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Happily Hughes

DIY•Reviews

DIY Desk

January 29, 2015
Whoa a DIY.  Are ya’ll surprised??  It’s been SO long since I’ve done one of these, and I don’t know why, because they’re so fun!  Anyway, I’ve been quarantined for the last week and a half with the flu, so instead of going completely stir crazy I re-finished my desk.  I’ve had this particular furniture since I was 14 and it definitely needed an adult facelift.  You may notice there’s no computer, and since both of my jobs require lots of internet time, you may be wondering why.  Well, my brand new HP Sprout is showing up today!  I can’t wait to show you all the neat things it does. 
Alright back to the desk.  The first thing I did was spray the cubby.  If you’re noticing that nifty geode drawer pull- it’ll be on the blog tomorrow!
First, remove the drawer and wipe down your area with warm water, Dawn, and a sponge.  Then wipe down again with just warm water.  Follow up by drying with a clean and old t-shirt.  Second, take off your edges with painter’s tape.  Then, pick your color.  I am a spray paint queen and really love how well Rust-oleum works.  The color pictured above is Satin French Lilac.  Then it’s spray time!  The first coat should be a LIGHT even spray, covering all surface areas.  Take your time, and go slow.  If you mess up, not to worry, just wipe it off right away.  I let it dry for 5 hours and then resprayed.
Now, I’m not going into how to strip and stain a desk, because that’s not my area of expertise.  It’s my friend Sarah’s at DIYstinctly Made!  First the hubbs and I followed her sanding guidelines from the Refinished Antique Vanity post.  Then, we did her staining how-to from the Farmhouse Bedside Table post.  It was very easy (thanks to her step by step instructions and my husbands handiness) and the desk looks exactly how I pictured it.
The top of the desk was what bugged me the most.  It was clear plexiglass and I wanted it to be more mirrored with an antique finish.  Enter, my spray paint obsession:
First I scrubbed both sides of the plexiglass with warm water, Dawn, and the soft side of a sponge.  Then I wiped it down with just warm water and the same sponge.  Next, I thoroughly dried with an old and clean t-shirt so as not to leave behind particles.  
After making sure it was dry, I sprayed one light coat of this Valspar metallic spray paint and let dry for 5 hours.
Once dry, I sprayed the glass with an apple cider and water mix- 1:1 ratio.  After 30 minutes I took a fine grain sanding block to the spray paint.  I focused heavily on the edges, with light sanding in the middle.  I then wiped down the glass with warm water and a sponge, then dried with an old and clean t-shirt.  To finish I sprayed a light coat of Charcoal Rustoleum Metallic Spray Paint and ta-daaaa I had my antique mirror desk top! 
The finished product!  And I cannot love it more!
Tomorrow I’ll tell you how I made these sweet little sparkles!

DIY

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Comments

  1. Kim says

    January 29, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    Great job Jessica! I love your sense of style!

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:29 pm

      Kim you are so sweet! Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Amberly says

    January 29, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    So cute!!! DIY projects are a lot of fun because you can make something look exactly how you want it to.

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:30 pm

      Its given me the DIY bug, that's for sure!!

      Reply
  3. Erin- Sixth Bloom says

    January 29, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    So great! I love DIY projects, but I really love reading the real life and knowing someone did it successfully!!! 🙂 Thanks for the tips and share

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:30 pm

      ABsolutely! Good luck with all of your DIY!

      Reply
  4. Erin @ The Speckled Palate says

    January 29, 2015 at 7:46 pm

    What an incredible project to knock out while you were sick! And what a fabulous end product. Love what y'all did to the desk! My mom and I stripped/sanded and stained a dining room table a few years back. It's a time-consuming process, but the final product is stunning!

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:30 pm

      Isn't it fun to have someone to work on it with? My mom is helping me with my next project!

      Reply
  5. Maria Long says

    January 29, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    we love DIY projects and we have a cabinet I need to revitalize to better match a new rug. thanks for the tips

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:30 pm

      Absolutely! Hope all of your DIY goes well!

      Reply
  6. Masshole Mommy says

    January 29, 2015 at 9:54 pm

    That came out awesome. You did a great job 🙂

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:31 pm

      Every time I see your name I start laughing- best ever! Thank you mama!

      Reply
  7. Logan Cantrell says

    January 29, 2015 at 9:57 pm

    You did a great job! I wish I were talented in that area. 🙂

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:31 pm

      Logan, if I can do it, you sure can! Seriously. 😉

      Reply
  8. jyonash says

    January 29, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    I love the way this desk turned out…great job!

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:31 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  9. Donella Crigger says

    January 30, 2015 at 12:29 am

    Love the sparkly touch you added. Dramatic makeover!

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:31 pm

      I'm all about that sparkle!

      Reply
  10. RANE says

    January 30, 2015 at 1:26 am

    I Love D-I-Ys … Great Project and I loved the outcome. The Pink chair complimented the Desk really well

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      Thank you! Pink and purple! Does it get better?

      Reply
  11. Rebecca Bryant says

    January 30, 2015 at 2:23 am

    Wow you made that desk look amazing. Loving the purple you used.

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      Rebecca you are so sweet, thank you!

      Reply
  12. Kimberly says

    January 30, 2015 at 2:48 am

    This is so adorable! I love what you did with this desk.

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      Thank you! I can't wait to hand it down!

      Reply
  13. Kristin Carbery says

    January 30, 2015 at 2:53 am

    This looks beautiful. I love the draw pulls cannot wait to see those on the blog tomorrow! The metallic spray paint on the glass is genius!

