How do I create a blank desktop (on OS 10.7.5) I realize that this isn't a new feature but I've never needed to use different workspaces on my computer until now and I'm having a bit of trouble.

I'm able to add a new desktop by entering Mission Control and hovering over the translucent + that appears and clicking on it. My problem is that when I go to that newly-created space, it's a copy of the existing cluttered original desktop. How do I create a blank desktop?
The point of spaces is that they allow for different collections and configurations of application windows, and they do not allow for having different desktops; the desktop is not a window.

The desktop icons shown are simply file and folder items at a file system level that are displayed without requiring to be viewed through an application window. There is only a single desktop folder per user.

Taking both of these into account, what you want can't work for a number of reasons