To my surprise when I went to pick it up, it was actually a double desk — everything you see on one side is the exact same on the other. That discovery made the project twice as rewarding.
I started out by sanding the top to bare wood. An electric sander made quick work of the old finish, revealing the raw grain underneath. After wiping away every trace of dust, it was time for some staining action.
The transformation was all about letting the natural character of the wood come through. No paint — just careful sanding, a rich stain, and a protective topcoat to seal everything in.
The double-desk design meant repeating every step on both sides, but the symmetry paid off. The finished piece has a warm, classic presence that fits beautifully in a home office or study.
This project was completed a couple of months before the post went up. The desk was found through a local listing and went to a customer who had been searching for something just like it — she fell in love with it the moment she saw the after photos.