How to rejuvenate an old writing desk with paint

You will need

• Sandpaper – 160 and 80 grit
• Cloths and painters tape
• Resene Quick Dry
• Paintbrush
• Soft sanding block or very fine finishing sandpaper
• Resene Lustacryl paint in your choice of colour; Fleur used Resene Fast Forward, Resene Influential, Resene Bi Hoki, Resene Yowza, Resene Untamed and Resene RSVP. As an alternative to Resene Lustacryl you can use Resene testpots for your accent colours as long as they are not used on a painted edge that meets another painted edge.
• Resene Danska Teak Oil
• Resene Wallpaper Collection sample in your choice of design; Fleur used Resene Wallpaper Collection 519846
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Scissors and PVA glue

Instructions

Step 1:  Start by sanding off all the old varnish from the wood areas that you want to remain as a wooden finish. Use 160 grit sandpaper to remove the old varnish, then 80 grit sandpaper to finish the wood to a smooth finish, using finer sandpapers if needed. (Paint stripper could be used on thick/stubborn varnish).

Step 2:  For the areas of wood that are going to be painted, lightly sand the wood to create a ‘key’ for the paint to adhere to. Dust the sanded areas down with a soft clean cloth.

Step 3:  For the areas that are going to be painted, tape them off using painters’ tape and apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry. Once dry, lightly sand with a soft sanding block or very fine sandpaper. Dust down with a clean, dry cloth.

Step 4:  Apply two coats of Resene Lustacryl, allowing the first coat to dry before applying the second coat. Fleur used Resene Fast Forward inside the desk and on the bottom shelf and Resene Influential on the top shelf. Remove the tape as soon as you have finished the second coat and while the paint is still wet.

Step 5:  Measure the cubby holes and cut Resene wallpaper to fit. Glue in place with PVA glue.

Step 6:  For making the pattern on the front of the desk lid, measure carefully and divide the lid into equally sized diamonds. Use painters’ tape to make the pattern and be sure to firmly press the tape into place to prevent bleed through of paint under the tape.

Step 7:  Apply one coat of Resene Quick Dry. Once dry, carefully sand the primer with a soft sanding block or very fine finishing sandpaper and take care not to disturb the tape. Wipe down with a soft dry cloth.

Step 8:  Apply two layers of Resene Lustacryl, allowing the first coat to dry before applying the second coat. Remove the tape as soon as you have finished the second coat and while the paint is still wet. Once finished, leave over night for the paint to cure.

Step 9:  Using a soft dry cloth, rub Resene Danska Teak Oil on to the wooden areas. Wipe off any excess oil with another cloth.

Top tip: If the wooden finish is looking a little the worse for wear and you’d prefer to hide it, paint the entire desk in a Resene Lustacryl colour first, before applying the accent colours.

Styling and images by Fleur Thorpe, 2019.