The desk that we use for work needs to be first and foremost, functional, with enough space for our ‘stuff”. I believe though it has to be visually appealing and inspiring. This helps us have a positive feeling when we use it. And, let us not forget that a desk is an important furniture component of a room or office. Often it is the centerpiece and can convey a sense of elegance, sophistication, and dare I say “power”.
Over time I have come to fully enjoy the art and craftsmanship that comes from building a unique desk. My approach is to first select the type of desk I want to produce. Is it a single wide slab of wood? Is it an epoxy river desk that brings in both the beauty of wood and epoxy? Or is it an amalgam of different planks, spliced together to create a wide pallet of grain and color?
I also try to envision where the desk might be used. Is it in the corner, along a wall, near a window, or placed somewhere inside of a room. My preferred method to reach these decisions is to let the wood itself guide me. I visit wood mills and suppliers, carefully examining live edge slabs until a particular piece of wood “speaks” to me, inspiring the design.
Wood grain – The inner beauty of wood
The true beauty of wood lies in its grain, especially in larger pieces like tables and desks, where it can really stand out and define the character of the piece. I work with a variety of woods, including pecan, oak, walnut, cypress, maple, and occasionally pine. Each type of wood has its own unique character, and I strive to highlight this in every table I create.
think beyond 90 degree angles and perfect rounds
I’ve never been one to confine my work to rigid, 90-degree angles. There’s a natural beauty in curves—the way they guide the eye, inviting you to explore a piece from every perspective. This is why I’m especially drawn to live-edge designs, where rounded edges and organic borders tell the story of the tree itself. While my desks are crafted to a standard 60 inches in length by 30 inches in depth, each river desk becomes truly one-of-a-kind, as I integrate the distinctive irregularities of the wood into a refined rectangular form. The result is furniture that balances functionality with artistry, bringing nature’s uniqueness into a structured space.
Think color and finish
For me, the most rewarding moment of any project comes at the finishing stage. After the careful planning, cutting, shaping, and, when required, the precise application of epoxy, I bring the piece through its final sanding and preparation for finish. This is the stage where the wood truly comes alive—where rich tones deepen, grain patterns reveal their story, and the character of the material shines, whether enhanced with subtle color or celebrated in its natural state.
The choice of finish is always guided by both form and function. For my upscale desks, I seek out wood species whose natural beauty requires no staining, allowing their unique hues and textures to speak for themselves. While some projects benefit from the added protection of epoxy, I most often turn to oils and waxes, and occasionally polyurethanes, to achieve a finish that enhances durability while preserving the tactile warmth and authenticity of handcrafted wood.
view the gallery of finished tables
View our gallery of tables. Click on any image to get more detailed information about that specific project.
