The desk I want doesn't exist

[315]

So, I can't remember if I've post this before. I want a new desk. The one we have now my H dropped while moving us into this place (don't you worry... I gave him the I-told-you-so speech after losing the hiring movers battle). It looks awful and I don't enjoy using it. I really want a desk where I'm more likely to get work done and where my H can have his own chair and space. Maybe a few drawers, but nothing major. We have a separate filing cabinet. The drawers would hold basic writing supplies and some items like envelopes, stamps, index cards, etc. I'd prefer solid wood, simple design, less than $3000. The catch it seems to be that I want one for the two of us, so 70-80" wide. I haven't found anything like it yet. Room & Board, CB, West Elm, etc have not had anything like that.

Any suggestions or recommendations? Because otherwise I think it'll need to be custom-built.

ETA: Both H and I have laptops, so there's no need to computer storage-y kind of stuff.

[mrs.jacinthe]

What about getting a double-sided desk instead, or are you hoping for it to go along a wall?

[315]

Jul 29, 2014 11:12:35 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

What about getting a double-sided desk instead, or are you hoping for it to go along a wall?

Yes, the way our LR is laid out, along the wall is the only place for it.

[mrs.jacinthe]

What about doing it "piecemeal" then? Get an 8 foot long slab of butcher block from ikea and get drawer pieces from any modular system you like.

[downtoearth]

Can you help us out with a picture of a style you like (even if it's not long enough)?

Like any of these...







This webpage has some source ideas, but most are simple, modern desks:
athome.kimvallee.com/2011/03/office-desks-for-two/

This one is $1400 ish

www.houzz.com/photos/4062680/Wright-Desk-rustic-desks

[315]

I had thought about doing just a desktop with a set of drawers. I can't remember H's thoughts on that but maybe it would work. We currently have a rolling set of drawers but I think H wanted some on the desk for papers, etc as well.

downtoearth, thanks for those photos. I like the first two; that last is too rustic for my taste.

Something like this would be great but we definitely would need some drawers.



Even something like this:


All the stuff at IKEA is not wide enough or too wide or too flimsy looking. This thing needs to be something that will last.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Jul 29, 2014 12:14:03 GMT -5 315 said:

All the stuff at IKEA is not wide enough or too wide or too flimsy looking. This thing needs to be something that will last.

I totally agree with this, except the butcher-block part.  Definitely get the drawers somewhere else, though.

PB Bedford?  Resto?  Ballard?  Wayfair?

[demandypants]

what about two desks next to each other. I think you are really limiting yourself by wanting a single solid span of desk.

[msmerymac]

Have you priced out custom? I have a desk that was originally a custom order that didn't work out, and I got it on a steep discount - something like $700. I love it. It's solid wood with a metal base, 3 drawers, 5 shelves, about 50 inches long and 35 or so deep. There were definitely similar, custom made desks by the same designer that were about $2500 at regular price. So you might be able to find something in budget if there's no need for anything fancy.

[315]

Jul 29, 2014 13:14:54 GMT -5 demandypants said:

what about two desks next to each other. I think you are really limiting yourself by wanting a single solid span of desk.

Probably. Unfortunately, so far the options for getting two desks has been either too wide or too costly.

[dr.girlfriend]

How about the Bedford system from Pottery Barn, or the J.C. Penny knockoffs thereof? With a modular system you can do whatever you want.

[315]

Jul 29, 2014 14:35:19 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

How about the Bedford system from Pottery Barn, or the J.C. Penny knockoffs thereof? With a modular system you can do whatever you want.

Ha. That's exactly what I'm trying to replace. I don't like it. At all.

[315]

Jul 29, 2014 13:49:58 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Have you priced out custom? I have a desk that was originally a custom order that didn't work out, and I got it on a steep discount - something like $700. I love it. It's solid wood with a metal base, 3 drawers, 5 shelves, about 50 inches long and 35 or so deep. There were definitely similar, custom made desks by the same designer that were about $2500 at regular price. So you might be able to find something in budget if there's no need for anything fancy.

I haven't priced out custom. I really should, but I don't even know where to begin. I should look into some of my contacts from blogging and see what's local. Or I might ask my contractor if he knows someone in the area that does that.

[juliahenry]

Jul 29, 2014 14:10:26 GMT -5 315 said:

Jul 29, 2014 13:14:54 GMT -5 demandypants said:

what about two desks next to each other. I think you are really limiting yourself by wanting a single solid span of desk.

Probably. Unfortunately, so far the options for getting two desks has been either too wide or too costly.

This. Keep looking. If you get two, you can rearrange, use in a different space, etc.

[downtoearth]

What about two of these?

Jonathan Alder Desk
$450/each



Or this Sawhorse Desk - 58" long, so you could do maybe one, but likely might still need two.
$675/each