A New Desk

We've spent months looking around for the perfect desk for our oldest son's room.  We really wanted to find just the right one without having to spend a lot of money and since hubby is always going to storage auctions, we figured that was the best place to keep our eyes open for one.<br /><br />We finally hit the jackpot but it took me awhile to finally decide that it was indeed the jackpot.  This is what he brought home.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiQWz22hefEan8MxzwPjdVrSifmZ9KrZv0vEAG39c4ti03gW5sd_R_T0PjpyLhyphenhyphend4WzSA9g3x7DOiEnrEvBoC2OASLOrpBFOyZHmm4iXcuyPAL3yBAHo4gkmyE6YTk7owO4xgi_-eaTbl/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiQWz22hefEan8MxzwPjdVrSifmZ9KrZv0vEAG39c4ti03gW5sd_R_T0PjpyLhyphenhyphend4WzSA9g3x7DOiEnrEvBoC2OASLOrpBFOyZHmm4iXcuyPAL3yBAHo4gkmyE6YTk7owO4xgi_-eaTbl/s640/001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Neither one of us were a fan of the way it looked but it was solid wood and heavy.  Plus, I liked the modern lines and knew I could do something with it.  I just wasn't sure what, yet. <br /><br />I went through a bunch of ideas in my head and kept going back and forth on painting it or not painting it until I finally decided to completely sand it down to the raw wood.  I really had my heart set on a wood desk for his room and I knew the wood could be really pretty if I gave it a makeover.<br /><br />I hate using stripper so I tried to sand the orangey varnish off the top first.  Surprisingly, it was fairly easy to sand completely down. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ocnLryMU4y-GDT-vclQFITKM81QICoEUpVilHDjgNbWYJKgTPtomnkd9F6pJwYw4b_D8qUxwSlLCRPXFSl5kEVw_54drrUklG7yScxrGpYMWexkqQ6LDWs7H1r3czxhZTOhqER16etVY/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ocnLryMU4y-GDT-vclQFITKM81QICoEUpVilHDjgNbWYJKgTPtomnkd9F6pJwYw4b_D8qUxwSlLCRPXFSl5kEVw_54drrUklG7yScxrGpYMWexkqQ6LDWs7H1r3czxhZTOhqER16etVY/s640/006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />At this point, my plan was to paint the base and only stain the top, but after staining the top with Minwax Dark Walnut, I loved it so much I decided to sand down the entire desk.  I also removed the drawer pulls and spray painted those with Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint.<br /><br />Also hiding in storage was a vintage school desk chair that needed a bit of repair and some new castors to look as good as new.  I thought it would go perfectly with the desk.  Here it is in the room.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEz0pkzE7_7vJU5_SvA9FhlbSWTJXGvaozIiI2kby8KG6wSUCCGqWm9mhXPz64XEAerZuUEPYmHBag1fuhBBWA_W1BqM_Yd-cZyDvYrNDO1RuD94mEsCRe2wTDrkUtjEmmyH5_7i2ygYF0/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEz0pkzE7_7vJU5_SvA9FhlbSWTJXGvaozIiI2kby8KG6wSUCCGqWm9mhXPz64XEAerZuUEPYmHBag1fuhBBWA_W1BqM_Yd-cZyDvYrNDO1RuD94mEsCRe2wTDrkUtjEmmyH5_7i2ygYF0/s640/046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I can't believe how perfectly the desk and chair go together and I didn't even plan that.  :)  And I love the color of the desk so much better now. <br /><br />Our son loves to pin things on the wall that mean a lot to him so I decided to make him a pin board with an old painting canvas that I simply covered in a coffee sack.  I used bronze upholstery tacks for the "pins".  The pins stick into the painted canvas perfectly.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXc5ROY_uumsREg7wncT76YCM77mb29_JBqW2TMt6Q82Df46mPQwyxiGwViQf7GmDnQ2AdJDlgzepRFKZMSVvu9BWqNroi5vXc2CB1e_tIKb_aWS-RxdjtjW_3BaFojst8b2w6MRWR-dK0/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXc5ROY_uumsREg7wncT76YCM77mb29_JBqW2TMt6Q82Df46mPQwyxiGwViQf7GmDnQ2AdJDlgzepRFKZMSVvu9BWqNroi5vXc2CB1e_tIKb_aWS-RxdjtjW_3BaFojst8b2w6MRWR-dK0/s640/037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I still have a couple more things to do on the opposite side of the room before I show the full reveal.  And by the way, I was having a terrible time with taking photos that day because it was raining and dreary outside and I'm still learning the manual settings on my camera.<br /><br />If you'd like to see the other projects in this room click <a href="http://ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com/2012/10/upholstered-headboard-tutorial.html">here</a>, <a href="http://ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com/2012/10/dresser-redo.html">here</a> and <a href="http://ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com/2012/10/older-boy-room-ideas.html">here</a>.<br /><br />I have had so much fun putting this room together for him and I know he is loving it which makes me so happy.  I've also been working on our other boys rooms, as well, and will have some fun things to show you soon on that.<br /><br />On another note, I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving next week.  I'd love to know what you have on the menu.....I need some ideas!  :)  On Thanksgiving evening we always put up our Christmas tree and so I'm really looking forward to pulling out the Christmas decor, watching a Christmas movie and being with my family.  :)<br /><br />Have a great day!<br /><i>Diana</i><br /><br /><br />

