LumberJocks
DAILY DEALS Cast Iron Coffee Mill Mechanisms and Coffee Mill Well Kits, with FREE Downloadable Plan!  |  Makita Makita Recon LCT203W 10.8 Volt Lithium Ion Impact Driver 2 Pc Kit

Arts & Crafts Writing Desk

Project by mjon posted 622 days ago 1399 views 8 times favorited 23 comments Add to Favorites Watch

This desk is made from solid quarter-sawn white oak. The top weighed a ton, and was hand-planed. The drawers feature hand-cut dovetails and the square pegs are ebony from recycled piano keys. The finish was first dyed with a Mission Walnut dye, and then I followed that with two coats of dark Danish oil, followed up by two sealer coats of Waterlox, followed up by four coats of a linseed/beeswax mixture. On the top I used Waterlox high-gloss, and then buffed it all out for a nice sheen. The dye really makes the quarter-sawn oak pop. I’ve made several pieces for this customer, and this is the way I’ve done all of their pieces. Stain is evil, stain is bad—but it works for Mission-style furniture, so what can I say?

Thanks for all your great comments – What was that I read about Ellvis and Norm in the same sentence?


23 comments so far

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9521 posts in 883 days


posted 622 days ago

Great job. Seems that a lot fine hand work went into it.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View Greg3G's profile

Greg3G

770 posts in 980 days


posted 622 days ago

Wow! Boy did that grain pop. I love the finish. I like the hardware as well. Great job.

-- Greg - Charles Town, WV

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

20651 posts in 716 days


posted 622 days ago

This is a wonderful table. The joinery looks good and the finish brings out the best qualities of the wood.

Very nice project.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

View Dano's profile

Dano

217 posts in 926 days


posted 622 days ago

Sweet, I like it, only wish I had some place to put a piece like it.

-- Dan in Central Oklahoma, Able to turn good wood into saw dust in the blink of an eye!

View Max's profile

Max

14431 posts in 1167 days


posted 622 days ago

That turned out really nice. I like quarter sawn white oak a lot and use it in most all of my projects. Great craftsmanship.

-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6439 posts in 877 days


posted 622 days ago

great grain selection ! you do nice work.

welcome to lumberjocks

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View ND2ELK's profile

ND2ELK

6176 posts in 668 days


posted 622 days ago

Outstanding job on the desk. You did a beautiful job on it. The finish really makes the piece. Thanks for posting.

Tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

View Dorje's profile

Dorje

1767 posts in 891 days


posted 622 days ago

Wow – superb job on this piece!

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

View cajunpen's profile

cajunpen

5968 posts in 960 days


posted 622 days ago

Beautiful choice of wood and the finish is spectacular. I really like the clean uncluttered design of the desk – another project that allows the wood to be the star. Very Nice Work!

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

View Robb's profile

Robb

356 posts in 828 days


posted 622 days ago

What a beautiful piece! Great craftsmanship, thanks for sharing it.

-- Robb

View Tim Pursell's profile

Tim Pursell

388 posts in 676 days


posted 622 days ago

Great desk! I agree with you—solid qswo can get very heavy—- quick!
Dye/stain combo is really the best way to get the grain to pop and showcase the Arts & Crafts style.

-- http://www.grandprairiewoodworks.com http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6453794

View darryl's profile

darryl

1392 posts in 1221 days


posted 622 days ago

This piece is sensational, truly great work!
I love the look of the whole piece.

-- www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.darrylmasterson.etsy.com

View Mario's profile

Mario

882 posts in 946 days


posted 622 days ago

Beautiful desk, You do great work. Thank you for the post.

-- Hope Never fails

View tenontim's profile

tenontim

1319 posts in 639 days


posted 622 days ago

Very nice. I like the design.

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7632 posts in 1113 days


posted 622 days ago

Outstanding!

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

View Lakey's profile

Lakey

99 posts in 667 days


posted 622 days ago

Absolutely gorgeous – very nice work.

-- "No Board Left Behind"

View teenagewoodworker's profile

teenagewoodworker

2481 posts in 662 days


posted 621 days ago

that is beautiful. i love the arts and crafts style. its so simple and so elegant at the same time. the color really brings out the beauty in the piece. great job.

View relic's profile

relic

342 posts in 831 days


posted 621 days ago

The desk is amazing, the QSWO is really something.

-- Andy Stark

View Dominic Vanacora's profile

Dominic Vanacora

504 posts in 764 days


posted 620 days ago

Outstanding, absoutely gorgeous, beautiful, Oh someone said that already.
Very clean lines. Simple, but fits in any room. It will last a life time. You make it look easy. Nice craftmanship. I love the stain color.

-- Dominic, Trinity, Florida...Lets be safe out there.

View ToddE's profile

ToddE

126 posts in 829 days


posted 619 days ago

Very nice desk.

-- Do we do this for purpose or passion?

View JetJock's profile

JetJock

21 posts in 620 days


posted 615 days ago

Beautiful. You can tell you put quite a few hours into this piece.

-- Todd C, Central Illinois

View jeanmarc's profile

jeanmarc

1751 posts in 611 days


posted 485 days ago

Great job.What a beautiful piece!

-- jeanmarc manosque france

View trifern's profile

trifern

7894 posts in 661 days


posted 482 days ago

Gorgeous desk. Your finish is spectacular.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

You must be signed in to post the comments.

  • View all advertisers
  • Advertise with us

DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. LJ will not be held liable for the actions of any user.

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

HomeRefurbers.com

Latest Projects | Latest Blog Entries | Latest Forum Topics

GardenTenders.com :: gardening showcase