Knock Off Wood inspired me.

*Disclaimer: I am in a writing mood. This might get long!

I have become addicted to a new blog, and consequently, I have to share. This all started when I wanted new home office furniture for the home we just purchased in the historic district. It has been a long love affair, but darnit if the Pottery Barn Bedford collection won’t break the bank. I have wanted that collection forever. Even though my budget was generous, I couldn’t justify blowing it on just a few pieces. Late one night, I Googled “pottery barn bedford collection knockoff” and found something fascinating, inspiring and wonderful. Enter Ana.

Ana White is the author of Knock Off Wood, and I can only describe her site as fabulous. She is inspired by high-end furniture, figures out how to build it, and posts the plans and material lists for her readers to follow. And she had posted plans of her versions of pretty much the entire Bedford collection. *swoon*

So, of course, I start thinking: I can do this. We have all the power tools known to man, I just have no idea how to use them (other than the drill, my Dremel and Mouse). I printed out the plans, and started with one small open file base and I figured I’d see if I totally suck at building, or if I could hack this. With the help of a good friend teaching me proper power tool etiquette, it went well. So well, in fact, that the next day I was buying wood for the second unit and the drawers to go with it! My plans are to use one of the extra 1920′s-era doors as a desktop, using these two units as a base. They are built, but I haven’t painted them yet, as the room they will be going in isn’t yet finished. So at some point, I will post pictures of the finished pieces.

As I am having a field day with this, and following Ana’s blog every chance I have, I start thinking: what else can I build? There are tons of cool things on Ana’s site, but nothing that I need (lots that I want, but hubby wants to focus on finishing necessary things, like repainting the house). One of my biggest challenges with the new house is my new office. I am going from a spare bedroom to a converted sunporch, so while I gain a delightful amount of natural light, I lose my closet. And I have a HUGE walk-in closet full of stuff. All my sewing stuff, photography equipment, guitar cases and other detritus currently reside in this closet. Where will it live when we move? The sewing stuff will end up in my dressing room or the spare bedroom (not sure yet), and I imagine the guitar cases will get stashed in the attic or the hall closet, but I need to be able to get to my photo equipment in a moment’s notice. I considered a cedar chest and thought, heck: I could totally use something like that. My slingshot bag, tripods, collapsible softbox and all those other fun things could live in one, and I could also utilize it as a bench seat in front of the window by putting a cushion on top of it.

I priced some out. I checked Craigslist. They are not cheap. I already bought one, an antique Lane with drawers underneath for my dressing room, but that was a lucky find, and part of the “buying antiques in bulk” weekend spree last month. Then it occurred to me: What would Ana do? Build it! So, in the last few weeks while I have been waiting for lessons in using the paint sprayer so I can paint my new desk bases, I learned to use Google SketchUp and figured out what I wanted for a chest. I started simple, and I am sharing the plans with you!

Should you care to download the plans in PDF format, minus all my backstory, please do so here. And thank Ana while you’re at it!

Craftsman-esque Chest Plans

Materials List

1 – Sheet of 3/4” MDF or A1 Plywood cut into 1×16 boards (see knockoffwood.blogspot.com plans for 1×16 boards)
1 – Sheet of 3/4” MDF or A1 Plywood cut into 19 1/2” x 40” for bottom and 21 3/4” x 43” for top
30 feet 1 x 4 boards (Extra if you plan to trim the back)
*If you are confident in your accuracy in cutting wood, you can do this with five 6’ boards and almost no waste. I am still a newbie when it comes to measuring, so if you are too, you might want to do it with 8’ boards. I’m going to.
Hinges for lid (however you wish to attach them.)

2 ” Screws and 1 1/4″ nails….

Cut List

1 – 3/4 Plywood @ 21 3/4” x 43” (Top)
1 – 3/4 Plywood @ 18” x 40” (Bottom)
2 – 1×16 @ 40” (Front and back)
2 – 1×16 @ 18” (Sides)
8 – 1×4 @ 18” (Legs)
4 – 1×4 @ 12 1/2” (Side Trim)
4 – 1×4 @ 34 1/2” (Front and Back Trim)
2 – 1×4 @ 9 1/16” (Front Center Trim pieces, cut 4 if you would like to trim the back as well)

Cut legs from two 6’ (or 8’) boards
Cut front & back trim pieces from two 6’ (or 8’) boards
Cut side trim and center front trim from one 6’ board (or your leftovers from your 8’ boards)

***While I hope that these are accurate plans, I cannot guarantee accuracy, or be held liable for any errors. I have not built this yet! It is recommended that you draw out the plans and have a clear understanding of how the project will fit together before begining. I hope that if you do find a flaw in my plans, you will contact me immediately***

1. Attach back to bottom. Begin by fastening the bottom to the back, as shown below. Then fasten the sides to the back. Use the screws and glue.

2. Attach sides to back and bottom. Use the screws and glue.

3. Attach front to sides and bottom. Use the screws and glue.

4. Construct legs. Use the screws and glue.

5. Attach legs to box. Use the screws and glue. Legs will extend 1 3/4″ below base of box.

6. Attach front and side trim pieces. Glue and use 1 1/4″ finish nails, nailing through the sides.

7. Attach front inside trim pieces. As shown below, glue and use the 1 1/4″ finish nailers and nail through the sides.

8. Mark lid and add hinges. Lid will overhang 3/4” on front and sides, flush with back.

9. Finishing. Fill all your holes, sand all surfaces and finish as desired!

I hope to get around to building the chest this weekend… Ana, thanks for your inspiration and empowerment! You rock