A beautiful craft table is simply a tabletop supported by bookshelves. Special thanks to Cherish for sharing her beautiful inspiring photos with us.
And I'm so sad that the sun went down before I could snap some photos of some of my projects from this weekend. You must stop back by and check them out later this week - I know you are going to love them as much as I do! In the meantime, I wanted to finish plans for the Mod Modular Office Collection Project Desk.

Preparation
1 – Sheet of 3/4″ Plywood or MDF (Can use 1/2 sheet, tabletop will be 6″ narrower)
3- 8′ 1×12 (Tops and Small Shelves/Two Large Shelves and One Bottom)
1 – 12′ 1×12 (Ends, Dividers)
1 – 12′ 1×10 (Small Bookshelf Sides)
7 – 8′ 1×2
2 – 8′ 2×2
2″ Finish Nails
2″ Screws or 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws
Wood Glue
Finishing Supplies
Cut List for Project Table (Two Bookshelf Bases and One Top)
2 – 1×12 @ 37 1/4″ (Bookshelf Tops)
2 – 1×12 @ 33 1/2″ (Bookshelf Ends)
2 – 1×12 @ 32″ (Bookshelf Divider)
2 – 1×12 @ 36 1/2″ (Bookshelf Bottom)
4 – 1×12 @ 27″ (Large Shelves)
4 – 1×10 @ 34 1/4″ (Small Bookshelf Sides)
4 – 1×12 @ 8 3/4″ (Small Shelves)
8 – 1×2 @ 27 3/4″ (Large Shelf Side Trim)
8 – 1×2 @ 31 1/4″ (End Trim)
4 – 1×2 @ 13″ (Small Shelf Top and Bottom Trim)
4 – 2×2 @ 36 1/2″ (Floating Base Sides)
4 – 2×2 @ 8 1/2″ (Floating Base Ends)
1 – 3/4″ Plywood or MDF @ 38″ x 54″ (Top) (For 1/2 sheet of plywood, top is 38″ x 48″)
4 – 2×2 @ 10″ (Floating Base Ends)
4 – 1×2 @ 36 1/2″ (Floating Base Sides)
Instructions
Step 1

Begin by measuring and cutting all your boards. Mark out all joints before any assembly. If you are using pocket holes, drill all pocket holes. If you are using screws, drill pilot holes. Attach the pieces with 2″ screws and glue or 1 1/4″ pocket holes screws and glue. Keep outside edges flush. You can optionally attach the shelves (orange) with shelf pins to create adjustable shelves
Step 2

This is where that nailer would be handy. Attach with glue and 2″ finish nails the small bookshelf sides. Leave 3/4″ under the bottom and make sure you also attach to the center divider (Back of small bookshelf).
Step 3

You can either place these shelves with shelf pins or use finish nails and glue to secure in place.
Step 4

Attach the large shelf trim to the sides, keeping top edges flush, with 2″ finish nails and glue. If you are using a Kreg Jig™, build a face frame separately, then attach with 2″ finish nails and glue.
Step 5

Step 6

If you are using pocket hole screws, build your face frame separately, then attach with 2″ finish nails and glue. Otherwise, nail the trim on with 2″ finish nails and glue.
Step 7

Attach the small shelf side trim with 2″ finish nails and glue.
Step 8

Use 2″ screws and glue to attach the floating base sides to the bottom of the bookshelves.
Step 9

Attach the floating base ends to the bookshelf with 2″ screws and glue.
Step 10

Use 2″ screws and glue to attach the floating base ends to the underside of the tabletop. See measurements above for placement.
Step 11

Attach the floating base sides to the ends with 2″ finish nails and glue.
Step 12

From the underside of the bookshelves, screw into the floating base with 2″ screws. You may wish to finish the edges of the tabletop with edge banding or nosing for a more finished look. Finish as desired.
We apologize if there was an error in this plan. Please help us out and report any errors here.
Comments
jojabis (not verified)
Sun, 09/12/2010 - 22:28
we had been just toying
we had been just toying around with the idea of this very thing for my bother-in-law thank you
rcasbeer (not verified)
Mon, 09/13/2010 - 03:54
After the low bookcase was
After the low bookcase was posted last week, I was trying to think of how I would build it with three shelves and a little shorter. This is perfect. Thanks!
Ana White - Cr… (not verified)
Mon, 09/13/2010 - 04:03
[...] White - Craft Table Two
[...] White - Craft Table Two Has anyone else seen this? How to Build a Modern Project Table Ana is amazing! __________________ Diana Blessinger [...]
megnstuff (not verified)
Mon, 09/13/2010 - 05:29
i wish i had room for a table
i wish i had room for a table like this... maybe the kids wouldn't mind if i took over their play room!
CreativeCarol (not verified)
Tue, 09/14/2010 - 11:16
If I put this on casters
If I put this on casters would I need to reduce the height of the table a bit or wouldn't it matter?
Build The Ulti… (not verified)
Wed, 09/15/2010 - 11:12
[...] today is because a few
[...] today is because a few days ago she shared a project that is a crafters dream! She calls it the Mod Modular Office Collection Project Desk, my sewing friends and I call it The Ultimate Crafting Table! So if you have a handy hubby, dad, [...]
Bedford Projec… (not verified)
Mon, 01/17/2011 - 03:00
[...] of my favorite blogs,
[...] of my favorite blogs, Shanty 2 Chic took the challenge on Ana-White.com (another one of my faves) to make her own craft table for her [...]
Kristen Peterson (not verified)
Mon, 01/17/2011 - 22:04
This is so cool! I have not
This is so cool! I have not done a lot of DIY so this sounds a bit tricky, but with a handy boyfriend and your helpful schematics, I think I can do it! Knock off decor sent me over to this link and I think I'm going to find some amazing projects to do! Thanks for sharing you advice!
Make your own … (not verified)
Sat, 01/22/2011 - 11:17
[...] if Pottery Barn had
[...] if Pottery Barn had their version, the knock-offs had to be out there too. And there were, even plans to make your own from (the possibly a wood-working genius) Ana White. But the knock-offs (even the really cool [...]
Craft desk too… (not verified)
Wed, 03/02/2011 - 08:10
[...] in Brag Blog,FEATURED
[...] in Brag Blog,FEATURED Put on my TO-DO List Save as PDF Print this PostShare/Bookmark Builder: Cherish Fiedler Experience Level: Absolute Beginner Estimated Cost: 150.00 Estimated Time Investment: 1 day From Plan: http://ana-white.com/2010/09/and-the-craft-table-too.html [...]