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Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Before & After Filing Cabinets





So I was in search of a new desk and while checking my favorite site, craigslist. I came across these beautiful filing cabinets. What made them beautiful you ask? They where only... wait for it... 5 bucks for the pair. Love it perfect for me to work my magic.


After paint and a desk top here is my new custom desk. Ta da...


I used the same painting technique I used on the dresser and vanity. What can I say I love that old vintage look and the big plus is in a house with kids this look is great, cause the more they use it the more vintage it looks. "That's not a scratch it's just more character." If you want the painting steps look here. I even used the same spray paint Rust-Oleum Satin Espresso and Vintage White.

Note: When painting the drawers I covered the inside of the drawers with garbage bags. I didn't want to waste time or paint on the inside of the drawers.
  


I did get to reuse the hardware on this project. As you can see they started out brass. I tried hammered platinum but then settled on using the Rust-Oleum Satin Espresso. Just sprayed it on. Note: I did put the screws in the hardware when I sprayed it so they would be brown too.

  

When I was done I took a lovely drive to one of my favorite places Ikea is it just me or does everyone hear angels singing when you hear the word Ikea? OK just me. So as I ate my dollar ice cream and hot dog, I purchased the top for my desk. I went with the Vika Amon 78 by 24 that was normally $45 but the as-is gods were looking down on me and I found one there for 20 bucks wooo hooo.


So $25 bucks later I had myself a perfect custom desk. It fits the odd space I had planned for a desk. It has tons of practical storage. And last but not least it looks like a beautiful piece of furniture and not an ugly piece office furniture.


Hope your inspired to refinish something. Let me know how it goes and don't forget to leave a comment.

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51 comments:

  1. Wow, you are super talented girl!!!! I wish I was that handy.

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  2. WOW! I am amazed! Thank you so much for linking up.

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  3. Thanks so much for sharing at my link party!! Great project:)

    http://www.theblissfulbeeblog.com/2013/04/1-year-blogiversary-linky-party.html

    xo
    amy

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    1. So happy to join in your blogiversary linky party.

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  4. This is such a fabulous idea! Filing cabinets are so handy and functional, but not so cute. I've got to try this! Thanks so much for sharing. Enjoy your day!

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    1. Thank you Brooke I love and have to try your tin can organizers.

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  5. I am trying this out with my old filing cabinet! I love the look! Have a great day, Nicole:)

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    1. Thanks Nicole, I would love to see what your look like when you're done. Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. This is such a great 'before and after.' Pinning onto my furniture makeover interest board!

    -Aimee, http://www.thecrazycraftlady.com

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    1. Thanks so much Aimee, I just pinned your framed recipe cards. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. I always wondered if a desk on filing cabinets would be too short. How tall are your cabinets and how tall does the desk top end up being? Thanks.

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    1. My filling cabinets are 28 inches high with the top, the desk is 29 inches high and works perfectly.

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  8. WOW! What an amazing transformation! Thanks for sharing at Give Me the Goods Monday! We hope you party with us again next week!

    ~Chelsea @ Married Filing Jointly

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    Replies
    1. Thank U Chelsea, I love parting with you on Mondays.

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  9. Replies
    1. Thanks Jenna, Love your guest post @ http://www.ablossominglife.com/2013/04/displaying-collections-guest-post-from-jenna-rain-on-a-tin-roof.html

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  10. This looks great! I am always looking for ways to re-use things which is about to go to the dump {or sometimes just plain in the way!}

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    1. Thanks Linda, yes it is great to re-use, I spend a lot of time at the DI looking for diamonds in the rough.

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    2. DI = Deseret Industries OR DI = Diamonds In (the rough). You decide!

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  11. A-MA-ZING!!!
    What a transformation!
    On the quest for cabinets now!:)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Andrea, after seeing your bathroom redo I'm looking for a dresser.

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  12. This is such a fabulous makeover! I love it! Your house is set up exactly like a house I used to live in...we had the same space right below the kitchen nook and we kept our desk there too! Come link up to centerpiece Wednesday and share this post! http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2013/04/centerpiece-wednesday-and-wrap-up.html

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    1. Thanks so much for the invite I would love to party with you. See you Wednesday.

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  13. Amazing transformation, nice work. ;o)

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  14. Love it!! I have a wood filing cabinet that would make a great desk bottom!! Thanks for the idea!!

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    1. Thank Mallie, Would love to see how your desk turns out.

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  15. I love the transformation! What a great desk and how big it is. Love it!
    Thanks so much for linking up at the Real Family Fun link party! Hope to see you next week.
    KC

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  16. Awesome! What a nice desk base the filing cabinets make.

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  17. Great transformation! Like the "espresso" hardware color too.

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    1. Thanks Petie, I love your new window shade.

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  18. Awesome! It reminds me of the Pottery Barn desk I have drooled over for years. :)
    Love it!
    Kelly

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    1. Wow thanks always nice to be compared to pottery barn.

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  19. Thanks so much for linking to Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill. You are being featured this evening!
    I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and join me tomorrow evening for Make the Scene Monday #69!
    P.S. Pop back on Monday for a big surprise!

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    1. Wow thanks so much Sarah thanks so much for the feature. I love surprises.

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  20. Hi Desiree,
    Hopped on over from Alderberry Hill. You really gave those old filing cabinets a new lease on life. What a great transformation! I'm your newest follower, and look forward to catching up on your posts. Would love for you to come by and visit me at Altered Artworks and say hello.
    Enjoy your day!
    Doreen

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    1. Thanks for visiting Doreen, Had fun stopping by your blog your table came out great.

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  21. We did something similar in our house using file cabinets and some table leaves that were collecting dust. Your desk turned out GREAT...you did an awesome job with painting the cabinets!

    ~Sarah

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  22. looks great! i'm totally scouring garage sales for file cabinets now!

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  23. Thank you for joining last week's All Things Thursday Link-Up!! We love this post and are featuring it in this week's round-up of favorites at All Things Thursday Link-Up {No. 19} and Featured Favorites :)

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  24. Really lovely desk and fantastic job, though I am always angrily jealous when anyone mentions Ikea. (I live in SW MO, so it's literally over 350 miles to the nearest one. Sob.) I started out as an anti-distresser, but as my sweet baby boy becomes a raging toddler, I think my "pristine" white painted kitchen cabinets are going to need a face-lift, and soon. You've convinced me!

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  25. Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!


    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino

    The Chicken Chick

    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com


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  26. These turned out great and I love your DIY desk. :) I would love to find some filing cabinets like these!

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  27. Did you just place the table top over the filing cabinets or are they secured onto them in some way?

    Very creative!

    Sonam

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  28. I love the distressed white!! Did you paint the locks? I have a filing cabinet to do this to and I am nervous to paint them...

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  29. Desiree, I love this idea and plan to make a desk like this to use as a sewing table/office area. The one thing I struggle with is how to attach the top to the file cabinets....can I ask how you did this on your project?

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  30. Thanks for your blog. I always try to keep up on latest innovations. If you are interested, I'd recommend checking this website for latest products: http://www.archiexpo.com/architecture-design-manufacturer/filing-cabinet-239.html

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  31. Just curious...how did you attach the table top to the filing cabinets?

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  32. I read your steps on your other post but must've missed it -- for this filing cabinet did you sand it first at all or just go in with a base paint/primer? I have one just like it and it has a bit of the "gloss" or top coat of some kind to it so I was thinking or just priming it and them painting it a coat or two of white paint. Wasn't sure if I needed to sand it first or not since I'll be priming? Or maybe I don't need to prime at all??? Also, what top coat do you use?

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