How I Added Personal Style to a Vintage Oak Desk

I can’t wait to share with you how I added personal style to a vintage oak desk.

A desk that didn’t work

When we first moved into our home, the area that would become my office/studio already had a built-in desk. Originally I thought that I would just reface the cabinets and add my own little quirky style, which I did.

However, after spending many hours sitting at my desk, I decided I really didn’t like the height of it (counter height). I was also sick of sitting in a barstool chair, feet dangling, even though it was padded and moderately comfortable.

So I did what anyone would do. I started perusing Facebook Marketplace.

The Facebook Marketplace hunt

My main criteria was size. The side of the room where my desk goes is more narrow. I believe it may have originally been part of the attic that a past owner had converted into a large closet/office. The room started out different than it looks now, but that’s another story. Back to the desk.

So I began to hunt for anything from french style writing tables to small farm tables, and finally settled in on finding a smaller oak desk. I definitely wanted drawers, and a surface deep enough to hold my desktop and provide space for me to work.

Soon the hunt was over and I found a small oak desk, with one bank of drawers. Best part, it fit in my car and was only $10 cause it was pretty beat up. It also was the perfect size for the room, without overwhelming it.

Adding some personal style

If you know me at all, I can’t do boring. So it was out of the question for me to just put the desk in and leave it as is. Also, there were some weird scratches on the front that I wanted to hide. Of course, I considered painting it with my Bungalow 47 Furniture Paint, but decided on a different route.

I had recently been to a local architectural salvage and had bought some old moulding in bright colors that I had earmarked for a project that I hadn’t done yet. I decided that the perfect way to make the desk mine was to add some colorful details on the outside.

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If you love to decorate your home, make fun projects, and create a unique space full of personal style OR if you are interested in learning how, then you are in the right place!

Let’s talk about home decor, vintage, how-to’s, and all the home inspiration to help you make your space a true reflection of YOU and your personal style!

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Hey, Jill here. I’m excited to share my passion for design, vintage, and all things home. I look forward to hearing your questions and comments.

A simple and easy fix

I cut lengths of many different colors of old moulding to sit inside the desk front and side insets. The edges would be kept rough, but I like it and it matched the style of that side of my office.

I attached the pieces with my nail gun and glue and just like that, it felt more like me. That was all it needed! Sometimes the solution is an easy fix and you should never be afraid to make something exactly how you want it.

My little oak desk

Now my workspace is just what I needed. It has enough drawers to hold the items I frequently use, and the surface space to house my desktop and planner book.

My favorite little feature is the pullout breadboard that provides another workspace for me. I use it often and I love the little checkerboard feature that was there when the desk came to me.

Your space, your way

Whether we are working, or playing in a creative space, or simply living, always choose to make things how you like them. So many times we ‘settle’ for something just to get by, and that is never a good feeling.

Even if your budget is tight, creativity can be the thing that drives you to think outside the box and come up with a solution to get what you want. Paint is also so transformative, and easy to make an item feel more your style and add a pop of color.

I have found that with each tweak that I make, I feel more and more comfortable in a space when I am showing up how I want to be there. Adding personal style to a space becomes very meaningful.

For more inspiration, follow along here. Tell me in the comments, what was your favorite little change you have made to make something feel more you?

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