FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, Harvey Ellis was the head designer at Gustav Stickley's Craftsman Workshops. The Number 708 desk was one of Ellis' better designs: balanced, simple and functional - which is saying something since most of his designs were very, very good indeed.
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But we thought the design could be improved for today's needs with just a little tweaking.
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First, the original letter wells were a great feature in the early 20th century when most mail was delivered first class, but they too small for today's standard paper sizes, not to mention DVDs and other essentials of a modern desk. So we redesigned them to fit today's needs a little better. Second, the desk's writing surface was a tad low. Americans in the early 1900s were a full inch shorter than they are now. So we raised the writing surface a smidge to make the desk more comfortable to work at.
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We also made it a little deeper so a computer could be mounted on the low shelf without hanging over and threatening anyone's knees. To keep the desk's original proportions, we then had to make it just a little bit wider.
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As a result of these tiny tweaks, the desk is now much more useful, but has not lost a bit of its charm, grace or elegance.
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DIMENSIONS: 40"W X 36 1/2"H X 22-1/2"D.
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HERITAGE PERIOD: Arts & Crafts, 1900-1941.
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CUSTOMIZATION: We can customize the desk for your particular needs, and can match most finishes. If you need a special wood species that is commercially available, we can accommodate you. We can also get wood that is not typically available, such as Kentucky Coffee Bean, Sycamore or Eastern Cedar. Contact us to discuss your particular requirements.
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CRAFTSMANSHIP: We make our version of the 708 Writing Desk out of the solid hardwood and select hardwood veneers in a nearly infinite number of finishes to match your decor. All original hardware is faithfully reproduced in wrought iron, bronze or antique brass. Or, if you prefer, you can purchase your own hardware, send it to us, and we will install it. Drawers can be made with conventional mounting or suspended on easy-glide full-extension drawer runners with self-closet feature. An optional mortise lock can be fitted to any drawer for privacy.
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USES: Use this desk as a homework desk in a bedroom, study or den, or as a household planning center in the kitchen. The two drawers store pencils, pens, post-it notes, and all the usual desk essentials.
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The Number 708 Writing Desk is completely computer-ready. You can use the lower shelf as a place to mount a computer. We drill unobtrusive holes below the writing surface for computer cabling and electrical wiring runs. Unless you crouch down to look for them, they are invisible.
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Our coordinating Arts and Crafts Bedside Chest can serve as a printer table that stores paper and toner or ink conveniently adjacent.
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PROVENANCE & WARRANTY: The table is signed by the craftsman who makes it, and comes with a certificate of provenance and, usually, a copy of the plans and drawings from which it was made. It is warranted in writing against defects in our workmanship for as long as you own it.. Contact us for a copy of our "No-Nonsense, Plain-English, Limited Warranty"

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