Cuckoo4Design

Desk or bar makeover

DIY projects· furniture makeover

As promised I will show you what I have been working on. Remember my little sneak peaks and teasers last week? Well the succulent was only to confuse you 😉
The little peaks were of this 80s desk or bar makeover…I’m actually not even sure what it is… that I found at a thrift store.

80s bar with wood shelving

Lovely, right? But it reminded me of my blog crush Sarah M. Dorsey‘s furniture makeover for Creating with the Stars. 

When I refurbished mine though, I did a couple of things different. I didn’t want to copy, I just created my own version.

Here is what I did:

I added molding all the way around the bottom and top that I found at my neighbor’s custom kitchen place. Did you see this photo on Instagram when I had the pleasure of going treasure hunting at their location?

custom molding at kitchen place

I didn’t add any feet and I kept the original chunky hardware because I love it.

I also thought it was the perfect candidate for a pattern that I had sitting on my desktop for months. I originally wanted to use it in my powder room but it ended up being too busy.

This is the pattern, the lovely Cowtan & Tout Bamboo Wallpaper (click HERE):
Cowtan & Tout Bamboo Wallpaper

But I don’t think that I need to tell you that designer wallpaper just isn’t within my budget or if I sell my furniture within the budget of people buying it, do I?
So I DIY’ed it which I will explain to you during my next post.

Today you can just look at the pictures, ok?

Here you go:

As a desk

white and gold desk makeover
DIY Cowtan & Tout Bamboo Wallpaper with sharpie
antique desk makeover in gold and white
DIY graphic wallpaper

As a bar

vintage bar makeover with white and gold by cuckoo4design
vintage bar makeover with white and gold by cuckoo4design
DIY wallpaper in white and gold by cuckoo4design
before and after of a vintage bar or desk

Do you like it as much as I do? I love it so much and it is one of those things that I’m struggling to put into my Etsy store. It would be perfect in my daughter’s room. My husband keeps telling me that I can’t keep everything and that I need to let go. So I’ll give it a try and list it for sale 🙁 but I sure won’t be unhappy if it doesn’t sell because I totally know where I would put it in my house.

Come back next time {update: click HERE to get the pattern} to find out how I made the DIY version of the wallpaper, alright?

Tschüß,

(Youleeya)

See more of my furniture makeovers:

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sara says

    I love it!! And umm…you can always price it a bit higher than you normally would…if it *happens* not to sell then you can use it in your daughter’s room, and if it does sell, then the higher price will make it worth it to you 😉

    • Julia Konya says

      Yes, they are almost twins. I can’t believe you considered this pattern too. I’ve had it on my list for so long!
      Thanks for coming over 🙂

  18. Anonymous says

    It’s such a lovely piece now, I clearly did not see its potential when you posted it before! And the hardware does look great too, I love the detailed picture. Best part though: the Bocksbeutel-Express has obviously arrived! Have a good time with your Vadder, Julia!
    Viele Grüße,
    Katrin

    • Anonymous says

      Elefantengedächtnis…in einem deiner posts stand mal ” ( Hi Vadder ) o.s.ä.
      Dass der Wein auch noch selbstgemacht ist….like Vadder like daughter! LG

  19. Jesse Bodine says

    Goodness girlie…this is a brilliant transformation!!! So chic!!! I love it, I love it, I love it! (picture me saying that while kicking my legs up a la the crazy lady on SNL…lol) 😉 Jesse @ Scout & Nimble

  20. [email protected] says

    It looks fabulous Julia! wow! what a transformation! it’s beautiful, I love the color, the hardware, the wallpaper, the way you decorated it! It’s perfect Julia! Hmmm… I want it in my house too!

  25. Kayla Dixon says

    Ok…I’m just dying over this re-do!! It is so beautiful and I might have to steal all your ideas!!! I have been looking for a similar piece of furniture for my entryway I can DIY (just a little shorter).

    Cannot wait to see how you did the back of the bookcase!!!

    Blessings,
    Kayla

    Adelightfulplacetodwell.com

  28. Miss Charming says

    Oh, I absolutely love how this turned out, Julia! (The chunky hardware is perfect.) I’m crushing on all the gold accents–so posh! And I’m waiting on the post for the homemade wallpaper. (Was a gold sharpie involved?)

  29. Jeanne says

    Fantastic job! I love the idea of repurposing for a bar!! I would love to find something similar for my dining room! Great idea! I can’t wait to find out how you did the wallpaper!

  38. Christine @ First Home...Love Life says

    I.DIE. This is just an incredible transformation! I’d love for you to come link up this and some of your other projects at my new party!

  39. Christine @ First Home...Love Life says

    You were among the features from last weeks House Party! Thanks so much for linking up, and the party is on once again! Hope to see you there!

  40. Jenna LaFevor says

    You did an AMAZING job on this!! I love the white with the gold hardware against it and I love the wonderful pop of pattern in the back! I, too, would have an incredibly hard time parting with this beauty! Pinning!

  42. Loretta E. says

    I saw this on Pinterest and had to check it out b/c I see things like this all the time at thrift stores, but I don’t have the eye for potential like you obviously have! Incredible! I especially love that it’s a desk because I’ve been wanting to downsize our desk for a long time and this would be the perfect solution! Pinning for sure…