16-32-64 fifteen

My dad's desk; from before I can remember anything else, has been huge, imposing and beautiful. Leather top, deep, dark wood that looked more expensive than anything else we owned - so masculine. He was given it as a parting gift from a job before I was born, and it's been synonymous with his working life for me. Many, many hard grafted hours spent. It's been to and from his workplaces and homes; quite a bit of mileage - and these few years later it's starting to look it. He recalls having it refurbished once in the past to tidy up the beautiful leather top; and now I've just organised to have it done again. And this time, once it's ready, it's coming to me.

The design is known as a "Partners desk" and he thinks it was a few thousand pounds new when he first sat at it 35 or so years ago. Skipping to twenty years ago (probably between being moved from office to home / the reverse) he paid about £500 to have it worked on. I've just agreed to £850, which I think is very fair considering the time passed and inflation! Probably a much less common job these days too; I was willing to spend up to £1,000 and am very pleased not to need to, and that collection and delivery are included.

Having retired in the past few months and deciding to recreate his home into something much less working-environment (he's been working from home for ten years now, and in his current place for eight), Pops decided it was time to retire the desk and get something that will fit in better with his into comfy space. There's a new huge couch on order and a small, discrete desk for his two monitors (some things he won't give up!) as well as other homely touches we're putting in with the change. It's going to look great, but the desk wasn't part of the new plan. I couldn't let it go - it's been around too long and boy, do I miss having a desk. I've had a variety of tables and chairs since I moved out of my parent's place ten years ago and underused them all; but it is having left work I realise what I want is a DESK. And this is a desk and a half.

A full metre deep, two metres wide. These are the 'before' photos we've sent the nice man at a local reproduction/antiques shop, who has organised all this for me. Thanks Stephen.

 Update when she's ready to come to her new home; lets see what their magic can weave!