All of my DIY projects involve a staple gun

I finally got around to fixing up this desk for Saskia:

I've wanted a craft table for her for a long time. I don't mind scratches and glue on our kitchen table, but clearing it five times a day for snacks and meals becomes tedious. When we moved here two years ago and I found this desk sitting outside with a stack of paint cans on it, I earmarked it for Saskia:

I used a leftover can of white oil paint to cover all of the desk but the top, which was gouged and buckled beyond repair. I staple gunned a piece of vinyl (purchased online for $8) to the top. Those polka dots are covering a multitude of sins. And it's an easy-wipe surface that is simple to replace should Saskia destroy it or Leif eventually want the desk for his room.

There's a bin on her desk for those treasures that I come across every day that I'm loathe to throw out because I see the potential for seven-year-old crafting: bits of ribbon, extra buttons, sales tags, packing peanuts, tiny boxes.

Saskia was delighted with the desk and is putting it through its paces. A little too eagerly, actually. When I get up at six, I can see the light on under her door. When I check on her, she's sitting at the desk in her pajamas with a row of completed crafts in front of her, gluing feathers onto yet another popsicle stick. I'm not sure what time she's been getting up.

Yesterday she said, "Do you know what I would love to have on my desk?"

"A jar for your beads?" I guessed.

"No. A computer!"

And I must confess that this morning, I brought my laptop up to her new desk. Working with the sun streaming in her room and glowing pink vinyl as a backdrop is very pleasant. But it's going back in my study before she gets home at 3:30.

(See Yvestown's tutorial for details on table stapling.)

Comments

[celeste allyn]

Uncle Neil is right there with you Saskia.
"What is a desk without a computer?"

[celeste allyn]

And, Auntie Celeste will gladly take the jar with beads.

[JeanMac]

What a sweet post - love the desk style -
Every little girl would love that for her room - along with a computer:)Nice picture.

[Mary Smith]

Great job on the desk, Martina! I'm so impressed. I chuckled at the crafts at 6:00. How sweet is that?

[Pearl]

Great idea for a desk cover! Might have to try that one "Martha"!

[StitchingSurgeon]

cute desk and fantastic idea to put the vinyl on top!

[Bart]

I'm impressed with Saskia's diligence. Does she split her day into 20-minute segments like her mother?

[Nina]

I don't know how Saskia could get any work done with that view out her bedroom window.

[Sheri]

I want to live in Saskia's room!

[slydi]

i was wondering the same thing, bart!

[Dee]

Lovely, lovely...oh how I would have loved this art table as a little girl...and I am also most inspired as to what to do with the little table in Kaiden's room.

[Amy H.]

Beautiful, Martina! What a lucky girl Saskia is.

[Lori]

beautiful spot - the light in that first photo is beautiful! :^)