Facebook Marketplace is a platform where users can buy, sell, or trade items, usually locally. Users can post items for sale and/or they can browse listings to make purchases. I’ve done both, but my favorite thing to do is browse the listings to see what’s available nearby.

As someone who loves restoring or repurposing old items, checking Facebook Marketplace has become a regular habit. I often come across items I want to buy, can easily envision repurposing, and also have the room for in my house.  Sometimes I find pieces I want, don’t know what I will do with them, but just “have” to have them.

Last March was one of those days.

I saw what was advertised as a “vintage desk,” and the seller was asking $40 for this piece. It was a bargain. I didn’t know where I would put this desk in my house. I didn’t know how I would use it. But I knew I had to have it.

I was surprised when I saw the desk in person. It was just 38″ high. So was this a child’s desk? The seller didn’t know its history. Still, it was beautifully constructed, definitely vintage, and had the most gorgeous leaded glass cabinet doors. And being so small in height, it gave me an idea for its use. I was decorating one of our guest rooms in a child’s fairy tale theme, and this would fit right in.

Of course, I brought it home.

I wasn’t a fan of the golden oak look, so my first plan was to sand it down and restain it a lighter color. But after taking a closer look at all the intricate details—especially the grooves in the lower doors—I quickly changed my mind. Instead, I opted to paint most of the desk and stain just a small portion. It was the quickest and easiest way to get the job done.

I removed the hardware and cleaned it up by boiling it in water then scrubbing it with Bar Keepers Friend and a wire brush. Even though most of the pieces cleaned up fairly well, some of the them had some kind-of-something on them that I couldn’t get off, so I elected to spray paint them all a “hammered iron” which has a vintage look and fits well with the finished piece.

All four doors were missing the external hardware for the cabinet door locks, and it took a while to find suitable replacements.

I couldn’t use the door hinges because they were so old and rusty, and it was impossible to find exact replacements because of their dimensions. It was a challenge to find something that would work, but switching from internal to external hinges was the trick.

I removed the back panel of the desk and replaced it with a chalkboard. It just seemed like a fun thing to do.

Finally, I lined the drawers with a rich green fabric, accented with a subtle hint of red. Chances are, no one will see this but me, but it brings me joy, so why not?

This desk will go into our guest room that has a child’s theme, so the fact that it is small in height is perfect.

It couldn’t be more perfect here!   If you’re so inclined, check out Facebook Marketplace. You might just find a new hobby!