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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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52 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 9, 2013 at 8:22 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  2. RitaApril 6, 2013 at 6:11 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amy@TheBlissfulBeeApril 7, 2013 at 10:27 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 8, 2013 at 9:16 PM

      So happy to join in your blogiversary linky party.

      Delete
  4. Brooke April 8, 2013 at 7:22 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 8, 2013 at 9:14 PM

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

      Delete
  5. Nicole@nicole-southerncharm.com/April 8, 2013 at 7:46 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 8, 2013 at 9:04 PM

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

      Delete
  6. Aimee - The Crazy Craft LadyApril 9, 2013 at 10:50 AM

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

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 11, 2013 at 10:34 PM

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

      Delete
  7. orange sugarApril 9, 2013 at 11:19 AM

    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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 14, 2013 at 5:13 PM

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

      Delete
  8. Chelsea @ Married Filing JointlyApril 9, 2013 at 1:03 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 11, 2013 at 10:42 PM

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

      Delete
  9. JennaApril 9, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    These look amazing!
    Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 11, 2013 at 10:47 PM

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

      Delete
  10. With A BlastApril 9, 2013 at 10:04 PM

    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!}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 14, 2013 at 5:15 PM

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

      Delete
    2. Lisa H. @ The Everyday CeliacApril 17, 2013 at 5:36 PM

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

      Delete
  11. AndreaApril 10, 2013 at 2:31 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 14, 2013 at 5:31 PM

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

      Delete
  12. VirginiaApril 10, 2013 at 6:28 PM

    Looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The Style SistersApril 10, 2013 at 9:29 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 14, 2013 at 5:35 PM

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

      Delete
  14. Paula ParrishApril 11, 2013 at 6:23 AM

    Amazing transformation, nice work. ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  15. MallieApril 11, 2013 at 3:48 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 14, 2013 at 5:41 PM

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

      Delete
  16. KC CoakeApril 11, 2013 at 6:48 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  17. MarigeneApril 11, 2013 at 7:13 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  18. Petie@inspirednesting.comApril 11, 2013 at 9:44 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 14, 2013 at 5:46 PM

      Thanks Petie, I love your new window shade.

      Delete
  19. TheMoonAndMeApril 12, 2013 at 12:50 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 14, 2013 at 5:47 PM

      Wow thanks always nice to be compared to pottery barn.

      Delete
  20. UnknownApril 13, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 14, 2013 at 5:57 PM

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

      Delete
  21. DoreenApril 14, 2013 at 7:27 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownApril 14, 2013 at 6:06 PM

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

      Delete
  22. An Inviting HomeApril 14, 2013 at 8:00 PM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  23. Rasmussen FamilyApril 16, 2013 at 10:27 AM

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

    ReplyDelete
  24. All Things with PurposeApril 17, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    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 :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Abbie_normalApril 19, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    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!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Kathy Shea Mormino, The Chicken ChickApril 20, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    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


    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownApril 21, 2013 at 7:24 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  28. SonamJune 12, 2013 at 9:55 PM

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

    Very creative!

    Sonam

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownOctober 29, 2013 at 3:19 PM

    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...

    ReplyDelete
  30. WendyandTylerJanuary 14, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    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?

    ReplyDelete
  31. UnknownAugust 28, 2014 at 1:41 AM

    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

    ReplyDelete
  32. rose.marieNovember 15, 2014 at 6:32 PM

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

    ReplyDelete
  33. bridget1018July 31, 2017 at 8:48 AM

    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?

    ReplyDelete
  34. multiwoodMay 17, 2024 at 3:12 AM

    Multiwood's luxury office furniture has truly transformed my workspace. The custom design process was seamless, and the final products - a desk, chair, and filing cabinet - are stunning. The build quality is exceptional, and they have definitely enhanced my productivity. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are second to none

    For More Details: https://multiwood.ae/

    ReplyDelete

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