Who says money ( $25) can't buy happiness? CL find!

14 years ago

I am blessed - truly! My CL has been somewhat boring lately, but I did see that great antique chair (needs lots of work) in another post, and then saw this earlier in the week.

The desk 'bottom' was already in my office. I bought it 20 years ago at an antique store. The secretary TOP is 'new' to me, but is actually vintage in glorious condition.

It was listed on CL as a 'hutch top?'. The seller said it came on a desk, but he preferred the desk without it. For $25, and since I had a slant front mahogany desk, I jumped at it.

Got it home yesterday, and saw that the label on the back is Maddox, a great old furniture company. I have a painted Chinoiserie desk by them that is lovely.

So, I washed the glass, dusted it off, and just placed it on top of my desk. The color is a perfect match to the desk, and for a measly $25, I think it improved my office real estate by $1000! The 13 panes of glass on each door represent the 13 original colonies. It's solid mahogany. HAPPY DANCE!!!

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Comments (43)

laxsupermom
14 years ago
Woohoo, woohoo! That is unbelievably fabulous! What a find! I'm doing the happy dance for you. You had to have giggled with excitement the whole ride home.
kpaquette
14 years ago
WOW!!! They look like they were always together! That is an absolutely amazing deal - you're LUCKY!!!!
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mahatmacat1
14 years ago
WOWZA! I'm experienced deal-induced happiness *for* you :)
2ajsmama
14 years ago
Talk about serendipity! They look made for each other!
barb5
14 years ago
You truly get the award for finding the best deal ever!!! And it still had the center finial!! Congratulations, I think your desk feels that it is finally whole again.
dilly_dally
14 years ago
Holy moley. I'm doing the happy dance for you. That is incredible to find a perfect match like that. And at such a good price woohoo!
tinam61
14 years ago
I am just GREEN with envy! You find the most wonderful things on Craig's List! Because of you, I do check mine frequently now, but never, ever do I see things like you find!!!

LOVE the secretary top - it looks great in your office. I have two secretary type chests (neither have the glass top like yours), but I keep them both closed. This picture inspires me to open one of mine up and decorate the *desk*.

Lovely as usual, thanks for sharing!

tina
tinam61
14 years ago
the piece I have in my great room is much like your slant top desk (didn't know the proper name!), but it is oak, and I believe taller. I might just have to be on the look out for a piece to use on top.

My other one looks more like a short chest-of-drawerd and the top *drawer* is really a piece that pulls down and reveals the desk and cubbyholes. I use it in place of a nightstand on my side of the bed.

tina
sweeby
14 years ago
What a fabulous find!
The two look perfect together --

And I love your Bouilotte lamp also
leahcate
14 years ago
Good Lord! You DO live a charmed life! I mean, I've seen(and actually bought one at a garage sale and refinished for DD) that secretary many times in various places, and in very various conditions. For you to find the top to your desk bottom in the exact same color and finish is just short of amazing....Holy Cow, is right! Lovely.
paint_chips
14 years ago
You have just set a new record for CL. That is an amazing match! I am so happy for you.

:OD
teacats
14 years ago
Gorgeous!!! What a fantastic find!

Well done!!!! :)

Jan
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
14 years ago
It's truly wonderful - plus the fact that it matches in color - yay! I am thrilled with it and keep turning around to check it out. It really does seems to have found its home on top of my desk. What a great way to spend $25 - it's my entertainment for the week!
hoosiergirl
14 years ago
O-M-G! You find such AMAZING pieces!!! YAY for you!
lynninnewmexico
14 years ago
As much as I'm thrilled for you and your latest great find (and I am very thrilled for you), I'm also thrilled for us here on GW. It's always such fun to see your newest finds and then watch as you settle them into your beautiful home. Don't forget to show us more pics when you add some treasures in there. $25! I'm shaking my head at your luck!
Lynn
susan209
14 years ago
I so agree with lynninnewmexico, I couldn't have said it any better. I think you are one lucky lady to find a perfect match. It is just a little beyond fabulous!! I always look forward to seeing your name....I just know you will have something interesting to say, thanks for being here. Susan
oceanna
14 years ago
Woohoo, you sure scored! I love seeing all your wonderful finds. Your desk looks beautiful!
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you all for sharing in my joy at finding this.

What incredible luck, first to see the ad, and to have the seller respond within a day (I hated that wait, let me tell you!) and to have it be the perfect size and color, and TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS for perfect vintage mahogany by Maddox?

I have seen some of their secretarys on eBay since buying, and mine is in much better shape than what I see there. I'll be pinching myself at this incredible find for quite a while.

It's still here this AM, so I didn't dream the whole thing.
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you all for sharing in my joy at finding this.

What incredible luck, first to see the ad, and to have the seller respond within a day (I hated that wait, let me tell you!) and to have it be the perfect size and color, and TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS for perfect vintage mahogany by Maddox?

I have seen some of their secretarys on eBay since buying, and mine is in much better shape than what I see there. I'll be pinching myself at this incredible find for quite a while.

