Before and After: Desk
I rarely used to work at my desk and instead opted to balance my scalding computer on my lap while on the couch. The bulky dark wood was not only uninviting, but the shape was not conducive to sitting at for long periods of time. I had always loved Parsons desks (where the width of the legs equals thickness of the top) for their versatility and West Elm’s glossy version fit the bill. I bought a sleek Lucite chair on eBay to accompany it and added a vintage phone and globe I found at flea markets, a simple lamp and fresh flowers.
{Before}
138 comments
I love your desk! As much as people relate the color black to being “sleek,” I definitely think white is more inviting. It just brightens up the room a lot more.
i’m on that exact same computer right now. isn’t it unbelievable these things still work? love love that chair!
My roommate has this desk! I love it! CB2 had an awesome yellow one a while back and I died for it! Love that Jonathan Adler lacquer look!
Oh wow, the after effect is great!
looks so clean and sleek, if it were me i would have immediately killed the effect with a cork board on the wall above the desk!
S
xx
it looks so much better, i wish i had a desk like that!
beautiful! i would be so much more productive at a desk like this haha. (and have better posture).
xx
LOVE the transformation!
That phone is so cute. The clean white desk…I think it makes the entire space much brighter!
-Jane @ http://brunchatthebeach.blogspot.com
He looks really beautifull now!
you made it look a zillion times better! I LOVE LOVE LOVE white lacquer and the ghost chair works perfectly with it
debating whether or not to get ghost chairs as our dining chairs for our loft..
http://girlintheloft.blogspot.com
Looks very clean and streamlined – nice! I could not give up all my clutter, though!
really beautiful change
I love how you styled your new desk! That vintage phone is great.
great idea. AM thinking of doing the same thing with our bedside table.
thats amazingness, you make it look so effortless and easy! It looks like a whole new desk…i read your twitter about the ghost chair and it looks phenom.
I love the globe and the phone–great touches.
What a difference. Bravo!
That looks great! Totally streamlined. It’s cool to see your black cat on the clear chair
Where did you get wooden pencil holder from?
just love the cat there!!!
Huge improvement! West Elm always has such fantastic affordable items.
LOVE the white lacquer!
wow, so much better! Your cat is sooo cute lounging on your chair!
That looks so sleek and chic! The furry accessory really pulls everything together
– I have a furrier version, same color; he likes to lounge around also.
Hi!!
you have a lovely blog and amazing style!!
Love it!
xx
LOVE the transformation and I love the little black phone.
I definitely love the “after” desk! I too currently spend my time with my computer on the couch. I’m attempting to get our studio and office in shape, but both are still works in progress!!
I love that desk! And the photo with your cat on the chair- adorable
xoxo-Tiffany-http://imashoewhore.blogspot.com
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I am obsessed with the console table version of this! Too bad they sold out of the orange color. Your desk looks very inviting! and I am so jealous of the chair!
http://www.ascotfriday.typepad.com
Your cat is so beautiful, I love black cats, she fits in so well with the decor! LOL.
I always admire people for being able to have a clutter free desk, I wish I were like that.
The phone is smashing!
Completely brightens the entire area. It must be a joy to work at that desk!
your cat is so cute!
It looks beautiful, simple e modern at the same time!
x o x o
I have been coveting this desk for months, and I’m still convinced it’s the perfect fit for my new place. I already have a chair, too! Now I’m one step closer to actually going for it.
Looks great, much more conducive to getting work done! The vintage touches are perfect, it’s so important to add elements of your own personality like that.
This looks sooo good, i like the touch with the flowers, good job!
One Love,
Jowy
http://www.iseejanemary.blogspot.com
Oh, wow! I’m loving these before and afters. I’ve wanted an old phone like that for ages!
Great work space…. I must admit, that picture of your cat is just too adorable for words.
Nice! Love your telephone!
It’s amazing what a little paint can do!
Stunning makeover. Ghost chairs are my absolute favourite. LOVE LOVE LOVE them to death. Hmmm…. slight unintended pun in there?
Also love old rotary phones. God knows why I’ve not bought one (Pottery Barn has some). They are so damn cool.
Karen x
I love the desk and the chair. My favorite style. So sleek!
I love everything! The phone is soooo cute
Congratulations!
That looks awesome Emily! Love the picture with your kitty! So cute!
xoxo
J
http://www.talkprettytome.blogspot.com
That is seriously the most amazing transformation I’ve EVER seen. Do you work your magic on people too?
I love love love this!!!
I love your kitty cat =) Great job transforming the desk!
