In the journey of woodworking that I have taken, I did develop what is known as a style. I was unaware of its existence until a friend of mine when seeing a new piece remarked “Ah yes, in Philip style.”

Beech Top, Andiroba Legs, Clear Polyurethane Finish, 60″ Wide, 34″ Deep, Waterfall Drop 12″.

A couple that had been to visit us in our home and had just finished a lovely new office behind their house, asked me to make them both a desk. I asked for particulars and they specified a slab top and old-machinery legs. Any further details that I requested were generally met with “What ever you think best. We like what you do.”

My personality type is a “people pleaser”, so hearing that is both gratifying and angst producing. Do I really know what they want? Is this in keeping with what I do? I was very happy to learn that when I presented the finished desks the answer to both was a resounding “Yes.”

The Beech slabs that I worked with were stunningly beautiful. The grain variety, ingrown bark voids, and spalting in the sap wood all made for very dynamic and interesting surfaces. I added a few “butterfly inlays” to stabilize the slab where a check (crack) might possibly continue to spread. It is always a delight to work with beautiful wood.

I do admit to a “check on progress” after I had begun working on the slabs (each of which weighed more than 125lbs.), and before I had cut the waterfall element. Chris and I had this couple over for dinner and we looked in my shop at that time to see the desks in a rough state. They assured me that I was indeed on the right track.