It's still here this AM, so I didn't dream the whole thing.
bronwynsmom
14 years ago
I'm green, too!
Not just luck, dear one...another bit of evidence that "fortune favors the prepared mind."
That's the best "married" piece I've ever seen. You're the furniture shadchen!
(For those whose fathers-in-law don't speak Yiddish...matchmaker.)
zipdee
14 years ago
Wow .. What an amazing find and amazing price! You have fantastic luck!
nicole__
14 years ago
WOW!!!! Congratulations!!! That's BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Sueb20
14 years ago
Amazing. I love the detail. And as someone who has been scouring CL for a coffee table for the past few weeks, I am envious of your good luck, too!
nanny2a
14 years ago
3dogs, what another terrific score for you! It's a beauty! That was an interesting factoid about the thirteen panes of glass on the hutch top. I have the same configuration as yours on the hutch top on my sideboard, which has three sections, each with thirteen divided panes of glass. Now I know why!!
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
14 years ago
And to think 'my' CL had been boring with repeats of the same old stuff again and again. I will open any post as long it MAY have something in it that I might want to see, and this one paid off.

I hope everyone who wants to find something on CL can make a wonderful find like this!
dilly_dally
14 years ago
Right now I am searching CL for a friend who is rather "computer challenged". I have found that the sellers do not always describe and item accurately in the title of their post. Sellers do not know the difference between a 'footstool' and an 'ottoman' for instance. Or an entertainment center and and amoire. Cocktail/coffee tables are often called 'sofa tables' which is something entirely different. Microwave kitchen stands are so often listed as 'desks'. Sellers have all sorts of definitions of what 'modern' furniture is.

Sometimes the best items are "hidden". A seller's title may say 'bedroom set' but the ad will list and photo other unrelated items in it. Why they don't use separate ads I don't know.

I've been clicking on every single CL post in the page to look for items. Soon that hidden, mislabeled treasure will show up I hope.
natureperson
14 years ago
Looks beautiful and like it belongs there! What a deal you got!
mcps
14 years ago
I love your posts M3Ds! I can't wait to see what you find. This is so beautiful. I just saw a Maddox secretary on ebay with your same top for $1200! What a deal!
User
14 years ago
My gosh my3dogs, I think I'd be entertained for weeks on end if that were my find. I mean how lucky can one get to find something so perfect in style and wood tone for only $25.00!? Not too often I'm sure.
cliff_and_joann
14 years ago
Fantastic. I love it.
Joann
threedgrad
14 years ago
Did the guy selling the item know what he was selling? That is an amazing price. What a beautiful piece and how wonderful it matches the desk perfectly.
limogique
14 years ago
Congratulations! You have a great find. I live where Maddox Table Co. once made fine furniture and I knew a member of the family. They do not make quality furniture like that anymore even at high prices. Enjoy!
nhb22
14 years ago
OMGosh my3dogs ...you have gone and done it again! :)

I think you get the CL award for the month, and maybe the year!
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
14 years ago
3D, I am certain he didn't have a clue, and I didn't either til well after I got it home.

His ad read, "I have this piece of furniture which was bolted to the top of an antique desk, but the two pieces didn't really go together and I prefer the desk without it. It would go nicely on top of a similar piece or a bureau, shelves, etc. Approximate dimensions are 8" d x 30 " w x 30" h. See photo for detail. Glass doors, would be great for keeping books dust free, or other knick-knacks and bric-a-brac."

Now it wasn't 'bolted' but he gave me the 2 metal pieces from the back of the top that slide into the corresponding pieces in the back of the desk to lock it in place. I'd LOVE to email him and ask to see a picture of his desk, but mine looks just like the 'bottom' that I see on most of them, so I am happy with the marriage of the two pieces.

He laid it in my trunk, and a friend who was here brought it into the DR and laid it on the table. It wasn't until that night when I righted it out of curiosity and could read the label that I had glimpsed as it was coming out of his car. My thrill at seeing the Maddox label was HUGE, as I have experience with their quality.

Limogique, Knowing that makes me even happier! I'd buy vintage or antique over a new item any day of the week, and to get this for $25 is incredible. I thought it was stained a bit lighter than my desk until I brought a small drawer from the desk into the DR and set it next to the top. Another wonderful surprise! I have always admired secretary desks like this, and to think that I now have one, that was posted as a 'hutch top'.

Just goes to show us that we need to open all the CL ads,as there may be a treasure there under a bad title. I DON'T look at CL ads with no pictures, though.
juddgirl2
14 years ago
Wow - beautiful, cheap, and it matches your desk perfectly! A definite CL score!
User
14 years ago
I always enjoy reading your posts and am always pleased when you share pictures of your beautiful home.

I'm so happy that you found such a beautiful piece!
squirrelheaven
14 years ago
Wow, that's beautiful and such a great story! Sure wish I had miraculous shopping expeditions like you. I just get tired!
jejvtr
14 years ago
My 3

You are the BEST finder here! I'm always amazed at your finds - and your transformations of things -
This one is over the top! Looks as if it has always been there - no work involved & an incredible price
Happy dance to you!
bungalow_house
14 years ago
Wow. That is unbelievable.

I live in the same city and I look at the same craigslist furniture ads every day. I rarely see anything good, so I think it is m3d's good eye that is more responsible for her finds than good luck!
My3dogs ME zone 5A
Original Author
14 years ago
Aw, bungalow, that is very kind, but if I hadn't opened that ad that was titled 'Hutch Top?', I wouldn't be sitting here with a huge smile on my face today. Just open all with photos and you may find a great surprise, too!
kim_okla
14 years ago
Hello. I'm peeking in. You did get a great piece. Here's one on OKC CL.

Here is a link that might be useful: OKC CL link
wnymom
14 years ago
That is a beautiful find! I'm looking for furniture for my home & came across this antique. Very similar to your piece:

Here is a link that might be useful: Antique Secretaire
jaybird
14 years ago
WAY to GO girl!!! That is beautiful....you are the best!
J

Who says money ( $25) can't buy happiness? CL find!

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