Wednesday, October 22, 2014

One Room Challenge - Week Four


Welcome to Week Four of The One Room Challenge. I am in the process of transforming my traditional red library into a glamorous and feminine space for myself for blogging and interior design. To catch up on weeks one, two, and three, click on the gold ORC button in my sidebar.

My goal this week was to decide on a desk. After getting rid of my massive mahogany desk, I fell in love with how huge my office feels. I decided I wanted a gold leaf and glass desk that was not too large. All I really need in there is a computer desk for my iMac. This Worlds Away Brentwood Desk above is just the look I love but too large and about $1,700.

I already had sitting in my office this Ikea Vittsjo Laptop Desk. I used it previously for my printer and my inbox. I have been using it temporarily as my desk while I hunted for a new desk.


I suddenly realized three things.

*First, it is very much the same style as the Worlds Away Brentwood Desk.
*Second, it is the size I was looking for.
*Third, I already owned it, so it was free. The original cost was $39.99.

I decided to gold leaf it myself. What was the worst that could happen?

I first thought about gold spray paint, but decided against it. The gold is not as rich as I would like and the finish ends up too even - I want it to look like gold leaf.

I then thought about real gold leaf. Having used real gold leaf sheets on a Martha Stewart project a while back, I decided with all these thin metal surfaces it would be a real pain.

So I turned to liquid gold leaf. I have used this stuff a bunch before and it is wonderful. I headed to Michael's and bought two bottles of Plaid Liquid Leaf in Classic Gold and two thin sponge brushes. The thin size sponge brush is important so it fits into that little bottle.



Coat number one took me 30 minutes. I waited 1 hour for it to dry - it dries so fast - and put on coat number two - another 30 minutes. I still need to put on an acrylic sealer to prevent tarnishing.

The cost was about $20.00 and it looks fantastic! Here it is drying in my laundry room.




Here are some darling gold accessories I found to style the desk.

Jonathan Adler Gold Carnaby Stacking Dish

Giraffe Ring Holder - from my collection - no longer available from Anthropologie - I will use it for paper clips

Kate Spade Gold Dot Cloverdale Vase - from my collection - no longer available - for fresh flowers on my desk

Kate Spade Light Up the Room Candle

Kate Spade Bow Paper Clips

Kate Spade Patterned Erasers

Kade Spade 2015 Agenda

I guess you are getting the idea that I have gone wild over gold for my desk.

Now let's go see what the rest of the gang has been up to this week -

21 comments:

  1. I love it gold!!! How awesome to be able to redo that gorgeous baby. Can't wait to see it with all your fun finds on it. That vase is killer!

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  2. I've never heard of this liquid gold leaf business- amazing! The desk looks gorgeous and I actually prefer it's thin profile to the WA one. Nice work!

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  3. Brilliant! The gold finish looks amazing. I've tried the sheets of gold leaf before and it was a huge fail for me. Thank you for sharing this!
    xx

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  4. Your desk looks fabulous!!! And love all the accessories!

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  5. Seems like an Aha moment to me! I think you will be pleased with the $$$ you saved that you can spend on other things:) And how easy is that gold leaf paint.

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  6. I love the gold!! It looks amazing and can hardly wait to liquid gold a few things myself now. Can't wait to see more!!

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  7. Perfect! I love how it turned out. And it seems like it wasn't too messy? I love the end result. And of course your gold accessories are just perfect.

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  8. Real gold leaf is not for the faint of heart. The liquid gold leaf makes life so much easier and it looks fantastic to boot. Great makeover. You know I love anything gold so I am a big fan of the accessories. Cannot wait to see this room!

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  9. Beth the desk done with the liquid gold leaf is perfect! I have used it as well. A little goes a long way and it is so easy to work with.

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  10. I am thrilled that I read this post this morning, you have no idea! I have been rearranging and pulling pieces from other rooms in my house and pulled a side table in that I was considering gold leafing. the liquid sounds so much easier. I, like you, wanted more than a spray paint job!

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  11. I love the desk. I have used that paint before and love it. Those accessories are lovely. I think I need the erasers. This is going to be so chic.

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  12. Love the desk! It turned out amazing, I have never tried liquid gold before, looks just as good as gold leaf without the expense.

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  13. I love it and also love the price! SO glad you decided to keep the desk and gold leaf it. I love love love gold!

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  14. Beautiful job! Perfect alternative to the gold spray. Thanks for sharing! :) and... how is that gorgeousness your laundry room??! It looks like the chicest mudroom.

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  15. I'm so excited to try that gold leaf! The desk looks amazing & loove your accessories! XX jana

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  16. Wow, what you've done looks GORGEOUS!! I can't believe how cheap and how good! Why would anyone not do this?

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  17. I love it, I have been going wild for gold on my desk too. I did a Kate Spade copy cat look a few months ago and I love it all. This is going to look amazing.

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  18. Liquid Leaf is the best and the desk looks fabulous!!

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  19. Genius! I just went out and bought the same desk today! We'll see if I have as much success!

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  20. I tried the gold leafing on my side tables!!! It doesn't look as good as your desk, but I am SO glad you convinced me to try it!

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