Dorsey Designs

DIY and Interiors by Sarah + David

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DIY Parsons Desk | Tutorial

Hey! First, I want to say thanks SO much for your kind words on my where we’re living post last week, your support means so much!!

Did you have a good weekend? I hope so! I worked on the gallery wall in my office. Still more to do, but I’m loving this side!

I painted a large canvas, inspired by this painting. I photographed a few succulents over the summer and made the print this weekend (frame was thrifted for $4, I just spray painted the mat white and the frame gold). Swoosh watercolor was painted by me, inspired by Sarah Swanson. M was thrifted (old aluminum letter from a sign). Oh You print is from Pottery Barn, I love the color and font!   
Last week, I shared our new Parsons desk, I love love love it!! Today, I’m sharing a tutorial (it’s actually more of a guideline, since the desk (with the drawers) is fairly detailed and the post would be long .. So, good if you just need the general gist, but not if you need a full tutorial. This desk without the drawers would be a much easier project, so consider that if you’re looking for a simpler version. 
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For the top: 
We cut a piece of 3/4″ birch plywood and surrounded it with poplar. The front edge (a piece of poplar) was cut at a 45 so that the drawer sits flush (the drawers are cut at a 45 too) 
The poplar side pieces were attached with hidden pocket screws, created with the Kreg Jig (one of our favorite recent purchases!!) 
The poplar 45 was glued in place. 
On the drawers, for the center to work, the outer edge has to overhand to allow for the face to align over the slide in the middle. 

For the legs, we purchased 4×4 pieces of pine and cut to size. Then we ripped all four sides down so that it was exactly 3″x3″(this also removed the rough surface) (our table saw blade wasn’t tall enough so we did two passes on each side. Then we notched the top (on the table saw) so that the leg would lock inside the support. (Table legs are typically expensive, so this was an affordable solution. Each 8′ 4×4 was around $8 at Home Depot, so each leg ended up being about $4.)

If you’re interested in making your own, I hope that the photos and diagrams help a little! Note: our drawers took a little sanding adjusting since our 45 (for the drawers and the front of the base) wasn’t precise. The plate for a our table saw wasn’t wide enough for the blade to be adjusted to a 45, so we cut it without. I’d highly recommend having the correct tools (especially for precise areas) to avoid frustration!

My TN office is almost done, just a few more finishing touches! Can’t wait 🙂

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Thrifting and/or Craigslist lacking in your area?? (or if you just like deals in general) Make sure to stop by tomorrow for a new to me site, can’t wait to share!

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