About this restoration

This antique Victorian cylinder roll top desk arrived at our Fort Collins shop completely apart — not yet a desk again, but a collection of panels, drawers, doors, and structural components waiting to be rebuilt. The piece features a curved rolling top, fitted interior cubbies, deep Eastlake-style detailing, and striking burl walnut veneer that deserved a careful and thoughtful restoration.

What was wrong

When the desk arrived, it was packed in boxes and fully disassembled. The old finish was dried out and worn down, some areas required a full refinish, other sections called for gentler conservation-style work, and a few original parts were no longer present at all. Before the beauty of the walnut could come back, the desk first had to be made whole again.

What we did

• Reassembled the desk piece by piece so the full structure, rolling top, drawers, and interior sections could function again as one complete piece.
• Completed a full refinish on selected areas where the old surface had deteriorated beyond what touch-up work could properly restore.
• Used hand-applied French polish on other sections to protect and revive the burl walnut with a more delicate approach.
• Performed targeted touch-up methods in transitional areas where the piece needed preservation rather than aggressive refinishing.
• Fabricated missing parts from scratch to match the original desk as closely as possible.
• Balanced tone, sheen, and finish quality so the restored desk reads as one cohesive piece rather than a collection of repaired parts.

Care tips

• Open and close the cylinder top gently and keep the track area free of dust and debris.
• Dust regularly with a soft microfiber cloth; avoid harsh cleaners, silicone sprays, and abrasive pads.
• Do not place wet items directly on the burl walnut surfaces.
• Use care with the fitted interior cubbies, drawers, and small doors to protect original joinery and restored parts.
• Keep the desk away from heat vents, high humidity, and prolonged direct sunlight.
• If the finish begins to dull or moving parts become stiff, book maintenance early.