1880 Writing Desk

This writing desk is a modified design that I worked up after seeing a couple of similar antique desks.  The originals were circa 1880 so I'm calling this the "1880 Desk".  The original desks had a single drop down door but I have also drawn one with 2 doors which I felt were more functional

Desk (1 Door)

Desk (2 Door)

1910 Writing Desk

This simple desk originates from Austria, circa 1910. The doors have beveled glass. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawers.

American Federal Writing  Desk

This is an American Federal writing desk with bi-fold doors on the top section that open to reveal small drawers and document compartments. The bottom section has a fold over writing section and two long drawers below. The piece is decorated with several classic Federal inlay designs. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawers.

American Mahogany Spinet Desk

A writing table or secretary with a hinged flip-top that reveals a pullout desktop with multiple storage bins. Known as a spinet or piano desk because when closed it resembles a musical instrument of the harpsichord family.  The desk sits on turned and fluted vase shaped legs.  Circa 1920. A solid desk with mortise and tenon joinery and dovetail drawers.

Arts & Crafts Bookcase - Scotland 1910

This desk originates from England, circa 1890 to 1919. The desk is supported by turned legs and a bank of drawers. The upper hutch has small drawers and scroll work on the top. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawers.

Arts & Crafts Ladies Window Writing desk

This Arts & Crafts Edwardian period (early 20th century) is unique and possibly one of a kind.  The rear multi pane window sets this piece apart form others. Besides the twin center drawers the primary storage is located on the inside and outside of the two end cabinets.  The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon.

Arts & Crafts Oak Library desk

This desk is done in an Arts & Crafts or Mission Oak style.  A solid oak desk with mortise and tenon joinery and dovetail drawers.

Arts & Crafts Secretary Curio

This desk is done in an Arts & Crafts design and brings together elements from both a secretary desk and curio cabinet.  These combined characteristics make for an interesting and decorative piece of furniture.

Arts & Crafts Walnut Writing Desk

A nicely designed Arts and Crafts walnut knee hole desk, circa 1920. The three frieze drawers sit above 2 end book shelves with spindled galleries. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawers.

Art Deco Jean Royere Desk

An Art Deco style desk with round pedestals and 4 drawers. The original is from France, circa 1920.

Art Nouveau Daily Desk

A nicely designed Oak Art Nouveau desk with hutch. The original comes from France, circa 1900. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawer.

Art Nouveau English Victorian Desk

A nice piece of period Art Nouveau furniture in Walnut from England, circa 1900. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawer.

Art Nouveau Mahogany Desk

An elegant Art Nouveau style French desk, circa 1905. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawer.

Biedermeier Period Ladies Desk

A Biedermeier Period Ladies Desk originating from Germany, circa 1855. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawers.

Carved Oak Desk

This desk has 5 decorative carved drawer fronts and sits on an 8 leg pedestal. The desk originates from England, circa early 1920s. The primary joinery is dados, mortise and tenon, and dovetail drawers.

Chippendale Kneehole Desk

Here's a copy of an original 1770s Chippendale period desk originating from England.  The desk top tips up to expose an interior with a slanted writing surface.  The joinery is mostly mortise and tenon and the drawers are dovetailed.

Contemporary English Writing Desk

Here's a functional and stylish writing desk designed with a contemporary English style in mind.  It has flaired legs, drawers above and below, and a drop down writing surface with plenty of storage space. The joinery is mostly mortise and tenon and the drawers are dovetailed.

Craft Desk

A smaller desk with plenty of storage that can be used for crafts. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawers.

Belgium Children's Desk

This drawing is of a rare Belgium children's desk build in the early 1950's.  The desk has a chromed-tubular frame with a Beach top and drawers. The desk has a retractable tambour cover.

Bent Leg Desk

This drawing reflects a modern design where the front desk legs flow across the front of the desk to form drawer handles. The desk is Oak and the joinery is mostly mortise and tenon.

Butler Secretary

Here is a drop front Butler's or Secretary type desk. The desk sits on turned legs and has a glass display hutch. The joinery is mortise-and-tenon.

Curved Mission Desk

Here's a different look at a curved leg desk in a Mission style.  The majority of the joinery is mortise and tenon.

