US$1500 for something that we cobble together here in Cambodia from rubbish because we don't have any money?<p>You have rubbish from an industrial collapse? We have rubbish from a fucking genocide! Now THAT is furniture with a story!<p>We are happy to sell you standup desks built from wood from french colonial Indochina for US$1500. Our new office is being renovated from such a building.<p>But if you want a REAL story, we have a premium standup desk made from reclaimed wood from work camps run by the Khmer Rouge for US$3000.<p>For US$5000 you get bullet holes.
I've paid some high prices for reclaimed wood furniture, and when I move to a larger place (in several months) I will likely do it again. Here's my feedback:<p>The first comparison I started making in my mind is with the counter tables from Restoration Hardware. They are nearly half the price ($635+), and in my opinion look more the "reclaimed" part. I also don't see the height dimension on your page, so I can't compare that. Another thing I'd like to see is previews of the other finishes and metal types. I like darker woods and metals, but I can't tell which metal finish the photo is showing.<p>With that said, the price does seem right to me, and comparable to what I've seen in some Etsy stores and local shops.<p>Edit: Also, it would be great to see shipping costs up front. I went all the way to the checkout page to find it, and I <i>still</i> don't see anything about shipping costs. That sucks. Either offer a flat shipping cost (like RH does), or add an estimator right on the product page (eg, "Enter your zip code to estimate shipping.")
OP here. I've been a developer for 10 years and have used a standing desk for the last 2. When I started, I just used whatever materials I could to prop my computer up higher. Once I was sold on the idea and benefits of standing, I started looking for a more permanent solution.<p>I wasn't really happy with the options. I wanted something very high quality and unique. So I decided to start building my own using reclaimed and salvaged materials.<p>Here's what I have so far. What do you think? What's important to you in a standing desk?
Your website needs work. The title talks about a story yet there's not much of one. This story needs to be on the front page. I didn't really feel like clicking to read it. It also needs pictures to help convey your words. I need to know why this desk is worth $1495. Why I should buy this instead of something cheaper / more functional but sterile?<p>1. You need to show off more pieces (how do we know each is unique when all we see is one desk?). It will show character that will compete against the more functional boxed desks which are the same for everyone.<p>2. You need to show the people working on this. Knowing about an individual (or small group of people) working hard on something 'good' versus thinking of a nameless, unidentifiable huge group of people working in a factory for a big corporation is huge<p>3. You need to convey the quality somehow. (Show the process or the material?)<p>4. You need to show Detroit.<p>5. You need to show what happens when we don't reclaim stuff.<p>6. Going back to points 4 and 5. You need to show that you're making something good out of the bad.<p>I'm not a designer, but I know enough to tell you that you need a really good one badly.
"Handcrafted" has become a red flag for me, in the same way "vintage" and "cozy" are for apartment listings. Almost anything that isnt produced on a large scale is handmade. Its an empty marketing phrase that tells me you have nothing better to showcase. There is no detail of this desk that makes you say "wow this was built by a master craftsman."
I appreciate the comments. As I said, I'm just getting started with this. I posted it here just to get some initial feedback.<p>I understand there are other options for standing desks that are both less expensive and more functional. The value proposition isn’t a "better" standing desk, or a "cheaper" standing desk, it is a standing desk that is built by hand from reclaimed, quality materials, sourced from the community.<p>It allows me to continue to support the deconstruction of abandoned homes and buildings in the Detroit area, which is one of my main focuses.
If you missed it, there's a pretty rad standing desk on Kickstarter right now that has some nifty, discreet power controls. $399.<p><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2036834894/the-most-affordable-automatic-sit-to-stand-desk?ref=live" rel="nofollow">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2036834894/the-most-aff...</a>
If I'm buying a standing desk, the ergonomics need to be right and for me that means adjustable height.<p>It would be nice to see a separate, adjustable monitor stand. It could ideally be used on the desk shown or one someone already owns.
This looks nice, but I would be more excited by a startup offering affordable walking workstations. I've put together a couple of these with the cheapest one costing only $80. The price largely depends on the local availability of used treadmills. For the keyboard stand I used reclaimed wood pallets. For the monitor stand, a bookshelf.