I got this desk off Facebook Marketplace for ₱6,000. I love it. It's a blocky, slightly imposing secretaire, though it has some sweet details like round, flat wooden knobs and scalloped edge detailing by its legs. Not exactly the style I'm going for. I'd prefer one that's more Danish-looking.
I think someone tried to repair it at some point because the bottom shelf looks like ass. They tried to reinforce it, and it is sturdy, but the result is ugly. There are tiny holes made by wood-burrowing bugs on that shelf, which I covered with baskets. Inside one of these baskets I keep three glass jars I used to put dog treats in. They're empty now apart from a few packets of silica gel.
The desk was delivered here on a motorcycle, wrapped in cling film. It reeked. It smelled like someone had been smoking around it for a million years. I tried to clean it as best as I could, but eventually had to buy shellac to seal in the stench. Wood shellac wears off, so the smell must have dissipated with it. I don't know how that works.
This desk isn't particularly special or expensive. The backing is thin wood, almost like a sheet I could easily put a foot through. It has heavy black metal hinges. This is the kind that has arms that you pull out to rest the work surface on. There are three drawers, two between the arms and one inside the big compartment, in the middle of two shelves. On either side of these shelves, there's a nook to store books and journals. Below the drawers, there's a long compartment covered by two thick sliding doors.
The desk almost fits an awkward corner in my room. If it were about five inches narrower, you couldn't see it through the window. That's the first reason it should go. If it fit that corner perfectly, I'd consider having it refurbished and built upon.
My plan is to commemorate this desk by incorporating its design into my future built-ins. After all, it is the first piece of furniture that I bought and really loved. I don't just want to take a photo of it.
I have no idea how I'm going to get rid of this desk. I should just put it up on Facebook Marketplace again. If it sells, would I have to wrap it in plastic, too?