Other option could be to paint the nightstands and leave desk as sole mahogany piece--to offset it from the highboy dresser. Or possibly paint the Victorian chair and pair with mahogany desk? Or????

Can the dresser and bookcase switch locations?

Val, I'm happy you found a desk in the style you really wanted. I hate to say this, but I think the "inlay" is most likely a decal. They were often used during that era to give the look of a more expensive piece of furniture that had real inlay. Any refinishing would most likely destroy the decal.
What I'd do is use the restore a finish on the desk first since it would look best, in my opinion, stained to match the night stands.
As for the chair can you repair the wonkiness out of it?

I think there are a variety of ways you could go.
My instinct would be to paint the desk and bookcase white and leave the nightstand and victorian chair in their wood tones (I know they won't match perfectly, but they are close enough). The wood chair with the dotted seat--plus the stuff (accessories/art/gunk) that inevitably will end up ON or OVER the desk--will break up the "all white" feel.

As another alternative, would you consider putting the acqua desk here WITHOUT repainting it? At least the pic above, the original desk paint color doesn't appear to fight the wall color and-- in a small dose-- could work as is.

Val

I've got to hand it to you! You are such a finder, you never got over not getting that last desk -
My $.02

- I would paint the desk same as the dresser if it stays on that wall - I would also rec continuing the spirit of the room FUN, FUN, FUN - Perhaps a clip or wall mounted fun lamp - find one you like & spray paint it!

- Once you paint the desk top you will need to protect it from the pressure of your dd writing, coloring, art etc which will have the paint looking sad in no time. When I had the desk area made for our basement reno - I had glass tops cut for each desk top - relatively inexpensive - also provides a nice show case area for special art & momentos

Another thought for desk top (under the glass) and even drawer fronts are Wallies - Yep - keep the spirit of FUN

http://www.wallies.com/

Have dd make a nice message board w/you - Perhaps using the chair fabric & coordinating grosgain ribbon
Homosote works well for that application - basically drop ceiling tile
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/thumbtack-bulletin-board

Looking good Val always a pleasure following your works

dekoeboe: I also thought about swapping them, but unfortunately the dresser would cover up the lightswich.

justgottabeme: I think it's real inlay as there are parts because I can see it where the finish has rubbed off, but could be mistaken. I don't think I can use RAF were the finish is completely worn off as then it'd soak into the wood and be uneven--tried it before on some other tables and had to end up refinishing them. However, it is something I know how to do.

delta: Hadn't thought about leaving the Vic chair as-is and painting the desk. Hmm. I'd rather use this desk as it's both wider and deeper and has more storage. Even tho it's a tad beat up.

jejvtr: You really help keep me centered when I'm starting to wondering WHAT EVER WAS I THINKING? Still bummed about the other desk as I think it was in better condition than this one; however, this one has the Hepplewhite pulls so just moving forward now with what I have and trying to make the most of it. Also this one is deeper which is a good thing in a small space. I couldn't have custom made it any better to fit this micro space. Your two suggestions of the glass top and message board where in my mental idea file. I've already gotten a quote for glass ($70) before I bought the desk and was just looking online this AM about covering her existing bulletin board in batting, fabric and ribbon. I was thinking of using the same fabric that I was using for the seat. That would help get rid of the all white syndrome I'm trying to avoid. DO you think I should paint the chair also? Another thought I had was to paint it in lime.

Keep the ideas coming as I need to have a plan to present to my DH tonight since he thinks I'm going overboard....

I guess he does not have my mental picture, esp. when my ideas are all over the map, I freely admit.

Hate to rain on your parade, but I like the smaller, first desk. Doesn't overpower the dresser like the new desk does. What about painting the first desk and adding to it the pulls from the second desk? You would be able to fill the original pull holes as you are painting and drill new holes for the matching type handles. I like that the first desk is only as deep as the dresser, not deeper like the second desk. It doesn't look as heavy.
Does that make any sense?

Re-read my post and I'm sorry if it sounded sarcastic. I did not mean it that way at all. You are doing a wonderful job, and I am sure whichever desk you choose it will look wonderful!

