Peter James: Novelist and Film Producer: MY NEW DESK

Peter's blog

Sunday, November 15, 2009
MY NEW DESK

Many of you have asked to see pictures of my new desk which I designed myself together with carpenter Antony Scudder.

Ever since I wrote my first published novel, back in 1981, I have wanted to design my perfect desk, but never got around to it, and finally this summer I decided I would get on with it!

Antony is a wonderful craftsman and has done private commissions for, among others, Sir Richard Branson. It was finally installed this past week, rather alarmingly arriving in several hundred sections, and the photos below show some of the amazing details he has put into the desk. I'm thrilled to bits. And as I spend a big portion of my life sitting behind it, it now makes my work an even bigger joy!

Master craftsman Antony Scudder starts the laborious assembly process

It starts to take shape...

Erm..... hope there's not going to be a bit left over......

The finished item! Note the wondeful business card holder he has made

to match the desk on the left!

Another example of the wonderful detail. He made four one-inch thick
wooden coasters which double as paperweights.

The back of the desk is bookshelves, which was his idea and I think is really smart.

Wider view of rear of desk.

Happy author in his lair, driving his new desk!

posted by Peter James at 12:46 PM 14 comments

Comments:

Dear Peter

Now that is a masterpeice. Happy writing.

Your last post........... All that beautiful FOOD. Yes please.

Jane-mary

By Anonymous, at 5:19 PM

Thanks Jane-Mary, I will want to stay working even longer now!!!

By Peter James, at 5:43 PM

Fabulous idea to design your own desk. Love the bookshelf I idea, I will store that one for later use. I have tonnes of books. Yesterday my husband asked to me sort out my cook books and throw some away. He guessed my answer by the weird way I looked at him.

By Jacqueline Twamley, at 7:53 AM

Thanks Jacqueline - it was suggested by the carpenter and it is a great idea, especially as the back of desks tend to look dull. I'm like you with ten gazillion books - and I cannot bear to throw any away!

By Peter James, at 11:11 PM

Lovely desk - can't quite see the in-built coffee machine and chocolate dispenser though!

By Trevor Cullum, at 12:54 AM

Jacqueline.... Kill that husband that would think of getting rif of your books. lol
The master desk: sort of reminds me of my super hero MC (WW1) Royal engineers father. Ehen he retired he had ideas of becoming a fine cabinet maker. He purchased all tools known to man and a bench big enough to out fit the QE2 and took over the best balcony bedroom in the flat. Wait for it he built a a three bits of wood table with dove tail joints and without doubt it was so ugly that even the bonfire would have rejected it. tee hee poor father. His trip back to his roots failed. His tools and bench became the decor of that lovely balcony bedroom. No matter he left wonderful memories of watching him and his dovetails.
Jane-Mary

By Anonymous, at 1:00 AM

I cant kill my husband because I love him. To tell you the truth I do have a lot of cookbooks and novels, we did have a good clear out on his insistance a few years back and gave the books to charity. We have a small house and not much room, but if he thinks I am going to throw any more away he has another thing coming. Books are the food of life and the are staying in my little log cabin as long as I do.

Peter, I have my husband reading Dead Simple and his is very impressed. He also asked me to ask you if you know Ian Weston who has a Art Gallery in Cowfold and said he has been talking to you. Ian is a good friend of ours and Simon does his decorating.

By Jacqueline Twamley, at 11:26 AM

Hi Jacqueline, not I don't know Ian Weston, although his name sounds very familiar, so perhaps we have met. Delighted your husband is enjoying Dead Simple so much!

By Peter James, at 12:20 PM

Just read Possesion...wow that is some book.
Jane-mary

By Anonymous, at 12:25 AM

What a fantastic desk. I work from home mostly and my desk is nothing like yours .... I'm more than a little envious. The coasters are a great idea, I usually resort to folded up bits of paper - not nearly as classy.

Looking forward to next year's Roy Grace installment.

By Julie Bell, at 7:30 PM

Peter its beautiful, what a talented carpenter. I wish you many happy hours writing your wonderful works for us all.
Gillian Pidler

By mummycool1, at 7:13 PM

I noticed in the second last photo there is some Police tape. What happened? A mouse in the CD collection? I must say that the policemen in your area do dress particularly smartly. But he does look like a cartoon - can you take him seriously?
Beautiful desk, by the way. Envious? Me? You bet.

By AJ "Will" Willcocks, at 9:26 AM

Love the new desk - and your study is amazing with so much wonderful light coming in! I also noticed the police tape - one way to keep folk away when you're writing! Enjoy your new space.
Di Bett

By diana.bett, at 1:49 PM

Yep, you got the reason for the Police tape right!!!! Thanks for your comments, and yours too, Will.

All best

Peter

By Peter James, at 6:42 PM