Friday, June 19, 2009

Project complete

I finished my desk project. You can read about it here and here. The desk was an antique white and looked dingy in my predominantly white kitchen. I painted it white, which felt like an exercise in futility at the time, but really looks much nicer now.



I had a curtain hanging behind the computer screen when it was on the counter/desk. It happened to be the right height to cover the screen on the new desk. I am not sure how practical it is for everyday use, but it does make the desk look a bit more country-cottage.



The desk was originally a vanity and it has a pop open lid compartment in the center with a mirror. It can't be opened with the computer on the desk, so there goes my hopes of applying my make-up in this spot every day.

I still have hopes that the old desk will magically turn into a window seat, but I am not pushing my luck with Mr. Fix-It.

Mr Fix It/my wonderful husband and I had some deep discussions about this desk. We just don't view form vs. function the same way. For me, something has to be lovely to look at, really preferable to the function. He doesn't care what it looks like as long as it is functional. Our disagreement was over the placement of the desk -- there is a light switch that lands right behind the left cubby on the desk's hutch. In my mind, the desk HAS to be centered on the wall or I won't sleep at night. He thinks, "just move the desk over against the window (and the other desk) so we can easily access the light switch." I believe we will have the same discussions over different things for years to come. Where do you stand, form vs. function, if you have to choose only one? Ideally, form and function work would go together, but it doesn't always work that way.

As you can see, I won this debate because me sleeping at night is essential to all of our happiness. We now have to reach through the cubby to turn on the light. It is barely inconvenient at all (so I say, others may disagree).

11 comments:

Melanie said...

I don't know if I can vote in your poll. I think I'd go with function over form, but I absolutely agree with you - the desk cannot be pushed up against the window. So, maybe I'm a form over function? I vote for moving the light switch! After all, what is a light switch doing in the middle of a wall?

Ariel Wilson said...

Very pretty! But I agree, it has to be centered, otherwise it just looks tacky. Just my opinion i guess. : )

simplykersh said...

I would have to say form with something that has good function. The desk definitely fits that, and it looks fabulous. But if it was a light switch that is used a lot and one the kids needed access to even when they are small well then I would...move the switch because, well, I like form in a pieces that functions! And I do consider "preventing child access" to be a great function.

Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs said...

Ah, nice. And such a lovely computer, too! I would TOTALLY center it. I'm all about the form.

Tawny said...

Get a clapper and then light will turn on with a couple flicks of the wrist :)

We women are built to be form over function. This is why I spent my work day in 3 inch heels that are merely for show. The desk must be centered, which mean the rest of the universe must be moved to accomodate it. Good call.

Cathy said...

The desk looks great...looks like you have kind of the same situation with the position of the desk being the first thing that you see when you walk in that I do in my family room. It being a lot smaller, it looks a lot less cluttered than mine! Really cute...and functional. :-)

Grandma Sherri said...

I guess we all agree so far, it has to be centered, I can't vote either, cause it can't just be one or the other, they have to work together.

Kari said...

where do you keep your cookbooks? I'm thinking if that were in my kitchen the cookbooks would be on top of that desk, with cute bookends. have you noticed how tall people us their kitchen space differently than not so tall ones? I actually USE the space on top of my cupboards, my MIL and SIL HATE that! They can't reach any of that stuff without a stool.

Leah said...

Yup, I agree with pretty much everyone else so far. Form over function, at least in the case of this desk. It looks great!

Sara said...

It depends on the situation for me. For some things (e.g. shoes), I totally go for form over function, but there are definitely other things (can't think of any good examples right now) where I would pick function over form. In the case of your desk, I'm torn: I definitely wouldn't want the desk slid to the right, but I think it would be a pain to have to reach through the cubby to hit the lightswitch. I think I'd either get my husband to move the lightswitch or get a different desk that wouldn't interfere.

Anonymous said...

I had fun reading the comments! Great job painting and deciding on the desk! Kelsey