How do I care for a leather desk top?

Leather surfaces require occasional treatment with specialist wax or leather balm to prevent drying and cracking over time. Avoid placing hot mugs or damp items directly onto the leather. Keep the timber surround nourished with a quality beeswax, applied sparingly and buffed with a soft cloth to maintain the lustre of the mahogany.

What is the difference between a writing table and a pedestal desk?

A writing table typically stands on four legs, sometimes with one or two shallow drawers beneath the top. It offers an open, lighter silhouette suited to occasional writing or drawing. A pedestal desk is a much heavier piece built around two banks of drawers that support the top, providing substantial enclosed storage for papers and stationery.

How can I tell a Georgian desk from a Victorian one?

Georgian desks generally exhibit cleaner, restrained lines from the eighteenth century, often utilising premium Cuban mahogany and subtle stringing or inlay. Proportions tend to be elegant and lighter in scale. Victorian pieces from the nineteenth century are typically larger and heavier, with deeper drawer configurations and occasionally more exuberant carving or robust structural framing.

Will a partners desk fit in a modern home?

Partners desks are exceptionally deep because they house drawers on both sides, so they require substantial floor space to allow room for chairs all round. They work best positioned in the centre of a spacious study rather than pushed against a wall.