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Wow! Fantastic! You have a really good eye. Is your phone from Pottery Barn?
your cat on the chair is the perfect finishing touch!
My dream office has a Parson’s desk. I love the look you created. And your kitty is so cute.
YOU REALLY DID GREAT. TOTALLY LOVE IT.,.
XX
CHICMUSE
Your before and after’s never fail to amaze me. Loving the vintage telephone and the crystal clear chair embellishments. Perhaps you should be an interior designer – you have an amazing eye for all things wonderful!
Looks fantastic!
great set up. it does seem much more inviting.
Hey I love everything you do with your apartment!!! it always turns up really nice!!! Great blog, it is one of my daily reads
Kudos
http://sisterhood-of-bloggers.blogspot.com/
That chair is absolutely amazing!!!
http://cupcaketrash.blogspot.com
i love the globe!!
your desk looks great! i am in the process of making my desk more functional and i’m looking for a lamp, where did you find yours? it’s so cute!
lmfao how is that cat comfy on that plastic chair poor baby..
love the flowers…
http://www.aprettyproblem.com
p.s. your thing on twitter about how cvs offered you chex mix instead of choc chips im still crying hahahaha.
Wow, a welcoming desk indeed! And don’t cats always have to be the first ones to try out a new piece of furniture?
i know this is about desks, but man lil luna has gotten so big! what a sweet kitty!
what a beautiful desk! wish I had one like that. then maybe I wouldn’t work on the couch either! (I use a pillow to protect myself from my hot laptop…)
your kitty is just so dang adorable, too!
i luuv the transformation!!! To be completely honest I don’t like the chair so much but its amazing with the brighter color and I have a thing for the globes
D Perfect!
Your new chair is amazing, I’m still debating whether or not to get the clear console you have from CB2. Is it hard to keep lucite clean? I have a very slobbery dog
I love the white! The see-through chair makes it definately! great job
What a new vibrant look your desk has! I love the decorations on it. Is the chair comfortable? I’ve been searching for a new desk chair lately~
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it is so much brighter now…looks lovely! i especially love the globe and the vintage phone…it adds so much character!
The phone is what makes it. I’ve been looking for the perfect rotary phone for awhile now
oh, looks great and much more inviting! love the ghost chair too!
love that little globe! hopefully you’ll sit at this desk more!
Love the clean slick look!
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As usual, very inspiring. I’ve been meaning to re-decorate my desk a bit. And I love the last picture! Apparently all my friend’s cats love to lay at that exact spot too, haha!
Per-fec-tion!!
awesome make over!! i’ve wanted a lucite chair for ages now, yours is perfect. Definitely much more inviting..
What an awesome change! I’ve had my eye on this parsons desk from west elms for some time. The white looks so clean and gorgeous, though even if I had a desk I’d probably still sit on the couch with my computer–there’s just something about watching TV and internet surfing at the same time!
Looks amazing! And perfect with the chair.
i love your revamped desk!!! totally cute!! and i love the vintage phone too! =D
I need to streamline my workspace. It’s too cluttered with paperwork.
so pretty!
Your cat in the chair is a nice touch.
super fun! I love the vintage phone oh your desk and the flowers! Fresh flowers for your tesk really add a personal touch more than anything in my honest opinion.
Lovely! I have a pair of the same chairs – aren’t they great? They look incredible no matter where they are in the house. . .
Incredible how some simple changes really lighten the whole space up! Love, love!
Lovely, looks magazine worthy. The phone is especially charming in contrast to the desk and chair!
Amazing transformation! Your furniture DIYs are truly inspiring.
-meream
That looks awesome! I love the “ghost chairs”…I’ve been eyeing a pair from Ikea for quite some time, you’re inspiring me to go ahead and pick them up
Love the little white vases and cheerful flowers! My desk is a mess right now. You’ve just inspired me to clear out the clutter and get it back to cute! xo
you are so chic, its ridiculous!
xo ash
great job!!! love those lucite chairs…do you mind me asking, how you much paid for them on ebay?
I’ve been thinking about getting that desk too. You’re inspiring me to do so. Your kitty is awfully cute too!
OMG! I love love love that vintage phone! I have been yearning for one, regardless of the fact that I don’t have a home phone at all lol.
Love the white/white look! Feels so inviting & the kitty shot is priceless XOXO
http://monicais.com/
its so cute! love everything you put on there for decoration. i would probably actually want to sit down and do my work there! and the kitty. awww
Ohmy, the desk looks amazing. White is the epitome of bright and sleek. ♥
this is so so beautiful and inviting! I love that lucite chair. You cat is so beautiful also!
cheers!
http://www.orchidgrey.blogspot.com
Love your page darling!
