Jess sent us an email: I'm a Chicago resident looking for a desk armoire to go in this spot (photo below the jump) where there is currently just a potted plant that lives outside in the summer. I'm looking for something sleek and modern but not too expensive to house my laptop and papers that I can open up to check mail and pay bills but then close up to hide my clutter when I'm not using it since it will sit in plain sight in my living room.
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Jess, we found the Framed Secretary (shown above), which is new at West Elm and seems to cover most of your requests - it leans toward the sleek and modern, has lots of hidden storage and fits into a smaller space than most traditional secretary/armories. That said, the $799. price tag might not be considered "not too expensive".
We thought this Narrow Leg Vanity (shown below, also from West Elm) might be a nice alternative option - a lot lighter and less imposing in a small area, yet it still has the flip top hidden storage (you would just have a laptop in there instead of lipstick!) and a few drawers that could accommodate your home office supplies. The price is more reasonable as well - $349.
Wise AT shoppers - can you recommend any pieces for Jess? Let us know your finds in the comments below...
http://www.worldmarket.com/Cole-Home-Office-Cabinet/lev/4/productId/3059/Ntt/office/Ntx/mode matchallpartial/Ntk/Def/N/0/Nty/1/index.pro
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1070&f=24101&q=office&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1070&f=12767&q=office&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50059149
i guess they're not entirely sleek and modern, but definitely nice storage!
view selena's profile
From Jess: I LOVE the suggestions! Thanks you! Am looking for maximum storage for my files and clutter, under $500. Does anyone know of one similar to the first photo from West Elm but cheaper? Will send a photo of the final purchase.
view chicagojess's profile
I can't verify the quality, but Walmart has a nice looking unit here:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8113011
for about half your budget.
view freneticfloetry's profile
Where is the one in the picture from? I have a weird aversion to white furniture, but otherwise I love it. I wonder if it's available in other finishes.
view andc78's profile
Oops. Reading the whole post always helps. Ignore me.
view andc78's profile
the one on the top from west elm looks amazing. it has a nice place for your legs which most of the fold up ones don't and it could also hide an actual computer instead of just a laptop because of how it open.
I've been looking for a nice desk for my wife for a couple months now and haven't found many out there that are also budget friendly that are also nice. if that west elm was half or maybe even 1/3 of the price i would pick it up.
i can tell you from experience, most of the less expensive furniture out there, like the walmart stuff is mostly crap. made from crappy particle board, with a bad veneer that most likely is damaged during shipping, heavy as hell from the particle board, and are actually made so bad that drawers and things won't work well.
view jmorey's profile
I would search Craiglist. There is often desks like this on sale online, as people grow out of them and want to replace them.
view SFGail's profile
I love AT Chicago. Janel, you rock.
view Doug's profile
I wish I needed this Cyril.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40104326
view Szig's profile
I second the vote for the Cyril. Every time I'm at Ikea, I check it out. I love that piece of furniture, and it's pretty sturdy and substantial. It looks like it would fit right in in your place.
view Shannon in SF's profile
I was going to suggest the Cyril, except I'm not sure about the round handles.
view dn's profile
Thanks for the comments! I checked out the Cyril at Ikea this weekend but it doesn't have enough storage for me. I found these online but have no experience with the manufacturers. Does anyone have any experience with Home Decorators Collection, Modern Office, or Ballard Designs?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E1BEV4/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen
http://modernoffice.stores.yahoo.net/ancoar.html
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/Furniture/Armoires/Office-Armoires/Eastman-Secretary/p/1782?path=1%2C2%2C1443%2C1470%2C1667&iProductID=1782
view chicagojess's profile
Ballard is quick and reliable, and their pieces are relatively well-made (although not the most exciting design-wise). I have several and they've held up well. It looks like this one is not currently available though so I'd check whether they're expecting more. Also note that their "threshhold" delivery is really that. They leave the thing at your building's front door with all the massive packaging, and you've got to get it into your apartment, up stairs, unpacked, etc. "White glove" delivery adds a lot of expense if you don't have burly friends to help.
view maaikeh's profile
There's another IKEA very inexpensive one, Jonas: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70103679
view shiba's profile