Multicolored Zebra

12:02 AM

This... is my new baby...

I know I say that about all my pieces, but really, it was so easy and I had so much fun doing it, that I really really really love it.

You may remember this little guy I picked up at an estate sale for $25...
Taylor Made, sturdy, but boring...

First step, sanding it down enough to give the paint a surface to hold on to...
Next came the painting... I'm thinking of submitting the picture as a future modeling shot... boys, try to contain yourselves.


I chose a greyish tanish color to keep it neutral since I knew I wanted to do something fun and exciting on top... I just wanted to make sure it wouldnt clash...ummm, greasy hair? check... glasses? check... wearing a scrunchi? I will deny it til the day that I die...

Yes, I know, Im using the world's smallest paint brush, but I love it and it helps get all the little detailed parts... especially on the legs of the desk... Ta-da!... Greyish Tanish... (still boring)... but better.

Maybe the best part of this entire make over, was finding the paint.

I had planned on doing different color stripes on the top of the desk, but knowing me and how I would have spent 5 hours at the Home Depot paint counter going over every single kind of paint and WAY over thinking it, I made a deal with myself to ONLY buy "oops" paint. You know, "oops paint", the paint that they have on the side of the counter that was either mixed wrong or someone discarded.

These are what I found:Random, but not unuseable... AND They were in the little mini tester sizes too which made it even better.

But the best thing about "oops" paint... the price...
I dont know if you can read over that scribble, but they were only $0.50 a pop... awesome.

I actually went back the next day and picked up 3 more since I figured $0.50 paint will always be good for other projects... hooray for being cheap! (in a totally cool way)

After I gave my desk a day to dry, I was totally pysched to start the striping process... Only huccup? Dallas's 85% humidity...
None of the tape was sticking which is KINDA crucial if you are trying to make crisp lines...

After getting frusterated, and knowing Chris wouldn't be home in a while... I did a major "wifey-no-no" and brought it in our humidless, AC house...

And started a RANDOM pattern of striping...Sorry for the fuzzy picture...

I used a mix between inch think blue painter tape, 2" frogger tape, and 3" frogger tape... I would definitely recommend the green frogger tape for anyone trying to do lines or get a crisp edge... it definitely worked the best.

I started with tape on the top left and just mixed it up as I went along knowing that everything tape covered would stay grey.

After everything was securely in place, I began to paint... there was no rhyme or reason to the placement of the colors I used, but just went for it...

After about an hour... this is what it looked like drying...
And then pulled it off to reveal this...
Oh mommy like...

I let it dry and went back to do two smaller stripes on the big white one, just to give it some depth... and the added one more white stripe near the green one in the middle...

End result??? Drum roll please?!?!!! Yea... freakishly obsessed...
View from the top.... I mean really, could it be any more random/awesome?...

I also replaced the old wood knobs to these $2 beauties from Home Depot...

I think I should just get a side job at Home Depot since I'm there 4x a week anyway...

And just so you dont have to scroll up to the top, here is the Before/After pic...
Here is a quick breakdown for ya of everything I used:
- estate sale desk - $25
- Sandpaper - already owned
- pint of Behr Granite Boulder - $7.99
- 7 random "oops" paints - $3.50
- new drawer pulls - $4.00 for both
- time: about a day and a half

Total: $40.50 (not too bad)

So what do you think? Do you like the stripes? Would you have done a different pattern? Are you now a believer in "oops" paint?

I would love to hear from you!


I'm linking up to the following parties:

















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77 comments

  1. Samantha HodgkinsNovember 15, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    I am IN LOVE with your side comments... oh mommy like (: lol you are so freakin creative!! I can't wait to get a house/apartment b/c of you and pintrest/stumbleupon/wanelo so many ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brassy AppleFebruary 20, 2012 at 1:31 PM

    so love it! thanks for linking up to Make it monday!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Claire JainFebruary 20, 2012 at 2:27 PM

    Whoa! That's seriously awesome! I'm a big fan of oops paint. Your desk was a great score, too. Do you feel like the frog tape did better that the standard blue stuff?

    P.S. Would you please consider removing your word verification?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Samm SpanglerFebruary 20, 2012 at 2:42 PM

      Hi Claire!

      Yes I would say that the frog tape works 100% better than the standard blue painters tape. Blue tape is more for edging where as frogger tape is specifically for making crisp lines.

