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Bonheur du Jour: Writing Desks

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The Bonhuer du Jour was the eighteenth century's version of small space style. Literally translated as "daytime delight," it was a small ladies' writing desk that became popular in France in the mid-1700s. The lightweight design had storage compartments built along the top back part of the desk (as shown in this Louis XV reproduction from DecoFinder). The slim lines have inspired many contemporary designers. Click below for some more recent takes on the Bonhuer du Jour...


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Clockwise:

Eric Pfeiffer Offi Window Desk, $700 at Design Public
George Nelson Swag Leg Desk, $1,799 at DWR
Michael Young Writing Desk, $9,790 at Matter
Eric Pfeiffer Offi Wave Desk, $599 at Vivavi

Tags

tables - desks, history, Bonheur du Jour, Eric Pfeiffer, Micheal Young, Nelson Swag Desk, Offi Wave Desk, Offi Window Desk

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Comments (3)

Chiasso had a desk a little while ago that looked exactly like the Offi desk, only in white. It was so cute--I've been looking everywhere for it. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

posted by dpunjabi on 2008-01-04 14:59:16
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one of my favorite furniture types -- and one of my favorite pieces of furniture

posted by JonathanB on 2008-01-04 18:20:07
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I have one from the 1920s that was my mother's as a young woman. She never used it, kept all her nice stationery and cards her kids made in it. I love to use it -- it sits in my front hall as my "landing strip". It's narrow enough not to crowd the space, and has drawers to tuck away stamps, checkbook, paperclips, etc.

posted by Charlotte on 2008-01-05 06:05:56
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