Studio Designs 13257 Creative Table and Stool Set, Walnut

I've been drawing graphite portraits using a really jury-rigged easel set up. It consisted of an aluminum presentation tripod with a hefty 1/2" hunk of foam core faced with a clamped on Masonite drawing board. Since it was basically flimsy, I added the weight of a plastic water-filled gallon jug that formerly held Lipton's diet green tea fastened to the back of the tripod lash-up with parachute cord. It was altogether as ugly as sin, but the weight of the water-filled jug pretty much held it fairly steady so it didn't wiggle as I drew.My wife made it crystal clear that it made my home office/studio look more or less like a landfill. Drawing on an almost vertical surface, also made holding up my arms uncomfortable as well as making it difficult to draw miniscule details without my hands trembling as my muscles tired.Earlier I had taken a trip to a Seattle art supply store where I'd seen a variety of drawing or drafting boards. Most of them looked more industrial than I liked, except for the all wood one from Studio Designs. But my cobbled together easel set up had cost absolutely nothing, so I dithered until recently when I realized that I absolutely needed a different solution. I returned to the the srt supply store only to discover that they had just sold their last Studio Designs table and stool set. Their supplier also had told them that they no longer had them available.Thanks to Amazon I found this one on Amazon.com. Not only priced less than the one I had decided I couldn't live without but couldn't have, but with freeshipping thanks to Amazon prime. Within two days, two large, heavy boxes were sitting on my front porch. I dragged them upstairs to my office/studio where I had already torn down my easel contraption. The assembly instructions were the "international" non-text schematics you can now routinely expect from Asia or other places where they apparently believe that English cannot be understood by the American public and that graphics, no matter how poorly rendered, were much preferable.Having gone through this scenario with do-it-yourself assembly before, I first spread out all the parts and compared them to the ones described in the instructions. All the pieces were there. I started with the stool figuring that it would be the easiest component to assemble--no moving parts or complex hardware. Taking a hint from another review, I also glued all the joints before they were screwed tightly together, to prevent future wiggle and wobble problems. The table was a bit more complicated because it is not only adjustable for height, but the board component is also adjustable for angle of slant.One thing I should note is that all of the pieces were very nicely made. The wood parts had an attractive and rich-looking cherry finish. Holes for screws and dowels were carefully and correctly located where they were supposed to be. Parts such as locking knobs, screws and bolts were carefully made of good materials with an excellent fit and finish. Everything went together without having to force fit, fudge or finagle anything.Once I got everything ready and was sure that I understood the hieroglyphic instructions I completed the whole assembly in about two hours. If I'd skipped gluing all the joints it would have taken less time.Drawing, at least for me, takes a lot of art stuff. Pencils, electric erasers, sharpeners, plastic drafting templates, and much more. Under my original scruffy easel I'd rigged a large shelf to make all that easy to get at. The only thing I miss with the Studio Designs easel is a fixed or swing-out shelf or perhaps a large shallow drawer to hold all my various "necessities." Other drawing boards, the metal framed ones, boasted that kind of accessory.Apart from that, I love drawing on this board and everybody who has been aware of the disreputable state of my office/studio has commented on how nice this Studio Designs Creative Table and Stool suddenly makes my space look. Me too.

-Better than the cheap drafting tables with metal legs whose raising/lowering mechanisms have broken for me in the past-Sits very low if you intend to angle the table at all, even with the table raised as high as it will go (I am under 5’3”)-The stool is very sturdy but it may be too high if you lower the table angle more than a couple of notches. I use a different folding chair that sits lower than the stool-Clearly labeled assembly parts-May be able to assemble without electric drill, but it helped in a few spots-Table surface has a slight grain to it, will need to have a flat surface to lay over it if working on single sheets of paper-Tabletop is adjusted by unscrewing bolts on both sides and sliding into desired groove, which is difficult with one person-Good choice for someone who will be more gentle on the table, and easier if you’re shorter than average

