C. 1900, Estey Organ, Co. Tiger Oak “Piano Desk”

This pump organ was purchased in Alexander, Arkansas. It is made of quarter sawn tiger oak.  It was manufactured in Brattleboro, Vermont. Based on its Serial Number, #273606 this organ was manufactured between 1894 and 1911. I completely disassembled the organ and repurposed it as an organ desk by repositioning the foot control board to the rear of the desk, creating a new desktop from an antique oak drop leaf table, moving the keys and pull stops to the rear of the base cabinet, and finally refinishing the wood finish. The desktop includes portal access for electrical cords. Additionally, I installed remote controlled LED strips on the upper and lower sections of the desk that provides the desk illumination and makes for a beautiful setting in any home or business. Lastly, this particular pump organ was built for use in a church setting, as the backside of the unit would be exposed to the church congregation, so the back panel is also fully finished with solid tiger oak panels with beautiful scroll panels that will emit awesome light shadows onto back walls with the LED lights illuminated in dark lit rooms.

c. 1855, John Broadwood & Son Rosewood “Piano Desk”

This awesome John Broadwood & Sons piano was purchased in Springfield, MO.  It is made from South American rosewood and was manufactured in London, England circa 1855. This piano was not built with a cast iron harp soundboard so keeping it tuned with a wooden only headboard was a futile effort as a musical instrument. The overall condition of the wood exterior casing was in fair shape. I removed the upper and lower covers exposing the original piano strings. I then built a small shelf using parts from these front covers above the original keyboard area that can be used for decoration or holding small computer monitors. I retained the keyboard beautiful curved cover and made it removable (without tools), if so desired. I then built a slide out desktop from an antique solid walnut table top and installed remote control LED lighting in the top and bottom sides of the piece. I then refinished/restored the original rosewood finish with multiple layers of a tung oil finish. It turned out amazing for a piece that dates over 165 years of age. By making this a fully functioning piano desk and restoring it to its original condition, I believe it will extend this piece for another 100+ years of use.

c. late-1800s, B. Shoninger Burl Walnut “Piano Desk”

This B. Shoninger Louis XV Salon upright piano is one of the most elaborate and beautifully carved American upright piano models ever produced.  This piano was purchased in Mablevale, Arkansas and was manufactured circa 1904 in New Haven, CT.  Bernard Shoninger built high quality, expensive pianos from 1850-1929, and the quality and tone of their instruments are known to rival some of the finest brand names ever produced.  This Louis XV Salon model was the highest grade, most expensive upright piano in their product line with a cost at several hundred dollars when new – the cost of a small house!  It is made of beautiful burl walnut wood with exquisitely carved panels, moldings and trusses.  This was an extreme makeover task, as I felt it needed to be reduced in size…which led me to saw off a good portion of the “upright” section and move the top shelf down to just above the newly installed desktop which can then be used for holding computer monitors, large screen televisions, or decorations. I made a really nice desktop of one inch solid wood table top. I installed remote controlled LED light strips on the upper and lower sections of the desk.  I removed the original cast iron metal harp and piano strings along with the other musical hardware.  Numerous modifications were required in the reapplication of burl walnut veneer that I harvested from wood parts that I removed the upper section of the piece. Lastly, I restored the original finish with numerous coats of tung oil finish which turned out beautiful.

EP Needham ‘Silver Tongue’ Walnut “Organ Desk”

This solid walnut wood pump organ was purchased in Avon, OH.  It was manufactured by the E.P. Needham & Son Company in New York between 1869 and the late 1800’s.  The “Silver Tongue” line of organs was named by Needham to distinguish their brand of instruments.  Their factory in New York was called “The Silver Tongue” factory. I repurposed & restored this piece into an awesome fully functional “organ desk”.  This American treasure is made of solid walnut wood casing. I retained the original keyboard, pull stops, and foot pedal controls which I removed and transferred to the rear of the organ desk in order to allow plenty of leg-room.  The desktop was constructed from a similar age antique solid walnut wooden table. Hidden electrical pass-through access ports are built into the back panel to allow the use of electrical components such as computers, monitors, radios, etc. Multiple coats of durable tung oil varnish finish have been hand buffed into the entire piece of this desk, which should provide decades of use with very little maintenance. Additionally, I installed a concealed remote controlled LED light strip into the upper shelving unit that illuminates the keys and desktop which adds a welcoming warm light glow to the desk in low light. Lastly, I included a secret hidden compartment under the desktop for storing small office materials such as paper, pens, etc. This is a one-of-a-kind ‘organ desk’ that not only is beautiful and functional but will also be conversation piece of furniture in homes and businesses.

c.1860s, Mason & Hamlin Rosewood “Melodeon Desk”

This non-functioning antique rosewood melodeon pump organ (model number 2413) was acquired from a local friend here in Mountain View, Arkansas.  It was originally manufactured by the Mason & Hamlin Organ Company, in the mid-1800s.  I repurposed this non-working pump organ into this beautiful fully functional compact “Organ Desk”.  Stunning craftsmanship work on this American made piece built from rare Brazilian rosewood veneer furniture manufactured in Boston, Mass.  With a serial number of #413 this piece was likely manufactured prior to the Civil War in the US. All parts of this ‘organ desk’ are original to this piece. The desktop was created from created from the original top cover which I cut down to fit as the new desktop.  I refinished the piece with multiple coats of durable tung oil finish. The internal bellows and other reed organ parts have been removed and I built a small ‘hidden’ storage compartment below the desktop lid for storing small office supplies. The foot pedal control unit was removed from this pieces as it was not in suitable shape to use again. Hidden electrical pass-through ports are built in the back of the desk so that computer and other corded electronic equipment can be used.  The legs on this compact desk are easily unscrewed and the whole piece can then be easily transported in the back seat of most cars. This is an original design and likely a one-of-a-kind piece that would look great in a home or business location.

