Diamond in the Rough

Look what I picked up for twenty bucks at Goodwill yesterday.

I’ve been thinking lately that as I spend more and more time using both my computer (for blogging) and my sewing machine (for creating), that maybe it would be a good idea to give each their own dedicated space. Here’s an older keepin’ it real pic of the Ikea dining table that I use as a desk (taken before I got my new computer).

It’s definitely long and luxurious, but between the computer, the sewing machine, and the bulky printer I refuse to replace until it’s busted, there’s no space left to write a note, wrap a gift, or assemble any one of my endless parade of craft projects, sending me to the floor or the dining room table to get things done and thus expanding the chaos.

Plus, the current desk has no drawers to contain all my sewing notions, sending me up and down throughout any given project to where my scissors, extra thread, seam ripper, straight pins, etc. are stored across the room.

So I decided a few weeks ago to be on the lookout for a small writing desk with drawers, and this little lady was exactly what I was looking for. The awesome paint job is a bonus.

Some of the leopard (?) paint came off when I removed the price tag. Darn.

I’d never bought anything at Goodwill before that I couldn’t carry to the register. I wasn’t really sure what to do. Turns out you should take the tag or taped on piece of paper or whatever it is they have the price written on and bring it to the register to pay, then they’ll have someone help you carry it out. I probably could have carried it myself (and in fact did carry it into the house by myself to impress Nick with my lady muscles), but I had thirty bucks worth of brass whatnots in one hand and didn’t really want to test my abilities in front of all my fellow Goodwill shoppers.

I popped it into a corner of the front room, since I’m hoping to gradually transition it into an office/family room over the next few months. I don’t know if it’ll stay in that exact spot long term, but it works for now.

How do you think I should paint it? Long term, I’m planning to paint the walls gray and bring in a (coincidentally) all-white hodgepodge of new and existing furnishings (slipcovered sofa, bookshelves, desk). Add in the white curtains and trim and there will be plenty of room for a healthy dose of color.  I’m thinking of maybe taking a hint from Claude the peacock and going with some sort of emerald or greeny gold hue. Or maybe mint? I’m kind of loving the idea of mint…