Object Description
‘Ripple’ black walnut desk by Tom Vaughan
British, 21st Century
Height 70.5cm, width 179cm, depth 81.5cm
This intriguing contemporary desk was expertly designed and made by the British designer Tom Vaughan (b. 1976).
The overall shape of the desk is elegant and paired down, however, the intricacies of surface finishing and manufacture add complexities to the final design. The plane is curved and finished with a rippled effect, imitating what one would normally see on the surface of water. The wood majestically curves and drops to the ground on both sides of the desk, leaving the central space under the furniture piece free for the user to move around.
An unusual feature and a testament to the high quality of work produced by Vaughan is the rippled detailing seamlessly swimming on the undersurface of the desk. Depending on what angle the piece is viewed, the water ripples masterfully carved in wood appear and disappear from one’s view.
This superb desk would present wonderfully in both traditional and contemporary interiors, its subtle yet complex design features showcasing the craftsmen’s skill.