Salvaged from a dump!
- By Joan
- April 20, 2015
- 29 Comments
So, a couple of weeks ago I was able to talk my sister into going to a dump to see if we could find anything fun. Actually it wasn’t hard to talk her into it, she loves the thrill of the hunt maybe even more than I do.
The conversation sort of goes like this… (me) I have a new dump for you to explore…are you interested? (her)What time?
Decided to talk the hubby and the son into going with us just in case we needed muscle.
That conversation was more like this… (me) Want to go out to lunch? (them) Sure!.. (me) Oh, and we’re going to a dump too.
So that is how we ended up here, at the dump. Doesn’t even look like a dump does it? Just a beautiful spot in the woods. Nothing but the nicest dumps for me!
I’m even leaning on my soon to be desk legs. Now, I was all for my sister taking the legs home and seeing what she could come up with, but she actually has a real job and insisted on me taking them.
To prove that it really is a dump, this is another view. It does look a bit more dumpish from this side. But ooooooh the possibilities.
So now the legs were home and all ready for their makeover. Seeing that they have a bar on one side and an opening on the other, they seemed perfect for a desk.
Before you give up on this diy and say, I don’t have the legs, I can’t make this….check out this post from Five Eleven decor. Yes, the legs are made out of pipe. So yes, you can make this desk. You could also make the legs out of wood posts.
A little close up of the rust on my soon to be desk.
The frame was given a full sanding with some heavy duty sandpaper and spray painted black with Rustoleum of course, wouldn’t want this thing to rust now would we.
Laid out 3 planks of cedar across the frame. The cedar was leftover from my storage cupboard I had made in February.
From the bottom, glued the planks together with wood glue and nailed in cross supports. Had to make sure the cross supports were in far enough to avoid sitting on the metal frame.
Another piece of cedar was nailed and glued to the front of the desk.
A piece of salvaged wood was added to the back of the desk. It was glued and nailed from the bottom.
My last piece of cedar was cut the length of the desk for the top. From pallet wood, started cutting the squares that would make the cubby holes in my desk. Each piece was sanded thoroughly before attaching only to the top cedar plank at this point. With finishing nails and glue, the sideways shelf was attached to the up and down pieces on either side of it then both those pieces were glued and nailed from the top. All of the other vertical pieces were also glued and nailed into position from the top.
Shelf and cubbies all laid out. Still not attached to the desk.
Four drawer fronts were measured to fit inside the outside two cubbies on each side. From there, the sides were measured and nailed and glued into position, then the back, and lastly the bottom. Again, each piece was thoroughly sanded before attaching. It would be extremely hard to sand inside these little drawers afterwards.
Where the finishing nails were used, the holes were filled and sanded.
All of the pieces were given a coat of primer.
On top of the desk, a finishing coat of white paint was added. With a palm sander, sanded down the entire piece exposing the edges. 
Stole this graphic from The Graphics Fairy, I know she won’t mind. For more on enlarging and transferring an image,visit my Raven sign here. 
Image transferred with pencil and ready to be painted.
I used a small paintbrush, but I assume you could use a paint pen to fill in the lines of the graphic. 
Top was sanded down once again and sealed with a tinted wax. This was why you shouldn’t attach the cubbies quite yet, that would be awful to try to get into all those nooks and crannies with the paint and wax.
So back to the cubbies. They too, were given a top coat of white paint. The insides of the drawers were painted this beautiful blue. The blue is actually a chalk paint from Walmart. I didn’t even know Walmart carried chalk paint. They are also carrying wax now, clear and tinted, back in their paint department. Who knew? update…checked out another Walmart and they did not carry the chalk paint but it is available on line
Once again, all that was white was given a good sanding, especially the edges, and sealed with a tinted wax.
Could finally attach the top shelves to the rest of the desk. Knobs were added, these are from Hobby Lobby and the label holders were from Amazon.
A dump find and reclaimed wood never looked so good.
Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by!
