Heres where the desk started out.




I put it through a series of repairs and removed all the old, beaten finish down to bare oak.


Getting the finish right was important. A great finish could make the difference between this looking like an average Craftsman style desk you can find in any furniture store. Again I went to the Craftsman Bible, Bob Langs "The Great Book of Shop Drawings For Craftsman Furniture." and he didnt lead me wrong.

I gave the piece a quick finish sanding at 220 grit followed by a wipe down with a tack cloth. Then I wiped on two coats of Dark Walnut Watco Danish Oil and let it cure for two days. I gave it a light scuff buff with some steel wool and hauled the desk out of the shop and into the sun.

I then put on a half dozen coats of amber shellac. I buy the Bullseye brand from the local home center and cut it 2 parts shellac to 1 part denatured alcohol. Working in the sunlight is great because it speeds the already fast drying of the shellac and on a larger piece like this by the time you get to the end of one coat you can grab a quick drink of water and start over at the beginning again.

After the final coat of shellac I let it cure for a day, then a quick buff down with a finer steel wool to take down any dust nibs and even the surface. I followed this with a coat of paste wax and buffed that out by hand.

The results. . .  I found them to be fantastic.







With the wax on there was nothing left to do but move the desk up the stairs into my daughters bedroom. The trick was getting her to clean up, pick up, and move things around to open the space. I quickly shot some pictures before the clutter could crash back into place.


From a surprise of a project to start to some interesting repairs and problem solving to pull it together. This was a pretty fun and satisfying project. A good jump out of the gate in my new shop.

Ratione et Passionis
Oldwolf

Hi Everyone,

Were going to make left turn and set some of our wood turning projects aside and, heavens to betsy, make some square shaped items.

My oldest son is moving out and getting a place of his own and that poor critter doesnt have any furniture. I used to make furniture and Ive made a lot my furniture here at home and so Im going to help him out. Im going to make him a coffee table using plumbing pipe (see my other blog Piperooo for all the stuff you can do with ordinary plumbing pipe) and inset some tile into the top, so it will last and look nice.

Im going to need a work table for all this so Im gearing up to make one over the next several days and then well get going. I might even make him a bed frame too.

So look out world! Selkie Wood Works takes on the "square world!"

See you later,

VW

Hi Everyone,

Well, after a week of wringing my hands and worrying myself to an early grave, the repair service just called. The lathe has been repaired and I can pick it up tomorrow.

Stay tuned for the gala homecoming!

VW

 Bring a little rustic Tuscan Country charm into Your Home

Embody a style weve come to associate with Tuscany:


dark-timbered kitchens with dried herbs and garlic ropes hung from the rafters,

original terracotta tile floors,

large-windowed living rooms,

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Accent the Tuscan home with rustic, Old World country style furnishings.









Enjoy sitting with a glass of red wine while looking out into your Tuscan vineyard. Attach artificial vines to the mural vines and extend them out into the room with grapes hanging from them. 




Wine lovers will delight in this atmospheric wall mural of a vineyard. The background features rows of green and gold vines while in the foreground a table awaits tasters of the vintners best vintage. Vineyard wall mural would add charm to your dining room or, perhaps, to your wine cellar.

















Breathtaking and fetching, the 30" Width Tuscan Vineyard Personalized 7 Wine Bottle Shower Flushmount by Meyda Tiffany is a great selection. Show off your personality with this fetching flush mount utilizing 40 watts per bulb.













Tuscan Vineyard Villa 16 Wine Bottle Chandelier


Tuscan Vineyard Villa 16 Wine Bottle Chandelier-Tuscan Vineyard Villa 16 Wine Bottle Chandelier











Artificial plants can be used anywhere around the house. Steel wires used partially to hold the shape, makes it easy to bend or shape to your satisfaction


















Three arches frame a romantic view of a Tuscan village in this wall mural, rich in the golds and greens of the Italian hillside. Through the center archway, a fountain splashes surrounded by a bounty of flowers in pink, purple, white, cream and yellow.

























Step into the trattorria and have a coffee or glass of wine on a sunny afternoon. The yellow and orange hues of the awning and tile floor are wam and inviting or you can sit outside at the wrought iron table and watch the world go by.







 








Add some color to your table setting with this set of Tuscany Harvest balloon glasses. This Lenox barware comes in a set of four glasses in assorted colors.




Rolling hillsides and lush vineyards surround a lovely Italian villa, viewed through garden arbor pillars wrapped in grape vines and surrounded by terracot pots of bursting with blooms. This Italian countryside vista creates a perfectly restful haven in the home. Old world flavor with a touch of whimsy, the Europa collection of fine wallpapers adds a continental accent to your home through texture with color.



Weathered homes, baked by the Tuscan heat in the late afternoon, surround the courtyard garden beauty. Potted plants and vining blooms create an idyllic place to stop and rest.








