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At Home: Turning something old into something new

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Nov 6, 2009 | by Marni Jameson

I’M SITTING cross-legged on top of my husband’s desk trying to talk seriously, which is difficult in this humbling position. Besides the desk chair, which Dan’s in, the only other seating in his home office is the even more demeaning floor. I’m aiming to fix that.

“You need seating in here,” I say.

“Why? Then people would think they were welcome,” he says.

“You need a little sofa.”

“I need a lot of things.”

I’ve intruded into Dan’s inner sanctum to discuss some home improvements. He knows these typically cost money and involve him, so you can imagine how thrilled he is. “I can solve your seating problem,” I say.

“Your seating problem,” he says.

“We could move the den sofa in here.”

“What would people sit on in the den?”

“The den sofa is too small for the den, but would be perfect here.” I wave my hand to the space opposite his desk.

“We’re not buying a new sofa.”

“I completely agree. I found a used one on Craigslist for just $500.”

“If we have an extra $500 lying around, I’m buying a flat screen for the basement.”

“But the basement isn’t even furnished. We should furnish it, then get the television.”

“If we get the television, it will be furnished.”

I want to scream, “Why do women floor furnace always want furniture while men want flat screens?” But instead, I stay calm and focused, and say, “Speaking of furnishing “…”

“You were speaking of furnishing.”

“You said that next you were going to build out the wine cellar.”

Calling the small, stone-clad room in the basement a wine cellar is generous; the empty cavern is only a wine cellar in our imagination. Besides wine, which we drink faster than we can buy, the space needs racks, a door and a vintage table, which I’ve been keeping an eye out for. I envision an antique-looking table that can tell stories.

“Again,” he says, “right after I find another $500 lying around.”

Frustrated, I climb off Dan’s desk and go upstairs to figure how the Craigslist sectional in great condition will fit. I tape off the floor, and move out existing furniture. Besides the small sofa, the sectional would also displace my pine desk.

I’m attached to this desk, thick planks of pine on four turned legs with one center drawer. Dan bought it for me the Christmas after our second child was born. I’d just sold my time-devouring business to be home with our young children and start a new career as a freelance journalist.

The desk symbolized Dan’s support for my new start, although I suspect if he calculated the financial impact of that move, which he surely has, he harbors regret. But never mind that