Contemporary Teak Desk

Here's a copy of a unique Danish hand made Teak desk from the 1960's.

Country Desk with Hutch

Here's a copy of a unique hand made desk (C. 1900) that I saw listed on an antique auction site.  The desk has a rustic country look.  The base desk has plenty of drawer space and a slanted writing surface.  The hutch has an open arched book shelf, topped with a single drawer and flanked by 2 cupboards.  The joinery is mostly mortise and tenon.

Country Store Desk - Spool Desk

This is a slant top country store desk or spool desk. The lift top has a black writing surface. There is a raised area, designed like a small cornice that will hold an ink bottle and 3 pens. The original is from the late 1800s and was commonly found in country stores and served as a desk and storage cabinet for spooled thread.

Danish Mid-Century Secretary Desk

The original desk was manufactured in Denmark in the 1960s. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with locking rabbet joint drawers.

Danish Modern Secretary Desk

This is a classic Danish design secretary from the 1960s-1970s. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with locking rabbet joint drawers.

Delaware Desk on Table

This is an early 20th century design of a Delaware style desk on a table. The desk sits on cabriole legs and has a slant drop down writing surface. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with locking rabbet joint drawers.

Desk-on-Frame

Desks on frame are the rarest of the American slant top desks. This version is of New England style which dates back to the 1700s and mid-1800s.  The desk is a 2 part desk and frame construction and uses mostly dado and mortise and tenon joinery.

Desk-on-Frame - Early American

This version of a desk on a frame is a reproduction of an antique desk that I saw and liked the design.  I believe that the original was built a little later than the one pictured above.

Dickens' Desk

Here’s a copy of an original 1880s desk styled after the famed Charles Dickens desk.  This desk has the same characteristics of the original Dickens Desk including twin pedestals, double drawer handles and a sloped writing surface that opens to reveal additional storage space and drawers.  The upper superstructure has 8 small drawers that support a central turned baluster gallery and shelf. 

Early American Writing Desk

Here's a simple writing desk in an Early American or Colonial style.  The desk is the right size to function as a student's desk.  There are 5 drawers (three in the hutch and two in the base) and an upper shelf.  The joinery is mortise and tenon.

Eastlake Style Cylinder Desk

This circa 1875 Victorian Secretary desk and bookcase is based on the popular Eastlake style design with a cylinder roll top that was also popular during this period.  The desk and bookcase use mortise and tenon joinery.  The drawer joinery, rather than dovetails, is made using a cove and pin style that was popular in Eastlake furniture.

Eastlake Style Ladies Desk

This is a circa 1900 Victorian ladies tambour desk in an Eastlake style. The desk is unusual and may be one of a kind.  It has a pullout writing surface with a mixture of drawers, cabinets and book shelves.  The desk is very ornate and has an abundance of period carvings and period details.  The joinery is mortise and tenon.

Eastlake Style Library Bookcase

The history of this 1885 Victorian and Eastlake style desk is that it was handmade for a home in St. Paul and is made from solid Walnut. It has a glassed upper cabinet on one side with additional book shelving and mirror on the other.  The lower left side has a keyed cabinet within a cabinet.  The joinery is mortise and tenon with ornate spindles.

Eastlake Style Victorian Desk

This is a good example of a late 1800s Eastlake style Victorian era desk.  The original was made with Rosewood and burled veneers.  The joinery is mortise & tenon and dovetail.  

Edwardian Kidney Shaped Writing Table

This is a good example of an Edwardian period kidney shaped writing table made in Mahogany. The original dates to around 1890-1910.  The legs are forked and are spaced with a curved stretcher and the drawer fronts follow the curved shape of the top.

Edwardian Library Writing Table

A late 19th century Edwardian style library table from England. The desk has an extending writing shelf. The exterior is painted. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawer.

Edwardian 1900 Mahogany Desk

A Carlton House Edwardian Mahogany desk from England, circa 1900. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawers.

Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Writing Desk

This is a great example of a Edwardian period desk made during King Edward VIIs reign in Britain from 1901 to 1911.  This desk has curved sides & back with curved drawers on the base and top hutch.  The desk is rimed with inlays.  Much of the joinery is mortise and tenon. This desk was a challenge to draw and I would assume to build.

