Please provide details on how to hinge the prospect door to avoid the pilaster column and be able to remove the prospect box? Also I am interest in purchasing other period furniture plans of yours, are there any available and if so how can they be obtained?
Thanks for the help.
- Robert S.
La Grange, TX
Our Expert
Many period desks have a hidden box or "prospect box" which is concealed behind the small door in the desk gallery. During the 18th century this was an ideal place for the owner of the desk to store small valuables and papers. When the door is opened the box can slide out of the gallery and be completely removed from the desk to reveal the hidden compartments behind the box.
When hinging the prospect door I mount the hinges so that the barrel of the hinge is approximately 3/8" from the face of the door. This allows the door to swing beyond 180 degrees which will allow you to remove the box. I order blank desk lid hinges from Ball and Ball hardware which I use for this purpose.
Over the years I've occasionally published magazine articles on furniture projects, such as the secretary desk, but I don't sell plans.
