I have always had a soft spot for American roll-top desks, which probably stems from watching too many Westerns with my father. I discovered this impressive Late 19th-century walnut example, from the Massachusetts-based Boston Chair Company, in a Surrey estate. Even though it had been rather neglected, I could see its potential. The underlying colour was particularly warm and appealing. It takes a great deal of time and patience to restore any pedestal desk, but a roll-top desk offers an even greater challenge. However, now we have completed its restoration, I am very pleased with how it looks. The walnut glows. The tambour shutter, with its original cast trade escutcheon, runs smoothly, and when closed it once again engages the patent locking mechanism which locks all the drawers. And of course, when opened, all the drawers can be accessed. There is lots of storage space, trays for your pens, plenty of room for a laptop, and because there is not a central drawer you have extra leg roo...