Toy storage
Doubled the size of Ana's toy storage to accommodate my niece and nephew.
Doubled the size of Ana's toy storage to accommodate my niece and nephew.
Table top is tight knot cedar, sealed with ship n shore, 7 coats spar urethane.
Base is fir, sealed and painted in latex outdoor paint:
These little dressers are inspired by Ana's Master Closet System drawers, and the Willy Bookshelf. These were made entirely from scrap wood, so it only cost me for the knobs and the felt for the drawers/bottom. These drawers were sized to fit inside the cubes in my vanity/desk, and to fit the left over wood available from my scrap bin. This took a while to cut everything, but it was fun and didn’t cost me anything but my time. On the top dresser I used some ‘slices’ of lauan for trim, to hide the cut edges and the bit of ‘cup’ on my side pieces (these were re-purposed old shelf boards from the garage). I used my finish nailer and glue for these.
Here’s a shopping and cut list (and a few tips) to make the 4-drawer equivalent (similar to the top one) with standard sized 1x12 lumber, and using 1x2 for drawer front/back/sides and applying 3/16” lauan ply for the bottoms. Haven't figured out how to use sketch up yet, so I can only provide a shopping list, cut list, and finished dimensions, so here goes:
Shopping list: (my 1x12’s are 11.25” wide and .75” thick, and 1x2’s were 1.5” wide, and .75” thick, and lauan is 3/16” thick)
1 pc 1x12x8
2 pc 1x2x8
2 pc 24” x 24” lauan (3/16’ plywood) (you’ll have some left over from the 2nd piece)
Felt - 4 pc 8.5” x 9.75” for insides of drawers, 4 pc 10” x 11.25” for drawer bottoms, and 1 pc 11.75" x 11.25" for dresser bottom. You can use 9 sheets craft felt (9” x 12”) for this – the 11.25” front – back measurement on the drawer bottoms is what’s most important –craft felt is 9” wide, and it’s OK if the felt doesn’t go all the way to the edges on the side-to-side measurement
(Sticky-back felt works and looks great, but costs a lot more than regular. I use sticky back on something I’m making as a gift, but these were for me so I just used regular felt and glued it in place with wood glue)
4 mini-knobs (Mine are unfinished ones from Ace, got for 2/$1.29 and spray-painted them)
Finish nails (I had 1 ¼” on hand) and plenty of glue
Finishing materials - filler, sand paper, plus paint/stain to suit your tastes
Cut list:
2 pc 1x12, cut at 2” (spacers - use these 'slices' for spacers while assembling, so the shelves are all spaced the same distance apart – this idea is from the Kreg jig demo video where they built the bookshelf). I like to cut these first, making sure they are nice and square. To me it’s easier and safer to cut these thin pieces from a larger piece with my miter saw.
2 pc 1x12 @ 11.75” (dresser top/bottom)
5 pc 1x12 @ 10.25” (2 for sides, 3 for shelves)
8 pc 1x2 @ 10” (drawer front/back)
8 pc 1x2 @ 9.75” (drawer sides)
4 pc 10” x 11.25” lauan plywood (drawer bottoms)
1 pc 11.75" x 11.75” lauan plywood (back)
Finished dimensions:
Dresser: 11.75” H x 11.75” W x 11 7/16” deep (includes back)
Drawer opening size: 10.25” wide x 2” tall x 11.25” deep
Drawer dimensions: 10”wide x 11.25” long x 1 11/16” tall (felt on the bottom of the drawer will make this height just a little taller)
Finished inside depth of drawer 1.5”, drawer inside dimensions 8.5” wide x 9.75” long
Finish: sanded, filled, sanded some more, and painted with some left over white paint, and used silver spray paint for the knobs
Assembly tips: Dresser part is constructed very much like the Willy bookshelf. The top and bottom are the same size on this one and the dresser bottom is applied the same way as the top of the Willy bookshelf. Once the bottom is on, use the ‘spacers’ to make sure the shelves are the same distance apart all the way up, then the top goes on last. 3/16” plywood goes on the back. Drawers are constructed like the master closet system drawers. Drawers slide directly on the shelves (and bottoms of drawers covered with felt) so no drawer glides are used. Applied the felt and knobs after sanding and finishing. Make sure the felt goes all the way from the front to the back of the drawer bottom, and is glued on thoroughly.