A New Desk

We've spent months looking around for the perfect desk for our oldest son's room.  We really wanted to find just the right one witho...

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Older Boy Room Ideas

Our oldest son recently turned 20 and I really wanted to give his room an upgrade from boy to college age adult.  His room design hasn't been touched in 6 or more years so it was definitely time.  So, for many months, I've been planning and picking up items here and there and redoing them to put in his room. <br /><br />I finally had everything I needed, with the exception of a desk, which I'm still looking for, so we through out pretty much everything in there except the bed and then painted the walls Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore.  They were originally a very dark navy blue and it felt like a cave in there so making it lighter was the first thing on our list.<br /><br />I'm going to be showing his room in stages as the other side isn't ready until I find that desk.  So, here's the side that is ready.....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdfHmXx5ntOIkJWb03hXjDkUB7J3_v2ookE4dgRAeF0ncnP4jFcw-JxSFl8n9rwLLN9EtyQ-aMgPqcTcEdhfTZZEWhRncxwNIyz6H_9AfjGSYwbnU8AtAH0caKhiA6w2mJBqC1NK1s2jr/s1600/108a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAdfHmXx5ntOIkJWb03hXjDkUB7J3_v2ookE4dgRAeF0ncnP4jFcw-JxSFl8n9rwLLN9EtyQ-aMgPqcTcEdhfTZZEWhRncxwNIyz6H_9AfjGSYwbnU8AtAH0caKhiA6w2mJBqC1NK1s2jr/s640/108a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />While planning the room design, I needed to find a dresser, bedside table, book shelf and desk.  The dresser we found at a storage auction for around $10 and <a href="http://ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com/2012/10/dresser-redo.html">I blogged about that here</a>.  The book shelf we actually found by the side of the road during clean up week but it wasn't for free, we paid $15 for it but I thought it was definitely worth that. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XCSNjk8YTZJXeWHzcoSAdWB4Rv_LYCqBN2FVoCO4FnO-pxzV87cipILzP5Ugnjk0SNmdLzAtbhvwdWHkznm1AD-7vmUSBn8BMkNyIMwACdJ26T87BQ6v9CHYYZdBJhwlRfeoJnwji3u1/s1600/018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XCSNjk8YTZJXeWHzcoSAdWB4Rv_LYCqBN2FVoCO4FnO-pxzV87cipILzP5Ugnjk0SNmdLzAtbhvwdWHkznm1AD-7vmUSBn8BMkNyIMwACdJ26T87BQ6v9CHYYZdBJhwlRfeoJnwji3u1/s640/018.jpg" width="590" /></a></div><br /><br />It is a very solid bookcase, however, I'm not a fan of dark wood bookcases.  They are too, well, dark.  And I didn't want to paint it, so, I upgraded it by ripping off the back and using scrap wood that I painted black to make an X design in the back to give it a more open feel.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66ubJ7c3fkpl0WeEjyktD5W4OTgGkVw0VgqYFYMwPfa46y9k-DtBrd8ywE-hVP218yfGZlSFC19l2-IwOYzbgm0S8S8XNM-VzuHsyCAfEJxcuba3Y0rU_tWKf_27r0DcsrXc_xiX64CxP/s1600/103a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66ubJ7c3fkpl0WeEjyktD5W4OTgGkVw0VgqYFYMwPfa46y9k-DtBrd8ywE-hVP218yfGZlSFC19l2-IwOYzbgm0S8S8XNM-VzuHsyCAfEJxcuba3Y0rU_tWKf_27r0DcsrXc_xiX64CxP/s640/103a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I LOVE the way it turned out.  Then I filled it with a few linen storage baskets and some of his favorite things.  Next up was the bedside table.  My hubby found this old rusty metal base last summer and it's been sitting in our storage building.  I worked on yet another piece of bowling alley flooring and put together this table for him. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZchBXqM2NDfDpFkNx5XMIrtGUxtXo8KoD4BKcTX8-19m7giiiJGktf91kRvMJzOwZ9y9uB0qdJ3lQwA4Qsazb0fZ3WeOZiQD-Wbo7zrPTjJsJuMo9VOS9KOwMwVUXv8FlcUx9YDVmclmS/s1600/084a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZchBXqM2NDfDpFkNx5XMIrtGUxtXo8KoD4BKcTX8-19m7giiiJGktf91kRvMJzOwZ9y9uB0qdJ3lQwA4Qsazb0fZ3WeOZiQD-Wbo7zrPTjJsJuMo9VOS9KOwMwVUXv8FlcUx9YDVmclmS/s640/084a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I was thrilled because this was our last slab of flooring and the size ended up working perfectly. