My studio partner and I have just finished installing this new studio desk/workstation that we designed and built in to our mix room. Here's a bit of a step-by-step on how we did it in case anyone wants to take a similar path.
1. Design your workstation in Google Sketch-Up with virtually no woodwork experience and simply assume that if it works on the computer, it will work in real life.
2. Take yourself down to the hardware store and fool those around you into thinking you know what you're doing and what you're looking for. It may help to use phrases such as "two-be-four" or "Yeah, good bit o' timber (lumber, if you're not in Australia), that one".
3. If you have successfully taken the timber from the hardware store with minimal humiliation, have a friend who actually has somewhat of an idea of what they're doing cut it in to smaller, more manageable pieces which may then be assembled.
4. Have your friend take photos of you "working" on the timber so as to trick your friends into thinking you are an experienced carpenter.
5. Employ the services of another friend (preferably not the woodworking friend, but he will do if no one else is available.) to weld some metal legs together based on your google sketchup drawing from step one. It is important at this point to hope extra hard that your pretend computer desk will work in this real, actual life, as the metal is more expensive, and more real than the timber used earlier.
6. Upholster the armrest of your new console using vinyl which you have found at upstart upholstery supplier "eBay". Despite having absolutely no upholstery experience, you must refrain from doing research or practice. Hint: The number of staples you use should be in a 1:1 ratio with the number of staples you have.
7. Paint the legs of your workstation using 1 good and 1 bad brush. It is imperative at this point that you ignore the recommended drying time written on the paint tin. It is also recommended (but not required) that you wear a badly worn straw hat and paint as close to a car as possible.
8. Assemble the unit and "dry sail" in the back yard to ensure if feels good. Say things such as "mix sounds good, man!" for maximum effect.
9. Install ready for action.