Thu, 12/22/2011 - 23:15
How did you do the insides? Did you line it with some type of foam? Great work. Thank you for posting.
Fri, 12/23/2011 - 11:56
Thanks very much! For the ring drawer, I used a piece of 1" thick high density foam (I cut up a kitchen chair pad) and on top of this is a piece of sticky-back felt. I drew lines on the paper side and cut slits into the felt first, then stuck it on top of the foam, and cut into the foam following the slits, using a utility knife. I didn't cut all the way through the foam, but almost to the bottom. The slits go all the way across the foam (to about 3/4" from edge) to fit more rings in there, but you can also do individual slits for each ring (if you have more patience than me - haha). The other drawers have regular felt cut to size and attached with wood glue. (Sticky back felt inside the drawers would have worked fine too, it just costs more).
Fri, 12/23/2011 - 16:55
I just built a gentleman's valet for my sister in law's boyfriend, partly to test out some joinery ideas, and partly because I found a beautiful piece of white oak in the discount bin while I was looking for something else at the lumber dealer. I was pretty impressed with myself, but it's got nothing on the ambition of this project.
Excellent work. I absolutely wouldn't have guessed it as a beginner project.
I'm almost certainly going to have to build a jewelry chest like this for my wife pretty soon. My dad just built my mom a nice one, and my wife will be wanting her own.
Sat, 12/24/2011 - 13:54
Clay, thanks very much for the nice compliment. I've seen your projects here and on your blog and they are beautiful, so I'm very flattered! I've edited my original post to include measurements and cut list for a 'regular lumber' equivalent to the top chest. Lots easier than cutting all those drawer sides out of plywood and 1x12 like I did with my 'prototypes'. :) The next one I do will be with regular size lumber. Thinking of building one for my Mom. Happy holidays!
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 00:26
do you sell these? Its awesome. I've been looking for a tabletop drawer to store my makeup but everything is made of plastic! I was actually googling to see if there was someplace I can do woodshop to make my own jewelry drawer but alas I dont have the skills nor do I have any tools. I really admire this drawer!
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 04:56
Lucy, try looking for something like a Makerworks. These are communal workshops with space and tools that you can use for a fee or a subscription. I don't know how prevalent they are in most of the country. I live in a suburb of Detroit, and because of the large manufacturing base there are a lot of them around.
The more expensive ones offer classes where you can pick up basic skills on unfamiliar equipment, but even those "expensive" ones don't cost a lot of money. The inexpensive ones still offer training on their equipment, but less formally than a scheduled class.
One of the more interesting features of these places, at least around here, is that they have CNC machines available. A CNC machine would let you transfer sketchup drawings directly to cut parts. For a one-off item it's not worth the trouble, but if you wanted to duplicate an item it would be great.
I tweaked the console plans to work best for my space, and to work with the reclaimed barn threshing floor boards that I used for the top.
I love how it turned out and it works wonderfully in my space.
Hi Ana! Thank-you for the detailed instructions on how to build the indoor playground! We had our contractor build this for our twins' 3rd birthday present. The kids absolutely LOVE the playground and use it every day. I'm planning to paint it, reinforce and install a rock climbing wall up to the bridge, and install some easels in the bottoms of the playhouses. You can see more pictures of the kids playing and the construction here: http://feedingtwins.com/body/the-best-3rd-birthday-present/ Thanks again! Julie
My daughter absolutely loves this bed, and everyone who comes over can't help but to compliment it. I was able to build it in 4 pieces in the basement then carry them up to our apartment and put them all together. It was not an easy build especially since I kept making little mistakes and had to go back and fix them. For example I did not use wood glue at first for the bars so after I screwed them all into place i relaxed they wobbled and twisted so I had to unscrew all of them, add glue and screw them all back in. But overall the instructions were pretty simple to follow and I am very happy with the way it came out.
