True Antique Writing Desks

Looking for True Antique Writing Desks

The antique writing desk that you put in your home can be used for a variety of purposes. Many people put these beautiful pieces in their home for the decorative effect that they can have on a room and others actually enjoy using their desk. If you are in the market for one of these beauties, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.

Deal with a reputable antiques dealer when you are searching for the right antique writing desk. The pieces that you find may be stunning, but they may not be antique desks at all. While it is perfectly acceptable to put a reproduction in your home, you should be aware of it and not spend too much money on something that is not as valuable as the real thing.

Take the time to do a little research on the desks that you are interested in buying so that you will know one when you see it. You may not be able to become an expert in antique furnishings, but you can learn to detect a fake when you see one. There is some wonderful material available that will help you spot a fake when you are searching for antiques, and that way you know you have the real thing when you get your antique writing desk.

It is also possible for the antiques dealer to be fooled if they do not have the expertise to recognize a real antique writing desk. That is why you should always check the reputation of the dealer to be sure that they are experienced and reputable. Delving into the world of antiques is a fun hobby to get started in and your antique writing desk can be the first piece that you acquire. Before you know it, you will have a home full of beautiful pieces that you have collected during your trips to the antique shops.

What is a Modern Writing Desk?

What Do Modern Writing Desks Look Like?

Today’s modern writing desks are typically used for a computer or other pieces of electronic equipment. Often times it seems that the modern writing desk today is really nothing more than a normal office desk or a computer stand or cart. However, you can create your own modern writing desk that is not the typical computer desk that you see today.

There are some wonderful styles of desks available that are not made from the same materials that you find in the local discount store. Desks made of stainless steel or with thick heavy glass are more eye catching and unique than the run of the mill styles that are common today. These desks are usually available in specialty furniture stores that create unique styles of furnishings for those who are interested in something out of the ordinary.

It is possible to create something on your own that takes the place of the modern writing desk. Some have gotten very creative in making their own furnishings and desks using some materials that may have never been thought of for office furniture before. The steel taken from a classic automobile would certainly make a fine looking and unusual modern writing desk. The hood or trunk of a big old classic would certainly catch a lot of attention in your office.

Today’s modern writing desk can certainly show a bit more creativity than we have seen in the furniture stores lately. To have one of these unusual and stunning desks in your home, you might just have to do it yourself, or find a furniture builder who shares your vision. There is no need to have the same old computer cart that everyone else has in their home. Use your imagination and create the desk that you want out of the materials that you want. All it really takes is a little imagination and some furniture building skills.

Antique Writing Desks | Old Writing Desks | Roll Top Writing Desks

Antique Writing Desks

Antique writing desks come in many shapes, sizes, and forms. Just as there is no one and only set model when someone is trying to talk about a "contemporary writing desk" or a "modern writing desk," there isn't in one set design for antique writing desks. This term can be used to describe simple office desks that are a hundred years old or more, or they might be referring to older designs that have more or less gone out of fashion in modern times like a writing desk with hutch, a secretary writing desk, or a roll top correspondence desk. All of these designs have their charms and their benefits, but they don't match well with the advances in modern technology which is why few of these designs are used in actual offices any more.

Because of this, it can be hard to have one definitive post on antique writing desks since that phrase can reference many different designs, shapes, or even individual companies that have since gone out of business. Still, when the term "antique writing desks" comes up, there is usually a definitive idea or mental picture.

Many pictures of Benjamin Franklin will show him hunched over, hard at work over a roll top desk with quill pen in hand hard at work with whatever thoughts or discoveries are bubbling over. These old desks often appear as roll top desks or writing hutches, and at one point this was the most common design for writing desks. Now all of these models are considered antique.

A large reason for this is the changes of history and technology. Antique desks tend to be more ornate and fancy because the idea that most people could read or write is a very recent historical trend, and because of that the original antique writing desks were often considered a status symbol that showed off wealth, education, aristocracy, and elegance. These were as much a status symbol as anything else. In addition, there were obviously no computers, or typewriters, in the 1700s. Because of this there was no need to design a larger desk that was made for practicality.

A roll top writing desk was practical back in its time. These antique writing desks were designed to write letters, to store letters, and to store scrolls. A good candle and/or lantern and individuals could even write deep into the night. At the time this made perfect sense for a writing desk, and a fold over hutch that may have even had a key and lock was one of the earliest forms of security for sensitive writing and/or correspondence.

Antique writing desks have almost returned to their place as status symbols while the modern designs of these functional pieces of office furniture have gone to a more plain and basic designs, often with a corner or l-shape to maximize the space that can be had out of an office's corners. Antique writing desks look fantastic, and still work for writing letters, writing out checks for bills, etc - but as far as functioning well with a desk top computer or a laptop, forget about it!

These desks have come full circle and are still in high demand because of their beauty and elegance. Some nations and companies take particular pride in showing their respect for older designs, as many Italian writing desks have an elegance that the American counterparts simply can't compete with. While they might once have been the epitome of common sense and class, the antique writing desks still show off an elegance that adds a special something to any room in the house, even if it's no longer commonly the office.

Corner Writing Desks | Contemporary Corner Writing Desks

Contemporary Corner Writing Desks

There are many different types of writing desks, and one increasingly popular model is the contemporary corner writing desk. Because of the changes in technology, the old antique models of roll top writing desks are a thing of the past. Whether it's an actual office, or a home office to a small business owner, a desk needs to be functional for a wide variety of uses, including the use of computers.

Most business owners can't just concentrate on one thing at a time, and so for most home entrepreneurs, having a spread out area for papers, phone, computer, and a picture of the family is ideal. This is where a corner writing desk, sometimes referred to as an L-shape writing desk, is often the best possible design for many individuals' needs.

Corner writing desks are also very popular because aside from the large amount of desk space, the "L shape" design of a good corner desk makes all that space usable and easily accessible without having to stretch out across a too large desk. In addition, these desks can easily fit into a small or narrow area, which is always a huge plus for smaller offices where space is at a premium but you still need to be able to make everything work.

Corner writing desks are a definite product of modern needs, modern times, and modern technology and for that reason, they aren't likely to become less popular any time soon.