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February 5, 2013

A Black and White Desk And Self Doubt

I was so excited to find a little writing desk at the thrift store


As soon as I saw it I totally envisioned how I was going to transform it...Do you do that?


So here is where the self doubt comes in.   My friend Jack was over and I asked him to help me carry the desk into the house.  He said "What are you going to do with this"?  So, I started to tell him my vision and he said "Oh no, the top is all wrong, you have to change it, or something"   I said "No, the top is fine, wait till I paint it"  Jack continued to interrupt my vision  "You will have to round the corners..The bottom is ok, but"  So, I said "You will just have to wait and see"....


....But then I started doubting myself....Well, maybe I should change the top?  Maybe this was a bad buy?   So I was out in the garage rummaging around looking for something I could use for a new top.  I couldn't find anything......Oh poop, I'll just get out the paint and see what I can do!


Well, look at that Jack, it's looking mighty fine!   I used a drawer liner from the dollar store....


...And heirloom white paint and semigloss black.  I finished it off with clear wax on the top and painted the knob......I'm really liking the black a white!
When I brought it into my antiques booth at Orange Tree the girls that work there loved it!  I priced it at $85.00

OK, lesson learned! ...No more self doubt!

Now, I invite you all to join me in this very mature salute to Jack
Happy Creating!
Carol 

 Are you getting your girls ready for the dress form ball??

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50 comments:

  1. Shabby chic SandyFebruary 5, 2013 at 3:55 AM

    I love your salute to Jack :) It looks great!

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  2. Heart Vintage Design February 5, 2013 at 4:49 AM

    Sometimes I just have to tell Mr Vintage to stop. He went on and on about a vintage shoe factory cart I had and how it needed to go tothe dump. It sold for $225 and that quieted him down! Great transformation!

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  3. Old Time CindyFebruary 5, 2013 at 6:27 AM

    It looks great! Joining you in the salute to Jack!!!
    Farmhouse hugs,
    Cindy

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  4. Sissie's Shabby CottageFebruary 5, 2013 at 6:34 AM

    Hi Carol,
    Okay, so somebody does know "jack!"
    I think the little desk is adorable and will not last long.
    Be prepared to tell it goodbye.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  5. debiFebruary 5, 2013 at 6:57 AM

    Oh, it's beautiful!! Very French chic. You were right, he was wrong. :)

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2013 at 7:29 AM

    It looks so "chic"! And your salute to Jack, well, priceless, lol!

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  7. HosannaFebruary 5, 2013 at 7:36 AM

    Really classy! I love it. :)

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  8. A Southern RoseFebruary 5, 2013 at 8:56 AM

    It turned out beautiful! Love it!

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  9. sunnyskiesandsweetteaFebruary 5, 2013 at 8:56 AM

    Ha ha!! Very mature indeed Carol :)! I'm right there with you, so sorry Jack!

    xoxo,
    Amy Jo

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  10. SusanFebruary 5, 2013 at 9:28 AM

    I love the transformation. It will sell fast!

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  11. DonnaFebruary 5, 2013 at 9:50 AM

    What a great makekover! Your pretty desk is proof that we should listen to our own instincts, and not be swayed by the neigh sayers!

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  12. Ceekay-THINKIN of HOMEFebruary 5, 2013 at 11:00 AM

    well there you go! You knew what it needed and you were right!! I love the black and white! very Chanel.

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  13. GARAGE SALE GALFebruary 5, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    Well, I don't know "jack", but I do know you and your talent!
    As they say, "Stay true to yourself"!
    It will sell quickly!
    Warmly,
    deb

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  14. CreateologyFebruary 5, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    I hope Jack enjoys his salute. Too funny! The little black and white desk is tres chic and I would buy it in a heart beat. Never doubt your vision my dear Carol. This is why we don't always need to listen to men!! Blissful selling...

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  15. ConnieFebruary 5, 2013 at 11:28 AM

    Hee, hee, hee . . . I guess you showed Jack . . . You have such a creative mind, you should never doubt it. At that price your table will probably be gone before your next visit to the shop.
    It is beautiful ... Job well done :)
    Your blogging sister, Connie:)
    P.S. Now I'm going to check out your last March's archives:)

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  16. farmhouse-storyFebruary 5, 2013 at 11:32 AM

    it's darling, carol:) poor jack!

