Today I’m sharing a thrift store makeover that’s NOT a jewelry cabinet! But I’m not sure exactly what it is. I thought maybe it was a vintage writing desk. But it’s not big enough for a sheet of paper and there’s no groove to hold a pencil. I asked on Facebook and lap desk or stationary box were the two most popular suggestions. Leave a comment and let me know if you have an idea.
This post contains affiliate links. You won’t pay any more when you use these but I will earn a small commission on any purchases you make after clicking on them and I greatly appreciate it. Thanks for helping support my little blog!!!
Supplies for Vintage Writing Desk or Stationary Box
- wood box
- Paint & Paddles paint, canvas
- Paint & Paddles paint, oyster
- paintbrush
- Americana stencil, Royal Tiles
- foam brush
- felt
- decoupage medium
- Americana Decor varnish
I bought this wood box in an antique shop in Santa Rosa a few years ago while Bikeman was out riding. It was one of our thrifting / cycling days. We drove up for a day trip, I hit several thrift stores and antique shops while he rode, and we came back with a FULL car! As you can see by the price tag I only paid $5.00 for it!
I pulled out a couple of colors of the Paint & Paddles chalk type paint that I traded for at Junk Bonanza, San Diego. First I gave it two coats of Canvas.
Here’s one of my painting tricks: I prop the lid open with a paint can until it’s completely dry. If you let the lid shut while it’s even just a little bit damp it will stick and the paint will peel off when you open it.
I lightly stenciled the top and distressed it a bit with sandpaper before adding one coat of varnish.
The next day I came back and covered the inside with felt.
And here’s the finished writing desk. I thought it would be a great place to keep pens, pencils, and other writing or art supplies. I shared it on Facebook and several people thought it would make a good charging station or laptop computer desk. One of my friends said she thought it was a writing desk even though it was smaller. Paper would have been more scarce and smaller in the past. What would you use it for?
Writing Desk Makeover Stats: Bought at a Santa Rosa antique shop for $5.00. For sale at Paris Flea Market… will update when it sells.
More Thrift Store Makeovers You Might Like
- 9 Easy Makeovers with Thrift Store Furniture
- 16 Thrift Store Jewelry Box Makeovers
- 5 Easy Goodwill Furniture Makeovers
- 20 Thrift Store Makeovers for Your Home
- 20 Farmhouse Style Thrift Store Makeovers
Thanks for reading! And let me know if you have an idea of what this might be…. vintage writing desk, lap desk, stationary box, vintage laptop desk…?
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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Florence @ Vintagesouthernpicks says
That is cute as can be! Think it is a vintage writing desk. Love the color you painted it & the stencil. I use your painting trick all the time! Pinned
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks & thanks for pinning, Florence!
Stephanne says
I think it would be good to hold scissors or rotary cutters.
ducttapeanddenim says
Great idea, Stephanne. I can always use more craft room storage.
Sally says
I would use it to hold special cards (birthday, Christmas, wedding or graduation invitations, thank you notes) received from people dear to me. I have a seed box from the 30’s that I use. Sometimes I sit down with the box and reread the cards .
ducttapeanddenim says
Sally, that’s a GREAT idea!!! I have an old box that we have special cards stored in but it won’t even close anymore. This would be a perfect size.
Evelyn Newton says
It is a writing desk. Stationary was not large during its time. It was meant for a short letter or note. It was half the size of a sheet of paper these days.
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks for the info!
Melissa says
That’s too cute. I need one like it to go next to the couch where I do all my blogging in the evenings! Thanks for sharing with us at the Family Joy Blog Link Party this week!
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond says
Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing with us at #OvertheMoon Link Party. I’ve pinned and shared.
Marie says
This would be a perfect lap desk with a small lip on the lid! It would totally hold my books or laptop while I work. Love your makeover! Thanks for sharing it with us at Merry Monday this week!
judy shepard says
It is a lap desk. Sit and hold it. Store pens, papers, stamps and cards in it usually.
Kimm at Reinvented says
That’s looks great. I love that stenciling.
Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.
Frenchsonya says
Oooh I love that….! I recently bought a second hand writing desk & would like to do something similar to it… Can I ask what type of varnish you finished with? It looks like it has a slight sheen to it, but not too much…. You’ve inspired me…thanks so much for sharing your lovely idea…!
ducttapeanddenim says
Sure! Here’s my affiliate link for what I used: http://amzn.to/2bWRdLY I’d love to see how yours turns out!
Kathy A says
Loved the “white on white” look. I think it would be a great box for storing supplies for a particular project–like funky paper scisssors, punches, small glue bottle and trims for card making. I have finally started grouping supplies together in ziploc bags so I can see what I have. I think it would be great for remotes on a coffee table–if you could get other people to use it! I’d add felt feet if it was used on a table.
Jaenne Meiers says
I would use it to store watches. All you have to do is get pvc pipes of the right diameter and cover them with felt. It would accommodate two or three.
ducttapeanddenim says
Great idea!!!