Portable Writing Desk

**KrazyIvan** · May 28th, 2012, 10:57 PM

I had seen some portable writing desks on FPN but nothing in real life. I know it is rather modern but I really liked it and could not resist it at $4 (it is used). When I picked it up out of the bottom of a bin, I thought it was some sort of portfolio, then I opened it and immediately recognized it for what it is. It is slightly larger than a portfolio and has a hard board backing that can sit on your lap to provide a very nice writing surface anywhere you are as long as you can sit down comfortably. The pocket in the lid holds a #16 Rhodia pad just fine with room for more. It is a nice black leather and the writing surface is a felt like material. Pockets in the lid also make nice business card stowage areas or a place for small notepaper and a small photograph. The second photo shows it sitting on my lap.

Portable Writing Desk by IvanRomero, on Flickr

**Pinkys.Brain** · May 29th, 2012, 01:33 AM

Nice find, KrazyIvan. But do the paddings on the left and right side become a hindrance during writing?

And it needs a (hidden) compartment for a pen. ^_^

**writingrav** · May 29th, 2012, 06:56 AM

Speaking of portable writing desks :
These are pictures of mine. Not quite as portable as to throw into a bag, but easy enough to carry under arm, put in a large briefcase and certainly pack for travel. It is 12x38 open and 12x18 folded. I bought it many years ago from Levenger; I don't know if they still carry it. The slots on the side panels are very useful and there is a pen slot.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

**writingrav** · May 29th, 2012, 07:59 AM

And then there's my more portable antique writing desk. Made from wood with a leather hinge, 8 1/2 x 11. No pockets, no frills besides the carved front

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

goldiesdad · May 29th, 2012, 08:00 AM

I need one of those ... I am writing in my car on only who knows what ... I would love to get one of these ...

Where Ivan ?????

**@penfancy** · May 29th, 2012, 08:03 AM

I've had thoughts of building the ultimate modern writting desk. Post thoughts and wishes on this thread and I'll get something together in the next couple months.

Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk 2

**@penfancy** · May 29th, 2012, 08:05 AM

Btw, excellent find Ivan!

Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk 2

goldiesdad · May 29th, 2012, 08:33 AM

Found one on ebay ... just ordered it but I paid a lot more for it ...

Great Find ....

Thanks for sharing .... Scott

**KrazyIvan** · May 29th, 2012, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Pinkys.Brain

Nice find, KrazyIvan. But do the paddings on the left and right side become a hindrance during writing?

And it needs a (hidden) compartment for a pen. ^_^

I was wondering about a place to put pens maybe they are hidden compartments. I don't have it with me right now but I will check tonight. So far I do not see the pads as a hindrance but I have not used it for extended amounts of time.

Originally Posted by writingrav

Speaking of portable writing desks :
These are pictures of mine. Not quite as portable as to throw into a bag, but easy enough to carry under arm, put in a large briefcase and certainly pack for travel. It is 12x38 open and 12x18 folded. I bought it many years ago from Levenger; I don't know if they still carry it. The slots on the side panels are very useful and there is a pen slot.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

Cool! I really like the look of the antique version.

Originally Posted by goldiesdad

I need one of those ... I am writing in my car on only who knows what ... I would love to get one of these ...

Where Ivan ?????

I got this one at a donation store. I see a couple of examples online but it looks like you found one already. http://www.rubyplaza.com/shop/wareho...et&ss=lap+desk

Originally Posted by @penfancy

Btw, excellent find Ivan!

Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk 2

Thanks!

Originally Posted by @penfancy

I've had thoughts of building the ultimate modern writting desk. Post thoughts and wishes on this thread and I'll get something together in the next couple months.

Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk 2

I like the size of this one, if it does not have pen storage, that's all I would want on top of what it already has.

Originally Posted by goldiesdad

Found one on ebay ... just ordered it but I paid a lot more for it ...

Great Find ....

Thanks for sharing .... Scott

You are welcome. Hope it serves you well.

**Bogon07** · May 29th, 2012, 04:43 PM

It looks like a nice portfolio from the first picture so it was a surprise to findout it is a portable writing desk.
Seems like a good idea but how much would you actually use it. I suppose it would be handy in a car.
How much does it weigh ?

Writingrav, yours look interesting too.

**KrazyIvan** · May 29th, 2012, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Bogon07

It looks like a nice portfolio from the first picture so it was a surprise to findout it is a portable writing desk.
Seems like a good idea but how much would you actually use it. I suppose it would be handy in a car.
How much does it weigh ?

Writingrav, yours look interesting too.

I am just guessing on the weight but maybe 1-1.5 lbs. How much would I use it? I have not the slightest.

**writingrav** · May 30th, 2012, 04:32 AM

I use the Levenger one everyday. It is a convenient way to keep current papers and projects within reach and pick up the whole shebang to take to meetings or to work at home or outside. The wooden one I used to carry with me more. I'd keep stationery in it and use it at coffee shops etc. for writing letters. Frankly the increase of space taken by my pen carry case had nudged the writing desk out of my briefcase. Ironic.

**mmccabe_** · April 29th, 2013, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by writingrav

Speaking of portable writing desks :
These are pictures of mine. Not quite as portable as to throw into a bag, but easy enough to carry under arm, put in a large briefcase and certainly pack for travel. It is 12x38 open and 12x18 folded. I bought it many years ago from Levenger; I don't know if they still carry it. The slots on the side panels are very useful and there is a pen slot.

Writingrav, Any idea when you may have purchased it? This is exactly like what I've been looking for. I had looked at Levenger's prior to your post and I'm not a fan of how the flaps only accommodate business cards and 3x5 cards :/

**KrazyIvan** · April 29th, 2013, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by writingrav

I use the Levenger one everyday. It is a convenient way to keep current papers and projects within reach and pick up the whole shebang to take to meetings or to work at home or outside. The wooden one I used to carry with me more. I'd keep stationery in it and use it at coffee shops etc. for writing letters. Frankly the increase of space taken by my pen carry case had nudged the writing desk out of my briefcase. Ironic.

Do you have any pictures?

**Walter18** · September 12th, 2014, 01:06 AM

Great pictures! Thank you! if someone would like to see another similar writing-desk, open that link : http://www.archiexpo.com/architectur...desk-1737.html

**Newjelan** · September 12th, 2014, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Walter18

If someone would like to see another similar writing-desk, open that link : http://www.archiexpo.com/architectur...desk-1737.html

Oh wow! Thanks for this, there are so many stunning pieces, I'd call it "desk porn". On one hand I'm glad I have my beautiful desks, on the other, there's a couple on that site I'd gladly build a house around. Inspiring!

**Austin_Malone** · September 12th, 2014, 08:58 PM

I'm admittedly a little jealous.

**Polyhistor** · September 13th, 2014, 04:33 AM

KrazyIvan, great find!

Originally Posted by @penfancy

I've had thoughts of building the ultimate modern writting desk. Post thoughts and wishes on this thread and I'll get something together in the next couple months.

Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk 2

I've also been thinking about making myself something similar for letter-writing on the sofa. Plywood, veg-tan leather, and vintage fabrics would be my materials of choice. If not the hand-stitching would make a product like that really expensive to offer, I'd also develop a sellable version.

Anyway, looking forward to your ideas! Keep us posted on the design process.