids, but so far it is working out well. I’m happy with the way that this project turned out!
(I talked in more detail about re-doing furniture in this post. I handled this desk a little differently, in that I did sand the whole thing down lightly after painting it, and I distressed some of the edges.)
Heather says
Your project turned out just lovely!
Cordelia says
Oh Ginny. I really do appreciate you, so.
I can’t decide what is more beautiful, the photos or the desk.
XO
Stephinie says
It is beautiful!! I love the color and those handles!!
Apseed says
It must be a pleasure to work/write on your “new” desk, such a calming color.
Theresa says
So lovely! I adore the color!
okgran says
It is PRETTY! You did a great job…..well your boys did a great job, too.
Kelly says
Love it!
Tiff says
Very pretty, so lovely and feminine.
Carole says
Soft and soothing shade of green and perfect beside your bed. Calming and peaceful. Great job.
fay says
Lovely!
Claudia says
It’s so important to have a bit of space you can own, all by yourself. I love the depression glass knobs – a beautiful and thoughtful detail.
Jessica says
Oooh, I love everything about it! The color, the knobs, the curtain–perfect!
Jennifer Miller says
It’s amazing what you can do with paint!
Monique says
Love the desk! And the curtain is perfect. You did a great job!
Heidi says
That is also my favorite green! I love the little glass knobs. It looks so pretty with the lamp on it and the white computer complements your headboard. It may sound funny, but the fabric and the whole project just look like YOU! Love it!
lori says
Beautiful desk, just lovely.
Amy Caroline says
Beautiful!
Rachel Marie says
It is so pretty, but being right next to the bed I wonder how you keep it so neat? Everytime I clean my room I think, this time I’ll keep my nightstand pretty. But it quickly becomes a big messy pile of books, lands end catalogs I think I’ll look through later, the earrings I take off right before bed, etc. I guess I’m a mess.
Deborah says
So, so pretty Ginny! xxx
Nicole Spring says
That shade of green is one of my favorites. It’s like the “Martha green”! Love it!
tara says
I love that color! Nice job, Ginny!
Kate says
So pretty and that’s one of my favorite colors. It’s nice to have a quiet space, isn’t it? Mine is an armchair in our bedroom (which is off the living room, so I can keep an eye and ear on things still). That’s where I knit or read.
Suzy says
The color is stunning and I really love those glass knobs! Great work!
Lorraine says
What a great job, the paint colour is beautiful and the fabric is divine.
Kellie Evans says
What beautiful fabric to go along with the lovely mint green color of the desk!
Amy Marie says
Just LOVE it! That is my favorite color. 🙂
aimee says
Just this weekend, I inherited my grandmother’s vintage desk, dresser and trunk that were painted almost that exact shade of green at least 40 years ago. The paint is in very rough shape and I’m trying to decide if I want to repaint or try and strip it off. The front runners were painting them white or stripping the paint off, but you make the green look so charming. Maybe I should just leave it.
Rachel Jepson Wolf says
Love, love, love!
Elizabeth says
very lovely!!! I love the desk skirt also! what a good idea!! little by little is how it’s done! Just lovely!
Lori Ann says
What a darling desk and side table for your bed! Great job – and LOVE the skirt addition and glass knobs!
Gretchen R says
Oh, I needed to see this right now! I’m going to the store today to pick up the supplies for painting our kitchen cupboards. We start tomorrow. I’m so nervous, but seeing your fresh work took my nerves down a bit! Now onto the mess!!
teresa c says
It is a pretty little corner! Congratulations, the desk is lovely and you made a wonderful job in restoring it. I love the skirt for hiding the not so pretty stuff!
Wanda says
Yes, we all need a little space that is just ours. The color is perfect and the little skirt brings out its vintage charm. Well done, my friend!
karen says
so pretty and I love the curtain on the tension rod hiding the “computery” stuff. lovely area to create!
Grace says
It is beautiful! I love that green!!!
CathyC says
It’s so pretty and I love the fabric print. Nice job.
anne says
Super cute! looks great! i am inspired!
karen c says
It looks beautiful! Good for you 🙂
Beth says
It looks lovely and very inviting!
meghann says
That looks really sweet. xo
Bill says
What wood is desk made of? Wild cherry?
Ginny says
I’m not sure. There were several coats of paint on the desk when I was given it and I just couldn’t sand through it all.