Stories of Preservation

A Second Chance

The Story of My Alma Castilian Executive Desk

Every piece has a story.

Sometimes, its most important chapter hasn't been written yet.

One afternoon, while riding my bike through Houston's historic Third Ward, I passed what most people would have seen as nothing more than a pile of discarded furniture and construction debris.

Something made me turn around. Among the trash, a piece of walnut caught my eye. Curiosity became intuition.

As I looked closer, I discovered the remains of a large executive desk. It had been completely disassembled, with drawers and panels scattered throughout the pile. At first, I thought I might salvage the walnut for future woodworking projects.

But the more I uncovered... the more I realized this desk wasn't finished. It simply needed someone willing to see beyond its condition.

I carefully gathered nearly every piece—everything except a single drawer, and brought it home.

Over the following weeks, I cleaned, repaired, restored, and patiently reassembled what others had abandoned.

Only later did I discover its identity. It was a Mid-Century Modern Alma Castilian Executive Desk, a beautifully designed piece of American craftsmanship, now valued at more than $5,000.

Today, it isn't for sale as it serves as my personal desk.

This desk reminds me every day why I preserve.

Not because everything old should be saved...

But because craftsmanship deserves another lifetime.