Antique American Breakfront Desk Makeover-Whimsy and Wood

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Yes-Another Desk

I know it is a mouthful Antique American Breakfront Desk…Not sure if you’ve realized it yet, but I have a real love of desks! Desks & Dining sets are my favorite things to repair and paint. There is something almost romantic about a desk to me. Especially an antique desk. Desks may seem commonplace, but once upon a time they were considered a true luxury. Education was not afforded to everyone. There may have been some aristocrat just sitting and doodling at them…Or there may have been a woman writing to her love at war, an author writing feverishly, an architect drafting their plans… At least this is what I imagine to myself.

This desk was sort of a bonus. I went to pick up a dresser. Then the seller said oh so casually, there is a desk that I have not posted yet. It’s a mess, but you might like it…{{{love those pickups!}}} I loved the desk more than the dresser & of course took them both, plus he threw in an antique child’s chair & a jewelry box. Happy dance!!!

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Supplies needed for this project

Kristi Kuehl Pure Home Paints products used

Desk Body
- Derby Paint
- Matte Protective Finish
Faux leather inset
Cling on! F40
Vinegar and water spray mix
Scrub Sponge
Cleaning wipes
Sander
Fabric to line the Drawer
Mod Podge

The Prep

The exterior of the desk was in great shape! Just a little dirty. As always we did a scrub with 50/50 mix of vinegar and warm water, then did a rinse wipe down with clean water, and followed with an all over wipe down with these cleaning pads.

What on earth happened here?!?!

The interior of this breakfront desk was a little bit more work…Looks like someone’s fountain pen spilt. All of the structure and wood were in great condition, but the original felt pad was a mess! I didn’t believe this felt to be cleanable, or repairable so we removed it. Peeled what I could by hand & then sanded the rest off. (note, my sander still has felt bits inside of it. You may wish to find a better removal tool) [Update, we now use this method for removing felt or velvet liners] (video included)

No photo to show the green felt in my hair or on every interior surface. I was a mess!

Painting a faux green leather writing inset

Under the felt mat were pine boards & a walnut center board. I filled any gaps between the center boards, along with any gouges in the wood surfaces with Magic Mud filler. Once dried, I sanded the entire surface to one level surface. Still not the prettiest…But I had a plan for that.

PHP Products used for my green faux leather:

Bisque, Dublin, Tanner, & Sable Glaze

First I taped of the edges that would not be painted to look like leather. The base layer of wood was covered in 2 coats of Bisque paint to help create low lights under the Dublin Green paint to follow. This next step felt a little crazy, to create the texture of old leather I started with a balled up a plastic bag from our grocery trip. I liked the lines and variations of paint as it dabbed on. It was a messy method though! Next I followed with a sporadic layer of Tanner Brown. only here and there to created darker variations of color. Then built up another layer of Dublin. For these later layers I switched to a damp natural sea sponge. Finally I applied Sable Glaze over the paint layers. This added depth, antiquing, and paint protection. I applied one coat with a brush for all over protection. When dry (15 minutes) I used the sponge to blot it on and create a more authentic look. [more info and a sped up video included in this post. variation in brown leather]