      I will see what I can do about the word verification :-)

      Delete
  4. Tisha ClappFebruary 20, 2012 at 4:00 PM

    So cute, Samm! I'm heading to Home Depot later today (I should work there too), so I'm going to look for the 50 cent paint! And the frog tape too...who knew? Thanks for linking up @ the Deletable Home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Samm SpanglerFebruary 20, 2012 at 4:41 PM

      Trisha,

      Frog tape is a little more expensive than blue painters tape, but worth EVERY PENNY!! It has saved me HOURS with other projects, just having it done clean and crisp the first time. I would love to hear what you are planning to use it for!

      Delete
  5. brooke @ Inside-Out DesignFebruary 20, 2012 at 4:43 PM

    No freaking way...I am obsessed with this and I didn't even do it!!! Seriously coolest stripe job EVER!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2012 at 4:59 PM

    Stunning! The stripes make such an impact! Plus, I would never have thought to buy up the oops paint and use it for a project! That's so smart! I have plenty of it already in the garage, too! Now, I just have to figure out where to use it. :-)

    Hope you'll link your post up to my new link party!

    Mauvin' Monday Link Party

    Cheers,
    Jessica

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cassie BustamanteFebruary 20, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    aaah!!! this is amazing!!!! i absolutely love this desk! i have a furniture party starting tomorrow evening and i would LOVE for you to come share! off to check out the rest of your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  8. SaltAndPepperMakersFebruary 20, 2012 at 8:05 PM

    Wow I love this! Your colour balance is awesome!

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  9. JennFebruary 20, 2012 at 9:15 PM

    Way Way Cute!

    ReplyDelete
  10. JazFebruary 21, 2012 at 8:36 AM

    LOVE how this turned out. This would make a perfect desk in a craft room/office. Thanks for sharing!

    -Jazmine
    keepitkrafty.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Samm SpanglerFebruary 21, 2012 at 12:17 PM

    Im there! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  12. KyraFebruary 21, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    A big shout out to a fellow Dallas blogger!! LOVE, LOVE the desk!! New follower via Tip Junkie - have a great week!

    kyra @ caramelpotatoes.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. patti westFebruary 21, 2012 at 2:22 PM

      You've given this piece some real personality! Love the stripes!! :)

      Delete
  13. MariaFebruary 21, 2012 at 2:41 PM

    Whoa it is totally random and awesome. I love, love stripes. Such a good idea.

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  14. the cape on the cornerFebruary 21, 2012 at 2:55 PM

    i would be freakishly obsessed too, that piece is awesome! love the fun stripes.

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownFebruary 21, 2012 at 2:59 PM

    So fun! I love that you made a traditional piece into something completely unexpected.

    ReplyDelete
  16. RachelFebruary 21, 2012 at 4:28 PM

    I LOVE the random stripes and the colors too! I'd love for you to share this at my link party.
    Rachel
    http://adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com/2012/02/terrific-tuesdays-3.html

    ReplyDelete
  17. Our Tennessee LifeFebruary 21, 2012 at 4:38 PM

    I love it! Especially the oops paint part!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Beth @A Little Country HouseFebruary 21, 2012 at 5:24 PM

    Very chic, i love the color combos you have going!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Twice NiceFebruary 21, 2012 at 9:53 PM

    Super, super cute! I love how you went way outside the box on the top. And on a budget...SWEET!

    ReplyDelete
  20. LisaFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:35 AM

    I love it! The stripes are great! I'm just like you and would have spent way too long analyzing my paint colors, so I've never actually used oops paint. I don't think I've ever seen samples in that area in our store, so I'll have to look next time!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Emily @ The Diligent OneFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    Um, I'm kinda in love with this idea now, and I have just the table on which to try it. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  22. RachelFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    That looks amazing!!! My favorite are the two teeny tiny lines in the larger white stripe...gorgeous!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Samm SpanglerFebruary 22, 2012 at 1:06 PM

      Thanks so much Rachel! Those are my favorite too ;-)

      Delete
  23. CassidyFebruary 22, 2012 at 1:35 PM

    WOW!! LOVE this!Great colors too!

    http://fitcraftystylishandhappy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Decor & HarmonyFebruary 22, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    Wowie-Kazowie! Awesome! I'm your newest follower looking forward to seeing what you do next :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sarah @ Imperfect PatinaFebruary 22, 2012 at 4:01 PM

    This looks fantastic!! So unique! I love the colors you chose! I am your newest follower. Stop by sometime! -Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  26. Bailey K. | Travel HealsFebruary 22, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    LOVE this. the colors are fantastic. also, i love your blog! i'm a texas girl too, living in houston right now. i used to live in dallas!

    i would love for you to link this or any other amazing project you might have to my creativity party going on right now:

    http://letbirdzfly.blogspot.com/2012/02/exodus-35-creativity-party-21.html

    thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownFebruary 23, 2012 at 10:48 AM

