Giving a thrifted piece a fresh start often comes down to the right combination of prep, paint, and finish. In this guest blog, Denise from Salvaged Inspirations shares how she updated a mid-century modern writing desk using Dixie Belle products, including Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint and No Pain Gel Stain. By mixing custom colors and balancing painted and stained elements, Denise brings new life to a once-dated desk while preserving its character. This project is a great example of how Dixie Belle products can be used together to create a cohesive, finished look.

(The following is an excerpt from Salvaged Inspirations. Read the full article here).

I scooped up this mid-century modern writing desk at my local ReStore and couldn’t have been more excited. It’s been a while since I worked on an MCM piece. Yes, it had a few dings—some missing veneer, a super slick formica top, and the usual chips and scratches—but overall, it’s such a gem with gorgeous design and lines. I can’t wait to share its NEW fresh look with you!

Mid-century modern writing desk after makeover, featuring a painted base and stained wood top finished with Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint and No Pain Gel Stain.

SUPPLIES

MCM Writing Desk – SALVAGED
White Lightning Cleaner
Auto Sponge
Sanding Sponge
2″ Angled Paint Brush
DB Brown Mud
Walnut No Pain Gel Stain
Deep Sea SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint
Anchor SILK All-In-One Mineral Paint

CLEAN | FILL | SAND

To start the prep process, I removed the two knobs and handle from the drawers. Then, using  White Lightning cleaner, I cleaned the inside and outside of this desk using a large automotive sponge.

Hands wearing yellow gloves cleaning and prepping a wooden desk drawer during a furniture makeover process.

Once the desk was dry, I took some Dixie Belle Mud and filled in the missing veneer, scratches, and dings. I also filled in the hardware holes because I didn’t want to reuse the old hardware on this desk.

Using a putty knife to remove old finish and filler from a wooden desk leg during the furniture prep process.

After the filler had dried overnight, I brought the desk and drawers into my sanding room and sanded all the wood filler patchwork smooth. Then I scuff sanded the entire piece, getting it ready for paint and primer. Because this desk is wood veneer, I made sure to use a higher-grit sandpaper (220 grit) on my orbital sander so I wouldn’t blow through the veneer.

Orbital sanding a wooden desk surface during prep for a mid-century modern furniture makeover.

WALNUT LEGS

To refresh the old stain on the legs, I gave them a good scuff sanding. I wasn’t trying to remove the old finish, but rather give the existing stained finish a scuff-up so the gel stain has something to cling to. This is because gel stain works more like paint than it does a traditional stain. Traditional stains soak into the wood grain. Gel stains sit on top of the wood grain. For this makeover, I used this Walnut Gel Stain. I applied it onto the legs with a chip brush, and wiped the excess off with a lint-free rag.

Applying stain to a wooden desk leg with a brush and cloth during a mid-century modern furniture makeover.

CUSTOM PAINT

Now that the legs were stained, it was time for paint. I didn’t have quite enough Deep Sea Blue to cover the entire desk, so I decided to get creative and mix up a custom color using what I had left, plus some Anchor Black. And honestly… it turned out GREAT. That black really deepened the blue into a rich, moody tone that gives this desk such a fresh, sophisticated look.

Applying dark Dixie Belle paint to a wooden drawer with a brush during a mid-century modern desk makeover. Applying dark Dixie Belle paint to a wooden drawer with a brush during a mid-century modern desk makeover.

This Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint is a beginner-friendly paint with the primer, paint, and topcoat included, so there is no need to prime the body before painting. It took two coats for full coverage.

Mid-century modern writing desk pieces disassembled and painted with Dixie Belle paint during furniture makeover process.

HOW TO PAINT LAMINATE

Painting formica is totally doable—you just need the right prep to make it last. Start by giving the surface a really good clean to remove any grease or residue, then lightly scuff-sand to dull the glossy finish so your primer has something to grip. Bonding BOSS primer is a must for this slick laminate, so don’t skip this step! Once it’s dry, you can perform a scratch test to make sure it’s adhered properly. Then paint with your favorite furniture paint using smooth, even coats. Finish with a durable topcoat to seal everything in (or use an all-in-one paint like I did!) and you’ll have a beautifully updated surface that looks fresh and brand new.

Step-by-step collage showing mid-century modern desk prep and painting process, including sanding, priming, and painting with Dixie Belle paint.

REPURPOSED HARDWARE

While I was waiting for the last coat of paint to dry on the desk top, I searched my hardware stash for new pulls. I found these sleek handles. I wish I had had three of the 8″ long ones but I only had two. So I ended up using one long one on the bottom drawer and the shorter ones on the two top drawers. I think it was meant to be because they ended up looking great.

THE BIG REVEAL…

Here’s the finished look! What do you think?!

Mid-century modern desk makeover using Dixie Belle paint, featuring a navy finish, wood legs, and updated hardware. Mid-century modern desk makeover using Dixie Belle paint, featuring a navy finish, wood legs, and updated hardware.

A closer look at the smooth-as-silk paint finish and deep custom blue.

Mid-century modern desk makeover using Dixie Belle paint, featuring a navy finish, wood legs, and updated hardware.

The darker walnut stain looks great on these mid-century legs!

Mid-century modern desk makeover using Dixie Belle paint, featuring a navy finish, wood legs, and updated hardware.

The old heavy-duty laminate top looks sleek and updated as well.

Mid-century modern desk makeover using Dixie Belle paint, featuring a navy finish, wood legs, and updated hardware. Mid-century modern desk makeover using Dixie Belle paint, featuring a navy finish, wood legs, and updated hardware.

This MCM writing desk makeover highlights how versatile Dixie Belle products can be when used thoughtfully. From Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint for color and coverage to No Pain Gel Stain for warmth and depth, Denise’s process shows how combining finishes can completely change the feel of a piece. Be sure to visit Salvaged Inspirations to see Denise’s full tutorial and gather ideas for your own next furniture project. For another beautiful makeover by Salvaged Inspirations using Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint, check out our blog, DIY Table Makeover with French Villa Silk All-In-One Mineral Paint.

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Furniture Makeovers, Guest Author, How To

About the Author

Salvaged Inspirations

Denise is a blogger, self-taught furniture artist, writer, photographer and the owner/creator of Salvaged Inspirations. She is a lover of all things vintage, repurposed and restyled. A thrift enthusiast, she’s always in pursuit of the next creative upcycle.

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