As Kara’s birthday approached, Mona came to me with a special request: could we build Kara a custom vanity to fit her unique bedroom space? I was excited to take on the challenge, and after a conversation with Kara, we settled on a ladder-style design that would not only maximize the limited floor space but also add a touch of personality to the room. The ladder vanity would need to fit snugly between the two closet doors, so we drew inspiration from a previous project – a ladder bookshelf that Kara and I built together a few years ago. With a clear vision in mind, we set out to create a functional and stylish piece that would meet Kara’s needs and exceed her expectations. The final result would feature two drawers, a hanging area for jewelry, and a beautiful finish on riftsawn white oak – a project that would not only be a birthday gift, but a lasting reminder of our love of doing projects together!
Planing white oak boards, a typical project start
Planing white oak boards, a typical project start
Panels being glued up for the drawer box
Panels being glued up for the drawer box
The crosscut sled is a great aid to squaring the ends of panels
The crosscut sled is a great aid to squaring the ends of panels
The drawer box dry fit with screw holes drilled and countersunk
The drawer box dry fit with screw holes drilled and countersunk
The Festool track saw being used to cut eight degree tapers on the main ladder sides
The Festool track saw being used to cut eight degree tapers on the main ladder sides
First dry fit of the drawer box and ladder sides
First dry fit of the drawer box and ladder sides
Dry fit with the addition of shelving
Dry fit with the addition of shelving
Inside spacers being glued to the ladder sides to form dadoes for the drawer box and shelves
Inside spacers being glued to the ladder sides to form dadoes for the drawer box and shelves
A drill jig makes quick work of drilling screw holes on the centerlines of the dadoes
A drill jig makes quick work of drilling screw holes on the centerlines of the dadoes
The digital angle gauge makes quick work of setting up to bevel the ladder top pieces
The digital angle gauge makes quick work of setting up to bevel the ladder top pieces
The dry assembled ladder vanity leaning against the workbench simulates how it will lean against the wall
The dry assembled ladder vanity leaning against the workbench simulates how it will lean against the wall
The dry assembly on its “back” with the workbench simulating the plane of the vertical wall
The dry assembly on its “back” with the workbench simulating the plane of the vertical wall
Mona disassembling the vanity from its first dry fit
Mona disassembling the vanity from its first dry fit
Mona disassembling the vanity from its first dry fit
Mona disassembling the vanity from its first dry fit
Drawer components ready for assembly
Drawer components ready for assembly
Drawers assembled with their corresponding drawer fronts below
Drawers assembled with their corresponding drawer fronts below
Assembled drawers with their corresponding drawer fronts which will allow for drawer slide clearance on both sides
Assembled drawers with their corresponding drawer fronts which will allow for drawer slide clearance on both sides
Dry fit of the necklace frame
Dry fit of the necklace frame
Accuride full-extension drawer slides will give the drawers smooth actions
Accuride full-extension drawer slides will give the drawers smooth actions
Components of the custom mirror frame with special joinery to allow for a rabbet to accept the cut mirror
Components of the custom mirror frame with special joinery to allow for a rabbet to accept the cut mirror
Mirror frame, squared and assembled
Mirror frame, squared and assembled
Drilling peg holes in the necklace frame rungs
Drilling peg holes in the necklace frame rungs
Necklace from assembled with tenons and mortises formed from dado grooves and spacers
Necklace from assembled with tenons and mortises formed from dado grooves and spacers
Two options for necklace pegs, the longer oak one (upper) the ultimate choice
Two options for necklace pegs, the longer oak one (upper) the ultimate choice
Necklace frame with tapered sides that will be separate, but captured between the ladder sides and the wall
Necklace frame with tapered sides that will be separate, but captured between the ladder sides and the wall
Assembly detail of the necklace frame tapered side panels
Assembly detail of the necklace frame tapered side panels
Installation of pegs into the necklace frame rungs
Installation of pegs into the necklace frame rungs
The complete necklace frame assembly, ready for finish
The complete necklace frame assembly, ready for finish
A custom set of spacers aided with the location of both members of the drawer slides
A custom set of spacers aided with the location of both members of the drawer slides
Custom spacer locating the fixed member of the bottom drawer slide in the drawer box
Custom spacer locating the fixed member of the bottom drawer slide in the drawer box
One down, one to go!
One down, one to go!
