skip to main content

Old Secretary Decorated for Fall

11 years ago

I had mentioned last week that I had seen this old scrolled secreatary on CL and loved it. Well would you believe I called today while in the city and she still had it. She even came down on the price since it's missing one of the handle pieces.

I didn't see any manufacture tag on it so don't know how old it is. If this looks familar to any of you please let me know. It did come with two skeleton keys.

I decorated it with some fall decor until I decide what books or decor I will keep in it. It will be moving to the bedroom as soon as DS takes the tanning bed to his home.

Oh, it is also missing one of the shelves and a couple screws. DH will probably make one tomorrow. If I want to use this to decorate I wouldn't need one. As you can see there isn't much room between the shelves.

I had a chance to buy one of these 30 years ago and passed. Now I'm kicking myself for every antique of our grandmothers I gave away years ago. My DSis on the other hand kept all her antiques.

Punk

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

nana2010_gw
11 years ago
What a wonderful piece, Punk. I've never seen one like it.
It looks beautiful all decked out for Fall.
Nana
jeannespines
11 years ago
Wow, punk! What a CL find! It will be beautiful wherever you put it! Looks great w/Fall decor! I like those 'corn' taper candles on the top shelf! And I hope you can have the 'desk part' open when it finds a permanent home...beautiful! Lots of treasures could find a home there! TFS! Jeanne S.
Related Discussions
Fall Decorations
Q
Comments (6)
I love that chair !!! the 3 little scarecrows are very cute and just perfect with the beautiful flowers.... But my very favorite is..... that cutteeee littel sign.. it is so COOOOOL rustic but quite quaint... It gives me and I D E A to make some of those !!!! Thanks! I appreciate you sharing the pics! Happy Fall to YOU and Your Family !!! God Bless ! susiesunshine
...See More
Fall Tree Decor & Barnwood Bench Bonus!
Q
Comments (10)
Thanks, "holiday-ers!" My vine tree is alot of fun to decorate but changing the lights out tends to be hard on breakage of the vines...so that's why I opted to just keep rice lights on permanently & added the orange underneath...it does look cool at night. Nope, I didn't make this one...yrs ago at a craft show I saw homemade ones & loved 'em...but too expensive...this one I got in a small town, after holidays sales & have been tickled with it. LOL about the barn bench...I told DH when he brought it into the house for me to see (before the FMrkt sale), that I love everything he makes & if it didn't sell, I'd be using that honey! LOL! Purplemoon, it wouldn't ship too well...too many $$$! And keep looking for your tree...it may happen yet! Thanks again, everyone! Enjoying all these Fall/Halloween posts! Jeanne S.
...See More
sharing a fall decor pic
Q
Comments (10)
thank you all.... sorry party music about not getting the milk cans your mother had. I have 5 of them here, one has a tractor seat welded on top of it. It is just a bit smaller than the others. I bought it at an auction....but don't know for sure where the others came from. I know one was a gift from some one at church. I live in an old barn so everbody always thinks...."hey patti would like that..." lol I always take it...don't like to hurt feelings patti
...See More
China Cabinets and Secretary Decorated for Christmas
Q
Comments (11)
punk...wow! Love all the cone trees in, on top & among those beautiful F&F plates in your vintage cabinet! & the pencil 'characters' on the 2nd shelf is a cute idea! Last yr I got hooked on these 'pencils' & displayed them on that narrow mirror on table so I've collected a few, too! LOL! Ohhh...I am just ooo-ing & aahhh-ing over the secretary/ decor! The pop of the 'lime green' color is unique! All the different ornaments & 'pretties' & the pockets decorated & the larger red & gold trees in front look great! & I love the big covered glass jar w/colors & shapes & textured ornaments! 'Blues' look really good up there on that cabinet! You are very inspiring, punk...& it was way past your bedtime to go to work this morn when you posted this! ;-) Jeanne S.
...See More
oldalgebra
11 years ago
OK. That's not fair. I have been looking for one of those for ages. You sure found a good one. Love the height.

I think you should leave the desk open too. You know, you might even wedge in a shelf or two in a few of those slots. That way you could display a figurine, paper flower, or a few small knickknacks, instead of having to find all tall, skinny things.
minnie_tx
11 years ago
I dont know that woodwork on the drop door is fantastic. it looks good closed as well !!
phonegirl
Original Author
11 years ago
Nana, I had never seen one like this either. Maybe that's the reason I bought it.

