Closet Office Nook Part 2

It doesn't look like I'm going to finish this project this week. I can't stand up too long, my knee is acting up for some reason. Oh well, the perils of "The Third Age"!

I have a couple of ideas as to what to do with this closet. The walls need work but since I'm planning to knock it down, I don't want to invest too much time and effort on that. Sooooo, I have these lovely almost new doors I removed from the closet and hmmm, maybe, just maybe, I'll paint them to look worn and distressed and just clamp them to the wall. Maybe put a shelf on it for books. That'll be the backdrop, after all I'll be hanging a mirror or even pictures on it, so I won't even see the wall. I was also thinking of covering it in a textured, raised, paintable wallpaper. That's costly. How about just painting over it and leaving as is, since I'm knocking it down anyways. The thing with that is that one says one's going to do a thing and it'll take forever. Sometimes not at all.
I took the closet down and kept the doors. The plan is to distress the doors and hand paint them to look rusted.That is a job! I'm probably better off just painting the wall. 

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I'm thinking the door will look something like this when I finish with it. Maybe in another color, like turquoise. That may be more work than just painting the wall. Oh, what to do, what to do. There are two doors to consider. Although I only really need one against the wall.

Doors removed from closet. 

I also have to paint the desk. I have a beautiful Annie Sloan Chalk Paint I ordered for my bathroom console re-do. Since I already have the paint, doors sanding paper and desk accessories, cost  for this project is zero! Soooo, looks like I have my work cut out for me. It won't be finished this week-end though, what with hopping around on a cane and all. The Doc will take care of me, I hope.
This vanity was given to me by my two sons as a birthday present years ago. They used their little after school job money for it. The one piece of furniture I love, if it's possible to love an inanimate object. It was also a thrift store find. They sure are their mother's sons!

Well, my motto is, "The only way to do it, is to do it!" So let me go and start something. Maybe fill in the nails holes on the wall. I can always sit on the bench to rest. One hole at a time!

Enjoy your week-end everyone!

Guess what, I went ahead and painted one of the doors after I published the blog. I'll just have to keep editing it. Bear with me. Nah, I don't want o write it over, too many link parties to go over again.

Dropped my glasses into the paint in the process. Hysterical! Anyways, I will be distressing it and adding another color over it and then a third. How's that for hopping around on a cane???!!! Well, stay connected and see Part 2, maybe 3. Adios...........

Update #1: Desk should be something "like zeez!", when I'm finished with it.....maybe

I love the look on these doors also.

I can only work on it little by little, as I'm resting my leg a bit. Stay connected to see how it turns out, ok?

First coat after sanding. French Blue.

I rolled a candle over the second coat. The second coat won't adhere to the area I used candle on.

Second coat is darker than the first. Paris Blue. Still to be burnished, sanded and waxed.

Two doors being worked on. The desk is another story. Rest 15 minutes, work 30 minutes and so on. Gotta do what I gotta do!
More to come.......hasta la vista, baby!!!

Smile!!

This is like painting on a canvas. I'm using an artist's brush dipped in a mixture of paste wax and Minwax Color Express Stain in mahogany.

     
I'm not smiling, I'm in pain....off to the doctor! In the mean time I have been aging and distressing this door. Five coats and sanding in between. I'm only half way done on top. Still have the bottom and other door to do. I used a stain for the rusted look. Wish me luck with the doctor. Amen...

January 22, 2012.......one door down....rehab for knee.

January 29, well, I'm back. Part 2. I have wear and tear on the knee and arthritis. Who needs it! Anyway, hopping right along still, I'm done for now. My son secured the doors to the wall and I put up some office storage I had around the house. I made my own chalk paint and painted them white with a paste wax finish.

There are many chalk paint recipes on the internet, I used 1/2 cup Plaster of Paris mixed into 1/2 cup water and then added to about 2 cups of paint. I needed to experiment and mix really well. Amounts are optional depending on the consistency desired. More POP gives a thicker consistency. More paint gives better coverage.  I also decided not to use my vanity. Instead, I painted the work surface I already had with the chalk paint. I purchased 2 corbels to support the work surface and after painting everything white, used paste wax to buff it up a little.  After putting everything up, I decided to use a longer bench I re-purposed from my bedroom. A tool box purchased at an antique shop is being used as book storage. I have all this stuff I can use!

When needed I can switch up the computer for the sewing machine. No problem!

Heart pin cushion made by my friend who passed. thanks Anita......

My work space is done................when I get better I might add a couple of small ledge shelves I have around here somewhere. Here are pictures........thanks for stopping by.