We have a friend that cleans out homes after estate sales.  He ended up coming across this extremely unique piece that we just had to have when we saw it.  At first glance it looks like just another chest of drawers, but at a closer examination one of the drawers pulls out into a fully functional desk.  If you are familiar with secretaries, then you will understand that they do not typically take this form.  This piece was solid maple, and the hardware was in great shape for its age (we made sure to clean the hardware thoroughly).  

We found this dresser in an old farmhouse in rural Virginia.  After scanning the dresser over we determined that it was solid fruitwood.  Up to this point we have never had a fruitwood piece of furniture, so we were intrigued by the prospect of a new challenge.  Generally speaking, the wood on this dresser did not have the same intricate wood grain that we have come to enjoy with oak, maple, and cherry pieces, but to be honest it worked well for the design that we decided on.  The hardware was in near perfect condition and was unique enough that we determined that it would be worth incorporating into the design.