Wed, 07/17/2019 - 10:15
Love this bed! The color is great! Thank you for submitting your brag posts, we appreciate it!
Took me maybe 30 minutes to put this together. Used 1-5/8 spacing, every other row is a little tight, but they work.
Well, this was my first ever wood build. I have made plenty of sewing projects and many other things, but haven't ever done a wood build.....and I have to say - I'm ADDICTED! I can not wait to do my next wood build. Actually, already making plans to take the beach hut bed and modify it to be a bunk bed for my two girls!
Modifications I made to the kitchen center are as follows:
Fridge: I installed magnetic clips inside the door area so it would stay closed and not go in to far when she closed it. I used basic exterior hinges due to the ackwardness of the size of the boards and placement, but it actually looked better. I installed hooks on the left side for her apron and hot pads and hooks on the right side for her cooking utensils to hang up.
Stove: I made the knobs to the stove able to turn and pull out a little to imitate an actual knob on a stove so she feels as though she is able to turn on the stove and cook. I made the top have four electric burners on the sides and a gas grill plate in the middle....she loves this for her "burgers" lol. I found some cookie cooling racks at dollar tree and they sit perfectly on the shelves inside the stove. I also mounted a tap light on the inside of the stove so it has an "oven light" in it.
Sink: I painted a ceiling medallion to match the set colors and have that as her decorative sink border...the actual sink is a purple tupperware bowl. The faucet is actually a sink mounted soap dispenser I purchased. It has a bottle that attaches under the sink that I can fill with water so that when she is playing she can pump the faucet and actually get water! I made sure to use kitchen and bath grade silicone sealant on the sink and used paint that is ok in a kitchen/bath area.
I painted her set Disney Tink Pink lol.....her favorite color! She is loving this set and I am so thankful I found this site so I could make it!
Sun, 01/01/2012 - 09:47
Congrats on your first build! You did a super job! So cute. Love the creative elements like the turning knobs, grill and the 'running' water. Your sink bowl and trim colors are a great touch too. :)
I followed the plans and everything went really well. Th bench was built to match a Farmhouse Bed and nightstand that I built. I added fake drawers and knobs to make it match the nightstand. The top of the bench is made from boards screwed together rather than plywood, to add a little character.
My husband made this with a few tweaks: taller dividers to be even with the sides, smoothing of edges, and handles! It was perfect for our salad bar and pizza party!
"I took a dead spot in our kitchen and designed it into a functional space that also added value to our home!
I built the frame using the sideboard plans by Ana White & Shanty2Chic. From there I designed it to fit our needs perfectly."
I found a picture of a mail organizer (URL below) on Ana's website and my wife really wanted one similar to it. So we took that idea, added some antique accessories to the side and name plate on the front.
Fun quick project!
My husband built the dresser for our three-year-old son. He built and stained the dresser over the course of a week.
Built this table out of solid Maple, which made it much more expensive to build, but such a beautiful piece of furniture. I bought the legs from Osborne Wood. One thing I did to cut down on cost was to use 1" X 6" wood for the 5 center table-top boards instead of the 2" X 6" called for in the plans. Underneath those, I put a piece of 3/4" plywood to increase the thickness to match the (4) 2" X 6" outer edges. This is not visible unless you climb under the table to look at it from underneath but I think it actually helped to create a flat (almost seamless) table top. Thank you for the plans! I put a lot of work into this piece and I think it will remain in my family for generations!
Simple workbench using 2x4's and a 3/4" 24"x48" top and 2.5" screws.
Added an extra board to the bottom for more storage space. Actually built 2 of these to have a longer work station for the miter saw and to assist in ripping larger boards with my circular saw since I do not have space in my garage for a table saw.
This was my very first project. I wanted to jump right in and start with a Storage Farm House bed but my husband was convinced that I would start a project and just leave it hanging and insisted that I start with something smaller. He was sooo impressed with these stools! I originally had planned to upholster the top as in the plan but we preferred the look with out it! The plans were very easy to follow.
We made these chairs following easy instructions from AnaWhite!
Comments
Ana White Admin
Mon, 01/25/2016 - 12:55
Great idea!
I love this and chalkboard paint, super cute!