This project was built and designed by Kelley from Waterfall Woodworking. It’s a stunning epoxy-filled standing desk created from a single slab, offering both function and artistry in one beautiful workspace upgrade.
The build features live edge details, an eye-catching epoxy pour, and a smooth, adjustable desk frame—making it a standout addition to any home office. Kelley walks through each step of the process, showing how creativity and problem-solving come together in a rewarding woodworking project.
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Choosing the Right Slab
Kelley started the build by selecting a slab at her local lumber yard. The perfect piece had a deep crack down the center—a flaw that became the centerpiece of the design once filled with vibrant purple epoxy.
Leaving extra length at each end, Kelley planned ahead to allow for trimming after the epoxy cured. This small step ensured the final surface would be clean and professional, with room for adjustments along the way.
Prepping for the Pour
The bark was first removed from the slab’s live edge to keep it clean and stable. Since the bark was minimal, this went quickly and allowed the natural edge to remain intact.
Next came prepping the large central crack. Kelley carefully sanded out any loose fibers and cleaned the area thoroughly with compressed air and a shop vac. This attention to cleanliness is critical when using epoxy—dust or debris can ruin adhesion and clarity.
A Creative Epoxy Setup
Rather than using a traditional mold, Kelley taped off the underside of the slab, layering the tape to seal the crack. While this method can work for smaller pours, the size of the void presented a challenge and led to some epoxy leaking.
Despite the setback, Kelley moved forward and mixed up Total Boat Fix Out Epoxy with a bold purple pigment. The color choice gave the desk a unique visual element, turning an imperfection in the wood into a design highlight.
Flattening and Filling
After the first epoxy layer cured, it was time to flatten the surface. This step required a hand planer to remove uneven spots and excess epoxy—an intensive task without professional surfacing tools.
To fix leftover air bubbles and fill smaller cracks, Kelley added more epoxy in a second round of pours. Once everything cured fully, she sanded the entire slab starting with coarse grits and progressing to fine grits, revealing depth and grain that made the top shine.
Choosing a Finish
For the finish, Kelley used Walrus Oil Furniture Butter. It enriched the slab’s color and added protection, bringing out the contrast between the wood and the epoxy without creating a glossy surface.
This step not only preserved the slab but also tied together the natural texture of the wood with the smooth, glassy epoxy center. Watching the finish soak in revealed the project’s full potential.
Installing the Adjustable Frame
With the desktop complete, Kelley attached it to a motorized standing desk frame. The frame was supplied by Uplift Desk, a well-known manufacturer of adjustable bases.
The installation was straightforward, and the frame’s flexibility allowed it to support the slab securely. While it came with detailed instructions and an easy assembly process, the real reward came from seeing the handmade top paired with a clean, modern frame.
Balancing Beauty and Function
Kelley’s design balances natural wood features with technical elements, turning a rustic slab into a sleek, functional piece. The standing desk not only adds health benefits and workspace variety—it becomes a focal point that showcases her woodworking style.
From material selection to final assembly, the entire process reflects careful planning, skill development, and creativity. It’s a great example of how a custom piece can outperform store-bought options in both form and function.
Lessons from the Build
This project highlights a few key takeaways: first, be ready to adjust when your epoxy pour doesn’t go as planned. Second, always allow room for cleanup after a pour, especially when using irregular slabs.
And lastly, don’t hesitate to combine different techniques—live edge shaping, epoxy filling, and digital frame installation—to create something truly one-of-a-kind.
Please support Kelley by visiting her website: https://www.waterfallwoodworking.com/.
Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
Epoxy work on live edge slabs can be incredibly rewarding, but it definitely comes with its learning curve. When dealing with large voids like the crack in this slab, I always recommend doing a test pour on scrap wood first to get a feel for your mixing ratios and cure times. The tape method Kelley used shows great resourcefulness, though for deeper pours like this, building a proper dam with melamine or plywood usually gives more predictable results.
That hand planing work to flatten the surface is no joke—it’s a serious workout without a planer or router sled setup. If you’re planning similar projects, consider making a simple router flattening jig. It’ll save your back and give you more consistent results across the entire surface. The key is taking light passes and keeping your router bits sharp.
Safety-wise, epoxy work demands good ventilation and proper PPE. Those fumes can sneak up on you, especially during longer pours. I also like to have everything staged and ready before mixing—epoxy doesn’t wait around, and once you start that chemical reaction, the clock is ticking.
The color choice here really makes the piece sing. Purple epoxy against walnut creates such a striking contrast. It’s a bold move that transforms what could have been seen as a defect into the star of the show.