Shirley Modified

Submitted by Kiely54 on Tue, 04/29/2014 - 08:33

My husband and I built this together. Well, I helped! It was my first time using power tools. I'm the one who designs and picks out themes/colors and he does the manual labor but I wanted to learn a few things this time.
We modified the Shirley Console table and combined a few features from some of the other console tables. As you can see we modified the front of the drawers. We wanted the table to match our decor but also wanted some of the wood to show. I said, "I wish they made gray stain!" Miniwax does! This was our first experience. It was challenging because it dries so quickly and you are threatened with an uneven look but we love the way it turned out. We also bought pine instead of plywood so i cost a bit more but it was worth it! It also took us a bit longer because this was our first project and we modified the measurements to fit our entryway.
I chose these drawer pulls to match my gray and white damask curtains that hang nearby. I purchased them in brushed nickel from Home Depot for ~$3 each and spray painted them white. When I told people what I was doing I got negative feedback but I think they turned out great! Now to decorate it and make a matching entertainment center!
Also the Kreg Jig was a HUGE help...it really makes the piece look professionally made!! Thanks ana-white.com!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Water based stain in Slate. We chose this because our living room has a lot of gray but also slate and blue mixed in and we thought this shade might be slightly blue tinted but it is not. It is a true, cool-toned gray.
It has 3 coats of stain each left on for 5 minutes and then wiped off with a clean rag. We lightly sanded between each coat and then applied 3 coats of satin polycrylic clear finish, sanding between those coats as well. We prefer the satin look which matches our hardwood floor that we sanded down to the original wood and applied a satin clear coat as well.
My husband did all of the staining and it is very time consuming especially with the water based stain because it dries so quickly you really have to move fast. An oil or gel based stain would be easier but we were not fond of any gray colors offered in either of those. My husband is requesting I stain the entertainment center that we plan on making otherwise it will be painted!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

freefromburdens

Tue, 04/29/2014 - 08:44

That looks great. I understand getting negative feedback. Most people think you have to have special training to build. I used to be skeptical until I began building. I hope your build let them know they can do it also. Keep it up...

justindalby

Tue, 10/14/2014 - 09:35

I love your modified version.  I am going to build this as well.  I absolutely love the modification that you made on the drawer faces.  Can you provide any instructions/hints to help me achieve the same look on the drawer faces?  Thanks!

Kiely54

Thu, 10/30/2014 - 15:32

I know that some of the wood measurements were not available at our local hardware store, which resulted in the sides being "trimmed out," so we decided to make the drawers match. We built the drawers like the plan, except we subtracted 1/4" from the depth of the drawers. We made the drawers (minus the trim pieces), slid them in the table, and while in place, nailed 1-1/2" x 1/4" trim pieces around the perimeter of the drawer faces using a finishing nail gun. This made the trim pieces flush with the face of the table. 

Not sure if that made sense or not...I'm not good at explaining things in writing. If it doesn't, just let me know and I'll try again. And thanks for the compliment on the table!

justindalby

Wed, 01/20/2016 - 08:59

Thanks for your feedback on my post a while ago.  I finally build this piece and are absolutely happy with it.  We used your technique for the drawer faces, and my wife was so obssessed with your drawer pulls, that she tracked them down and special ordered them from our local Menards.  I have uploaded a Brag and gave you credit for the idea.  Thanks for the inspiration!