Fabulous Ikea Desk Makeover with Chalky Finish Paint
A while back I had refreshed my older daughter’s room. She is a lover of…
A while back I had refreshed my older daughter’s room. She is a lover of blue so we had painted the room a sweet shade of blue and made all sorts of small changes here and there. I had even done a tour of the room.
My daughter is a wonderful girl and but has very strong opinions about what she likes and what she doesn’t. I had redone her chair in this post and dared to ask if I could redo the desk as well. Let’s just say I didn’t stand a chance.
My girl loves color in her room so I was really surprised that she was content with that boring desk. But she was adamant. No painting! So you can imagine my surprise when one day out of the blue she said “yes mom, it’s time to paint it”. And this is how the Fabulous Ikea desk makeover with chalky finish paint came about.
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The desk was a cheapo from Ikea. I don’t even remember the name, only that it cost practically nothing and it was made with particleboard. When we bought it we were looking for something small to add to an already overcrowded, small room. You can see it has a keyboard shelf underneath. But that’s about all. And of course the color is booooring!
Of course we were going to paint it blue!
I used my favorite Americana Decor chalky finish paint by DecoArt. Even the paint name is perfect… Escape!
After two coats it looked like this. I also added an acrylic varnish finish to protect the top from the abuse it will surely get.
The keyboard shelf was painted in DecoArt Americana Decor Chalky Finish in Everlasting which is basically a simple pure white to contrast with the blue.
But I was not happy. Still too dull. I wanted to add some interest to the keyboard shelf. My girl said I should write the word “FABULOUS” on there. It’s her word of the moment. Everything is “FABULOUS” according to her.
But I knew that would not be enough. Instead I unearthed an old Marshall’s shopping bag. I love those bags, they are so full of character. See it on the floor next to the desk? There’s my inspiration.
Isn’t it “FABULOUS”?
And so taking my cue from that bag, I decided to decoupage the circles of the bag onto the shelf. By using a plate as a template, I simply drew outlines around the areas I wanted cut out.
Cutting the circles proved to be the easy part. As for gluing them on, this was easier said than done. I couldn’t find my mod podge. I know I had some in New York, but I am not in New York right now, so it does me no good! I found some glue but ended up adding too much water and made it so thin that the circles wouldn’t stick to the shelf – no matter how many coats of glue I added.
To top it all off it was raining on and off. Moisture is just great for projects – Not!
Finally after much hair pulling and evil glares at the shelf, I ended up with this. Well, actually I had to go out and buy the European equivalent of mod podge. I applied three coats of it. And I even added a “FAB-U-L-OUS” with the use of DecoArt Stencils in Whimsical Delight, to make my girl happy!
I have to admit, although I really wanted to paint that desk, the shelf almost did me in!
Doesn’t that “FABULOUS” color make you want to escape?
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Here you can see that I painted the brackets that hold the shelf too. The one attached to the desk was painted Escape blue to blend in with the desk and the bracket on the shelf was painted white.
And everyone is happy! I have my mod podged circles and she has her “FAB-U-L-OUS”!
This is such a sweet blue color. It will make the perfect addition to her colorful room.
It may have taken a week to finish this what with all the rain and the mod podge mishap but it is finally done …
And as my daughter would say “it is FABULOUS”!!
And I have to agree with her, this is such a great color it instantly brightened up our mood even on a rainy day.
The desk is back in my daughter’s room, she is happy and mama is really happy.
I do believe there is nothing that Chalky Finish paint cannot tackle. This truly is a FABULOUS Ikea desk makeover!
And now I promise not to use the word Fabulous for the next six months!
Now fess up, what did you think of the mod podged shelf? Yay or Nay?
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Great story to go with this Fabulous desk makeover! I’ve never seen a shopping bag quite like that before and I can see why you saved it. Great upcyle and makeover all in one! Pinned to share.
~Laurie
Thank you Laurie. I had gotten the shopping bag from Marshall’s years ago and kept it because I liked the happy colors on it. Never throw anything away you never know when you’ll need it. 🙂
First of all, my Marshall’s bags don’t look anything like that bag! I love the designs on that bag. And without a doubt, that Escape blue desk is a dramatic improvement over the previous ‘color’…well done mom…even with the hair pulling from trying to get those circle on the shelf!
