You remember that we live in a wee cottage, right? Just keep that in mind as I tell you another story.
My husband asks for very little. I am the collector, the luster-after-vintage, the-ebay-etsy-antique shopper. Don? He wants a new guitar every once in a long while…and that is about it. He is very undemanding. When I first met him, he had very few items in his possession. He was acting in plays that kept him on the road, so he didn’t accumulate much. Now that we have this life together, he loves all of the things we have chosen to make our cottage our home.
We took a Sunday drive a few weekends ago and we stopped at a charming antique shop. Almost immediately upon entering, Don spied a spinet desk and he couldn’t take his eyes off it. It reminded him of a desk he’d had as a child. He wanted it…very clearly wanted it. (Now I like spinet desks as well, and have always thought it would be neat to have one.)
It is rare when he really falls in love with something, so we stood there discussing it and trying to justify buying it. The obvious question came up: “Where would we put it?” My answer? “There are maybe 2 places we could put it, but it would involve much rearranging and I don’t know if it will work.” Our cottage is tiny and there is very, very little wiggle room for adding new things.
But we bought it. I mean, how could we not? It was a great deal and my husband loved it.
The one place I thought it might work was at the base of our staircase. We have a little built in cupboard under the stairs that reminds me of something out of a 40’s movie, like “Christmas in Connecticut” or “White Christmas” – it is very cottagey. I keep lots of stuff in there including the vacuum, the swiffer; things that I use daily. In order to make this work, I had to clear all of that out of there as well as rearrange a closet in the den which had a lot of stuff in it that needed to be tossed. We figured we could put the vacuum, etc. in the den closet – I use them every day and I certainly wasn’t going to be moving the desk every time I needed them. One thing led to another and it ended up being a several-hours-long job. But it is done. The desk is in place. It does add a lot to that little area – providing us with another nook in our home. I’ve only had to move it four times – because now that I am working on this new project, I needed the paint and tools that were stored in the cupboard. The tools are now joining the vacuum in the den closet.
The wood is so pretty – It looks like cherry but it might be some wood stained in cherry.
This is a vintage cigarette box that I bought in Edinburgh many years ago. I think it looks perfect on the desk – I can’t add too much since it is basically Don’s area and he doesn’t want a lot of ‘stuff’ there. He really loves the desk in this little niche and I must admit I do, too. The table lamp gets turned on in the evening, adding a lovely glow to what was previously a dark corner.
We’re using a Windsor chair for the desk at present, but it is not the right scale and eventually we will replace it. I was moving the chair out of the way to take a photo and who did I spy peeking through the spindles?
Yes, Mr. Riley…checking up on me.
I’m still working on my project – I didn’t get around to it today. Some of you mentioned the kitchen island. If you want to know more about it you can read this post and this post. I eventually want to add a butcher block or marble top to it.
What a great desk!
I used to keep Christmas decorations in my “under the staircase” cabinet.
Now I don’t have stairs.
Don’t you love how a lamp in a new place changes the look of your home?!
Oh I love it! My aunt has the one my grandmother had in her front hall for a million years and hers is just where yours is! I already feel at home in your sweet cottage! How nice you made a special place for it!
Hugs, Lisa
I have a spinet desk in my master sitting room & I LOVE IT, too! Yours is gorgeous & it does look lovely in your corner of the house.
Pop over for our giveaway. TTFN ~ Marydonunkstr
Love the desk! I can see why you both fell in love with it. Thanks for stopping by and showing an interest in my party, I wasn’t sure if people would be interested. I can’t wait to see what you have to share, have a great night!
Claudia, That piece is fabulous. And I love the color! ~ Lynn
P.s. Put the fake doggie under the desk.
Butcher block already made at home depot…..they are great. Love the new desk. Ciao Rita
What you did with that spot is fantastic, to say the least, honey. You did well with it and yessssss, if hubs wants it then he should be able to have it. Exception would be a turquoise recliner, however. Uuuughhhh! But I don’t think I’ve ever seen the “whole” of the cottage. Is there a blog post about it where I could see. It looks bigger than you say it is, but that might be because of that fantastic porch. I see the sliding doors to another room. Looks so darling I’d love to see it in its entirety.
xoxo,
Connie
What a beautiful desk! It looks right at home in its very special corner!
