One of my most treasured pieces of furniture is my sewing machine desk which belonged to my grandmother. I think it has beautiful lines and a clean, modern look, which I love. I've been wanted to do something to it because I felt it wasn't living up to it's full potential and didn't quite mesh with the feel of my house but had no idea what I should do!
But thanks to Pinterest, I was suddenly inspired and decided to paint it!! 
Here's the final product...
I love it. Love. It.
I opted for an ombre look using gradient shades of yellow! The term "ombre" is new to me...but I'm all of a sudden seeing it everywhere from Project Runway to nail polish one to even hair color.
So what did I do? I painted everything but the drawer fronts in Behr Ultra White and bought four small samples of Behr Ultra Premium paint in Moonlit, Daffodil, Vibrant, and Lemon-Lime which were less than $3 each.
Here's a view from the top which shows where the sewing machine tucks away. Even though I don't know how to sew, I love that it's still under there!
I left the hardware completely original and I love how the yellow lets it pop!
It's been awhile since I actually hand painted anything using a paintbrush and considering the value of the item I was painting, I decided to splurge and get the one that every blogger always mentions as the absolute best - the Purdy.
After years and years of always buying the cheapest paintbrushes possible, I will never go back! This thing is amazing! Not ONE single bristle was left on the surface (meaning I didn't have to ruin the paint by picking out a stray bristle) and even after multiple washes in between coats and colors, once the brush was dry it was like it was brand new again! Now I understand why everyone always speaks so highly about these brushes...if you haven't tried them yet, you should! It's totally worth it.
Hmm...now what else can I paint?
*I"m linked up with Saved by Suzy, House of Hepworth's, Primitive & Proper, Southern Lovely, Miss Mustard Seed and Domestically Speaking*
That desk turned out AMAZING! Thank you for sharing that idea as the two tone white and yellow is now becoming a huge contender in my dresser decision!
ReplyDeleteI love the yellow against your wall color as well, it's so inviting!
xoxo,
Jen
Thank you so much, Jen! And thanks for visiting my blog...you're my first "celebrity" comment! Ha!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your finished dresser. I'm certain it'll look amazing in whatever color you choose!
Take care,
Rachel :-)
Hi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteSaw your cute desk at the PoP Party and had to stop by to see more of it. Painting the drawers in variant shades was a brilliant idea! Your Gram's sewing table has been given a new lease on life - and seems to fit in with your decor so much better. Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi! I'm Nicole from Romanian Princess. I saw your blog on a link up and decided I better add you! Please return the favor and follow me back at:
ReplyDeletewww.romanianprincess.com!
XoXo Nicole Mariana
I am loving this desk makeover! Shades of yellow was genius! What a beautiful addition you now have! I would love to have you share this at Show & Share!
ReplyDeletehttp://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011/09/show-share-4.html
i LOOOOVE that! the ombre in yellow looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThis is darling! I love the yellow.
ReplyDeleteI love how this looks! I love ombre designs too, and I think it looks great on this style of sewing table! Very cute!!
ReplyDeletelove the piece (i'm a mid-century fan!) and love the way you finished it...& i'm sure your grandmother would love it, as well!
ReplyDeletewell done!
amy
I have a sewing table exactly like this that I'm getting ready to repaint. I absolutely LOVE this idea. And even the color yellow. I'm using that with purple right now to highlight my basement. I think I'm going to do this as well.
ReplyDeleteHey there! Just wanted to let you know that I featured you today at Southern Lovely. Grab a button if you'd like!
ReplyDeletehttp://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011/09/show-share-4-features.html
Thank you, ladies! You are all so very sweet and have made my day!
ReplyDeleteThe desk turned out so good! I love how the yellow gets darker as you go down the desk! It looks great! Such a good job!
ReplyDeleteThe lines of this desk are great and I love the gradient paint technique. One of my favorite trends! Great transformation.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this!!! I have an old dresser I've been wanting to do gradient paint on. That's a perfect tip to use paint samples! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteGreat job...visiting from Suzy's...I love the yellow's you chose!
ReplyDeleteNice! I love it :)
ReplyDeleteWow - I love it! I have a set of drawers that I might just tackle in a similar style!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog and I LOVE this desk! Great job! I'm planning on doing something similar myself with a dresser. Did you have to sand and prime? Any advise would be awesome. Thank you!!! :)
ReplyDeleteJamie
www.sweetpeaandpoppy.com
Hi Jamie,
DeleteThank you so much! I only lightly sanded and primed the top of the desk...I didn't think I needed to do that to the drawers. Looking back though, I probably should have at least primed the drawers. I tend to look for shortcuts and that's one I probably shouldn't have taken :-)
Good luck on your piece! Are you doing yellows or another color?
You gave me an idea to color a white wooden shoe rack I have that I just bought the other day. I love the color, I'm thinking of coloring the shelves a nice gray shade, since obviously this is where the shoes go & the outside yellow, some white flowers stencil on the yellow & who knows I might have something more attractive, than just a plain white shoe rack, too boring. If I don't like it, I can always re color it a different color, I love your ideas! :)
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