Woodworker: Miguel Gómez-Ibáñez

The vargueño is a 17th century Spanish writing desk made to be portable. The interior might be elaborate, but the exterior could be as plain as a packing crate. The idea appealed to Gomez-Ibanez, who made a simple case to contain an exciting interior. (Though he did spend an hour or two on the leafy carvings and the bine turnings of the base.)

Inside, Gomez-Ibanez built a set of drawers and asked a friend, Joseph Reed, to paint a botanical alphabet to decorate them. Most of the drawer fronts are comprised of multiple letter-panels–RSTU is one wide drawer for example, and JN is one tall, narrow one. A and Z are single drawers than only open by releasing secret latches.

Photo: Dean Powell

Launch Gallery