My latest White Whale: A 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Secretary (+ how much I paid)

The first piece (dare I say Crown Jewel) for my new office has arrived, all the way from Round Top, TX…

a SWEDISH GUSTAVIAN SECRETARY!!!!!!!

I watched Facebook Marketplace, Chairish, auctions and dealer inventory for years, but the right one (at the right price) never appeared. They are hard to find in the U.S. and when they do show up, they’re usually priced well into five figures, or the proportions, color, or condition aren’t quite what I was looking for. 

So when this one surfaced through Round Top Ranch Antiques around Christmas for a price that felt fair to me, I moved fast.

the light blue interior??!!?! SAY LESS

Swedish Gustavian pieces of this size and condition are rarely priced under $8k. Even the very few I’ve seen show up on Marketplace over the years were priced accordingly. I considered shipping one from overseas at one point (should’ve done it pre-tariffs), but after years of hunting, this one feels like it was meant to be.

This one felt perfectly aligned:

• correct size & scale for my office

• soft, nuanced colors (I wanted an off-white/ivory/gray on the exterior and a neutral or soft blue or green on the interior)

• In good shape/working condition for the age

• And most importantly, priced fairly for the U.S. market

I paid $4,000 + $800 for shipping from TX to NJ. 

I know I never need to justify what I choose to spend, but in this economy, I’m mindful of how these conversations can land. The price felt fair to me because I understand how these pieces are typically valued, and this one was priced accordingly (it was priced slightly higher, so I did negotiate, and they were able to come down a bit after I mentioned I’d be sharing them with my audience.). I also used a shipper I trust, one recommended by Round Top Ranch Antiques and someone I’ve worked with before when shipping my blue sofa from Texas to New Jersey in 2024. 

To be fair to paying subscribers, I’m sharing the shipper only within my subscription group. Otherwise, I would’ve gone the uShip route (before I booked this shipper, I still went and got uShip quotes between $590-$1,200).

I am the world’s largest sucker for brass ribbon escutcheons. Wait until I add tassels to the keys!!

Now is probably a good time to mention how I approach buying more expensive pieces secondhand. Over time, I’ve made a habit of keeping proceeds from items I sell set aside specifically for future purchases. When the right piece appears, I don’t have to overthink it or scramble. I’ve recently sold a *lot* of the stuff I no longer use or have a place for via Facebook Marketplace. And those funds go into my “secondhand” bucket.

WHY I CHOSE A SECRETARY OVER A DESK

I wanted a secretary rather than a desk because I desperately need the storage in this room, and I also really needed something of height. My previous desks took up a lot of floor space, but a secretary maximizes height, which is essential in this room. I love the idea of having everything tucked away in the drawers, cubbies, & compartments instead of spread out in the open (and truth be told, I’m a mess). It gives me so much function without visual clutter, and the sheer number of compartments is hard to beat – can you count them?!

I also plan to add a smaller round table in front of the settee, giving me a few different spots to work throughout the day. I love the idea of being able to rotate between different spots to work. Here’s my latest concept:

 

One thing my last office lacked was a true substantial vertical anchor. This time, I wanted a tall case piece that brought structure and weight to the room.

I’ve always been drawn to Swedish Gustavian furniture and am thrilled to finally have my first piece after years of searching & waiting. Sweden was the first European country I ever visited (that made me fall madly in love with Europe), and it shaped some of my earlier design sensibilities in a way that’s stayed with me. Here are some keyword variations that I used over the years:

• Swedish Gustavian secretary

• Painted antique Swedish furniture

• Swedish secretary desk

• Antique painted secretary

• Gustavian desk

• Swedish bureau / bureau desk

• Swedish chest of drawers

• Gustavian commode

• Swedish painted cabinet

• Swedish armoire / wardrobe

I’ve been watching Round Top Ranch Antiques’ inventory for a while so if you’re looking for something similar, I highly recommend following their IG & Chairish page. Maybe one day I’ll finally make it to Round Top to shop in person.

I’m so excited to share more and consider this the official kickoff to getting this room DONE! 

p.s. – I am GIDDY over how perfect the hero pattern I’m considering looks with this!!!