How To Build an Epoxy Desk- The Comic Book Office

May 31st, 2010 → 11:22 am @ admin // One Comment

OBJECTIVE:
As an author, comedy writer and stand-up comic my objective was to create an office space that would truly inspire my creativity while also being colorful, fun and above all else functional.

I had always been a fan of Superman comics and I knew the term ‘Superman’ was originally ‘Ubermensch’. The German philosopher Friedrich Niettzsche coined this word in 1833 and the definition was to suggest an individual whose creativity transcended ordinary human limitations. Since I make my living by being creative, it was the combination of my love for Superman along with the very definition regarding creativity that made choosing “Superman” for my office theme pretty much perfect. Plus what could possibly be more fitting for a stand-up comic than a comic book office?

As a writer I require a desk that is a bit larger than most. I spend 8-10 hours a day in my office and work on several books and articles at the same time so I needed space to spread out. I also wanted hidden storage areas so I wouldn’t have annoying computer cables all across my desktop along with a clunky printer taking up space. Bookshelves were also a priority in order to hold the many books I use for research. After designing my office on paper I then set up a personal goal of spending only one thousand dollars for the cost of the entire room including furniture, paint, desk, bookshelves and carpet. I’m proud to say that we achieved my goal and actually had money left over. But it sure wasn’t easy. Thankfully my best friend and roommate Robert Browning, is a skilled electrician and carpenter who helped me make the super office of my dreams.

TOTAL COST OF OFFICE:
$976.62 (Including Batman TV, Computer monitor, desk materials, bookshelves, wood flooring, paint, artwork, lighting, and furniture.) We saved a little over $1,700 by using coupons, purchasing only damaged wood, and decorating with items found on clearance. Plus we did all the work ourselves and saved even more.

MOST INNOVATIVE IDEAS:
• Building a comic book epoxy desk.
• Turning the closet into a second desk space.
• Housing two large file holders inside of a hinged leather trunk. This allows it to function as a file cabinet while also doubling as extra seating.
• Hiding the unsightly office paper shredder inside of a hinged leather ottoman.
• Designing one side of the desk base to hold the printer and computer. This keeps them out of sight and away from cluttering my desktop.
• Building additional built in bookshelves UNDER both desks out of scrap lumber.
• Creating floating bookshelves that mimic the shape of the desk and incorporating them into the theme of the room by crafting comic book back splashes.
• Displaying the comedy books that I’ve written by framing them and featuring them as artwork.
• Using inexpensive comic books, postcards and magazine covers as additional artwork.

HOW WE MADE A SUPER OFFICE:

Step One:
Locating the desk materials: I measured my printer and knew that I wanted it to be housed in a bottom cabinet of my soon to be built desk. Taking my measurements I visited a local cabinetmaker and purchased some unfinished kitchen cabinetry that would work perfectly. I then cut of the bases so they would be the proper desk height.

Step Two:
I went to Lowe’s and priced some sheets of oak for the top of my desk. I noticed two oak boards that were damaged and I was able to purchase them at 50% off. Realizing that damaged wood could easily be used for my floating bookshelves and desk back splash as well, I immediately drove to four other Lowes and Home Depot stores in search of more damaged oak. After checking back at each store on every Monday over a six week period I eventually purchased all of the oak that I would need for my entire project and saved a LOT of money in the process.

Rob and I split the responsibilities for the office design. I did all of the shopping and purchasing at a discount as well as the travel to retrieve everything. He executed the cutting of the bookcases and desktop. We then worked together to sand and stain the pieces as well as glue them together.

Since the room I was turning into an office used to be a bedroom, I decided I didn’t need the closet. Rob and I then discussed putting an additional built in desk in the closet by removing the closet doors. We then decided to build additional shelving and bookcases for the closet as well. Now it makes for a great second workspace

Note: Most wood is purchased on the weekends at these stores. Damaged pieces are set aside. By going in first thing on Monday mornings I got first dibs on any damaged wood left over by weekend browsers. I saved a total of $220.00 by purchasing damaged pieces. (And they say only women know how to shop!)

Step Three:
While waiting to purchase all of the damaged oak I would need, I decided to go ahead and lay wood flooring and paint the office. I checked the paint section regularly at my local Lowe’s and found some paint that had been returned and was greatly marked down. It was a bronze/orange mix that I thought would be perfect. (Saved $62.00 by purchasing returned paint) I then bought some damaged crown molding pieces (saving $28.00) and went ahead and stained them the same color that I had stained the desk cabinet bottoms so they would all match.

Step Four:
I was browsing a “Foozles Discount Books” store and found some books that had the art work from the covers of the first twenty-five years of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman comic books. I purchased two copies of each book and they were $1.99 each. (Regularly they were $11.95 so I bought 6 books for the price of one and saved $68.00) I then invited some friends over to help cut out the two thousand different miniature comic book covers and we made a party out of it. We had a lot of fun cutting out comics and showing the different artwork to each other while we did it.

Step Five:
Once Rob had the shape of my massive 7 ½’ x 7 ½’ desktop cut out of the oak twice, we glued the two pieces together for extra strength and thickness. Then we stained the desk top to match the crown molding and the cabinet bottoms.

Step Six:
Creating the desktop artwork. Gluing the comic books covers down was probably the most time consuming part but it was also the most fun. Rob staggered the comic covers in a herring bone pattern at the place where the desktop curves so the comic pattern wouldn’t be interrupted. It looked beautiful when it was done. We were now ready for the epoxy pour to protect my comic artwork and to also give my desk a shiny and smooth surface.

