Venus designs desk valued at $9,000 for Art Basel

Venus Williams, one of the WTA Tour's artists in residence, has put her design skills to great use once again. In Miami for the annual, star-studded Art Basel event, she joined other celebrated designers including Heidi Klum for the Furtif Art Project. Each designer has created a unique, interpretative take on the classic FURTIF desk by luxury furniture brand Roche Bobois.

For her part, Klum has spoken to how her kids tried to get in on the action, though she painted her desk entirely herself and made her house smell of paint for a solid week. Klum, Williams, and others gathered for an event heralding the art project at the Roche Bobois Wynwood Warehouse this week.

Williams' own creation includes a patchwork effect of colorful leathers juxtaposed with her own inspirational sayings. "Just like every match, point and opponent is different, the design for this desk required a similar approach," she said. "It must be viewed from a myriad of different perspectives to be truly seen and appreciated."

The designers' pieces are being auctioned off through December 5 and benefit various charities, including UNICEF, Klum's choice charity, and Lotus House, which aids homeless children and families. Venus' desk has been valued at $9,000, and the opening bid is $2,000.

"The design is by V Starr Interiors, and we’re a local South Florida company," Williams said. "We’re up in West Palm Beach. I’ve been a South Florida girl for more than 20 years now, so everything I do, no matter what it is, I bring it home to South Florida."

It remains to be seen whether her desk design brings home top dollar for a most worthy cause.

Follow Jon on Twitter @jonscott9.