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Queen Anne Vanity Becomes a Chalkboard Desk

Here’s the piece I let you peek at a couple of days ago. I am usually a blue & white kind of person, but I also love warm colors like reds and yellows. I was in a red mood the day I painted this and it works so much better than a blue would have.

Here’s the before. I purchased this vanity (with a very Queen Anne mirror attached) at an estate/yard sale for $20.00. It was sturdy and had functioning drawers, but it had a lot of water damage and the finish showed it.

 I sanded the piece, applied a coat of bonding primer and 2 coats of semi-gloss paint. I wish I could tell you the color of red I used (because I know the questions are coming), but I mixed this one myself. It is SW Rave Red with some Raw Umber universal tint mixed in to tone it down.

 I sprayed the shiny brass handles with Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint by Krylon and rubbed in a Dark Walnut stain by Minwax over the red to add depth. I then measured and taped a rectangle on the surface of the desk using my trusty Frog Tape in order to add a chalkboard.

 This product works makes a crisp, clean line, but you have to make sure you thoroughly press it down. I applied 2 coats of Chalkboard paint using a foam roller. Another great product is Glad Press & Seal. I used that to cover my roller and paint tray, so I didn’t have to wash them out between coats. This is an oil based paint, so it would’ve been a pain. The wrap kept my paint and roller wet over night!

 And there’s the clean line. No touch-up needed. I love it!

 I think you could stop here, but the rectangle looks a little harsh to me. I decided to add a hand painted frame for the chalkboard. If you are not comfortable with a artist’s brush, you could always use a stencil or vinyl decals.

 I used glossy white acrylic paint for the decorative painting. Make sure you “season” your chalkboard before using it…just like you would with a cast iron skillet. All you need to do is run a piece of chalk over the entire surface. This prevents what you write from being “burned in” the chalkboard surface.

 And here it is! Isn’t she just lovely? I think it’s fun, bold, and classic all at the same time. I usually replace knobs on a piece like this, but the shape of these knobs were the best for this piece. They just needed some paint to get an updated look.

 I got that awesome fan out of my grandparent’s attic. And it still works! The typewriter was $10.00 at a yard sale…craziness!

 You can see how the stain adds a sense of age and emphasizes the details on the piece.

So, here’s a question… I am always underpricing my furniture. I know this, but I am SO CHEAP. Help me out, here. How much would you pay for this piece?
I hope this piece inspires you! Remember to come back tonight at 10:00 pm for the very first Furniture Feature Friday link party!

Miss Mustard Seed

I am posting this to Transformation Thursday at…

The Shabby Chic Cottage
Sanctuary Art’s Before and After Party and Ruby Tuesday at Work of the Poet.

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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88 Responses

  1. This could be one of my favorite pieces of yours yet! Love the color, the lines, and the chalkboard! It's definitely an inspiration for when I finally get around to getting our office fixed up.

  2. OH. MY. GOODNESS.

    I would have never thought red. Nor the chalkboard on only the partial top like that. I love how there's something to anchor the piece yet doesn't overpower it. A gorgeous visual and fun!

    I'm so inspired I'm off to try a side table in my bedroom with my own little twist to it!

    Really really beautiful work!!

    Donna

  3. That looks fantastic! I did not know you needed to do that to new chalkboard. I love the painted detail you added to the top ~ it absolutely softens the edges of the chalkboard. You have inspired me to add a little painted decorative detail to a small box I painted and decoupaged {the lid needs something}. I have a white gloss paint and, as I am no artist and shaky to boot, I'm thinking of doing small dots and a simple "~". I plan on practicing on something else before I attack the actual piece.

  5. Wow-great job! My 8 yr old son loves your website & you've inspired him to paint his beadroom furniture as our winter project! Thanks!? 🙂 He's going to love the chalkboard desk idea!

  6. Delurking to say: OMG, THIS IS SO LOVELY. I seriously love it. Everything on your blog is lovely but WOW. With those accessories? This is a winner for sure!!

  8. That is your best piece yet IMO… not that your other ones are not to die for… but this one is just absolutely awesome… thanks for the tip on seasoning the board… I make chalkboards all the time but I didn't know that… I use a hair dryer to dry my first coat and works like a charm… I usually do 3 coats then I let it dry for a couple of days before I actually write on it… I would pay the earth for that piece and I am CHEAP CHEAP… go high you can always come down.

  9. It definitely is a beauty.but then I'm partial to tis style.. your redo has restored her to her Queenly grace with a touch of whimsy and daring!
    am unaware of your pricing.. but for me, $100.00 and I would take her home with me..even though I'd have to redo my BLUE home to accentuate her unleashed passion!
    ♥smiles!

  14. Gorgeous! I have no idea what to price it at. It's a quirky piece, so I wouldn't price it too, too high… just not undersell. Do you have a formula for time spent/supplies and your desired profit?

    I was so upset by the red being custom mixed – it is gorgeous and the walnut stain does really make it pop. Great work!

  18. That is such a great idea..I'm constanly scribbling notes on any sheet of paper next to my laptop. You may haved cured that problem! And your idea brings new life to that piece.

  19. That is one super cute desk! I particularly like the frame around the chalkboard. If I were going to buy this piece, I would expect to pay somewhere between $150-$200 at least. You can always price it a little higher and then come down in price if it doesn't sell fast. I'm partial to Queen Anne style though.

