illustration by Ni Ma

Nowadays, the metal hairpin leg is a common enough sight on furniture, but it didn’t exist until 1941. That year, a craftsman named Henry P. Glass created a line of wrought iron outdoor furniture for an industrial designer named Russel Wright, using the distinct bent metal shape for the legs. The idea has since been extensively copied, becoming synonymous with the Mid-century aesthetic, and a favorite inspiration for DIY projects. Hairpin legs are pretty easy to work with, thanks to a metal plate welded to the top, and widely available, from Amazon and Etsy to www.hairpinlegs.com. To build a plywood and hairpin leg desk, follow this simple formula:

① PREP THE WOOD

Cut two pieces of ¾-inch plywood to size, about 2×5 feet, or your preferred dimensions. (Two pieces are used for stability and so the screws don’t come through the tabletop.) Place one piece atop the other, and make sure they are exactly the same size and completely flush.

Now, lift the piece you want for the top, and set it aside. With the remaining piece on your workbench or floor, add glue to the top surface, and spread it in a thin, even layer. Next, lay your reserved top piece down (bottom side down!), taking care to press the pieces together. Line up the edges on all sides carefully. The wet glue can make the wood slippery and move out of position. Add wood clamps at all corners and in the middle of each edge. Let it dry overnight.

Sand and seal the wood to the desired finish. Add banding strips to the edges, if you don’t like the look of exposed plywood.

② AD ADD THE LEGS

Place the desk top on the floor, so the underside faces the ceiling. Using 28-inch-tall hairpin legs, position one at each corner, allowing for about a 1½-to 2-inch gap between the edge of the plate and the desktop edge. Mark the holes with a pencil, and predrill holes 1 inch down to prevent the wood from splitting. Line up the plate holes with the pilot holes, and attach using 1¼-inch screws.

VARIATIONS

Salvage the tabletop: This project is very customizable. Make it more unique by adding legs to a salvaged tabletop, whether it’s an old piece of wood, a section of butcher block or a piece of marble.

Add storage: It takes more woodworking skill to build boxes, but this variation is still accessible. Create a box with open cubbies for the desktop. Or, get really fancy and add a hinged section at the top for hidden storage.

Paint the legs: Order raw steel legs, and finish them any color desired. Start by cleaning the legs of grease with acetone or Windex, and let dry. Buff the metal with a scouring pad to prep it for paint. Apply a primer, then spray paint in your hue of choice, letting each coat dry before continuing with the next.