Hugs, Lynn
Haha! What we go through Lynn! As long as she is happy and she has input into what goes into her room then all is well.
As for that bag, I got it back in 2012 I think. So it may be vintage by shopping bag standards.
Do I dare say this makeover looks Fabulous! I love the color but best of all I love the tray.
Thank you Debra. It is such a happy color even when there are clouds it can make you smile.
Fabulous job! Its perfect with her wallpaper! Loverly !
Jeannee
Should I tell you the truth and admit that it is not wallpaper? It’s all in the name of staging. That is a piece of fabric. 😉
Loving all the blue!
Hum, I seem to remember that you have a thing for blue Claire! 😉
This desk remind me of the boho look. My daughter would love this for her apartment, since her room main colors are white and turquoise. She has been needing a desk. Next time I am in NYC I may make something like this. Every time i go visit her I make her something. Lovely Job
Maria
Maria it was a cheap desk. But now that I’ve painted it look nothing like the before. I can totally see this as boho!
I Love that shade of blue. This would work well on any piece of furniture that is ugly. I see things on the side of the road all the time but don’t have time to refurbish it all. Your daughter should be happy!
Oh she is indeed Michele. Especially since she picked the color.
I love everything you did in creating this fablous desk. I especially love the color you choose
Thank you Ivory. The color really makes a huge difference. It is so bright and happy!
Beautiful! I love the colors!
Thank you Carolann! The colors really make the piece since it had nothing else going for it.
Mary, I definitely think this desk is fabulous!! I really like the mod podge circles you added and the clever way you stenciled fabulous. This is a beautiful shade of blue and I’m sure it looks wonderful in the room. Beautiful makeover Mary!!
I put it back in her room Keri and it look so much better now. There is a bright spot in her otherwise dark corner.
Love that color and love the circles, adds another depth to it!
It does Cheryl, it’s like a little surprise.
That desk came out so fabulous!! And in my fav color, blue.
Fabiola it really is Fabulous and so is your name!! 🙂
I think it turned out really nice. I have an old particle board desk..I might consider (I never have before) repainting it to see if I can give it new life. I think the keyboard shelf it what makes the desk ‘pop’. I am sure your daughter loves it!
You should definitely consider painting old things Krista. Giving new life to furniture makes us all happy whenare surroundings are the way we want them. The important thing here is to add a protective coat after the paint.
One word, Mary: FABULOUS!
You get me Jas!! FABULOUS!!
Such a sweet makeover and the colors are perfect! Evil eye or not, the added colorful circles add just the right colorful touch 🙂 Pinned! XO!
Thank you Wendi. Doesn’t that color remind you of the beach?
What a fabulous desk makeover, Mary! Of course you know I am all about that blue color, and I can never resist a good chalk paint makeover! This turned out beautifully, and you are SO creative to turn a shopping bag into a decoration!
Thanks Celeste. I am so glad I finally got that decoupage to stick. I guess it was all worth it in the end.
FAB-U-LOUS dahling! That color made the desk come alive!
Resurrected I would say. The before was so dead!!
Great makeover Mary! It reminds me an Ikea piece I had during my college days but no where near as pretty! That’s my favorite shade of blue. Visiting from To Grandma’s House We Go party.
Thanks Victoria. I really love that shade too, it reminds me of the sea.
Mary, what a FABULOUS makeover. Being a Pisces, blue in all its hues is always attractive to me, so I like the turquoise base and love the decoupage design. Lots of energy here, which I’m sure your daughter appreciates.
Poppy
Yes she is also full of energy Poppy. Loves anything and everything blue.
Mary!
This desk turned out gorgeous. You know I am a big fan of blue as well. And the Marshall’s bag? Pure genius. They have such beautiful bags.
Much Love,
Erica
Erica I was lucky to take this bag back with me after my trip to the states a few years back. Beautiful bag indeed!