This project was built and designed by Jonny from Jonny Builds. It’s a farmhouse-style desk that blends rustic wood, industrial pipe, and thoughtful storage into one functional piece for the home office or studio.
Designed with both style and usability in mind, the desk features built-in shelving, iron pipe supports, and a vintage-style desk light. It’s wide enough to fit a large computer monitor, with plenty of room left for books, notebooks, or creative work.
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A Rustic Desk That Works Hard
This project is a great example of farmhouse furniture that goes beyond looks. The trestle-style base, made from pine 4x4s and 2x4s, gives the desk a solid foundation. Added iron pipe accents provide structure while enhancing the desk’s industrial character.
One key feature is the built-in desk light, which adds warmth and a touch of vintage charm. Combined with open shelves and a large desktop, this piece balances modern needs with classic design elements.
Choosing Materials That Work
Jonny builds the entire frame from pine lumber, including 2x4s, 4x4s, and 2x6s sourced from a local home center. Pine is easy to work with and takes stain well, making it a solid choice for builders of all experience levels.
Iron pipes are used as both functional supports and visual highlights. A ½-inch pipe acts as a stretcher between the legs, while a thicker pipe holds the side shelf. These materials are available at most hardware stores and add both weight and durability.
Starting the Build: Preparing the Wood
Jonny begins by flattening and squaring the pine boards to ensure clean, tight joints. Once the pieces are surfaced, they’re cut to length with care to match the proportions of the design.
The trestle base is built first. 4×4 legs are connected with 2×4 cross pieces, creating a frame that’s both sturdy and symmetrical. The horizontal stretcher pipe is threaded through pre-drilled holes, offering extra strength and a nice industrial detail.
Integrating the Shelf and Pipe Support
On the left side of the desk, Jonny adds a vertical iron pipe that supports the corner shelving. This pipe is securely fastened at both the base and the shelf above, adding visual balance and helping the upper shelf stay steady.
Shelves are cut from matching pine and installed with spacing that allows for books, tools, or decorative items. Their open design keeps the space feeling light, even with multiple layers of storage built into the structure.
Building the Top and Installing the Light
The desktop is made from wide pine boards joined together to create a smooth surface. It’s large enough to support a 27-inch monitor, a lamp, and still leave workspace open for writing or drawing.
One standout detail is the Edison-style desk light installed in the top. Jonny routes the wiring cleanly through the wood and installs the fixture near the corner of the desktop. The result is a warm, useful feature that complements the overall design.
Assembly and Final Touches
Once the frame, shelves, and top are assembled, Jonny sands the entire piece for a smooth finish. All edges are softened to remove sharp corners and bring out the clean lines of the design.
He finishes the desk with Danish oil, which enhances the natural grain of the pine and protects the surface from wear. This type of finish is ideal for a rustic piece—it adds depth without a plastic look and keeps the wood feeling natural.
A Design That Balances Looks and Use
What sets this desk apart is how it merges classic style with everyday practicality. It’s big enough to serve as a full-time workstation but compact enough for home use. The shelving adds storage without clutter, and the built-in light makes it even more functional.
The mix of pine and iron pipe gives the piece a farmhouse-industrial feel that fits into many different settings. Whether you’re working from home, gaming, or simply need a well-organized space, this design covers all the bases.
Built to Be Customized
This design is easy to adapt. Builders can add more shelves, resize the top, or swap the pine for hardwoods like oak or maple. The built-in light could also be modified for different bulb types or power sources, depending on the setup.
Jonny’s approach makes this build both accessible and inspiring. It uses tools and materials that most woodworkers already have on hand, keeping the build process simple and efficient.
Please support Jonny by checking out his website here: https://www.jonny-builds.com/.