Shades of Gray Painted Desk
This gray desk didn’t start off gray at all. It is vintage, originally made by Stanley furniture had been stashed away in my customer’s attic for some time. Abandoned, forgotten and dusty it’s time for it to come out and get a makeover in shades of gray! Every single shade of gray in my paint arsenal is used for this makeover. When you can’t choose one color why not use them all for a custom gray desk.
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Gray Desk Painted in Layered Shades of Gray
The Before – Unfinished Vintage Desk
The desk is simple enough but lacks personality. The dated orange finish of the wood and subtle curves are nice and all. What this desk lacks in color, it makes up for in design but it needs something more.
The Hardware
The original hardware was a shiny, brassy gold color. Though the color wasn’t ideal, the details are perfect for the desk. 
We decided to keep the original hardware and make it oil rubbed bronze. To do this the pulls and knobs are prepped and painted black first.
Next, the hardware is painted with a bronze metallic paint, giving an oil rubbed bronze metallic bronze appearance. 
Lastly, the hardware is sealed using a tinted black sealer creating the perfect oil rubbed bronze.
In short: 
Click here to find my more detailed process for cleaning, prepping and painting hardware: Hardware
The Paint – Painting a Layered Gray Desk
I admit that I am guilty of getting too involved with the project that I failed to take step by step photos along the way. Prior to painting the desk is fully prepped. Click here to see how I clean, and prep for painted furniture: PREP. The desk was hand painted in layers upon layers of shades of gray. You can find great paint options online HERE. Starting with a dark gray, then light gray, followed by dry brushing more layers of different shades of grays and so forth and so forth. The layering continued until I was satisfied with the result. You can find this same painted finish here on the: Painted Pineapple Pedestal Table. Once the layers of shades of gray were complete the desk was distressed and sealed with a matte clear protective sealer as well as a black tinted glaze. This layered process creates a pretty weathered gray look. For a more detailed tutorial on how to achieve this painted finish make sure to check out: Dry Brushing Furniture Tutorial
New to painting furniture and not sure where to start? Start at the beginning with How to Paint Furniture – a Beginners Guide.
Vintage Painted Layered Shades of Gray Desk
Out of the attic and back into the home office where this painted vintage desk belongs.
For more fabulous desk makeovers make sure to click Ten Amazing Vintage Desk Makeovers.
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Gorgeous finishing work! Love it!
The desk turned out great. I love the hardware, it has such nice detail.
thank you so much!
What a gorgeous desk. I’m sure your client is thrilled. Thanks for sharing!
thank you so much cynthia!
I love what you did with the hardware! It’s always fun to see furniture makeovers. I have an old desk in need of updating, love your ideas. Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday. Pinning.
Thank you so much Shirley!
Did you sand the desk at all before painting?
yes! I apologize, I forget to include my prep process in the post (I just edited to add) .. https://www.justthewoods.com/prep-painted-furniture-right-way/
Hi, i love how the desk looks,, did you paint one layer and after it dries you paint another one? Or right away?and what dry brush means? Thank you
ohh Nana, Im actually working on a more detailed tutorial for this exact finish with video right now. I do hope you’ll come back because I think the tutorial will answer all of your questions and the videos (not fancy) will be helpful 🙂