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      Kristin, thank you! I hope you like the Geode drawer pulls too!

      Reply
  14. Heather says

    January 30, 2015 at 2:59 am

    This looks great!

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:32 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  15. Jennifer at Making Our Life Matter says

    January 30, 2015 at 3:03 am

    I really, really wish I was the crafty type. I would love to do something like this.

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:33 pm

      I bet you could do this! I am not super handy, I promise 😉

      Reply
  16. mail4rosey says

    January 30, 2015 at 3:12 am

    Everything looks great. I like the sparkles too, looking forward to hearing more.

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:33 pm

      Thank you! It was super fun.

      Reply
  17. Lois Alter Mark says

    January 30, 2015 at 4:21 am

    Wow, that came out great. I made a desk out of two file cabinets and a piece of white lacquered wood but all I had to do was put the wood on top of them!

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:33 pm

      Hey that took time and effort too! Go us!

      Reply
  18. Mama to 5 says

    January 30, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    What a neat idea, one of a kind too! Great way to spruce up plain knobs!

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:33 pm

      Aw thank you mama!

      Reply
  19. Marilyn - Goody Bag Lady says

    January 30, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    I am loving this kind of bling for sure. I am trying to figure out the wall piece, I LOVE it. My girlie would love that, and she needs it too. The wall piece, did you add dividers or did it come like that?

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:34 pm

      Marilyn- I got it at Michaels! They have an organizer section that's normally 50% off and I just spray painted it purple!

      Reply
  20. Daniel Visconti says

    January 30, 2015 at 4:37 pm

    Great work!! Keep it up you're killing it!!

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:34 pm

      Daniel, thank you!!!

      Reply
  21. Ashley Davis says

    January 30, 2015 at 4:41 pm

    Great desk!

    Reply
    • Happily Hughes says

      February 2, 2015 at 9:34 pm

      Aw thank you!!

      Reply
  22. Raewyn @ Be A Warrior Queen says

    February 4, 2015 at 6:06 am

    I love the desk! We have a super plain black desk, which I love, but I'd love to spruce it up with some inner color like you did!

    Reply
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Life has been a little crazy lately! Moving, getti Life has been a little crazy lately! Moving, getting organized and enjoying this new adventure. 

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Y’all know I love to share my on-the-go healthie Y’all know I love to share my on-the-go healthier snack options. These Dole bowls are açaí frozen bowls that you can grab from the freezer, let defrost for 35-40 minutes, and eat on the road. Not only does it have açaí, but also a berry mix and granola topping. @dolesunshine #DoleAcaiBowls #sponsored
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White two piece: @scoutandmollysavalon
Colorful two piece: not a good return policy so not recommending 🙅🏼‍♀️

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Where is your favorite place in Atlanta to brunch or lunch? What do you order there?

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I travel with her now so she’s not impressed by I travel with her now so she’s not impressed by someone’s crusty son trying to take her to Myrtle Beach. 😂

Kidding! I do believe travel is so important for kids though: not only will we cherish these memories forever, but I want to introduce them to as many people, cultures, and beautiful features of the world as possible. 

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Couldn’t have done some of them without all of the support that y’all are always giving me. Forever grateful. 💕

Let’s celebrate together - what goals have you hit this year that you’re proud of? Tell me below 👇🏻

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Follow Along @HappilyHughes
Life has been a little crazy lately! Moving, getti Life has been a little crazy lately! Moving, getting organized and enjoying this new adventure. 

Can’t wait to share more of this house with y’all! 

How was everyone’s weekend? Tell me below👇🏽 
.
.
#atlanta #atl #lifestyleblogger #lifewelltravelled #thebestmoments #embracethemoment
Y’all know I love to share my on-the-go healthie Y’all know I love to share my on-the-go healthier snack options. These Dole bowls are açaí frozen bowls that you can grab from the freezer, let defrost for 35-40 minutes, and eat on the road. Not only does it have açaí, but also a berry mix and granola topping. @dolesunshine #DoleAcaiBowls #sponsored
Team one piece or team bikini? You know I love b Team one piece or team bikini? 

You know I love both! Which suit is your favorite?

Outfit deets 👇🏻

Pink one piece: @victoriassecret 
White two piece: @scoutandmollysavalon
Colorful two piece: not a good return policy so not recommending 🙅🏼‍♀️

#daytona #daytonabeach  #lifestyleblogger #lifewelltravelled #bloggersofinstagram
Currently dreaming of a boozy brunch with my ladie Currently dreaming of a boozy brunch with my ladies. 

Where is your favorite place in Atlanta to brunch or lunch? What do you order there?

#atlanta #atlantaeats #atlantablogger #lifestyleinfluencer
I travel with her now so she’s not impressed by I travel with her now so she’s not impressed by someone’s crusty son trying to take her to Myrtle Beach. 😂

Kidding! I do believe travel is so important for kids though: not only will we cherish these memories forever, but I want to introduce them to as many people, cultures, and beautiful features of the world as possible. 

👉🏻Why do you travel with your kids? 

.
.

#boston #bostontravel #travellingwithkids  #travelandexplore #familytraveltips
The best thing I’ve ever done for myself is BELI The best thing I’ve ever done for myself is BELIEVE in myself. I’ve been hitting so many big goals that I've had for a few years now and I couldn’t be more grateful. 🙏🏻

Couldn’t have done some of them without all of the support that y’all are always giving me. Forever grateful. 💕

Let’s celebrate together - what goals have you hit this year that you’re proud of? Tell me below 👇🏻

.
.

#motivationforsuccess #motivationformoms #findyourpurpose #believeinyourself #positivevibes
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