How to choose a secretary?

Despite the rather long history, the secretary has not yet outlived its usefulness. True, at the moment this furniture is almost never produced separately. But versions of chests of drawers with a secretory drawer are very popular and in demand.

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Chest of drawers - specifics

At the moment, it is already difficult to determine who and where the secretarial chest of drawers was first invented. The Spanish tender name varguena has survived to this day. Under this word is hidden a large chest of drawers with a folding table and a niche with countless drawers. But from the heyday of the center of Europe, models called bureaus have been preserved more.

There are few differences between them, but they still exist:

• At the bureau, the secretory section is covered with a semicircular lid. When opened, it disappears inside and is called a cap. The secretary has a straight lid behind which the writing niche is hidden and plays the role of a table. Although, in our time this tradition is often violated;
• A traditional bureau only has a couple of drawers and the tallest legs. This is quite a very small, beautiful piece of furniture. The secretary chest of drawers is heavier and more weighty. the drawers go all the way to the bottom, and the legs are very short;
• A secretary in its pure form is generally more similar to a closet. In most cases, the folding table is located in the very center of the body.

One of the undeniable good qualities of a chest of drawers with a secretory section is that it can successfully replace both an average-sized wardrobe and a desk. The item is perfect for small rooms where you have to be tricky with furniture arrangement. In current apartments it can be successfully installed:

• Children's room. The right model will definitely please your child. Lessons will be done with joy, and this means successfully;
• Bedroom. You may not have to write on it, but such a chest of drawers will perfectly replace a trellis and cabinet. As a rule, you will have a very high personal “box”;
• Guest room. In addition to useful functions, in this room the thing will look most solid. It must be remembered that, like all chests of drawers, its upper surface is considered a working surface;
• Cabinet. The perfect place to install a bureau or secretary. This is especially true for interior solutions in old styles. Such furniture does not combine well with modern trends such as modern or hi-tech. In any case, the bureau chest of drawers “breathes” on us centuries-old foundations.

Chest of drawers - what is it?

Usually, a secretary means furniture similar to a standard wardrobe, in which the folding table is installed strictly in the center. The main advantage of such a chest of drawers is the ability to combine a wardrobe and a regular desk. This solution is perfect for small apartments.

A chest of drawers is often classified as this type, which is not entirely true. Usually, the secretary section is hidden under a semicircular lid. When the furniture is opened, the lid disappears inside. This solution is called a cap. A clean secretary has a straight lid, and at the same time it acts as a tabletop, but such a solution is now rarely found.

It is also worth considering that a real secretary usually either does not have legs, or they are very small. The bureau is characterized by high legs and only a few drawers. Thus, it is almost impossible to say unequivocally that a secretary and a chest of drawers are the same.

Secretaries can be used in almost all rooms of the apartment.

• Children's room. It is important to make a choice so that the child appreciates it. In this case, it will be very convenient and comfortable for the baby to do his homework.
• Bedroom. Here, such furniture can replace both a wardrobe and a dressing table. Sometimes such a chest of drawers for a bedroom is called a large box.
• Living room. Furniture of this type will look very organic and quite solid here. Can be used as a desk or for storing various things.
• Cabinet. Here such furniture will fit just perfectly. Although you need to take into account the overall style of the interior. If the design is made in a classic style, the secretary will fit perfectly, but such a solution will not be possible to integrate into high-tech or minimalism.

Types of secretarial tables

Reclining

One of the most commonly used methods of decorating a table is a folding one. It is the flap that covers the compartment that acts as a table. It is equipped with side holders or lifting mechanisms with several degrees of freedom.

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They are also equipped with shock-absorbing springs with position locks and adjustment of the applied force. The door itself is attached with hinges to the body of the chest of drawers. To reduce the load on the hinges, it is necessary to install specialized supports under the bottom of the table. They can serve as open hinged doors of the lower sections or specialized retractable legs. Partly on top they are equipped with specialized platforms - holders. They bear the main burden. To close, you just need to lift it up until it locks. The holder is usually a magnetic latch or a lock mechanism with a retractable tongue. You can easily check it from the outside by the presence of a keyhole. The latches are, of course, lighter, but they weaken over a certain period of time - the sash can open arbitrarily. But the castle view is usually impossible to break. Unless you lose the key, you can reconstruct it. In many cases it is typical. As an exception, there may be rare or antique options.

