Planning & Design

To begin designing this desk I found images online of existing desks I wished to replicate. After only having found the basic height and width of a single desk, I modeled my desk using purely educated guesses as to the measurements of each individual piece. With the use of Blender 3D modeling software, I built every piece of the box from the ground up. After I was happy with the box design, I sampled images of wood and leather textures in order to create a realistic rendered model of the desk.

Click the images to see more process and construction photos!

Mock Up

Before beginning the building process, I used my 3D modeled desk to create a 2D pattern and a detailed building plan. In order to test my plans, I set out to create an exact 1/2 scale model of the desk using cardboard. Following my pattern and building plans, I assembled the pieces using masking tape then used hot glue to adhere the cardboard. When all of the pieces were in place, I used a single top paper layer of the cardboard to cover the corrugated edges for a cleaner finish. After cutting an inlay design into the lid, I had successfully created a working desk proving that my measurements and plans worked!

Final Construction

Once I was satisfied with my 2D pattern and building plans from the 1/2 scale model, I created an organized pattern layout for the full scale build. Deciding on maple and walnut, I used a variety of hand and power tools to build the final desk. Minor adjustments were made to the pattern throughout the build including the use of splines to strengthen the miter joints of the main our shells as well as making use of rabbets and dados to avoid end to long grain gluing. Once completed, the desk was oiled with boiled linseed, joined with brass hardware, and finished with a custom gold leafed leather writing surface.