The kitchen sink cabinet I’m making from two Cassidy Creations Oak Washstand kits has decorative trim under the center cabinets (lined up under the sink). At the bottom of the left and right sides, I’d planned to put a plain piece of wood flush with the front of the cabinet.
But this looks weird to me. My brain is asking, “Why isn’t that another drawer?”
I tried setting it back to make it a toe-kick, but this also looks weird. Seems too tall for a toe-kick.
Okay, so why not use that space for another drawer?
But now I have another problem: I’d planned to use thin 1/32″ dividers between the drawers because the drawers would fit perfectly without sanding. I also think they look nice and proportional compared to the 1/16″ cabinet frame. But if that bottom space has a drawer in it, there are now two 1/32″ dividers and one 1/16″ divider. My perfectionist brain couldn’t stand it.
Instead I’ll use 1/16″ dividers between the drawers, and a thin 1/32″ piece at the very bottom. (If I had used 1/16″ there, the space I was left with would have been smaller than the drawers above it, and a smaller drawer at the bottom also would have looked weird.)
While I was playing with this, I noticed that cabinet bottom is not glued in straight on one side — it slopes so the front of the space where the drawer will go is taller than the back of the space.
This meant either making a 1/4″ tall drawer and sanding it to have a slope, or making a shorter drawer with a 1/4″ front. Since I had to scratch build these drawers anyway, I decided on the second option.
As a reminder, here’s what the original kit looks like.
For the skinny top drawer, I used the side pieces from the kit, but cut my own bottoms, backs and fronts. These drawers are 3/16″ tall. I then cut another set of pieces for the new bottom drawers.
With the top drawers finished, I could now add the dividers. The bottoms of the two other drawers had to be sanded a bit to fit. Once I was able to slide them in and out easily, I glued in the dividers using the drawers as spacers.
There’s both sides done.
I glued on the bottom pieces, sanded, and then used wood filler to fill in seams.
Here it is with another coat of paint. I’m still weighing the risk vs. reward of trying to fix those uneven knobs.
What do we think? Were drawers the right call for the sides? It feels a little overwhelming, but the countertop should make it look more balanced.
Obligatory wide shot:
Emily is a freelance writer, miniaturist, and adventure game enthusiast.
Incredible, as always! Your problem-solving skills are amazing, and the results are wonderful! Thanks for sharing your progress.
Thank you!
I think it looks really good! As usual, I am so impressed with your craftmanship.
Thanks! It’s always hard to know if something’s good when you’ve been staring at it an inch away from your face.
drawers were totally the way to go! also, would like to add my vote to keep the chip on the sink…pls tell perfectionist brain to take a night off once in awhile, as imperfect is the new perfect
further internet research indicates no such thing as imperfect: as the artist, whatever seems perfect to you…is. your work is beautiful. thank you, for sharing your process.
Haha thanks. I know I’m my own worst critic. :)
I agree with Michelle, keep the chip on the sink. Your kitchen needs to look “lived in”. Just my opinion. I like all the drawers, gives it a modern look for the time period. Thanks for sharing all your beautiful work!
Thank you!
That looks really good! I like the old-fashioned look. That you made the drawers is impressive. Me? I’m lazy, I would’ve made false fronts. ha!
Thanks! Normally I would do false fronts, but since the kits I was bashing have working drawers I figured I should make all of them work. Not sure it was worth the effort, but I’m proud of myself!