Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Secretaries Day




My furniture wish list tends to be rather fluid. Some pieces come while others go, but the one piece that is a constant is a secretary. I've wanted one for as long as I can remember. While some may think of secretaries as being rather stodgy, I think the opposite. They can be quite elegant, such as those glorious antique japanned types. Or they can be dignified, especially those rendered in mahogany. Secretaries are also quite practical. What a wonderful way in which to display porcelain or other objets. And wouldn't using one of these as a desk make bill paying a tad bit more fun?

I'm still undecided about which type is my favorite. I think I'm leaning towards a Chinoiserie version in either red or black. But after looking at these images below, I just might have to change my mind!




The oft discussed 18th c. Chinoiserie secretary in the home of Ivanka Trump.


I like how Ruthie Sommers mixed a very traditional antique mahogany secretary with a 1940s coffee table, a black sofa with funky nailhead trim design, and a faux zebra rug. (Image from InStyle Home, Spring 07, photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo)


An 18th c. English secretary filled with ivory objects in the home of the late Sister Parish.


A secretary that has been painted with a faux yellow bird's eye finish. In the home of designer John Phifer Marrs (photographer Stephen Karlisch).


Image at top: Venetian mirrored secretaire, c. 1930, from John Salibello

20 comments:

  1. that mirrored desk is fantastic! I've never seen anything quite like it! I love the way Sister Parrish placed her secretary against the wall-to-wall shelves -just another way to un-formalize your secetary desk from the master!

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  2. Change- When I first saw the Parish photo, I wondered if it was maddening trying to get books from the shelves behind it. But the more I looked at the photo the more I liked the placement of the secretary!

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  3. That yellow is fabulous! We must have had e.s.p. again last night :)

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  4. A great post- and such a clever title! A secretary is on my wish list, too - so many wonderful choices, who can choose?

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  5. Courtney- That's too funny (and scary too!!!).

    Patricia- I know. That's my problem- so many great options, but you must choose wisely because they are an investment!

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  6. These are all my favorite examples, but most of all I would sell my soul for Ivanka's desk!!!

    ~Kate

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  7. I am fascinated by the mirrored secretary ... so splendid! it would make an amazing piece for a dressing room.

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  8. Aesthete- It's kind of a surprising piece because you don't usually see secretaries in mirror. Very glam!

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  9. ruthie's is my fave here. i've always wanted a beautiful piece dedicated to penning out little notes. great post

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  10. You got a nice little shout out from Nick Olson today! He's thinking bookcases.

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  11. Patricia- Nick had some good tips, didn't he?

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  12. I agree with you Jennifer - anything to make bill paying fun is a plus! Love the Ruthie Sommer photo!

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  13. It's the Parish photo that does it for me. What an inviting room and nicely appointed secretary. My grandmother has always done her bills and correspondence from her secretary and I always thought it terribly sophisticated.

    And as for mirrored furniture, sign me up; I'm trying to find a cocktail table for the living room.... It would have to be a cocktail table. A mirrored coffee table doesn't sound right, does it?

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  14. E and E- Mirrored coffee table? No. Mirrored cocktail table? Absolutely! Now that is elegant!

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  15. Oooooo -- a gorgeous desk -- and chair -- is top of my "lottery" dream list too! A wonderful posting filled with dreamy desks! The last photo even has a cute dog too! LOL!

    Jan at Rosemary Cottage who has been known to drool on desks at antique shops and shows .....

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  16. I love the Ivanka piece...it would spice up any room,especially mine... Fay

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  17. I love secretaries too! I have wanted a parchment covered one - similar to one designed by Andre Arbus or from the Thomas O'Brian collection for Hickory Chair. But that mirrored on eis pretty amazing - I've never seen anything like it either!

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  18. oh i want a secretaire!!!! especially that mirrored one.
    i also really need a butler. but that's another matter entirely...

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  19. I love this first secretary with venetian decoration !! so cute , so lovely !It will fit perfectly in my boudoir

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  20. Lynne- I'm with you on the butler! Now that would be a luxury :)

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