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Trash-Picked Potting Station

My husband brought home a desk from his brother's trash pile. I'll admit I was annoyed when I saw it on the back porch, but then I got inspired to make this cute potting station with the desk, an old chair, a shelf I got for $2.50 at the thrift store, and a 25-cent roll of wallpaper from a yard sale. As you can see, "Ned", the cat loves it, too!

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Approximate Time: Weekend (with drying time)

Supplies:

  • old desk or table with smooth top
  • old chair (optional)
  • shelf for "hutch" (optional)
  • wallpaper or Contac Paper
  • basket for gloves
  • wire basket/hooks for rags, sponges
  • coordinating paint
  • acrylic sealer or varnish

Instructions:

Desk:

  1. Tighten hardware on desk. Clean desktop well.
  2. If desired, paint edge of desktop with latex or acrylic paint. Allow to dry according to manufacturers' directions.
  3. Measure desktop and cut a section of wallpaper (or Contac) a little larger.
  4. Soak wallpaper and place on desktop. Use squeegee to remove bubbles.
  5. For easier cutting, use small vises to attach a metal straight edge along edges of desk. Cut paper with utility knife.
  6. Allow to dry overnight. Seal with several coats of acrylic, allowing to dry between coats.
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  8. Attach wire basket or cup hooks to hang rags.

Chair:

  1. Paint in coordinating colors to match desk.
  2. Cut a piece of wallpaper to fit seat and back of chair. Soak with water, attach, remove bubbles.
  3. When dry, seal with several coats of acrylic.

Shelf:

  1. Paint as desired.
  2. Attach to wall above desk.
  3. Paint basket to match, hang on side for gloves.

By Cindy from Waynesburg, PA

Trash-Picked Potting Station
 

Trash-Picked Potting Station
 

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 104 Posts
July 30, 20080 found this helpful

Very, very cute idea!! I love it!!

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 690 Feedbacks
August 1, 20080 found this helpful

What a transformation.Trash to Treasures to say the least.I especially love the wallpaper.Do you know the name or number of the wallpaper?Guess I'll add this to my"to do"list.

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 696 Feedbacks
August 1, 20080 found this helpful

Wow, such a neat idea....job well done! You must be very proud of yourself! I don't suppose you mind now that your hubby brought home a cast-off!

 
By Michele (Guest Post)
August 1, 20080 found this helpful

You did a great job with the 'trash to treasure' idea. Thank you for sharing...I love that wallpaper.

 
By Connie (Guest Post)
August 1, 20080 found this helpful

That is gorgeous. You have talent can I please steal/borrow your idea?

 
August 1, 20080 found this helpful

Such a darling piece now that you have done your thing to it. The chair and shelf look terrific too. I would love to get some of that wallpaper. Do you know who makes it? Thanks in advance!

 

Gold Post Medal for All Time! 969 Posts
August 1, 20080 found this helpful

That is one of the cutest things I have seen on here! As for me, my bedroom is purples and greens, so I am going to do something like this for a puzzle table! Thanks for the inspiration!!

 
By (Guest Post)
August 1, 20080 found this helpful

That's beautiful paper. You got so lucky to get for a mere .25c! Nice job!

 
August 1, 20080 found this helpful

My word!! I think it is beautiful enough to use in a guest room, or maybe a home office, or even a phone station. If this is just for getting dirty- I would SO love to see what you've done w/ the rest of your home!:)

 
By Cathy from Townsville, QLD (Guest Post)
August 1, 20080 found this helpful

Cindy, well done! That is a beautiful set. I'm inspired! I would enter that into craft competitions if I were you. Did you take any 'before' photos?

 
August 1, 20080 found this helpful

Beautiful! You are inspiring as well very talented. Thanks for sharing.

 
By lisingreece (Guest Post)
August 2, 20080 found this helpful

Your trash is so beautiful, You really must enter into the contest and I am sure you will win. I have to ask what so many others have and that is:

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WHAT IS THE INFO ON THAT GREAT WALL PAPER?

 
By connie w (Guest Post)
August 2, 20080 found this helpful

WOW! That is beautiful! Anyone would be proud to have that! You are very creative and talented, and my garden hat is off to you! :)

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 690 Feedbacks
August 3, 20080 found this helpful

I hope you all took a moment to vote this A+ and she enters the contest.This sure has generated a buzz.Hope we all find out about the wallpaper.Curiosity is killing me
Keeper in NC

 
By geri (Guest Post)
August 4, 20080 found this helpful

wow!! what a wonderful project! Guess the old saying "one man's junk is another man's treasure." is true.
I agree with everyone else, the wallpaper is the bomb! Thanks for a wonderful idea

 
By Euni (Guest Post)
August 6, 20080 found this helpful

Great job and such an inspiration to the rest of us. Will save this project. I need to find the desk and wall paper but have a chair that I've been saving for quite a while for the right project and this is it.

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Thanks for sharing with us.

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 690 Feedbacks
August 9, 20080 found this helpful

Cindy, several of us are dying for more info.on the wall paper. Can you help us out?
Thanks, Keeper

 
August 22, 20080 found this helpful

I strongly agree that that is one gorgeous table you made. Great idea.

 
 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 101 Feedbacks
September 24, 20120 found this helpful

Super cute! Very original!

 
Anonymous
September 26, 20120 found this helpful

This is so sweet. I love it!

 
March 8, 20170 found this helpful

That is way beyond beautiful and so creative! Love the entire look, how they all tie in. My trash became a potters bench, but no where near awesome like yours! We ripped out a kitchen island that had storage underneath and we put it against the deck on the patio. The one you have, I could never get it dirty, it is way too pretty.

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Mine is plain jane enough with a Formica top I hose it off.

 

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