Upcycled desk project
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has a theory that the cheapest cuts of steak are often actually the best— they just need the most TLC in order to unlock their potential. The same principle counts for wood. Another rule which applies to both steak and wood— if it’s slimy or covered in green stuff don’t use it.
To prove this point I decided to do up this old desk.
This desk was so uninspired it could have been designed by Nickleback.
The top is laminated chipboard, the sides were beige metal— pardon the pun places: old men’s chinos, hospital walls and any meal served on planes.
Then it was time for the wood. Unfortunately to have enough I had to cut up my pallet bed base. Something my partner wasn’t upset about.
After detaching the right lengths of wood I gave them a quick sand, wipe down, and began the varnishing.
For the varnish I chose a clear, nonstaining variety. Simply apply with an old paintbrush. After allowing to dry for 24 hours sand each layer and wipe down the wood before the next layer. Repeat three times.
Make sure you have turps on hand to clean the brush.
The varnish will fill in any knots left over from sanding while retaining the but the design brought nothing to the table. The first thing I did was detach the side panels.
If you tried to pick up the thing you would know why. It weighed a ton, and with what I was planning it was only going to get heavier.
Next I decided to spray the whole thing black. Beige belongs in one of three industrial, raw wood look.
As well as a new table top I also glued wood to the back panel of the desk using No More Nails. This wood was treated in the same way.
I couldn’t be happier with the finished product, which cost a grand total of $40, which includes the desk, varnish and spray paint.