DIY Custom Desk {Reveal}

It's funny how some things in our home just become standard, no matter how much we may despise them ... off the top of my head I can think of several little annoyances I first had about our home that I don't even see anymore. One thing is a scuff on the trim at the top of the stairs. It is only about a 1x1" square smudge that has been there since we moved in, but it drives me insane. Why haven't I just painted over it in about 30 seconds? Well, it's just one of those things I have yet to get to.

One thing I knew I NEEDED to fix {mostly because I was about to go absolutely insane and throw it out the office window} was my desk situation. As a teacher, grad student, crafter/DIYer, and now, I guess, blogger, I really needed a more functional workspace to be able to complete all of the projects that I CONSTANTLY have going on.

I knew that I wanted a desk that was going to be larger than normal with much more room than just a few drawers, as is standard in a typical desk. I also knew I wanted to have some space for my makeup area {just a little mirror and a basket of makeup} because I cannot, for the life of me, stand and do my makeup in the bathroom. I don't know why, but I just can't do it.

So, before we get into the steps on how I tackled this custom-built desk that I absolutely ADORE, lets take a look at the gem I have been using as a desk for the past TWELVE YEARS. TWELVE.

Yep, true story. This is the desk I've had since I was 12 years old. It came as a part of a BUNK BED SET I had in my bedroom. As you can see from the beautiful chipped paint, I had painted the desk bright purple at one point {great choice?} and then covered that up with black paint, which all eventually began to chip throughout the many moves that it was slammed into U-haul truck walls and the like. 

{Just FYI}: Over the past 12 years this desk has moved from Michigan to New York, from New York to Ohio, from my childhood home to my college apartment, from my college apartment to my grown-up apartment, all the way to our first home. It's been around the block, AND BACK. Needless to say, not only was this thing a complete eyesore, it was not functional for my needs in the slightest. At 12 years old, this was plenty of space for a couple "Teen People" magazines and some lipgloss, but girlfriend has some more serious needs for a desk at this stage in the game.

I found the PERFECT desk for the office based on what I thought I really would need {and use} for storage and organization purposes. The only problem was, the desk I had my eye on was $1200 ... not exactly the kind of money I was planning on spending on a desk, like, ever. {See desk here: Pottery Barn Project Table Desk}

Using this desk as inspiration, I knew we could tackle a DIY desk for WAY less cost, while still achieving the same amount of space and storage.

We started off by purchasing {2} Closetmaid Shelf Organizers. 

I purchased mine at Target for approx. $34/organizer, using a coupon off of the Cartwheel App.

Next, I assembled the shelves. We were expecting these to be a much more daunting task, but we were pleasantly surprised at how little effort they took to complete. At this point, I started playing around with how far apart I wanted the bases of the desk to be. 

Keep in mind, these shelves are about 3' tall, meaning this is one mega-desk.

The next step was to decide how we wanted to create the top of our table. I knew I wanted a dark top with a white base {similar to our dining room table}, but I wasn't sure which type of wood was going to work best or be most cost-effective. I love the Minwax stain: Dark Walnut {I feel like I use it for everything}, and figured I would just use that for the top since we already have a can in the garage.

Now, please keep in mind that while I try really hard at DIY projects, and typically get them to come out pretty great, I do have epic fails at least 1x during the project, where I later ask myself, "REALLY? What was I thinking?!" This was one of those moments.

After spending approx. 45 minutes on the floor of Lowes' lumberyard, arranging and re-arranging different types of wood/widths, etc, we collected the pieces we were going to use. We decided on the wood we wanted to make our top and started to leave the store {finally}. 

As we were hauling the lumber around Lowe's, we spotted some espresso-colored shelves in the home organization aisle. After examining them, we decided they would make the PERFECT top to our desk, if only they would be the right measurements. What are the chances that they added up to the exact length and width that we wanted for our desk top? {With us, that would be a 0% chance, on a good day}. So, again, we sprawled across the floor, laying out our boards to see how it would look. We loved it and decided to go this route. These boards were already stained & finished {their real purpose is to be used as shelving in a closet}, and were cheaper than the lumber we were originally going to use. SCORE! 