Edwardian Inlaid Writing Table

This desk originates from England, circa 1890 to 1919. The desk is supported by turned legs and a bank of drawers. The upper hutch has small drawers and scroll work on the top. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawers.

English 1800 Country Desk

An early English Country desk with a lifting writing surface.  The joinery is mortise & tenon with dovetail drawers.

English 1840 Writing Table

This is a good example of an early English Victorian Mahogany writing table, circa 1840.  The table has 3 drawers that stand on four tapered and fluted legs, with brass castors cups and castors.  The joinery is mortise & tenon with dovetail drawers.

English Library Writing Desk

This is an 19th century writing desk originating from England. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with locking rabbet joint drawers.

English Oak Secretary Bureau Bookcase

This secretary desk and bookcase is modeled from a circa 1920s.  The bookcase has leaded glass.

English Open Pedestal Desk

This rather large open pedestal desk or writing table was originally built in England around 1870.  The legs or pillers are tapered and fluted. The design and show of the paneled back makes the desk ideal for center room placement.  The joinery is mortise & tenon with dovetail drawers.

English Regency Ladies Writing Table

This is a Regency era ladies kneehole writing desk with 5 drawers and turned legs with brass casters.  The original was from England, Circa 1820.  The joinery is mortise & tenon and dovetail.

Executive Desk - Mid Century Modern

This desk is patterned from a mid-century (1950s) modern style built in the United States.  The original was built using Walnut and sits on hand shaped legs.

Federal Secretary Bookcase

This Federal style desk and bookcase is modeled from a similar desk from North Shore Massachusetts, circa 1800.  A writing surface folds out to expose additional drawers and pigeon hole compartments.  Dark Walnut is used for edging and inlays.

French 19th Century Secretary

This is a secretary desk originating from France, circa 1890s. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with locking rabbet joint drawers.

French Art Nouveau Tiered Desk

This is a French Art Nouveau Tiered Desk. The desk stands on curved legs with one bottom drawer and 4 upper hutch drawers. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with locking rabbet joint drawers.

French Country Writing Desk

This is a French provincial writing table originating from France, circa 1900. The primary joinery is dados, mortise and tenon, and dovetail drawers

French Painted Desk

This painted desk is from France, circa 1880. It has 6 drawers and 2 side extensions. The primary joinery is dados, mortise and tenon, and dovetail drawers.

French Provincial Writing Desk

This is a provincial writing desk or side table in the style of French Louis Philippe. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with locking rabbet joint drawers.

French Provincial #2 Writing Desk

A 19th century French provincial writing desk in the style of Louis Philippe originating from France. The primary joinery is dados, mortise and tenon, and dovetail drawers.

French Provincial #3 Writing Desk

This is a provincial writing desk or side table in the style of French Louis XIII. The desk originates from France, circa early 20th century. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with locking rabbet joint drawers

French Walnut Secretaire

This Secretaries desk is designed in the style of Louis XVI and originates from France, circa mid to late 1800s. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with locking rabbet joint drawers

George III 1800 Kneehole Desk

A George III era kneehole desk originating from England, circa 1800. The desk stands on bracket feet and has 6 side drawers, an apron drawer, a wide top drawer and a central cupboard. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawers.

Gillows Style Writing Table

A Mahogany writing table in the style of Gillows, London England, Circa 1845.  The table has two beaded drawers, a shaped gallery on three sides, and turned and reeded legs ending in brass casters.  The joinery is mortise & tenon and dovetail.

Gothic Cathedral Desk

This desk is modeled from the one made by M. Raymond and was inspired by the arches found on gothic cathedrals. The joinery is mortise & tenon and dovetail.

Hepplewhite Style Ladies Desk

This desk is modeled from a style known as Hepplewhite furniture made popular during the late 1700s and early 1800s.  True to the Hipplewhite style this desk is ornate and uses wood inlays. The desk has classic mortise and tenon as well as dovetail joinery. 