Ignoring the use of lower supports for an open table leads to rapid breakage of the hinges. Especially if you often use a secretory lid. The same problem can result from a lid with a weak magnetic latch falling.

The characteristics of this type can be called:

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• Easy to use. Unfolding the table takes less than a couple of minutes;
• Convenience. Writing at it is absolutely no worse than writing at a full-fledged desktop;
• Saving free space. Unlike a simple table, such a lid can be lifted, freeing up space for free passage;
• Good storage for written items. A decent number of internal shelves and drawers makes storing all the necessary little things very pleasant and convenient.

Retractable

Retractable table types are more relevant to bureau-type chests of drawers. In this case, the lid and table are different objects. After lifting the lid, you can pull out the table panel. This can be a small tabletop, fixed movably in grooves or using a roller system. Although, there are also quite complex versions of retractable tables. Many models involve extension not only forward, but also to the side. To do this, specialized folding spider fasteners with springs and dampers are used. In this case, the table can be connected to a special folding frame, which plays the role of a lower support. Their use for this type is very desirable.

In the most interesting variations, the hinged lid is connected to a retractable table. As a rule, such an approach can be simply called an attempt to be original. In today's life, in reality, one type of table is enough.

What kind of tables are equipped with secretarial chests of drawers?

Folding

The folding table in secretaries is most often used. Actually, here the door acts as a table. Be sure to be equipped with holders and a lift. The mechanisms have several options for limiting movement.

First of all, the folding table is equipped with shock absorber springs. These parts have clamps, and you can also adjust the applied force. The door is secured with hinges.

To minimize the load on the hinges, the design includes supports that are installed under the bottom of the table. Sometimes these are retractable legs, and in other cases these are swinging flaps of the lower section. The upper part of the table is complemented by platforms, they are called “holders”. It is the listed elements that bear the main burden.

Closing the table is quite simple; just lift it up to the locking point. Usually the lock is a lock with a retractable tongue or a magnetic latch. You can distinguish them visually. The castle has a key hole.

• In general, the lock retainer is more reliable, it does not cause problems, at most you can lose the key, but they come standard, so there will be no problems with selecting an analogue.
• The latches are a little easier to use, there is no need to use a key, the operation is almost automatic. But, it is worth considering that during operation the latch may become loose, which will lead to the involuntary opening of the door.

If the furniture is old or antique, the original locking mechanism may be used. If you lose the key, recovery problems may arise.

You should not refuse to use lower supports when using the table. This may cause the loops to tear out. Especially when the lid is used frequently. Also, hinges are often damaged when the sash is suddenly opened (falls) due to a faulty latch.

Let us list the main features that this type of secretory table has.

• Ease of use. You can set up the table in just a couple of minutes.
• Convenience. Working at such a desk is no worse than at a standard one.
• Space is saved. When folded, the secretary desk does not take up much space.
• Writing materials are kept in one place. The presence of internal shelves and drawers allows you to store your office supplies conveniently and freely accessible.

Retractable

Bureau chests usually use pull-out tables. It turns out that the table and the lid are different elements. First, the lid rises, and then the tabletop extends. The design can be different, from a simple version, where the panel simply moves along the grooves, to roller guides.

Occasionally you can find more complicated varieties of such a device. For example, the panel can move forward and sideways at the same time. Here folding elements are used, supplemented by springs that absorb the load. Typically, this model is complemented by a folding frame, which acts as a supporting device.

There are options that combine a hinged lid and a retractable panel-table. This design is more of an original than a practical solution. In practice, one work surface is sufficient.