Shared at Motivational Monday, Mod Mix Monday, Metamorphosis Monday, Inspire me Tuesday,
Wow us Wednesdays, Vintage Inspiration Party, Think and Make Thursday, Handmade Hangout Party,
Catch as Catch Can, Furniture Feature Friday, Flaunt it Friday, Link Party Palooza,
Funky Junk Party Junk, Show me Saturday, DIY Sunday Showcase, Silver Pennies Sundays,
Before and After Wednesdays, Amaze me Monday, Before and After
Whimsy Wednesday and That DIY Party
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Ohhh Joooaannnn, this is my new FAVORITE!! WOWZERS!!! Absolutely awesomely wonderful. Love the Graphics Fairy touch. 🙂 Wow, I am totally inspired, thank you!!!!
XO Christina
I’m so happy to inspire you. You can absolutely do this. Have a great day.
WOW! That took vision, talent, know-how, and hard work! Fantastic job!
Beautiful! What a great restoration job!
I echo the other comments…I LOVE the way the desk came out! Beautiful!
I LOVE this!!! You make it look so easy.
Oh my word, this is amazing. I love it. I can’t wait to feature you next week. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.
Thanks so much Marty. I’m looking forward to the party.
Your desk is incredible!!! I love the cubbies and the drawers and the graphic and the chalk paint finish…. but most of all, I love the metal legs (and the fact that they came from a dump). Kudos on a job exceptionally well done.
You are amazing, I completely love this desk, especially all the little details you added with the script and little drawers…gorgeous!
Wow! Awesome job! What a great transformation!
Great attention to detail! I love the script on top… but the cubbies– a really nice touch.
Wow…..that turned out great.
I love this kind of stuff. Thank you soo much for sharing.
Oh I absolutely love it!!! Very cool!!
WOW that is an amazing desk, very inspiring. It looks much better then the table that I currently use as a desk.
Wow that’s really beautiful and you built it from the ground up, literally. Nice job!
What a beautiful piece! You can’t even tell all of that is from a dump. Thanks for sharing with us over at Motivational Monday!
WOW! That is amazing, you did a fantastic job! Love it!
Thanks for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Amazing project Joan! I love everything about your desk made from reclaimed items.
catching you!!!
gail
Thanks so much Gail, looking forward to the party.
[…] Scavenger Chic made this amazing desk with salvaged materials […]
[…] Scavenger Chic put together this fabulous desk/table using a base she found in the dump and some reclaimed cedar planks. […]
Hi there!
Just came in from My Repurposed Life.
I really like how you put this together. Viewing on her blog, I was wondering where you were lucky enough to find the secretary piece for your desk. When I saw you’d made it! Wahhhhhhhhht!?!:)
Your continued advice to NOT NAIL is on target. I don’t think many realize what a PIA it will be later. Finishing anything ahead of time makes life a dream comparatively! Even painting molding and trim!
Anyway, you’ve got a new Bloglovin’ follower! Love your stuff.
Well, good Lord! That is just amazing! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features at The Round-Up from the Before & After Wednesday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link so you can check out your feature. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2015/05/the-round-up-from-before-after-wednesday.html Hope to see you at the Before & After Wednesday bash! Have a great week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
I was just over at the Round Up from the Before & After Wednesday party and saw your feature. My jaw dropped to my knees when I saw this. Wow Joan, you are one super talented gal!
Thanks Marie, with all your great projects that’s high praise. I did link up to your party a couple weeks back but it’s easy to miss, I’ll be back this Saturday with more projects 🙂
THANK YOU?????? I know that I got an A in wood shop in the 80s ?, but DIYing hasn’t been the smoothest ride for me. With that said, your design ideas and your economicically minded ways have inspired me on a day that I needed a lift!! Thanks for taking the time to share and know that you made this only parent of 2 smile and stay motivated and encouraged?
You already have a jump on me. When I was in school girls didn’t take wood shop, we took sewing. I always say that if I can do it, I know you can too, besides, shabby chic is in. 🙂