Honeoye Modern Floating-Top Desk

Iconic mid-century (1959) desk with a curved floating top.  The curved and tapered legs on the left side are held with brass supports.  There are 3 drawers and a handy book shelf on the right side.

Italian Mid Century Stoppino Desk

This drawing is based on a Italian desk designed by Giotto Stoppino from the 1960s.  The desk has a Tambour that closes over a shelf and inner storage compartments.  In between the upper and lower desk tops there are 2 drawers. The legs are tubular chrome steel.

Italian Teak Desk

This drawing is based on a Italian desk from the 1960s.  The writing surface pulls out for use and the top lid slides up and out of the way for access to the desk compartments.  There are 4 internal walnut drawers.  The desk sits on a wooden structure and each leg has an exposed final.

J Ross Teacher's Desk

This Gothic Revival teacher's desk is patterned after a J. Ross original, circa early to mid 1800's. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with locking rabbet joint drawers.

Kentucky Slant Front Desk

This drawing is based on a Kentucky slant-front desk circa early 1800s. The hutch was added with glass doors. The writing surface/lid drops down and is supported by a pull out support that looks like a drawer.

Kneehole Desk - Bow Front

Here's my version of a Kneehole Desk with bowed front drawers.  This type of desk was first manufactured in England in the early 18th century.

Kneehole Desk - Ladies Victorian

Here's my version of a Victorian Kneehole desk that is small enough to fit a lady.  The desk has 9 drawers and a shallow recessed center cupboard with door and an adjustable shelf.

Louis XVI Wall Desk

This is an early 20th century French Louis XVI desk and hutch. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with locking rabbet joint drawers.

Lexington Drop Lid Desk

An antique Bannister back armchair from New England, probably Portsmouth, NH, circa 1770. The primary joinery is mortise and tenon.

Mid-Century Corner Desk

A mid century modern corner desk with turned legs and a curved front section. The primary joinery is mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawers.

Mid-Century Double Sided Desk

A classic (1960's) Danish design in Teak.  The desk has an A-frame leg design that holds the top slightly above the drawer compartments.  The back side of the desk has 3 display compartments, two open and one with a swing down door.

Mission Arts & Crafts Secretary & Bookcase

This Secretary desk is done in a mixed Arts & Crafts and Mission style. The left side cabinet is a display or bookcase and the right side has a drop down writing surface that exposes pigeonhole compartments.  There is an upper shelf with mirror.

Mission Style Writing Desk

This is a my version of a Mission style wring desk.  As you may have already assumed for a piece of Mission furniture, most all the joinery is mortise and tenon and made from Red Oak.  I have added a hutch with ample drawer and shelving storage.

Modern Teak Cabinet

This modern cabinet is from the 1970s. It has a retractable writing board, several drawers and shelves that function as bookshelves.  The primary joinery is dados, mortise and tenon and locking rabbet joint drawers.

New England Writing Desk

This is an Early American or New England writing desk circa 1835.  The desk's highlights include scrolls on the backsplash and sides and visible dovetail joinery attaching the back and sides.  The original was made from Butternut wood.

New Hampshire Federal Secretary Desk

This model is based on a Circa 1800s Federal period ladies writing desk from New Hampshire. The base has four drawers and a fold out writing surface. The interior of the secretary top has several drawers and cubbies. The construction uses mortise-and-tenon and dovetail joinery.

Paymaster Desk

This is a my version of an Early American Paymaster Desk.  The design is simple and uses mortise and tenon joinery.

Pennsylvania 7 Drawer Cherry Desk

This is an interesting desk that is intended to be built in Cherry. The desk hutch has 6 drawers and a center cabinet. The writing surface flips open to extend the writing/working area. The construction uses mortise and tenon joinery.

Petite Antique Writing Desk

Here's a copy of an antique writing desk or side table with single drawer, scalloped apron, and graceful cabriolet legs.  Circa 1700s, from France.

Plantation Desk

Here's a fairly common and simple Plantation Desk. It has one wide drawer and the upper cabinet contains adjustable shelving.  It's designed after similar desks from the late 1800's to early 1900's.

Plantation Desk - American Walnut

This desk really doesn't fit the design and stile of a Plantation Desk, but it's unique enough that I really don't know what stile it follows.  The writing surface on the right lifts to a storage area while the cabinet on the left opens to reveal adjustable shelves.

