My orange desk

This desk really started it all. My son (who is 28 and getting married next October to wonderful, Rita Marie) finally moved out of the house while attending Washington University's Business School. I figured it was probably for good, since he is getting married next fall. I didn't want to repaint his room or get new window treatments, so I had to work with what was there. I saw this fabulous quilt in the Sundance catalog that combined blues and oranges (another one of my favorite colors) and so we set out to decorate around that quilt (which is funny because I never actually bought the quilt).


Now Ryan's room is HUGE-really. Most folks with kill for a master bedroom this size. And for me it is just a guest bedroom now. Well, I have my old bedroom set (colonial-you've seen it, I promise). But the room was bare. So thought, my guests would like a desk. On my first venture to Selkirk Auction house, I found this beat up old desk in the back corner--the place that is really the junk of junk at Selkirk. The auction is usually almost over by the time they get to this stuff. which means there are hardly any bidders left. So, I got the "lot", which included a gorgeous cedar trunk, for $25!! The desk was water damaged and was pretty rough. For $25 I really didn't think I could hurt it, so Mike and I gave it a try.


We sanded, primed and then painted it orange..rust really. I also "antiqued" it. It turned out fabulously. And it didn't take any time at all to do. It gave the room the look I was after--whimsy, blue, orange, and comfy.


Here it is: Petree's $25 desk.

Gabrielle's Purple and Lime Green desk and chair

Audrey's sister, Gabrielle, is getting this purple and lime green desk for Christmas from Santa too. This is nifty find I got at White Rabbitt, a while back. I originally bought it for my eventual (I hope) granddaughter. It was a sage green with toule painted flowers on it. It was really cute, but a bit worn. Jill's daughter Theresa had for a while, but wanted more drawers for all her activities (writing contracts, drawings, horse back riding memorabillia and alike). I have her Mom's childhood desk to complete for her. It will be teal and rasberry with big circles on it!

So I got this desk back and made it my favorite child hood color-purple--and my favorite adult color--lime green. I am sure Santa will surprise Gabrielle with this fun desk.

Audrey's blue and rasberry desk

This desk was one I bought at Selkirk's auction house. I had a few people look at it. It was a mahoganey vanity with a mirror. I think it is perfect for a little lady! Kelly wanted to surprise her two daughters for Christmas. This one was for Audrey. She is girly girl from what I understand and I hope she loves it. This is her Dad helping Santa get it delivered. Santa doesn't usually bring blue and rasberry desks in his sleigh.

Elise's Trunk

My dear friend, Jill, has three daughters. Each of them have a their own room. Elise, the oldest, is now in junior high or middle school, whatever they call these days. Anyway, she is changing and has been changing from a tomboy to a bit more girly. Anyway, she wanted some pink in her blue room. Jill, who is a storage goddess, wanted to get Elise a trunk. I just happened to pick one up with the desk I bought at the auction and so it was ok to experiment. I also had gotten these cool stencils and thought what the heck let's have some fun. The result...fun, personalized blue, pink and lime green just for Elise.



Here it is:


If I find additional trunks to paint and personalize. I would be happy to do it. Of course the price will depend on the cost of the trunk, paint/supplies and my labor. I expect trunks to run between $100 to $200. Watch this Blog for trunks available.

Blue, Green and Orange Desk with Hutch and Chair

I acquired this desk, hutch and chair at an auction. I thought it was the perfect set to creatively use multiple colors. My craft room and studio is done in these colors and so I felt pretty sure it would all work. It was quite a bit of work and I really didn't make any money on this. But I had fun and showed the Craig's List world what I could do. I also got the chance to " stage" the desk with items from my craft room to show how darn cute this was. I love it. My favorite client with three daughters purchased this. It was the second set where I picked the colors and then took a chance it would sell. I sold it for $180. I really should have sold it for more, but I was happy that it found a home.

Here it is:

Kelly Green Desk

My favorite client, the one with three daughters, also wanted a desk for daughter number 2. I was worried after she wanted the purple desk...but again...she was the customer. My best customer. I had my doubts...but bam...she was right on. She wanted the desk painted Kelly green with a light green drawer. I say...Laura you know your colors. It too turned out fabulously.



Here it is:

It has clear crystal knobs. I got a good deal on this desk so I sold it for $175.

The First Purple Desk

I found this great desk in Farmington and waited to paint it. It was so cool, with this compartment on top. I debated about color, but couldn't decide what to do hoping that fate would let me know. Well, I had this great customer who had three daughters and she was looking to get desks for them for Christmas. When she saw it she said, "I want it purple". My heart sank because I was kind of thinking...pale yellow. But then I remembered that purple was my FAVORITE color when I was a little girl. In fact, my favorite bike, was purple. You know the kind with a banana seat. Well, a sale is a sale. And as Mike says...if she wants it in purple...then purple is shall be.

I painted that desk with all my heart. I meticulously examined it from all angles and make sure the purple desk was perfect. And then I added purple knobs and lime green knobs. Even better, I added the purple lover little girl's initial in lime green "M". I hope she loves it as much as me.

Here it is:



This desk prompted my customer to tell all her kids' friends' moms...a business is born. Thanks Laura.

Sea Stories

I saw this desk and immediately thought...little boy. Little boy and the sea. So I painted the desk a ship blue and taupe. It came with the pencil sharpener attached which Ithought was cool. I priced the desk, with chair at $275. I also painted "Sea Stories' underneath. I posted on Craig's List but no takers. I reduced the price to $250. It is still available. I think my niche is really girls desks. Anyway, when I have time, I'll do another one of my Stories Underneath, but under a girl's desk.

Stories Underneath

Stories Underneath is my attempt at adding something extra special to my painted furniture. When I was little I was always hiding under the bed, under the dining room table, under the coffee or end table, in a closet or anywhere my little brother could not find me. To pass the time, I would often take a book and read. I would take picture books, encyclopedias...whatever Dad had on the shelf that looked interesting. So I thought, kids today are so absorbed by all the different media that there must be some place they could hide and dream like me. I decided to paint the beginnings of a story underneath one of my desks. When kid lays down and looks up...boom--a story...pictures...imagination...

Here is my logo^. you are looking down on a table with a mommy and little boy obviously reading under the table. The pooch just thinks their crazy.

My next blog is the first desk with a story underneath.

Petree Repurposed is Born

Petree Repurposed was founded after I painted a little desk I got at an auction for $25. It turned out so cute that I thought--"I can do this". I love auctions and love to create. Mostly I love to find new homes of old furniture that is...repurposed just like me.

With all of Petree Repurposed painted furniture, the price of the item depends on several factors-the cost of the item unfinished, the paint/supplies, the number of drawers-which drives the number of cute decorative knobs, and the amount of work it will take to make it look professionally done. These are handpainted so not as perfect as a spray job, but are very nicely done. All pieces are sanded and painted with high quality Benjamin Moore paints.

This is a picture of the first desk I sold. It was a petite little girl and could double as a vanity. The desk was painted this fun blue with crystal knobs. It had a lot of interest and sold for full price at $135. This the cheapest desk I did. I really didn't make that much, but it was a good test of Craig's list and the interest level.


















Pretty cute, huh?