    LOVE this...I also LOVE LOVE LOVE mistints! Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Jen Lossing, Artistic Abode DesignsFebruary 23, 2012 at 12:33 PM

    This is super cute! I love the random stripes and the color selection. Hey, sometime a DIYer has to do what a DIYer has to do. And if that means bringing a piece inside the house to paint than so be it! Ha Ha. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Our Pinteresting FamilyFebruary 23, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    Fantastic job! I love the stripes on the top..very original. :) ~ Megan new follower via the Adventures of the DIY Mom link party.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Rose :: FineCraftGuild.comFebruary 23, 2012 at 4:22 PM

    supercute!! come link it up at our linky party...
    http://www.finecraftguild.com/party/

    ReplyDelete
  31. Ivy@a dash of domesticFebruary 23, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    WOW!! this desk is super cute. I love it. I think the stripes are awesome! Great Job! I'm a new follower, I can't wait to see more great projects!

    Ivy

    ReplyDelete
  32. Courtney ~ French Country CottageFebruary 23, 2012 at 11:59 PM

    Fantastic job~thanks for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday!!!:)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Samm SpanglerFebruary 24, 2012 at 12:02 AM

    Thanks so much for the Feature! Im a huge fan of your site!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Jenny@NorthwestLoveliesFebruary 24, 2012 at 1:03 AM

    I love this and I love how you described the process! It was such a fun read! The stripes really turned out amazing! Excited to be a new follower!

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2012 at 8:14 AM

    Too cute! I love how you angled the stripes. $25 for the desk and $0.50 each for the oops paint... awesome price!

    ~Angela

    ReplyDelete
  36. UnknownFebruary 24, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    great job luff it

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnnFebruary 24, 2012 at 6:08 PM

    Simply wonderful! I, too, am a believer in Oops Paint. I have quite a stash. You give me inspiration to do something with it.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Betsy @ Anna NimmityFebruary 24, 2012 at 6:55 PM

    This is such a fun project! It looks great! I'm pinning this for future reference.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Melissa @ No. 2 PencilFebruary 25, 2012 at 9:30 AM

    The stripes are fabulous! The colors are to die for!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. UnknownFebruary 25, 2012 at 9:40 AM

    Wow! It turned out gorgeous! I would love to paint my desk too...it is a hideous dark cherry color, and way to boring! I am hosting my 2nd link party, and would love for you to add this along with anything else you like!

    http://www.mom4realky.blogspot.com/2012/02/4-real-friday-link-party-2.html

    Jessica @ Mom 4 Real

    ReplyDelete
  41. KellieFebruary 25, 2012 at 6:22 PM

    love the stripes! you did a fabulous job!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. MegFebruary 25, 2012 at 10:09 PM

    LOVE!! Visiting from The Not So Functional Housewife. I'm your newest follower and I would love for you to share this on my little party: http://www.nutmegplace.com/2012/02/show-off-saturday-3.html

    Hope to see you there!

    ReplyDelete
  43. JenniferFebruary 26, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    Wow, what an amazing result! Looks fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  44. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    I absolutely love what you did with this desk. What a great find too! I'm going to start following your blog right now. =0)

    ReplyDelete
  45. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.February 27, 2012 at 4:19 PM

    This turned out super cute! Love the stipes - fun and unexpected! Thanks for joining our party! Hope you'll be a regular!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Desiree @ The 36th AVENUEFebruary 27, 2012 at 11:00 PM

    I'll be featuring you tomorrow during Sticker Time. I think I am your newest Linky Follower ;)

    ReplyDelete
  47. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.February 28, 2012 at 8:54 AM

    We loved this so much that we are featuring you today! Thanks again for joining us at Elizabeth & Co!

    ReplyDelete
  48. UnknownFebruary 28, 2012 at 3:55 PM

    Really cool transformation! I love the stripes! I shared this on my FB page today (although bummed it didn't use the thumbnail). Thanks for sharing this at the Rock 'N Share!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MandyFebruary 28, 2012 at 7:16 PM

      Love your table! I'm your newest Linky Follower. Love your blog.

