A desk is a desk is a desk?

It's awesome how many people are taking the time to learn how to take something so-so and turn it into something fabulous. My journey started from necessity (and lack of funds), went through wanting to please my customers in my children's boutique and has now it become a bustling little business!

You might think that everyone who refinishes furniture does the same thing--sure, we all repair and prep the pieces, but even when different "artists" work on a piece with the same functionality you can see the light that shines from each of them individually...

Take a look at the three desks below and see if you SEE what I mean...

Desk 1:

Coral with lightly distressed edges (dark wax lightly applied) and satin finish

www.facebook.com/porchproductions

Don't just look at the shape of Desk 1. Look at the color--it's bright and just pops! It's an all-over finish, meaning there is only distressing on the hard edges (see second photo). The hardware was painted in an aged bronze to balance out the coral. You can't tell in the photo, but the satin finish gives it a subtle glow with a smooth feeling.

Desk 2:
Two tones of butter yellow with sage green accents and heavy distressing with clear wax finish
http://www.designsbybrie.blogspot.com/

Again, the difference in Desk 2 and Desk 1 has nothing to do with it's shape! Brie used two tones of butter yellow and sage green peeking through to give this desk a soothing feel. Distressing is used on the hard edges as well (with dark wax added for emphasis), but also on the top (see top right of second photo). The hardware was painted a soft white, which makes this neutral color-scheme pop for itself! The clear wax finish gives the piece a creamy feel.

 Desk 3:

Vintage white finish with heavily distressed edges and all over dark wax with clear wax finish

 https://www.facebook.com/VintageFication

Again and AGAIN, the difference in all of these desks is not the shape of them! Mary started with a solid vintage white, and then heavily distressed the hard edges (second photo). She used dark wax all over the piece, and less on the drawer fronts, which gives the white it's smokey feel and creates a two-tone look. The hardware is an old-gold metallic, which just increases the lushness of this piece. Clear wax finishes it off.

So...what have we learned here?

Just like someone who paints on canvas, artists who paint on furniture each have a different method to their madness (or happiness in these cases). Our minds all have a different scheme of colors in them. Our hands all have a different touch to them.

Our clients all have a different need.

However, we all want to make those clients happy. That's one thing we all DO the same.