Hello friends! Today I’m featuring a furniture shop that allows us DIYers and designers to personalize raw furniture with our own finishes. I was introduced to Ave Home and their collection of raw furniture and was excited to see their furniture in its raw state allows anyone to tailor it to their individual preference. This desk is the first of three pieces I’ll be finishing and featuring this year.
The first piece I was drawn to was the Colette Desk – I’ve needed a new desk for my office and this one with its classic French style appealed to me. It arrived via freight then I unpackaged it to get started on painting it.
When it arrived in its raw wood state I chose to paint it with a classic white and gold combination, keeping the surface and fluted legs white and gilding the egg and dart detail and also the hardware.
I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White (2 coats) then finished the surface with a coat of clear wax (I apply it with a rag then buff it).
For the gilding I used two products that work well, Liquid Leaf in ‘Brass’ for the egg and dart molding and Gold Leaf spray paint on the hardware.
I shopped my house for a more classic decor with which to style it, including paintings purchased on my European travels and a crystal lamp from my master bedroom.
I love that this desk is finished on all sides, including the back, not all desks offer this feature and it’s a welcome detail for when this piece finds its new home in my office because the back of the desk will face the entrance.
I chose white for my own home but I’d love to see this piece in a pale pastel pink with gold detail or a deep charcoal or glossy black.
Ave Home has a variety of unfinished pieces you can choose from, hop over to their online shop to see many more selections and to find a personal favorite among the collection of raw furniture.
Catch up with Ave Home by following along here: Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram
This project brought to you in partnership with Ave Home, an online source for the DIYer or designer who seeks quality furniture pieces to personalize for their clients or their home. All opinions are my own.
Great job on the desk…I really like the vignette!! franki
Beautiful desk! Looked into the company and found several items I would love to have, and I actually started to order a piece until it got to the shipping charges – totally out of hand. Almost half the cost of the item. Sadly, I will not be ordering anything.
This turned out lovely! Very nice work. However, this furniture is very pricy, especially when you add on shipping. I’d rather get mine second or third hand anyway. In my experience, the quality is so much better and they are always way cheaper than this.
That desk is stunning Kate! You always do everything beautifully! I love the white with the gold. Classic with a touch of glitz and glam! I finished a dresser recently that I did in a soft ballet pink with gold accents. Have a great week!
Gasp, Angels are singing! That is gorgeous! Love your style.
“Raw furniture” what a great concept. I wonder if there’s such a thing here in the UK?!
Very lovely what you did. I’m amazed at what that desk costs and considering it’s unfinished. Whoa! But maybe you got a discount. Anyway, you did nice work.
Agree with others who posted– this is amazing, I love the concept and what you did with the desk. Just beautiful! When I went to look at their website however, the item cost + shipping seems cost prohibitive for the average DIYer. I’ll keep looking at thrift shops and antique stores for cool pieces I can tweak a little or paint! Thanks for the inspiration!
Gorgeous!!! Just what I am looking for to use in my new “office”.
I agree with others as well. Kate always does an amazing job with makeovers. But for me, I mostly do projects because of the cost savings vs. buying full retail, and the recycling aspect. The creativity is part of it, but my finishes never look as professional if I bought the pieces, and my time is valuable, so I only do it if I’m saving considerably (i.e. Thrift shop or free pieces), and feeling good about saving something from a dumpster. Still- Love the inspiration, Kate!