Annabel Vita

Wahoo! You may have noticed in yesterday’s post that we finally liberated the top of my secretary desk from Mr V’s parent’s garage. Much as I loved having a spot to pop some flowers, I’m seriously loving having some shelves for my pretties AND some cool geometric glass panes to keep the dust at bay.

I still one day plan to paint or wallpaper the inside of the cabinet for a bit of interest, but I’m happy to live with in a while. My eventual plan also includes magnetic paint so I can pop snapshots and postcards on the “walls”. For some of the other ideas I’ve had, check out this pinterest board (mainly defunct since I decided to leave the wood mainly as-is)

But for now, here’s what I’ve put on the shelves.

I was keen not to buy anything I didn’t love just to fill shelf space (and I still have some stuff to bring over from my mum’s house, believe it or not!) so there’s some slightly random stuff in here as a placeholder while I slowly fill it with cherished lovelies.

There’s one shelf full of old books (most bought cheaply because I like their titles or contents – like this guide to etiquette for ladies and gentlemen and this French geography book). On top of the stack of books is an old jewellery box I bought in my favourite charity shop. I tend to just wear my engagement ring, watch and the same necklace everyday, so here is a fine place to keep it).

Top shelf is the most random: a stack of assorted fat quarters for a someday quilting project, three balls of bakers twine (I love that they look pretty and remind me of our trip to Holland), a bowl with some handkerchiefs in it (including the ones my mum made me for Christmas).

On the right of the top shelf, I have two needlecraft books I picked up this weekend (I’ll post more about these soon!) and some pretty tins of paprika (see what I mean? this sort of knick knack won’t stay forever but make me happy for now!)

Nestled in with the books, we have this tiny Delft blue jug Mr V bought me in Amsterdam. So teeny!

Moving on down, we have my beloved geese measuring cups, that used to stand guard over our stove. Sadly, I love them too much to risk breaking their slender necks while using them. The picture is my parents when my mum was expecting my brother.

Oh! I thought as I mainly use this desk to write letters, it would be fun to keep this book face out. Sadly, you can barely see it against the dark wood – it’s probably the main reason I might paint or put some paper up on the back of the shelf sooner rather than later! I stacked some recently received postcards in front. (I just love this mountain scene – my friend found it in a charity shop in a stack of genuine 1930s post cards.)

And an old charity shop teapot (I do use this one, but not all too often)

So there you have it! (The bottom shelf is family pictures and my pansy vase). I know it’s way too cluttered for most people, but my style has always skewed that way, and at least this way everything is dust free behind glass and not cluttering up every surface of the flat!

I’m sure everything in here will evolve over time and it won’t be long before I can’t resist tinkering with the inside with paint or paper, so I’m sure I’ll report back soon with an update.

What things to you like to display to make you happy? Or maybe you’re a minimalist who doesn’t like visual clutter? (I’m always jealous of you types!). What do you think I should do to the inside of the cabinet?

Related articles

• 5 Secretary Desks for Narrow Spaces (apartmenttherapy.com)
• I love my secretary… (annabelvita.com)
• Turning a dresser into a cabinet (annabelvita.com)
• Some small desk upgrades (annabelvita.com)