Custom and standard spacers set the clearance and position of the fixed member of the upper drawer slides
Custom and standard spacers set the clearance and position of the fixed member of the upper drawer slides
A printout of the SketchUp 3D model on the cover of the custom shop drawings
A printout of the SketchUp 3D model on the cover of the custom shop drawings
Locating the fixed member of the upper drawer slide in the drawer box
Locating the fixed member of the upper drawer slide in the drawer box
Both drawers successfully installed with Accuride drawer slide hardware
Both drawers successfully installed with Accuride drawer slide hardware
Using standard spacers to center the bottom drawer front with the correct design clearance at each side and bottom
Using standard spacers to center the bottom drawer front with the correct design clearance at each side and bottom
Final assembly of the drawer box with glue was delayed to facilitate easier installation of the drawer slide hardware
Final assembly of the drawer box with glue was delayed to facilitate easier installation of the drawer slide hardware
Top drawer extended with temporary knobs installed
Top drawer extended with temporary knobs installed
Completed sub-assemblies ready for finishing
Completed sub-assemblies ready for finishing
The drawer box shows off the beautiful riftsawn white oak wood grain
The drawer box shows off the beautiful riftsawn white oak wood grain
Cup hooks will hang the custom mirror in front of the necklace storage area, allowing for easy access
Cup hooks will hang the custom mirror in front of the necklace storage area, allowing for easy access
Sub-assemblies sanded, vacuumed, wiped, and moved to the finishing area
Sub-assemblies sanded, vacuumed, wiped, and moved to the finishing area
Staining of the sub-assemblies has started
Staining of the sub-assemblies has started
The dark MinWax stain really brings out the beauty of the white oak woodgrain
The dark MinWax stain really brings out the beauty of the white oak woodgrain
Minwax Wood Finish Penetrating Stain Dark Walnut 2716 matched the platform bed project already in the room
Minwax Wood Finish Penetrating Stain Dark Walnut 2716 matched the platform bed project already in the room
Some of the sub-assemblies stained and ready for polyurethane
Some of the sub-assemblies stained and ready for polyurethane
Stained ladder sides
Stained ladder sides
The photo shows a partially built wood box or piece of furniture with a finished side and an open side, sitting on a table. The side of the box that is finished has a dark stain and a blue stripe running down it, while the other side is open and not yet finished. The table is covered in a plastic sheet, and there are various pieces of wood and other materials on it, suggesting that the project is still in progress. The overall impression is that of a work in progress, with the finished side of the box serving as a guide for the other parts of the project.
The photo shows a partially built wood box or piece of furniture with a finished side and an open side, sitting on a table. The side of the box that is finished has a dark stain and a blue stripe running down it, while the other side is open and not yet finished. The table is covered in a plastic sheet, and there are various pieces of wood and other materials on it, suggesting that the project is still in progress. The overall impression is that of a work in progress, with the finished side of the box serving as a guide for the other parts of the project.
The photo shows a frame being stained with a brush, while it lies on a table.
The photo shows a frame being stained with a brush, while it lies on a table.
MinWax Helmsman Spar Urethane in a Clear Satin sheen results in a nice finish
MinWax Helmsman Spar Urethane in a Clear Satin sheen results in a nice finish
Stained and polyurethaned sub-assemblies ready for the final assembly steps
Stained and polyurethaned sub-assemblies ready for the final assembly steps
Re-installing the drawer slides
Re-installing the drawer slides
Two sets of EANOSIC gauge blocks come in handy for all kinds of setups around the workshop
Two sets of EANOSIC gauge blocks come in handy for all kinds of setups around the workshop
With the drawer fronts removed, this view shows even reveals around and between the drawers
With the drawer fronts removed, this view shows even reveals around and between the drawers
The drawer box with both drawers and knobs installed
The drawer box with both drawers and knobs installed
Care was taken to avoid finish in any areas to be glued together on final assembly
Care was taken to avoid finish in any areas to be glued together on final assembly
Fully assembled ladder vanity with only a few final details to complete
Fully assembled ladder vanity with only a few final details to complete
Finished assembly showing how the mirror will hang from the bottom of the first shelf
Finished assembly showing how the mirror will hang from the bottom of the first shelf
Finished custom mirror frame ready to receive the custom-cut mirror from Wolverine Glass
Finished custom mirror frame ready to receive the custom-cut mirror from Wolverine Glass
I received strict instructions from Wolverine Glass personnel to use mirror mastic when installing the cut mirror into its frame
I received strict instructions from Wolverine Glass personnel to use mirror mastic when installing the cut mirror into its frame
To accept earrings, the two tapered side frames received heavy duty black fiberglass screen door mesh
To accept earrings, the two tapered side frames received heavy duty black fiberglass screen door mesh
The screening is held in place with a standard rubber spline
The screening is held in place with a standard rubber spline
Detailed view of the installed screen
Detailed view of the installed screen
Final final assembly of the necklace and earring frame
Final final assembly of the necklace and earring frame
Kara’s Ladder Vanity, delivered on her birthday, fit perfectly in its new home
Kara’s Ladder Vanity, delivered on her birthday, fit perfectly in its new home