The Desk That Would Not Quit...

This is where it all started...the birth of my desk. My darling husband made this for me and I painted it a distressed black. I needed a desk to craft, sew and be creative on...I love this desk.

This is a picture of our Slidell, LA home office.  I was not taking these pictures for anyone but myself (never heard of blogging back then), so please excuse the quality.  Also, you will notice that there is not a rug in this room. Thanks Hurricane Katrina. Circa 2005

Slidell Desk

Our next home was Tullahoma, TN.  I did not have a picture of the empty room but I did find this one before the cabinets had been painted.  I always get these cabinets from Home Depot (in stock) and paint them (distressed black).  I removed the doors of the top cabinets to create an "open look". Installing those top cabinets created the height I needed in the room. The countertop is formica, custom ordered from Home Depot (or maybe Lowes :). Those black & white bins at the top of the cabinets are just white bins with black electrical tape made into a plaid pattern.  Notice I have a rug and the desk still looks fantastic! Circa 2006

Tullahoma Desk
Now, for present day.  Yes we move.  A lot.  Because we move so often, I have ended up with a "hodge podge" of furniture. What worked well in one house, does not necessarily work well in the other. So, for my current home, I had to make these humongo bookshelves work in the home office.  Bye-Bye black distressed look.  Hello brown.  So, I sewed this table cover/skirt and had a piece of glass cut to fit on the top of the table. Viola. It works or at least make me feel good and TELL me it works :) Circa 2007

OakRidge Desk

So this is the story of the little desk that kept reinventing itself.  Who says I don't recycle.

This was my inspiration (Thanks BHG May 2005):

DeskInspiration1

DeskInspiration2

There's the desk "how-to"...

DeskInspiration3

XOXO-
surprise





23 comments:

Mary Lynn said...

You are truly amazing!!! Your hubby is right there with you.

Kristin said...

Wonderful desk... and great storage areas! I'm about getting tired of the color of my desk and may have to refinish it again soon :-) (Currently it's sage green and ivory)

Embellished Bayou said...

Every space looks great, I love how you made each space work for you. That desk is fab!

Jennifer Juniper said...

I really love the simplicity of that desk. It's the reason it stood the test of time. Kudos to you for making it work beautifully in each location!

Little Lovables said...

I love the skirt on that desk as well!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Love how you transform it each time! Do you by any chance know Dr. Rich Thomasson from Tullahoma? He's my husband's uncle, and we visit Tullahoma every Thanksgiving!!!! Cute little town. :)

Visiting from Kimba's party! :)

frillsfluffandtrucks said...

It looks great! I love what you did with the cabinets, too.

~ Sarah

Jane said...

What beautiful office space! The desk is great!

Kammy said...

Great room ! I love all the storage, I have a room kinda like it - Black - I love it !
Hugs ~ Kammy

Shannan Martin said...

Great title for this post. :) And what a perfect desk!

Amy {The Red Chair Blog} said...

Love the many incarnations of your desk. The distressed black cabinets are very cool,and the bins with electrical tape--very clever!

Kristi said...

I am in awe of all of it. You are so talented. The electric tape is ingenious!

Decor To Adore said...

Recycling at its finest!

Unknown said...

Amazing! Love what you've done.

Nancy

Nardeeisms said...

Great look! Would have never thought of the tape! ~Nards~

Pearl Maple said...

Fun post, moving and reinventing yourself in new locations and configurations can either be daunting or exciting and your changes sure do inspire

Trish @TheOldPostRoad said...

I am very impressed!

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

You have a great knack for storage and reinvention. Great job! I am cracking up b/c I have those same inspiration pics in my idea file!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

These are great...all of them! I think my favorite in the tableskirt at the end. I love the fabric that you chose! Thanks for all the inspiration! Susan

Roeshel said...

I'm so glad you joined the Show & Tell Party! I haven't seen this and it's awesome! Great befores and afters and your latest creation with the desk skirt is beautiful! I love it! (I have a desk skirt too... hides all the wires.)

Thanks for adding your inspiration to the party. :)

Roeshel

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

I am in love with the desk when it was in the office with the black bookshelves. Gorgeous. You have done a fantastic job of making that baby work for you wherever you are! Nicely done.

Tricia said...

What a fantastic place(s) you have to be creative. Love the new skirt on the table.

XO*Tricia

Moore Minutes said...

Hi there! I'm here with diy showoff.


Wow! I would love to have those sort of workspaces! This is simply gorgeous!