A Roll Top Desk Run Down

Posted on June 27, 2010 by Maria Herman
Roll Top Desk

Roll Top Desk

The first roll top desk made its appearance during the 19th century along with the rising merchant class. These desks were originally made for businessmen who needed a desk that could contain their ledgers and other paperwork in an orderly fashion. And they were perfect for the job as they contained numerous drawers and shelves, some containing slots that were also lockable so that the documents could be stored safely without having to shift them to a locker elsewhere.

The basic design of a roll top desk looks rather like a pedestal, with the top fixed atop a pair of columned drawers. Sometimes the top also contained a case, or it could also be added. Every roll top desk contain three-sided cabinets which are engraved with tracks on the front and top of every face and are lined with a friction reducing surface, either metal or plastic. This helps the rolling portion of the desk, otherwise known as a Tambour, to slide smoothly. The Tambour is designed using a flat or slightly rounded board which is fastened to either a cloth or leather support which is then affixed to a wooden grip. The board is then placed onto the channel and can be opened by moving it up. A lock can also be installed in both the deck and the grip of the desk so that it can be locked when closed. The sides can be made in varying designs, from the classical quarter-circular shape to the striking S-top design.

The original purpose of the roll top desk was to be a self-sufficient office, with enough space to store every piece of paper, document and ledger that would be needed by a small office. The most beneficial feature of a roll top desk was that it could be customized by adding more cabinets and drawers for any task when required. Whether you needed a long drawer to store your ledger, or small slots to store things like keys and paper clips, it could all be added to the desk. If you even needed more space, a console could also be added – fixed above the tambour cabinet.

But as time moved on and computer memory started to take the place of paper storage, the roll top desks started to fade away into history. They are now replaced by smaller steel and sometimes wooden desks with much less storage space used simply for keeping bills and other household documents safely.

Posted in Roll Top Desk Corner | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Choosing The Right Roll Top Desk

Posted on January 18, 2010 by Maria Herman
Mahogany Roll Top Desk

Mahogany Roll Top Desk

A roll top desk can be a visually stunning addition to any study or home office. It can add class to nearly any room, while at the same time hiding all your messy paperwork from view. But choosing the right roll top desk can sometimes prove to be a challenge. To help find the perfect desk for you, consider three factors when shopping for a new roll top desk: cost, aesthetics and functionality.

Cost is an obvious one. Before shopping for a roll top desk, know exactly how much you are willing to spend. It’s easy to get tempted by the wide variety of roll top desks available. Some will be larger, made of more expensive wood or contain more slots, cubbyholes and shelves. These will undoubtedly carry a higher price tag. By having a firm budget figure, though, you’ll be more likely to resist these pricier models.

Of course, if cost isn’t as big of a concern, you’re one fortunate buyer. Again, there are roll top desks for all tastes and budgets. If you’re not limited by price, you’ll have little trouble finding the ideal roll top desk for your den, study or office.

Next, think about the style of roll top you’d prefer. Some roll tops have a classic look to them. They come in dark shades of wood, are large and sturdy and have a real air of business about them. These desks might be perfect for a home office that is used strictly for business. Older homes, such as Victorians or Queen Anne residences, are often perfect fits for these statelier roll top varieties.

Other roll top writing desks are smaller and taller. These are perfect for smaller home offices. They also fit well in oddly shaped corners that aren’t large enough for a plush chair or leather loveseat.

Finally, don’t forget the most important factor of all: functionality. You want a roll top desk that boasts enough cubbyholes, drawer space and shelves to hold all your important papers, financial statements and office supplies. It doesn’t matter how attractive a roll top desk is, if it’s not large enough or designed properly, you won’t use it. It will then become merely an expensive decoration taking up space in your home office or study.

Antique roll top desks, despite their timeless charm, aren’t for everybody. If you do little work from your home, or if you rarely deal with reams of paperwork, you can probably get by with a less expensive work desk.

But if you do need a significant amount of storage space and a large working area, a large oak roll top desk might be your perfect choice. Just remember to keep the three keys of buying a roll top desk in mind: cost, style and function. If you do, you’ll greatly increase your odds of buying the perfect desk for your style and needs.

Posted in Roll Top Desk Corner | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Complete Your Home Décor with a Roll Top Desk

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Maria Herman

Antique Roll Top DeskA wonderful way to complete the look of your home is to add a roll top desk. It will give any room in your house a classic feel and air of elegance. The roll top desk will not only add class to any home, but may also serve as great topic for conversations, which your guests will love; they will most likely want one for their home as well. So it is important to pick out the right desk, so it will complete the look and home décor of your home.

The first thing that should be considered is the current décor that is in your home. It is a must to think thoroughly about this aspect since the piece you end up choosing, can either make or break the look of your home. Take a look at the types as well as colors of other pieces of wooden furniture in the rooms of your house. If the area or corner you want this type of desk to be in has light wood, then an oak roll top desk will fit perfectly. If placed in the right spot, your desk will be a great place for both office and house related works. Surely, things will be neatly kept and organized.

If an oak roll top desk does not work for you or does not meet your requirements, do not worry because there are also different styles to choose from. If you do a bit of looking around, you will end up with a great-looking roll top desk. On this note, if you look around the house as well as in its rooms and notice that the pieces of furniture are mostly dark colored wood, then maybe a cherry roll top desk will satisfy your preferences. People love the mahogany roll top desk due its sophisticated look and style. Both types mentioned will fit nicely in any room of the house, so as you can see, a roll top desk is a great piece to have. These kinds of desks come in many different styles; some have legs while others may have drawers to store different materials and such.  If you do not want a plain-ordinary wooden roll top desk that is just , there is also the antique roll top desk which will really give off a classic feel. It all depends on what kind of vibe and atmosphere you wish to achieve and have for your home.

Keep in mind that when you are in the process of choosing a specific type of roll top desk, take in consideration the mentioned aspects and things will surely go smoothly. Of course any of these choices will be a great, since a roll top desk surely completes the look of any home decor.

Posted in Roll Top Desk Advantages | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments