Modeska 24" x 14" Leather Desk Pad - SKIDSTOP™ Ultra Smooth Executive Blotter and Protective Mat Large Mouse Pad for Office, School, Home, Remote Business – Brown

Once upon a time, there was a guy with a beautiful desk where he spent hour after hour, day after day, reading and writing. Studying and thinking. Laughing and crying. At work and at play. His desk was his altar. His desk was his playground. If he could comfortably sleep at his desk, he certainly would.He was raised well. His parents has nice Ethan Allen furniture ... when that was a thing. He’s not even sure if it was a thing or if it still is. He hasn’t thought of Ethan Allan until now. He did know NEVER EVER to do anything to wood. Preserve and protect.He was brought up to believe that good humans are like the wood police - protect and defend. He always used coasters (on wood but not glass). Glass is safe. You can do anything to glass except perhaps fracture it with a hammer or a bullet. Windex makes all things new. Which is why he preferred glass until now.This poor dude didn't know anything about blotters. If he had, he would have known the word blot but would ask blot what? He’d think, Windex will wipe away any marks he might make. Besides, he never ever, ever, went off the page. He never blotted. He was blot free. He simply didn't make marks like that. Of course, his desks had always been glass. He thought sleep, food, and Windex solved the majority of life's blots.What he didn't know is how much he would come to love his desk. This inanimate object which was once an acacia tree somewhere gave its oxygen-giving life for him to sit at hour upon hour, day after day would become loved. It would become so loved, we can guess more in its death than it was in its life, that he should want to protect and defend it.He also didn't know that he'd far more than write and read at this desk (its intended purpose). He'd end up eating at his desk and setting down hot dishes on it. He'd end up opening beer bottles on his desk, pressing them into his beloved think space. He’d end up tattooing his beloved with his own idiocy. Somehow, he thought, desks are immune.He realized how wrong he was when at first he noticed a spiral like shape in the wood. The shape was clearly man-made. He chided himself. He blotted. It was from a beer bottle. He realized how much he loved his desk and took up the mantle to protect and defend wood against harm once again.He learned first what the hell blotters are and why they are not just needed but completely necessary. He regrets harming his desk as he did. He knew not what he did. But really, he warns desks are not magically immune from whatever you might do to them.He did some research and wanted genuine leather. He also wanted an American company. He looked at Etsy and Amazon until deciding on the TOP Rated - Modeska 24"x14" Leather Desk Pad - Executive Blotter and Protective Mat - Mouse Pad, It matched the existing leather in his room and didn’t detract from the color of the wood stain.A week has passed and he is happy that he once again wears the white hat of protector and defender of wood. His habits aren't likely change. He’ll still eat dinner at his desk. He’ll still open beer bottles against it. He'll still want to sleep at it. And he’ll now rest easy that that acacia tree gave its life for a worthy purpose.

I have now had the desk pad for several weeks. I was worried about the reviews that talked about the corners 'lifting'. Not a big deal for me. Here are my overall thoughts:PROS:-High-quality construction and design-Great feel to the synthetic leather-Love the dark gray color, blends-in with everything-Appreciate the tastefully embossed logo in the bottom right corner of the product, and not the bright white letters some manufacturers use-A good feel with my mouse-Perfect size. This is actually a big deal. This fits perfectly in front of my 21" iMac. Just right for my keyboard and mouse with plenty of room.CONS:-Slightly lifting corners. I just want to say that this really doesn't bother me that much and I'm an extremely picky buyer. I tried putting heavy books on the corners for 5 days, and it didn't seem to do a lot. With that said, I'm not sure I would have even noticed it if it was't for all the reviews about it. This is the only reason I gave it 4 stars and not 5. And if I could, I would have given it a 4.5 star rating.Just one comment to the manufacturers. I appreciate that the product is not rolled or folded and is delivered straight and flat. However when my box came from Amazon, the product was lose in a big box. No padding, bubble wrap or cushioning of any kind. So the product knocked around in the box. I was concerned that the edges might have gotten bent, dented and beat up a bit. But to my surprise, it was fine. I'd still look into the shipper putting something around it, just to keep it from getting damaged.Anyway, after weeks of use, I can say that I highly recommend this product. It looks classy, feels good, and seems very durable to last a long time.

Update July 16, 2019- I included a couple of pictures. Although we were very happy with the initial purchase, we are looking for another pad with a better edge. 2 1/2 years of use and the leather edging is unglued. The first year and a half it had moderate to heavy use. The kids left to college and the laptop get used for maybe less than 10 hours per week because with have ipads. The problem is we lean our forearms on the pad and the weight, rubbing, heat, oils has caused the leather to come off. I rotated the pad and after a year the other side is unravelling. I tried gorilla glue(what a mess) and it didn't work. I still love the look and size, but will find something that will last a lot longer even if I have to pay more money. Very happy with the pad. Slender enough for our desk, without being bulky. The color is exactly like pictured. I wanted something neutral, this was perfect. I think if is holding up better than I expected considering four people are using the computer everyday. Oh, ya we put the computer on top so the lap top doesnt slide around. If and when I need to replace the pad I would order a longer length and slightly wider 28x20 if they have it. we have the laptop on the far left of the pad right to the edge so we have enough room to use the mouse on the right. We did initially center the laptop but then had to use the mouse on the top of the desk. The mouse rolls much smoother on the pad.