The right type

This typewriter tells a story — many stories, most likely. Made in 1932 by the Burroughs Co., then a well-known maker of typewriters and adding machines, this piece might have been used to type everything from company checks to Dear John letters. Tucked into a 21st-century home, it is a photogenic reminder that technology and culture are always changing. $125, Nouveau Home & Interior Design, 10 W. Eager St., Baltimore. 410-962-8248 or nouveaubaltimore.com.

Porcelain pups

These funky foo dogs, created from porcelain during the 1950s or '60s, are a little wilder than the average figurine. Their poses are classic, but their expressions are hilarious; the pair is the perfect way to add levity to any space. $1,650, House of Presley. 443-655-6949 or face book.com/houseofpresley.

Horse country charm

Add a splash of British equestrian wit to a room with a porcelain music box designed to look like a pitcher. From a small series produced by Crown Devon, this and other pieces featuring the likeness of “John Peel” are sought-after collectibles. $350, Halcyon House, 11219 Greenspring Ave., Baltimore. 410-828-8889 or halcyonhouseantiques.com.

Doctor's order

This rolling desk by Sterlizer, produced in the 1940s, was originally used in medical offices — but its size and clean lines make it perfect as an end table or a bar cart in an eclectic home. Cluster glassware and bottles of liquor on top, stock the drawers with cocktail napkins and stirrers — and then mix in a tongue depressor or two for a few laughs from party guests. $175, Wishbone Reserve, 5730 Falls Road, Baltimore. 443-961-3376 or wishbonereserve.com.

Danish desk

This gorgeous teak desk by the Danish designer Peter Lovig Nielsen exemplifies the best of midcentury design. The wood's rich tone and visible grain add warmth to the desk's sleek lines, and with multiple drawers for storage, the piece is as functional as it is beautiful. $1,100, Home Anthology, 91 Mellor Ave., Catonsville. 410-744-0042 or homeanthology.com.