Thrifter Scores $16K Midcentury Brass Desk for $900

Seasoned thrifter Maggie Wilkerson shares the nail-biting tale of how she secured her dream desk at a major discount.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 2:15pm

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Maggie Wilkerson, an interiors consultant based in Asheville, North Carolina, stumbled upon a mid-century brass desk made by Mastercraft at one of her favorite thrift stores. The same desk was selling online for $16,200, but the store had just gotten it in and hadn't priced it yet. Recognizing this as a rare find, Wilkerson put down a $100 deposit to hold the desk, and was later able to purchase it for $900 with a $50 delivery fee. She went viral on social media sharing the story, though faced some criticism for planning to actually use the desk in her home office rather than keeping it as a showpiece.

Why it matters

This story highlights the thrill and challenges of thrifting for valuable vintage furniture. Wilkerson's quick thinking to put down a deposit saved her from losing out on an incredible deal, demonstrating the importance of being proactive as a thrifter. It also touches on the debate around using versus preserving antique furniture, with Wilkerson embracing the desk's natural patina and planning to incorporate it into her workspace.

The details

When Wilkerson spotted the brass desk, the store hadn't yet priced it. Recognizing it as a rare "holy grail" find, she asked if they would hold it for her if she put down a $100 deposit, which they agreed to. A couple hours later, she learned the desk was priced at $900, with a $50 delivery fee. Wilkerson decided it was worth the investment, noting that the same desk was selling online for $16,200. After purchasing the desk, she learned another designer had spotted it and was upset that Wilkerson had already claimed it.

  • Wilkerson spotted the desk at one of her favorite thrift stores.
  • A couple hours later, the store called Wilkerson with the $900 price tag.

The players

Maggie Wilkerson

An interiors consultant based in Asheville, North Carolina, and the founder of Collected Home. She is an experienced thrifter who recognized the value of the mid-century brass desk she found.

Mastercraft

An American furniture company founded in 1947 by brothers Charles and William Doezema, which made the mid-century brass desk that Wilkerson thrifted.

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What they’re saying

“There are very few things that I have spent that much money on in my home. This was a tough decision, but I knew it was worth a lot more than that. I knew that this was a great deal.”

— Maggie Wilkerson

“I really love the patina on this desk. You can just see where people's arms have rested here over the years, you know, and then there's just all these little marks on the leather top I like too. You could polish this up, but I really love how it is.”

— Maggie Wilkerson

What’s next

Wilkerson is continuing to decorate her office space, having recently thrifted a vintage designer slipcovered Parsons chair to use as a desk chair.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates the rewards and risks of thrifting for valuable vintage furniture. By acting quickly and putting down a deposit, Wilkerson was able to secure an incredible deal on a rare mid-century brass desk, despite facing competition from another designer. Her embrace of the desk's natural patina also highlights the debate around using versus preserving antique pieces.