Two friends refinished my Larkin desk for me. This has been in my life since I was a child. My mother had painted it at one point and I thought I would refinish it. After it sat in the garage for 10 years I realized I wasn't going to do it myself. My bookcase that got moved to the studio used to sit in this spot. You can see the dents in the carpet from it.
We finally had a sunny day yesterday so I could take a photo. I'm probably changing out the books on the bottom shelf to smaller ones like I have on the top shelf.
It is a lot richer looking than the photo shows. I love the inside of it.
Larkin desks were given in exchange for premium certificates from the Larkin soap company. My grandparents were married in 1910 and in a search I found a scan of a 1908 catalog page with 2 desks pictured that are similar to ones we had. My daughter has the other one.
Sometimes this trim on the front of the desk is damaged but mine is in great shape.
I loaded a quilt on my longarm yesterday and also cut the second purple quilt which I won't start sewing until January. I have decided there will be a third purple quilt with green added so I can use the first fabric shown on this post.
The Larkin soap company was in Buffalo. It's headquarters were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and was a very innovative building. Sadly, it was torn down in the 50s. An executive for Larkin was Darwin Martin, who commissioned 2 homes in the Buffalo area by FLW, both which have been restored. The marketing executive for Larkin was Elbert Hubbard, the founder of the Roycroft movement and the Roycroft Campus outside of Buffalo. He invented putting the company logo directly on the product as a marketing tool. This was the arts and crafts movent of the U.S. My husband worked for over 25 years to restore the Campus ( the Roycroft Inn, Powerhouse, Print Shop,etc.). My daughter was married in the rebuilt powerhouse and I had my retirement party in the Inn. There is new Larkin building in Buffalo and park area called Larkinville where there are big gatherings to eat and hear music. Love the desk.
You desk is wonderful. There's one very similar at Dad's house, that Mom refinished years ago. It doesn't have the little shelves or mirror at the top though, and the decorative pieces are missing. It's impossible to capture the glow old wood has on camera, It probably is even more beautiful in person. Well Done to your friends.
I'd hate to see how much soap we'd have to buy today to get such items. Not that they'd even be offered now.
Good orning Wanda. What a wonderful keepsake you have of your childhood, and how beautiful it looks after the refinishing.
Loved reading Linda's backstory on the Larkin family history, which adds so much more of the history behind your desk.
I'm worn out after the 3 Christmas parties and hope we don't get sick, after being close to quite a few people who were pretty sick, but still at family gatherings. Sick kids and some older adults who were also sick, peppered our Christmas celebrations. We're supposed to have one of our 3 yr. old great granddaughters tomorrow, who will stay overnight, and I'm hoping we are not sick by then. We are both experiencing some soreness in the thoat as of this morning, and hopee it doesn't go any further.
Wow, they did a beautiful job refinishing the desk cabinet for you! It really looks nice in your home now. Sometimes placing and letting ice cubes melt on carpet depressions will help get rid of them. Give it a try! I always look forward to your posts. Thanks for sharing another interesting story.
Beautiful cabinet. There are still some treasures out there. Sounds like you had a nice Christmas. Chris
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful switch and now to have the refinished cabinet. It is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe Larkin soap company was in Buffalo. It's headquarters were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and was a very innovative building. Sadly, it was torn down in the 50s. An executive for Larkin was Darwin Martin, who commissioned 2 homes in the Buffalo area by FLW, both which have been restored. The marketing executive for Larkin was Elbert Hubbard, the founder of the Roycroft movement and the Roycroft Campus outside of Buffalo. He invented putting the company logo directly on the product as a marketing tool. This was the arts and crafts movent of the U.S. My husband worked for over 25 years to restore the Campus ( the Roycroft Inn, Powerhouse, Print Shop,etc.). My daughter was married in the rebuilt powerhouse and I had my retirement party in the Inn. There is new Larkin building in Buffalo and park area called Larkinville where there are big gatherings to eat and hear music. Love the desk.
ReplyDeleteYou desk is wonderful. There's one very similar at Dad's house, that Mom refinished years ago. It doesn't have the little shelves or mirror at the top though, and the decorative pieces are missing. It's impossible to capture the glow old wood has on camera, It probably is even more beautiful in person. Well Done to your friends.
ReplyDeleteI'd hate to see how much soap we'd have to buy today to get such items. Not that they'd even be offered now.
Good orning Wanda. What a wonderful keepsake you have of your childhood, and how beautiful it looks after the refinishing.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading Linda's backstory on the Larkin family history, which adds so much more of the history behind your desk.
I'm worn out after the 3 Christmas parties and hope we don't get sick, after being close to quite a few people who were pretty sick, but still at family gatherings. Sick kids and some older adults who were also sick, peppered our Christmas celebrations. We're supposed to have one of our 3 yr. old great granddaughters tomorrow, who will stay overnight, and I'm hoping we are not sick by then. We are both experiencing some soreness in the thoat as of this morning, and hopee it doesn't go any further.
Enjoy your day!
I am so happy that your friends were able to refinish that beautiful desk -- I love desks with cubby holes and drop fronts!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful piece. You do not see such detail in the newer pieces. It is a keepsake!
ReplyDeleteThe desk is such a treasure! And we can almost see you in the mirror!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure! Loved reading the extra information.
ReplyDeletethe desk if beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the desk!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure! I love the bookshelves on the bottom.
ReplyDeleteWow, they did a beautiful job refinishing the desk cabinet for you! It really looks nice in your home now. Sometimes placing and letting ice cubes melt on carpet depressions will help get rid of them. Give it a try! I always look forward to your posts. Thanks for sharing another interesting story.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece of furniture, family, and history!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful old desk and what a great idea to have the bookshelves underneath.
ReplyDelete