B&A: A Renter-Friendly (and Budget-Friendly) DIY Project with Bright Red Paint
When you’re armed with creativity and DIY know-how, every piece of secondhand furniture has potential. From bad shellac to dated hardware, you can see past the imperfections to a whole new look. And if you’re interior decorator Imani Keal — whose Washington, D.C., apartment is an ode to ingenious renter-friendly DIYs and plenty of pattern mixing — then that look is going to be maximalist in the best way.
“I genuinely believe that ‘more is more’ is the only way to live,” Imani says.
When she rescued a wood desk bound for the landfill, she had a bold vision for how to upcycle it. The desk was beautiful as-is, but it wasn’t the right fit for Imani’s vibrant aesthetic. Nothing a little paint can’t change!
Imani picked up some Valspar paint to give her desk and matching stool a new personality.
Widely available at Lowe’s, Valspar paints deliver rich colors and durable formulations at a very DIY-friendly price. For this project, Imani chose Classic Red (1009-2), a warm and attention-getting hue that fit right in with her existing decor.
After removing the desk’s hardware and stripping the existing finish, Imani sanded everything smooth.
Ta-da: A renter-friendly paint project that adds so much personality.
The finishing touch? Imani reupholstered the stool cushion in leopard print fabric: a masterfully maximalist combo. All that prep paid off! Her “new” desk went from a mismatched antique to a one-of-a-kind creation that brings her space to life.
