Sunday, July 8, 2012

Swiss Army Desk...A Swiss Issue Make-Over

For our newest prairie dove make-over, we went military style.






We found this beautiful 1930s waterfall desk...







...yes found.  Last Sunday on the way home from church.

He needed some minor repairs.

Dan covered the sides with a new piece of plank

because the veneer was not at its best.

Then, some overall sanding, primer, paint, decorative taping and more paint

resulted in our Swiss Army Issue desk.







I'm still using grey-green and a dirty red here.

I wanted the drawers white to provide contrast,

but I glazed them to enhance a rugged appearance.







The back of the desk originally had these numbers on the back,

so I painted them on the front to resemble army numbers.






I think the tailored lines of a waterfall piece

can be really masculine,

so I decided not to fight it but roll with it.







The green and red are subdued, so this piece

blends nicely with neutrals.







These perfect little vintage toys were picked up

at a flea market last year.






Simple, clean, industrial, retro.






I'll be sharing my Swiss Army Issue desk this week at:


Sunday


Tuesday


Wednesday




Thursday



Friday





Saturday

42 comments:

My Little Home and Garden said...

That certainly is a big step up for that desk. It looks great.

Full Circle Creations said...

I love the new old look for this desk. Great job.

Holly

Unknown said...

You have done a fantastic job with the desk- I just love it!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

You sure did change the look of her. Great job!

SImple and Serene Living said...

Great find. I think it loves its new look :)

NanaDiana said...

What a great makeover. I never knew what this type of furniture was called before...waterfall...I like that. What find along the road and look what you did with it! WOW- xo Diana

Lynn Wood said...

This is a perfect makeover for this desk and so original! The stenciled number and the red cross were a brilliant touch! Love it!

Lynn

PS - I can't believe you just found this piece...lucky you!

Julia @ 551Eastdesign said...

I usually avoid waterfall pieces but now I want one! I really love how this turned out!

Julia @ 551Eastdesign said...

I usually avoid waterfall pieces but now I want one! I really love how this turned out!

Raindrops and Daisies said...

Hi Andrea,

Just popped by to say hi
and wow what I surprise I got when I saw that desk.
It is absolutely brilliant,
you did great work (Once again)!!

Love it and the colours.

Hope you are not too hot and that the temps stay cool for you.

Am just back from shopping with my Mum and am exhausted, she has more energy than me and she is almost 75!!!

Have a great week.

Am off now to make a coffee and rest!


x Fiona

Cynthia said...

You know, I used to not like waterfall style... but it seems to be growing on me lately. Your desk redo turned out amazing. I love how you incorporated the numbers from the back onto the front.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh my word, this is genius. I love how you redid it. Looks wonderful. Thanks also for stopping by and your gracious comments. This would be perfect to link to my Table Top Tuesday party going on. Hugs, Marty

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness -- this refinish is awesome!! You can hardly tell it's the same desk :)

Thanks for stopping by Match Made on Hudson -- I'm excited to be your newest follower! Hope you'll stop by again soon!

Charlie @ Match Made On Hudson

Prims By The Water said...

What a great makeover...these are my least favorite desks, but you did a fantastic job on it.! Take care, Janice

Ali Richardson said...

This is SO cool!! Great job! I love the styling too :) Just popping in from POWW.

the junk in our trunks said...

I want that desk! great job. I love the idea.

Cassie Bustamante said...

it looks awesome! love the rustic look- i can see it in a boy's room perfectly!

Olive said...

It's Brilliant. Well done.

The Smith Hotel said...

Very cute! I just did a red cross dresser! I love waterfall furniture too!

Unknown said...

love this, its so cool looking and i love the little cross!

Eclectically Vintage said...

Left, left, left, right, left! I'd march a mile for that beauty! Fabulous colors - love the red cross.
Kelly

Kelly @ A Swell Place to Dwell said...

So cute! It looks like it could be a desk straight out of In Love and War.

Jeannine said...

I love how it turned out! So original. Nice work!!

Jeannine @ The Concrete Cottage

debra said...

I love the color combination!

Emilka said...

Ich bewundere, dass Sie den Mut haben dazu mit dem Schreibtisch. Sieht das fantastisch aus!

Kathy said...

This is a very creative redo! I love the Swiss Army inspiration and look - very clever!
Have a great day,
Kathy

Kathy said...

This is a very creative redo! I love the Swiss Army inspiration and look - very clever!
Have a great day,
Kathy

must love junk said...

This is seriously fabulous! I'm enamored with anything with a 'red cross' on it, so I'm in love!
Susan
must love junk

Noble Vintage said...

so cute!! Love it Andrea! I am just loving that design right now. You are spot on!

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Fantastic job! Great idea with the swiss army cross. Thanks for stopping by with your wonderful comment!

Jody

Anonymous said...

Andrea,
I love coming over to see your transformations that you do on all your projects. You make them look like something wonderful and new. You give me inspiration and ideas for my own home, and for that, I thank you.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Red Rose Alley said...

Oooops, forgot to sign in, so it came out anonymous.
~Sheri

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

Love it!!! Of course, I love anything with a red cross design. I have the exact same vanity. It even has the same numbers on the back. Same drawer pulls and chippy veneer. Mine still has the large round mirror attached and will be painted cream, but I love the way you've given your piece a whole new personality!

Cloudy said...

Es ist schön zu sehen, dass solche Möbel mit Geschichte immer gerne neue Besitzer finden, die auch noch Freude daran haben die zu restaurieren. Es ist ein tolles Möbelstück und sehr gute Arbeit...

Lieben Gruß
CL

TexWisGirl said...

i'm not a decorator, but that is a really cool re-do. visiting from green day today. :)

E. said...

Wow!
The final result is perfect!
Thanks for visting my blog and enjoy your weekend.

Ellie said...

What a great find that desk was and what a lovely job you have done with it. It's looking great. :))

Sandi said...

The makeover you did is perfect!!
Blessings~

breida @ breidawithab.com said...

Wow. I really LOVE the job you did on this desk.. REALLY! I've got a thing going with that cross symbol - and have done a few things with it myself. I'm glad I found you through MMS link party - check this out:
http://breidawithab.com/pinspired-and-produced-8/
have a great weekend!
breida

cathy@my1929charmer said...

Simply beyond beautiful! I sure wish I would find pieces like this on the way home from church! Maybe I need to change churches? Your makeover is perfect! You inspired me! Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday's Best!

Jessica @ Decor Adventures said...

Hi Andrea. This is fantastic! I actually bought the very same desk the other week. I love when I see someone redo the same piece.

Great idea for the paint and drawers!

Kristy @ Robb Restyle said...

I adore this!! I have two boys at home that absolutely are crazy about everything army/military. It's hard to compromise with them, but this piece is fabulous! Well done!

Kristy @ Robb Restyle
robbrestyle.blogspot.com

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...