Desk rescued from the dump

Hanny · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:24 am Post subject: Desk rescued from the dump

Found an old desk going to the dump. Repaired walnut veneer where possible. Lower drawers had to be replaced/resurfaced. Top was missing and was replaced with an MDF board.
Primed with Shellac - pale yellow oil primer - shellac - then taped off for Satin wood rim.
Then taped off diagonally into quarters - taped off centre medaillon freehand (Yuk!) Started to paint in faux Italian Walnut in sections. Underpaintings done in waterbased glazes covered by de-waxed shellac separating layer. Then proceeded to detailing with artist oil paints in glazing layers. Finished with 4 or 5 layers of BM 1 hour varnish with a gently 360 grit scuffing in between layers. Final polishing was done with 600/1000 grade sandpaper followed by gently polishing with rottenstone/0000 steel wool and old salad oil. Lastly waxed the top once.
Now the desk is supposed to be free standing and it has gone back to my furniture maker for a brand new back in baltic plywood. After the plywood looks like walnut I will post more pictures.

Hanny · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:28 am Post subject:

here are some more images

mpg · Joined: 10 Sep 2007 Posts: 603 Location: Nebraska

WOW! Nice save!

1st year apprentice · Joined: 22 Jan 2010 Posts: 2043 Location: Scotland

I can only dream of doing that. Thats hat dreams are for, one day/

so good.

Brian

sonol'artista · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:40 pm Post subject:

What a beautiful example of Italian walnut! This is a work of art! I love seeing something rescued and given back the respect it originally had. You took it to a whole new level with that top. Truly wonderful!

Theresa

strongv · Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:20 pm Post subject:

Now where is my "like" button?!

Nice save!

cleta · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3232 Location: Chapel Hill, NC

Oh! That is fantastic!! You are totally rocking the Italian walnut.

alliekat · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 2:12 am Post subject:

wow ...that is impressive..

anita · Joined: 16 Jun 2006 Posts: 2736 Location: upstate New York

THat is sooo amazing!!!! I love it when items are rescued from dump.

msarts · Joined: 19 May 2007 Posts: 642 Location: Maryland

It's lovely. You're keeping it I hope!

Pat · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 8:55 pm Post subject:

Good question! Are you keeping it?

Deelite · Joined: 22 Dec 2008 Posts: 766 Location: Baltimore

I LOVE THE DUMP!!! I've scored a few gems there but nothing like that!

Hanny · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:29 pm Post subject:

Hello all and thank you for your lovely comments. There is nothing like it, especially since I am entirely self-taught. All I know came from Pierre Finkelstein's books and the collective expertise on this wonderful forum. Thank your for all your helpful 'how-to' posts over the years. And yes Pat, I am keeping this one.
Actually, I am keeping most of the pieces I have ever worked on as I am too senior to do it again. There are still cubic feet of potential treasures in my studio and I am only doing this because I was born with Champagne taste on a draft beer budget....lol. I was lucky to have been raised by a set of parents who took me to every Museum my home town (Munich) had to offer. I guess they permanently ruined a potential Ikea customer.
Happy New Year and may all your creative juices flow freely.
Hanny

kawear · Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 11:41 am Post subject:

Love it. I have been doing a ton of furniture lately.

Fauxnista · Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 488 Location: Atlanta, GA

Wow......Looks great.

arlene · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 7769

Beautifully finished!

Deelite · Joined: 22 Dec 2008 Posts: 766 Location: Baltimore

Any more photos with the back completed?? Can't stop looking at the photos. What an awesome piece of work.