Momma's Vintage Desk Makeover

Before

After

This desk was found in a Goodwill looking pretty scary. I made a few changes and was able to create a completely usable and original writing desk for my mom to use. I loved the original patina as it was but it just needed a little tweaking. I got ahold of some spray paint flat clear sealer and covered the entire lower surface of the desk. After washing out any critters that may have been living in the drawers, I sprayed the hose and let the sun dry everything out. I relined them with a leafy green pattern drawer paper. 
The remaining linoleum desktop was peeling and completely deteriorating. I replaced it with a wood veneer specially cut from Lowes, and stained it chestnut to match this really awesome chair my mom already had.
This style desk is at least 50 years old, maybe older, and it's age shows. I wasn't going for 'perfect' but more like 'charming' because that's what give it character!

Refinishing an Antique Table

Just what I love to see

I stumbled upon this lovely dining table street-side behind a warehouse in my hometown. After rescuing it, I noticed a hole drilled right through it, scratches and dings on the table top --nothing I couldn't fix. This was a huge score for anyone who appreciates a fine piece of furniture and knows a thing or two about handy work. To begin, I filled in the holes with wood filler and rough sanded the table top. This helped to remove what was left of the sealant and even out scratches. In the beginning I wanted to stain the table but due to imperfections in the grain of the wood I decided my best bet was to paint it. I experimented with a dark grey shade of Valspar paint called almost charcoal, and applied with a foam brush. After, I used wet sandpaper to even out the brush strokes and applied a coat of clear lacquer on top of that. I repeated this process two or three times to ensure a good cover and smooth finish. I left the underside of the table cherry wood because for one, it was completely undamaged but also to leave originality and give a sense of what the table once was.
The legs were painted as well, and the end caps were refinished metallic gold. This is a Duncan Phyfe style reproduction probably made in the 30's or 40's, now updated and ready for a whole new era.