I really want a secretary desk/secretaire or something similar to manage paperwork. Any ideas?

[Subarashii]

I can't really find what I'm looking for - storage for paperwork with a drop-down desk surface and pigeon holes or drawers. They don't seem very popular nowadays for some reason! I'm scouring eBay/local charity shops on the off-chance I can pick up something second hand, but in the meantime would appreciate any suggestions for where I could buy one new...

M and S do one at the moment

Got mine off ebay so not really answering your question, think I searched under Writing Bureau for anything within 20miles.

Ooh, I've found a fabulous one on eBay with that search term, choccy-

yummy!

Ooh yep, that should do it!

Not quite in the same price range but I do rather like the Hemnes bureau from Ikea.

My parents have that exact eBay one! Pre computer desk we used it all the time

Hemnes is nice, actually. Far more to DH's taste than the one I like (am very into 50s-70s retro stuff, DH not so much!).

Only problem with the Hemnes one is it would involve going to fucking Ikea. I'm still having flashbacks from the last time, five years ago!

Ikea deliver! But you might also get a second hand one on eBay ... which would save putting the fucker thing together.

Would this be big enough if you want something more streamlined?

Hemnes has an add-on unit as well. Just sayin' ...

Definitely worth trying local auction houses for unfashionable furniture. Mahogany (even real Georgian/Regency mahogany of v. good quality) is cheap at the moment because dark wood is out of fashion. And the auction houses round us always have 50s-70s stuff too if that's your thing.

See e.g. this page:

www.criterionauctioneers.com/catalogue?terms=bureau&aid=1255&lotno=&seeklower=&seekupper=&seeksitesid=&perpage=20&orderby=lower&ascdesc=desc&Submit=Search

I searched for 'bureau' in last week's auction. This is a relatively pricy London auction house and even so the most expensive pieces here have estimates about the same price as the Hemnes IKEA bureau (you need to allow for commission on top, but then of course there's always a chance you'll get something for less than the estimate).

Fanny, I'm afraid the driving force behind this purchase is doors to shut and hide the crap! I do really like that shelf, though.

DH, rather predictably, likes trib's suggestion best (and yes, the add on makes it very attractive! And the fact that I wouldn't have to step foot in Ikea to get one...).

I'm going to see what's available at local auction houses too. Thanks all.