Desk Job

{here's a before shot}

A couple of weeks ago I scored this awesome mid-century modern desk thanks to my friend Rosemary, who first discovered the post on Craigslist. It wasn't in the greatest of shape - as it had served as a desk for several kids in the family - but my friends are pros when it come to refinishing furniture and they promised to help me restore it to its rightful state. So, I forked over the cash, loaded the desk into my friend Sarah's Volvo station wagon and stored it in Rosemary's living room until it was time to work our magic. The top was covered with water stains and one of the kids had carved into the top that they "were here." There was also what appeared to be a pentagram carved into the top. Needless to say, I was a little concerned that we weren't going to be able to get rid of some of the darker, deeper blemishes.

{water stains have never frightened me so much}

Lucky for me, Rosemary and Nathan really do know how to refinish furniture and they were more than willing to put in the elbow grease this job required. Armed with fine-grit sandpaper, we got to work sanding down past the stains and carvings as best we could. Then, we moved on to the tack cloth, removing any dust created from the sanding.

{here's the desk post sanding, pre tack cloth-ing} 

After the tack cloth, we rubbed furniture re-finisher into the wood using steel wool. Let me just say, that shit evaporates like nothing I've ever encountered. I swear, we'd pour a tiny amount into a shallow bowl and it would gone not even a minute later. Wild! At any rate, when we were done with that step, we used rags to apply the final stain and this is what the end result looked like:

{shortly after applying final stain}

 Isn't it beautiful?!! Oh, and remember all those water stains? Look now, they're gone!

{look!! no water stains!!}

After a week or so of the desk sitting in my laundry room drying and me dying to put it to use, I finally got to move it in the house. Isn't it lovely? Best. Find. Ever. Thanks to Rosemary and Nathan for helping me with the process - you guys rock! Here it is in my house:

{my computer is so happy with her new home!}

{close-up shot for your enjoyment}

Pal + Smith = Dreamy Interiors

{images by Pal + Smith}

I've had a crush on Pal + Smith since I first discovered their Madison Custom Sofa back in March (see my Sexy Sofa post here). Well, they also put together some lovely and inspirational interiors. Here's a small sampling of their work:

Is This Seat Taken?

{Images from Julian Chichester}

I'm looking for a new couch for my living room, and while the library sofa by Julian Chichester is surely out of my price range, I can certainly appreciate its beauty.

I Got 1st Dibs!

{Image from 1stdibs}

You think $8,000 is too much to pay for a pair of reupholstered vintage Gio Ponti chairs? I'm guessing it is, but damn if these aren't some drool worthy chairs! Find more covetable goods at 1stdibs, an online marketplace for antiques, mid-century modern designs, fashion, estate jewelry and more!

Hot & Cold

{Images from Elisa Werbler}

These nesting tables by Elisa Werbler are damn sexy. Werbler's idea was to bring warmth to the powder-coated steel tables by adding colored panels that reflect light and color onto the next table's surface. These still feel pretty cold to me, but I love them just the same.

Sexy Sofa

{Image from Pal + Smith}

Who wants to lend me $7,630 so I can buy this Madison Custom Sofa from Pal + Smith? I am seriously drooling over this thing. No? How about $272? You know, so I can get this Ameile Decorative Pillow. How about it? Any takers? Yeah, didn't think so. C'est la vie.

A Family Affair

Scandinavian designer Gesa Hansen, is the brain (and the beauty) behind this stunning and sleek furniture from The Hansen Family. No two pieces in the collection are identical, as each piece is handcrafted integrating the natural grain and features of the wood (which happens to be ecologically grown oak). When you're done checking out the collection, head over to the The Hansen Family blog for some additional inspiration.

Office Space

I love the clean lines and practical functionality of the StudioDesk by Bluelounge. It's especially luring to those of us with OCD, as it features a hidden storage compartment for hiding all those unsightly power cords. It also features an elongated slot across the length of the desktop, perfect for feeding cords and power cables through - thusly preventing desktop clutter. The only cord visible is the one that attaches to the power supply in your wall. Loves it!

In The Area

{Medium Obleeek Planter, $83}

{Atlantico 006 Oak Sideboard by De La Espada, $4495}

{Autoban by De La Espada, $6445}

AREA San Francisco, the brainchild of John W. Giacomazzi, stocks some beautiful pieces - totally covetable. If you're in the area, stop by the brick-and-mortar shop at 540 Jackson Street in SF.