Woodworker: Joseph E. Whitman

Whitman knew he spotted a deal when he saw 50 board feet of ugly-on-the-outside curly maple at a local home improvement store. Staffers did realize the value and sold it for cheap. Whitman cleaned it up and wanted to make a piece to last with the beautifully-grained material. He got design inspiration from the pedestal desk on front cover of Andy Charron’s book Desks. The desk was designed by Paul and Michael Wilson of Wilson Woodworking in Windsor, Vermont. Whitman spent his weekends building and two and a half years later, the desk was complete. Whitman used the maple and curly cherry as primary material with white pine as a secondary wood. The finish is oil and varnish.

Photo: Joe Whitman

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