Dare quality in your living room by opting for vintage baroque style furniture. The Louis XV desk table is an excellent example. An office usually based on mahogany, which you can easily revamp to fit your interior. Find out how to get one here.
The Louis XV desk table model
Although it is one of the most prized decorative items of its time, the Louis XV desk is currently very little known. And this, despite its atypical and very chic design. Appearing in 1730, the Louis XV style was all the rage with the French, and was found on all types of furniture.
The desk has been declined in several versions, such as the cylinder secretary with small drawers. Like the flat desk in rosewood marquetry which is the main subject here.
An desk quite identical to that of Louis XIV, the latter has a softened ornamentation, and sinuous edge. Without a straight line, this desk has been specially designed to ensure the well-being of its user. Not to mention its maneuverability, elegance, as well as its lightness and ornamentation based on marquetry with floral decoration. This is the essence of Louis XV type furniture.
How to get a Louis XV desk?
Finding a Louis XV desk table is a practically difficult task to undertake nowadays. Especially if you don't have the budget to get a new one. And again, you'll be lucky if you find one. However, if you really care, then here are two solutions that can help you get it easily. To do this, choose between:
The search for a used desk
A very popular practice nowadays, and which seems to be bearing fruit. To find a small Louis XV style desk, the best is to take the time to do your research. Both in physics and online, there is no shortage of offers, but you need to find them. Nevertheless, different aids can be provided on the web, in order to save you a considerable amount of time.
You can, therefore, turn to sites specializing in the sale of table and desk opening through three drawers. But you can also go to the sites of sale and exchanges between individuals. Not to mention the garage sales, which are often full of rare pearls to seize. Even if some connoisseurs display quite exorbitant prices, this is not really shocking, an antique dealer can guarantee you the authenticity of a period desk in precious wood with a finely chiseled bronze ornamentation.
When opting for this practice, it is necessary for you to be quite vigilant. Especially when it comes to the general condition of the desk. Before proceeding with the purchase, you must determine the different duties to be provided for its renovation. This will give you a clear idea of the budget you will have to pay for its restoration. Enough to allow you to make the right decision.
Tailoring to order at the cabinetmaker
If you have a large enough budget and you want to get a Louis XV desk without waiting too long, ordering one from the cabinetmaker is your best solution. This allows you to enjoy new and ready-to-use furniture. All in less time than it takes you to do an online search. But above all, a desktop that you can customize to your liking.
When ordering, you can give specific measurements or ornamental choices. This would contribute to the uniqueness and authenticity of your furniture. You won't have to worry about what kind of materials to use to make it. You can choose between the different types of hardwood available from the cabinetmaker. Knowing that he can even order custom ones from you.
The only problem with this method is that it is obviously expensive. But that you also need to have a precise idea in mind, or a model to reproduce. This avoids any misunderstanding and ends up with an desk that does not meet your expectations. Nevertheless, it is one of the best solutions for this kind of situation.
Renovate a Louis XV desk by yourself
If you have opted for the choice of buying a used desk. It is normal that you have to go through different maintenance and renovations before using it. In order to prevent your office from collapsing on its own, especially in full use. Risking to injure its user or break the vases and trophies placed on it.
To do this, it is necessary to prepare, and put in place all the useful materials and products. Starting with the soberer, the vibrating sander, the wood pulp, and the antique wood stain. In addition to the pore mouths before varnish, interior wood varnish, dogtooth brush, wedge and abrasive Abranet. It is only after that you can tackle the work.
For a good renovation of his Louis XV desk, apply and let the wood soberer act for 10 minutes. Rub the surface with the dogtooth brush and rinse thoroughly with soapy water. After drying, regulate the surface using the sander and remove the wood fiber lift. Preferably, use fine abrasive with your vibrating sander.
Once the surface is smooth, pass over the moldings with a sander and a foam wedge. If you can afford it, opt for mesh abrasives. If necessary, do not hesitate to use wood pulp to plug the holes. This makes it easier to dye and avoids overloading the wood. After painting, apply pore mouths to look like a waterproof layer.
And it does not stop there, you will still have to pass a coat of finish varnish. Then, go through a smoothing and drying of 6 hours. Before going through a fine steel wool ginning of the varnished surfaces. And to top it off, add a second coat of varnish on the whole.
By following this method, your Louis XV desk quickly regains its former glory.
Use the services of a renovation professional
To carry out its renovation by yourself, it will be necessary to invest in the purchase of equipment in addition to the purchase of the desk. But above all, you also need to have some expertise, in addition to the time that is fundamental. And if you do it between working hours, you may end up with a rendering that does not meet your expectations. Which may displease you every time.
To avoid this waste of time and money, it is best for you to hire an antique furniture professional. And make sure that the latter is well specialized in the technique of processing wood, steel and fabric. Whether for the renovation of sofa, seat, armchair, bench drawer. Or even flat desk selency and other model of antique furniture.
Whether we are talking about a Louis-Philippe or Louis XVI style desk. Whether we are talking about comfort, color or even the time and costs of realization. To find the best specialists, head to Paris, Oise, Compiègne and Chantilly, or to the country's port. Nevertheless, you can find a cabinetmaker everywhere in France who will be delighted to take charge of your restoration.
From veneer to advertising, including Senlis. Easily find a specialist in flat desk restoration technology in France. With a perfect control of the place and the specificities of its accessories. Take only the drawer as an example, with its steel handles, which tend to tarnish following exposure in marine areas.
Modernize your Louis XV desk
Treat your Louis XV mahogany desk to a more modern style after its restoration. And to do this, the best is to offer it a look on the agenda. Whether by playing on colors, or by adding sticker advertising. Knowing that it is impossible to touch its design, for fear of spoiling its mythical charm.
Nevertheless, you can still add some touches of finishing to have a perfect decoration based on antique furniture. Especially since this desk adapts with the majority of the rooms of the house.