There is no doubt I have fallen in
love with painted furniture just as
much as everyone else.
I mean, who could not love this…
or even this lovely piece…
I think we all have a few pieces, though, that
we know a paint brush will never, ever pass by.
For me, that piece is a Drop-front Desk.
Never in a million years would I ever consider
changing this gorgeous piece.
I would love to say this is a family heirloom
passed down through the generations…
I’d love to tell you some stories about
my Grammy polishing the beautiful wood…
…or stories of how antique Irish linens
brought from the old country were lovingly
stored in these drawers.
I wish I had tales of how my grandfather
stored war documents in one of these
two private drawers.
Nope. Nothing that dramatic or inspiring.
I bought this piece at the downtown
Brussels, Belgium Salvation Army.
Salvation Army, you say?
Oh yes! It was my antique mecca while
living in Europe.
It is an 8-story brick building in a downtown
neighborhood similar to this one –
Only a small sign by the door identifies it
as the building it is.
But we American wives all knew about it.
And it was a weekly visit for us.
Cafe lattes and pan au chocolates…
and a trip to the Salvation Army.
It took all day to traverse and dig through all
eight floors. Each floor was dedicated to
“Bedroom” or “Sofas and Chairs” , etc –
and there was a whole floor dedicated to
nothing but brocante.
As soon as I saw this piece, my heart
skipped a beat. A drop-down-claw-foot
bow-front-desk with the most beautiful
hardware I’d ever seen. Lots of little shelves
and tiny hidden drawers.
I don’t normally like to talk about what I
paid for something, but in this case I will. 🙂
Keep in mind it always took me a few
seconds to convert the Belgium Francs into
American Dollars. But, boy when I did…
I think they heard me scream throughout
all eight floors.
$150.
Yep. This gorgeous piece, in all its
“aweshum-ness” was only $150.
While that may sound cheap, and it was!
It was not that unusual. The younger generation
in Brussels and much of Europe wants
everything IKEA. They have lived with
antiques for centuries…
…and they don’t want them any more.
So along comes a crazy group of
American military wives, giggling like
school girls with tummies full of
pan au chocolates and cafe lattes,
to rescue these beauties….
and bring them home….
… and hang treasured paintings above of a
dear late Aunt’s “Self Portrait”…
Add a reproduction French wicker case in front.
And just know that this gorgeous piece is
thrilled to be back in a home where it
will be cared for …
and loved…
and protected….
like it was once before.
Before IKEA.
And guess what…. it is filled with vintage
Irish linens, among other things. 😉
Thanks for letting me share the story of one
of my favorite pieces of furniture.
By the way, the beautiful French wicker case
can be purchased in my online shop
XXOO
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
Oh Barb. this is just gorgeous. I love it. What a special find. So much history, I love hearing about it. Hugs, Marty
View CommentKim @ Savvy Southern Style says
That is a beautiful piece and I wouldn’t touch it with paint either. What a steal.
View CommentAnne says
What a beautiful piece! I agree somethings are not meant to be painted.And that is one of them!
View Commentxx
Anne
Sophia's says
Barb,
You’re right…I wouldn’t touch this with a paint brush either. I love the lines…just beautiful! I can’t imagine being able to live in Europe like that – what an experience. I hope to at least visit Europe someday when the kids are older…someday 🙂
Kristen
View CommentNanaDiana says
But, Barb- You DO have a history of it-YOUR family history. The history is the story of how you came across it and bought it and call it your own. If you EVER paint that I will personally hunt you down and …and…and…make you eat your paintbrush or something like that!;>) Blessings- xo Diana
View Commentℳartina @ Northern Nesting says
She’s a beauty and should definitely stay as is! Great story!
View CommentCindy says
Sounds like a wonderful time “treasure hunting” with the other wives in Brussels! What a fabulous piece!
View CommentFine House says
What a find, this is an amazing desk! Love antique finds like this!
View CommentCynthia says
What a great find. It is gorgeous I love the French case so pretty.
Cynthia
View CommentShirley@Housepitality Designs says
Oh good…I thought for a moment there you were going to paint that beautiful piece…it is beautiful just the way it is!
View CommentBliss says
Thank goodness for crazy giggling American military wives with full tummies!
~Bliss~
View CommentCeekay-THINKIN of HOME/Doublewide Decor says
Yeah….I am so glad you won’t paint it! I can’t bare to paint over my inexpensive wood furniture!!
View CommentI love that piece…and what a treasure of memories!
Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home} says
Yes, ma’am! That’s a keeper, in all of its woodie-ness! I truly understand that things are just “things”, but how can you not smile at a piece like this, that a craftsman spent such care creating, many years ago? I’ll be he’s still smiling!
View CommentSuzy says
Wow – what a find! I can’t even imagine a thrift store that is 8 stories tall. Heaven! I wouldn’t touch it with paint either.
View CommentLa Vie Quotidienne says
How georgous this is. I am not a big fan of painting everything…I feel it is a passing fancy. This is so elegant, lucky you.
View CommentKathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
It’s a beautiful desk, Barb! I wouldn’t paint it either.
View Commentxinex says
That is a gorgeous furniture, Bar. I would have snatched it in a second too with that price. I am glad you are not tempted to paint it….Christine
View CommentYvonne @ StoneGable says
Barbara, You can’t improve on perfection! You drop leaf desk is drop dead gorgeous!!!! Thanks for putting my tartan picture on your blog… I was so pleasantly surprised!!! And a big big congratulations to you for being a finalist in Blue Ribbon Award Blog Of The Year!!!You certainly inspire me!!
View CommentOne bolt short of a toolbox says
Absolutely gorgeous!
Jan
View CommentLinda (More Fun Less Laundry) says
Hi Barb, I just found you through through the giveaway on Kim’s blog and I’m so happy to be here! Your desk is special and I’m glad you won’t paint it. I’m going to spend some time looking around your blog now ! 🙂 Linda
View Comment❀ JoAnne says
That is a gorgeous piece, Barb! It sounds like you had an amazing experience shopping for wonderful treasures. I love painted furniture also, but having some pieces in their natural wood adds so much warmth to a room.
View CommentKim says
I think the real story of how you acquired that beautiful desk is just as good as if it were a family heirloom. In fact, I think it’s better that it came from your time in Europe. How many of us can say that we brought antique furniture back from Europe? I love it. And you know I’m a huge fan of that painting 😉
View Commentxoxo,
Kim
Eclectically Vintage says
If that piece could talk – oh the tales it would tell!
How fun – living in Brussels and finding gals who love to thrift! Sounds like heaven.
Love your aunts self portrait!!
View CommentKelly