And I blogged about your new desk because it got me inspired!
http://loveferonia.blogspot.com/2009/10/sorting-out-posture.html
I love this!! So cheery and inviting. I have those little Ikea vases to, they are great for just a couple colorful blooms. Side note- My cat is all black too!!
velvetcupcakes.blogspot.com
NICE!
It looks great! Your home is getting a fabulous makeover, isn’t it?
the phone reminds me of the friend episode where pheobe hates pottery barn. love the new look!
have brown desk right now. white’s kinda high-maint. but it looks good, shabby chic with a hint of modern
Oh this looks so much better! I would never have been able to work at your original desk either. I love white furniture, it just seems so much more open and inviting! Your new desk would make me want to work
http://sequinsandbangles.blogspot.com
I love the way the feminine lucite chair contrasts with the clean modern desk- perfection!
white is such a fresh color and makes your workspace look so much more spacious. very simple and tasteful!
much more inviting – love the new area!
It looks amazing, I love those chairs.
love the new study corner..its looks so fresh and loved the chair makeover
I love it! Especially since the Parsons desk and Ghost chair have been on my wishlist for like ever! I’m looking for a reputable ebay seller for the chair. Would you mind sharing who you bought from? Thanks so much, and great makeover!
Please, decorate my house now!
http://www.dinasdaysblog.blogspot.com
oooh love it. i just posted about my own desk makeover – i had my eye on australia’s bargain version of the parsons but ended up hacking my ancient ikea one. but then i see yours and want to change my mind AGAIN… and steal your telephone! lovely
omg your KITTY!!!!! so cute. black kitty on a ghost chair, my life is complete!
Angelina-
I’m almost positive the lamp is from Ikea. I have two of them. It should be on their website.
I can see why you weren’t drawn to the first one, but that second desk and arrangement is lovely!
I adore that cat photo. Cuteness! The lolcats site could use it
what an improvement! this summer i got to decorate/fill a room on a $900 budget. you really can do SO much with $900 bucks… bed, mattress, bedside tables and all!
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!! I’m in the process of moving and I’ve had this exact same look in my head for my workspace. A+
I LOVED the chair/combo and scoured craiglist for a gently used parsons desk and stumbled up on this alternative at overstock.com for $150–http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Student-Desk-White/2542757/product.html The dimensions are a little different but not by much. Now for that chair
i absolutely love what you did! xo
The Pottery Barn phone is the only reason I have a landline, excellent choice!
I love love love what you have done with your desk space, very inspiring!
[...] love to have a desk like Emily’s of Cupcakes and Cashmere! Most times when I’m using my laptop I’m sitting in bed, but I [...]
you should put a small shelf or mirror or homemade cork board/bulletin board! you could put up pics, pins, etc
Your new desk looks so cheerful! I love it Emily! The chair is so funky. I have always loved the clean look of the Parsons desk as well. Very nice upgrade from your ‘before’ photo!
Kinsey
Love the desk, but love the sleek black kitty more! I have a very similar kitty. x
The desk looks great! As for the wall above it… In my office I took a vintage mirror frame that was really ornate, and painted it black (you could do white), and I made mine into a memo board. You can either glue some cork to the back of the frame, or you can just put your memos on the wall. It’s simple, but fun!
Wow, I’m glad I found your link on twitter! I love everything about your desk redo. I’ve been looking for a vintage globe forever. My desk is currently covered in potted plants while I’m hunched over my laptop on the couch. So it goes.
http://cookieandkate.com
so cool – and vert modern too, i might hace a go!
Love the new desk arrangement. I also have the “pencil cup” from Anthropologie, although I am currently using it as a toothpaste holder in my bathroom. Love the phone too…I bought it as a gift for my parents from Pottery Barn many years ago and yet they still use the 1980′s cream/grey push button. I’m thinking about asking for it back now.
This is really very nice…
bestsexymodel
Hi, can you tell me where you got your phone from? i love it
lol what’s wrong with cork boards (can you tell someone has a cork board…)
Gorgeous make over! I love ikea accessories! and the globe and phone are so beautiful!
it look so much better! nice job.. love it..
Luna is ADORABLE
it’s cute! and practical!
xoxo
love lucite chairs, but then this shorty wouldn’t be able to adjust the height to reach the desktop
We have the same dell laptop!! love the desk!
not bad!
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love the ghost chair- very cool!
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