Grandpa's Desk

My parents are selling their vacation home in Bayfield, Wisconsin...and are slowly bringing pieces that either they want to keep or I want to revamp. This piece arrived a few weeks ago...I knew I was going to keep it for myself when I saw it. It was my grandfather's desk and I needed a desk for my space/our guest room. I wanted a two-tone look, but did not want to strip the top. I am over stripping. Messy and stinky. Enter my new love...the orbital sander. People...where.have.I.been? I have been HAND SANDING. I'm not only wasting time, but energy. Anyway, I took my sander to the top of the desk and had it stripped in no time. I used 80 grit to strip, then used 120 to smooth and 220 to finish. I was going to use Minwax Polyshades in Antique Walnut...but it was way too light. So I went back to my trusty Dark Walnut...and it didn't let me down. I did 3 coats and then 3 coats of wipe on poly (love that stuff!). Then I painted the base a creamy white, distressed, and glazed with Provencial stain. Here is the end result...and I am really happy with it. So happy I'm keeping it and that it's a part of my history. I still remember it sitting in my grandfather's office...with the pipe stand near by.

My husband always gets on my case about my "pile" on our kitchen island. It migrates around and always ends up in the same, cluttered space. Up until this desk, I haven't had a space for my pile...but I can't wait to clutter it up ;)

~Allison


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