Retro Console Desk – Solid Ipe Wood & Vintage Functionality

Retro Console Desk – Solid Ipe Wood & Vintage Functionality

Scientific Name: Handroanthus serratifolius

🪵 Retro Functional Desk: A DIY Project with History

Customizing a workspace is not just about aesthetics — it’s about functionality and comfort. The Ipe wood (Handroanthus serratifolius) desk I built carries my family’s history of over 40 years, using reclaimed planks from an old shelf. With the addition of a retractable drawer for keyboard and mouse, it reached a new level of practicality while preserving its rustic charm.

The best compliment came from my son: “I’ve never seen such a well-integrated setup!” That’s exactly what makes DIY projects so special — bringing ideas to life and adapting them perfectly to our needs.

📐 Planning and Challenges

My goal was to transform a small room into a multifunctional space: an office, sound studio, and painting area — all integrated. The challenge? Limited space. Every inch had to be carefully planned, and the desk became the centerpiece of the setup. Since the wooden planks were aged and warped, I had to adapt every detail of the installation to ensure a harmonious and practical result.

With an available area of approximately 29.3″ x 79.1″, I decided to use the full space for the desk, eliminating the need for legs. By mounting it directly onto the wall, I achieved extra stability for heavy monitors and a cleaner, optimized workspace.

🔧 Fixation and Stability

To ensure secure installation, I used steel brackets — two for each plank measuring approximately 11.6″ wide. Since the boards were naturally curved, I adjusted their heights individually to make irregularities nearly invisible in the final result.

To guarantee maximum support, I installed two parallel shelf brackets spaced approx. 33.5″ apart. This provided ideal balance for my 42” TV monitor, delivering a reliable setup for daily use.

🎨 Finishing and Strength

With both Ipe planks joined together, the desk reached a total width of approx. 23.2″. To maintain aesthetics and account for natural imperfections, I left a narrow gap of about 0.2″ between them. At the end of the structure, I repurposed a white board from an old furniture piece, drilled holes for cable management, and installed hinges for easy access.

The ultimate stress test? I sat on the desk — approx. 209 lbs — and it held perfectly. Proof that form and function can coexist.

🖋️ The Grand Finale: Retractable Drawer

For the final flourish, I added a retractable drawer using telescopic slides. I cut two support pieces of approximately 3.9″ x 15″ and mounted them with steel shelf brackets, leaving an approx. 32.7″ gap between them. Without leftover wood for the drawer base, I purchased a ready-made 31.5″ plank at Leroy Merlin.

After installing the slides — voilà! A drawer perfect for keyboard, mouse, book, or whatever fits your flow. For those who love trackballs like I do: no worries! There’s enough clearance to comfortably fit a Logi MX Ergo, bringing ergonomic satisfaction to a handmade solution.

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Handcrafted in Brazil · Reclaimed Ipe Wood · Designed with Story

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