03/27/2026
Before and after pictures of one of my first flips! This project was super fun but also very challenging for me as I was just getting into doing this on my own and still learning a lot. I picked up this desk from marketplace with the intention of redesigning it and keeping it for myself. I knew this deep teal was going to be a bold choice, but I really wanted to match this adorable wooden chair that I had previously saved from the side of the road and repaired with the help of my mom. This desk (unlike my favorite little chair) came with a lot of challenges and learning for me because I had never worked with laminated particle board before, and I was not at all aware of the importance of the prep work for it. I didn’t get the initial sanding right the first time, I struggled over and over again with the vinyl wallpaper application, and I didn’t take care of the paint like I needed to between coats. If I were to do this exact project all over again it would take me significantly less time, money, and wasted material. BUT, I love that I got to mess up on this project as much as I did, learn what went wrong, and learn how to fix it. Every mistake made me more prepared for my next projects, and I loved how it came out in the end!
I did use this desk for myself for a while, and later decided I wanted to upgrade to my dream vintage roll-top desk, so I sold this desk, chair, and bookshelf as a bundle, and I’m happy that it gets to live on and bring someone else joy.
