My New Desk - No More Veneer!

So, one day when the hubby wasn't home I ran out to his barn to grab a tape measure.  I was looking on Craigslist for a new desk or a table that would work for a desk to go into my office.  While I was looking around I stumbled upon an old desk that was in bad shape.  My heart may have skipped a beat, the desk was the perfect size for my office!  So when Mark got home, with the sweetest smile I could find I told him that I had stumbled on to something in his barn that I just had to have.  The desk will be perfect for my office, I can paint it and it will be just beautiful and free!  Free he liked but when I said I would be painting it a sad look came on his face.  ;)  No matter what a piece of furniture looks like I can promise two things.

1. Mark wants it to stay stained.
2. I always want to paint it!  

Seriously.  So much that I try to find already painted items to purchase on Craigslist so that it doesn't break his heart when I bring it home and start painting.  LOL.  It's a little game we play.  ;)  So after a little convincing he brought my new project to my office and then declared that I'm no longer allowed in his barn.  Ha!  

Before Pic

The desk had a veneer top that was in bad condition, like way to bad for repair.  So I thought I would just take it off and see what was underneath (it couldn't be any worse than it already looked).  So I just took a putty knife and scrapped away.  I tried a few other things like using a damp rag and putting an iron on top but honestly I don't really think it helped.  Elbow grease is what that top needed!  

A few close ups!

Guess what was under the layers of veneer?!  SOLID WOOD!  Yay for that find!  

Once it was all sanded was the fun part...PAINT.  Well almost, I had to prime it first.  I did 2 coats of Zinsser Bulls Eye 123 Primer, I had enough leftover from a previous project that I didn't need to buy any extra for the desk.  

The original plan was to paint the entire desk a dark gray that I already had (from painting my couch) but once I got the first coat of gray on top with the bottom still primed I kinda liked how it looked.  

  

Decisions!  I consulted my decorating possy and everyone overwhelmingly liked the gray with white look.  So I rolled with it!  

After the desk was painted the only decision left was what color to paint the drawer pulls.  After looking at tons of different options I went with Krylon 18kt Gold spray paint.  It was super easy to use and dried in 30 minutes, which appeals to my impatient side.  :)  I have always been a silver girl but here lately have gotten pulled into this gold trend.  I may end up changing it in a few months but for now I'm a happy girl!  

I loved the final product and even the hubby admits that it looks much better being a painted desk.  ;)  Added bonus = Total cost was less than $5!  I had everything I needed on hand except for the Krylon 18kt Gold spray paint (which was only around $4 with my 40% off coupon from Michaels)!

What about you, have you painted any furniture lately?  I would love to see your pictures!  Anyone else falling for the gold trend right now?!