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Was it a desk or the new sideboard for the dining room?

swan canvas sitting in drawer with a plant
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I never tire of perusing antique stores.  Do you?  Even if I don’t find anything, I have the best time.  Honestly, that’s how I prefer to get my steps in.  ‘Cause if you’re walking outside in Texas during the summer, then you’re a few pickles short of a barrel.  Well, I decided to take a walk in High Street Antiques in Plano and quickly spotted something I wanted to buy, aside from wondering whether it was a desk or the new sideboard for the dining room?

Was it a desk or the new sideboard for the dining room?

black and wood table with an oval mirror, plants, frames and candles sitting on topIt would have made an excellent writing desk.

It was inexpensive, and I loved the character of it.  That’s code for – stuff it in the back of the car please.  I used to advise people not to buy something unless they had a place for it.  Now I say, if you love it, you’ll find a place for it.  Especially with Facebook Marketplace.  Selling stuff is so easy.

full image of black and wood desk with oval mirror, lamp, plants and candles

Admittedly, I was hoping it would work as a desk.  I sold my old executive size and wanted something smaller.  This piece has 3 small drawers, a great surface area, and I have a fondness for the extra shelf along the back. 

close up of the font of the black and wood table drawer and edges.

But it was too high.  I’d have to use a counter-height stool to reach the laptop keyboard, and that’s not comfortable.

swan canvas sitting in drawer with a plant

It would have made a nice entry table as well if I had the room, but it’s a tight squeeze.  So, twist my arm, I’ll use it in the dining room for displaying a few new pretties.

close up of antique frame with a branch inside and a plant sitting next to it.Vintage upon vintage is always the way to go.

Like this new vintage frame.  It came with a print out of Gene Autry.  No, I didn’t know at the time who it was.  He looked familiar but I had no clue until the lady at the check out mentioned it. 

vintage silver pot with dried baby's breath inside.

As soon as I got it home and gave it a good bath, I had the best time rummaging through my things to decorate it.  I’m calling it my new “sideboard”.  I chose to call it that because I’ve had some friends over twice for Mahjong lessons and set the food out on it.

black satin ribbon tied around a burlap lampshade

I didn’t have to remove any of the decor already on it.  It held plates, napkins, silverware, a basket of different crackers, bowls with various dips, and chicken salad.  It worked perfectly!  We enjoyed having everything close by as we hopped up to fill our plates (maybe a couple of times).

Are you always tweaking and moving things around?  I could do it all day and wish everyone I know would ask me to come help them too.  It’s not that I’m bored.  I just like girl piddling.  Then, when you piddle and get it right, it’s the best feeling!

black teacart with mirror, lamp an plant

For example, I had a vintage tea cart sitting where the new sideboard is now.  It was given to me by my in-laws.  However, I never really thought it looked quite right.   Sure, I moved it around and decorated it for different holidays, but it was just meh.  And meh will never make me smile.  So, do you think the new piece works best as a desk or the new sideboard for the dining room?  I vote sideboard!

Now to find something to disguise the ugly vent on the wall…

10 Comments

  1. Melinda Sherrouse
    July 18, 2025 / 9:32 am

    I would love to “girl piddle” with you sometime. You have a good eye and creative ideas on how to use and display things. Love your new sideboard!

    • July 18, 2025 / 11:59 pm

      Thanks so much Melinda. You can call me up anytime and I’ll eagerly go with you for some girl piddling. ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Gabriele Stevens
    July 18, 2025 / 9:43 am

    Hello from Virginia. I am with you……antique stores are the best remedy. Especially for this relentless heat here in Virginia. I can’t wait for fall. Loving all the ways you style your things. I move my items around frequently and repurpose quite a bit as well.
    Also, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your newsletter. Have a lovely weekend.

    • July 19, 2025 / 12:03 am

      Aww, thank you Gabriele. You made my day. Sounds like we’d be excellent friends. ๐Ÿ™‚

    • July 19, 2025 / 12:10 am

      Thanks so much Rita. It was cheap, it’s been fun to style, and actually useful. That’s the best kind of furniture, right?!

  3. Marlene Stephenson
    July 18, 2025 / 2:21 pm

    I love your side board it’s such a pretty piece. Next time I see something I like I will buy it and worry where to put it later. I do not like snakes, fraid I would have turned around and left.

    • July 19, 2025 / 12:19 am

      If I would have known, I would have said, nope – call someone else. In all my 25 years of doing this, I’ve never been so scared.

  4. July 18, 2025 / 4:54 pm

    Love it! What a great find; you can use it anywhere! I think dining room sideboard, definitely. Especially if you already used it to serve food/drinks. Lucky you! Wish I had more room for furniture; I’m full up:(

    • July 19, 2025 / 12:27 am

      lol. Being full up is a fabulous problem. I just bought an antique buffet from a friend for pennies! The Mister asked where I was going to put it. I said I had a plan and it would be fabulous. He doesn’t know something else needs to be donated for it to fit. ๐Ÿ˜‰

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