Writing Desk
Roots of Inspiration
Shaun Fleming, Maui
Writing Desk
curly koa, mango, wenge, assorted woods in marquetry
My inspiration for this show first came to me while I was
browsing around the Bailey House Museum. I came across a
19th century chair donated by Asa Baldwin. It intrigued me to
design this writing desk reminiscent of another time and manner
of communication.
Another moment that inspired me was when a most beautiful
butterfly landed on my lanai one morning. Scooping him up to
rescue him from the dogs, he proceeded to sit on my finger for
over a quarter of an hour.The butterfly depicted in the cabinet
doors is the Kamehameha butterfly (which is in the same
family as the one perched on my fingertip). It is one of only two
native to Hawai Ii. It feeds on the sap of the Koa tree (left door)
and lays its eggs on the Mamaki bush (right door).
These moments brought a cadence of another era in Hawaii
that translates well into a soothing balm for our current times.
For more information about Shaun, visit her web site: