/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0012/1000/recyclart-desk-leather.jpg "credit: Freshhome [http://freshome.com/2010/07/02/creative-design-idea-desk-made-from-briefcases/]")
A few desk round ups I came across this morning got me thinking about DIY desk ideas. The suitcase desk above is smart, but probably not that functional. Building one out of books seems appropriate for a library (as below), but not for the home office.
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0012/1004/information-desk2.jpg "credit: Recylart [http://www.recyclart.org/2010/09/library-information-desk/]")
Chris's galvanized pipe desk from our Make It! Hardware Store Decor eBook (on sale right now!) is a really simple, sleek-looking desk you can make with readily-available materials:
.../http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0011/2910/walnutdesksmall.jpg)
I had some left over veneered walnut from a bedside table that I designed. I loved the look of the walnut desk from BoConcept (pictured below). So, I decided to make a similar desk out of the left over wood.
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0011/2914/boconcept.jpg)
What you need:
- 3/4" Walnut veneered plywood (from 30 to 36" w x 54" to 60" long) - check for remnants
- Walnut veneer tape
- 4 polished or satin stainless steel legs
- Woodworking file
- Wood glue
- 1-1/2" Walnut...
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0007/3272/typewriter-3.jpg)
Photo Image: LuphiaLoves
Can you think of anything unappealing about the design of vintage typewriters? They evoke feelings of long, arduous hours of thinking and rethinking brilliant ideas, plunking along until the last page is yanked from the rollers with satisfied uncertainty. It's old school at its best. Even if you're not a writer, you can't deny the coolness of a vintage typwriter sitting there all "I still look so good, even if you prefer a boring keyboard". Grab one or two before it's too late. Plus, it's a darned clever way to add a splash of color...
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0008/4859/101509-stashhack3.jpg)
There's nothing like seeing something online, and instead of reaching for your wallet and hitting the Paypal bookmark, you head to the hardware store (where you'll eventually reach for your wallet, but the total will be much less) cause you're about to make it yourself.
The Stash storage system is one of those projects. These modern honeycombing cylinders hold your office supplies, cosmetics, crafty bits...even silverware. And when you make it...
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0008/5721/dscf4759.jpg)
This is one of those 'why didn't I think of that' moments. A scrap piece of 4" x 4" and a little imagination and a pencil and pen caddy was born. To make one, you'll need....
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0008/8719/double-v.jpg)
Actually, it's called the Double-V and it's by Zmik. But when I first saw it I thought upside down sawhorses. And then I thought slab interior door and a can of semi-gloss. Via.
You'd think they'd figure it out by now...but no, updated phone books still land on your porch, often in pairs, every few months.
So, instead of immediately tossing them in the recycle bin, since you're obviously not an idiot and have discovered online tools that are far superior, make something useful....
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0008/8745/phone_book_pencil_cup_29.jpg)
Chica and Jo offer this use: a desk organizer for office supplies.
Materials
TreeHugger has assembled a collection of wall-hung workstations that fold away when not in use.
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0009/1194/oak-fold-down.jpg)
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0009/1215/folding-fabric-desk.jpg)
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0009/1249/folding_dsk2.jpg)
This cantilevered desk by Uniform Studio is sleek, mouthwatering, and makes the whole space seem less cluttered and larger...I wonder if you can sit on it when brainstorming.
/http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i207/modernlover62/ALBUM%208/floating-desk-1.jpg)
Via Materialicious.
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0009/5957/hack2finished2.jpg)
Adam from Boston used an Ikea benjamin stool to hack a laptop desk. All you need to pull this off is the $20 benjamin stool and a $6 coping saw. Brilliant.
The Bureaustoel CW, designed by Studio Wolf Brinkman, might be translated as DeskChair: the desk includes a built-in chair, not to sit in and accomplish work, but to sit with your back to your paper and computer, relax and reflect.
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0009/6744/bureaustoel-cw.gif)
Via Design Spotter.
Whether you're writing your next novel, balancing your checkbook, or simply creating a killer Curbly post, it's essential to be inspired and motivated by your workspace. Here's ten ideas for making your home office a creative haven on the cheap.
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0010/0398/home1.jpg)
/http://www.usbfever.com/member/37704/products/331_USB_GreenHouse_1.jpg)
Add a little green to your office space with this USB GreenHouse. Complete with a growth light, protective dome, artificial soil and Marigold seeds, the plant pad interfaces with your computer to monitor your vegetation’s growth rate. Added features include calendar, wallpaper and bookmark settings, all of which will remind you that your desktop plant cannot live by USB cable alone. From USB Fever, $42.99.
/http://www.usbfever.com/member/37704/products/331_USB_GreenHouse_2.jpg)
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0010/1902/k7046c.jpg)
At only 8" high, this little vacuum will keep those morning donut crumbs under control. It’s equipped with a 45" cord and its handle enables you to convert from upright to almost flat, just like a full-size Hoover. From whatever works for $19.99. (Due back in stock on 11/12/07)
/http://www.pier1.com/Images/catalog/g114244_240_240.jpg)
Check out this clever desk. The top extends to an ample 48 inches when you need the workspace and slips back creating a compact chest when you don’t. The best thing about it? It’s ON SALE at Pier 1 right now for $299 (regularly $379.)
/http://www.pier1.com/Images/catalog/p02126809_240_240.jpg)
We've seen puzzling floors, [twice] and now, welcome puzzle furniture.
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0015/7916/puzzle_table.jpg)
The Puzzle Table, apparently also called "Drift", was inspired by sliding puzzles. The desk includes five bold pink compartments with four sliding doors, which can be repositioned to make each compartment's contents available.
Cool design, cool color pallette.
With the walls painted, it was time to address the work station. I considered the surface space that seemed comfortable. I wanted enough room to spread out but not so big that it would overpower the room. I decided 22" by 48" would work just fine. As it happened, we had an old, laminated desktop–leftover from another re-do–out in the garage accumulating dust. It was on the big size, so MWT* trimmed it down to size.
I also knew I wanted two...
Add these pieces of flair to your desk and you just may begin to like your office space.
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0010/8330/stapler_sticky_notes2.jpg)
A stapler Milton would love.
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0001/3920/red_staple_remover_large.jpg)
A red staple remover to match, perhaps?
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0010/8380/ahernstore_1926_11954019)
A phone the same color as the firetrucks.
/http://assets.curbly.com/photos/0000/0010/8408/fl13281set.jpg)
And a red leather desk accessory set even Lumbergh would envy.