Gather round, my darlings, and let me tell you a story. A love story.
A few years ago, after I had finally escaped the horrors of dorm living, I moved into an apartment with one of my older sisters. She is kind, funny, and generous, and she is also extremely pragmatic and organized. While I am not an unclean person, I have my own version of “organized” that might not adhere to strict definition. (My sister, on the other hand, used to color-coordinate her neatly penned notes for pharmacy school and mount them on appropriately colored construction paper.)
After moving in together, we made a list of the things we would need to decorate and round out furnishings. We wanted end tables for our living room. For my bedroom, all I needed was a calendar to hang on my wall. That was it. My sister wanted accessories for her bathroom.
After many trips to Target, Wal-Mart, and a furniture consignment store, Amy walked away with matching rugs, hand towels, and a coordinating sparkly purple shower curtain. I ended up with this:
… and then I scratched my head and wondered why it wasn’t a calendar.
But, really, I was in love. I had yet to meet A., so my heart was more or less fulfilled by this sweet slip of oak and lacquer, this elegant writing desk for a wanna-be writer. It may have elicited an eye-roll from a certain pragmatic sibling, but it had called my name and whispered passionately, “Darling, I’m only $30 dollars!”
Somehow, we stuffed it into my sister’s car and managed to get it safely into my bedroom, where I probably petted it for a while.
Over the next few years, I diligently pounded out hundreds of pages of papers, screenplays, and articles at the desk. It traveled to two new rooms with me and always fit right in.
And then, slowly, as some lovers do, we grew apart.
As in, A. and I wedded, bought a house, and shoved it into “the office” as our sole piece of office-y furniture. And then we started hanging out only in the downstairs living room with our computers on our laps like typing zombies. Okay, I type, and A. plays video games. (Like a zombie.)
Anyway, this is getting long we recently acquired a larger desk from some friends that fills up the office bedroom. And so, with a warm wave of nostalgia, I moved my estranged writing desk into our bedroom. It felt so right. But…it looks so wrong. Or does it work? I can’t tell. Clearly, I’m partial.
Please, tell me your thoughts. Is it weird to have a desk facing you as soon as you walk into the bedroom? Are you put off by the lack of chair? Me too. Should I paint it? (Maybe that would be wrong…I’m so confused!) Should I move it elsewhere in the house?
I do love the dainty details, and the long skinny legs. Maybe I’m projecting other desires….hmm….
All I know is that I still have feelings for this desk. We’re just on a break.
Looking for some direction (and probably a chair),
First – I LOVE the desk. I got talked into getting rid of mine from college and I regret still.
Two thoughts:
1) Turn it into a reading corner: comfy chair and ottoman, swivel arm lamps that sits on the desk. You can use the desk to store classic favorite books or the latest thing you’re reading, tuck favorite candies into those drawers for weak moments, and DIY some fun costers to set your drink on while you curl up and read. Even add some floating shelves to the wall around the desk to give you more book storage space.
2) Turning it into dressing station: Hang that mirror lower or get a larger one, buy a chair/stool to sit on, fun glass containers to hold jewlery, accesories, etc. that can go on that back shelf. Get a coat hanger to hang purses and scarves from. DIY a fun print mat to put on the surface (or just use a placemat secured to the surface) and get yourself a free standing light for next to the desk and you have a place to do makeup and accessories in the morning.
Ooooh, I love the idea of making it into some sort of vanity – it sounds so Victorian-era. You should do that. A. won’t mind.
(and I really think we should keep the part about Amy’s pharmacy notes within the family … not too many people need to know about that …)
I personally like Katie’s idea of a reading nook. I’ve been chewing on that idea myself in my own room and she perfectly described what my goals are. I love it! It’s nice to have a little “nookish” place to run away to every so often. That’s my vote!
J – Let’s paint it a fun color, add glass knobs, fill it with pretty containers of jewelry, and make it a vanity! Do it! Have I ever steered you wrong?
Also, you forgot to add that she would laminate them
Oh, Amy.
Love,
K