As a keen student, avid reader, and aspiring artist, I spent a considerable amount of time at my desk. Not just any desk, but an oversized second-hand executive desk purchased by my father – in the mid 1990s – following a government as surplus refurbishing project.
Serving as a launch pad for many creative and academic ventures and successes, this desk was much cherished and used daily until I relocated for graduate school, leaving the desk with my parents due to its unwieldly size (60”X24.5”) and then restricted apartment living space.
My fondness for this desk and desire for a custom replacement (with increased portability/flexibility) was a significant driver for the construction “a desk well built”.
HISTORY - CANADIAN OFFICE & SCHOOL FURNITURE COMPANY (PRESTON, ONTARIO):
While taking measurement and inspiration from this original desk, we discovered a faded sticker providing hints to its manufacturing history: COSF – Canadian Office & School Furniture LTD. Preston – Ontario – Canada.
Internet sleuthing turned up several fascinating articles providing history on the COSF:
1884 - Canadian Office & School Furniture Co. was launched by William Stahlschmidt
1885 - Jacob Emil Klotz (Canadian Commissioner of Immigration from 1872 – 1880) became a partner in William Stahlschmidt & Co., which later became the Canadian Office and School Furniture Company out of Preston, Ontario (now a part of Cambridge).
1928 - The company was purchased by the Preston Furniture Company (which had already acquired the Baird Furniture Company and Sawmill in Plattsville, and which later bought the Schmidt Furniture Co. of Preston.)
1961 - the Preston factory was bought by the Daisy Manufacturing Company of Rogers, Arkansas. COSF Ltd. (with Schmidt Furniture as a division) was run from 927 and 1195 King St. E.
1972 - COSF was acquired by Dylex Corp. Both of its plants operated into the 1980s.
1990 – Acquired by the U.S. firm, Hedstrom Corporation (Hedstrom Canada ceased production at 185 King St. E. in the fall of 1991.).
1996 - The plant was destroyed by a fire in 1996.
References:
DESK INSPIRATIONS:
In designing and building our desk, I was inspired to both move towards (+) and away (-) from the design and aspects of my original desk.
ASPECTS:
(+) We built the desk using a combination of solid and veneered woods, emphasising clean and simple lines without unnecessary decorations or elaborate/contrasting elements.
(+) Dimensions and design from the original double pedestal desk served as an important reference for the desk, including the oversized nature/depth of the desk’s top, allowing for an expansive work surface.
(+/-) Inspired by the deeper drawers and wooden tongue/groove dividers (allowing for contents to be placed out of side), the new desk took advantage of the increased depth by including the series of hidden compartments.
(+/-) This desk is one-of-a-kind and unique, designed to fit the specific needs of the builders as opposed to more commercially produced furniture.
(-) The original desk was built with a solid top attached to a solid frame, requiring considerable effort and strength to move/relocate (resulting in its permanent location being at my childhood home). The new desk was designed from its inception to separate into five (5) modular pieces (top, pedestals, middle drawer, vanity panel) facilitating transportation and access to narrow corridors/stairs.
This modular design also lead to an innovative approach of incorporating the vanity panel as an additional support, allowing the desk to function with both a double or single pedestal configuration depending on future spacing needs.
(+) Like the original Canadian Office & School Furniture Company desk, our desk can proudly boast of being Made-in-Canada.
As I finish writing this post at the desk that could be considered a descendant of the COSF desk, I appreciate how my first desk continues living (and being used) by my parents – a testament that quality and Made-in-Canada innovation endures.
Thanks for reading.
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