c. 1890s, Sterling Organ Co. Walnut “organ desk”

This pump organ was purchased in Richland, Missouri.  It was manufactured by Sterling Organ Company around the 1890s.  I repurposed this non-working pump organ into this beautiful fully functional compact “Organ Desk”.  Stunning craftsmanship work on this American made piece of solid walnut furniture manufactured in this Derby, CT approximately 130 years ago.  The desktop was created from a similar age wooden drop leaf table and refinished with multiple coats of durable tung oil finish. Everything on this desk is original with the exception of the desktop, and backside scroll piece which I added to the piece, as it was missing its back cover.  Additionally, I added remote controlled LED light strip into the upper piece of the ‘organ desk’ to provide lighting to the desktop and it also creates a wonderful light pattern in dim lighting as the light passes through the scroll pieces. The internal bellows and other reed organ parts have been removed and the foot control panel has been relocated to the back of the desk to allow spacious room for feet movement. Hidden electrical pass-through ports are built in the back of the desk so that computer and other corded electronic equipment can be used.  The desk is equipped with original roller casters so that it can be easily moved by one or two people.  This is an original design and likely a one-of-a-kind piece that would look great in a home or business location.

c. 1880s, New Haven Walnut “Organ Desk”

This walnut pump organ was purchased in Richland, MO.  It was manufactured by the New Haven Melodeon Company in New Haven, Connecticut in 1877. I repurposed & restored into an awesome fully functional “organ desk”.  This American treasure is made of solid walnut wood casing. I retained the original keyboard, pull stops, and foot pedal controls which I removed and transferred to the rear of the organ desk in order to allow plenty of leg-room.  The desktop was constructed from a similar age antique solid walnut wooden table. Hidden electrical pass-through access ports are built into the back panel to allow the use of electrical components such as computers, monitors, radios, etc. Multiple coats of durable tung oil varnish finish have been hand buffed into the entire piece of this desk, which should provide decades of use with very little maintenance. Additionally, I installed a concealed remote controlled LED light strip into the upper shelving unit that illuminates the keys and desktop which adds a welcoming warm light glow to the desk in low light. Lastly, I included a secret hidden compartment under the desktop for storing small office materials such as paper, pens, etc. This is a one-of-a-kind ‘organ desk’ that not only is beautiful and functional but will also be conversation piece of furniture in homes and businesses.

c.1940 Hallet & Davis ‘Piano Sideboard/Buffet’

I repurposed this awesome 1940 Hallet & Davis console spinet piano with its book matched burl walnut veneer console piano into a functioning sideboard/buffet display piece of furniture for a customer of mine who wanted to keep this family heirloom piece but had no more use for it as a piano. The piano was completely stripped of its musical mechanisms, but we were able to retain much of the original keyboard keys and foot pedals. Due to the customer’s space restraints for the new piece, we had to reduce the depth of the piano by cutting away some of the original keyboard support shelving. I added concealed remote control LED lighting strips under each shelf which resulted in awesome warm glowing light on each of the display shelves. It turned out awesome and will likely be in this family for decades to come.

 

B. Shoninger Rosewood ‘Organ Desk’, c.1872

 

 

Circa 1872. B. Shoninger rosewood melodeon that I repurposed & restored into an awesome fully functional “organ desk”.  This American treasure is made Brasilian rosewood and has gorgeous cabriole wooden legs with hand-carved angelic faces carved into the front legs. I was able to retain the original ivory & ebony keyboard keys and carved wooden foot pedals. I was able to repurpose the original hinged top cover into an awesome desktop complete with pass-through electrical ports that enable modern laptops, monitors and other electrical devices to be used for office/desk purposes. To preserve this treasured piece for decades to come, I hand buffed multiple coats of tung-oil varnish finish onto the piece that brings the original beauty back to its original state of over 140+ years ago when it was originally manufactured. Lastly, I included a secret hidden compartment under the desktop for storing small office materials such as paper, pens, etc. This is a one-of-a-kind ‘organ desk’ that not only is beautiful and functional but will also be a conversation piece of furniture in homes and businesses

c.1858 S.D. & W. Smith Rosewood Melodeon Desk

 

 A spectacular authentic pre-civil war (c.1858) antique S.D. & W. Smith Co. (Boston, MA) rosewood inoperative melodeon pump organ that I was able to ‘re-purpose’ and restore into a fully functioning writing desk. I was able to use practically all the original pieces of the organ (desk top, ivory keys, music scroll, foot pedals, etc) back into the desk for aesthetic purposes that clearly reflects its earlier life, while creating ‘new life’ that will enable this great American treasure to be functional for generations to come. I restored all the finish with multiple coats of tung oil, hand buffing between each coat. I also included hidden ‘pass through’ ports into the backside of the desktop that allows electrical equipment (e.g. laptop, etc) to be used with this desk. The legs are removable for easy transport in almost any vehicle and the whole desk weighs less than 50 pounds. The backside of the desk is fully finished and therefore can be viewed from the front or backside (e.g. large open room). This is truly an amazing fine piece of furniture that can’t really be compared to any newer desk that you might find made today. I continue to be amazed at the craftsmanship that our early American manufactures could build into these great American treasures with the primitive tools that they had available to them in mid-1800s. Enjoy!