Dakota Jackson's Maverick

Maybe it's the writer in me or maybe it's just Dakota Jackson's incomparable design sense, but the draw to the sleek and stunning Maverick Writing Table (shown above) is unmistakable. Measuring 90"w x 40"d x 30"h, the gorgeous desk is comprised of walnut and English sycamore veneers, flawless leather and polished stainless steel truss work. Designed with the corporate executive in mind, this desk provides a stamp of luxury in any office setting.

For those who need a little more room for storage, there is also a Maverick CEO Desk (shown above). With dimensions equivalent to those of the writing table, this desk also contains six drawers with stainless steel pedestal legs and accents.

Butterflies are free (well, not quite)

A butterfly is a thing of beauty, a little shot of color dancing about in the air, and defying the imagination. Why not bring them down to earth and let them help with a little interior metamorphosis?

A Ladies' Writing Desk originally designed by Gio Ponti and decorated by Piero Fornasetti at Van den Akker Antiques. Available in white and black.

These little jeweled napkin rings look as if they are alight on your table, in cloissone and cracked glass, by Dransfield and Ross.

The otherworldy and most impressive Butterfly Mosaic, part of the Sheer Glass Collection by Sicis.

The Rain Rug, hand-hooked and available in a variety of shapes and sizes through Surya.

Osborne & Little's Painted Lady, in a linen/cotton blend.

Back-painted glass, handmade in Abruzzo, Italy, the Butterfly Platter by Vietri.

John Derian's Pressed Butterfly decoupage wall grouping, gives an entirely new meaning to an artful display.

The sweetly delicate Butterflies Table by Lenox.

"The butterfly is a flying flower, the flower a tethered butterfly." ~ Ponce Denis Ecouchard Lebrun

Stable thinking

Seems the latest rage is one that started with a frat boy's frugality; two sawhorses, a piece of plywood and call it a desk! From "some assembly required" retailers to the most luxurious of the high end, to-the-trade suppliers, there is a sawhorse desk for every budget and design vision.IKEA's done it again with the VIKA series desks. The top is height adjustable, can be slanted as well, and had for a song!

The sleek glass top and black, nickel finish steel legs makes the West Elm version particularly suited to a modern aesthetic.

Bassett Furniture also gives their Guilford height and angle adjustability. What a great looking piece.

Love the look of the black leather case on brushed stainless steel legs from Ethan Allen.
Technically, not a sawhorse desk, but with the same feel, is the Jean Prouve' designed table with sheet metal legs and oak top. Reproduced to exacting standards by Vitra and available through Design Within Reach.
And then, the winner by a nose, the beauty of the Jean-Pierre Desk by Helene Aumont with leather insets, handcrafted in walnut with traditional joinery, and also height adjustable. Truly a work of art, each desk is numbered and stamped.

With so many choices, the sawhorses and plywood should be set out to pasture, along with the cinderblock shelving units.