Sure, it is ubiquitous. Sure it is basic. But I think it's beautiful, versatile, adaptable and often very affordable! Its the Parsons desk. It is just the right height (even for the very tall) and shallow enough to suit smaller spaces. And the desk's simple lines make it perfect for any kind of decor, from modern to traditional.
The Parsons table was designed by French designer Jean-Michel Frank in the 1930s while he was teaching a course at Parsons Paris School of Art and Design, then known as the Paris Atelier. The New York Times explains that, Frank challenged students to design a table so basic that it would retain its integrity whether sheathed in gold leaf, mica, parchment, split straw or painted burlap, or even left robustly unvarnished. What grew out of Frank's sketches and the students' participation was initially called the T-square table…
The key is that the table or desk's four flush square legs have a thickness identical to the thickness of the top.
Knock-offs of the original Parsons table are everywhere these days. The desk version is particularly popular. Mine is from West Elm, selling for $199 and up, but it is available elsewhere at an even cheaper price tag. There are versions sold at Overstock, Target and Walmart, though I cannot attest to their quality.
FIRST ROW
1. Zsa Zsa Bellagio. I love this double-duty home office with two parsons desks in shiny white separated by streamlined storage. On the right: Coco Kelley. This image has made the rounds many times but I can't resist. I love the mix of old and new and the yellow Parsons.
2. Identify This Multi-Functional Desk. The Parsons functions as an excellent sofa table if you have the space.
3. Casa Sugar.
4. Houzz. Double the fun with two desks lined up against the wall.
5. Houzz.
SECOND ROW
6. Cozy at the Computer: Using Arm Chairs as Desk Chairs. Who says the desk can't be in the bedroom
7. 6th Street Design School. I'm not a huge fan of the curtains but I love everything else about this room. The chandelier, the shelving and the kelly green. What a refreshing, upbeat setting for a home office.
8. Metropolitan Home via Anh Minh I'm not male. Nor am I young. But I still love this fabulous room designed for a young boy.
9. Made By Girl.
10. Lola Lina. It's a tiny little dining set -- too small for amazons like me--but it sure looks good.
THIRD ROW
11. Mimi and Meg. A nice reminder that you really can put furniture in front of a fireplace...and in front of a window. Cozy, warm and light.
12. Laura's Mid-Century Melrose Place House Tour. Not sure about the goth chandelier but the Parsons desk is perfect in this otherwise understated room.
13. Apartment Therapy.
14. Design Sponge.
15. Everything LEB.
Do you own a Parsons desk? Which room is it in? What do you use it for? Where did you get it and how is the quality?
Images: As credited above.
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I have the basic cheapie IKEA version which is made poorly but with great care I've kept it going and looking new for well over 5 years. It won't last forever but I've found a million uses for it. I won't get tired of this design for a long time. But those with a drawer or two, that's adding a lot more usefulness to an already great design.
Love it, it's my favorite piece of furniture in my pad.
When we bought our house, the previous owners left behind a large Parsons-style table (not a desk, it was square rather than rectangular, and a great chrome yellow color.) We used it as a make-shift dining table until we constructed our permanent dining room table, then we used it as a utility table as we renovated the rest of the house. Eventually we discarded it, but I still think about it now -- many, many years later -- and wonder if we should have kept it. I like to think that it's still in use by someone who appreciates it.
Want one for my "breakfast nook" -- the round table I have sticks into the walking space too far...
Nice roundup.
I'm glad you featured one as a dining table.
"Its the Parsons desk."
Sigh.
Its = possessive pronoun
It's = contraction of it is
I think you were looking for the latter.
Love the lesson!
West Elm has a good ParsonS Table.
Got a yellow one from Overstock last year, and so far there is nothing to complain about. It's much sturdier than I expected, and the finish is good. Prices at that site fluctuate, and so I waited until it was $69, (shipping was less than three dollars). I'd say it was a good deal.