I sew professionally and have used a old office desk for 30 years. Granted its oversized but I would not get rid of it for anything. Positive is that the actual work surface large so large projects are not dragging on the machine or floor. My machines are not recessed into the top by choice. I have gone back and forth about making a cutout for the machine to sit in however decided not to because I have multiple machines and not all have the same foot print. Negative is the appearance (I've always lusted after a matching set of sewing furniture.....cabinet, bookcases, cabinets, tablet=s. etc...) and sometime storage issues. In a perfect world and I had money to burn I probably would hire to make a custom set for me but that is not to be.