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
Sunday Best at My 1929 Chamer


Tuesday
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Through Life

Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesday

PoWW at Primitive and Proper

{PRIMP} Your Stuff Wednesday at {PRIMP}


Thursday
Share Your Cup Thursday with Jann Olson

It's a Party at Creative Princess


Friday
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Fiona's Friday GREEN Party

Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture Feature Friday

What Have You Redone?  Every Friday at Redoux

Saturday
Funky Junk Interiors- Saturday Night Special
at

42 comments:

  1. My Little Home and GardenJuly 8, 2012 at 5:04 PM

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

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  2. Full Circle CreationsJuly 8, 2012 at 5:41 PM

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

    Holly

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  3. UnknownJuly 8, 2012 at 5:58 PM

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

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  4. Grandma Barb's This and ThatJuly 8, 2012 at 6:24 PM

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

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  5. SImple and Serene LivingJuly 8, 2012 at 8:28 PM

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

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  6. NanaDianaJuly 8, 2012 at 9:13 PM

    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

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  7. Lynn WoodJuly 8, 2012 at 9:39 PM

    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!

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  8. Julia @ 551EastdesignJuly 8, 2012 at 10:21 PM

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

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  9. Julia @ 551EastdesignJuly 8, 2012 at 10:21 PM

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

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  10. Raindrops and DaisiesJuly 9, 2012 at 8:15 AM

    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

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  11. CynthiaJuly 9, 2012 at 9:36 AM

    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.

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  12. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeJuly 9, 2012 at 12:17 PM

    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

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  13. UnknownJuly 9, 2012 at 4:48 PM

    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

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  14. Prims By The WaterJuly 9, 2012 at 6:02 PM

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

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  15. Ali RichardsonJuly 10, 2012 at 9:17 AM

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

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  16. the junk in our trunksJuly 10, 2012 at 12:07 PM

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

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  17. Cassie BustamanteJuly 10, 2012 at 1:14 PM

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

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  18. OliveJuly 10, 2012 at 5:22 PM

    It's Brilliant. Well done.

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  19. The Smith HotelJuly 10, 2012 at 5:42 PM

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

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  20. UnknownJuly 10, 2012 at 6:03 PM

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

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  21. Eclectically VintageJuly 10, 2012 at 6:07 PM

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

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  22. Kelly @ A Swell Place to DwellJuly 10, 2012 at 6:51 PM

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

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  23. JeannineJuly 11, 2012 at 7:13 AM

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

    Jeannine @ The Concrete Cottage

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  24. debraJuly 11, 2012 at 1:12 PM

    I love the color combination!

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  25. EmilkaJuly 11, 2012 at 1:29 PM

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

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  26. KathyJuly 11, 2012 at 6:08 PM

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

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  27. KathyJuly 11, 2012 at 6:08 PM

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

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  28. must love junkJuly 11, 2012 at 6:43 PM

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

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  29. Noble VintageJuly 12, 2012 at 7:40 AM

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

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  30. Stan and Jody GabaraJuly 12, 2012 at 11:13 AM

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

    Jody

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  31. AnonymousJuly 12, 2012 at 2:32 PM

    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

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  32. Red Rose AlleyJuly 12, 2012 at 2:34 PM

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

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  33. Vickie @ Ranger 911July 12, 2012 at 5:19 PM

    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!

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  34. CloudyJuly 13, 2012 at 6:15 AM

    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

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  35. TexWisGirlJuly 13, 2012 at 6:59 AM

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

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  36. E.July 13, 2012 at 7:45 AM

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

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  37. EllieJuly 13, 2012 at 2:07 PM

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

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  38. SandiJuly 13, 2012 at 3:10 PM

    The makeover you did is perfect!!
    Blessings~

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  39. breida @ breidawithab.comJuly 14, 2012 at 6:53 AM

    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

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  40. cathy@my1929charmerJuly 14, 2012 at 9:11 AM

    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!

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  41. Jessica @ Decor AdventuresJuly 19, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    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!

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  42. Kristy @ Robb RestyleJuly 29, 2013 at 10:30 AM

    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

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