Custom Writing Desk - (Part 1) - Conceptualizing the Design

Recently an Internet inquiry came through asking about how to commission a custom writing desk. After some preliminary discussions about various designs including the Kidney Shaped Desk, Rainforest Desk and 1927 Console/Desk it was determined that a customized version of the latter might be most appropriate for the required dimensions of 55" long x 22" deep x 30" high.



Based on this discussion an initial concept was sketched out and emailed to the client. As a starting point this design has curved, tapering legs and a bowed apron with elevated ribs to support a Macassar Ebony top. The fact that the cross ribs are elevated helps creates the visual illusion that the top is floating.

Although I thought the idea was quite interesting and unusual, the client didn't like it. After further discussion the design was revised as follows:



This idea the client loved. At this point we formalized the pricing with a written quotation, and a deposit was made so we could then make the scale drawings required to finalize the concept and work out the details.

Next: Custom Writing Desk - (Part 2) - Scale Drawings

Social Media Does Sell Custom Furniture

Some new custom furniture commissions have come my way recently, and in at least two of those cases Social Media has played a significant role in the manifestation of these sales. A few weeks ago a gallery located over 2000 miles from here received an Internet order for a Kidney Shaped Desk from a client located over 600 miles away. Although neither the gallery nor the client has ever seen or touched this actual desk, it seems that the client has been researching it online for more than 3 years and has fallen in love with it - so much so that she has now decided to invest in a purchase.

This commission is currently in the process of being made and it will be the subject of an upcoming series of blog posts. Last night I received word that another Internet order for a custom desk is also coming my way, although in this case the design will be a modification of my 1927 Console/Desk design.

With this commission the client was doing a tremendous amount of online research to find a writing desk that could be customized both to the size and aesthetic he was trying to achieve. Thanks to Google he came across several examples of my custom furniture work, and decided to make an inquiry.

Subsequent emails were exchanged, including digital renderings of suggested designs. Once the design parameters were established it was possible to determine actual pricing. The process behind the making of this custom desk will also be the subject of some upcoming blog posts.

Although I don't know specifically how much of a role my website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, Linkedin page and/or Blog has played in either of these commissions, it is clear that the Internet and Social Media are both playing ever increasing roles in the marketing and sale of my work.

I am pleasantly astounded at how a small, rural custom furniture shop such as mine can now use digital technology to carve a niche in a global marketplace that is becoming ever more fluid and dynamic.