Decoupage Desk Project for tweens and teens

What you'll need:

• a crafty tween age daughter who craves a big girl room
• an ugly old but sturdy desk
• a few flat paint brushes
• A ton of old magazines
• a jar or two of classic mod podge glue
  
• a jar of hardcoat mod podge glue

Part of our yearly "back to school" rituals involve a big kid's bedroom purge and refresh.  Last weekend it was Cordelia, my 9.5 year old daughter's turn.  We sorted and tried on clothes as needed to decide what still fits and what does not.  We made lists of things she needs like new socks, pjs, and undergarments.  We also removed items she no longer uses.

Cordelia parted with a giant bag of books and a few toys.  We passed them all along to some younger friends yesterday.  This year she also decided she wanted to trade out her pottery barn kids tea table and pair of chairs for a larger working space with a chair more her height.

We had a sturdy desk in the basement currently used to hold clutter.  Hubby decluttered it, washed it, and carried it up with one of our sons.  It had two desk drawers, fit the spot perfectly, but was about the ugliest thing Cordelia had ever seen.

Cordelia is an "A" student and competitive hip-hop dancer with a passion for crafting and all things fashion.  We pondered our other options and ultimately decided to decoupage the desk with magazine clippings.  It was the right price, an eco-friendly decision, and a craft project so the idea was easily sold to everyone.  We now have a one of a kind desk in what we've deemed to be Cordelia style.

How you'll do it:

Using your flat brush paint the back of the magazine clippings with classic Mod Podge glue and stick the paper onto the desk. Then paint more glue over the top of the clipping and use your finger to smooth out the wrinkles as best possible. Repeat until you cover the whole surface of your desk.  Let dry.  Paint over entire completed desk with hardcoat mod podge.  Let dry again.

The best part of this project is it can remain a "work in progress" for quite some time if you'd like.  Start by completing the desk top surface, and add to the rest as the "mood" strikes.