We got home and started putting the desk together! We worked from the front of the desk towards the back, which ended up being a great plan. There is a slight discrepancy of maybe 1/4" towards the back of the desk, but the only reason you would know is because I just told you. :)

 I LOVE the way the desk turned out! I have so much space to fill with my grad books, crafting supplies, school supplies, etc. As you can {sort of} see, I found a TON of super cute baskets in gray, white, and black in the Target Dollar Spot for $1 each to use in the cubes.

Sophie loves hanging out near her mommy's new desk! 

{Ps. ignore the overflowing garbage, full of wrappers from this project. Photos were taken as soon as we finished. I couldn't wait!}

Final cost breakdown for this custom 6x3' desk:

- {2} Closetmaid Shelving Units - 9 cubes: $34.00/piece, $68.00

(with the use of a Cartwheel App coupon, normally $39.99 at Target)

- {3} Blue Maid Shelves in Espresso: $11.48/shelf, $34.44

Shelves Available Here

- {1} Package of 1" screws to attach top of desk to the base: $5.00

Total cost: $107.44

*I will need to get a bar-stool height chair for this desk, which will be an additional cost, my chair is now too short, as you can see in the photos. I plan on getting a fun-patterned stool with a back from Target's Threshold line. I just have to decide which one I like best!

So, now you know how to create a custom DIY desk for $108, about $1,100 cheaper than the desk I had originally wanted! It is quite the mammoth desk, but I know that I will love having all of the extra space for my supplies/tasks and for organization purposes. :) Now I'm off to start filling my cubes! 

April: favorite {new-to-me} picture books!

Anyone who knows me, knows I am 100% OBSESSED with picture books. Yes, it helps that I am a teacher {and certified literacy specialist} and use them on a daily basis, but I still can't help picking up a few any time I enter a store that sells them. Seriously, it's a problem.

I've been building my classroom library since I first headed to college to start my teaching career! I knew that I wanted to have a large accumulation of books by the time I graduated, and I certainly have done so! I used to spend quite a bit more money on books back then because I thought all of my books needed to be brand spankin' new. I was wrong.

The first time I brought some of my beloved books into my kindergarten student teaching placement, I left with one, and only one, looking like it did when I entered the classroom. At that moment, I realized that books do not HAVE to be brand-new to work fabulously in your classroom. In fact, I've grown to realize that my "well-loved" books have more of a story to tell! When you find little notes written from classroom teachers to students, stamps of kids' names on the inside, and other little gems {like Patricia Polacco's signature in a few Amazon used books I ordered! Score!}, you begin to realize how meaningful the book was to someone before you.

Although I mainly purchase my books {used} on Amazon, I also wander into Goodwill once in awhile to scour the shelves. I recently helped plan our school's first annual Family Literacy Night, and picked up a few {new-to-me} books from the Scholastic Book Fair!

We will start with a fairly simple picture book I recently picked up at my school's Scholastic Book Fair.

Available on Amazon

Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham and Paul Zelinsky is a wonderful picture book for kiddos learning their ABC's, letter-word association, and for ANYONE looking for a laugh! {Seriously, my husband and I were cracking up at some of the pages.} Zebra is telling the ABC story, and forgets to put Moose in on the 'M' page. You'll have to check this one out to see where Moose ends up in the story!

Another book I picked up at the Scholastic Book Fair was Abe Lincoln's Dream by Lane Smith. I'm a big fan of Lane Smith's illustrations and the way he formats his work with interesting fonts and graphics. This book would be a great historical fiction addition to any classroom! I find that I am drawn to books about Abe Lincoln, {thanks to my friend Ashley + her OBSESSION, most likely!}. 

Available on Amazon

This is a super-sweet {and funny} book about a little girl on a field trip to the White House that tags along with Abe Lincoln's ghost. Check it out! 

Next up is yet another hilarious picture book by Drew Daywalt and the {fabulous} Oliver Jeffers. If you haven't checked out any of Oliver Jeffers' work yet, you are SERIOUSLY missing out. I am slightly obsessed with his illustrations. Seriously.

