DIY Network

Draped Desk Fabric and molding add drama to a desk. From "From Junky to Funky" episode DFJF-304

In this segment, host Samantha Gleisten uses tin molding and draped fabric to create a dramatic look for an old desk.

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Materials:

vanity
tin awning
sari fabrics
oak plywood
3/4" birch plywood
picture frame molding
trim molding
3/4" MDF
textured patterned wallpaper
gold metallic paint
red acrylic paint
faux glaze
metal angle brackets
screw hooks
table saw
chop saw
jig saw
nail gun
paint brush
roller
rubber mallet
orbital sander
tin snips
pinking shears
scissors
power drill
staple gun

Desk and Shelves

1. Cut a 56" x 25" rectangle out of MDF using a table saw.

2. Cut a piece of oak plywood on the table saw slightly larger than the MDF to allow for the overhang onto the molding.

3. Hold the molding in position up to the edge of the desk, and then mark the bottom of the plywood with a pencil. Glue the plywood to the MDF in this position using weights, and then leave for an hour to ensure an even bond.

4. Cut picture frame molding to size for the front and sides of the MDF for trim. Miter the corners at a 45-degree angle on the chop saw for the two front corners and keep them flat in the back. Since the length of the desk is longer than the molding, join the two pieces of picture frame together in the middle.

5. Attach the molding to the MDF with wood glue and finishing nails, making sure to apply a bead of glue where the molding meets the plywood overhang.

Figure A

6. Cut three shelves out of 3/4 inch birch plywood. Cut the trim molding to size for the fronts and sides, using the chop saw to miter 45-degree angles at the corners. Attach using wood glue and finishing nails (figure A).

7. Cut six decorative brackets out of 3/4 inch solid pine or oak boards with a jig saw.

8. Remove the mirror and middle drawer "floor" from the vanity to access the underside in order to attach the desk top to the vanity top.

9. Using wood glue and screws, permanently attach the flip-top of the vanity to its base.

Paint

1. Clean the desk with a little soap and water, and then allow it to dry.

2. Mix two parts acrylic red paint with one part faux glaze. In a separate container, mix one part gold paint with one part faux glaze. Paint the entire vanity with the red glaze allowing some of the base color to show. Let dry.

3. Apply a layer of the gold glaze over the entire vanity and let dry.

4. Paint the hardware with the gold paint. Allow it to dry.

5. Seal the entire vanity using gloss polyurethane.

Figure B

6. Stain the brackets, shelves/trim molding, and plywood desk top with red mahogany stain leaving the gold picture molding untouched (figure B).

7. Apply several coats of brush on gloss polyurethane to the entire tabletop/molding, shelves and brackets.

8. After the brackets are dry, paint the 3/4 inch edges with oil based gold metallic paint.

Backer Board and Shelves

1. Find the center of the sheet of MDF by measuring and marking a line down the center of the sheet. Measure and cut at five feet, eight inches (the total height of the backer board).

2. Measure and lightly mark the center of each shelf, and then use the shelves as a template to find where the curved lines of the sides will occur.

3. Start from the bottom and measure up 19 inches for the first shelf. Allow 3/4 inches for the shelf. Measure up another 10 inches for the second shelf. Allow 3/4 inches, and then measure up another eight inches for the top shelf. The top width of the MDF should be 36 inches.

4. Cut out the curved sides using a jig saw.

5. Using white glue, attach the textured wallpaper to the MDF. Wrap around the sides to the back by cutting notches to allow for the curve if necessary. Use a plastic roller to smooth out any air bubbles.

Tip: You can hide the seams of the wallpaper by measuring horizontal strips to correspond with your shelf heights.

6. Paint the wallpaper with the same red as the desk bottom,and then let it dry.

7. Apply the same gold glaze as the desk. Allow to dry, and seal with water based polyurethane. Note: Some dry brushing with gold may be necessary to bring out the detail in the wallpaper.

Crown

1. Flatten the wrinkled parts of the awning with a rubber mallet.

2. Using an orbital sander, sand off as much of the old white glaze as possible.

3. Find an appropriate place to join the two pieces together, and then cut off the excess with tin snips. The overall length of tin should be approximately 4' x 4".

4. Cut three inch slits in the top of the awning three inches apart in order to curve and fold the tin over the top of the MDF circle.

5. Cut a half circle out of MDF with a diameter of three inches and depth of 14 inch for the very top of the crown.

6. Place the top of the tin over a table edge, and then fold tabs over.

Figure C

7. Wrap the tin around the half circle (figure C). Use construction adhesive on the edge of the MDF and small screws to attach the tabs to the top of the MDF.

8. Paint the MDF structure the room color.

9. Paint the tin with gold glaze.

Sari Accents

1. Screw cup hooks into the MDF from underneath, hiding them behind the tin awning.

2. Measure the length and width of the side drawers. Cut four pieces of 1" x 1" with the chop saw, two for the width and two for the length. Pre-drill holes for small screws.

3. Create two panels from the remaining sari to create a desk skirt by measuring the length and width of the fabric needed, doubling the width for pleating. Use pinking shears to cut the top of the fabric.

4. Create a simple hem on the bottom and sides of the fabric with the sewing machine using a straight stitch.

5. Put two of the 1" x 1" pieces (from the length and width of the drawer) side-by-side with about a three inch gap in between to allow room for the desk legs. Staple sari fabric with pleats to the two pieces starting on both ends, and then the center. Keep splitting the centers until all is attached.

6. Cut holes with scissors around the predrilled holes and hot glue the fabric to the wood to keep the drill from catching the fabric.

7. Attach the sticks with fabric to the underside of the desk using small screws.

Chair

1. Use a wire garden chair, and then paint it gold. Allow it to dry, and then apply red glaze.

2. Reupholster the seat and back with leftover sari fabric attaching it with spray adhesive and staples.

Project Cost:

Vanity: Free
MDF, wood: $36
Fabric, rings: $22
Paint, materials: $40

Total: $98