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Have you considered looking on Craigslist for a vintage secretary?

I found mine for $500.

Have you thought about maybe trying to find a vintage or antique secretary on Craigslist or at a flea market, antique, or consignment store?

There is also the ALVE secretary and cabinet add on from IKEA that comes to $319 in total for the two pieces... I haven't seen it in person though, so I can't vouch for where it lies on the IKEA quality spectrum.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=alve

I know a secretary isn't quite the same as that West Elm desk, but it served the sames mall space purpose and they're generally more traditional looking.

Also, try searching for small credenzas, or even a bar cabinet. You can buy a slide-out keyboard tray, and mount it inside, just under the top part of the unit.

They have some nice options on overstock.com, some less then 3 foot wide around your price range.

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Compact-Computer-Cabinet/3421185/product.html?sec_iid=33969

Here's a good deal for the small wood credenza

http://www.usedofficefurniturewarehouse.com/credenzas.htm

from Target
http://tinyurl.com/cpvud4
http://tinyurl.com/c6owav
http://tinyurl.com/cp72en
some of these are solid wood so if you don't like the color you can paint it

Lots of options here:
http://www.homedecorators.com/Furniture/HOME_OFFICE/Secretary_Desks/#paging=1&filters=none&pr=none

Search for Danish Modern Desk and Secretaries on E-Bay

i found these for under $500 (but there is shipping, of course)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30429594@N00/sets/72157617280026518/

This is my one of my favorite - simple, functional, quality. Only negative - very pricey. Not affordable but perhaps a good model?

http://delaespada.com/index.php/us/product/select/64

I'm in the same situation and I've been eyeing this Convertible Compact Desk from Crate & Barrell for myself:

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1070&f=28540

have you seen crate and barrel's convertible desk? it looks like a cabinet, but the top and side slide over to reveal a desk space.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=14236&f=28540

it is a bit modern in it's lines, but i would think if you added more vintage pulls to the drawers, it would work quite nicely. best of luck!!

I have been eyeing this desk:

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p11361/index.cfm?pkey=xsrd0m1|20|||0|||||||desk&cm_src=SCH

It has the feel of a nice credenza when it is closed. You might be able to find one on craigslist for a reasonable price.

Thank you everyone for the comments! I've had some commenting issues but FINALLY can respond.

All of your comments were truly quite helpful, and I am happy to say that I now have a Danish Modern secretary desk that I got for $250 from a warehouse in NJ.

It took forever to get (the warehouse didn't have an antique key) but I love it now and I completely appreciate the storage.

Thanks again.