I didn't paint the desk. We found it like that at a used furniture store and I fell in love with it.
Check thrift stores for the CD storage units. I got that great wooden one that spins for only $4.99 and the black plastic one was 99 cents. I already had that little wicker bench and it just happened to fit perfectly on top of it.
I have never bought a FQ except those in the basket that I got at Tuesday Morning for very low prices. Way less than a dollar each. Because I deconstruct clothing, pillow shams, cases, etc. I just fold fabrics that are FQ size and put them in the CD cabinets.