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The Shabby Creek Cottage

the art of making life magical

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Shabby sheet music desk

This sheet music desk was super easy to do – and it was almost just as easy to sell! I was shocked that it sold from my booth (in my booth selling days) in under an hour after I put it in. Crazy, huh? Afterwards I had a few people ask how I did the sheet music desk, so I thought I’d show you how.

This $6 thrift store desk was turned into a beautiful sheet music desk!

Once upon a time, when we were up in Minnesota, we stumbled upon a local thrift shop. Although the prices were a little high, I did find a few affordable pieces, including this desk – a steal for $6. Yep – six buckaroos! A steal, huh?

This desk was revamped into a gorgeous sheet music desk.

There was really only one downside to the desk, it had a laminate top – but that’s where the sheet music comes in.

Now let’s get to business and make a sheet music desk.

This post contains affiliate links. Which means I get a tiny portion of the profit to help run the blog with no additional cost to you.

Lovely desk upcycle - she turned an old desk into a gorgeous sheet music desk.

First remove the hardware. Next sand down the top, to give it grip. Finish up the base by painting it with Gray Chalk Paint.

What a cool idea - use mod podge to make a sheet music desk!

After the base is painted, sanded & waxed, then start on the top. Using Mod Podge & lots of sheets of hymnal music to cover up all that laminate. When it is dry, cover it all with 4 coats of MinWax poly acrylic on top to keep everything all in place & protected. Using polyacrylic means that it won’t yellow as easily as polyurethane.

She turned an old desk into a gorgeous sheet music desk with just some paint, paper & mod podge

Once everything is completely dry, replace all the hardware. I kept the original because I like the nod it gives to the desk’s former look.

You could use any color, but the combination of gray & the sheet music is neutral. That makes perfect for any shabby style home (or even a farmhouse style home!)

Gorgeous upcycle idea - she turned a thrift store find into a pretty sheet music desk!

And that’s how to turn a $6 thrift store score into the sheet music desk.

Paris Postmark Barstool Makeover

Want to see more chalk paint ideas? I did a barstool makeover, too!

Great thrift store upcycle - a sheet music desk!

 

Filed Under: DIY

About Gina Luker

Hey there, I'm Gina Luker. I'm an artist, author and founder of The Soft Life Society. I am proudly a wild, witchy woman on a mission to make life magical. Alongside my husband Mitch, we are remodeling a 200 year old home we call The Enchanted Manor. I'm obsessed with estate sale shopping, Instagram, Practical Magic, disco balls, margaritas and doing whatever makes me insanely happy in any given moment.

« Painted Paris Postmark Bar Stool
Pottery Barn Inspired Mantle »

Comments

  1. Marianne@Songbird says

    September 28, 2011 at 11:33 pm

    Hmm because of insomnia I could actually link up really early here. But the linky is not there 🙁

    Reply
  2. Pamela says

    September 28, 2011 at 11:37 pm

    Gina that desk is amazing! Thanx for hosting and have a fabulous evening!

    Reply
  3. Francine says

    September 28, 2011 at 11:42 pm

    Hi Gina, Thanks for hosting. Love the sheet music desk!

    Reply
  4. Gwen says

    September 28, 2011 at 11:53 pm

    Very cool desk. Thanks so much for hosting the party!

    Reply
  5. Francine says

    September 29, 2011 at 12:01 am

    I was just looking through your idea files … Thanks for all the great inspiration!

    Reply
  6. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    September 29, 2011 at 12:01 am

    Thanks for hosting. The sheet music was a great idea to hide the laminate. It looks great. I like the makeshift tarp too.

    Reply
  7. Kerry Rossow says

    September 29, 2011 at 12:02 am

    SHUT UP! That desk is so awesome! And, I can’t get enough of the gray, so keep it comin’!
    Thank you for hosting!
    Kerry at housetalkn.blogspot.com

    Reply
  8. Artsy VaVa says

    September 29, 2011 at 12:02 am

    I love the desk transformation! Thanks for hosting the party!

    Reply
  9. Marianne@Songbird says

    September 29, 2011 at 12:05 am

    Ok I spoke to soon, as soon as I renewed the page the linky was there.
    My bad. But heck I am glad I got to be on top of the list for a change.
    Thanks for hosting Gina!

    Reply
  10. Jan@southernjunkin' says

    September 29, 2011 at 12:10 am

    Cute desk! Love the Paris Gray and the music set it off!!

    Reply
  11. Pammy pam says

    September 29, 2011 at 12:12 am

    i did the same project last winter, however, YOURS is so much better! i wish i had power tools.

    Reply
  12. Debra @ Common Ground says

    September 29, 2011 at 12:20 am

    Great job on the desk, it looks amazing, just linked up, thanks for the party!!

    Reply
  13. Julie says

    September 29, 2011 at 12:26 am

    What a great desk! I love it!

    Reply
  14. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    September 29, 2011 at 12:31 am

    It looks great, Gina! I have Chateau Grey that I’ll be using soon ;).

    Reply
  15. NanaDiana says

    September 29, 2011 at 12:43 am

    Gina- I just love it! You did a great job and the sheet music makes a wonderful top! xo Diana

    Reply
  16. Katie says

    September 29, 2011 at 12:52 am

    The desk looks great and love the hardware! Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  17. Kim@todayismysome-day says

    September 29, 2011 at 1:05 am

    What a great deal on that desk! $6! Thanks for hosting the party again this week!

