Scavenger Chic

Vintage Spinet Desk Makeover

• By Joan
• June 16, 2022
• 10 Comments

Vintage Spinet Desk Makeover

Looking at a local online auction I came upon this little beauty.  It was listed as a Larson’s desk, what the heck is that? 

This is actually all the information I got from the listing …Painted Larson desk. Contents not included. Bring help to remove. Located in basement .Condition: Nicks and scratches. Measurements: 32x19x33

I did my due diligence by doing what any curious person would do, I Googled Larson desk.  Nothing came up on my in depth search. Perhaps they meant Parson’s desk. a very plain rectangular table.

 With a front like that, it looked like there may be more to this desk than what the pictures revealed but I wouldn’t get a chance to find out unless I took a chance and  placed a bid.  With only 2 hours left on the auction I took a chance.

It wasn’t too great a risk, the current bid was only $1,  I placed a bid of $2 (I was willing to go to 3!).  Two hours later I was the winning bidder at $2. Now that’s a good deal.

I was pleasantly surprised when I got the small desk home and opened him to reveal nice little set of cubbies.  This little guy was definitely worth way more than $2!

Now I had to do even more googling.  Look up… small desk with fold up top and cubby holes.  It’s a spinet!  Who knew?

“A spinet desk was designed to resemble the musical instrument the spinet, but it has no musical purpose. Instead, it’s a desk that features a top which can be flipped back to reveal internal storage options.”  That’s me!

I couldn’t wait to get started.  I removed the top layer of paint starting with a medium grit sandpaper and finished with a fine grit.

It probably only took about 20 minutes to remove all the paint from the top of the spinet  desk.

Once all the paint had been removed I finished the top with Minwax dark walnut stain.

The cubby holes of the desk were already painted blue and I decided to leave them that color, but this is what happens when you paint those small areas with a paint brush, you miss a lot!

I went over the current paint job in the cubbies with Rustoleum Wildflower Blue Spray Paint.  It’s the same color I used for the Upcycled Vintage Tool Chest coffee table from last year.  Actually, this entire paint scheme is the same, wood top, black outside, blue insides.  I’m seeing a trend here 🙂

I painted the remainder of the desk  with black chalk paint.  I like to start anything with spindles (usually chairs) upside down to get into all the nooks and crannies.  Turn right side up, and finish painting.

After the stain had a chance to dry, I finished the top with 2 coats of Watco’s Danish Oil.   Let dry thoroughly between coats and use fine steel wool to buff and remove any bumps.  It makes a beautiful finish.

I knew the desk top slid out, see those 2 little thumb holes in the front part of the desk, but it wasn’t until my hubby came home and beat on it for a bit that we were finally able to unstick the top.  I could finally finish up the project.

The top is beautiful and shows no signs of wear which is amazing considering his age.

I did add a couple of knobs to the front of the desk so his front wasn’t quite so plain and to give someone else the idea that he really does open.

I finally got the full desk top painted. Once it got unstuck, I found it was really easy to paint since it lifts right out.  All of the black chalk paint was finished with antiquing wax and also buffed with fine steel wool.

Such a cute little desk.  While he once was probably a handy writing desk, now he is the perfect size to hold a laptop.  Times, they are a changing.

Until next time, stay inspired.

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