I first cleaned the entire thing with TSP which you can find at any home improvement store. It’s great for taking off all of the dirt, grease, grime, and scary spiders.
Here you can see where I cleaned and where I hadn’t yet.
Ew. This baby was nasty!
And here she is all fresh from her bath. So much better!
After I drilled my holes, I applied a liberal amount of Gorilla Glue in each hole and on the base.
After priming everything, I filled the joints of each leg with wood filler. Yes, it looks bad here, but all you do is…..
…sand it and it looks much, much better!
Finally, I gave her several coats of Rustoleum Gloss White and she now looks like a super star!
I was going to distress her just a bit, but let’s be honest here. This desk is totally girly, and I wanted Hubs to accept her as his own. If I distressed her, he might have rejected her and I wasn’t willing to take that risk!
This room is our library/ guest room. We have four floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled to the gills with Hubs’ books and could easily have four more. The room needs a little makeover, but it’s not going to happen until next Spring. I want to paint all of those Ikea bookshelves white, but I barely got this desk painted without freezing my tail off! Sob. I’m afraid that spray paint days are over for awhile for us Northeastern girls.
So what do you think? Could you see yourself working here? Would it keep you out of my craft room 
?
I am linking up my before and after project to Sarah’s party and Kim’s party! Check them out for some more inspiration.
Also, don’t forget to enter the $25 stamped jewelry gift certificate from Simple Starfish! And my Willow House sponsor is holding a $50 gift certificate giveaway HERE. Willow House specials for November include: Spend $39.96 and get ANY item $40 and under for 50% off + 25% off items on the weekly deals!
Ha I am first!!
The desk looks great and it matches that wonderful Imac perfectly.
I hope hubs got the message and stays out of your craftroom. Just threaten him that otherwise you will turn the library into your craft room too.
I'll keep my fingers crossed those legs will keep it up (I actually like it very much on its high legs, much better than as a coffee table).
Love, M
You did a great job. It turned out beautiful. I love all the detail and that flower is so cute!
Looks fantastic Beth! I love the detailing on the desk and the white is fab.u.lous! I'd be hiding out, sitting there too! ~ Stephanie Lynn
She's totally cute! Maybe you just need a little stabalizer leg between the back two and then between the two sides? Would that help it be less wobbly? I love it!
You're a girl after my own heart….I too LOVE a good curbside pick up. My family turns their heads in shame, but then wants to use it once I refurb it and bring it in the house! LOL Maybe I should be like the little red hen and say, "you did not pick it up from the curb, you did not refurb it, so you can't use it…it is mine".
Anywho! The desk turned out great and hopefully hubs will get the idea!
Hugs!
missy
That was amazing! I love to "glue the bejabbers" out of stuff too! You're funny.
Great eye to spot that piece. I love the carved detail. Now it has a new life and looks so fabulous in white.
Love it!
(and I, too, am upset that spray paint season is over in the NE.)
Now aren't you just the clever one. Awesome job. Looks great.
Love it! It would have had me at scrolly detail too! I think it looks great!
Love it. Its beautiful!
Love it. Its beautiful!
Wow. I love how you just went for it!! It looks great!!
It's so pretty, I might want to think of a trade
. I love the scrollies, too.
Beth, I applaud your creativity in coming up with a desk for your hubby. My hubby's desk is a vintage dining table that I got for $25 & it works perfect for him. Yay on a job well done. Even if it was freezing cold. It's still 80* down here.
This is actually very funny! Can't we all relate to wanting our personal space to ourselves. Your solution is amazing! You are really creative!
CC
http/currentlychic.com
You're so cleaver! I will never look at an old coffee table the same.
-Aaron
Well hello, gorgeous! You're a genius. I sure hope Matt appreciates the freezing of the tail that went on in order for you to get him out of your craft room…errr…to get him a new desk.
It is wonderful, Beth! I am still trying to get over the fact that you found it!
