Paint (Or Just Primer) Makes All The Difference!
I almost didn’t show up on the blog today because I didn’t get as much done on my desk yesterday as I had hoped. Yesterday, I shared how I added trim and new feet to the desk. So yesterday afternoon, I took the desk base outside to sand it, caulk all of the cracks and gaps, and then give the whole thing a coat of primer. I had hoped that I’d be able to get it completely painted, but I ran out of time. It was so hot and humid (the humidity especially got to me) that I had to take frequent breaks to come inside, cool off, and drink water, so I only got it primed. I’ll take it back outside and get it painted today.
So since I didn’t make as much progress as I had hoped, I almost skipped out on y’all today. But then I walked into my studio early this morning, saw how pretty that white desk base (even though it’s just primer) looked against the cabinets and under the pendant light, and I just got so excited that I just had to show y’all. It’s amazing what a huge difference paint (or even just primer) makes on a project like this! Getting everything one solid, unifying color just brought it all together.
Just as a reminder, here’s what the desk looked like before I started working on it yesterday…
And after sanding, caulking, and priming the desk base, here’s what it looks like…
Doesn’t that look so good?! It’s okay if you don’t like it. 😀 I honestly love it. I wasn’t thrilled with those furniture feet being my only option, and I definitely had my doubts along the way as this project has progressed. But once I saw it all one solid color, I absolutely loved it. And I will be painting the desk base white, so this gives us a pretty good idea of what it will look like when it’s painted.
Here’s another view of the base before yesterday’s work.
And here it is after yesterday’s work…
And before…
And after…
With the various parts in three different colors, everything looked confusing and disconnected, and certain parts stood out more than others.
But having everything painted one solid, unifying color really brought everything together so that no single part stands out more than others.
Anyway, with one afternoon and evening of work, I went from having an “I guess it’ll do” attitude to being really excited about this silly little desk now. And all it took was one unifying paint (or primer) color.
Before yesterday, I was literally thinking that I’d make do with this desk while I also keep an eye out for a desk that I really love, whether that’s in two months or two years. But now, I don’t even want to keep an eye out for a new desk. I absolutely love this one!
I can’t wait to get the warm walnut top on it! And just imagine it with my dark red velvet chair sitting behind it.
I have been thinking about a way to add just a touch of gold to the base. I don’t want much. I want it to be just a little accent. And the idea that I came up with is to use gold gilding on the edges of the vine cutout and the frame around it.
I’m still thinking about it, though. A lot of those areas would be very easy to paint. But there are some of those edge areas that are a very tight fit, even for a little craft paint brush. So I’m not 100% decided on that idea just yet, but I’m mulling it over and seriously considering it.
And while I had my doubts for a minute, I’m really excited about how these top panels turned out once they were all one color.
So, I’m sorry I didn’t get more done. I had really hoped we could end this week looking at pictures of my finished desk. I hope to have it finished by Monday. But this is what I saw early this morning when I walked into my studio. This is the view that made me so excited that I just had to share my progress with you today. I just get giddy seeing that white desk base against the pink cabinets with the colorful pendant ight above.
Can you imagine what the finished area will look like? White desk base with subtle gold accents? Warm walnut desktop? Dark red velvet desk chair? Clutter put away? I can see it in my mind’s eye, and I think it’ll be amazing!
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
There is no reason to apologize Kristi. We all love your work and how you try multiple ideas and projects until you get it right. We are all human and that is what we appreciate about you, you are honest and say and do what the rest of us do in our redos.
Now, my opinion for what it is worth on the desk, I LOVE IT WHITE!
As for a touch of gold, instead of the leaf why not just a very small line of it on the frame of the leaf? Anyway can’t wait to see the finished. Have a beautiful blessed day.
I know they’re not your favorite element, but the spot that screams out for the subtle gold accent (to me,) is the furniture feet! I think it would really ground the desk against the light floor.
I had thought about that, too, but I wondered if that might be too much gold. I guess I can try it! If I don’t like it, I can always paint over it.
Dear Kristi,
If you did just the very bottom, rounded part, of the feet; I think that would be the perfect touch of gold.
YHWH Bless You : )
That might be the EXACT solution!
Lovely! With the gold trim on it, it looks very “Italian Provincial.” I had that style on my bedroom furniture growing up
You are on that roll we so need at times! Keep it moving! Enjoy your weekend as well!
Wow! What a difference! Let’s see now . . . pink cabinets with gold, white desk with a red chair and of course the fancy light fixture. You’re turning into quite a Princess! Next thing you know, you’ll be putting up screens and shutting the flies out on the rest of us!
Just kidding! It has really come together for you. I think the chair will be the centerpiece behind the white desk. Happy you’re getting there. I would’ve had a meltdown by now with all the frustrations you’ve had along the way. Keep us inspired!
love, Love, LOVE it! Can’t say enough about how the white desk base sets off the pink cabinets and the pendant light! Do you think that a red velvet chair will maybe be too Christmas-y? I could see the chair in a beautiful purple. But maybe the walnut wood top will bring warmth and pick up the color of the window blinds? Oh my, can’t wait to see the finished desk!
