I recently was creating a project gallery for the sidebar of the blog. I realized that I had never posted the makeover I gave the desk in my office. The Office Desk Receives A Makeover.
The original office makeover was shown last year at this time. At the time I mentioned that I would love to get a different desk as the eight-year-old Ikea was really showing its wear. I mentioned I might skirt the desk if I could find any more of the fabric I used to make the office curtains. Sadly, I could not any more fabric so the desk remained AS IS for several months.
Before 
The Office Desk Receives A Makeover
When the fashionista moved back home she brought her huge desk with her. Since there was only room for one desk we opted to keep hers. The other went to a new home via Craigslist.
Dyeing Drop Cloths
Her desk was also quite modern. I wanted to change it by dyeing a painters drop cloth with Rit Dye in Aquamarine. This is the same color that I used for the slipcover makeover. Since the office can be seen from the front room (it has no door) this was a good way of linking the two spaces.
After the cloth was dyed, dried and ironed I cut it to the length I needed. I was making two panels that would meet in the front center of the desk. A simple straight stitched was used to create a hem.
The office space is shared by the entire family. The male family members were not to keen on the skirted effect. So, once I pleated and pinned the skirt to fit the tabletops measurements I opted to top it with hook and loop (velcro). Then everything was sewn in place. They simply pull on the velcro to remove to skirt.
I do wish they didn’t have the need to do this. When the skirt is pulled entirely down onto the floor it becomes a bit wrinkly once it is reattached. But I can live with it.
When both panels are attached you can’t even really tell where they meet in the middle of the desk.
On Monday I will share how I created the aluminum effect on the laminate desktop.
What do you disguise?
Laura
I like your desk makeover…and I think I would prefer the lovely colour you used instead of the pattern for the desk skirt. It's such a soft pretty colour and it lets the curtains take the attention. (Windows are such showoffs, aren't they!) lol
Love this idea. The skirt really softens the look of the desk.
Mary Alice
Laura,
Great 'fix' for creating a designer desk! I too adore the color and how well it compliments your lovely curtains.
Your Friend,
Deborah
FairfieldHouseNJ.com
I think this is a lovely fix for the desk, Laura, and I love the color. Could you possibly add a couple of small decorative hooks or knobs on either side of the knee area so instead of getting all wrinkly on the floor, the fabric could just be hooked to the side when those guys of yours are using the desk? Just wondering.
I love the skirt.
I hadn't seen this. Love the extra work space too and the skirt is perfect. Hugs, marty
It looks great, Laura! Love the color. I did a skirt on the table I use for my sewing machine in my craft/sewing room. It wasn't the prettiest table in the world, plus I use the underneath area to store things like fiberfil, my big tin of lace, and some of those bigger things that won't fit on my shelves. I just stapled mine on.
Beautiful! I love how you added the pleats laura! Thanks for sharing!
I love your creation Laura! Do you have any tips for dying fabric. Your colors turn out beautifully!
xoxo
Karena
Kansas City Culture
Laziness? (in answer to what I disguise…)
Seriously, the only thing I've done even similar to this is years back when I had a sewing machine and actually sewed, I made a slip cover with pleats (which isn't perfect but looks cute and has done the trick for many years) for an old vinyl blue ottoman in our living room.
Your desk is lovely.
Linda 🙂
Looks great! I need to do this . . . so I can hide craft supplies under it!
This dropcloth thing is very exciting! If I ever get DH to paint the ugly paneling in the cellar, I'll use them for drapes…meanwhile I am so looking forward to the laminate to aluminum tips. I have brushed aluminum tiles as my kitchen backsplash and have been contemplating adapting the laminate countertop (all 4 feet of it~) to match….
Love the tone of this blue!
It looks wonderful, Laura.
It sure looks nice! I use vintage lace table cloths to cover some “things” in my craft room!
I love visiting your blog, however it seems to take a long time to upload and see your blog. Maybe it's all the “extras” on your sidebar??
Just wanted you to know that is why I don't visit as often…sorry..
Warmly,
deb
Love love love love that desk skirt!!!! Looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!
Well, the main thing I try to disguise is my big old bahonkus. I have tried the pleated skirt on it, but trust me that it doesn't work as well on a big old bahonkus as it does on a big old desk.
Hey, you asked…
Seriously, I love the look you gave that desk with the skirt, especially with that chair. I was going to ask about the finish so I'm glad you're going to share that as well. I'll be on the lookout.
Well, the main thing I try to disguise is my big old bahonkus. I have tried the pleated skirt on it, but trust me that it doesn't work as well on a big old bahonkus as it does on a big old desk.
Hey, you asked…
Seriously, I love the look you gave that desk with the skirt, especially with that chair. I was going to ask about the finish so I'm glad you're going to share that as well. I'll be on the lookout.
Love the look and I love the way the drop cloth dyed!
What an fabulous makeover! I love the how you skirted it. It really makes it something very feminine and chic! You are amazing!!!
A perfect makeover, Laura!
xo
Laura
Great job! I'm using a folding banquet table as my office desk, and I've been considering a skirt for it as a solution to hide the “ugly”. Your project is just what I had in mind!
Laura, I just came from Deb Jones' blog…she lives in Mesa and mentioned that after her son finishes the school year, they would love to find a 1 level home. I just thought I would leave the link to her blog in case your home might work for them! http://dayinthelife2013.blogspot.com/
Looks lovely Laura.
This is a great project, Laura! The skirt looks wonderful. I like the way you pleated instead of just gathered the skirt. And dying a drop cloth is a great idea. By the way, where do you do your dying jobs? I used to use my washing machine to dye things, but that's one of the many things I've discovered I can't do with a new HE washer. (Next time I buy a washer, I'm going back to the old-fashioned agitator kind!)
Thanks so much for linking this post to Grace at Home. I'm featuring you this week!