Hi all :)
Apologies, I know this isn't a woodworking question, but I don't know of a better place to ask about restoring a desk like this.
It's an oak desk, but it looks like there used to be a felt inlay, or maybe vinyl. The top of the desk has an inlay of plywood, with a small raised edge to the oak, of maybe 2 - 3mm. Staining or varnishing doesn't seem to be an option, as the style of the plywood doesn't match the rest of the desk, so I'm looking for ideas for the top.
Felt or vinyl would be the obvious options, but I'm hoping to hear some other ideas. It's going to be used as an office desk, with two computer monitors and a keyboard and mouse, but also for writing, mostly notes rather than anything serious.
The underside of the plywood has oak planks running from front to back, so there's the option of removing the plywood and putting in another piece of wood, but I don't want to spend too much if I can help it.
Does anyone have any suggestions or feedback please?
Thanks in advance :)
EDIT: Sorry if I'm a bit slow to reply tonight, I'm having a mad dash to tidy up and make room for the new desk. I've managed to plan everything backwards (again...)
Note for myself - the lip is 1mm and the plywood is 3mm, as best as I can tell without dismantling anything
Since you plan to use it for a computer desk have you considered neoprene or leather and just using the the whole surface as a mousepad.
Alternatively you could also go with some form of opaque tempered glass or powder coated sheet metal if you are looking for something more durable and don't want to replace the plywood.
Glass or metal would probably cost a bit more than I want to spend, considering I would have to get it cut to fit. It's definitely an idea for the future though.
I hadn't thought of neoprene or leather, and it's a great idea, thank you :)
The problem with neoprene is that it'll absorb dust, skin cells etc and you'll see a color change really fast. you want to wash a mouse pad every now and then and if its glued into your desk you wont be able to do that. Water will seep through into the wood below if you try and give it any kind of decent wash too.
That's a great point, and one that I hadn't thought about, thanks :)