It’s not really a Christmas-y red, and I don’t have a whole lot of green, so I don’t think it’ll give off any Christmas vibes.
It will be wonderful!! Have you shown it to Matt?
Yes! He saw it when we headed outside early this morning. He was very impressed. 😀
I just feed off of your creativity, talent and energy! You have such a good eye for proportions and color. Love it all!
Love love love it! The leaves are the best part. Can’t wait to see it with the walnut top. Have you thought about putting a stretcher across the front at the bottom (just above the feet)? It might ground it just a bit. The idea of a gold accent on the leaves is intriguing – maybe just here and there on the face of the leaves.
What a difference a day makes! It looks great. Can’t wait to see it finished
Yesterday I doubted those legs—today, seeing it all in one color?? What a difference. Those legs just blended in. BTW. The light over the desk?—looks amazing! I am excited to see the finished chair—I really like the color you chose!
Did you consider glass for the desk top? You have elements in your studio, like the gold accents that are dressy so to speak and it would be very pretty. I have glass in a couple tables and it’s beautiful.
Can’t do glass if she’s adding drawers, but that would be nice if she weren’t!!
It’s looking so nice! I too am not totally in love with the legs (they seem a bit too victorian) so if you wanted to change them, I would suggest these: Ruisita 8 Pieces Furniture Couch Legs 6 Inch Round Solid Wood Sofa Legs Natural Wooden Couch Legs Replacement Legs for Armchair, Cabinet, Chair, Footstool, Mid Century Modern Dresser, Natural Wood I found on Amazon. ( There may be others, but I didn’t look further.) I am in love with the desk being white, and if adding gold trim, I would just run it along the edge of the curved part of the added trim, above and below the curve. I think the leaves would be hard to do properly as you said, but if you wanted it on the leaves, I would add it on the outside edge of the cutout parts and along the top and bottom . (just the parts that you see if it were directly in front of your face) I don’t think doing the inside will look good because as you said, it may be impossible to get into some spots, which will only emphasize that it isn’t there! Hope you stay cool today! Wrap a bandana over your forehead and set up a fan to blow on you and not the desk! A cooler of ice and water nearby, and take some tylenol for the always occuring headache.
I’m not a fan of the legs. Amazon has a set of legs that is more square that I think would compliment the mouldings you added. You can search for Crapapfert 6″ wooden furniture legs, set of 4. They may be too wide for your legs. The white primer totally changed the look.
Oooh la la! That is definitely going to be an amazing studio! And perhaps try just a touch of gold on the vine first. Think about how you did the design in the music room – not a whole outline, just a bit on the strategic edges.
You are an amazing woman! I love that Matt comes before anything, but I would love to see your work on a TV show. The creativity you bring to everything is amazing! I truly look forward to your posts.
I love the desk and the legs! I think with all of the straight lines on the pink cabinets and rest of the desk, a little different detail is needed and works well! Can’t wait to see how you do the gold!
It’s looking so pretty. I’m sure you’ll make the gold leafing look wonderful.
I so want this room in my house, if only because my “studio” is our garage that we pull our vehicles into at the end of the day. I love it. Pretty sure you will look like you run an enormous conglomerate when this project and chair are finished, Kristi Takes on The World…of color. Never apologize to us, we are all so amazed at what you get accomplished. I cannot wait to see how the drawer installation will go. I think the vines with a little gold might just be the gilding on the lily as they say. Kudos girlie, you rock.
Cheers!
It’s turning out to be a very elegant and feminine desk! I absolutely love it.
Kristi as soon as I saw your all white desk against your cabinets, the first thing that came to me was “gold on the outer edges of the leaf motif would be perfect!” So I figured I’d better read on before posting anything and sure enough, it came to you too. It seems to me, the perfect touch.
Having your desk all the same color………..basically, sure made a difference in how it looks. Once you get it all finished, top done, red chair, clutter cleaned up, you need to sit a cabinet pink something on the desk to tie a ribbon around the whole thing. Like a very small flower pot with a live plant, a pencil holder, something.
Lookin’ good.
Absolutely perfect. I LOVE it!
Amazing, yes!!!!
I LOVE it! But I agree, just a tiny bit of gold leafing on the edges of the leaves would be amazing, to me. It is beautiful.
I want to say how much I enjoy seeing your updates (and random bunnies) on Instagram! I am loving the desk. Your creativity know no bounds. I will say I love the idea if gold on the leaves and the feet. My minds eye sees just a touch of gold on the inner rim of the panels at the top. I know when you are finished I will love it! Lol
Sheila F.
Dear Kristi, I am so very proud of you and all that you accomplish!!!
WOW, I am a DIY’er but not as good as you are.
You are an inspiration to all of us.
Keep on Doing what you are doing.
Barbara
You have SO much gold in the room already, but a small amount would pull the desk in with the rest of the room, I guess. I was thinking that if you did the the leaf’s outer and inner edges it would look amazing, go with the room but not have too much.
Wow! The white primer did change the look of the desk. I’m glad you recognized that and decided to go with this one instead of looking for a new one. I think your desk will be beautiful the next time you show it to us.
Love this!
I love it! Can you please tell me what the trim pieces are that were added to the horizontal edges? It adds so much character!