I’ve been working from home almost exclusively for a year now. You’d think I would have spruced the place up on the front end of the pandemic and quarantine. Paul says it’s because it took me this long to figure out how I should arrange the furniture in this small space while actually using it full-time. Last month it was painting the walls and revamping a corner shelving unit. This month it’s the long-overdue makeover of my desk.
My paternal grandparents owned a furniture store in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. On Christmas eve 1971, the store burned in a fire. My grandparents didn’t rebuild and retired. I have a few pieces of furniture that came from The Jordan Store, holding lots of memories.
One of those pieces is my office desk. It was originally my dad’s childhood desk. He recognized it immediately when I sent the photo to him. He used it all through junior and senior high school at their home on South Penn St. in Punxsy. That makes the desk at least 70 years-old. I hauled it to Maine from my parent’s house a dozen years or so ago. Hannah used it for several years before I adopted it. It’s a little worse for the wear.
I didn’t have the patience to strip and re-stain the desk. I gave it a good sanding and then painted it “Sea Creature Blue” and added a couple of polyurethane coats for good measure. I ordered a piece of glass to protect the top. The handles got a good soak, and I scrubbed off decades of grime.
A few years ago, Paul removed the center drawer and installed a keyboard tray for me.
Scooted into place with a new rug, it gives my office a happy vibe. Although I’m starting to think I shouldn’t have settled for paint I had on hand but purchased something new that better matches the rug!
So the hardware is original? Wow! Very different.
It is! The company is Crawford Furniture and as I researched this desk, many of their pieces of the era had these somewhat modern handles on them. I love them!
I have the small desk from my childhood. I really should take the time to paint mine….this is so beautiful. Does it make your more inspired to work?!
You made the right choice keeping the handles too. They are gorgeous.
Very cute desk! Love the hardware. And I think the color is great. Jan in MA
I think the desk looks amazing and it has such a wonderful history. Those handles are perfect. Could you tell me who makes that paint colour. I believe it would really suit my cabinet.
Thank you! The color is “Sea Creature” by Valspar.
Thanks! I love the hardware as well – feels modern for something made in the late 40s or early 50s!
It makes me inspired to hang in my office more while I work!