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Just the Woods | a Colorful Home & Healthy Lifestyle Blog

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Desk Rescue Painted Jazzy Memphis Blue

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Who Doesn’t love a Barn Sale? Desk Rescue From an Old Barn

This desk rescue occurred in upstate New York. This beauty of a desk was saved from an old barn in the Catskills. The barn was originally a working barn with a silo on the property. It was transformed into a living space with a kitchen, bathroom, and second-floor loft for sleeping.  The transformation is amazing as well as all of the vintage furniture and finds left inside.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here for my full disclosure policy.

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Desk Rescue Painted Memphis Blue

Materials Needed / Source List

  • Electric Sander

Staging / Home Decor

  • Vintage Suitcases
  • Faux floral arrangement
  • Black & White framed art
  • White brick wall vinyl backdrop
  • vintage books – antique shop
  • Faux pussy willow branch

The History of a Vintage Desk

According to the previous owners, the desk along with the matching nightstand and dressers was a wedding gift to the original owners back in the 1940’s. It seems it was originally a vanity and had a mirror, but over the years the mirror can no longer be located. Due to limited space in my truck, I was only able to bring back the desk and nightstand but hope to get back up there to retrieve the dressers as well. Vintage Vanleigh Furniture, vintage desk, unfinished desk, vintage vanity

This Duncan Phyfe set was originally made by Vanleigh Furniture Co New York.  They made excellent quality furniture from the 1930s- 1970s, which dates this set from somewhere in the 1930s-1940s.  The set itself without a doubt shows signs of age but is still in excellent condition. Vanleigh Furniture Company, vintage, vanleigh, duncan phyfe, vanleigh logo, vintage vanity

The Makeover – Painting a Vintage Desk

From the moment I saw this piece I had a vision for the end result.  I have been waiting for the perfect piece to paint in Memphis blue and this is it!Kristi Kuehl, Pure Home Paint, Memphis Blue, chalk paint, painted desk, teak wood stain

The desk is prepped for its makeover. This is my process for How to Prep Painted Furniture.

painted furniture, how to paint furniture

I decided to sand the top down to smooth out as many of the scratches and imperfections as possible.  I then gave it a new fresh stain using Protective Wood Stain in Teak.  Teak is a dark non-toxic stain and protective finish in one that went on like a dream and managed to bring out the detail in the wood grain as well. Duncan Phyfe, Painted Desk, chalk paint, wood stain, staten island, painted furniture

The rest of the desk received the royal treatment.  Two words: Memphis Blue.  Oh, my this color!!  There are so many words that come to mind to describe this gorgeous color – it’s warm, jazzy, blue with hints of teal green and gray undertones, it’s both masculine and feminine, grungy and elegant.  I admit, some of these apply more to the finished piece than just the color, but I hope you get the idea. desk rescue, vintage desk, vintage vanity, painted desk, painted vanity, memphis blue

Hardware

The beautiful ornate hardware was cleaned and left in its original condition to preserve the natural patina that comes with the age of the piece.  The patina combined with the distressing gives a bit of a grungy feeling to the desk while the details and curves create an elegance. Ornate Vintage Hardware, hardware, vintage desk, vintage vanity, nyc, nj, staten island

The Result – Desk Rescue in Memphis Blue

From barn to beautiful. You never know what you might find in an old barn.

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The entire piece was sealed for protection using Kristi Kuehl Pure Home Paint & Finishes Satin Protective Finish.

Painted Desk, Just the Woods, staten island, shabby chic, vintage style, vintage vanity, nyc

 

Painted Vintage Desk, painted vintage vanity, chalk paint, non toxic, memphis blue

Do you love this color? You can find accent furniture in this color (or similar) here: BLUE ACCENT FURNITURE

blue teal accent furniture

For more fabulous desk makeovers make sure to click here and see Ten Amazing Vintage Desk Makeovers.

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Comments

  1. Susanne says

    June 24, 2016 at 2:05 am

    That is lovely!!! What a transformation ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 24, 2016 at 2:06 am

      thank you so much! xoxo

      Reply
  2. Debrashoppeno5 says

    June 24, 2016 at 12:40 pm

    What a pretty desk. It has nice details that pop out with your lovely makeover.

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 24, 2016 at 2:16 pm

      thank you so much, have a great weekend xoxo

      Reply
  3. Melony says

    June 24, 2016 at 7:43 pm

    Kandice, there are so many things I like about this desk. I love the top and the blue color for the body of the desk. I still have to talk myself into painting certain pieces of furniture, as I’m afraid I’m “ruining” them, but this project makes a good case against that kind of thinking.

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 25, 2016 at 11:46 am

      thank you so much. This one actually had more dents and dings than were obvious in photos so it really was crying out for paint. and I know what you mean.. Ive had a few pieces that I refuse to paint, or some that I try to combine both preserving and painting. I can honestly say Ive never regretted painting a piece ๐Ÿ™‚ Have a great week and go ahead and paint it xoxox

      Reply
  4. Bre says

    June 25, 2016 at 11:28 am

    Absolutely gorgeous!

