Wood Desk Tray Organizer Hack and Makeover

I was provided product by DecoArt and compensated to write about this project, but all thoughts, opinions, and ideas are my own :)

I used to be so organized while growing up. Everything had it's place. I'm not sure what happened in my 20s, but for some reason that is sooo not the case anymore. I like to think everything has it's place still, but I'm definitely far from the organized person I was in the past. I have lots of spots of clutter. 

I feel like January is always a good time to start organizing and decluttering challenges. I'm not up for a challenge itself, but I'm all for organizers to help keep my life a simpler...and cleaner. This cute little one can be found on Amazon. 

 Not quite my style. It's kind of screaming for a makeover, don't you think? I updated it to look like this: 

 Paint can do amazing things! I used DecoArt's Americana Acrylics to achieve this look. The colors I used: White Wash, Desert Cactus, Dried Clay, and Summer Squash. 

Other products I used:

• Sandpaper
• Rose cut out in multiple sizes (I cut mine out using my Silhouette)
• Leather stripes and/or draw pulls
• 2 washers
• Drill

Step 1: This surface is pretty shiny, so I scratched it up a little using some sandpaper. This will help the paint adhere better.

 Step 2: Paint the whole thing, besides the inside, with White Wash. This will take multiple coats. Use a hair dryer to speed up the process.

 Make sure to get the edges for a good even look.

 Step 3: Using vinyl cut outs, place your design on the top shelf of the organizer. I used this rose motif in multiple sizes. To get it in the corners, bend the design and place it in the corner first, and then continue to press down the design from there. My largest rose is about 7" in diameter. The smallest one is about 3".

 Step 4: In a somewhat random, but strategically placed way, paint some of the petals of each rose with Desert Cactus. I used a stipple brush for this, but instead of a blotting technique, I smoothed it out. 

 Step 5: Next, paint some petals with the Dried Clay.

 Step 6: Now finish each rose off with painting the remainder petals Summer Squash.

 Step 7: Carefully peal off the vinyl to reveal the design. Do any touch ups if necessary. 

 Step 8: Paint the sides of the organizer with Dried Clay. I then added another rose in White Wash. You can either do this beforehand by placing the petals down first, and then painting over it with the Dried Clay. Or add the stencil of the rose afterwards, and painting the White Wash over the Dried Clay.

 Step 9: To add a little interest to the drawers, I painted the sides with Dried Clay, so when you pull them out there will be some color.

 Step 10: I decided to use the back of each drawer as the front. I'm not a fan of that little cutout. On the back of each drawer, I found the middle and drilled a small hole. 

 Step 11: On the bottom two drawers, I added my own little handle by using 8" leather strips. I pulled the strips through a washer, and then through the hole. I tied the leather into a knot on the backside of the drawer. 

 I used a cute little wood pull I got from Hobby Lobby on the top drawer. 

Here's the finished look:

 I love how this design looks different from every angle. The question is, what area is this going to help organize in my house? My girls are already asking for it in there bathroom. So, I think that's where it's going to live. 

The top will be perfect for little mason jars full of cotton balls and q-tips. The drawers will be great organizers for hair supplies! What do you think? What you would you use this little organizer for? The possibilities are endless! 

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