An Old Metal Desk, a Thrifted Skirt, and a Can of Spray Paint

I wanted a new desk to house the family computer, and since it sits in our dining room, I needed something that didn't have much depth, but could be quite wide. I also wanted to be able to stash the computer and the printer underneath. During the peak of rummage sale season, I was on the lookout for just such a desk. At a rummage sale I happened upon a old cream colored metal desk that seemed exactly the size that I wanted and the price was under $20. To me, even it's unsightly outdated appearance was a favorable factor. This was practically an invitation for me to pervert it's original bland design into a colorful artistic expression. Yay! Once I had the desk home, I found some bright blue high gloss spray paint. I think when re-painting metal items that high gloss looks the best. The color is a deep royal blue with a hint of purple. I used two cans of spray paint, but I really needed three cans. Shhh! Don't tell, I skimped on the underside of the desk and the back.

Once the desk was dry and in place, I needed to add a fabric curtain to hide my electronics, especially those pesky cables! The curtain was a rummage sale bargain skirt that I bought for the fabric. I don't remember what I paid, but I never pay more than $2 for any rummage sale clothing - as a rule. To secure the curtain, I used one of my favorite items - the tension rod. So useful, adjustable, and when you want to remove it, no marks or hardware to cover up and remove! Easy peasy.  If they made a t-shirt that said, "I love tension rods" I would totally wear it. This was also a no-sew curtain, since I just cut the skirt on the seam and folded the fabric over the tension rod with safety pins. You will notice that I left the top of the desk alone. Painting over veneer almost never turns out, even with the advancement of paints today, it will flake off and look junky (I said that like it was a bad thing!) within a short time. This desk veneer was in good shape, and if the wood grain and stain don't look too outdated, they are one of the most durable surfaces. There are multi-step processes to painting over veneer, but I don't see the advantage to altering the surface in most situations. If I didn't like the veneer, then I would just buy another inexpensive piece without the veneer. Score!

Updated Storage: Repurposed Library Catalog Boxes

Before

Antique library catalogs always conjure up a bit of nostalgia for me. On a thrift store shopping excursion I came across two sets of metal library catalog boxes, each with two drawers built in. They were $3 a piece! The picture on the right shows a box that looks similar to mine before they had their makeover and transformation.

To add color, I painted them with red high gloss spray paint. I prefer to put any item I am spray-painting inside a cardboard box out in my yard. This provides ventilation, yet helps to minimize paint waste as it is less likely for the paint particles to be blown away in the wind. I added some colorful scrapbooking paper in the metal label slots.

The drawer fronts were hand painted with some light blue craft paint I had on hand. I thought the metal hardware looked good as it came, and so I left that alone.

These library catalog boxes are now used for pens, markers, and other craft supplies. What else, right?

Although it is difficult to see, there were small holes in the corners on top of one of the boxes. Not sure what the purpose of these holes were for...but I added decorative thumbtacks to cover up the holes, which looks really cute. I just used a small amount of white craft glue to keep them in place. I am so pleased with this latest craft storage solution. This was a real score!

Upcycled Ottoman Dog Bed

I made this footstool and dog bed combo from a large cardboard tube and a thrifted tapestry blazer jacket (size XL). I have small dogs and so this dog bed is perfect as a space saving dual purpose creation.

This is Sally Brown, my Chihuahua puppy enjoying her new bed.

I acquired a large cardboard tube (originally used for wire at a manufacturing facility and headed for the garbage) that was used as the base of the ottoman. I cut out the hole for the dog bed portion with my Dremel tool with the saw blade attachment. I traced around the cardboard tube and used that as the template for the top and bottom of the cardboard tube, using some 1/4 foam poster board and then duct-taped the bottom on only.  At this point it was time to cover the base with a piece of fabric that coordinates with your thrifted tapestry jacket.

Then it was time to prepare the cushioned Ottoman top. With your 1/4 inch foam poster board template you cut earlier, adding cotton stuffing filler and another piece of your coordinating fabric (This is not your thrifted tapestry jacket). Then attach the fabric to the underside of the circle poster board template. I used duct tape!

With your thrifted tapestry jacket cut a large section about 4 inches longer than the height of the cardboard tube. Using the already hemmed bottom of the jacket, I wrapped the jacket fabric around the cardboard tube, folding in the natural opening of the jacket around the doggy access hole. I tucked in the raw top edge of the fabric into the top of the cardboard tube, with the duct tape. Using the collar of the jacket as a small valance in the front. 

NOTE: I think it would be better to add upholstery nails around the edge of the top of the ottoman, but I didn't do this.

 Once this is finished it is time to attach the top of the ottoman to the base. Again, I used duct tape to adhere the top, via the doggy access hole, to the base of the ottoman.  Feel free to add other embellishments such as ribbon and tassels, depending on your personal style preferences.  Here is the finished ottoman dog bed!