2019 is the year for me to get busy painting and declutter my shed of all the pieces of furniture that have been waiting for my attention. Just like this old school desk which I found at a garage sale some time ago. Today I’m sharing How To Paint An Old Farmhouse School Desk and give it a fresh new look.

How To Paint An Old Farmhouse School Desk

This old gal had some major work that needed to be done! The veneer on the desktops was bubbling and needed to be removed and repaired. And boy did she look tired.

 

 

 

Supplies needed:

• old school desk – Or you can find this little beauty for sale over in my SHOP
• Fusion Mineral Paint – TSP
• Old Rag
• Paint Scraper and Hammer
• 120 grit sandpaper and sander
• Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint – Farmhouse White
• Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint – Antique Wax and Furniture Wax
• Brush – I used my favourite brush Cling On! F30
• IOD Decor Stamp – Typesetting
• IOD Decor Stamp – Craquelure
• Brayer
• IOD Ink – Stone Gray
• Scrap wood that will fit into the desktops
• Wood Glue
• Clamps

 

 

Step 1 – Pop a cap full of TSP into some warm water and give the whole piece a good scrub to remove any oil, dirt and stains. Remove back slats of the chair and sand to get back to the original wood. Remove desktops.

 

 

Step 2 – Remove the bubbling veneer using a paint scraper and a hammer. This was so damaged I was able to peel it off quite easily. Using your sander sand the entire piece. Mix your Farmhouse White with warm water at a ratio of 1:1. Let sit while you prepare the rest of the desk to combine.

 

 

Step 3 – Measure out your inserts for the desktops and cut accordingly to fit. Give the inserts 2 to 3 coats of Farmhouse White. Distress to your liking. Then pop out some wood glue onto the desktops and the wood and clamp. Leave to dry.

 

 

Step 4 – Grab your brush and give the desk two to 3 coats of Farmhouse White. Letting each coat dry in between. Distress to your liking then seal in all your hard work with wax. For the wooden parts that you have left exposed apply some Antiquing Wax to give it a nice aged look while letting the wood still show the beautiful character. Screw your back slats back on the chair.

 

 

Stamping time

Step 5 – Load up your brayer with ink and apply to the entire Craquelure Stamp then gently flip over onto your desktop and lightly run your fingers over the top. Don’t press too hard as you only want a really light crackled effect. Let dry completely.

 

 

Step 6 – Then with your Typesetting Stamps arrange out a design that you’re happy with – Stamps facing down. I started with the words “Inspire” and “Learn” then filled in the rest of the desktops with letters and numbers. Tape 2 pieces of the transfer film that come with your stamps together. Then gently layer over your design and push down with your hands over the entire design. Pick up your design with the transfer film and flip over. Load up your brayer again with your ink and apply to your stamps. Gently flip over and onto your desktops and holding your stamps with one hand use your other hand to push down on the stamps. Gently lift the design off. Distress lightly then seal with wax.

Handy Hint

When you’re stamping the second desktop, put your second word out like “Learn”. Pick that word up with a separate piece of the transfer film. Then stamp onto your desktop. Then remove the word “Inspire” from the other transfer film, brayer on your ink, then manoeuvre over the top of the Inspire word where the blank space is.

 

 

There you have a fun way to add some farmhouse charm and breath some new life into an old school desk!

 

 

Don’t you just love the power of paint and what it can do!
Happy Painting!

 

Don’t Have Time To Make Now? Be Sure to PIN for Later!