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  17. BluebirdbasketryFebruary 5, 2013 at 12:38 PM

    Carol,

    Of course it turned out beautiful! Tell Jack thanks for the input - lol. LOVE the salute...

    Sue

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  18. NancyFebruary 5, 2013 at 1:01 PM

    Hi Sweet Carol!

    Oh Crap I put up with that all the time from Mr. My Way will Look Better! In one ear and out the other~ It looks beautiful Carol!!

    Huggs, Nancy

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  19. DebbieFebruary 5, 2013 at 1:40 PM

    Saluting Jack!! That's so funny! I know exactly what you're talking about, too. I tend to let others get me to second guess.

    As for you, you have such a track record of success you should never ever let anyone get you to second guess.

    I love the desk, btw.

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  20. KathyFebruary 5, 2013 at 2:47 PM

    Good for you for sticking to your instincts. When something tells me what it wants to be I find that it is usually right!

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  21. Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️February 5, 2013 at 3:19 PM

    I love the desk Carol!!!

    I see my vision in my head first too :) Then I create it. If I tell my husband my vision he gives me that look. lol

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  22. Jan from WyomingFebruary 5, 2013 at 4:57 PM

    I love the colors and have no problem with the top. Glad you stuck with your instincts! Very pretty!

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  23. Celestina MarieFebruary 5, 2013 at 5:05 PM

    Carol, WOW I want that desk. It turned out fabulous and would be perfect in my house. Too bad I can't come and shop!!
    This is how I design. I always see it finish before I start. It just works for me. Glad you followed your instincts too. It will show you the way.
    Fabulous!!
    Hugs, Celestina Marie

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  24. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresFebruary 5, 2013 at 5:06 PM

    I love it! OK, no more self doubt, right? I'm sure it won'd last long in your booth...a steal at $85.00.

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  25. DianeFebruary 5, 2013 at 5:21 PM

    Very funny! And a wonderful transformation-- love that drawer liner.

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  26. Mrs. Kelley DibbleFebruary 5, 2013 at 7:09 PM

    I learn immensely intense lessons from events like this. It just challenges me to go with my gut (heart) anyway!

    Thanks for your transparency. YOU WERE RIGHT!

    Kelley~

    P.S. Stunningly perfect-now desk! :D

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  27. Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. OlsonFebruary 5, 2013 at 9:03 PM

    Oh Carol I love it! Here's a big raspberry to Jack. lol! I think it will fly out of there for that price. I am painting a vintage desk that once was my dads. Doing it all white and sanding. Wonderin now if I should do the top black. Self, doubt! Hee-hee. Actually, I am leaving the drawers stained so I can remember what it was like when my dad sat at it. He passed away when I was only 9 mnths. old so I never knew him. Marking my calender for the big event. Penelope could use a new dress!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  28. Stacy's Shabby ShoppeFebruary 5, 2013 at 10:24 PM

    Take that Jack!!! LOL! Love the desk! xo

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  29. BECKYFebruary 5, 2013 at 11:11 PM

    Love this Carol!! It looks awesome! You are just the queen of makeovers!!

    And I adore your clay tags! Love the decals, and bet you could use napkins or tissue paper too! Might steal that idea!! Thanks for sharing!

    Gave a little shout out to you, and posted pics of my chippy shelf you talked me into!

    So glad the wedding went well! Geez...our lives have been quite full, huh? Would love to get together for lunch again soon!

    Hugs,
    Becky

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  30. Linda @ Itsy Bits And PiecesFebruary 5, 2013 at 11:47 PM

    That turned out beautifully, Carol! I'm sure it will sell quickly!

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  31. RhissannaFebruary 6, 2013 at 12:46 AM

    I understand about the self doubt. I get around that by never telling anyone what I'm going to do!

    Your vision is exactly that. YOUR vision. Advice is nice, and sometimes inspiring, but if you have an intuitive flash of what you want to do, you owe it to yourself to see the vision through.(That rhumes!) If you don't, you just get things designed by committee. Where's the excitment in that?

