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How to Build a Desk (Using Furniture You Already Have)

When I walked through the back door, I knew he would either be in his recliner or at the kitchen table.

If he was in his recliner, there was a 50 / 50 chance he had fallen asleep with a cigarette in hand and either Bonanza or In the Heat of the Night blaring from the television.

If he was expecting me and it was morning, he would most likely be at the kitchen table, facing me when I walked through the door, flipping through a magazine he had pulled from the stack that was a foot tall and rising.

This kitchen table was more than a table to me.

I sat on this table and ate my first birthday cake and drank milk from a mustard bottle.

I sat at this table and watched my grannie make me milkshakes.

I sat at this table and watched my pap try to make those same milkshakes after Grannie died.

I sat at this table and said my first curse word as I stuck a fork into a potato.

I sat at this table as he told me he would work on the tractor and I would mow the grass. I may hurt myself on the tractor.

I sat at this table with every cookbook of my grannie’s open, looking for that one chicken spaghetti recipe that my pap wanted so much to make.

I sit at this table now and write this post.

This table has been around as long as I can remember. Its solid, its sturdy, and if there is one piece of furniture that I want to work at every day, its this one. Its got a good history.

And we all know a piece of furniture with a good history is the best.

How to Build a Desk (Using Furniture You Already Have) via RainonaTinRoof.com #desk #diy #furnituremakeover

How to Build a Desk Using a Kitchen Table

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This table actually has two leaves that go with it. They fold down, but when they are folded down, they block your knees and its uncomfortable. Because of this, I just unscrewed them from the table.

How to Build a Desk (Using Furniture You Already Have) via RainonaTinRoof.com #desk #diy #furnituremakeoverThe top part, the hutch, actually came with that dresser I paid $10 for at a yard sale and turned into my buffet. I didn’t really need the hutch on the buffet, so I just took it off, but knew I would end up having the perfect project for it one day.

How to Build a Desk (Using Furniture You Already Have) via RainonaTinRoof.com #desk #diy #furnituremakeoverOnce the table was in place, we set the hutch on top of it, then Grunt Labor found a stud and secured the hutch to the wall with a screw.

How to Build a Desk (Using Furniture You Already Have) via RainonaTinRoof.com #desk #diy #furnituremakeoverI painted it all glossy black to match the moldings and other black accents in the guest bedroom. Then, I “dipped” the feet with gold spray paint.

How to Build a Desk (Using Furniture You Already Have) via RainonaTinRoof.com #desk #diy #furnituremakeover

I kept my Jonathan Adler inspired chair in the room as my office chair.

How to Build a Desk (Using Furniture You Already Have) via RainonaTinRoof.com #desk #diy #furnituremakeoverAnd added a fun pillow to keep me workin’ hard.

How to Build a Desk (Using Furniture You Already Have) via RainonaTinRoof.com #desk #diy #furnituremakeoverAnd I love it. I seriously love working in this space every single day. I smile every time I look at my new office space.

Its functional, its stylish, it was affordable, and most importantly, it has a history.

My history.

Loved this one? Be sure to see these projects too then…

DIY Chippendale Desk – a gorgeous, easy to build desk with beautiful chippendale panels on the ends.

DIY Kitchen Island – made using old porch posts and barn wood!

DIY Ottoman Coffee Table – turn a coffee table into an ottoman or bench!

A Dress-Up Station Made from a Bookshelf – perfect for kiddos and an easy project!

How to Build a Desk (Using Furniture You Already Have) via RainonaTinRoof.com #desk #diy #furnituremakeover

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Comments

  2. Abby says

    Awesome desk, love the creativity! Pieces that have a story are the best sort to keep around. The black and gold look very chic together, nice paint choice.

    Reply

  5. Dad says

    Honey, I miss Pap & Grannie too. They would have been so proud of you & absolutely adored Miss Landry Eva. Your post brought memories & tears to my eyes. Have a great day. Love you. Give my precious girl some lovin’ from Granddaddy. Dad

    Reply

  9. Stacey says

    The desk is amazing! Such a good idea to marry those pieces. I would never think to do something like that!

    Thanks for the sweet comment about my dad’s house. 🙂

    Reply

  10. Chelsea says

    It’s absolutely perfect in every way, Jenna. Perfect. I love the story of it and it reminds me of so many happy moments I’ve spent with my grandparents too. Love the desk – the gold feet are fab and the pillow… work like a boss. Love it.

    Reply

  11. Amy says

    Simply FABulous girl! Love, love, love! Now I need to find a table to transform into a desk. Our office will be getting a makeover in the next 6 months I hope!

    Reply

  12. Nancherrow says

    Such sweet memories and what a way to take them and spin them into something new, black, and tres chic! Would love for you to share at Fridays Unfolded!

    Alison
    Nancherrow

    Reply

  14. Angela (Life in Velvet) says

    Thank you so much for linking up at Thursday STYLE and for supporting our party!! I absolutely adore your desk…it’s genius as always. You have such a vision to be able to create this from two separate old items. I love the gold feet especially! Of course your fabulous gold sequin hangers look amazing next to it too. Have a great weekend!!

    Reply

  21. Marie @ The Interior Frugalista says

    Love that story Jenna and I bet your grandparents are looking down with pride that their table is still being used day-to-day by their granddaughter. I love the makeover you gave it and adding the hutch is such a smart idea. Now that cute pillow of yours – lov’n it too! Your desk caught my eye over at the Inspire Me Tuesday Party.

    Reply

  25. [email protected] says

    What an amazing upcycle! It is so classy and unique and I love the price, lol! I have a double drop leaf collecting dust in my garage…I’ll have to watch out for a discarded hutch top now 🙂 Thanks for inspiring me!! Pinned!

    Reply

  26. Katie Goldsworthy says

    SOOOO Fabulous! I love it! I love how sometimes using what we have turns out to be the coolest stuff ever! Thanks for linking it up at Monday Funday!

    Reply

  27. Cathy says

    Love this Jenna! Classy, sassy…just like you! The only space I have for my computer desk is one end of our living room and I really need to clean/organize/jazz up the area… This is a wonderful idea, even more wonderful that you get to keep and utilize something that holds such memories for you.

    Reply

    • Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says

      Thanks, Cathy!! Yes – I could never part with that table, so I had to make it something that would work for me! I think something like this would be great in a living room. It doesn’t look too “desk-y”, its more like furniture. Know what I mean?

      Reply

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