Asked on Apr 06, 2020

Can anyone help me identify this furniture piece?

Hello Hometalkers I purchased this at a thrift shop. I didn't realise it had a drawer that flapped open to a surface covered with tatty red felt. It was only partly vennered which was very damaged so I've removed it. Is this a writing desk or small dressing table? I'm very intrigued as to what it is..hope someone has some knowledge

  17 answers
  • 17335038 17335038 on Apr 06, 2020

    Definitely a writing desk.

    Depending on where you live, this style was often referred to as a secretary desk, or just a secretary.

    The slots were for items such as envelopes and the drawers were for smaller items such as stamps.

    Vintage dressing tables always had some kind of supports or defined raised or lowered place where the mirror was mounted.

    • See 3 previous
    • Karen Karen on Apr 07, 2020

      A writing desk/secretary.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Apr 06, 2020

    Hello Lauriane,

    I would say this is a Home Office Desk and could be used for crafting or as dressing table or for anything you need it to be. If you are leaving it as a home office, writing desk you might want to replace the writing surface with leather or baise felt or contact or fabric. It looks as though it could be oak! Best wishes.

  • Hi Lauriane - It looks to be a writing desk or secretary. I inherited a similar one from my mom. During this "current situation" we're actually updating one of our rooms to make an office for me and I can't wait to use it. Regardless, it's a super functional piece and be creative and have fun with how you enjoy it. Stay safe and healthy, my friend! Hugs, Holly

  • K. Rupp K. Rupp on Apr 06, 2020

    Definitely a writing desk, secretary. It's beautiful! Did you get all of the veneer off? If you are having trouble removing some.....I wrote a post to make it easier.... You may not need it, but just in case:


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/bedroom/furniture/how-to-remove-wood-veneer-easier-39748381

  • Gk Gk on Apr 06, 2020

    This is a Secretary desk BUT what fun it would be to turn it into a dressing/makeup

    area! The inside and the detail on the outside doors is awesome! No wonder you grabbed it at the thrift shop!

  • Pamela Pamela on Apr 06, 2020

    That is a Secretary desk ! Please post your project , I would love to see what you do with it !!!

    • See 1 previous
    • Pamela Pamela on Apr 06, 2020

      On no !!! So glad you grabbed it !!!

  • This is definitely a desk called a 'Secretary'. Great find - they are beautiful!

  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Apr 06, 2020

    It appears to be a secretary and is a lovely piece, Lauriane

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Apr 06, 2020

    i agree with the others, it is a secretary desk, they have a good amount of storage and can be used for home offices. The felt could be removed and substituted with leather (to give it a classy touch). So many possibilities with refinishing it, just beautiful. Have fun with this project.

  • Dianacirce70 Dianacirce70 on Apr 06, 2020

    That is a very nice find! Chest of drawers were sometimes multi-functional, and did have a built in writing desk.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Apr 06, 2020

    It is a secretary desk. The fold down writing surface is what makes it that type of desk.

  • Yep, it was originally built to be a secretary writing desk... But could be used anywhere, repurposed.

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Apr 07, 2020

    This is a secretary desk! One of my Aunt's had one and she kept her mail, stamps, stationary in it. I grew up wanting one so bad... I'm still on the lookout!

    • Lauriane McMurdo Lauriane McMurdo on Apr 07, 2020

      Thank you!! I have to say my 6ft4 son looks silly sitting at it ..but I'm going to use it as a dressing table for myself I think..thanknyou for taking the time to answer

  • Sandra Sandra on Apr 07, 2020

    An Antquie secretary Awsome

  • Janice Janice on Apr 08, 2020

    Your writing desk will make an awesome dressing/makeup piece. So many little nitches to place small items! You can decorate in any coor or way you pleae. Have fun with it. It's very unique piece that wouldn't ever want to let go.

  • JennaKravitz JennaKravitz on Jan 04, 2021

    It looks very beautiful! It looks like some kind of antique piece of furniture. I really like that. I wish I had seen this earlier, I would have definitely bought this for my room or living room. What is the most important room in the whole house for you? For me, it's a bathroom. I arranged it with all care and creativity. Perhaps I would even put this furniture in the bathroom to store towels and other things for bathing. When I started to furnish my bathroom with everything I needed, I first found the necessary furniture store. For example, you can check out vanity units for sale in the UK

  • MarianM MarianM on Oct 19, 2022

    You found a nice thing. You can make a well designed furniture.