Good morning!
It has been some hot, hot, hot work days out in the shop. So hot that I was dreaming about shade when I gave this little desk a makeover. Once finished, it reminded me of the banks along the Rogue River in Shady Cove – a quaint, beautiful little town in Southern Oregon not too far from Crater Lake National Park.
Do you see the tall trees casting their shadows over the cool dirt floor heading to the water? That illusion was brought to you courtesy of Coco ASCP, antique walnut stain, clear wax and a lot of elbow grease.
I wish I had the before shot to show you. It was layered in shellac and brown paint and veneers and who knows what else. John got the hankerin’ to get out the sander and other handy-dandy tools to get all of those layers off for me. It was so nice to have it just prepped and ready to go! Unfortunately, by the time I got out there, a true before shot was not possible and the somewhat before shot didn’t give the real story.
But I do know one thing…that “idea” of having somebody else do the prep work for me? Uh, yeah, precedent has definitely been set.
Can you see my happy dance?!
I wanted it to have a smooth but rustic finish.
A Restoration Hardware mimic that embraces it’s flawed history.
What?
Doesn’t everybody think “faux sheepskin” and “ high desert tumbleweeds” when styling for photographs?
It is a shady character that’s for sure! It even lured a seatless chair to join the party.
I’ll be delivering this piece to Indulge tomorrow and then it will be back home to get ready to hit the road with our soon-to-be far-far-away college student.
and
= Code for bittersweet.
**************************************************
Don’t forget….while I’m gone, there will be a Parade going on around here.
A Parade of Homes.
A Parade of STUNNING homes.
Oh, and today’s forecast? 104 degrees.
The shop is closed.
Be inspired,
Linking to:
MONDAY
Cowgirl Up! at Crafty Texas Girls
Get Your Craft On – Today’s Creative Blog
Metamorphosis Monday
Home Stories A To Z
Thrifty Decor Chick - First Monday of Every Month
TUESDAY
Shades Of Amber Chalk Paint Party
DIY By Design
Project Queen
Tip Junkie
My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia
Elizabeth & Co.
Not Just A Housewife
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
WEDNESDAY
Primitive and Proper
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Restore Interiors
Primp
domestically speaking: power of paint party
THURSDAY
My Repurposed Life
beyond the picket fence
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
house of hepworths
36th avenue
FRIDAY
Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence
Frugalicious Fridays at Finding Fabulous
Chic On A Shoestring
Miss Mustard Seed
Remodelaholic
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Tater Tots and Jello
Addicted2Decorating
Get Schooled Saturday @ Too Much Time On My Hands
Funky Junk Interiors
The DIY Showoff
Be Different Act Normal
SUNDAY
Sisters of the Wild West – Sister Sunday Link Party
Nifty Thrifty Things
Under The Table And Dreaming
Turning lifetime passion into livelihood. It's about time! I'm Shari. I am a 40-something wife, mother, corporate professional turned design stylist, avid sports fan, and usually exhausted 24/7 keeping up with it all. I love my family, my home, my work...and the chaos that comes with it. I also happen to adore my beagle, Scout. 
OMG Shari, this look is absolutely gorgeous!!! LOVE it!!
It’s so pretty!
All I got out of that was 104*
LOL
You poor thing!!!!
104! Eesh! I love how the desk turned out, gorgeous. How is it painting with ASCP in that kind of heat? Was the clear wax able to dry? I’m curious because I’ve read to avoid using her products in the heat/humidity.
Ah yes….. bittersweet.
~Bliss~
Gor.geous. And that styling???? Totally makes those shots sing!
Seriously 104? It’s only going to be 71 here today! I’ll send some cool breezes your way…should be there in a few days. 
Thinking of you this weekend, friend.
Really stunning! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from At the Picket Fence. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-10.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Wow, you have outdone yourself again! This piece is stunning. I haven’t tried the stain over paint trick yet, but I am definitely going to soon. The finish is so pretty, far better than mass produced Restoration Hardware. Yes, I am all for having someone else do the prep work. I have a sweet friend who helps me out, and it is a win-win for both of us. She makes some money, and I get to come in and just do the fun part!
Hi, I’m visiting from BNOTP’s MM. Your desk turned out beautifully. Is that barbed wire on the wall? I love it along with the tumbleweeds and sheepskin rug.
Be still my heart! This finish is to die for!! My husband would love for his dresser to have this look! Maybe, just maybe we’ll try! Pinning this one for later!
It’s so pretty. You did a great job with the distressed finish. Btw, I have a son leaving for college in a few days as well, so I understand:(
Your desk is fabulous. I adore ASCP and never tried it in CoCo but must admit it looks fantastic on your piece.
great job.
rita
Oops… had to come back as i forgot to say I’m loving your seatless chair, too!
rita
Shady Grove just sounds like a nice spot to go fishing or have a picnic.
This looks amazing and I would have a hard time parting with it. Oh, and I love the tumbleweeds!
Hugs, Angie
This desk is FABULOUS! I would love love love it, if it were mine.
I’m working on a gold mirror that I am refinishing with Annie Sloan Duck Egg and was just thinking about using an antiquing stain since I can’t find dark wax locally. Your desk has inspired me to go for it.
I’ve also sent two daughters away to college and I know all about that bittersweet feeling. I ‘feel’ ya {as some of the kids say or used to say – hard to keep up without having kids in the house}!
Love the lines and finish! Beautiful! Would love for you to share over at My Monday Muse tomorrow!
Hope to see you there!
Christie
What a beautiful finish you achieved! Very Restoration Hardware!