This unique console table is a blend of many styles. The Courtland multicolor finish provides pops of color and the aged appearance of reclaimed wood. The cantilevered top offers a large surface for serving or display, while the two drawers provide storage spaces. The elegantly tapered legs lead the eye to the two lower slatted shelves.































This beautiful artwork by Rita Broughton has been digitally reproduced for tiles and depicts a wine and fruit scene with a garden in the background. Our kitchen tile murals are perfect to use as part of your kitchen back splash tile project. Add interest to your kitchen back splash wall with a decorative tile mural. If you are remodeling your kitchen or building a new home, install a tile mural above your stove top or install a tile mural above your sink. Adding a decorative tile mural to your back splash is a wonderful idea and will liven up the space behind your cook top or sink.






















This uniquely designed wine wall art set is a great home decoration accents and made of metal for long lasting. It also makes a great gift for wine lovers

To A Good Harvest wall mural at murals your way

Bring  the refreshing beauty of the Mediterranean vineyard to your bedroom decor. The Donna Sharp Vineyard Square quilt bedding collection features a patchwork of plaids, solids, and florals in shades of lavender, violet and green.


Vineyard Square Bedding








Turn an unwanted view or plain window into an elegant focal point that enhances your home or office decor. The vinyl cling film is adhesive-free, easy to apply and easy to remove.
 Privacy window film provides privacy day and night, lights on or lights off.

Visit Wallpaper for Windows

to browse their extensive line of decorative etched glass, stained glass window films, frosted glass films, and privacy window film designs.











Ground your dining rooms classic style with with this  Dolcetto Wine Cabinet. Featuring a distressed grey frame, natural wood finish drawer, metal door fronts and metal hardware, this buffet is a work of art. Great accent piece for the rustic Tuscan country farmhouse.






 
 



 

This beautiful Tuscan themed wall mural would work well in the dining room of a wine lover.

It features a pair of aged doors opening in the arch of a stone wall. Inside, wine barrels have been carefully stacked to preserve their precious contents










Wine Décor

Decorate your Tuscan-themed kitchen or bar with this fun look thats ideal for wine lovers.

A functional tabletop wine rack will hold your favorite bottles while the wine bottle cork container will help display the favorite vintages youve tried. Hang the silhouette wine bottle cutout on your wall and add the grapes wall plaque nearby.

Fruitful in its detail and charm, this plaque has an affirming ribbon-like banner that reads "Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much".


visit Terrys Village










This collage collection hanging wall art features oil reproductions with hand applied brushstroke finish. The frames offer the rustic beauty of hand-forged metal finish in distressed brown and black tones. Wonderful grapes and grape leaf accents decorate this charming piece.





















THESE CURTAINS ARE GORGEOUS and blend with so many colors: emerald, red, maroon, gold/yellow.















Tuscany Grape Vine Pattern Bedspread features a textured matelassé grapevine motif that twines and dances around a center circular floral theme. Choose from seven soft backdrop colors that include antique, white, quartz, French blue, linen and sage. Each bedspread has a knotted string fringe design adorning each edge. Complete a grape-, Tuscan- or wine-styled bedroom with the adorable Tuscany Grape Vine Pattern Matelasse Bedspread.






























If you love Venice, and who doesnt, you might want to immerse yourself in the tranquility of Sung Kims mural of a romantic gondola ride. Flank this mural with bookcases full of travel books and youll have the perfect spot to dream about your next vacation.




Vernazza, Cinque Terre wall mural


Italys Cinque Terre wall mural is composed of five villages, including Vernazza, the subject of this wall mural. On the right side of the mural, the cylindrical tower of the 15th century Doria Castle rises above the multi-storied buildings. On the left, homes have been carefully terraced into the steep hillside.






























If wine is your passion, youll appreciate this wall mural of the Vignamaggio Cellar, located in a Tuscan villa that dates from the 14th century. Wooden barrels line the walls of the cellar under bright chandeliers, as the Chianti wine is refined prior to bottling.




also visit:

Tuscan style decorating ideas and Tuscan style decor

Man Cave Decor - rustic wine barrel furnishings

French bistro style decorating ideas Blog
















Nothing is more inviting than the scent of baking bread in a warm and cozy rustic kitchen! A charming decorating idea is to use rough natural stone on one wall - this look is provincial and classic. Exposed wooden ceiling beams and richly stained wooden cabinetry continue the rustic theme. Finish the room with great lighting, either wrought iron or amber glass pendants.











50" High Faux Slate Floor Fountain. Water trickles out the top spigot of this faux slate fountain, into the center font, over the ridged leaf edging, and into the bottom reservoir for a calming sound.








for more decorating ideas and decor also visit:


Tuscan style decorating ideas and Tuscan style decor

Man Cave Decor - rustic wine barrel furnishings

French bistro style decorating ideas Blog

Paris Bedroom Ideas

Paris Apartment - French flea market style decorating ideas Blog 


Boudoir Theme Bedroom Decorating Ideas





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