Jeanne, I'm not sure I would of thought to decorate the center and leave it open. I like this idea for a change. Will have to see if I like dusting it every week.LOL

OA, hope you find one soon. DH already made another shelf and stained it. I will ask if he'd like to make a few more little ones. Great idea!

Minnie, I agree, the scroll work on the door is nice.

Thanks Nana, Jeanne, OA and Minnie for looking and commenting. It will be fun to decorate for Christmas soon.

Punk
Marlene Kindred
11 years ago
What a great find! Love it's design...the handle will be easy to replace as it is a common one. Looks so nice with all of your fall decorations too....Woohoo for you!!
party_music50
11 years ago
Punk, I'm with OA in saying it's not fair. lol! That secretary is just gorgeous!!! I'm NO EXPERT at all, but if I had to guess I'd say it's from the early 1900s. It looks to be Arts & Crafts style (from the carving and size), but what's throwing me is the cabriole legs. Could the legs be replacements?

I love your new secretary! I just gave up looking on CL and ordered a tall but narrow mission-style bookcase to help with my storage problem. :O)
plainjane425
11 years ago
Punk...you certainly found a beautiful secretary and it
looks like a real quality piece too. I love the lines and
I agree that keeping it open shows off more of its
character.
Love how you decorated it for Fall. I think I would
find a place for it ANYWHERE I could, to show it off.
I'm so happy for you finding another 'toy to play with' !! lol
jane
phonegirl
Original Author
11 years ago
Marlene, thanks, I don't need the handle. It's one of the little round side pieces the handle fits in. If you have a good source please let me know.

Party, I took the drawer out and it doesn't look like the legs are replacements to me but I will ask others who come by. CL here has so many neat ones for sale. Some are thousands but others are priced to sell quick.

Jane, I was hoping to find a place for it this weekend but other things have come up so it might not find a spot till next year at this rate.LOL I better stick to buying only antique furniture from now on.

Thanks for all your comments.

Punk
christmascandy
11 years ago
Punk,
You sure made a great score on that beautiful piece!
I found my secretary on CL a couple of years ago and just love it.

You did a wonderful job decorating it and I'm sure you will have lots of fun changing it for all the different seasons/holidays.

You could try Restoration Hardware for your round piece. Sometimes the Habitat for Humanity stores have old hardware if you have one of those near you.

Regardless, its a beautiful piece and I'm sure you'll be very happy together, LOL

TFS,
Candy
phonegirl
Original Author
11 years ago
Candy, thanks for the sweet comments.
I just did a search and found the part
I need. I'm pretty sure now I could
find this type of drawer pull and only
use the little round piece thats missing.

Thanks for the nudge to get me lookin'.

Punk

Related Stories

FURNITURE Color Glams Up the Old-Fashioned Secretary

By Laura Gaskill

Before you write off a vintage secretary desk as ho-hum, give it a colorful new note

FALL AND THANKSGIVING It's Not Too Late to Decorate: Minimalist Fall Decor

By Alison Hodgson

No need to go all-out with autumn decorations. Nod to the season with just a few well-placed pumpkins and flowers

FALL AND THANKSGIVING Fall Decorating Ideas From a Designer to the Stars

By Vanessa Brunner

You might think all-out glitz and over-the-top glamour make up Adam Hunter's fall decorations. You'd be wrong

DECORATING GUIDES A Subliminal Approach to Fall Decorating

By Tiffany Carboni

Get your home in the autumn groove without going over the top, with decorating ideas from two top San Francisco designers

DECORATING GUIDES Pick Up Some White Pumpkins for Elegant Fall Decorating

Ghost-white gourds give autumn decorating a chic alternative to the jack-o'-lantern

DECORATING GUIDES 15 Fall Decorating Ideas From Great Country Homes

By Laura Gaskill

Get the handsomeness of a pastoral estate even in an urban studio using color, artwork and accessories

GREEN Hot New Greens for Fall Decorating

By Jennifer Ott Design

Make your home ultrahappy with ultramarine or cheery with chartreuse, using the popular colors on walls, furniture or accessories this fall

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Baking and Decorating Goodies for Fall Treats

By Meaghan Mountford

Cutters, pans, sprinkles and other kitchen supplies to make your fall baked goods look as yummy as they taste

DECORATING GUIDES Budget Decorator: 12 Ways to Perk Up Your Home for Fall

By Laura Gaskill

Get crafty or shop strategically to give your nest that extra-special touch while you’re cozying up on chilly days

DECORATING GUIDES 8 Decorating Ideas to Usher in Fall

By Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors

Warm up your home with harvest colors, layered textures and art

Sponsored

More Discussions

truly special gifts. . .

28