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Small desks that give you enough room to actually do some work are hard to come by these days. Most of the time there is only enough room for your monitor and maybe a pad of paper. That no longer has to be the case.
The Amish have come up with a design that really gives you all the room you need with plenty of features in the swing out desk.
It starts out 23″D x 40″W x 30″H closed. When you open it up you get an extra writing surface that is about 18 inches deep, a keyboard pullout and o the inside of the door you also have storage for paperwork and even software cd’s. Though that is a add-on that slides into the door compartment.
The door on this desk is on casters making it really easy to position it where you need it. One way I’ve seen this used is to swing it all the way out and have your kids sit next to you as they do their homework. In most homes it’s used in the L configuration as you see above.
Now the base comes in either the computer version as you see above or you can buy the file version that gives you 1 deep file drawer on the bottom and 2 smaller storage drawers above it. In the file drawer configuration there is no key board pullout. Instead its an open shelf under the desk top where you can easily store your laptop. With everyone seemingly switching to laptops this desk gives you plenty of flexibility that you cant find in any other desk.
For added storage you can also get 2 different hutches that make great places to store books and all kinds of other stuff. This becomes especially handy if you have to computer version. The open bookcase measures 12 1⁄2″D x 38″W x 31″H. The hutch with doors measures 13 3⁄4″D x 40″W x 42″H. They are not attached to the desktop.
One of the great things about this desk is that the builder had the forethought to keep the area behind the keyboard pullout and the CPU compartment open. That makes it so easy to connect everything. An added benefit is that there is plenty of air flow so your CPU doesn’t over heat. depending on the size of your machine you could even have room for and external hard drive to back up your files, which we should all do religiously.
The stool pictured is 16″D x 18 1⁄2″W x 17″H and can be upholstered with fabric, Micro fiber or leather. You dont have to get the stool but it is designed to recess under the key board so you have everything you need in one spot. That really ups the convenience of this desk.
If you have carpet on your floor it does make it a little bit harder to open the front but by no means is it difficult. Though that will vary depending on how deep your carpet is. The door is held closed with a surprisingly strong magnet.
The extra writing surface is very sturdy though I wouldn’t recommend laying on it to write like you see so many kids doing these days.
All in all this is a very innovative design that is well thought out and very well built.
Technorati Tags: small desk, student desk, expandable desk
Author: admin, March 5, 2009
When the Amish craftsman first made this bed I was very impressed for several reasons.
First it was a big departure for this builder from his more traditional designs
Second because of how well it’s built.
Third because of how contemporary the design is.
After marveling at the design my first concern was how strong the supports were on the sides. From what I’ve seen a design like this can be kinda weak if it’s not properly designed. So I set about checking and testing this bed out to make sure it was something I could stand behind.
After much looking, pushing, pulling & bouncing it’s more than obvious that the supports on the sides of the bed are plenty strong. I weight about 215 pounds & it didn’t even make a sound as I proceeded to bounce on top of the mattress right above each support, trying to make them give way. That is the sign of a very well thought out design both in style and strength.
I have to say that it didn’t surprise me much knowing this builders attention to detail and penchant for making bedroom furniture that is very heavy and strong.
In the picture the gateway bed is made of solid cherry with a very light stain. The actual bed is a queen size though you can get it in a twin, full or king sizes as well.
It is a platform bed so all you need is the mattress which makes it pretty nice.
The platform itself is about 4″ off the floor so it’s overall height is reasonable. In most cases you wont need steps to get into it like many platform beds I’ve seen.
You can have this bed made in a surprising range of woods including, Oak, Maple, Brown Maple, Hickory, 1/4 sawn white oak and Walnut. Again it’s pictured in Cherry.
Personally I think it would be absolutely gorgeous in a natural walnut.
Getting it without a headboard would make it even more contemporary, though I don’t know if this is an option.
Overall this is a true breakout design for the Amish and it’s nice to see them looking into the more contemporary and adventurous design. Especially in beds.
Author: admin, February 25, 2009
Here is a simple video on setting up a typical trestle table. As you’ll see from the video it’s really easy & doesn’t take that long. The video is only 4 minutes & 58 seconds long!