They say if you buy what you really love,
you will always find a place for it.
When we lived in Paris ten years ago, we bought this
150 year old farm table at a flea market.
It’s been our kitchen table in three houses.
Recently, we moved to a new condo in Mammoth Lakes, California that had a dining table. So, this came to the Newport Beach home.
The desk that I had here previously is in my son’s room.
My most current working files are handy in this sturdy tote.
The filing cabinet went into the closet.
These dried boxwood topiaries from Restoration Hardware
are spruced up with moss at the base and a little raffia.
Look at the patina on the table.
So, I purchased these rustic metal boxes.
I like the brass handle.
The top “money” box is from Restoration Hardware and
has a working lock and key.
The bottom box, from Pottery Barn, has a drawer with dividers
for pens, staples, etc.
Usually my desk looks like this but I try to straighten it up each evening.
It’s great to have all this “elbow room.”
For other ideas for beautiful, stylish desks, check out my
There is more about the renovation of my office loft space here.
Lily says
Love your antique desk! Very nice and beautiful!
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country kitchen furniture
Alex says
A very lovely piece of work. And I really like the light. Looking fabulous.
Karen P says
What is the blue paisley fabric that you have a swatch of in one of the pictures? Its beautiful.
Jordan@the2seasons says
Wow what a great desk! My work area is a disaster during the day and I do try to put the papers away each night but it doesn't always happen. I am going to at least do it right this week. Baby steps. Enjoy the workspace.
Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says
Oh it is just gorgeous!!! Love your whole work area!
XO
Kristin
Jessie says
That nook is perfect as the home office! Love your working area especially the desk and those beautiful topiaries! The metal boxes are fabulous, too!
Thanks for stopping by, Mary Ann!
Jessie
http://www.mixandchic.com
Karena says
Mary Ann I love your desk. It is so perfect and yes a great piece to re-purpose! Adore the metal boxes, very cool! All of your accessories are great!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Gail says
Don't you just love it when something you have loved for so long, keeps working perfectly into your decor? What a fabulous all purpose table and it makes a wonderful desk! And I love all your accessories too!
quintessence says
It's so true – I have so many pieces that have been moved around and repurposed. A French Deco table that was our dining table in our NYC apartment is now my husband's desk and a bedside table now holds the TV in the kitchen. And I love the metal boxes!
Heather@SatisfyingSpaces says
What a great space to get some work done. I need to take your lead and straighten my work area at the end of the day.
I have to tell you last night I made your lemon chicken pasta dish (I made it once before for my immediate family and the loved it) for the extended family last night and it was a hit! We started out with some Veuve Clicquot and Bruschetta and then your tasty pasta dish which really held its own. Thanks again for sharing it with your readers!
Heather
Brandi says
"Buy what you love and you will always have a place for it". Those are great words to live by! I love your office area. So clever to use your previous kitchen table for more space.
LA VIE EN ROSE says
Love your office – great desk, great lamp and those metal boxes are so handy – the handles are gorgeous. Nothing like having your own work space is there?? my office is tiny , but I don't care because its all mine and as you say then there's plenty of elbow room!! Sharon xxxx
The Pink Pagoda says
Your work space looks fantastic. And you are so smart to tidy it up a bit at night. I need to make that a habit. Sitting down at my desk the next day would by much more pleasant!
carolyn bradford says
You know I will always love a farm table no matter how you use it! Thanks for your sweet comments on my blog as well!
Leslie says
Hi Mary Ann,
What a wonderful flea market find! Isn't it wonderful to find a classic piece that can also serve us in our daily lives? You always manage to make the most of every space. My work space is in the corner of my kitchen and it ends up being a drop off spot.. I need my own space! Your home is lovely :)as is your blog.
Have a nice week ahead!
leslie
Mel@Georgica Pond says
What a lovely place to sit and work – I am stuck at the end of the dining table until I can find a place. I love your fabric samples that caught my eye too.
