A remanent of 18th century France, secretary desks have historically evoked imagery of highbrow bookkeepers hunched over piles of paper. Now, top designers have heralded new connotations for the old casepiece. They’ve expertly converted vintage secretary desks into china cabinet displays, handy catch-all consoles, and—of course—stylish, modern workspaces. If you’ve been searching for a convenient, convertible worktable, read on. We’ve complied your comprehensive guide to the top-drawer secretary desk.
Related Read: Your Essential Guide to Rolltop Desks
The History of The Secretary Desk
Deriving from 18th century French provenance, secretary desks evolved from escritoires—a.k.a., writing desks. Both sport a foldable, drop-leaf writing ledge, but secretary desks typically have a hutch or cabinet placed atop the desk as well. Antique secretary desks were packed with pigeon holes, drawers, and shelving for important business and personal documents.
The early French iterations were carved out of exotic woods and decorated with gilded accents, ornamental scrolls, and lacquered finishes. Eminent cabinet-maker Thomas Chippendale also had his hand in the designing more stripped back, antique secretary desks for mansions and grand halls.
While secretaries are now considered a “pink profession,” secretaries were roles largely filled by men until the late 19th century. Large estate owners hired men to perform administrative tasks at antique secretary desks in their living room or parlor. Although still maintaining its handsome, executive look, the secretary desk is much more than just a managerial tool now.
How To Style A Secretary Desk
Get to Work!
With its narrow build and handy hideaway design, secretaries are the ultimate work-from-home upgrade. The desk’s extendable drop leaf helps preserve space when shut, while its wealth of storage space can act as a one-stop-shop for a myriad of office supplies.
Create a corner office (literally!) by tucking a vintage secretary desk into an underutilized living room corner or bedroom nook. Because of the desk’s towering hutch, angling a secretary perpendicular to a corner is a clever way to preserve wall space. Or, try settling a secretary desk with hutch against a blank wall in a hallway, sitting room, or beside a sun-drenched window.
If your desk has open shelving at the top, equipping it with file folders, organizers, and miscellaneous writing instruments is certainly useful, but don’t be so humble! Flaunt your accomplishments, and display diplomas, awards, and tokens of your hard work in your desk’s open-air hutch.
Get (Curio)us!
Have a family heirloom you hold near and dear to your heart? A decorative bowl procured from travels far and wide? Or perhaps, a playful, tongue-in-cheek toy? Use them to compose a charismatic medley inside a secretary’s display cabinets. An array of curios not only counters the secretary desk’s inherent earnestness, but also brings in a distinctly personal, one-of-a-kind touch.
Pepper in quirky figurines or beloved books in a living room-stationed secretary desk. Framed photos and prints also add extra sentimental value when placed on the flat top of a bedroom secretary desk. You can also top off a vintage secretary desk with items like trophies, masks, and decoys. Secretaries stationed in an entryway are also perfect for stowing decorative bowls to hold keys or rare collectibles worth showing off.
Everything But the Kitchen Sink
In a bid to be one of the most versatile furnishings ever, secretary desks are also excellent for storing kitchen items. A kitchen-based secretary desk with hutch can corral dozens of stacked plates and bowls—and a couple of cookbooks as well. The superimposing glass hutch doors also present the perfect place to display valuable dinnerware. It’s not everyday that a collection of decorative plates works so well within the confines of a desk!
Create a Hub for Hosting
Gear up for those long-awaited soirees by stocking a secretary desk’s shelves with entertaining essentials. Use secretaires to cache special occasion silverware, table linens, pitchers, and any other accoutrements crucial for a big bash. Also, unfold the desk’s flat top, and voila! You have a table to lay out drinks, small bites, or condiments and utensils.
Lead image: Design by Zoe Feldman Design / Photo by Stacy Zarin Goldberg
