Reimagining A Kitchen Desk

It was common in homes built 15-20 years ago, to include a desk. People felt they wanted to "work" in their kitchen. Pay bills, do homework... That is simply not how we live anymore. We now can work anywhere and the trend is to take the desks out of kitchens. We simply don't need a designated desk area in the kitchen. We had a desk in our kitchen and a cabinet above it. I decided I wanted to take it out.

Visually, it took up space and it simply wasn't used (except as a backpack, mail, junk catcher as everyone came home). So I had it removed. After it was gone, it was a little scary. Here is what it looked like after the cabinet and desk were pulled off the wall...

After I had the "what have I done?" thoughts, I began to imagine all of the possibilities of this wall. So many options! First, I had the outlet moved since it was in the middle of the wall. Then I tried my best to make the wall as smooth as possible. It proved a difficult task. So, I decided to do a fun paint treatment on the wall that would hide any imperfections. I painted it a dark gray and then used Venetian Plaster that I tinted several shades of lighter gray. I troweled on the different shades of plaster and created an almost Old World look as I dragged the trowel against the wall. (I LOVE doing paint treatments. It gives a wall a complete transformation!)

It has texture, it has shimmer, and it covered all imperfections left by ripping out the desk and cabinet. It also gives the room character and life. Instead of a painted wall, it has movement and charm.

A credenza, some art and accessories, and we have a completely new wall! It also made our room appear so much larger without a cabinet sticking out from the wall and the desk taking up so much floor space.

Don't be afraid to change walls you don't like! There are so many options as to what you can do. When you walk into your house, it should make you feel happy. Now, I am greeted by the Venetian Plaster wall and Mr. Cow and it makes me happy!