1900s Antique Rolltop Desk Restoration (ASMR)

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I found this charming rolltop desk on the street on garbage day, so obviously I had to bring it home. I tried my best to resist the urge to modify the piece since it had plenty of character as is, but I just had to add those two little drawers inside the shelving unit; they add so much functionality to an otherwise bland bottom slot, in my opinion.

I wanted to use a scraper to get rid of the paint as much as I could, but the drawer and most of the body didn't allow for this. The grain directions on the veneer covering most of this piece were vertical, and scraping perpendicular to the grain would certainly cause at least some damage to the thin veneer. For this reason, stripper was the way to go for removing the paint, after which sanding would do the final cleanup.

Let me know what you thought of this one :)

- Andy

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Below is a list of the tools and products that I used.

As a disclaimer, the above links may be affiliate links, so if you make a purchase with the links provided, I may receive a small commission. There's no extra charge to you, but it helps me out!

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Follow me on Instagram to see more makeovers that you won't see here on YouTube:

#restoration #furnituredesign #paintstripping

[ModernMakeovers]

Thank you for all the amazing comments as always 🥲 I can’t wait to share the next one with you all :)
- Andy

[lynleypaden]

I bet the people who threw that desk out want it back now! it’s absolutely stunning. thank you for sharing your talent with us, Andy.

[DannTann]

Wow! This company was in business from 1901 to 1985 and was a family owned company. Glad you restored a great piece of furniture.

[Kiki-]

I honestly go feral for dark stains like espresso and walnut, your channel is so therapeutic in a sea of painted cream furniture 😍

[leewood]

Omar's desk turned out gorgeous - the two little additional drawers look like they've always been there. And I always get a chuckle out of your stop-motion funny bits. Well done, as usual...

[thedivinemrm]

I'm never sure which I'm more in awe of: your craftsmanship or your editing skills. Tis a delightful conundrum.

[janetallen]

I wish people would have more furniture restored that was built in the earlier years. The furniture from the past is built much to last a lot longer than the stuff you buy now.

[jadaz]

Your videos could be 2 hours long and I would gladly drink every second of them like pure water

[KaytaRaven]

I love the random nature shots you intersperse with your woodworking, it’s so calming

[beckymiller]

Your little episode of frustration while scraping that white paint was so authentic! Your persistence and patient attention to every little detail is really impressive. Beautiful!

[wendyjansen]

They say, "one man's junk is another man's treasure." Beautiful restoration work done. ❤❤

[Rocketjay]

You not only did a beautiful restoration of this piece but even improved on the original with your additions. Bravo!

[pandorasflora]

I wanted to reach out and express how incredibly amazed and inspired I am by your work. Your furniture makeover videos are nothing short of mesmerizing – each piece you touch undergoes a magical transformation into a true work of art.
Your artistic vision and impeccable taste shine through in every detail, making each project a captivating journey to watch. The animations you add bring an extra layer of enchantment to the process, making it feel like the furniture itself is coming to life.
Your videos are more than just carpentry; they're a testament to your passion and skill. The way you infuse character and personality into each piece is truly remarkable. It's evident that every stroke of paint and every delicate carve is a labor of love.
I find myself eagerly awaiting each new video, excited to witness the next masterpiece come to life. Your work has inspired me to see the potential in everyday objects and the beauty that can emerge through creativity.
Thank you for sharing your artistry with the world. You're making the world a more beautiful place, one furniture piece at a time. Keep shining and creating!

[Flecha]

I bet Omar wants his desk back...

I'm so glad the desk was rescued. The legs are beautiful.

Nicely done as always. After a hectic day, it is such a pleasure to watch. 😍😍😍

[suecox]

What a lovely little desk and remarkable restoration--it's the perfect size, too, for a modern interior. (Clever camera work, too!)

[amydalton]

Your style is so much fun to watch even my husband and son will ask if you have a new one. And they never care about mom's lame furniture vids! And the outcomes are always absolutely stunning.

[mindygarza]

I find your videos inspiring and relaxing. Part of me wants to tackle an old dresser. Another part just wants to watch you all day. 😂

[KellyS_]

That was the best way I’ve ever seen of doing an in-video ad. It makes it so the viewer has something to watch while also watching the ad. It’s less tempting to skip forward. Very sensible!!

[-TheOracle-]

You did this piece justice. I actually thought I might have seen a more modern rendition or complete transformation. That would have been fine as well. Thank you for admiring the original.

[Katmosphere-dhev]

I didn't think your videos could get any better but you never fail to astonish me with each one that comes out. I love the entire process and seeing your artistic touches throughout the video. The desk came out so classy and utterly stunning!

I'm curious how long you've been doing this sort of thing for? Your workshop, tools and salvaged parts are so extensive, and your knowledge on how to even approach new projects is crazy impressive!