Its made of wood composites which is particle board. I think that $499 price is high for particle board. Is there a bare wood furniture type of store near you? There you would find real wood furniture.
Look at Home Decorators web site - there are a lot of choices for you. But most of them are particle board construction also.

JC Penney's, like all department stores, gets their furniture from a multitude of vendors and most of it is produced in the far east. I agree that $500 is too much for a particle board desk and second the suggestion to look at Home Decorators Collection or even Ballard's. I would not buy the linked desk for $500.

Thanks for the feedback!

I have already checked the local unfinished store (Bare Woods), Home Decorators, Ballards, and oh so many others. Have spent a ridiculous amount of time searching online, but just can't find the right size. Sooooo frustrating! When I do find the right size, it's either cheaply made, or too expensive. Here's one I loved, but when I saw it in person, it was just cheap looking, and poorly built.

I'm beginning to think I'm just going to have to live with an empty space in my kitchen and give up my dream of a desk.

Here is a link that might be useful: Plow & Hearth Secretary

Well, the nice thing about JCP is that there are frequent sales and there are always coupon codes (google "JC Penney Coupon Code" to see what I mean). They will also take anything back if you don't like it.

However, when I looked at the 2 desks you linked to, I was struck by how often I see very similar desks at flea markets and antique stores. Do you have a craigslist in your area? You might try searching there or on ebay (since the desk size isn't huge shipping might be fairly reasonable) for "writing desk", "writing table", "secretary", "drop-down desk", or "spinet desk" to find smallish desks like the ones you linked to. Anything vintage is going to be made of real wood and will probably cost less than the $499 JCP desk. Take this one for example, from a quick google of spinet desk.

Good luck!

Here's another one from that same seller (of course, I had to browse around his offering to see if there's anythign I want, LOL!). This listing reminds me that "Drop front desk" is another search term to use.

I definitely think you'll have better luck finding a vintage piece - you'll get a nicer quality desk for a much lower price and if you ever get sick of it, you'll be able to resell it for pretty much what you paid (try that with a Ballard Designs or JCP desk...). My husband inherited a probably-1940s-era maple drop-down desk much like your Plow & Hearth desk from his grandfather - it's 100% solid maple, built like a tank, and weighs a ton!

I bought a roll top desk from the Penney's catalogue about 20 years ago. I finally gave it away last year and it still looked good, I just wanted a different style for the new house. It got lots of use and abuse and the thing just lasted forever. My daughter wanted it but she lives many states away so I ended up giving it to one of the electricians that worked on our house. He was thrilled and I'm sure it's got many more years of use left.

lkplatow - thanks for the links! I think either one would be nice style wise, but I guess I forgot to say that the width between the back legs has to be less than 40", but at least 33" to fit over the baseboard heat. If the width measurements are off, then the desk will have to sit in front of the baseboard heat, which puts it an extra 3" from the wall, which in turn means it would have to be 3" less in depth. If it is too deep, the refrigerator door will bump into it when open. Confused yet? I am!

I think you're right about finding something old and better made. I have checked ebay, and craigslist frequently. Unfortunately, my craigslist isn't great. Maybe something will turn up eventually.

Here's a few pics to help make my poor description more clear. Please excuse the lack of moulding and outlet covers... we're only A YEAR into our remodel. The marble top table that is currently in the space belongs in the living room, and was moved temporarily to make room for the Christmas tree.

Here you can see the baseboard heat that's part of the problem:

There will eventually be cabinetry surrounding the refrigerator. Here you can see that the desk must not interfere with the fridge door.

Maybe I'll just have to have something built, although I love the idea of a freestanding piece that changes things up a bit.

This is probably too deep, but thought it might could work. I know Ashley is not top-of-the-line, but for what you would be using it for, it could look very nice. I kind of like the style of it:

Here is a link that might be useful: Ashley Furniture Exton Square Secretary

Is the piece mostly for show? At 18' deep, it's not a real functional size.

How about this site? They have a few that look nice to me.

Here is a link that might be useful: writing desks

How about this one? I know it's from Target, but it looks nice.

I typed into google - antique style writing desk and got alot of different choices to look at if you want to internet surf!

Here is a link that might be useful: drop down desk info

If you like the looks of it, hold out for a few weeks and almost certainly it will be 50% (or more!!). They run HUGE sales constantly.... I never buy anything from them when it is not on sale because literally the next week it is 60% off.

So, if the specs and looks are right to you.... hold out and buy it for $200 =)

Caroleoh - It's not just for show - but also not my main desk. Just wanted a place for a laptop, cookbook, mail drop, pens/pencils, etc..., but also something pretty for this wall that was previously empty. Originally planned cabinets to wrap around corner from fridge with built in desk, but again, fridge placement caused problems. Found this desk (see link) on the link you provided. What do you think

Wodka - pretty desk and the price is right too, but you're right -- too deep. This has got to be a pretty precise fit.

Here is a link that might be useful: Desk

I really like that one you just linked to. I clicked on the link and immediately started wondering where I could use one like it...lol. I can't actually use one but I do like it a lot!

I bought my foyer table from them and buy other household/decorative items from from them all the time. They will definitely mark that piece down if you have patience. I love my foyer table. It's a great style and finish and very sturdy. It was only $149.00. Was originally $250 or $299. Assembly was required.

{{gwi:1397851}}

Here is one from overstock.com that is not quite 33" wide (it's 32.25).

Here is a link that might be useful: Drop-front-Secretary-Desk

I was just looking at a catalog I received in the mail today and they have a few desks.

Here is a link that might be useful: Improvements catalog

TIA, JC Penny has your desk on sale for $299.00

Check out any local consignments stores. I've had the best luck finding things and the prices are always great! I guess i'm a 'wood snob'~I won't buy anything if it isn't mainly real wood. ;o)

I have an armoire that holds my TV from JCP, it has tin panels so that it looks like a pie safe. It is very heavy and looks pretty good, for the (sale) price I paid for it. The back of the piece is a flimsy piece of wood that needs to be re-nailed. If you are willing to assemble it yourself, and don't need heirloom quality furniture, I think you'll be satisfied with their quality.

BTW we bought an end table from Target, from their Woolrich collection, had to assemble it ourselves. What a beautiful piece of furniture! It has wrought iron legs, and is very sturdy, extremely good quality for the price.

I do prefer quality wood pieces that will last a lifetime, if I can find them, afford them, and they suit the space. But sometimes you have to balance that with other concerns.

brutuses that is a gorgeous piece! but I am not clear from your post- is it Penneys or Target?

Brutuses - Thanks for the heads up!

This is quite old, and happytobehome may have already chosen something else, but I happened to be browsing older posts. Anyway, as predicted, the desk in question is currently on sale for only $199.