Jack’s Room – The Desk

There’s going to be some changes around here very soon folks.  The changing of the rooms – kind of like changing of the guards – but not really at all. ;P   We have 4 bedrooms upstairs.  There is the master, then my daughter has her own, and currently my older two boys are sharing a room while my soon to be two year old has a nursery of his own.  We’ve decided it is time to give our oldest boy, Jack, his own room which means our two youngest will now be sharing.  The sibling world of hierarchy at its finest.   But honestly I think this will be a good move.  You can already tell the younger two’s interest are a lot more similar and will be a little more compatible sharing a room.

Jack is very excited to have his own room, of course.  I think I’m just as excited as him – decorating time! But also a little nervous.  Whenever I make room changes with my kids I always worry about how this is going to affect my sleep – oh I mean their sleep – which also means my sleep 😉

Fortunately I don’t have to do any painting in his new room.  Red is Jack’s favorite color and I had painted it tan with a red accent wall when we moved in knowing that it would someday be his room.  All of our bedrooms upstairs are really good sizes and, bucking old house stereotype, three of them have really awesome size (I’m  talking walk-in size) closets.  Jack’s future room is the only bedroom that doesn’t have any closet at all.  I’ve decided to build some furniture for his new room that will give him some storage solutions.  I will be posting the furniture items as I build them and then at the end give you a look when I have the room all put together.

The first item I built isn’t much of a storage solution but it’s something Jack has been asking for – a desk! And if my baby boy wants a desk well then by goodness momma’s going to build him one! 😉

I decided to tackle this project first because its the easiest one and will give me steam moving forward.  Anyone can build this desk it is so easy.  If you have any carpentry skills at  all (and no kids around to distract you) you can bust this out in a couple hours.  Or if you are new to carpentry this would be a really great beginner project.  I got my initial plans from  Anna White.  You can find them here: Anna White 2×4 Desk Plan

I tweaked my measurements to fit a piece of butcher block i had on hand and decided to use for my top.  I like the idea of a desk having a flat surface if you can – the plan calls for 2×4’s for the top and I think that could be annoying when you trying to write on it.  Also it was one of the last butcher block remnants I had left from remodeling the kitchen in this house and our last house and I’m always trying to get rid of scraps I have laying around in the basement.

So here was my modified plan:

My butcher block remnant measured in at 21 x 39 1/2″.  I then purchased (4) 2x4x8′ boards.

I cut my boards to the following measurements:

  • Legs: 4 @ 28 1/2″
  • Side Supports: 4 @ 13″
  • Back/Front Supports: 3 @ 35 1/2”
  • Top Supports: 2 @ 17″

I secured all my pieces with kreg holes and pocket screws.  This just gives it a stronger hold but you could also just use normal screws with a good amount of wood glue.

Anyways, time to cut!  Let me just say it is a lot more enjoyable to cut lumber during the summer.

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Next. Build it!   I started by securing a 13″ side support  to two of the legs, flush at the top.  Then another 13″ support gets attached 8″ inches from the bottom.  You now have one side. You just have to do the process again for the other side.  See:

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Once your sides are assembled you can attach your back supports.  Secure two of the 35 1/2″ supports lining them up with the side supports.

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Now add  the front support flush at the top.  Once this is done you can stand it up and screw the two 17″ top supports into place.  Try to space them out evenly  but it doesn’t have to be exact.  If you are building a longer desk you will probably want to add more top supports.

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Sand it all down.  Now your desk frame is done!  Easy peasy!  Time for the fun stuff.  I decided to stain the butcher block a color that will match a dresser we plan on using in his room. I also gave it a coat of poly to help protect it.

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Next I painted the desk frame.  I had trouble deciding if I wanted it to be black or red.  I went with red because like I said its Jack’s favorite and I know he will get such a kick out of having a red desk.   I might distress it a little and put a coat of furniture wax on it but I will see when I have the other pieces done.  So for now I’m done.

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I apologize if the pictures are dark at all but I do most of building in our unfinished basement at night.  In person, the red paint is a lot richer  than what it shows up as in the basement lighting.  I can’t wait to see it in the room!

This project was so inexpensive.  I had the top and the red paint on hand so it came in at a whopping $12.50!!  There is no way I could have a  bought a desk that cheap.

Whew! Who knew such an easy desk could turn into such a long post!  Who knew I talked so much – oh yeah…probably most people who know me 🙂

Thanks for stopping by and if you want to get out there and build something or craft something or cook something – go for it!  Almost everything I create I’ve never done before but if you have the desire and some instructions you can make just about anything you set your mind to!

 

 

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