Wednesday, March 24, 2010

VTT 1920 Lady's Desk

This charming little desk, circa 1920, I found at a used furniture store a few years ago. I was in need of a small desk for my laptop when we are at the CO. house and I knew this was the perfect solution. Apart from that, I loved it at first sight, it reminded me of one my dear Aunty Al had [I think one of my sisters has it now]. It's mahogany and was in need of a refinish-and yes I know that reduces any value for antiquity, but for $75 I was more concerned with aesthetics.
A piece of the top of one of the graceful Queen Anne legs had been replaced with a very ugly and inappropriate bit of wood- that had to be corrected.
I was fortunate to be able to find a local carpenter in CO. who made a new piece that matched perfectly, very reasonable cost too. Other than that, one of the unusual old style hinges you can see in the photo below, needs fixing but I haven't figured out how to get that done. Meantime it works OK, and I am very careful opening and closing it so as not to cause further damage on the rare occasion when I need to open or close the flap.

I forgot to pull out the writing tray and take a pic. of it, drat, but maybe I'll do that another day.
Once I removed the old finish and sanded it down, I used a mahogany finish to protect the wood and I am delighted with this bargain-at least I think it was a very good buy and it is the perfect solution for a laptop desk.
Thanks for coming by, now blog on over to Colorado Lady to check out all the other VTT participants!


14 comments:

Vonlipi said...

I would love one of those! It is perfect for the laptop. It's a very nice piece!

Ann said...

This would look special in any room. Great find. Let us see how you accessorize it.
ann

Keetha Broyles said...

No WONDER you loved it at first sight! It is lovely in every way!

LV said...

It looks nice as it was, but simply beautiful after a refinishing. Nice job.

Paulette said...

I love this little desk, the Queen Anne style, and the refinishing job you did is gorgeous!

Tammy said...

The little desk is beautiful. You did an excellent job refinishing it.

Postcardy said...

Your desk is both beautiful and useful.

Maureen said...

Queen Anne legs always make a piece look elegant. Very pretty desk.

farmlady said...

Lovely table! It was worth whatever you did to get it into stable, working order. I really think that antique furniture is wonderful when it has a purpose. To me, making this piece sturdy and usable makes it even more valuable.

concretenprimroses said...

What a lovely desk. Good find! I would never know one leg was replaced.
Kathy

Coloradolady said...

What a beautiful desk and what a lovely job you did refinishing this piece...it is lovely. I'd like to try my hand at refinishing a piece of furniture, but am scared to death to start and make a bigger mess!!! Happy VTT!

gramma2many said...

It is beautiful!! I love old furniture, but Stan does not, so we have purged our home of most of the pieces I had collected over the years. I just admire them in other peoples homes.

Unknown said...

Such a very lovely piece...I would have snapped it right up too :)

Blessings!
Gail

Debbie said...

It is beautiful. I saw the exact same piece at a vintage/antique store yesterday. But at $245, it was a bit out of my budget.