Hugs,
Marsha
Claudia, I love the desk! I’m so happy for you and your husband that you got it. I’m of the mind if something speaks to your heart like that and you both want it, then get it right then and there because it will be gone when you decide you want it and go back for it later. And this is a wonderful piece. Very handsome, indeed.
I think it’s in the pefect spot (albeit a tiny bit of challenging spot right at first), and I like your very wonderful cigarette case on there. I love nooks like that in hallways. This gives the hall more purpose than being a simple pass through, and I like that.
I really your cottage… the floors look super, and I like the charm of that little closet under the stairs. I have a friend who lives in a very old cottage in St. Augustine who gave me permission to take some shots of his house which I hope to post at some point. He has very little wiggle room, but it’s just delightfully charming. Very rustic, and I love every nail and board. I think small has a lot to offer in terms of charm, and yours is that, Claudia.
XO,
Sheila :-)
Oh my Claudia, a sweet story and beautiful desk- It looks like it was suppose to be right there all the time! Great find! Suzy
Oh, it’s perfect for that spot, Claudia!! Nice taste, Don! That little closet behind the desk reminds me of some I Love Lucy episodes. When they moved to Connecticut, their farmhouse had a closet like that!
The desk looks so good there with the lamp on it and all… Isn’t it nice to get a bit of light in an area that was previously dark? Perfect now that it gets dark so early…
I had to enlarge your photos, of course, so I could see all the details. I just love the (cast iron?) doorstop that looks like Scout! And your beautiful (McCoy?) planter to the right of the desk.. I’m drooling! That’s pretty much the color I was looking for when I bought the planter for my aloe vera plant.
Riley is sooooo sweet, standing there looking up at his momma!
Love everything, Claudia! (I even saw the fabric pumpkin in the step down family room!!)… Donna
Claudia, that desk is beautiful!!! I am so glad you bought it, it just looks perfect right there! I love it when my hubby gets excited about something :):)
Hugs,
Amy
Beautiful desk! We have had a few in the shop and every one I have wanted!!
That is a Wonderful Desk!! My mother has one and I have been dropping hints to her for years that if she decides she no longer wants it, that I do. It’s Great you found somewhere to put it cause it is a fabulous looking piece! ~ Tracy
You know I’ve had that swan since early on in my country/prim decor days, Claudia. I know I purchased it on eBay, but for the life of me I don’t remember the seller name. I’ll bet if you did a search for swan decoys – or – carved swans – on eBay you’d find something similar, if not identical.
I actually have an impatiens that is struggling to keep its flowers… it’s in a pot that is protected under a bench out by the front door… I guess that has kept it from getting frost-bitten and completely biting the dust!!
Donna
“One thing led to another…”
Isn’t that always the way when adding furniture to the mix? But in the end, your desk looks perfect where it landed. And Mr Riley is darling. -amy
Hi Claudia,
What a beautiful desk. It looks great in its new home. And I love, love, love your kitchen island. Using the sideboard as an island was a great idea. Looks great in your kitchen.
Hugs,
♥Ana
What a perfect fit! Both the desk and Husband and You!
Really like the idea of turning the buffet into an Island in the Kitchen…wish I had room in mine.
Love it, It looks great!
Love the spinet and the kitchen island and your fab cottage!
Even though I not always leave a comment, every day I pop by..love to read your stories!
Xx
Oh Claudia!
Isn’t love grand? I mean we buy so many things and our DH(s) they really do not. They just sort of float along with us. So when they find their heart’s desire, it is so hard to say no to them. I usually end up giving in too. I love the desk, and it does look so lovely in the stairway area. How beautiful is that shine? I love the little cubby areas to store things in. You have both made a fine choice for your little cottage. I so love it. Thanks for sharing this fine Tuesday Claudia. Country hugs and love, Sherry
This is beautiful! Love desks, and it’s fabulous how a lamp in a new spot adds charm to a room!!
Hugs,
Monica x