The Day the Crayons Quit is receiving mega-praise on Amazon, as well as other teaching blogs and such. I CAN SEE WHY! This book couples voice, word choice, humor, and amazing illustrations all in one. Duncan's crayons each write him a letter telling him why they want to quit, each with their own hilarious reasons. Definitely one of my favorite picture books so far this year.

Available on Amazon

Sophie gives The Day the Crayons Quit her full-approval! 

Here's a little excerpt to show you what I mean {this page generally gets the most laughs, but doesn't anything with the word underwear?!}...

"Hey Duncan, it's me, PEACH CRAYON. WHY did you peel off my paper wrapping?? Now I'm NAKED and too embarrassed to leave the crayon box. I don't even have any underwear! How would YOU like to go to school naked?"

Last, but CERTAINLY not least, is Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas. This book is great for any kiddo learning to rhyme, or even just for kids looking for a hilarious read-aloud {are you noticing a trend with my book-selections?!} This was a great find at my local Goodwill!

Available on Amazon

In this book, the dust bunnies: Ed, Ned, Ted, & Bob try to RHYME all the TIME! The only problem is, Bob can never seem to get the rhymes quite right. And yes, this is another book that my husband and I were laughing out loud at. {Am I the only one that tortures, I mean, reads, hilarious picture books to my hubs?!}

Here's an excerpt:

"Hello! We are Ed, Ned, Ted ... and Bob. We rhyme all the time!

Hey! What rhymes with car?

Far! Jar! Tar! Look!

No, Bob ... 'LOOK!' does not rhyme with car!"

*Check it out to see why Bob can't seem to get his rhymes down!

Hopefully these are some new titles you haven't heard before! I will try to post some favorite picture books {and novels} monthly, to incorporate as many of my favs as I can! If you have any recommendations, please let me know in the comments below! :)

Are you SURE that isn't granite?!

When we purchased our first home last July, I already had a running list going through my mind of projects that needed to be accomplished.

First up on the list? The fluorescent yellow countertops. Really, swear to God, fluorescent. Keep in mind, our home was built in 1990, we're not talking about a 1960's home where this MAY have been slightly acceptable.

{Here's a before photo. See, I told you they were as bright as the sun.}

We knew we didn't necessarily want to drop a few thousand dollars right after buying our home, which is when Pinterest saved the day. {Doesn't it always?!}

My sister and I began scouring Pinterest for DIY countertop ideas. We kept coming across several kits that could be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot, but we were still trying to find something we could truly do ourselves. That's when we put our crafting skills together, as well as some fabulous crafty people on Pinterest, and decided to PAINT our COUNTERTOPS. This blogger, in particular, had some really great tips on how to tackle this task: Painting the Kitchen Counters

{This photo also shows a few other updates we added: a beadboard backsplash, using Martha Stewart's beadboard foam wallpaper, as well as new cupboard knobs.}

Yep, almost eight months later and the countertops still look as great as the day we finished them. The process was actually super simple, too. We started by applying about 2-3 coats of white primer to really cover up all of that LOVELY yellow, so we could start with a blank slate. Then, we headed to Joann's to pick-up a variety of acrylic paints {we mostly used browns, grays, tans, and a little black}, using our 40% coupons, of course! My sister and I varied the way we applied the paint, using both a sea sponge, as well as a regular cheap paintbrush, with the ends frayed out a little bit. Once the paint had set for about a day, we applied approx. 5-7 coats of Polycrylic {be sure to use this stuff, water-based, or you could end up yellowing your counter!}. The Poly took awhile to dry in between coats, which meant lots of take-out dinners over the next few days, but it was definitely worth it in the end!

Take a look at what a difference some acrylic paint can really make!

I've received so many compliments about the counters to this day! People can't believe that it's not real granite! :) I'm actually tackling our downstairs powder room with the same type of task now. Transforming a boring white-on-white vanity to more of a granite-like feel, as well! 

Stay tuned for the next countertop reveal, coming soon!