Oh goodness Beth…..it’s stunning! Love the color, the lines, the way you accessorized it, how it pops off the dark book shelf!!! You did a superb job and you used power tools. I have not mastered them yet. I think I should get sewing down 1st!
Let me tell ya that I am a little jealous that it’s cold where you are. People are still wearing tanks and flips here in Texas. I hope fall didn’t forget about us.
(
Kendra aka "Domestic Princess in Training"
It is frosty this morning …brrrr.
The desk looks great and I hope it does the trick. You did a great job coming up with a low cost solutuon …. even if the legs might wobble a bit. Love that office and the way you accessorized the desk.
Let us know if he likes it.
Clever, clever!! I would have just complained until he left my craft room alone but you are a woman of action!! Good for you!! Hope he likes it! I do!
Wow, wow!! lol…this is crazy and cool! I would have never ever thought to do this. It turned out beautiful. Once again, Beth…I'm so impressed and in awe. <3
Wow! What a transformation, and what a GREAT idea! It looks beautiful – I love it!! Did you consider keeping it for yourself for just a quick second?
I love it, Beth! I might have kept it for myself though, 'cause I'm selfish like that. ; )
I've seen people cut legs off to make a coffee table, but I don't think I've ever seen the reverse until now. Awesome!
You did a fabulous job, Beth. You look pretty handy with that drill. I'm still intimidated by power tools. La
Love this funny post and the table turned desk is really pretty, don't tell the husband I said pretty though, ha!
OH MY Garsh…you clever girl. Love how this turned out and the leg idea!!! AMAZING! Looking like it was made to be a desk. Although I'm partial to benches…hee hee.
Wow! Great job!!
It looks great, Beth!
I love the chair you paired with it. I hope he takes the hint and stays out of your space. 
That is a great idea! On my way to find a coffee table. . .
Wow, that looks really pretty! Errr, handsome I mean. I would love to have it as my desk.
It looks great! What a clever idea to turn in into a table. I will have to remember that one!
So glad you were on the job right away! My hubby is slowly taking over, and I'm having to stand my ground. You know what they say, "snooze, ya lose!" You sure know how to make things work. The desk is beautiful. I love it!!
The desk looks amazing!
I would have never thought to add legs to a coffee table to add the height! I bet your hubby loved it!!
Lisa
Great. Where were you when I was buying a craptastic desk from Target. Oh the shame!
I seriously want to go garage saleing w/ you!
What a wonderful repurpose! I'm a northeastern girl too and I hear you on the cold. I'm currently huddled under a couple blankets and my Saint Bernard.
This looks fabulous! I never knew there was an attachment kit. Even though you didn't use it, you did an awesome job. Gorgeous!
Beth, I think he's going to love it and YOU..
Great job….yup it's getting cold.
Hope the kids had a nice Halloween…I've been away a couple of weeks,,,,getting back into the sa..wing of blogging…
All the best,
Kathy
Fantastic job! I cringed when I saw the photo of you all bundled up! UGH cold weather.
Great job!! I'd even trade your hubby for that desk lol.
Great job!! I'd even trade your hubby for that desk lol.
THAT IS FANTASTIC!!! Sorry, was I shouting? I couldn't help it, I was so excited. I'm going to file this away for future use and am no on the lookout for a coffee table I can transform.
Oh my!!! I've got that exact same table….I got it at Goodwill for $7.00!!! It's on my list to turn it into a bench w/cushion. Keep on eye on my blog….it'll make it there soon now!
That is gorgeous! I want it for myself! I keep my eye out for stuff like this and never find something so awesome. Someday I'll hit the jackpot!
What a lovely desk! I know some time has passed since you did this but I was wondering how it is holding up? Did your husband like it? I am thoroughly enjoying my visit this afternoon while my guys are playing video games/hanging out together. Now I’m off to line the insets of my kitchen cabinet doors with paintable wallpaper bead board… bringing us one step closer to the Italian/French cottage/farm kitchen of my “dreams!”