Homestyles Arts & Crafts Pedestal Desk, Brown

This is an excellent desk for the price. I needed a very specific size desk and this fit perfectly. It took a long time to put together, but is very solid and heavy. I can already tell it will last for years. I didn't notice any particleboard at all when putting it together, drawers and back are all made of solid wood. Looks good on all sides. One of the drawers sticks a little but that should work out over time. Plan on three hours of assembly, and put it together on carpet or old towels to avoid scratching the finish. Unlike other reviews, the desk I received was evenly stained and pretty much matched the picture in color. I shopped online and in retail stores extensively, for $424 with shipping, this beats everything else out there. Unfortunate that it is not American made, but you couldn't tell from the quality. The instructions were easy to follow and the boxes were well packed and included extra hardware. Solid buy

To Whom is interested.This post is quite lengthy but has a couple tips to help putting this thing together. One hint (instructions) is actually from the seller.Other than 2 major issues it went together pretty smoothly. Even with these problems it took me combined time of 5 hours. If I took out the problems I could have put this together in 3 hours easilyFirst my thoughts:It took me several months to decide on this unit. Even with some of the negatives in the posts. I finally took the plunge. I gave this a 4 star cause it's actually a nice looking unit when together. I wanted something nice to work off & my old 20yr old desk from Walmart was looking the age for sure. I'm happy with it so far & it turned out as expected.Now for some of the helpful hints.If you have one of those Phillips Screwdriver with the big broad head that you usually never use, USE it. It works well on the twist locks. Regular Phillips sometimes strips the metal locks1. This comes in 4 boxes 2 cubicle & 2 long.I got 3 one day & 4th the next.2. Open one box at a time & assemble that section. Then go to the next. Starting with the 2 smaller cubicle first. These are the drawers. There is a lot of pieces but they are marked. Just follow directions & it will go smoothly. After the first smaller box the 2nd is a wiz. They all come with extra hardware which I like & just in case.If a hole looks clogged get a small screw driver or toothpick & try sticking it in to see if it's just saw dust. I ran into this a couple times.Otherwise all mine were drilled & in the right spots.3. Big Hint #1. Box #3The dreaded keyboard drawer. Instructions are vague. Says just pop it in & Bam your done. Not necessarily so. I had issues. I literally had ball bearings going everywhere. Don't panic, they can be put back in. a. There is 2 black pieces in the rail on desk that keep those bearing rails from coming out. You can remove these bumpers (pop out with a knife or small flathead) to get those rails out. Be careful, you'll have to put 1 bearing in at a time as you slide the rail back into bracket. When done put the black plastic bumper back in place but if you try this next hint first you may not have to worry about it. b. I called the seller & they sent me instructions to put the keyboard drawer in. They say use a screwdriver (long slender flathead I suggest) and hold the bearing rails as you slide the drawer in. Well you can't technically just hold it from the bottom but you can slide it in behind the drawer. I'd use 2 screwdrivers (1 on each side) but word of warning. They will only go so far cause the handle will jam the screwdriver.My suggestion & what I used was 2 standard butter knives. With the drawer started but not fully pushed in do this: c. Place the knife handle side in the narrow gap between drawer & desk, behind those bearing rails. d. Push the blade end to the board on the back of the desk. Might want to put a 2x4/2x2 between blade & board & put desk against something solid or lay back side on floor with a 2x4 between that back board piece & wall/floor. Floor would be better. This will support that desk board from breaking plus keep the knives from damaging that desk board. Push drawer till the clips catch & drawer stops moving in. May have to put some umph or palm hit it to go in. This was the biggest complication I had with this thing. The door in general use goes in so far & with some resistance pops in & also when you pull it out. It isn't stuck or sticking. It's the way it is.4. Box #4. The hutch. Ok this was challenging also. Not sure but had trouble with the twist locks not staying locked. They acted like the head was not extended in far enough to lock. After some bent and even breaking a couple twist locks I got it together. After, I wished I had went back and screwed those lock screws back a 1/4-1/2 turn to see if it helped. I wouldn't much more than that or you would loose grip on those screws in the wood. Just a thought. Anyways other than that I have one hint to help unless you have 4 people helping you hold all this together by their instructions (I put it together by myself). Do steps in order as I list.1,3,4,2,5,6,7,8,9.Do 2 after 4. It can be done & also gives you better access to a couple of the lock screws. When you get to 2 after 4 place the unit face down on floor and piece the backing together and then do step 5 which will lock it all together. I battled with this (step 2) backing for a hour before I finally removed it & finished the next couple steps (3&4). Once you put the top on it & screw it to the desk it will be totally locked together.Sad some lady got screwed over by a handyman that took him 12 hrs. REALLY? Sorry to say He scammed you. Lady without the keyboard drawer cause bearings fell out. They can be put back in.

my husband and i decided that we needed a desk to do our work. I knew we could get one cheap from Walmart, but it would be flimsy and made of particle board and fall apart (our last one did.) If we were going to buy a new desk then my checklist had to be met. the desk needed to be sturdy, supportive, well weight distributed and looked like it could hold up to more than just a few months of work. I mean, we have pets and a toddler. a desk needs to be able to hold the weight of everyone, because who they heck knows what would happen when I left the room. after researching for a few days I finally decided upon this one. it had every I wanted, and I was excited. it arrived in 3 boxes. took several hours to build, we had to order pizza while supernatural played in the background (made a whole party out of the event.) the instructions were easy to follow and very helpful. the only issues we had were with trying to attach the top piece, the bolts don't line up in the center under the table like they should, so we are only bolted to the sides. Still holding up great though. I have had to stand on the desk a few times, actually..hanging curtain rods.. lol.. but it held my weight nicely, didn't dip, sag, make funny creaking noises or give me any indication of it breaking out beneath me.You get what you pay for, and I bought this well made, well structured desk, and it was money well spent. I think this desk will be here for the long haul.

The kit came in 4 very heavy boxes. The instructions for each component of the assembly were very clear and easy to follow. I assembled the desk and hutch myself but would recommend a second person to help from time to time. The whole process took me about 6 hours, but a younger person could do it faster. Everything fits, everything works, and I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quality solid wood product.

Using as a computer desk. Went together very well, no issues with assembly. Wish the computer tray would come out more. Other than that, nice unit.