I am building a customized vanity, with a few additions for storage.
The cabinet is 36″ wide by 21″ deep by 34″ tall. There is a 5 1/4″ kickboard, which doubles as a full width drawer front. Above that is a 3/4″ molding detail.
The cabinet above that will have 3 stacked inset drawers, 2 inset double doors and a 3 1/2″ stretcher. The front has 1 1/2″ stiles on each side, with the stretcher between them. The drawers and doors are stile/rail/raised panel construction. There is also a 3/4″ divider between the drawers and doors.
Now the dilema: I am trying to determine which measurements to use for the doors and drawers. I have 2 choices–
- I can make each door and drawer the same width. Since I have a 36″ cabinet, and the stiles and divider measure 3 3/4″ total, I can make each part 10 3/4″ each. This would cause the divider to be the part that visually separates the cabinet. Mind you, the is no molding or edging on the divider.
- I can include the divider in the measurement for the drawers. This would make each door 11″, and the drawer 10 1/4″. Visually, the divider would become part of the drawer section, and the cabinet would still be divided in thirds.
I could really use some input on this. I am fast approaching the point where I have to make a decision on it, and I don’t want to regret it later. Thanks.
Replies
Honestly, I think you're fretting too much over the exact dimensions. I'd concentrate on keeping the piece balanced, which won't vary much with the sizes you've mentioned. Are you matching the piece to anything else in the house? Going for a certain look or copying a specific piece?
If you want exact advice, I'd make them the same size. That way you'll get a little bit bigger drawers, which might be helpful down the road. Losing 1/2" from the doors won't make a huge difference.
I realize that it seems to be splitting hairs. My issue with it, is to try to keep it in balance, when you look at it from a distance. Unlike most vanities in a bathroom, where you're too close to tell the difference, this is actually in a bedroom, so I am trying to give it a "furniture" look.
mental pictures
In my mental picture, option 1 (same size) looks better to me, as well.
I should note, however, that "they're coming to take me away, tee hee". ;-)
Draw it out
Personally i like to draw things out to scale. If you don't already have one pick up an architects rule (you can get them at your local craft store for about $3-5). It has 12 different scales on it from 1/16 scale to 2x scale and I find it invaluable. You can get a very realistic idea of what the project will look like, especially when you are talking about proportions of different pieces in relation to the whole. They are pretty easy to use once you figure out what all the different sides and numbers are for but it is well worth the few minutes it takes to figure it out. Best thing is you can draw out just about anything in about 10-15 minutes and adjust sizes with an eraser rather than building the whole thing and having to adjust things by buying more wood. Have fun.
Nick
Draw it full size
The best way I've found to work out design elements on pieces like this are to draw it out. I get a piece of paper or cardboard or plywood or whatever is available and draw it full size and make adjustments there before I start to build.
dmd
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