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IKEA Desk Update and Alexa Lamp

October 1, 2017 By Chelsea Lipford Wolf 11 Comments

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Watch the video above for an easy and pretty way to update an IKEA desk for more function

IKEA Wood Tone Desk Before Update

Here I go again with a particleboard furniture update…but I just love the transformation!!

Particleboard Desk Update on a Budget

This corner of Kelsey’s home office was fairly drab and dark despite the abundance of natural light coming through the windows. But more than adding a very cool lamp and a good coat of paint, we created a larger work surface and made the whole thing look beefier and more substantial.?

The first thing I did was cut off the rounded edge on the right side of the top.

Curved Edge of IKEA Desk Before Makeover

This made it possible to do 2 things-add a larger top and a 1×2 edge band. We used 1/2 inch sanded plywood for the new desk top. The piece on the left side of the desk is 4 inches wider than what was already there. Giving Kelsey just enough space to add a swanky new lamp and still have adequate work space. We used wood glue and set the plywood on top of the existing desk top. Then we used a nail gun to fasten the two pieces together from underneath. That meant we didn’t have any nail holes to putty on the top of the desk!

We used a piece of leftover plywood and attached it to the left leg of the desk. This helped make it look bigger and nicer but also added more support for the heavier new desk top.

Leg of IKEA Desk After Updating with Plywood

Next we added a smooth 1×2 around the front edge of the desk. This created the illusion that the desk top was one chunky piece, like a thick piece of countertop, instead of the two small pieces of plywood that is reality. I used this same beefy trick in a video I did on building a fireplace mantel.

With all of the new materials in place, it was time to paint! I’ve used this paint from Woodcraft before on my Christmas bar cart makeover, but this was the first time I used it on new wood. And let me just say it was great that we didn’t have to prime the raw stuff and then wait for it to dry before we could paint the next coat!

The paint dried fast and then we coated the whole thing with the Guard Dog Topcoat (in Matte) that protects the paint from use and abuse. (I’ve used this on several occasions including these shelves for my little guy’s room. And it’s holding up well!)

We let it cure overnight before accessorizing Kelsey’s ‘new’ desk!

Painted Shelves on Desk After Makeover

**This episode is sponsored by Woodcraft and GE Lighting. However I only work with brands I love! All opinions are honest and 100% my own.

I hinted at it above, but one of the accessories we added was a lamp. But oh my goodness calling it a ‘lamp’ just doesn’t seem right because it’s much more than that. It is actually an Amazon Alexa base station. So anything your Echo or Dot can do, this can do while also illuminating your bedside table, sofa table or desk! It’s called C by GE Sol and it’s now available on amazon.com*! (Don’t forget to watch the video above to see the Sol in action!)

Sol Alexa Lamp from GE Sitting on Desk

Now Kelsey has a bright, happy spot to spend her working hours without having to buy new furniture. With many of my upcycle projects, it just takes a little bit of imagination and (wo)man power to completely transform it into something brand new!

Thanks for Checking In! ~Chelsea

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Comments

  1. JUDY NIEMAN says

    October 1, 2017 at 11:00 am

    I had never seen the clear protective coat you put on top to keep the paint from scratching off. Can you please tell me what this is called and maybe a brand name to look for? I loved the desk. I am thinking of painting an old dresser and headboard in my room. Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Chelsea Lipford Wolf says

      October 4, 2017 at 8:53 am

      I love, love this topcoat! I’ve used it on several different pieces. It’s from Black Dog Salvage, sold at woodcraft.com. I’ve only used the matte sheen, but they have a satin sheen too! https://www.woodcraft.com/products/black-dog-salvage-guard-dog-furniture-paint-topcoat-matte-pintplus Thanks for watching! ~Chelsea

      Reply
  2. Linda Sanko says

    October 1, 2017 at 9:21 pm

    My Dad rebuilt an old stereo cabinet. It has an electrical outlet underneath for my sewing machines. Do you have any plans that would redo a stereo cabinet change over?

    Reply
    • Chelsea Lipford Wolf says

      October 4, 2017 at 8:51 am

      Hi Linda! I’ve never had a stereo cabinet, so I don’t have any plans for a makeover of one! So sorry! ~Chelsea

      Reply
  3. Joanna says

    October 2, 2017 at 7:47 pm

    I need to update my kitchen cabinets. They are birch with wide grain. Should I get new doors or paint? What kind of paint is durable for cabinets?

    Reply
    • Chelsea Lipford Wolf says

      October 4, 2017 at 8:50 am

      Unless you want to change the style of the doors, there’s no reason to get new ones. If they’re stained cabinets, you’ll need to lightly sand them, wipe them down, use a quality primer (I’d recommend B-I-N primer with the red label), then 2-3 coats of a latex enamel paint. Sounds like a nice kitchen refresh! ~Chelsea

      Reply
  4. Susan Hollis says

    October 3, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    I always enjoy your videos!

    Reply
    • Chelsea Lipford Wolf says

      October 4, 2017 at 8:47 am

      Thanks for saying so, Susan! ~Chelsea

      Reply
  5. Barbi Kustritz says

    October 4, 2017 at 3:18 pm

    Very on trend and love the reuse what you already have idea.

    Reply
  6. Susan Hudson says

    October 9, 2017 at 11:12 am

    Hi Chelsea, My name is Susan Hudson and I am the artist in residence at Black Dog Architectural Salvage. I worked with Woodcraft in the development of our paint line. Thanks for this wonderful Blog! You all did a fabulous job on Kelsey’s desk. Let me know if I can ever be help in answering any questions concerning the paint, top coat, application or mixing of the colors. Check out our website http://www.blackdogsalvage.com for color recipes using the 16 pre-mixed colors.
    Sincerely,
    Susan “Swooz” Hudson

    Reply
    • Chelsea Lipford Wolf says

      October 9, 2017 at 11:21 am

      Awesome, Swooz! Thanks for stopping by! I’m a big fan of the Guard Dog top coat and have used it successfully on several projects. Feel free to share my post! ~Chelsea

      Reply

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FINALLY painted this eyesore of a wall and finishe FINALLY painted this eyesore of a wall and finished just before dark last night!🙌🏻 My husband and I decided instead of starting a new project (ahem a baby nursery) we should finish the projects we’ve already started. Since baby is due in the summer, it will be so nice to have our backyard up to par so we can rest and relax out there during recovery. ☺️
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We started this project back in October by stripping and scraping the many layers of paint so we could waterproof the bricks and paint the wall to match the house. But the house was painted exactly a year ago. So it was way past time to knock this huge item of the time-do list. And it feels like such a relief to not have to walk by the unfinished-ness every time we come home now!
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Next up we’ll slowly tackle patching hardwood floors and finish painting and replacing our interior doors that are taking up room in our garage.👏🏻
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