Wood computer workstation takes up space, looks great, does little else

Dear Diary 1.0 is a computer workstation / desk made entirely of wood. Designed by Marlies Romberg, a recent grad of the Utrecht School of Arts, this bad boy features a laser-cut keyboard, a display, mouse, and a porcelain and silicone USB thumb drive with a signet (one of those wax seals they always put on letters in old-timey movies). We're guessing that none of this stuff is functional (save maybe the thumb drive), but if you're in the mood for a good artist's statement, try this one on for size: "Dear Diary 1.0 is ... both the literal and the figurative manifestation of the worlds colliding. A physical reminder that increasingly, the real and the digital are becoming indistinguishable." Not bad, eh? Just slap your Amazon Kindling on the thing and your anachronistic office will be just about complete. More pics after the break.

[Via Unplggd]

[bublik @ Jul 14th 2009 6:38PM]

pure green oh no wood

[clocker6633 @ Jul 15th 2009 8:18PM]

Should have been made out of pressure treated wood. Now every time I get termites I'll have to upgrade something... bastards!

[sintricate @ Jul 14th 2009 6:39PM]

it gave me wood.

[dsteve303 @ Jul 14th 2009 6:45PM]

A slow news day indeed.

[Tommo @ Jul 14th 2009 6:47PM]

Looks great?
Err. No. Big no.

[jinsei888 @ Jul 14th 2009 6:50PM]

I would love to see this thing overheat...

[Orbital @ Jul 14th 2009 9:40PM]

Considering one can put a computer in a cardboard box instead of a case and it doesn't light on fire, I doubt wood really would be much of a problem.

[brr404 @ Jul 14th 2009 7:14PM]

global warming here we come =S

[Paul E. Chapel @ Jul 14th 2009 6:50PM]

good for firewood. thats about it.

[BigD145 @ Jul 14th 2009 6:51PM]

I like the Signet, but the computer has got to go. My legs and feet will not fit under there.

[glenskey @ Jul 14th 2009 7:09PM]

apple no longer can say that they have the greenest computers.

[CraigJ @ Jul 14th 2009 7:09PM]

This concept could be great if it actually worked...

use a 24" dell monitor, make wooden caps for an IBM Model M keyboard and a wooden veneer for a wireless mouse.

[Eric @ Jul 14th 2009 7:21PM]

While it doesn't say it works, it doesn't say it doesn't, either. They do say that the keyboard is functional.

A wireless mouse could be embedded in a block of wood quite easily, with basic woodworking skills, no need for a veneer.

[CraigJ @ Jul 14th 2009 7:24PM]

Yeah but that block doesn't look too ergonomic. Also, I'd go for more of a Mission style, but that's just personal taste...

[sacapuntas @ Jul 14th 2009 8:12PM]

Agreed. Mission furniture rocks! Here is to great American stylings ! :D

[Agent .25i @ Jul 14th 2009 10:20PM]

@sacapuntas

Mennonites are originally from the Netherlands. Furthermore, most of the ones living in North America, live in Canada.

I love your typical ignorant American-the-world-revolves-around-us post though. Good for you.

[sacapuntas @ Jul 15th 2009 1:41AM]

@Agent

Wow, even if I was wrong you are acting like at least a begrudged critic looking for a reason to slam the US and at worst an outright moron.

Here is the history-
http://www.gustavstickley.com/missionstylefurniture.html

Sure older roots might be traceable but the current mission image (undoubtedly what was referenced) is decidedly of American origin.

Go hate someone else...

[Agent .25i @ Jul 15th 2009 11:04PM]

Ok, I was wrong, wrong for thinking that you were talking about Mennonite style mission furniture. I honestly didn't think that you were talking about the mission furniture, named that way because it was influenced by the Missions that were being built by the Spaniards.

"Sure older roots might be traceable" Forty years. Forty years from Philip Webb's designs to when Joseph McHugh coined the term, mission furniture.

Mission style furniture, often mistakenly thought of as being of American origin, actually originated in England in the late nineteenth century. In 1859, the architect Philip Webb built a house for William Morris. Built of brick, the house came to be called the Red House. The Red House was built to function as a practical home. The architecture and furnishing were designed as a whole; it was a holistic approach to architecture and interior. The furnishings were designed to compliment the architecture. They were simple, straightforward and functional.
The simplicity of style was a departure from the lush and plush of the Victorian era. Architects and furniture designers favored the new look for its clean lines and its cultural statement.
The Arts and Crafts movement, and its style of furniture, honored the work of artisans. The handcrafted styling, the evidence of workmanship was to be emphasized; this made for honest, functional furniture. The mission of the movement was to place before ornamentation the purpose of the piece. By the 1890s, the Arts and Crafts movement was firmly entrenched in American architecture and furniture design.
Mission style furniture is recognizable by its linear appeal and minimal ornamentation. Chairs have straight backs and flat slats. Legs are straight with flat feet. Upholstery is used sparingly in mission style furniture design, but leather and linen are common upholstery coverings.
Mission style cabinetry, such as writing desks and tables, sometimes have inlay design, usually geometric. Any ornamentation is minimal and is designed to draw attention to the craft of the work, rather than as an adornment.
Spanish Mission architecture, which was prevalent throughout California, was styled after the missions built in the region in the previous centuries. The mission style furniture of the Arts and Crafts movement transitioned over to this architecture almost immediately.
At the turn of the twentieth century, the Southwestern states and California were infused with Spanish, English and Native American influences. The mission style furnishings answered these influences well. Constructed from wood and accented with copper and metal, the style blended well with the contemporary architecture.
Mission style furniture, and the Arts and Crafts architecture for which it was originally designed, was prominent in the Southwest and California from 1890 into the 1920s.

I said "typical ignorant American", only because you would have to be, to believe that an American coining a term, makes it of American origin.

[Monkey with glasses @ Jul 14th 2009 7:14PM]

All I can say is "release the mites".

[Marbles @ Jul 14th 2009 7:57PM]

Hope it doesn't overheat.

[CORN360 @ Jul 14th 2009 8:32PM]

it looks unfinished... a good stain to bring out the colors and a sealer to protect it is called for.
Its waiting for coffee rings and body grease patches!
... oh well... I guess someone had enough time on their hands after being laid off to make that thing.

[Rick @ Jul 14th 2009 8:51PM]

Was this made from Apple wood or from Pine?

As I said to the girl with the wooden leg, "Hi Peg".

[Entourage @ Jul 14th 2009 9:42PM]

Yep.. It's wood.

[Heathen @ Jul 14th 2009 10:53PM]

I wooden buy that, in fact I am going out on a limb and will suggest
yew wood likely not get one fir an affordable price.

I would hedge my bets, and deciduous on a regular system. Go against the grain and leaf
it alone....

[JohnTech @ Jul 14th 2009 11:45PM]

Nice execution, but that ogee edge would be really uncomfortable against the wrists, and the mouse looks like an afterthought (or the guy owns a Mac Plus). It also tends to look like it should be sold at Unpainted Arizona - that style of table should be stained and finished.

[SimonRichards @ Jul 15th 2009 3:21AM]

wtf is this shit?

[G @ Jul 15th 2009 3:48AM]

i think it's a great idea, all it needs is a functional computer built into the desk

[gcassady @ Jul 15th 2009 10:41AM]

And the steampunk community is in denial.

[owbert @ Jul 17th 2009 5:25AM]

i have enough wood under my desk.