Q: I'm writing hoping one of the wonderful readers of Apartment Therapy might be able to help me source the desk shown in this image from the late Domino magazine. I'm moving into a very tiny apartment in a few months, and am in need of a desk that can triple as a drafting table, a computer desk, and as my dining table —and this one seems to fit the bill! If anyone knows where I might be able to purchase this desk (or one very similar to it), I would appreciate the help. Thanks!
Sent by Krissy
Editor: This one is an easy one — it's the very popular Parsons Desk from West Elm. It's been a favorite of Apartment Therapy and Domino readers for a long time and it even made our list of the best Cheap Furniture Basics. I personally have one and can attest to its sturdiness and overall usefullness — it's my favorite item in the West Elm line up from season to season.
The Parsons Desk with Drawers is regularly $299 at West Elm — but colors and finishes are frequently updated and retired so watch for sales of the trendier colors!
MORE PARSONS DESK
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• Top 5: Cheap Furniture Basics
• Good Questions: How Does Parson's Desk Hold Up?
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• Student Desk at Overstock.com
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The desk can be purchased at West Elm.
That a West Elm Parsons desk, I know 'cause I'm sitting at one right now!
http://www.westelm.com/products/f099/?pkey=coffice-desks-chairs
Yep, west elm. drawer is very shallow. not great for storing a lot, but wonderful clean look and very easy to assemble.
I have a few friends who have this desk from West Elm. Looks fantastic.
I have the little one! Love it.
Have one too.
I am a huge fan of the West Elm Parson's Desk. I have recently added the green version to my home to act as my entry table and my husband and I each have a dedicated drawer for our "drop station". It has also been doing a wonderful job holding the beginnings of my Jonathan Adler collection.
Check out my post at http://findthepretty.com/2009/11/a/
I bought one from overstock. It was much less than West Elm at the time - but it was about 18 months ago so am not sure if they still have them.
the article itself credits west elm parsons
sorry i should have checked first - $169.99 at overstock
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Student-Desk-White/2542757/product.html
I like the new yellow color, but I don't like that it has no keyboard drawer.
Can anyone comment on the durability of the parsons desk? I love the polished surface, but I wonder whether it will stay so sleek with use.
I had this desk in a limed oak finish. It was awesome. I let it double for a dinner table in my tiny apartment. I then sold it to a friend for a make up station at his salon. I bought it used and cannot praise it enough.
I'm pretty sure Parsons desks are brought up at least once a day on AT.
http://mylittleapartment.blogspot.com/
I don't know... but if anyone knows where to get a glass dome like the one covering the plant on the table, I'd love to know! I've been looking for one of these (without a glass handle) everywhere!
love the look of the parsons desk, but is it deep enough for drafting? my tabletop mayline wouldn't come close to fitting on this desk. 24" depth just seems a little tight to do much drafting at this desk. soo pretty, though.
Didn't Domino always source their stuff?
It also looks very close to the IKEA LACK sofa table which comes in birch, white and i think some other colours. I've seen the Lack table modified with a pull out keyboard holder attached underneath.
I was looking at the same desk in West Elm and they told me that they have the black one on sale for $129.99!!!
PhillyLass --
It stays shinyish, but will show tiny scratches quickly and easily (the rubber feet on my sewing machine, for instance, leave marks). At this point, the whole surface has a pretty even layer of minor scuffs, but it still looks shiny from across the room.
Also, after two years, I have a couple chips in the surface -- not sure what they're from, but it does occasionally get damp (spilled drinks, etc), and I drop things like scissors and cats on it from time to time. If you are super careful with things, it probably wouldn't be an issue. If you're not super careful, and you need it to stay super shiny, this probably isn't the right desk.
@ paperkite
the glass dome is a glass cloche and is traditionally used in gardening. See English Creek Gardens :(http://www.englishcreekgardens.com/Cloche1.htm).
Hope that helps!
paperkite - you may also find them sold as 'terrariums'
http://www.goodsforthegarden.com/retail/index.php?crn=209&rn=472&action=show_detail
it's too shallow for drafting with a Mayline (unless you only work on A4/letter size paper or a computer, and, as others have commented, it scratches...
I love my parsons desk, which my husband gave me as a wedding/moving gift late last summer. I keep a file box on the left side underneath, because there is plenty of space for me and the file box under the desk. It does sustain smudges and whatnot because I work and even eat at the desk all day every day, but it wipes clean easily with a soft white cloth. Scuffs are only noticeable up close, when the light hits it from a particular angle.
Following up on oopsdy's comment - this desk is definitely too shallow to work as a drafting table and also too narrow to act as a dining table for more than one. It really is a console table with narrow drawers. I would say you should look for a table 30 inches in depth for drafting. West Elm does have dining tables in this style which would work.
Good luck!
I had this for a few months in the wood veneer. It cracked terribly and I returned it.