mid century modern folding desk
photo: ellen silverman

For many years, I’ve enjoyed this amazingly-designed mid-century folding desk. The desk unit looks like a normal small wardrobe but when you open it, closed cabinet swings open on both sides to reveal pull-out desk. It has many any moveable shelves, a large drawer with pencil/pen holder, large slide out shelf and a even a moveable light that works. It is made of very hardwood, teak perhaps…possibly beech and walnut. The fittings are brass.

You can store a lot of stuff and paperwork in it and “disappear” everything in two movements. It is a 1950’s copy of the-desk-in-a box designed by Mummenthaler (you can see lots of pictures at this site.) Versions of this desk have been displayed at Nicole Fahri and Urban Outfitters. My life is changing and now it’s time to pass it on.

The desk is in excellent shape for its age with a near perfect work surface and top. Its flaws: The side doors are slightly out-of-alignment; they swing shut unless held open by little wire clips. When the desk is folded up, one side has to be lifted slightly to latch it closed. There are a couple of minor scratches on the side, toward the back that are not noticeable when it’s open.

midcentury modern folding desk
photo: ellen silverman

Dimensions: Open
Width of top: 5.4 feet
Width of desk: 4.7 feet
Height to top: 3.67 feet
Height to top of desk: 2.425 feet
Desk with desk pulled out: 2.59 feet

Closed (desk folded in and sides closed to make a “trunk”
Width: 2.8 ft
Height: 3.66 feet
Depth: 1.9 feet

Price: $875 or best offer. It’s in New York City so would need to be picked up. I cannot ship.

If you are interested, please contact me at [email protected], or click on “Contact Us” in the right sidebar.

If you’ve found illumination, joy, or inspiration in this post, please consider supporting Improvised Life. It only takes a minute to make a secure donation that helps pay our many costs. A little goes a long way towards helping Improvised Life continue to live ad-free in the world.

Support Improvised Life ♥

2 replies on “for sale: fab mid-century modern folding desk (nyc)

  1. I have wanted one of these since i was 10 years old. Best wishes to the new owner!

  2. has this piece been sold already?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *