Makely

Let's Make Life Awesome

  • Home
  • Decorating/DIY
    • Create Your Decor
    • Decorate Your Home
    • Paint Your Walls
    • Transform Your Furniture
  • Healthy Living
    • Essential Oils
    • Family Wellness
    • Household Care
  • Project Gallery
  • Contact
You are visiting: Home » Decorating/DIY » Create Your Decor » Build Your Own Crate & Barrel Steppe Dresser

Build Your Own Crate & Barrel Steppe Dresser

by Lindsay Ballard on December 20, 2013 32 Comments

how to build a Crate & Barrel Steppe dresser via MakelyHome.com

I had a hard time deciding what I should title this post.  “My Husband is the Most Awesome Man Ever,” was in the running.  As was, “Blogging Friends are Real Friends,” and “Why Spend $1600 When You Can Build It Yourself?”  Catchy, huh?

But, let me start from the beginning to really explain things.  I’ve been on the hunt for a dresser for my 3 year-old daughter’s room for a while.  I knew I wanted it to have a very mid-century modern style – clean lines and cool legs.  I needed it to be a long dresser to take up space on a particular wall.  I also knew that I wanted to paint the box white and stain the drawer fronts in a dark stain, so I didn’t want to spend a ton of money to buy something that I was going to refinish.

After exhausting Craigslist and local second hand stores, I turned to the internet.  And there I found the exact size and shape dresser I was looking for.  At Crate and Barrel.  For $1600.  EEK!

how to build a Crate & Barrel Steppe dresser via MakelyHome.com

So, obviously that wasn’t going to happen.  But, I really, really liked the style of it.

I decided to take a chance and see if my friend Rayan from The Design Confidential would mind drawing up a plan of this dresser for me.  She’s one of those magical friends who can see a picture of something and draw a plan to build it.  I don’t understand – at all – how her brain works.  It’s pretty incredible! (As a side note, Rayan and I hung out a lot at the SNAP! Conference earlier this year, and she is an all-around awesome gal.)

Rayan said that she’d be happy to draw a dresser inspired by the Crate and Barrel Steppe and sent it my way in just a few days.  Amazing, right?  I can’t thank her enough for doing that for us (Rayan: Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!) You can now find the plan for free on her website – with step-by-step instructions, lumber list, cut list, and diagrams.

This is where my husband, Tom, comes in.  When I got the plan, he set to work putting it together.  I was there for moral support as he measured, cut, jigged, drilled and screwed his way to our handmade version of the dresser I had fallen in love with.  What a great guy, right?

how to build a Crate & Barrel Steppe dresser via MakelyHome.com

When he was finished, I was floored.  When we got married almost 10 years ago, I had absolutely no idea that he had this in him.  I knew he was handy, but this takes it to a whole new level, right?  He keeps telling me that I could have built it myself, though, so maybe I’m giving him too much credit. Kidding!

how to build a Crate & Barrel Steppe dresser via MakelyHome.com

how to build a Crate & Barrel Steppe dresser via MakelyHome.com

how to build a Crate & Barrel Steppe dresser via MakelyHome.com

I think we spent under $300 for the wood, screws and drawer slides.  I’ll dig through my scary pile of receipts and update this post with the true amount that we spent.  Just know that it was about 1/5 of the cost of the one from Crate & Barrel.

Next is where I get to work my own magic – the finishing!  I’ll be back tomorrow to tell more about that and to show off the finished product.  You’re going to love it.

>>>>> Want to see the finished dresser?  Click here for the reveal! <<<<<

What do you think about Tom and Rayan?  Please give them some virtual applause in the comments!

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.

« How to Create a LEGO Minifigure Holiday Card
How to Make a Midcentury Modern Inspired Two Tone Dresser »

Comments

  1. Ally says

    December 20, 2013 at 10:58 am

    That is incredible! It looks great. It’s got my wheels turning and wondering if I could do it too…

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      January 5, 2014 at 1:56 am

      Thanks, Ally! I’m really happy with it!

      Reply
  2. Robyn S. says

    December 20, 2013 at 11:20 am

    Amazing! I’m very impressed with your husband’s building skills. Also, how does one just look at something and conjure up building plans? Incredible. Nice job Rayan and Tom!

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      January 5, 2014 at 1:57 am

      Yeah, I have no idea. It’s a secret talent that I definitely do not possess!

      Reply
  3. