Andrew Laing, Study Desk for Irene Laing (TABLES, CHAIRS, DESKS 2021 )

Made by: Ruth Morton and Andrew Laing Design Concept: Ruth and Andrew promised Irene a hand-made Christmas present early in December 2020 - secret until Christmas Day! We decided on a desk for a guest bedroom - sitting comfortably in a corner with a teak desk chair. It is 1200mm long, 650mm wide and 750mm high. We wanted Australian timber with a strong colour contrast between frame and the top; and generous leg space; while pulling the legs away from the corners to provide unobstructed access around the desk. The aim was to reflect the fusion in the house between traditional Australian and elegant Japanese styles. This led to a wormy chestnut desktop and recycled forest red timber for the frame. The deep bridle joints between the rails and legs, and the generous mortise and tenons between legs and cross rails, make the desk stiff and long-lived. The horns of the legs are cut into the top to show the contrast of colours and the desk is finished with a oil/wax blend. The bridle joints in the legs, and the tenons, were cut on a bandsaw; the mortises and recesses in the rails with a router.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.