Coastal Blue Teacher’s Desk

Hi Friends!

If you have been following me, you know by now that one of my favorite places – and probably the favorite place – to find furniture to refinish is the Seattle Goodwill *.   It’s on my way to my daughter’s school, so I pop in regularly to search for great finds.  I also regularly donate my own used items.  I have been known to drive in with a trunk full of donations, and leave with a trunk full of purchases.  It’s the cycle of thrifting life. . .

But really, there are just so many reasons to support the Goodwill.   Materials stay out of the landfill and they provide valuable community service through job training and education, to name a couple.   It’s a win win for everyone.   I am so happy to be partnering with the Seattle Goodwill to bring you today’s furniture makeover.

On one of my regular treasure hunting excursions at the Goodwill, I picked up this vintage teacher’s desk made by the Indiana Desk Company.  It was in really great shape as is, solid as a rock, but the top did have some moderate wear.  I also felt a little color would help to update it and add interest.   The wood on this desk is so gorgeous and I wanted to highlight that.

I started the makeover by removing the top – I just had to remove a few screws that hold it in place.  I find that if I can remove the top, it is much easier to work with when I refinish.  I stripped the top using my favorite stripper Citristrip.  Once stripped, I let it dry for a day and sanded the top with 120 grit then 220 grit sandpaper using my orbital sander.  There is one very small burn mark (not uncommon on these old pieces) on the top that did not sand out.  I really don’t mind these small “beauty” marks since I think they add character and are just part of the history of the piece.  I can just imagine a teacher back in the day smoking in class, getting distracted and burning the top.  Haha.  (This desk does not have any smoke smells, which is notoriously difficult to remove.  Be careful when buying used furniture that smells of smoke).

I applied one coat of General Finishes gel stain in antique walnut and it was a near perfect match to the existing finish on the rest of the desk.  I let it dry for a couple of days and then sealed the top with 3 coats of General Finishes high performance top coat in satin.

The finish on the drawers, legs and interior area was in great condition, so I just gave them a cleaning and left them as is

I lightly sanded the rest of the dresser with 220 grit sandpaper and then applied one coat of General Finishes milk paint in Coastal Blue.  Once dry, I again lightly sanded the paint.  I really like the sheer blue finish that allows some of the wood to show through.  It gives the piece a vintage, time worn feel, and at the same time adds interest  though the use of color.

The original brass knobs are so perfect with an aged patina.  Such a bonus to have all the original knobs and to be able to reuse them.

The navy with the antique walnut is a beautiful combo.  This desk has a small slide out surface above the top drawer.  My own desk has this as well and I find that it comes in handy as an additional work surface.  Or for snacks, either one.  🙂

I picked up the vintage typewriter about 20 years ago at a local flea market.  Yes, I have been collecting a long time guys.  It’s an art deco style Remington portable typewriter. The seller told me that it belonged to a woman who attended the University of Washington back in the 30’s or 40’s.   So cool.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Susan

*Disclosure

I have received compensation for this post, but all opinions are entirely my own.  This post contains sponsored links from Seattle Goodwill.  Please refer to my disclosure page for additional information.