Monday, September 20, 2010

The Classic Desk Is Still The Best

By Hillel Shaw

Form the humble and old world beginnings to the current trends of basic and modern, the desk has always been a part of our existence. What started as simple tables with drawers, have become personal statements about who we are both in work and our lives. While a lot has changed over the years, the classic desktable is at the heart of what most people consider to be "getting down to business".

Many time is has been said that the type of furniture that a person chooses to live their life behind says a lot about the life they live when they are not behind it. This is a very true statement. We tend to make the desk an embodiment of our personality, our hopes and dreams and our accomplishments. There are a lot of choices on the market know but for some the old standbys are the best.

Rolltop Styles & Postal Work Stations

This classic style of desk makes a wonderful choice for many but know that these are "wall desks" which means one side faces a room wall. This may be ideal for those who don't mind having their back to the room. They are however, not very a very good choice for business, since they are not very effective for talk to others while sitting at one. They are great for a home office or a private study and offer a huge amount of storage as well as the advantage of being able to lock the lid to secure the surface as well as the storage areas.

Secretaries, Writing Desks and Ladies Bureaus

These are very similar to the Rolltops & Postal mentioned above, in fact they are a variant that was formed from those styles to be used by ladies in their private chambers for tasks such as journal keeping, recording of family histories and writing of cards and letters. They are much smaller than the "men's" versions, but offer a lot more elaborate carvings and intricate details. The aspect of the secretary is the flip down lid, this is where they are very similar and yet different from the larger counterparts. In this case the lid opens down flat with side supports under it to form the writing surface, instead of rolling up like a roll top or swinging down out of the way like a postal style.

Barristers Tables & Executive Styles

Executive styles are the version that most of us are used to seeing in important peoples offices. These desktables are large, heavy and usually have a conservative design to them with lots of draws and a lot of polished hardware. They are the idea choice for conducting business over since they make anyone sitting behind one look important. Barrister styles are similar to the executive only a lot smaller, generally half the size, and contain more useful features like pen trays, file folder storage and other daily use inclusions. They are generally styled very similar to the look and feel of an executive but more toned down. They are intended mostly for middle and upper management's offices or for the personal office at home.

Ornately Carved & Custom

Some time you just want a piece that is nothing more than you, heart and soul. In the case of a custom desktable or by finding an ornately designed one of a kind desk you can have that. These desktables are not a style, but more of a concept. When you have a custom piece you have a desk that is 100% you, and some may say that is the most important factor of a desk.

Classic Mass Produced Commercial

While these pieces may not be what most would call "classic" the simple fact is that they are the first choice for those who were in the work world from the year 1948-1985. During this time, known as the gold age of mass produced desktables, these industrial offering were the most common sight in offices and work rooms around the country. Simple in their design, most often metal and usually with very limited but very thoughtful features, they are popular among those who spent the better part of their adult life working behind one. A favorite of former military personnel, Journalists, and supervisors, they are often found in used goods store, flea markets and surplus warehouses. If you can find one you will get it relatively cheap as the true value is in the feeling of owning one rather than its physical existence but they care hard to find at times since the majority of the hundreds of thousands that were made and used found their way to recycling centers when the age or sleek and modern started in the 1980's

No matter if your tastes tend to be more elaborate or more industrial you can surely find a classic desk that is perfect for you. The traditional desktable is one that will never get "old" it will just get better like a fine wine. Find a desk that is right for you, take your time and find one that stirs you deep inside. The effort is worth it and you will love sitting at it every single day.

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