Garage Sale Vintage Wooden Lap Desk Upcycle
March 20, 2018
A few days ago I was in my shed looking for something to fix up.
I came across this garage sale lap desk that I purchased this back in 2016, and blogged about here.
I washed it up with weak dish soap and water.
It looks like it might be made from maple.
After wiping the lap desk down, I brushed on two coats of Dutch Boy Chalky Finish Paint in True Black, both inside and out.
I purchased The Dutch Boy Chalky Finish Paint at our local Menards. I love this color but I'm not in love with the way this paint distresses. I prefer Rustoleum Chalked as an Annie Sloan knock off chalk paint but Rustoleum does not offer a true black.
After the two coats of black paint dried, I distressed the lap desk with 220 grit sandpaper, heavier on the desk edges and lighter on the center.
Next I pulled out my Deco Art French Inn Stencil
and pounced it on the desk top with Ceramcoat Acrylic Paint in White
and Dreamweaver Stencil Brush
.
Then I sealed the chalky paint and stencil with Varathane Clear Matte Water Based Polyurethane
.
and pounced it on the desk top with Ceramcoat Acrylic Paint in White
and Dreamweaver Stencil Brush
.Then I sealed the chalky paint and stencil with Varathane Clear Matte Water Based Polyurethane
. 
I love this stencil!
My wreath is a Sullivans Artificial Spring Wreath
. (I got mine locally at a floral and gift shop, and it may be a bit smaller.)
The faux leaves appear to be just popping out!
. (I got mine locally at a floral and gift shop, and it may be a bit smaller.)The faux leaves appear to be just popping out!
I've always thought these lap desks were neat even though hardly anyone sits and writes out letters and cards anymore.
Guess what? I stenciled inside the lap desk too!
I used this Hobby Lobby stencil inside, again pouncing it with white paint.
I added an eye hook and wire from an old picture frame to the lid of the desk. The other end of the picture wire is looped to slip over a screw added in the side of the desk bottom.
This holds the desk lid open so I can use it as a display piece.
The inside of the desk lid was more heavily distressed than the outside of the lid.
I tucked a faux primrose in a zinc pot, a glass button jar with white buttons, a wood spool, and thee Hardy Boys mysteries in the the interior lap desk space.
Container vignettes are my favorite!
Other projects using these stencils!
Sharing is caring
Carlene, this little lap desk turned out marvelous! I am not a fan of painting things black and I adore this makeover. So warm and wonderful. The vignette you arranged is so homey. Thank you!!
ReplyDelete~ Christina in SW FL
Crazy-I have a lap desk I've been moving around my bedroom from corner to corner collecting dust because I don't know what I want to do with it. Someone painted strawberries on it and I knew those had to go. You've inspired me once again!!!!
ReplyDelete