I prefer the smaller desk, too.

And, the room does look terrific.

If you want to move the desk and dresser, you could just go with a remote light switch. There are all kinds of them on the market. The current desk/dresser location has some other advantages, though.. . and may help the room feel more open.

mary_lu: No worries, didn't take it that way. I appreciate all feedback--esp. as I've gone back and forth on this myself as I don't think this desk has the same cuteness quotient as the other one. However, it seems a closer match to the other pieces in her room plus I do think my DD could use a deeper desk--the other one is 18" deep like the desk she had prior to this which I've since sold on CL. I found if she puts anything on the desk, like pencil cup, tape, stapler or other school supplies she quickly runs out of space to work and then just works on the floor. This new one is 5" deeper and 3" longer. So I guess I could go either way....

The room is great so far and so much fun for an 8 year old. Your daughter is lucky to have a mum that cares so much. What I would do is keep the two nightstands dark as they seem to blend a bit with the daybed.
But I think I would like to have the desk white for that space. I think it makes the room younger and funner(is that a word). Either desk would work well, smaller makes room look larger but the larger desk gives your DD more working space. Only you know what she needs. As far as chair, again whichever she is the most comfortalble in.
Keep us posted, I love this thread.

Both my girls have that same desk! I love that desk. One daughter painted hers pink and purple (hey she is 12).
I will post a picture of it later. The other daughters is painted black and has a matching bookcase on top. I found it already painted black. I plan on painting it white when I get the time. Hey, its paint, it can be changed.

I personally would tell you to paint the desk white to match that gorgeous dresser she has.

I like the idea of the white desk to match the dresser. Whatever way you go, try to avoid a 50/50 mix, and go toward 70/30 white vs not white furniture. When doing a mix, one part of the mix should be in the majority.

I love this thread also & love seeing how the room is coming together! You are doing a really good job & it's going to be such a great room for your daughter. I was wondering - if you like the inlay on the top of the desk, if you could tape it off? Then you could paint the desk, since it is kinda beat up. I'm thinking that you might hate to paint the desk because of the inlay. And covering the top with a piece of glass is a great idea. I would paint the desk white, try to keep the brown inlay on top & keep the chair brown & new fabric on the seat - I think that would tie in with the brown from the night stands. Good Luck!

You might want to try the RAF. Some years ago, I bought a Lane Cedar chest that had similar white areas and scratches. I used a kit by Formbys. Had a furniture cleaner and a wipe on a lot like the RAF. Paid 12 bucks for it and I still have it and love it.

Yes, you can mix painted and non-painted wood in a room. It's very "Maine cottage", actually.

Now, in the great tradition of decor forum posters everywhere, I'll give you my $.02 about something you didn't ask about. :) As much as I really like those nighstands, I would try removing them, move the bookcase to the left of the closet, and put the dresser where the bookcase is currently. OR just nix the bookcase and the nightstand on the left of the bed and move the dresser to where the bookcase is now. In either scenario, you uncrowd the desk/dresser wall. Are the end tables functional? It seems like it would be hard to reach them. Have you thought about a small round table to sit kind of in front of the bed instead?

My son's room is exactly the same dimensions and layout as that room, except we have a radiator under the window, so trust me when I say I feel your pain about furniture arrangement!

Okay, I would use the smaller desk and the bookcase together on one wall, and have them painted the same color, preferably white for the body of each piece. I would line the back of the bookcase with one of the fun fabrics. I would use the victorian chair, painted white, with a white fake fur seat for fun!

On the dresser, which I would move to the wall where the bookcase is now, I would paint the body white, and do the drawer fronts on the dresser in four different colors taken from the bedding.

Nightstands white as well, with a piece of polished beveled edge mirror for the top of each one. I would also think about either painting the curtain rod white, or changing out to a white wood rod.

I know that your vision for this room is shabby/vintage, but the bedding and the lamps and the curtains feel more whimsical funky 80's, and are charming. I say have fun with the furniture for now, go for the fresh, cute feeling that you have created with the bedding, and change the mood to vintage/shabby when she is a bit older.

