Colors
You choose the colors for your desk. Natural wood, stain, dye or paint are all available options.
Discounts for existing customers
Existing customers are entitled to 25% off the price of new products (one to a customer), 25% off the price of a desk customization due to a change of equipment, and 25% off the price of a new desk due to either remodeling or a house move.
Equipment changes
The equipment on your desk (particularly computer and audio visual equipment) is always changing. Media for storage and backup changes, specialized devices have to be fitted, and there's always something to add to the line of things to be plugged in for charging, from cellphones to iPads.
To make sure your desktop doesn't wind up with spots where screw holes have been filled, the modifications I make to desks are designed to be reversible.
Finish
I usually recommend either varnish or shellac as a finish.
Varnish is hard wearing, but can be affected by long exposure to daylight and is difficult to repair without sanding the whole surface down to the wood and starting again.
Shellac is a classic finish and is reasonably tough. Lots of furniture has survived two centuries with an original shellac finish. It can be damaged if water is spilled and left on it, and alcohol spills would dissolve it, but localized damage can be repaired without the whole surface having to be redone.
The iPad stand and foldaway laptop stand both use a carved, wooden hinge. With these I use a Sam Maloof oil and varnish finish.
Joinery
The materials you choose and the style of the desk usually determine the way it is put together. Hand-made joints in solid wood are my specialty, but I'm also happy to use appropriate fasteners in man-made materials if you prefer them.
Materials
You choose the materials for your desk. I work with solid wood or man-made parts, depending on your preference. I recommend particular materials where structural parts need to carry weight.
Moving
I design desks to be easy to dismantle when moving them to a different office or house. For instance if a desk has legs, they will be detachable so the desktop can be moved through doorways.
Price
Each desk project is unique to the individual, so prices vary. In your quotation I include a price estimate that is good for 30 days. Once you accept my estimate, it won't change unless you want to make changes to the design that would increase time and material costs. As a guide adaptations so far have ranged from $200 to $1,500 and new desks have ranged from $1,000 to $4,500.
Shipping
I only ship portable items like the iPad stand and foldaway laptop stand for now. Desk adaptations and new desk projects require visits by me to your office or home site for measuring and, after shaping, joining and finishing the parts, for on-site assembly. Consequently at present I am only making adaptations and new desks for customers within a 30 mile radius of Seattle.
Strength
I make desks to be as light as possible, but strong enough to carry the equipment and things you need and be stable in use. Unless specified they are not designed to carry the weight of a person and should not be used as platforms for painting the ceiling or changing lightbulbs.
Time
The time a desk project will take is included in my estimate. Once you decide to proceed I'll include the work in my schedule and give you an expected completion date.
