I wanted to call this post Wordless Wednesday but then the very idea of zipping up my mouth and showing you images without explanation struck me as almost impossible and where I am concerned, slightly ludicrous, because as though who know me well will testify, I just can’t shut up…
Anyway I thought I’d show you the desk I yesterday declared I was longing to get back to. As you will see it is hardly the living embodiment of an organized mind but is instead a feast of housekeeping books, magazines and inspiration, rather eccentrically scattered with little bits of the kind of yumminess that makes my heart sing whenever I pull up my wheelie white Ikea desk chair, pop my cushion on my knee (I can’t work or sit in a chair without holding a cushion and it drives my Dad nuts) and light my tiny little working
While I would like to bless it with all manner of puttery loveliness, my desk is Brocante Central, and is by it’s very nature a Working Desk and not the rather glorious Victorian lady Writing Desk resplendant with ink, blotting paper and feather quills that I dream of owning, and so there is the requisite ugly old printer, a scanner for my vintage images hiding behind that workhorse laptop, and a tatty old notepad, more of which I will tell you in a moment or two…
Other noteworthy items on my desk? A little nest painting sent to me by the rather talented darling girl that is Elizabeth Greenlea Harrison (From Nevertheless Elizabeth). The china doll that was one of the first items I bought for the interiors shop I owned when I was twenty three. The Laura Ashley
But heavens illuminating the world is a difficult business when you are a single Mummy with a scrumptious (but demanding) almost seven year old, a lovely boyfriend, oodles of wonderful friends, housekeeping of your own, and a
That unassuming notepad up there? That is one page of ten listing 365 short chapters of the
And yes indeed, closer inspection will reveal that one day I plan on regaling you with a short treatise on the pleasure’s of beans on toast.
I bet you can’t wait can you??
Other Things To Do At BrocanteHome
Browse the Bookstore
Discover a curated list of books to enhance and support life the BrocanteHome way
Life Love & Vintage Housekeeping the by BrocantePrintables on Etsy
Create your own Brocante Life Book, plan Christmas, set up routines and rituals or live life the BrocanteHome way with my guided workbooks and planners.
Take a Course
Discover mindful, meaningful days with self-led, habit-coaching courses from BrocanteHome.
The Slow Scrub Challenge at BrocanteMe 
Goal Setting for Homemakers 
The Brocante Round-Up! 
The Brocante Round-Up!
I love beans on toast and all things British…can't wait!
I love beans on toast and all things British…can't wait!
Although I dearly love my husband, in my secret dreams I sometimes imagine that I am single and could make all my decisions based on what I, and I alone, wish to be. One of the things I would have would be a lovely comfortable desk like yours, filled to the brim with things that make my heart sing and inspire my soul. As it is, I share a home, so I must compromise. Sometimes that reality-compromise-stifles my heart.
I have always treasured the peeks into your house, and now, at your desk. Books, books, lovely books overflow at mine, also. It would be much more work to be dainty and neat, yeah? To imagine having a clear, pristine Victorian writer's desk with nothing but the ink well and the page doesn't engage with me because at any moment when inspiration knocks from a book, I'd have to get off my bum to go and get it. But then again, I might as well imagine I have a paid servant to get it for me.. a buff, quiet, handsome, agreeable servant. Oh, and I would look like Venus herself and have a billion dollars in the bank.
But seriously, the news about your book is splendid! I just know it will be super.
I have always treasured the peeks into your house, and now, at your desk. Books, books, lovely books overflow at mine, also. It would be much more work to be dainty and neat, yeah? To imagine having a clear, pristine Victorian writer's desk with nothing but the ink well and the page doesn't engage with me because at any moment when inspiration knocks from a book, I'd have to get off my bum to go and get it. But then again, I might as well imagine I have a paid servant to get it for me.. a buff, quiet, handsome, agreeable servant. Oh, and I would look like Venus herself and have a billion dollars in the bank.
But seriously, the news about your book is splendid! I just know it will be super.
Oh Alison, I can't wait for the book!!!!
Your desk is what every work from home Mummy's should look like – I wish mine was as pretty 🙂
I buy pretty much every book you recommend, Im hopeless I cant help myself , a recommendation from a fellow book junkie is irresistible to me lol, that said it is no wonder that I cannot wait untill you write your book. Your desk is utterly perfect btw. xx
I buy pretty much every book you recommend, Im hopeless I cant help myself , a recommendation from a fellow book junkie is irresistible to me lol, that said it is no wonder that I cannot wait untill you write your book. Your desk is utterly perfect btw. xx
I buy pretty much every book you recommend, Im hopeless I cant help myself , a recommendation from a fellow book junkie is irresistible to me lol, that said it is no wonder that I cannot wait until you write your book. Your desk is utterly perfect btw. xx
I buy pretty much every book you recommend, Im hopeless I cant help myself , a recommendation from a fellow book junkie is irresistible to me lol, that said it is no wonder that I cannot wait until you write your book. Your desk is utterly perfect btw. xx
I just love beans on toast!!! Your blog is fabulous!!! I need to read more of it.
Warm hugs, Laura
What a pretty desk, and what gorgeous handwriting you have Ms May!
Looking forward to the book, h x
What a pretty desk, and what gorgeous handwriting you have Ms May!
Looking forward to the book, h x
Beans.on.toast.
Well I declare! Some things our mother country didn't tell us…until now…
Oh! and your desk looks very inviting to me!
Oh! and your desk looks very inviting to me!
A book at last!! However will we survive the wait?