My sister has the bedford system-- they have extensions off both arms of the corner so that both she and her dh can use it. It's held up well-- they've had it for 6+ years and through 2 kids growing up. If you like the style, I say go for it.

I don't have any experience with the Ballard desk system but I do like the gray.

I have the Bedford...have had it for about 10 years. It's made out of mdf and veneer and by now some of the veneer is coming off. That being said, it was less expensive when I bought it and a decent value for what I needed. I think today's prices are too high and might not purchase it again. I do love the dimensions as they work well for my needs. I work from home out of a small, multipurpose room.

funkyart - Do you know if your sister has the acrylic protector on top or if it has held up well without it? The Ballard's one comes in white also, so that's probably what I would go with.

Spanish - That's kind of what I'm worried about is that it's not worth the money, but it or the Ballards one are my only options (I think) if I want a white desk. Do you have the acrylic protector on yours? Would you recommend it? I work from home also and I need more work room and filing than I currently have.

It seems like the reviews are always hard to find on the PB site and I can't find them for this. Does anyone else see them?

The Ballard's one has the option of zinc top (can see on the single desk above) for a little more. I don't know if it's real zinc or something that just looks like zinc, but I'm thinking it may be more durable than the wood top.

Here is a link that might be useful: PB desk

I have the Bedford also. You definitely need the acrylic protector but you can have a glass company cut one to fit for a fraction of the pb price. Mine has held up very well. It's a solid desk.

This post was edited by kitchentime on Sat, Jul 20, 13 at 8:32

I have had the Bedford system in black/brown for 10 years and have been to only one using it. I have the corner top. As mentioned, it's not made well and it was expensive for 10 years ago. I am getting ready to CL it.

The file drawers do not extend out all the way making reaching for files in the back difficult. The edges on the top wore early in it's life. I did not purchase the protecting acrylic top and I don't see how that would help the edges. The file modules chip easily.

I have replaced my desk with a white Meltrop Table from IKEA. If you Google Image it, you will see what it looks like as a desk. The depth gives plenty of work space and it comes in different sizes. Easy to maintain.

jerseygirl - That looks like a good solution for a desk and a very durable top. Unfortunately, I need a corner or l-shaped desk with lots of storage.

This wouldn't be as pretty as the others, but more durable. It's more typical of what you see in a office with the metal base and laminate top. I would still prefer white over gray, but this doesn't come in white.

I did not get the protector. The veneer has come off the edges, so the protector won't help that. Also note that the PB white has a green cast to it rather than the pure white you might be thinking of.

The metal desk is definitely a better solution, if you require a corner desk. The lines in the desk are plain enough to do anything you want with.

Have you looked at the Oxford system from HomeDecorators? That might be an option for you.

Here are reviews for the Bedford system. We have a corner system in the espresso and it has held up well the past four years, although it doesn't get daily use. But not sure it's worth the price.

http://reviews.potterybarn.com/9076/build-your-own-bedford-home-office-system-components/reviews.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: Oxford Home Office

geokid - I knew the reviews were there somewhere! I still can't figure out how you found it. Want to clue me in? The reviews kind of scare me.

The Oxford would definitely be an option if the corner desk came in white. I don't know why some of the others pieces come in white and not the corner desk.

Their mobile site has an option for reviews. I think on the desktop site at the bottom of the item page there is small wording that says Customer Comments or something similar.

Ok, finally found it! It was driving me crazy :)

I want to show you guys my current "messy" desk, so you can help me decide on a color. My original plan was to create a shabby chic office, so the white desk would fit right into that plan. I will probably work for at least 15 more years, so I need something that will hold up well over the extent of that time, which has me thinking about a metal desk. I can only find the metal desk in light gray or charcoal. My walls are a grayish blue, so which do you think would look better? I haven't ruled out the white desk, just trying to look at all the options.

Desk #1 charcoal w mahogany

Desk #2 gray on gray

Desk #3 This is cheaper than the ones above, so I think it may be wood or some type of laminate.
{{!gwi}}

Just a little update! I went to a place that sells professional office furniture and I was able to order a white desk with a white top. It looks like some of the last ones I posted, so it's definitely not my shabby chic desk, but at least it's all white and will look so much better than what I currently have. It will take approximately 4 weeks to come in, so I'll post pictures when it's set up.