Storage systems and opening mechanisms

The chest of drawers does not have to be used in the intended direction. If you do not need this furniture for writing, then you do not need to load stationery there at all. Place cosmetics and jewelry in drawers. You will quickly appreciate the convenience, and you will understand why in the eighteenth century girls could not imagine their lives without a secretary. If you store linen and clothes in the lower drawers, then small accompanying items such as belts and ties will feel great in the very small compartments of the secretory niche. In a child's room, such a furniture element will make it possible to carefully preserve small parts of construction sets, puzzles or fragile toys.

The following types can be used as facade opening systems:

• Retractable. This is how all the boxes are designed. In their current form, they are equipped with side guides and rollers. Small drawers are made slightly smaller than the niche for them. Thanks to this, they can be pulled out perfectly without additional devices. The only significant difference is that the rollers do not allow you to remove the drawer all the way without damaging the system. He definitely stays in the niche. While their absence allows this to be done. The disadvantage of the roller system is sensitivity to distortions;
• Swinging open. Part of the facade side can be covered with shutters. They are secured with hinges to the body. Opens outwards and sideways. They don't like jerks. In chests of drawers, secretaries can act as a lower support for a table. In this situation, the main thing is that their part from below touches the floor. Otherwise, you will need special holders. They are similar to a clothespin with a stop and are placed on the edge of the sash;
• Folding. This is how the table is set up. Opens down until the position lock clicks. It can be equipped with a height adjuster, making it possible to fix the cover in several positions. Do not pull the sash down after clicking in the lowest possible position. Furniture hinges are placed along the bottom of the sash, fastening it to the body of the chest of drawers.

Dining table-book

A very popular option in the Soviet Union was a book-table with two folding surfaces. In normal times, such a transformer stood closer to the wall or in a corner and served as a surface for wiping dust, but on all holidays it was an indispensable nail, or rather a table. Modern designers have finalized the idea (which was just asking for it) by adding a book-table to the kitchen (with an appropriate design) and replacing the place of the shelves with a niche for folding chairs, thereby turning it into a transformable table with chairs. You can adjust its size by raising one or two “wings”.

A very interesting solution for the kitchen is our next sample. Transformable dining table three in one. The trick of this table is that there are not one, but two tables hiding on the wall! First we fold out the small table, and if a larger area is needed, we fold out the second one, which folds over the small one. When folded, this structure on the wall is 3-4 cm thick. This mechanism is also used for a table-picture.

The wall-mounted folding table with a stationary tea table with legs has the same functionality.

As we have already seen, the table can recline both up and down. What if you make it all the way to the ceiling? If so, then we will get a huge table for large celebrations with minimal waste of free space on ordinary days. Uninitiated guests will not even guess that such a giant lives in your room or kitchen. This will probably be especially true for a studio apartment, where the room is combined with a kitchen.

Frame

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When choosing a secretary chest of drawers, you need to take into account the fact that it has quite a considerable height. On average, this parameter varies from 1 to 1.4 meters. In this case, the width will be approximately 90 cm and the depth – 50 cm. You can also find very narrow models. However, this is not very convenient.

Very popular materials for the production of frame elements are:

• Real solid wood;
• MDF;
• Particle boards of types: hardboard, chipboard or OSB.

Where can I put a secretary?

This versatile type of furniture is mainly placed in the living room. Representing a compact workplace, it easily places a laptop on its surface, and there is still room for all kinds of folders and books. After work, all these accessories are removed, and the lid is closed, turning the secretary into an ordinary cabinet or.

Secretary-desk photo

Modern secretaries in the interior

White secretary-chest of drawers

But no matter how convenient and capacious the secretary is, it is not intended for long-term use. You can’t put a desktop computer on it, and it’s not very comfortable for your feet to constantly rest against the drawers. However, it is great as an alternative to a mini-home office.

The secretary can be placed not only in living rooms, but also in the library, office and even in the bedroom. The main thing is to find a place for a compact workplace, where it does not interfere and does not take up extra square meters. A corner chest of drawers fits this description perfectly, allowing you to store various things in a large number of drawers, and when the lid is open, it acts as a desk.

White secretary for a children's room

Secretary desk photo

Where to put the secretary

A compact workplace is necessary not only for adults, but also for children. Sometimes a secretary cabinet for a schoolchild is placed in the nursery; in this case, it replaces a desk and houses portable computer equipment and other study supplies. Perhaps the best option would be to use a large desk for work and study, and a secretary for a laptop or computer, but each parent chooses furniture based on the dimensions of the children's room, so there are no need for advice here.

