I envisioned a tall, built-in desk with hutch for this sunny corner, with a bank of shelves under the window and floor cushions for the kids. I wanted Ballard Designs to bring a truck to my door and start unloading. Gulp, the rolltop desk wouldn't fit anywhere else. I stuck it in the corner and glared at it for a month or two.
My sister offered her old toile chairs. At least that made the big hulk less brown. Then my mom gave me a daffodil painting from Finder's Keeper's, a local consignment store ($45). Hanging it low and off-center connected the desk to the chair. I moved the lamp to the left, so it could be the tall point, then added our field guides and a potted ivy to fill in the triangle. A $3 pair of pillows brings the yellow across the room. Suddenly I didn't hate that corner anymore.
Please don't think I'm ungrateful about this desk. It has many faults, including a herniating weight, but I'm happy to keep moving it (6 times and counting!) so long as it pleases my husband!For more posts about making the most of your abundance, visit A Gracious Home.
17 comments:
This turned out lovely! It looks so inviting and warm! Great job!
It looks great! I love it...and actually a bit envious because I've always wanted a roll top.... utscp
It is amazing what a little decoration can do! What a lovely little nook to read and send out a sweet postcard to a friend or relative. You truly have an knack for decor!
Rean Day
This looks nice! I'm glad we are not the only ones who have inherited family "heirlooms" from their husband's family. Most of them are pretty nice and very lovely additions to our home, but the others-oh my...:-)
Oh, Meredith, it looks lovely! I adore those toile chairs:)
I love those chairs!
Blessings,
Karla
You did a great job and it looks very inviting. Your husband is blessed to have you.
I really like the rolltop desk. We have been considering buying one. Does (or would) your computer monitor fit in it? They speak so eloquently of a time past. I am drawn to that!
Bonnie
Gorgeous, Meredith! I love the little scenes that you create throughout your home without the help of Ballard Designs!!
Emma
Your corner is beautiful! The yellow and blue is such a cheerful combination. I wish I could find as many good deals on beautiful things as you and your mom do.
That is lovely. What a difference!
Beautiful!
Since you asked...
I would choose almost any desk over a roll top. This one, anyway. It's a very uncomfortable setup for writing. It doesn't hold a computer monitor at all--and barely fits my laptop, with no storage for printers, etc. Even the little storage cubbies are the wrong size for my envelopes. Most importantly, it juts so far out of the wall that it's impossible to fit places.
There, now I feel better!
You have such an eye, Meredith! Did you learn all of these design elements (the triangle concept you mentioned, for example) from the Stoddard books, too; or is this just a natural thing for you? Your rooms are always so pleasingly arranged.
BTW, you are a very wise woman to cheerfully accept these things that are important to your husband.
Maybe the desk might be good for craft supplies?
I was wondering too if the desk would be better for storage of "something" rather than attempting to use as workspace.
I can see how it has a lot of presence and family history, but is hard to really make use of. On the other hand, those toile chairs are a great family hand-me-down! I've got to tell my sisters to start buying better furniture, lol.
wow, beautiful room!
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