"Craftsman Desk" In Quarter-Sawn Red Oak And Walnut
This special two pedestal desk was built from hard-to-find quarter-sawn red oak,which is a full one inch thick throughout. The hand chosen black walnut borders and drawer pulls and the 3/4 inch thick, domestic, classic core walnut veneered panels trimmed in the red oak mark this as a desk for a woman of means. All mortise and tenon joinery, walnut panels mounted in recessed legs and flawless joints throughout, and dovetail drawer boxes make this desk the definition of an heirloom. The drawers float on Accuride-style ball bearing guides and the file drawers have built-in racks for letter-size file folders. It is finished on four sides for use in the middle of a room. Along with my own desk, this is as good a piece of basic woodworking and joinery as I will ever need to do. The top is wet-sanded three times, so that even this red oak is smooth as glass. And yes, at this price, you get a spare, hand fashioned drawer pull just in case:). This was shipped to the client in Ft. Worth Texas, where red oak is very popular. It does remind one of a beautiful walnut and oak stagecoach.
Long-time member
A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Fast shipper
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
Great service
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
Jonathan Walkey is retired professional furniture maker who now makes selected pieces for discriminating clients. I am a one man studio, specializing in decorative arts and crafts, mid-century, Greene & Green, etc. furniture. my own personal style generally includes contrasting hardwoods with beautiful grains and hand worked inlays. In between commissions I simultaneously work on personal studio furniture projects.
I was raised in Lincoln Massachusetts where my father was the director of the DeCordova Museum of modern art. My mother worked as an expert in fine crafts and furniture . I attended many arts and crafts classes and summer art camps at the Museum. I was trained as a silversmith at age 11 and at age 12 built a 10 foot kayak made of wood and canvas. I was a U.S. Navy trained aviation mechanic and earned my living for 15 years as a master mechanic, working mainly on motorcycles. I am also a former carpenter, criminal appellate attorney, credentialed teacher, professional writer, and painter.
Today I apply my talents and interests to building fine arts and craft furniture. My lifelong continuing education combines training of the mind with training of the hands. What you buy from Jonathan is fine art as well as heirloom quality furniture built to last many lifetimes. These qualities are reflected in the cost of my work, neither of which should ever be compared with that of commercial furniture.
- AZ
Ania Zownir
For Mid-Century Modern Solid Walnut One Drawer Desk5.0Outstanding work and quality. Love my new desk!
- CS
Carrie Simpson
For Walnut "Teepee" Table Base For 72 Inch Diameter Glass Tabletop5.0Thank you for the beautiful custom table! The 72" "Teepee" table base was a perfect fit in our client's home. We just installed last week and could not be happier! Beautiful piece and great customer service!
- HG
Heather Gittings
For Parsons table1.8My disappointment with this project has a lot to do with the fact that delivery/completion was 2 weeks behind schedule. Jonathan was very active in contacting me regarding the progress of the table in the beginning and then all of a sudden contact stopped. I was not notified that the table would not be delivered until it was less than 24 hours before it was expected, and that put a huge cramp in my Thanksgiving plans. My guests were served a buffet using folding TV trays. The fact that he was very nonchalant about it, too, was also frustrating. He knew he had travel plans before he wrote the proposal. He told me there was "really no reason why he couldn't get it done before he left". I just feel like he bit off more than he could chew and that he had to know there was a chance that he might not finish it, being an experienced craftsman. Less than 24 hours notice before delivery was absolutely unacceptable. I had very high expectations for this project but the broken timeline, which was contracted, and his overall attitude has really ruined it all for me. The table is nice and seems well constructed, but I'm just extremely disappointed with the experience I had that I've pretty much lost interest in it before it was even delivered. I hope no one else has an experience like mine.
- BS
BRANDON STEVENS
For Custom mid century end tables4.7Jonathan was freaking awesome! I couldn't find matching end tables for a beautiful mid century modern coffee table that I purchased awhile back, so I started looking for wood workers who could make a couple of them for me. I came across Custommade while surfing the web after a month of looking without success. I discussed the project with several other gentlemen on the site without any luck as they all had unreasonable asking prices for the work. I mean i expected to pay more than $1k for 2 custom tables but $3k to $6k was ridiculous! Then I came across Jonathan who was not only enthusiastic about the project from the start but also asked a very reasonable $1400 for the pair. We was very knowledgeable and gave some great suggestions throughout the process. I admit I was pretty picky and very specific in what I was looking for but he took it in stride and created 2 beautiful pieces that will be in my family for a long time to come. The workmanship is exceptional. I chose to drive down to San Diego from Santa Cruz to pick them up myself and meet the man who had done the work. Jonathan was very nice and I am glad I chose him to do the job. Great work great guy! Do not hesitate to have him do whatever you need done, you will not be disappointed!
- KS
Kathleen Stark
For custom night stands5.0We had a special request for Jonathan and he surpassed our wishes by far. His inlay work is delicate and graceful, embodying the best example of a centuries-old tradition. We love our tables and all that they represent.
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