Sunday~August 30, 2009
The computer I use is in our kitchen. I’m rarely alone while at the computer, and let me tell you this…it’s almost never quiet when I’m at the computer.
So I had this grand idea to use some open space in our bedroom to create a little office just for me. With a door. Our bedroom has a door, so I thought that would be cool.
We’ve been keeping our eyes open for a desk of some kind and yesterday we hit the jackpot at a garage sale. So now I have a desk.
Wanna see?
I’ll need to clean it up a bit and slap on some new hardware, but I love it. It’s handmade and sturdy and purty. Just like me! Wait…forget that.
Anyway. There is just one tiny little problem, which may have contributed to the exceptional price.
Wanna see?
Um…yeah.
I realize this is a terrible photo, but I had to give you a close-up. From the first picture, I think you can see that this is that sticky paper stuff that goes in the bottom of drawers or on cupboard shelves. It’s glued tightly to my new beautiful desk.
So, what would you do?
I am SOOOO not crafty, and I’m totally clueless about refurbishing things. Is that a word?
Paint it? Attempt peeling it off at the risk of having to sand off clumpy glue? Decoupage? Fabric? Nail on colored plastic? Always lay on top of it when people come over so they don’t see? Permanent marker?
See? I’m clueless. I would appreciate your help because I know the lot of you are crafty refurbishers.
Thank you kindly.
{ 44 comments }
The paper is kind of charming, in a way, but I can see why you may not want to look at it every day. I would try pulling off a small corner section, see how well that goes. If it doesn't go so well, paint over it. Or, just cut out the middle man and paint over it anyway, but I think it's kind of like wallpaper, where paint won't want to stick to it very well.
so if you start to randomly reference fresh fruit in your blog, now we know why
I would also try to remove it and if it doesn't go to well paint over it if you aren't into the sanding thing.
But it IS cute! LOL!
I'd peel that paper off, give it a good wash and sand it down. Then you can work from there. It would be tough to look at first thing in the morning, the way it is.
Great find! Fun project!
I say pull it off. You can then sand it and paint it, not too hard. I just sanded and painted shelves, so I am now an expert ;) heehee!
You could strip it down and paint it all one color… OR
you could strip it, find wallpaper or a cool pattern paper and cover the top. Then get a glass piece cut to size to go on top of that.
Or you could just leave it. :)
wow that makes me dizzy!!
i say find something to just glue over it. i wouldn't be going to all the trouble of peeling and sanding.
had to laugh at dave's comment – that was GREAT.
I'd just say tablecloth!
Warning. If you have a desk away from the "main area" of your home you are may face the problem that dh and I have of isolating ourselves. Just warning you….
got a table cloth?
Peel it off. If there's crud left over, use stuff called UNDU or Goof off. It will probably need painted, but just think how much you'll love it then!
I love redoing ugly furniture, but I often let it sit around being ugly before I finally get to it, and then I am so giddy about the finished product that I can hardly stand it!
I say put a nice tablecloth over it for the time being, and ask all your friends who know about this kind of thing.
My advice, don't rush into anything!
Wait until you really know what you want, then you won't begrudge the time or money!
Laughing, out loud of course (is there such a thing as silent laughing? no I don't think so), picturing you rushing to lay across it when people come visit. You crack me up.
I have no advice. Apparently we are about the same in our crafti-less-ness.
I really liked the desk until you showed the top…then I LOVED IT! Think of the creative juices that it will squeeze from your already bright melon!
(P.S. I totally suck at refurb, this may be way I loved the deco just the way it is)
I'd just put a table cloth over it until you get inspired to sand it and paint it. :)
get a piece of glass cut to fit over it. you can put photos and other pretty stuff under it.
I say peel it off. If it is too sticky you can use that goo gone stuff and maybe it will help (although you might need a gallon of it, lol). What a great find!
I LOVE this kind of thing. Taking junk and turning it into treasure. Not that your fruit basket upset desk isn't already divine.
I'd haul that puppy into the back yard, strip that paper off, get a sanding block, and sand away. Then I'd get to use my favorite product ever – spray paint! Oh, this will look great and cost next to nothing!
I love this… you've got great suggestions here. Please post some 'after' pix. ;)
I'd peel and sand and spray paint, but I'm weird that way.
I also am laughing about you over the top of the desk and Dave's comment. Awesome!