Secretary-chest of drawers photo

Cabinet-secretary photo

Wooden secretary with carving

Tabletops

The top tabletop of the chest of drawers is considered an individual design element. In most cases, it is made from the same type of material as the body. It can be decorated separately, but the very high height of chests of drawers with a secretory section makes this a useless task. Much attention is paid to reliability and strength.

The following can be used as decorative elements:

• Antique varnishing. To do this, use craquelure. When dry, this varnish cracks, organizing a whole network of very small cracks. Often powdered bronze or gold plating is rubbed into them. This technology is called the "golden web";
• Free painting. For countertops, it is better to use furniture enamels and varnishes. Apply in multiple layers. The intensity of painting and color transition are adjusted by shading with a rag. Each layer will need drying;
• Wooden small tiles. Pieces of wood with a wide variety of shades fit into any pattern and are fixed with especially strong glue. Then the entire surface is polished and covered with shiny varnish. Rattan can be used instead of wood, but it is more difficult to maintain.

Types of bases

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Very popular types of base design are:

• Direct placement on the floor. This is due to the considerable size of this type of furniture. Provides the greatest durability;
• Placement on a pedestal. A small platform appears below, protruding beyond the body of the chest of drawers;
• Legs. Very often they are short. As an exception, there may be bureaus that preserve manufacturing principles. In this case, the floor must be very level;
• Base system. The legs can be replaced or combined with long sides. They are the main focus. Part of the load is equally divided in the front part along a narrow strip - the base.

A little about the history of the creation of the secretary

As mentioned earlier, the secretary appeared in the 18th century, but some sources date its appearance to the 12th-13th centuries. It was behind the secretary that the ladies of that era wrote thousands of letters; in their numerous boxes they kept love messages and state secrets. Thus, the secretary cabinet easily replaced a desk, a safe, and a closet at the same time.

Modern models have been slightly modified, but, as before, they are a cabinet with drawers and a folding shelf that acts as a work surface. A large number of drawers allows you to keep all your writing utensils at hand, but at the same time, in perfect order. And secret locks and reliable locking systems protect important papers from prying eyes.

What is a secretary

White secretary photo

Modern secretary - desk

Originally considered ladies' furniture, the secretary quickly fell in love with the male half of humanity, becoming a workplace for emperors and kings. For example, Napoleon Bonaparte took a folding travel secretary with him on trips - when folded, it took up little space, but the desk was always nearby, even on the battlefield. And then doctors liked this functional furniture, allowing them to store doctor’s instruments and medicines in order.

Currently, desk secretaries decorate modern interiors, combining a work area and a spacious closet. The aristocratic look of furniture with a retro touch fits perfectly into both classic and modern interior styles. The main thing is to choose the right shape, color and finish of the secretary.

Secretary with folding desk for computer

Secretary in the interior photo

Styles of secretory chests of drawers

The rich traditions and history of the secretaire are much more harmoniously combined with styles in the spirit of antiquity:

• Provence. Rounded corners and wavy façade. the drawers are made slightly convex, and the body is straight. The decor is unpresentable and small;
• Bul. The main features include the use of lower support crosses and an increase in the number of legs (6 or the most unusual shapes. Too much gilding inlay;
• Chinoiserie. This is a successful attempt to combine European Baroque with traditional Asian styles. Ethnic motifs and sophistication of forms. The main emphasis is on exoticism;
• Colonial. Weighty, heavy models with expensive but modest finishes. Preference is given to good, rare materials rather than an abundance of decor;
• Palace styles (Rococo, Baroque). They are native to this furniture element. They suggest unusual relief shapes, curved, wide-set legs. They are very richly decorated with carvings, paintings, and gilding;
• Classic. Strict silhouette with soft rounded corners. Smooth lines fit perfectly with a straight body. The decor is calm. Favorite techniques are carving, figured milling cutter, and openwork gilded fittings.