Antique Desks

Hi.

There are quite a few different types of antique desks available these days.  I find them much more beautiful than the modern desks on the market.  They are also made of solid wood and the quality workmanship stands the test of time.

A Brief History of Desks

The earliest desks were small slant top wooden boxes designed to sit on a table to be used.  Later these boxes came with wooden stands of their own, with the box still being removable.  Then the boxes were attached to the stands and became known as clerk's desks.  As drawers were added below the writing surface, these desks became known as bureaus.  Some of these desks had extra legs that swung out to support a fold out writing surface.

In the late 17th century, bureau cylinders and roll-top bureaus came from France.  The cylinder desk has a rounded lid that rotates into the desk.  The roll-top, still in production today, has wooden slats glued to cloth strips that allow it to roll into the desk.  Around 1650, the secretary style desk was developed where the lid folded down to create the writing surface and folded closed when not in use.  The knee-hole desk or writing table was developed about 1700.  Over the years, different woods were used to make desks, including oak, walnut and mahogany.  The size of desks also increased dramatically over time.  Another invention was the architect's desk, with a mechanism to adjust the angle of the slanted writing surface.  This type of desk or table is also still in use today.  In the late 18th century, "pigeon holes" were added inside desks for storage.  In the 1770's rosewood and satinwood were introduced for desks by fine funiture makers, with elaborate inlays replacing carved embellishments in earlier pieces.  Hepplewhite and Shearer introduced partner's desks, which allowed two people to work facing each other.

As with other furniture items, many styles of desks were created over the years and different styles are still created today to meet the functional needs of the user.  You can make great use of a vintage desk and have the beautiful wooden furniture piece in your home, often for less than you might pay for a new desk.

This desk passed down in my family was known as an accountant's desk, made in the style of a clerk's desk.

This is an antique school desk with a fold down seat.

This antique desk has a fold down writing surface.

This photograph shows the interior "pigeon holes" for storage.                                                                  

Please comment to share your experiences with antique desks with me and other readers.  Also comment about topics of interest to you for future posts.

Sincerely,

Lynn

Gracefully Blending the Old and New

Hello.

It is a rainy day here in New Jersey, but a great day for writing to all of you.

Many people wonder how they can blend antique items with their new decor.  What they may not realize is that antiques actually tend to soften a contemporary decor.  Antiques work well when combined with traditional, French, or other styles.  Each antique item represents a piece of history and has a story that goes with it.

It can be exciting to use your imagination to come up with other ways to use vintage furniture.  An element in common between the new and vintage furniture can help pull a room together.  For instance, you might repeat the wood color of the antique pieces in the new pieces.  Antique accessories also make interesting topics for conversation, especially when used in different ways.  In this family room photo, an antique school desk makes a fabulous end table.  The color of the wood in the desk blends well with the sofa and the color in the pillows and quilt.

Contrast can make antiques look their best.  For example, you might use an antique dining room table with new upholstered chairs.  This can look terrific, not to mention the chairs are more comfortable.  The dining chairs that go with the antique table can be used as side chairs in other rooms.

Try using an heirloom quilt with a modern sheet set in the bedroom.  Antique baskets are as great for storage on a new wall unit as are the new baskets on the market now.  Repurposing antiques may also make use of "parts" remaining from antique items.  In this example, the base and treddle from a vintage sewing machine now form the base of a terrific table.

Centerpieces made with antiques can be delightful.  A bowl can be used on a table to display a collection, such as antique door knobs or vintage glass ornaments during the holidays.  Try using a dough box on a large table to fill with flowers.  This centerpiece was made by my sister Lisa with a beautiful yellow-ware bowl.

Antique photographs or letters from your family members may be framed and hung on the wall or placed on a shelf.  Other art can be made by framing a crocheted doily against the backdrop of a cloth napkin, or try hanging one or more plates as artwork.  You can also try vintage frames on new art.  Some antique enthusiasts hang a row of door knobs on the wall to use as coat hooks.

Besides using contrast, you can create an interesting display of accessories such as a single color grouping of glass.  I do this with cobalt blue glass bottles and vases.  You might display a collection of green depression glassware or of vintage white ironstone pitchers.  If you buy and use what you like you will never be disappointed.  One rule of design you might try following is to group items in odd numbers, which surprisingly is more visually appealing.

Your selection of window treatments and area rugs can also help pull together a room with different periods of furniture and accessories.

The blend of homey antiques with a more modern group of furnishings is eclectic and tells a story of who YOU are!  Be confident when you combine the old and new, as this creates a richness and depth to your home environment.  So get that imagination going and start blending the old with the new!  Please comment on this post and share your ideas with me and my other readers.

Sincerely,
Lynn