Carla Aston says
It is great that you were able to re-use it as your desk…and it seems to be working out perfectly. It's always those special pieces that make a home. The patina and worn qualities in the wood also give it more vintage charm that makes it seem more special and one-of-a-kind!
Vicky says
A beautiful table to work. Beautiful things always find a place.
Happy day.
barbara@hodge:podge says
Gorgeous. I have an old vintage library desk from the 20's that we are using as our kitchen table but one day I hope to also use it as a desk in my "one day" office space!
Taylor Greenwalt says
It makes a beautiful desk and I love your boxes. They look great!
SavannahGranny says
I love your old table and the window was the perfect placement. It must be pleasant working there. Happy Holiday, Ginger
[email protected] says
I just love that you bought it in Europe and shipped it back. I want so much to go to the French flea markets. Someday! My desk will never look that neat! 🙂 Have a great rest of the weekend.
Our French Inspired Home says
Looks wonderful. We will be purchasing a dinning room table size for our library desk. Your desk is a generous size and I love the RH and PB items you used for the office essentials. – Tonya
christy says
Very pretty, I have a similar table that used to be our breakfast room table, now its in our family room as a desk and gets lots and lots of use.
Claudia says
Hello
It looks so beautiful to hang out in…
Thank you for sharing.
Claudia
Sherri Cassara says
I agree that if you purchase what you love that you will find a place for it … that has always been my philosophy and it is fun to move those special pieces around to give them new life. Your farm table makes a perfect desk! I am smiling because I have the exact same pencil holder filled with white pencils on my own desk 😀
Enjoy your weekend!
Coastal Cottage Dreams says
Love your antique desk and lighting. Looks beautiful…..
My Crafty Home Life says
It's looks perfect in the space. I am impressed that you are able to keep all your files in that adorable basket. Isn't it great to have a piece that you love,and has an equally charming story attached to it?
Acquired Objects says
I love your farm table and those money boxes are a great idea when lacking drawers. I'll have to do something like that since I use an antique table as a desk as well, it has more space then a regular desk. I hope you're enjoying your weekend.
XX
Debra~
Teresa at Splendid Sass says
Now this is one beautiful table! I love that you are using as a dest. Perfect.
The boxes are a great idea. I am short on drawer space also.
Thank you for sharing, Mary Ann.
Have a nice weekend.
Teresa
xoxo
SHERRY HART says
Boy do I wish I had a beautiful space like that…..alas I share my office with the laundry room…..which just creates guilt that I have piles of laundry to do:(
Have a wonderful long weekend!
Sherry
My Little Bungalow says
I love your antique table/desk. It's beautiful.
Claudia
The enchanted home says
Nicely done Mary Ann! It looks great, love a big oversized rustic table as a desk and actually am concsidering doing the same for my home. My small office nook off my bedroom is great but not cutting it in terms of giving me enough desk space, so I think I need to graduate to a great dining table! Love it!
Sharon (Roses and Rust) says
How wonderful to have a piece of Paris with you when you are working. I also use a table as a desk -it's great to be able to spread out when you work! Love the metal storage! X Sharon
Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement says
I love the desk and the boxes. I agree that you will always find a place for something you love.
Have a great weekend.
Pam
Sharing Shadymont says
Such a beautiful piece! Love it as a desk!
helen tilston says
The table is absolutely fabulous and if it could only talk.
You have a beautiful work space
Helen x
StagerLinda says
It is all perfectly wonderful! Functional and gorgeous. I am obsessed with boxes to keep things in and love your choices.
NanaDiana says
I love it. Love the task light, too. I'll bet you love working there- xo Diana
Anonymous says
What would be the best indoor furniture for this house?
http://www.formvote.com/discuss.php?postid=523065058591320
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
Love it an love that task light. Is that RH, too?
classic • casual • home says
Yes! It's great how you can adjust it.
Lili says
love the topiaries, where did you find them?
classic • casual • home says
Restoration Hardware.