    Reply
  18. Brooke Kenny says

    September 29, 2011 at 1:16 am

    I love your desk!! Thank you for hosting us!!!
    babblingsandmore.blogspot.com
    ~Brooke

    Reply
  19. Junky Vagabond says

    September 29, 2011 at 1:27 am

    I use sheet music for all kinds of projects too – your desk is gorgeous! Thanks for hosting a great party!!

    Reply
  20. cindy the cottage chick says

    September 29, 2011 at 1:50 am

    Awesome and unique desk treatment! Very cool.

    Thanks for hosting 🙂

    Reply
  21. Tres Chere says

    September 29, 2011 at 2:01 am

    Thank you for hosting. Love that desk. It is beautiful! Hope you are having a fabulous week!

    Reply
  22. Sue@Uniquely Chic says

    September 29, 2011 at 2:13 am

    Love the desk and the story of duct tape and garbage bags…the things we do to preserve our finds!!!

    Reply
  23. Marie says

    September 29, 2011 at 2:27 am

    wow…how talented are YOU!! great job. i love it and for 6 bucks…not too bad

    Reply
  24. Eileen says

    September 29, 2011 at 2:39 am

    Great desk. I love the grey paint 🙂 Love it. And the song papers is a great idea for the top!
    thank you once again for the linky party. So many great ideas!

    Reply
  25. The LadyBugs Garden says

    September 29, 2011 at 2:48 am

    I love how you did the top of the desk. Really nice …
    Stephanie

    Reply
  26. Kelli @ The Turquoise Piano says

    September 29, 2011 at 2:51 am

    Gina, What a deal on that desk! I love what you did to it. Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  27. Ami w/AliLilly says

    September 29, 2011 at 2:54 am

    Oh my gosh, Gina! It’s wonderful. Ya know we all say “i have to try that” and maybe 5 times out of 10 do we actually do it. THIS I must try. It’s gorgeous and my hubby is a musician!

    Reply
  28. Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage says

    September 29, 2011 at 2:55 am

    Ah, the power of paint! What would we do without it?

    Thanks for hosting, Gina!

    Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  29. LoeLaLoep says

    September 29, 2011 at 8:40 am

    I loooove your desk! That’s exactly what I’m looking for, for my PC and such. Unfortunately I never find such beautiful furniture here (well, I do, but only new ones, for over 100 Euro’s or so :()

    Reply
  30. Paula says

    September 29, 2011 at 9:26 am

    Love your desk update!

    Reply
  31. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    September 29, 2011 at 11:21 am

    Love how your desk turned out… thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  32. The Vintage Farmhouse says

    September 29, 2011 at 11:51 am

    LOVE the desk! Thank you for hosting!!

    Reply
  33. Curtains In My Tree says

    September 29, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    I like sheet music on anything desk included looks great

    janice

    Reply
  34. Maury says

    September 29, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    Thanks so much for hosting! That desk is SO COOL!

    Reply
  35. Jenni says

    September 29, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    Thanks for hosting Gina! The desk looks beautiful! I am so excited about everything you are “unlocking” in the month to come. You will find your mojo again for sure and if not, I think I have a bottle laying around somewhere.
    HUGS~
    Jenni

    Reply
  36. Bootersmom03 says

    September 29, 2011 at 1:41 pm

    Love what you did with the $6 desk! I love Paris Grey too! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  37. Monica says

    September 29, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    Hello Gina,
    I’m new to your party, and I’m already hooked!:)
    Hope you’ll like my coffee filter roses tutorial.
    Thanks for hosting, your desk is lovely!
    Monica.

    Reply
  38. Ivy and Elephants says

    September 29, 2011 at 6:49 pm

    Gina, I can’t wait to get my paws on a desk that sits in my mother’s closet. Wow, what a great transformation! Thanks for hosting such an amazing party! You have some amazing party goers here.

    Paula
    ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

    Reply
  39. Lolly Jane says

    September 29, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    thanks for hosting, gina. so loving that desk, great re-do! 😉
    xoxo,
    kelli & kristi

    Reply
  40. Kahli says

    September 29, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    Thanks for hosting! This desk is absolutely gorgeous what a great makeover!

    Reply
  41. Angie K. says

    September 29, 2011 at 10:47 pm

    Love the desk – along w/everything you do. I have to say, though…HOLY COW, BATMAN! 530 entries? Now this is a link party. LOL!

    Reply
  42. Katherines Corner says

    September 30, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    Gina I love the desk!! The top is inspired, truly brilliant!!Sending big hugs and sincere wishes for a weekend filled with joy, Katherine

    Reply
  43. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops} says

    September 30, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    Thanks for hosting a great link party! Love the music sheet desk! It looks amazing 🙂

    Reply
  44. Jenny@daysofchalkandchocolate says

    October 1, 2011 at 3:39 am

    The desk turned out beautifully! Thanks for hosting, too!

    Reply
  45. Rose c says

    July 27, 2016 at 6:10 pm

    Beautiful!

    Reply
    • Gina Luker says

      September 1, 2016 at 2:04 pm

      Thanks so much Rose!

      Reply
  46. patrick mack says

    July 27, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    great idea..i did a set of chairs using sheet music [ sorry no picture ] and called them musical chairs..

    Reply

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Hey there, I’m Gina!

I believe in the magic of soft living, finding joy in every day moments, and building a magical life from the inside out. I’ve spent the last 15+ years sharing my story online – through creativity, healing, and a little rebellious sparkle.

I’m a writer, dreamer, and witchy woman who believes your everyday life should feel enchanting.

Most days you’ll find me with paint on my hands, dirt under my nails, and a journal full of big dreams. I’m so glad you’re here.

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