Ohh! What a find! How great to have some of you "own" space. :)
i'm here from beth's! i have a great idea for your charming new desk…
i have saved this post in my bookmarks forever because i really want to do this someday! might be PERFECT for you!!
http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/2008/03/my-studio.html
Peel of the contact, sand it back. Splash a bit of varnish over the top of the table. It's amazing what a thrashing timber can take.
Just make sure it's not laminate or you'll be sticking your version of contact back on there.
I am absolutely in favor of your just draping yourself across the top any time anyone comes over. That has to be the most effective. :)
I like the idea of using a glass table toper and under it put photos – or the decoupage idea. I'm not terribly good w/ furniture craftsy stuff… but that's what I'd do :) Love it though! It's got such great character (without the fruit…)
I am so not crafty so I would say try and paint over it or maybe you can buy some new veneer or something else to cover it.
I'd probably peel it off and since it's not TOO huge of a surface, it wouldn't be that bad to sand down and refinish.
Heh…I actually second Debbie's comment. (It's what I was going to say, anyhow!) The desk is very "Cath Kidston" as it is…but if you must do away with the fruit-astrophe, then I'd recommend some spray paint. Use a primer first, to cover up the original everything, and then go to town with your favorite color!
I know you'll make it even cuter! Hooray for getting your own space!
I think the best bet would e the wallpaper remover spray and pull it off then sand and repaint. :) I'm no expert though, that's just what I would do.
Wow. That stuff'l burn the creativity right outta your pretty little head, won't it?!
Maybe if you don't want to work at it until you figure out the particulars, you could just cover it with a cute tablecloth?
WHO in their right minds would have put that on a table to begin with?!
I have no great suggestions, but please do post an after picture when you get rid of the atrocious table top and cover it with something more YOU!
You can:
Option 1: Remove the paper with wallpaper remover then sand the surface and restain and varnish.
Option 2: Paint the paper OR repaper over the top with something you like and get a plexiglass top cut to fit.
Option 3: paint or repaper and then put pictures of your kids or other collage items on the top and secure plexiglass over it.
I just started following, so I'm sure of the depth of your "uncraftiness" but I would say find some fabric that you love, and just lay it on top. No stress, no mess. :)
Get that paper off of there! You SAVED that table, it will thank you when you make it all purdy again. Just like you. ;o)
Holy Carmen Miranda, that's a lot a fruit!
Wonder if you could cover it with some cool wall paper or maybe just paint it. All things that have probably been suggested before… or maybe you could glue a new piece of wood on top and paint that….hmmm…
I like the paper. Not that I would use it on my desk or in my bedroom. But I would like it as a tablecloth. Maybe.
Anyway, I'd peel it off and rub it down with turpentine like someone said (I think that would get off any adhesive residue,) and prime it and paint it. OR, you could find some pretty fabric, wrap it over the paper, and use a staple gun to staple it to the bottom side of the desk. In fact, you could even put a layer of fabric and then a layer of clear vinyl (which you can also find at fabric stores) to make the desk easier to clean.
I've discovered a fondness for orbital sanders. ;) Sorry about the top but you're right, the desk is beautiful. =]
Maybe a wallpaper remover. Peel and sand it down. I am guessing here…
Congrats on your own little space!
Well Heather…good question! It looks like it may be wallpaper. Maybe cover it with a different wallpaper, lol. who know it may work! :)
I'd A) steam it off like wallpaper, then sand and paint
or
B) decoupage over it with some brown kraft paper or something (though I don't know how well it will stick to that vinyl-type surface)
Hahaha! Good luck with that. (I'm SO not crafty either!)
Wow! That'll wake you up! Not quite sure how to advise…..Much luck!
Here's something worth knowing…adhesives are like paints. You use what it is made out of to get rid of it. Oil paints need a solvent to remove them, latex paints need water. Adhesives are the same deal.
If that is a latex (water) based adhesive, there is a good chance you can peel the offending paper off and remove the residue with hot, soapy water.
(And if not, the company I work for manufactures adhesive removers.)
Don't change it! It has a very ecclectic, retro vintage feel to it-which I love!! It reminds me of something you'd see in a home magazine (with your adorable red chair)and think "I wish I was brave enough to put that in my house!" I'm in the process of painting my boring dining table a kelly green.
Put some simple, white contemporary vases on it and send the pic to House Beautiful!
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