Since feedback seemed to be mixed, I decided to let my DD make the final decision. She kept asking me which desk I preferred, but I wouldn't tell her. She opted for the larger desk with more drawer space painted white paired with the Victorian chair. Loves the idea of the fabric bulletin board over the desk so I'll order extra fabric for that as well. Also loves the idea of a glass top where she can slide her artwork, pics and certificates underneath.

Regarding the suggestions for a different room layout, believe it or not I've tried most all of them. Each one has pros and cons in a room this small. Bottom line, tho, is if I center the daybed under the window that leaves approx. 18" per side. Putting either the desk or dresser where the bookcase is now results in a blocked corner behind the bed since both are greater than 18" deep whereas bookcase is only 10" deep. So while the result I know is cramped on the desk/dresser wall, it really is quite functional--dresser adjacent to closet and desk adjacent to bookcase.

lyban: "Funner" was quite popular among my middle DD's 8-th grade class last year; unfortunately their English teacher informed them it is NOT a word. Didn't stop them from using it tho...

Computerkluz: Would love to see some pics of your desks.

pamlipsest: Thanks for the info on the 30/70 ratio. That makes a lot of sense to me.

ruthy1: What a great idea to mask off the inlay!

mzdee: I love RAF too and have had great success as well when I refinished my DR chairs.

bungalow_house: Aren't small rooms a pain to decorate? My middle DD's is even smaller (9x10) and has a bigger closet. Not too much I can do with that room either--but she's a teenager and really into floor decor (where everything seems to be all the time). So while younger DD's room is a tad crowded with furniture, at least she'll have space for everything plus a big open space in the middle. And yes, she (and I) can access each nightstand. One thing that did not make the cut is her stand up easle/white board--she was trying to figure out how set could squeeze it in between the bookcase and nighstand believe it or not. I told her I buy a white board to mount on the wall to the right of the bookcase and she can use the nighstand drawer for her pens and eraser, etc.

les: A fake fur seat sounds so fun and comfy! I'm sure DD would love it. I'll have to look into some different fabrics. Can you recommend a good website for fabrics? I think DD wants to use the aqua dot fabric somewhere as well, but I can use it for her bulletin board. I was worried the cotton fabric wouldn't be sturdy enough so this sounds like a better option. The different colored drawers sound really fun and pretty also, but I plan to stick with just white and add color with fabrics and wall paint which are easier to change when she grows tired of it.

Yeah! What a great desk! I would paint it white to match the dresser too! I'm sure either way it will look great!

I would do it all white, and yes colored drawer pulls would be great!!

Ah, my other son's room is 9x10 as well. Definitely a challenge! We do have big under-eave closets, though, so dressers are actually in the closets. That's tremendously helpful. And no trundle. Boys don't have sleep-overs, do they? If they do, they'll be camping out on the living room floor!

Keep us posted!

BH: The big closets are great. My older two have closet organizers which allow them to keep most of their clothes in their closets and not have dressers. Not sure if you recall that I had shortchanged my youngest' closet for my larger master bathroom (had to have the separate bath and shower!) so having all the extra storage drawers is great for her. I'm also planning to put in an iron coat rack on the wall to the left of the closet. As for sleepovers, my DS used to have sleepovers when he was younger and they were usually in the FR. My 9th grade DD has just started having sleepovers again since starting high school. They are also in the FR. With the two teenagers in the house (esp. a teenaged boy) it works better for the 8-year-old DD to have friends sleep over in her room as it's close to our bedroom and we can keep an eye on them. Since we don't have a guest bedroom, when either of the grandmas come to visit, my older DD will sleep on the trundle and let grandma sleep in her room. So while it doesn't get used that often, we do still need it. We have no family locally so whenever family comes to visit we need to provide overnight accomodations. I am drooling over some of these lovely guest rooms some of the members are working on. In my dreams, though.... What I also like about this vintage furniture is it's something I can see myself using one day for a guest room--not like kid-style furniture--so investing the time and effort to make it look good is rewarding vs. spending another $1,000 plus on third matched set of children's furniture.