Step Seven:
Once the desk was finished and installed I got started on the bookshelves. Using the extra damaged oak pieces that I had made it a breeze. I also decided to create additional “floating” bookshelves for above my desk that I could then utilize for displaying my Comic Book knick-knacks. Rob mimicked the pattern of my desktop for the shelves to go above it and also mimicked the desktop for the built in bookshelves that I would place underneath it. I had extra comic book covers left over from my desk top and decided to glue them to boards and create a back splash of comics for every floating shelf. These were sealed with decoupage however and not epoxy. The final results looked great.
NOTE: The bookshelves and back splashes work great for running all of the power cords behind to keep them hidden from sight and the bookshelves themselves have flannel on the bottom base so they can slide in and out as needed in case I need to reach the wiring.

Step Eight:
I found some picture frames that some of my regular sized comics would fit into and decided to use them as artwork for my walls. I stained the frames the same color as the desk. Then I bought some picture mats and placed the comics in them so they would fit the frames. (The frames were $2.50 each.) I then purchased three superhero posters and Rob built the frames out of the scrap oak left over from the bookshelves and desk. I also found some superhero postcards and greeting cards and framed them for artwork as well. The total cost for all artwork including frames was $92.00.

Step Nine:
I bought a beautiful armchair for $5.00 at a yard sale. (Easily my best buy!) I then recovered it with some discount faux leather material I had purchased at JoAnn Fabrics using a 50% off coupon. (Saving $32). I went back the next week and used a different 50% off coupon for the curtain material, which I then sent to my Mom in Washington State so she could make the curtains for me. (Mom’s are GREAT!)

Step Ten:
I went to a Hobby Lobby store and saw a large leather trunk that matched my now reupholstered chair. I decided that I could put my entire filing cabinet into the leather trunk if I ran the rails right inside of it. After making measurements I realized that they would work perfectly. I waited until Hobby Lobby put out its monthly 50% off any one-item coupon and then purchased the trunk saving $100.00. I brought it home and installed the rails for a hanging file holder inside. Now I have all of my files and paperwork safely hidden from view and also have a beautiful trunk for sitting in front of my window on. I then realized that I could get the ottomans that matched the trunk and use it for storing my paper shredder from sight. The next month I went back with an additional 50% of any one-item coupon and purchased the hinged ottoman box saving $50.00. I drilled a hole in the bottom of the trunk for the electrical cord from my shredder to fit through. The shredder is now out of sight and the ottoman looks beautiful.

Step Eleven:
I wanted a wall where I could showcase the books that I’ve written. We decided to frame my books as well as a few newspaper articles that I’ve been featured in. By using different colored picture mats to outline the books we were able to mimic the multi-colored comic book theme. The crowning touch was to frame the Superman poster that was issued in New York to honor the fallen heroes from the 9/11 tragedy. We placed it on the back of the office door so I can always see it. We also framed the Superman poster from the “Got Milk?” campaign below it.

CLOSING STATEMENT:

We are both very proud of the completed office and I think it’s safe to say that we are indeed both “Supermen.” (At least as far as living up to the definition of Ubermensch as the original term.) We’re two “individuals whose creativity transcends ordinary human limitations.” I believe we show that in our creative office design.

HOW TO MAKE AN EPOXY DESK

Here is a list of all the steps to make your own epoxy desk along with the materials that will be needed. I’m going to write this section as if I am personally teaching you to make your own epoxy desk.

Materials:
J roller – used for laminating countertops. Lowes or Home Depot.
Rags (use old T-shirts, as they will leave less lint)
Paint mixing pails (for mixing epoxy)
Paint mixing stick (for mixing epoxy)
Brushes (for spreading glue adhesive)
Glue (Use a craft glue that dries clear and strong)
Acetone/Denatured alcohol (for cleaning brushes)
Epoxy (Non-blushing)
Floor covering (to protect the floor from any epoxy spill)

Where to get epoxy:
For doing a small project you can get epoxy at a home hardware store. For larger objects such as a desk, or counter top I highly recommend going to the John Greer website at www.jgreer.com to order it. You will need The Green System for countertops. John Greer is a great Internet resource for epoxy and related products. I called the toll free company phone number at (877) 342-8860 and they were ready to receive my calls and provided answers to any questions I had. They were REALLY friendly and extremely helpful.

Note:
Amount of epoxy needed depends on the size of your project. My desk used two gallons of epoxy.

Preparation:
Prepare the surface by lightly sanding it. This will help pictures you glue down to adhere better. Squeeze glue out and then brush it smooth with a sponge brush before carefully laying down your picture to be glued. Press picture down smoothly by rolling over it repeatedly with the J-roller to remove any air pockets underneath. Wipe excess glue from outer edges of picture with a wet T-shirt rag. Wipe J-roller clean with another damp T-shirt rag before moving on to rolling over another picture. (This keeps the J-roller clean and keeps unwanted lint or dust from accidentally adhering to the top of the next picture to be glued.) Once you have glued all of your pictures down allow them to dry completely overnight.

Setting up for Epoxy Pour
Set your desk top up in a garage or room with a controlled environment. Make sure your desktop is completely level. (Dust and pet hair can adversely affect your project so make sure both are minimized by your location for pouring.

Pouring Epoxy:
Mix appropriate quantity of epoxy using recommended mixing ratios. Depending on the size of the surface and your desired epoxy thickness level, you may want to do additional epoxy pours every 4-12 hours until you are satisfied with the thickness of covering. Allow 24 hours for a total dry and cure time depending on the temperature of the room. It will take a few weeks for it to become totally hardened.

Warning!
Understanding that epoxy is a liquid that turns solid, whatever it soaks into will harden and be affected. Keeping that in mind, prepare and protect flooring with a ground covering to catch excess epoxy spill over. Wear safety goggles while pouring. You DO NOT want any of the epoxy to get in your eyes. Extremely dangerous. Wear gloves while pouring. Temperature of room has a great effect on the curing time.