My 'studio' space is very limited. I always look for tools and equipment that can either multi-task or be folded up and made smaller when put away. Money is also an issue (isn't it always, for just about everybody?) so finding a work surface that would do the job but not cost several limbs wasn't easy. And since my work place is also part of my living space, not being extremely ugly is a plus for any item.When I spotted this, my first reaction was 'It couldn't possibly be as nice as it looks in the picture!' I'm very happy to say it certainly IS as nice; in fact, it's much nicer. This is a good, sturdy table. The wood is heavy (yes, it's real wood) and the color is gorgeous. The top folds down almost all the way, making it easy to move aside when it's not being used - and it looks sort of cool that way too. It actually looks like real furniture (as opposed to fake furniture I suppose.) The height is adjustable, a plus for me since I sometimes use a chair instead of the stool - speaking of which, the stool is just as nice as the table so it's also a great multi-tasker.Over time I know I'll mess up the top but I have a feeling that this table will be just as attractive all beat up as it is all shiny and new.It took hubby and me about 30 minutes to put it together (mainly because we had to stop and chat about everything under the sun while we were doing it.) For less chatty souls, it might be faster. It certainly wasn't difficult, although I think I'd recommend that two people work on it unless you happen to be very organized and dextrous and familiar with the kind of instructions that come with things nowadays.The color is a bit redder than most walnut furniture I've come across, but the table also comes in oak if you prefer a 'browner' shade. Adjusting the height and folding the top down is easy, I don't have to beg for help if I need to change it. Not being a stool sitter, all I can say about that part is that it looks good and it feels okay for short periods of time. I can lean on the table top (which I do fairly often) and there is no wobbling or creaking; everything seems very solid so far. There is a pencil rest at the bottom edge that can be raised or lowered as needed. There is plenty of space under the surface for knees too.An added benefit: Since the top is slanted the kitties can't come and sit on my work while I'm doing it! Of course I'd never tell them that was a benefit. I pretend that it's a great sadness to me that they slide off and spill on the floor when they try to supervise.For the price, this is an excellent extra work surface and an attractive piece of furniture. I'm sure others could find many more uses for it besides artwork. I'm very very pleased with it, hubby was pleased with how easy it was to put together, and we won't talk about what the kitties think.

I'm super-happy with this drawing table, it's sturdy, BEAUTIFUL and really functional. Also I need to point out that the instructions were totally easy to follow and I assembled it alone. I must say I really didn't expect this kind of quality for the money paid. It totally exceeded all my expectations. It can be slanted at a nice degree if you want to paint or do paper cutting, but it can also turn into a flat 90degree table, and it's super-easy to adjust. The best birthday gift ever. PS: it you really want it sturdier (I mean, it's not really meant to be a table that you'd sit on or anything) get someone to help you while tightening the screws, it really makes all the difference. The only downside of this purchase was of course Purolator, It's really too bad that Studio Designs have decided to go with them for the delivery, and I hope they will switch to another delivery service as soon as possible (since what I had to endure to get my parcel was so unprofessional and rude).

Calling this "walnut" is not accurate. It had a very unnatural reddish stain to it, which was very different than the online pictures (as well as the picture on the box). I can't comment on the sturdiness of the product or the assembly process, because I only needed to take one piece out of the box to know that it was not what I wanted. The shipping box was well-packed and came in good condition though. If you're not particular about the color, then this still might be a good purchase.

i have had this set for over a year. has lots of room and it is solid. love the wood. i do carving on it, and like the fact i can adjust the degree of slant. it has a ledge which saves many falls of tools or pencils. i have looked at a lot of these types of tables so glad i took this one as it is solid wood and does not shake or wobble like some of those modernized ones with cheap metal. fantastic for the price. Studio designs did their homework on their products would recommend to anyone.

Great product! It's easy to assemble, strong support, and great color! The leveling system could be improved but for the price, I can't complain. If you are an art guy who needs a descent drawing/painting table with angle-changing option, this is it! Almost forgot to mention the desk top is spacious.(Can't say much about the chair because I've been using my pre-existing chair. Looks ok though).

La couleur, la qualité, l'emballage et la livraison rapide. Le montage n'est pas compliqué.Moins d'une heure à deux. Vraiment bon achat. Il est rare où je mets un 5 étoiles mais là,c'était l'évidence. Merci encore .