      Delete
  49. cathy@my1929charmerFebruary 28, 2012 at 8:11 PM

    Wow, seriously so Cool! your table/desk is so darn pretty, you were really creative with this one. Loving the stripes, and love the random look of the stripes. Great job! Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best Par.tay! PS - following you on Linky!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Tara @ Tales of a Trophy WifeFebruary 29, 2012 at 2:13 PM

    Love the strips and I'm a big fan of the oops paint:)

    ReplyDelete
  51. cajungal01February 29, 2012 at 2:27 PM

    I LOVE it! I just bought an old fashioned school desk for my daughter...you know the kind~metal with the "wood" top that lifts up? I know I'm painting the metal parts pink but wasn't sure what to do with the top...NOW I know! I am so excited! I am definitely going to use your technique!
    I also love oops paint. I have TONS! Plus before I painted each room in my house, I probably got 4-8 samples to try first. So i have a LOT of various ones. NOW I know what I will use them for! :0)
    THANKS for sharing!
    GREAT JOB!
    ~robin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Samm SpanglerFebruary 29, 2012 at 4:00 PM

      awww thank you so much!! Just remember to use the frog tape and have fun!

      Delete
  52. AnonymousFebruary 29, 2012 at 8:52 PM

    best stripes ever! i had a craigslist cofee table that was dying to be painted gray... now it shall have stripes too! FAB-U-LOUS!
    I too live in the big-D!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Samm SpanglerMarch 1, 2012 at 9:35 AM

      shout out to Dallas bloggers! and yes, adding stripes would be an awesome (and EASY) way of jazzing it up! So glad you liked it!

      Delete
  53. AnonymousMarch 2, 2012 at 8:40 AM

    Your desk has been featured for Functional Friday!

    Thanks so much for stopping by to link up!

    ~Angela

    ReplyDelete
  54. MegMarch 2, 2012 at 9:48 AM

    Samm! Your desk has been featured on Showoff Saturday!

    http://www.nutmegplace.com/2012/03/showoff-saturday-4.html

    Thanks for linking up!

    ReplyDelete
  55. JeannaMarch 2, 2012 at 2:29 PM

    Your desk is so cute... I would love to have something like that in my house...

    Jeanna

    dramaqueenseams.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. UnknownMarch 2, 2012 at 10:13 PM

    You've been featured here: http://www.decoratinginsanity.com/2012/03/weekend-features-7.html
    xo...mONICa

    ReplyDelete
  57. Natural Mothers NetworkMarch 3, 2012 at 6:44 AM

    I Love this and want to htank you so much for sharing this with us on the Seasonal Celebration Linky. Have a wonderful weekend! Warmly, Rebecca@ Natural Mothers Network x

    ReplyDelete
  58. Suzy www.savedbysuzy.blogspot.comMarch 7, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    Thanks for sharing this at my party Samm! I am a HUGE fan of oops paint too. I'm featuring your table at my party tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  59. amy and jesse hudsonMarch 8, 2012 at 9:04 PM

    This desk could NOT be more random/awesome! Thanks for linking up to Drab to Fab! This week's party is up again, so please come back and party some more with me! You can link up old or new :)
    Here's a link to the party:
    http://www.amynjesse.com/2012/03/drab-to-fab-link-up-8-features.html

    Have a great weekend!

    Amy @ Sugar and Spice

    ReplyDelete
  60. UnknownMarch 9, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    I love this! I just love all the different colors, such a great transformation. Thanks for linking up at cheap finds and transformations!!!

    ReplyDelete
  61. DTTD imagine.design.createMarch 14, 2012 at 3:17 PM

    That is some serious stripey awesomeness! Love it! The randomness of the stripes and the colours is perfect. Great job!

    And yes, I'm a believer in "oops" paint - one person's "oops" is another person's perfect colour :-)

    Kelly

    ReplyDelete
  62. Stacie@hometownperchMarch 14, 2012 at 7:01 PM

    I love the way it turned out! I've been thinking about doing something similar with a kid table we have. I'll have to look for that oops paint.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Emily BMarch 14, 2012 at 9:18 PM

    That looks great! I love funly painted furniture. I have a little cabinet thing in my room that needs painting. I think I just might do something like that.

    ~em at small girl, big world

    ReplyDelete
  64. TamsynMarch 15, 2012 at 5:26 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous! I love the color of the stripes. Such a bargain too!

    ReplyDelete
  65. Special 'K'March 27, 2012 at 7:42 PM

    Wow! at first glance I thought you used a contact to cover top. An amazing job, it looks great. Thank you for sharing, I am so glad to meet you. I am so excited to find and follow new special places. I will follow on my way out because I am sure I will enjoy engaging and supporting your special place now I have found you. I hope you will find some time to come visit me soon. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

    ReplyDelete
  66. AnonymousJuly 12, 2012 at 1:43 PM

    Love, Love, Love.. I just discovered your blog, and I may be obsessed!

    ReplyDelete
  67. UnknownJuly 24, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    Really GREAT !!!! I agree with all the other comments you did an AWESOME job. I have one question, did you put any type of top coat on it after you finished to protect it? If so can you tell me what you used?
    Thanks so much
    Best regards
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
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