Well, I got a new desk.
There was nothing wrong with my previous desk. It just that I'm spending more and more time at my desk, and need something bigger. That, and I'll admit it, I don't need much of an excuse to build something :)
What do you think? Not bad for scraps, eh?
Oh, and the finish is scraps too! I used leftover (from Grace's Bookshelves) Antique White by Valspar in flat, two coats, brushed on. I wanted the wood grain to show through slightly. Then I painted on two coats of satin polyurethane. It's now got a sheen but it's not goopy or glossy and you can see hints of wood grain. My favorite finish. Also, the Antique White is such a softer more pleasant color than traditional white.
And here is one unstaged. I'm always amazed at how beautiful a few 2x2s (well, more than a few for this desk) and some MDF can be. And strong, functional and sturdy. I put this one together completely with pocket holes (I use a Kreg Jig). It's worth the investment. You will make your investment back if you build just this desk.
Another bonus of building something yourself is the freedom to modify it to suit your needs. You can't tell, but my desk is actually 2" shorter than the plan calls for because I'm short, and wanted my keyboard to be at the exact height of the armrests on my chair. All I had to do was take two inches off the legs and adjust the middle shelf down an inch.
Now it's your turn. Want to make my desk yours?