This desk design came about because the client loved the mixed media for the stone bench I had done in a previous project. He wanted to somehow combine different materials for his project, so we decided to combine wood and copper that had been patinated to add some depth of color.
In the stone bench, the focal point was the stone, with a decorative arch and cross brace pointing to it. I played off that concept when designing the front panel of the desk. The main focal point is the copper medallion held in place with a segmented ring. Then, I used a grid with variable spacing that arched towards it to draw attention to it.
That grid and copper are carried around the sides of the desk and across the drawers.
The client had a few additional requests. For the drawers, he wanted at least one file cabinet drawer and a pencil sorter for the center drawer. For the file cabinet, I outfitted it with a custom stop to make the drawer depth adjustable, preventing files from sliding to the back of the drawer. The drawer handles are custom shaped and integrated into the drawer front. For the pencil sorter, I carved out various size pockets to sort pens, pencils, paper clips, and other office supplies.
He also loved the look of a live edge slab, so we sourced a walnut live edge slab for the top and inlaid some bowties made from wenge.
The accent grid is also walnut, and the main desk is cherry.
The overall size of the desk is 30″ Tall, 66″ long, and 34 wide.
Project Location, New Mexico
More on my Custom Desks
The video below is how I made the slab top
The desk top is made up of two large walnut slabs, I used a router sled to flatten them before joining them together.
How I resawed the veneer for the front panels and drawers
I always want to pick out my grain color and style, so I don't buy sheets of plywood, they are limiting in what you can do. I make my own plywood out of the same wood I use to build the rest of the piece from. This helps insure a good match across the piece.
Traditional Joinery
There are a lot of ways to join wood together. I prefer to use traditional joinery methods. I believe these methods stand the test of time, and create quality piece.
Building the Gride for the Copper to go into
Building the Segmented Ring to create a focal point on the front of the desk
Installing the copper grid and ring
Creating the custom drawer handles
How to buid a custom executive desk start to finish