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjgsl3dXQT3bGYEmvKqBIIWajodHbobaAAr3utjaVHLTQz5zjrUGhfZfWlhJ3H9p911XGknD02AOldgbXU83rxxOQzdwt_N_ztbq31uyEjeDt8tMyF8HU_kZYeBhlq_x6AWzxVIiIDArw/s1600/090a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjgsl3dXQT3bGYEmvKqBIIWajodHbobaAAr3utjaVHLTQz5zjrUGhfZfWlhJ3H9p911XGknD02AOldgbXU83rxxOQzdwt_N_ztbq31uyEjeDt8tMyF8HU_kZYeBhlq_x6AWzxVIiIDArw/s640/090a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I wanted to give him a more comfortable bed so I made a new upholstered padded headboard, <a href="http://ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com/2012/10/upholstered-headboard-tutorial.html">blogged about here</a>, and purchased all new <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/plaid-quilt-shams-g380/?pkey=cquilts-blankets">bedding that was on sale at West Elm</a>.  I also purchased <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/stripe-sheet-set-b706/?pkey=csheet-sets">new sheets</a> there, as well.  The vintage wool US Navy blanket was found at an auction. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevXaojqoffRrszb-51BKuFOWals0-OHlQZCLK11bxW_LKOfNAaYvEZe1Qx-q63Z89uuJMIdXNOfrtxQ6EaiV2FiDypN9rztdr0KxJKrJNnP5Yr56jIS5TxcObzJ_txf19-uaKii4OmPQf/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevXaojqoffRrszb-51BKuFOWals0-OHlQZCLK11bxW_LKOfNAaYvEZe1Qx-q63Z89uuJMIdXNOfrtxQ6EaiV2FiDypN9rztdr0KxJKrJNnP5Yr56jIS5TxcObzJ_txf19-uaKii4OmPQf/s640/007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Our son works part time and goes to college so I really wanted to make his room comfortable and relaxing for him.  I also wanted to design it to reflect a college age adult.  Finding design inspiration for that age group is difficult because most boys rooms inspiration pics found online are for younger boys and are theme rooms, which I'm not a fan of.  But I'm very very happy with how it turned out and more importantly, so is he.  :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR4BDsey4xZRvm3oFyOgXweG9Hcr1kowTm9iyBx22AZyfOpRB-1CRPVCJ9-RGQOJIomsyR-OtFzKN0e5ecpVql5gdsBFT5rs8PSyTwS2Ni7Dw4cc2IsoqStrx6NX2SOkKihiSmiLiSIII/s1600/105a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR4BDsey4xZRvm3oFyOgXweG9Hcr1kowTm9iyBx22AZyfOpRB-1CRPVCJ9-RGQOJIomsyR-OtFzKN0e5ecpVql5gdsBFT5rs8PSyTwS2Ni7Dw4cc2IsoqStrx6NX2SOkKihiSmiLiSIII/s640/105a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />He didn't want curtains or wood shades so I left the windows with what he initially wanted which were these white wood blinds.  I might sneak some curtains in later.... ;-)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheh1J-2lQzPg_lv8umwfuABVRzm95tyQkx3Lh4jsT3qqTm4DAGFUNPleqXDVUuXit1vsYd1Q4dTL4ICLnnsWQCUqGX2szwBzGhlXAkzGwgR-2WnIGCfIMf3bMfkvEHoo1fTSMWO8juE7Qc/s1600/093a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheh1J-2lQzPg_lv8umwfuABVRzm95tyQkx3Lh4jsT3qqTm4DAGFUNPleqXDVUuXit1vsYd1Q4dTL4ICLnnsWQCUqGX2szwBzGhlXAkzGwgR-2WnIGCfIMf3bMfkvEHoo1fTSMWO8juE7Qc/s640/093a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I've still got to find that perfect desk and finish up a couple more things for the wall for him and then I will blog about the other side of his room.  <br /><br />What do you think?  Do you also find it hard to find inspiration for decorating older boys rooms?<br /><br />Have a great day!<br /><i>Diana</i>

Older Boy Room Ideas

Our oldest son recently turned 20 and I really wanted to give his room an upgrade from boy to college age adult.  His room design hasn't...

Read more »