Plantation Desk - Kitchen Hutch

An early example of a Plantation Desk that may have been used as a kitchen hutch.  Circa early 1800s.  The construction uses mortise and tenon joinery with dovetail drawers.  The hutch has two glass doors for display of its contents.  The inside of the hutch is painted white.  The legs and drawer fronts have decorative inlays.

Provincial Drop Front Secretary Desk

This Provincial Secretary desk has 3 lower drawers and a drop front that reveals a cascade of small drawers. It originates from France, circa 19th century. The primary joinery is dados, mortise and tenon, and dovetail drawers.

Regency Writing Desk-1960

This is a replica a antique style Regency writing desk made in England, circa 1960.  The desk has a serpentine front with 2 serpentine drawers.  The square tapered legs have a brass medallion at the top.  The hutch has 6 drawers and 2 doors.  The construction uses mortise and tenon and dovetail joinery.

Residency Campaign Desk

This desk has a bowed front with 5 drawers. The front half of the top flips up to reveal pigeon hole storage and a writing surface that pulls out. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawers.

Sea Captain's Desk

This is a replica of a Sea Captain's Desk from the late 1800s. This style desk, also known as a Davenport Desk, was commonly thought of as "Ship's Captain's" desks, very efficient and organized in a compact design that took up little space. Reputed to have gotten their name from the inventor, Captain John Davenport, back in the days of Clipper Ships plying their trade to the Far East.

Secretary Desk

This Secretary Desk was the first project that I designed from the ground up (in 1977) because I couldn't find a complete plan that I liked.  I took the best design features from several ideas and married them together to come up with this desk.  Photos of the actual desk can be found on the "Projects" page HERE

Traditional Style Writing Desk

This is a traditional mid 20th century Hekman style writing desk. The primary joinery is dados, mortise and tenon, and dovetail drawers.

Victorian 1880 Writing Table

This is a Victorian era writing table or "Bonheur du jour" meaning a type of lady's writing desk which was usually kept in the lady's bedroom, circa 1880. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with locking rabbet joint drawers.

Victorian Leather Top Writing Table

A Victorian era (circa 1860s) with 3 drawers and turned legs. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with dovetailed drawers.

Victorian Library Desk

This Victorian Walnut Library Desk is from England, circa 1872.  As you can see, the desk is quite involved and illustrates great craftsmanship.

Victorian Secretary Desk

This Victorian Secretary Desk is from England, circa 1890. The cabinet has several large drawers, two glass door cabinets with several shelves, and a drop down front desk that reveal several tiny drawers.  68"H, 47"W, 13"D

Victorian Drugstore Secretary

This is a replica of an 1880 Victorian Secretary that is said to be from an apothecary or drugstore. It is very unique and most likely one of a kind. It is made with 3 parts (base, middle and upper book case). The mid section has 2 locking compartments and a pull out writing surface. The model is drawn with detailed mortise-tenon and dovetail joinery.

Victorian Secretary Bookcase

This is a replica of a Victorian Secretary built with solid Walnut, circa 1860. There is a small flip out lid for a writing surface and the upper cabinet has adjustable shelves. The model is drawn with detailed mortise-tenon and dovetail joinery.

Wakefield Colonial Secretary Desk

This bureau secretary desk originates from the United States and is designed in a colonial or early American style, circa 1950s. The primary joinery is dados, mortise and tenon, and dovetail drawers.

Watchmaker 1915 Desk

This is a watchmaker's desk originating from the USA, circa 1915. The primary joinery is dados, mortise and tenon, and dovetail drawers.

William-Mary Writing Desk With Leather Top

This desk originates from England and is crafted in the style of William and Mary, circa early 1900 century. The primary joinery is dados and mortise and tenon with locking rabbet joint drawers.

Writing Desk - Mid Century Walnut

Here's a unique one of a kind American made mid century (1960s) desk or vanity.  The top has 2 pull out drawers floating on 8 chrome tubular legs.  The desk top has 3 light colored inserts and the leg tops and bottoms have chrome bands.