This low piece is a twist on the traditional Shaker blanket chest. While its size and appearance are similar to that of a blanket chest and it can fit at the foot of the bed, the drawers make it a more convenient storage place for smaller items like sweaters and clothes.

As with much of Christian Becksvoort's work, this chest is heavily influenced by the Shaker design ethic, with its simple lines, functional design, solid construction, and cherry wood. Half-blind dovetails secure the sides to a subtop, and a sliding dovetail secures the bottom to the sides. A vertical divider gets centered in the top and bottom and dadoed in place. Front and back rails are notched around the vertical divider and dovetailed into place. A sturdy frame-and-panel back ensures that the piece looks beautiful from all directions.

SKILL LEVEL:
Intermediate

FINISHED SIZE:
19 3/4" deep by 48" wide by 24" tall

PLAN INCLUDES:

• Scale drawing
• Detailed cutlist
• SketchUp drawing

Ever wish you could get a digital project plan that allowed you to customize the design to suit your own needs? Here they are! Digital project plans in SketchUP, the free Google drawing program.

Are there any other advantages? For starters, you'll get your plan immediately. Your digital plan will consist of drawings in PDF format, with detailed, measured drawings and a cutlist. Full-size drawings are included for critical parts and templates. All of the drawings can be printed on a typical consumer-grade computer printer -- the larger template drawings can be taped together orr you can take the file on a disc or flash drive (or email) to a local copy center for printing on Arch D size paper. The projects also have written instructions to guide you through construction process. If you want to modify one of the projects, the SketchUp version of the plan will be perfect for you.

Available free from Google by clicking here, SketchUp allows you to manipulate the drawing and make as many changes as you like to fit your needs -- or make more substantial changes to the design. You're limited only by your creativity.

If you need help using SketchUp, visit our blog Design.Click.Build. hosted by Tim Killen and David Richards.