01 September 2011

our creative space . . . 'restoring a vintage school desk' . . . part 1

Greetings all,
This post could have been called 'crimes against lacquer' as seriously, my $10 vintage school table refurbishment, is turning into something which requires a sand blaster!!
 I really can't stand fairies.  Mercifully, fairy costumes, books & accessories were not any of my daughters' favourites either.  This desk cements my dislike of purple winged creatures.
 Not only was the table painted hideous yellow (left over undercoat me thinks) but covered in fairy stickers & lacquer . . . maybe 20 coats??
 I solicited the assistance of my mignons (pupil free day/ teacher's strike, i've chained my 3 public schoolers to the sander) . . . they have been sanding around the clock.
 After the first hour, this is where we were up to, an exposed bottom edge & top corner . . .
& a headless fairy (insert evil laugh).
 Child safety??  DIY OHS&E??  Yep, the good old extension-cord-through-the-front-door-trick.  I'm using the heaviest sand paper i could find & it's still a long, slow job.
Sanding & carpal tunnel syndrome are not a good combination, i can barely type, so come back in a week for some true progress.  My husband is home on Father's Day, maybe he can give this a whirl??  For more creativity, take a peek here.  Love Posie

26 comments:

Sally said...

Tough job! Good luck.

Cat said...

That desk is going to come up a real treat well worth all the effort. xo

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

It should be worth it in the end. Hope you all have a fantastic time with your husband home for Sunday.

Felicity said...

This will be a fought after family heirloom once it's finished as it looks like it might the entire families' blood, sweat and tears ingrained into it.

So pleased that you & the kids are getting your handsome soldier home for Father's Day.

xx to you,

Felicity

Unknown said...

Miss posie
Evil laugh noted!
Good look a headless fairy - I like yellow primarily in some things - it can be so pretty, however on this occasion - it's revolting.

Can't wait to see the rest of the project - I hope you get to have some quick recovery with your hands so you are free to cuddle that hunk of a man!

Ps thank you so much for your wonderful comment on my blog - it means a lot to me.

X
Loulou

Amanda said...

All the hard work will be worth it :) I'd love a vintage desk one day in Grace's bedroom, one that I could paint a funky colour. Can't wait to see yours.

beachvintage.com said...

Love the cord through the door trick!

Rosie said...

When id Doolar for deeds for guides & scouts, maybe you can get the locals to do it for a dollar, or maybe not, might not be the best finish.

Unknown said...

Wow Posie, that looks like hard work! It will be worth it in the end though, can't wait to see the results x

Unknown said...

hire a belt sander, that'll rip the suckers right off quick smarT!

The Provincial Homemaker said...

A team effort:) Good to see the kids involved. Hope you are able to get all the paint off.

Sewandthecity said...

Oh carpal tunnel syndrome…I know how you feel! I had it during the pregnancy and a few months after but luckily it sorted itself out. Hope you feeling fine! I like the table, wonder what you’ll make out of it.

Hello Vintage said...

Not much into faries myself. Great blog, thanks for stopping by mine. Am now a follower (well in a minute I will be). Sherry

Jo in TAS said...

Hmm maybe you should've used the old paint stripper first, it'd cut down most of the work for you!

Libby said...

Love a bit of DIY...especially when it involves banishing fairy decoupage!!! Thanks for stopping by my blog....lovely of you to comment :) For the record, our factory is now closed...unless there's an immaculate conception it's just the three KAT's that we shall have to contend with!

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Thanks for the paint stripper & belt sander tips, this was an exercise in child labour remember!! It's now coming along nicely, after getting that lacquer off. OMG, it was so fugly. Love Posie

Makeminemidcentury said...

Paint stripper! Paint stripper!

Tammy said...

Oh that looks horrendous Posie. We have one coming to us but I can't recollect its condition. We will be giving it a makeover too. :)

My Beautiful World said...

So happy you came over to say hello love your blog. How beautiful to have hubby home for Father's Day. That table is going to look awesome can't wait to see the end result. Talk soon my friend

Always Wendy

Anna Bartlett said...

Lucky you gave birth to all those slave labourers. And looking forward to seeing the wonderfulness that you endow it with!

Kellie Collis said...

Sounds like a lovely desk in the making! I cannot wait! Enjoy the fabulous day, Kellie xx

Hootnz said...

I feel your pain! that sucks.... It will be lovely to see the finished product.. goodluck :)

polkadotpeticoat said...

this is how I spend most of my days, I prefer my orbital sander....hehe!

Margret said...

I'm undecided whether sanding or wall painting is my most hated job... hope you get the other faeries heads off much quicker!

Lene said...

Can't wait to see what you do with this! Maybe I should get my public schoolers (at home today thanks to show holiday) involved in some DIY too!

Salley said...

Hmmmmm. Just bought an old school desk too! Sydney prices weren't quite your bargain however and my 4 kiddies roll their eyes at Mum's new find and slink off. (2 have slinked off permanently now)
Advice: dont let your kiddies get past 13 and they will still help! Enjoy the return of the handsome soldier.