Mais Oui

Feeling French this morning...

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and wishing for this gorgeous Louis XV desk.  An antique bombe desk of rosewood and fruitwood with marquetry inlay and original ormolu and hardware.

French secretary desks like this, are timeless, current and surprisingly overlooked for the moment (and therefore affordable) and I have dreamed of one since 

I saw this 18th century French secretary in the Alex Papachristidis designed living room of London-based jewelry designer Fruzsina Keehn in Elle Decor in 2006.

I love the sensuous way marquetry and antique ormolu provide rich subtext to rooms that are otherwise clean, spare or rustic.  Because they can stand alone sans accessories, I predict that French Louis XV antiques will be increasingly collected by 20 and 30-somethings, perhaps in formal rooms the way their parents used them, but more likely as a bohemian masterstroke to eclectic, contemporary or monochromatic interiors. 

Their playful curves and swirls add interest and intention to rooms with painted furniture.

Antique French secretaries are both multi-functional and splendidly sexy and mysterious, not giving away all of their secrets at once.

I could see it in a bath like this one by Brooke Giannetti.  It would surprise and delight in a restrained, even modern white or gray bathroom, the open desk piled with fluffy white towels and the cubbies filled with soaps and bath salts.  I would tuck a terry slipcovered stool underneath and use the drawers for extra storage.

How fabulous would it be as a bedside table in a crisp French blue and white bedroom with a silver buffet lamp on the open drop down desk, or between two twin beds in a guest room?  I would use it in an entry hall with simple painted wood floors and stash dog leashes and hats and gloves in the drawers.  I imagine it would draw guests to it like a magnet if it were used as a bar in a rustic room.

I also love the practical Russian leather writing surface.  Get more information about this desk by clicking here.  

Favorite Books from our library:

                  

Photos:  1.2. Spurgeon-Lewis Antiques Old Town Alexandria, VA 3. Spurgeon-Lewis 4. Photographer Simon Upton 5.  Spurgeon-Lewis 6. Kay O'Toole 7. Photographer Marina Faust 8. Kenneth Jay Lane via Elle Decor 2005 photographer Pieter Estersohn 9. Giannetti Home via Veranda