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 25, 2016 at 11:46 am

      thank you so much!!!

      Reply
  5. Janet Vinyard says

    June 25, 2016 at 2:18 pm

    Hi Kandice, What a beautiful transformation and it’s so nice that you know the history of the desk – that makes it even more interesting! Blessings, Janet

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 26, 2016 at 6:48 pm

      thank you! I always love when there’s a story to go with a piece! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  6. Grandma's House DIY says

    June 26, 2016 at 10:10 pm

    Absolutely love the color you chose for this piece, gorgeous choice of stain on the top too! Saving to my Before & Afters board!

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 27, 2016 at 1:42 am

      thank you so much!! I appreciate the share/love xoxo

      Reply
  7. debbie says

    June 27, 2016 at 1:14 pm

    Truly a gorgeous piece even before the paint. I love the top after you refinished it. Blue has me always and it is stunning.

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 27, 2016 at 1:28 pm

      thank you so much!!

      Reply
  8. Sharon@BlueWillowHouse says

    June 28, 2016 at 9:50 pm

    The desk and nightstand are lovely. You enhanced the desk’s beauty with your Memphis Blue makeover. Thank you so much for sharing at Vintage Charm.

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 28, 2016 at 10:30 pm

      thank you so much!! xoxox have a great week

      Reply
  9. Kim~madeinaday says

    June 29, 2016 at 1:59 am

    This came out great! Love the top with the Teak Stain! Pinning to find this post for my next furniture paint job! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Have a great week!
    Kim

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 29, 2016 at 2:18 am

      thanks so much Kim! have a great week!!

      Reply
  10. Cynthia Chilson Finger says

    June 29, 2016 at 10:57 pm

    Stunning! Your pieces always seem to catch my eye at link parties. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 30, 2016 at 2:27 am

      thank you so much! that truly means a lot!! xoxo

      Reply
  11. Lucy ~ Patina Paradise says

    June 30, 2016 at 7:08 pm

    Kandice I think this is one of my favourites of your transformations! So classic! Thanks for sharing at Friday’s Furniture Fix.

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 30, 2016 at 7:24 pm

      thank you so much Lucy!!

      Reply
    • Kandice says

      June 30, 2016 at 7:24 pm

      thank you so much Lucy!!

      Reply
  12. Ashleigh says

    July 1, 2016 at 2:07 am

    It was great seeing you at Peace, Love, Linkup #013! The next party goes live tomorrow at 6. Hope to see you there!

    Reply
  13. Doreen @ Altered Artworksd says

    July 1, 2016 at 1:49 pm

    HI.I’m visiting from My Thrift Store Addiction linky party. I absolutely love your transformation on this beautiful desk and nightstand. Your color choice is lovely. Pinned it, and now following you.

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      July 1, 2016 at 9:46 pm

      thank you so much!! have a great week xoxo

      Reply
  14. Beverly says

    July 2, 2016 at 2:08 pm

    What a gorgeous makeover! I love the colors you selected. Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle Sunday. Pinning.

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      July 2, 2016 at 10:43 pm

      thanks so much Beveryly!

      Reply
  15. cathy says

    September 20, 2016 at 12:47 am

    Love the desk. Have a desk setting in my garage ready to be painted. Was 8 ozs enough paint for the entire desk?

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      September 20, 2016 at 1:16 am

      hi Cathy, I would guess that 8 oz would be enough to paint the desk. I always work with the 32 oz containers so Im not 100% positive, to be honest. Memphis Blue has great coverage and I don’t see it needing more than 2 coats.

      Reply
  16. Lynn Spencer says

    October 12, 2016 at 10:53 am

    Kandice, that color..so deep and rich…it really is stunning. What are you going to do with the nightstand? Can’t wait to see.

    Have a great day.

    Hugs, Lynn

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      October 12, 2016 at 1:08 pm

      thank you so much! I actually managed to get the matching dresser too, so I plan to keep the nightstand with the dresser and hope that they get scooped up for custom at some point ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  17. Emily says

    October 16, 2016 at 3:20 am

    This turned out beautifully! I love that blue! Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday.

    Reply
  18. Lori Green says

    October 20, 2016 at 4:04 pm

    I love how this turned out! It almost looks like it has a darker glaze on it. All you did was paint, distress, and top coat?

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      October 23, 2016 at 8:37 pm

      Yes Lori ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  19. Tiffany says

    January 10, 2017 at 9:25 pm

    Hi!! I am loving your desk make over, how much Memphis blue paint did you need?

    Reply
    • Kandice says

      January 11, 2017 at 12:45 am

      thank you! (I always keep the largest containers in my shop) but Im going to guess that 16 oz would be enough ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  20. Jeanne says

    March 10, 2017 at 3:38 pm

    Love the Blue…brings new life to the piece for sure.

    Reply

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