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  32. Maureen WyattFebruary 6, 2013 at 1:14 AM

    I suppose Jack doesn't realize just exactly who you are or he wouldn't question your vision. Next time, just explain that you are (in caps) THE POLKA DOT CLOSET!

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  33. pogonipFebruary 6, 2013 at 1:52 AM

    I love black and white together. And I've found my first instincts are usually right. I'm sure Jack's top would have worked too--but yours came out awesome without any extra work.

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  34. TeresaFebruary 6, 2013 at 8:08 AM

    Fashionwise I'm known for saying "in case of doubt, go black and white" ahahahahah.
    Seems that it applies to DIY too ahah

    The piece is lovely and when you started the post I envisioned that look you always seem to enjoy - the patinas and shabby chic touches but WOW talk about a great surprise. When I was already surrended to your gift the lining on the drawer put the bow.

    Wonderful! Can you imagine the delicate look it will get when it starts wearing? I can. The Polka Dot Closet managed another everlasting beauty.

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  35. AnonymousFebruary 6, 2013 at 12:59 PM

    it did turn out beautiful, glad you listened to yourself and not jack!

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  36. decorayadoraFebruary 6, 2013 at 2:18 PM

    Hola Carol,
    the little desk is adorable and I love black and white together.
    That turned out beautifully

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  37. Sue at SerendipityFebruary 6, 2013 at 3:18 PM

    Thhbbbtt, Jack!

    The desk is lovely!! No more self doubt, I hope....

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  38. StampindamourFebruary 6, 2013 at 5:50 PM

    It's gorgeous, dah-ling!!!

    -PaMeLa ;)

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  39. AnonymousFebruary 6, 2013 at 10:21 PM

    Never doubt your creative vision!
    It's beautiful...job well done.....and I adore the drawer liner...a perfect compliment to the piece.


    Ciao bella.
    Creative Carmelina

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  40. Rebecca NelsonFebruary 6, 2013 at 11:09 PM

    I'm going to ASSUME that JACK is a man.

    Sometimes men a pigs.

    :)

    Enough said. The desk is MAH-VAH-LOUS!

    Love you~

    Rebecca

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  41. pipigirlFebruary 7, 2013 at 12:27 AM

    i like!!!! the liner inside.... i found some material very very close to that, same colors. i covered a stool for my vanity that i did and the stool looks really nice. vanity set was my 1st "creation". next a 100 yr old bed:):) top, bottom and sideboards. 10.00. vanity 5.00 stool 4.00 together....priceless.....

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  42. DebbiedoosFebruary 7, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    Take that Jack, he doesn't know what he is talking about. What a little beauty this is.

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  43. ohiofarmgirlFebruary 7, 2013 at 3:07 PM

    Love it!!! Dianntha

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  44. karen@somewhatquirkyFebruary 7, 2013 at 5:04 PM

    Oh I'm a black and white lover from way back. It never lets you down. This desk is beautiful!

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  45. Linda@Coastal CharmFebruary 7, 2013 at 10:12 PM

    Charming little table Carol!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  46. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2013 at 12:52 AM

    I really do think men have a hard time with envisioning-- Bill never gets it yet he knows I have good vision for things so he just tells me to go for it! (love that man!)

    Your little table turned out fantastic!!! Love the pretty paper in the drawer too!

    Got a Silhouette machine and what little time I have I've been trying to figure that thing out!! Gosh it is much more complicated then I had imagined!

    bee blessed
    mary

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  47. OliviaFebruary 8, 2013 at 10:11 PM

    OH sugar I love it! Always, always, always trust your heart! xoxo
    Olivia

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  48. TootsieFebruary 9, 2013 at 7:28 PM

    OOHHH!!! you did a wonderful job! love the table now!
    just found your site and happy that I did....I am a new follower...and hope you will pop over sometime! I offer gardening, junkin, decorating and a little fun!

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  49. Little Miss MaggieFebruary 9, 2013 at 11:58 PM

    Love your little table in black and white. You should have no self doubt. Great job and very modern looking. Did I say modern? Vintage chic. Very nice.

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  50. MaureenFebruary 17, 2013 at 12:30 PM

    LOL! Always go with your gut feeling.

    And ignore the men... ;)

    It turned out fantastic!!!

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