Taking technological progress into account, buying a vintage desk (sans cord-catchers) might seem like a strange thing to do. But desks are surprisingly resilient and versatile pieces. They can function as entryway organizers, dining room buffets, bedroom vanities, or writing tables. What's more, many of the desks shown here have multiple functions built into their design.
- The Good Mod: This Portland antique store is a good resource for mid-century furniture in excellent condition. Shown above: Svend A. Madsen (with a curved bookcase hidden in the back), $2,495 + $125 - $350 shipping.
- I Like Mike's: Based in Brooklyn, I Like Mike's is a shop that specializes in high-quality restorations of mid-century furniture. Shown above: Probber Wall-Mount Desk, $5,200.
- Danish Modern LA: This mod shop in Silver Lake has a well edited collection of Mid-C desks, tables, and chairs. Shown: Vintage Vanity/Desk by Drexel (with flip-top mirror and accompanying stool), $850.
- Cleveland Art: This Industrial Chic store has a good collection of heavy-duty salvaged tables and storage pieces. Shown: Collector's Cabinet, price on request.
- TINI Store: One of LA's best sources for well priced Mid-Century furniture. Shown: Retro Desk with Laminate Top and Yellow Legs, $225.
- Rehab Vintage: This online and LA shop has beautifully refinished tanker desks and industrial tables. Shown: Blue Tanker Desk, $1,450.
- Olde Good Things: With multiple national locations and an online store, this shop is full of eclectic desks and tables. Shown: Painted Country Desk, $775.
- Etsy: These days, everyone seems to have an Etsy shop — from thrift store junkies to high-end antique dealers. Shown: Baker's Table from Etsy seller Shop13, $825.
- VandM.com: An aggregator site for high and low antique dealers, they have a nice range of eclectic antiques at all price points. Shown: 1930s French Secretaire, $2,100.
- 1st Dibs: Targeted towards wealthy shoppers looking for unique pieces, 1st dibs pulls from a worldwide inventory of high-quality antiques. Shown: 1950-1960 Desk by Cees Braakman Edited by Pastoe from Paris, $2,412.
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i'm pretty sure the price on the good mod desk is actually a shipping quote, not a product price. most of their shipping seems to be in that range, with actual prices being quite a bit higher.
I was shocked when I saw the price of the Good Mod desk....until I realized it was the shipping cost. :) I knew it was too good to be true!
I agree with AKAwhiteknuckles.
The price for the desk is $2495, with shipping $125-$300. I've been to their store (The Good Mod) and everything is expensive -- the cheapest thing I saw was a small teak side table for $250. Check their inventory online and you'll see...There are much better places in Portland with better selection and prices for Danish Mid-Century.
Look Modern (http://www.lookmodern.com/) has a large warehouse full of Danish stuff in excellent condition.
Thanks for the comments - the price has been corrected.
pfft cord-catchers! Who needs 'em?
(Guess who only has a laptop....)
Went into sticker shock on lots of these. Shiny eye candy and I appreciate the prices being listed, though. I knd of hope to hear more stories about ppl nearly getting killed moving their tanker desks....
I've actually got my eye on a desk for our entryway, too. It's long and narrow and has drawers - what more could you ask for?
The painted country desk looks like a before.
I love furniture vintagem , I have a antique here in São Paulo and I sell only vintage , several kinds of funiture and objets. www.filtermobiliario.com.br
My grandmother's old desk, that I got for free, looks very similar to #7, only with more drawer space. It also has little pull-out shelves above the two side drawers, giving me more work space. One drawer is a deep file drawer.
It's pushed up to a window, and all the cords and surge protector and stuff are hidden down on the window sill. There's room for the computer, the phone, a lamp and a cat (he loves the sunny window). I love desks with drawers for the storage space they provide--I can tidy everything away at the end of the day (I work from home).
While many of the desks shown are expensive, I've seen many similar desks in secondhand stores in my area.
What I'd really love is one of those tanker desks, like the one in #6. Someday . . . .