Late last year I changed the computer area of our family room by making over our old dining room table into a desk and rusty tool drawers into storage drawers. I'm finally getting around to sharing some current photos of this area with a few before photos.
Our family room is long and this end of the room, adjacent to our kitchen eat-in area, is a good spot for our computer, printer, modems and some office supplies.
The previous table was too small and made it difficult to work at but we didn't need a huge dining sized table either. I compromised and saved money by cutting down an old dining room table.
My brother-in-law had these metal tool drawers in his garage and when I showed interest he gave them to me. Some black spray paint freshened them inside and out, and I added a plank base with wheels. The long drawers are perfect for office supplies.
Here's a before of the table when it was our dining room table in 2009, and it also served as a work table in my hobby studio for a few years.
I cut down the width of the table and reassembled it.
To save money I cut the rounded edge off the butcher block table top and resized it. After it was sanded down I used Minwax Early American stain and a poly top coat.
I painted the table base with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White then used ASCP Soft Wax and finally a bit of MMSMP Antiquing Wax.
After spray painting with a matt black, and the drawers in their rusty green condition. They are banged up but function really well.
I still need to finish painting the chair.
I still need to work on some cord management and I'm thinking of drilling a hole to drop the wires below the table.
The drawers need some simple labels and I have a plan for the printer and a spot for the modems.
I would also like to replace the table lamp with a metal task lamp. This project cost less than $20 because I had all supplies on hand except for buying two cans of spray paint and four wheels ($1 each at a garage sale.) It is way more functional and I think it looks much better too. Thanks for visiting and I hope this inspires you to reuse something you have to make a space work better.
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Great job with the table and I just love the metal drawers.
ReplyDeleteNice job Elizabeth! I love the desk!
ReplyDeleteI admire your talent at working with wood. I could never cut down a table, sometimes I have trouble with sharp scissors! lol Anyway, great transformation on the new computer desk & the metal file cabinet. You definitely have vision on those file drawers!!
ReplyDeleteThat's cool how you cut down to table to make a desk! It looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteI love how that looks! I'm such a fan of farm tables. I like how you stained the top a dark color. I never would've thought of cutting it down to a smaller size. That was a great way to keep using it.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very impressive….
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth !I love your blog .you have a new follower
ReplyDeleteangelica