DIY Furniture – Dresser

Hey there! I am so excited about the project I’m sharing with you all! In part because I’m in love with this piece of furniture but also because it is a nursery gift for my BFF4E 🙂

I was inspired by a very pretty dresser that Whit and I found at a popular furniture store!  Right when I saw it thought it would be perfect for our friend, Lauri’s new nursery!  Of course, at $1,200, it was way out of my budget so I hit our sweet friend Ana up for plans 🙂

I chose to build this piece with Purebond Plywood in Birch.  Not only is it BEAUTIFUL, it is formaldehyde-free, keeping the air that I breath (while building) safe and most importantly it makes the air safer in the baby’s nursery!  To learn more about ourPurebond Pledge you can check this video out!

Total cost for this beauty was $250 with $50 of that in the casters!

Here are some of my building pics and tips along the way.  ClickHEREfor Ana’s awesome plans!

Frame

Dividers!  I attached all of the boards with myKreg Jigand my cordless drill!

Frame finished 😉

Adding the dividers!  Love myKreg Jig right-angle clamp!

Now for a little tip on drawers slides 🙂

Install the interior slides first.  Make sure that you set them back the width of the drawer faced.  I set a scrap piece in the drawer face slot to mark where the interior slides should be installed.  Just screw them in once you mark them!

Now, measure from slide to slide to get the width of the drawer.

Once the drawer is built, just attach the slide making the side without the wheel flush with the front of the drawer.

I used myKreg Jig Rip Cutto cut the back of the dresser.  This bad boy is under $40 and it’s a perfect substitute for a table saw!  It’s easy to use and doesn’t take up space!  I used my cordless circular saw to cut it!

Now time for the finish!

I wanted to mimic the look of the West Elm dresser so I chose some favorite  stains to finish the drawer faces!

Here are my stain choices:

Dark Walnut

Kona

Early American

Light Walnut

Summer Oak

While you wait for the stain to dry, you can Edge Band your edges.  This is a super easy technique that will give the Purebond Plywood the look of solid wood.  You just iron it on!  Check this video out for a detailedEdge Banding Demonstration!

After you iron it on, just score it to get the right fit!

Time to paint the cabinet!

I chose my favorite latex paint to finish the frame of the cabinet, Behr Cozy Cottage in satin!

Scared of hinges???

They are easy once you break them down.  Just install the short side into the main cabinet and make sure to install them back far enough to fit the width of the cabinet door.

Then, add the door!

Once the stain is dry, attach the faces with Gorilla Glue Wood Glue and 2 inch nails.  I distressed all of the drawers and cabinet door with my Corner Cat!

Looking good!!!

Stain break-down:

Big cabinet door: Dark Walnut

Small Drawer: Summer Oak

Top Drawer: Dark Walnut

Second Drawer: Kona

Third Drawer: Early American

Fourth Drawer:  Light Walnut

I picked out some cute hinges to finish her off and installed the casters!  I chose locking casters because this will be in a nursery 🙂

Ahhhh I LOVE!

I am convinced I need one for myself now 😉  Do you love the bulletin board and frame?  Check back soon for tutorial on those babies!

If you love this dresser, I would LOVE your pins!

Thanks for stopping by!

~AshleyClick below to purchase a Kreg Jig Master System!Amazon.com Widgets