Two Tables

A few weeks ago I shared with you a couple of purchases for our home that I was very excited about. One of them was an antique desk, bought from an elderly New Orleans couple. The other was a small side table with turned legs and beautiful patina that I just couldn’t pass up, even though I have yet to decide its permanent place in our furniture plan. After leaving them in our garage for a while, I got around to giving them a good clean and I am happy to share that they are now in place. As promised, here’s a peek.

Listing photo

The desk sits now behind our living room sofa and is such a welcomed addition to our house. It’s quickly become my new favorite spot for home office work. Isabella likes to do her homework at the table too, while I I’m in the kitchen preparing dinner or a snack.

This cute little table is late 19th-century, according to the dealer I got it from and is so pretty to look at that I find myself passing by just to get a glimpse of it.

Listing photo

For the moment, I placed it in our living room nestled between two armchairs that I felt needed a connection. I’m not sure I’ll keep it here though but for the moment it stays. Looking at these images it’s striking how much brown I have in my living room, haha. I intend to change that by having the two armchairs recovered in a fun print and by bringing in a beautiful landscape above the mantel, once I find one that fits… In the meantime, I have a pair of Parisian charcoal sketches that fill the space above the mantel.

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15 Comments

  1. Susan
    February 8, 2021 / 11:29 am

    Love love the drawer pulls on your desk. It looks perfect in your space.

    • Eva Contreras
      Author
      February 8, 2021 / 12:03 pm

      Thank you so much, Susan! xo

  2. Linda
    February 8, 2021 / 12:18 pm

    Love both tables — you styled your desk beautifully and created such a lovely space to work. And that smaller one is !!! Just perfect. And perfectly charming, too.

    • Eva Contreras
      Author
      February 8, 2021 / 12:56 pm

      Thank you, Linda! We’re a long way from what I’m envisioning for this room but I’m savoring the small victories. Happy Monday! xo, Eva

  3. Jane Bucklin
    February 8, 2021 / 6:02 pm

    Eva, I also love your desk and it fits perfectly behind your couch. The side chairs next to it are lovely. The table is a style that can be used in any room. What great finds! Jane xo

    • Eva Contreras
      Author
      February 8, 2021 / 6:39 pm

      Thank you so much, Jane! The chairs are on loan from our dining room, until I find something similar for this space 🙂 xo, Eva

  4. Karen B.
    February 8, 2021 / 8:03 pm

    It looks lovely. Great finds. It’s so nice to have pieces with a little history.
    xo,
    Karen

  5. A fan
    February 8, 2021 / 8:40 pm

    Would love for you to post on your “cleaning” process with vintage furniture. And advice for those of us that don’t have a garage to “quarantine” the piece in!! For those ocd of us that are afraid to buy vintage. I’m up for any “cleaning” advice!!

    • Eva Contreras
      Author
      February 10, 2021 / 5:09 am

      Thank you so much for your message. I’m happy to share what I do and what has worked for me in the past. If the furniture is in good condition and all it needs is dusting and wiping, I’d recommend baby wipes followed with non-alcohol anti-bacterial wipes. Use gloves and preferably wipe the piece down outdoors before you bring it in. (I used to do that often as we lived in apartments until recently.) If the piece needs some sanding and refinishing, it gets a bit tricky. I’d clean it first with the wipes and I’d find a place in our home where I could contain the dust, and the fumes that result from using the stain and then the wipe on poly finish. A balcony or a bathroom usually works, but I’d only recommend this for smaller pieces like accent tables or chairs for which you can contain the mess.

      Hope this helps!
      xo, Eva

  6. Kathy Menold
    February 9, 2021 / 9:56 am

    I know so many would recommend painting your little table but I think wood is so beautiful. Your idea for the chairs and artwork brightening the room is perfect. Love the fresh flowers on the table and desk, ,they bring in a touch of spring that we all need now. Happy Valentine’s Day. Every year Bluebirds pick their mates on that date according to legend and I saw two this morning checking out our Bluebird house. So sweet!

    • Eva Contreras
      Author
      February 10, 2021 / 5:01 am

      Thank you so much for your kind message, Kathy! Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!!! I did not know the legend about Bluebirds finding their mate on Valentine’s Day, that is so sweet… I’ll remember that. xo, Eva

  7. February 10, 2021 / 4:56 am

    I love the desk too. A great find.
    It’s nice to see what you are creating. Your living room has such a fresh, beautiful feel to it.

    • Eva Contreras
      Author
      February 10, 2021 / 4:59 am

      Thank you so much, Gina! xo, Eva

  8. Laura
    February 11, 2021 / 8:40 am

    LOVe both Eva. The side table is placed wonderfully!

    • Eva Contreras
      Author
      February 11, 2021 / 8:46 am

      Thanks so much, Laura!! xo