  20. I'd say it was worth $250 since its solid and Queen Anne style and you added those details. I also love that you hand painted instead of using vinyl. I thought I was one of the last people who prefers to do it myself. I love it! Its much easier to bargain if you aim high and then go lower as a seller.

  24. I'm with Ray on the price $250 maybe even more because of your time. Also, think about how many ways someone can use this desk…it's a desk, chalk board, it's BEAUTIFUL!

    Great job!

  25. I don't know how you manage to keep topping yourself, but you have done it again. You are truly an inspiration !
    Lisa

  26. I'm echoing the other comments….this piece is beautiful. I'm a big fan of red so this piece really appealed to me. Love the chalkboard top and the hand painted detail really did finish the piece. Great job!!

  28. I would probably price it at $250. To be honest, it really looks "high end" vintage if you know what I mean. Like when designers design something today to make it look retro…I love it!

  29. This one is just awesome…and I just sent your blog link to my sister since she is currently re-painting some furniture, and I told her how amazing your paint makeovers are! Pricing…hmm…I am so not good at that either, but I would say at least $200 for a minimum. What you could do is figure out how much your time is worth, and then give yourself an hourly "wage" and then price your items accordingly. That way you don't have to wonder how much to price things. Just factor in how much you paid for the original piece, any materials needed to make your piece and then add your time at X amount of dollars per hour and you've got yourself a recipe for a nicely priced piece…just don't sell yourself short!

  30. I love this desk. What a great idea to add a chalkboard to the top. It looks great and I love the painted border around it. Thanks for sharing.

  31. I really love this. Red has become my favorite color in the last few years. It has replaced my blue in a number of places! You did a beautiful job!

  34. O, this is absolutely ADORABLE. I so wish I lived close to you …I would buy it so fast, it would make your head swim. $350. and not a cent less,, Miss Mustard. It is adorable and you did such an amazing job on it.
    I wish I had a post ready for your meme tomorrow…DARN !

  36. What a great job you did! I love love it! That fan is so cute too! I could kick myself for not buying a fan I had seen at an estate sale. ugh
    Have a wonderful evening.
    Sandra

  38. I love it, especially the color! And the idea of adding the chalkboard paint was a fabulous idea! The white trim is lovely. Thanks for sharing

  39. I just found your blog & I am delighted! The desk is fabulous, style, color, chalkboard, embellishment…it has it all going on. I have you bookmarked, I will definitely be watching for more great posts! Thanks, Deborah

  40. This is beautiful. I love the red and what a steal for $20! I wish I had the patience to repaint furniture. I have a couple of pieces that I am going to work on this winter after we move and get settled. I will post them when I do.

  44. The addition of the painted border around the chalkboard made this piece just awesome! You do such great transformations.
    🙂 Sue

  49. That desk is just beautiful! How clever to add the chalkboard center and the decorative painting around it adds style.

    First time I have been to your blog and I am very impressed with your creative ideas on here. I'll be returning for visits.

    Lee Ann

  51. just a little bit behind here in commenting, but i did want to say what a clever idea this is … and so beautifully done! bravo!
    i was in a cafe yesterday where the main wall is all chalkboard with specials on it … and drawings … sweet idea as well!
    cheers,
    prairiegirl

  58. The second I glimpsed at the photo of the desk, I immediately went up to the top of your blog to click your "follow" button. Amazing!!! But by the sounds of your posts, you've painted lots of times before. What is this Frog tape?? Love to hear more about it. Is it an easy mask tape?

    Stop by and see my lovely transformation and don't forget to see yesterday's post too!!!…My papa's hand-painted frescoes from the cathedrals of Southern Italy!

    And if you like what you see, don't forget to click the "Follow" button so that we can inspire each other often!

  64. It turned out great! The red is fun and I would have never thought of doing the chalkboard top. Also love the detail you added around the chalkboard. Great job! Have a good day…

    PK @ Room Remix

  67. Another homerun!!! So cool, what a great pop the red is. Never knew that about seasoning a chalkboard, thanks for the tip. Pricing is a beyotch, isn't it?

  69. This is gorgeous. Your hand painted frame around the chalkboard was the perfect touch! I love the red and the accessories on top are amazing! What great finds! Love it all.

  77. You did an amazing job with the desk. Asking price, haven't got a clue I buy most of my things really cheaply and paint them myself. I'm in PA. too. Nice to meet you neighbor~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

  79. I really love this. I am VERY seriously thanking about how this could be done on a kitchen table. I have never repainted a piece of furniture in my life. Heck, I haven't even sanded before. So…this will be totally new for me. It is a classic oak round table. Think this could work? Paint it red, add the chalkboard in the middle. Ooh better yet-what if I did 4 separate chalkboard areas as placemats?

  86. I got some free paint called fireside red from Lowes with a coupon I had. The color you mixed looks like the same color. I like your white over the chalkboard paint. I have been looking for ideas to match up with the color I got. Your project is the closest I’ve found. At first glance when I painted a desk with the color I thought “oh no” looks like Longhorn colors now that I see your project I can see it doesn’t have to be. 🙂

  87. Pingback: Crafting a Green World | The home for green crafts and tutorials!
  88. Pingback: Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose: 50 Ways to Revamp Your Decor with Chalkboard Paint | hometips.co.za

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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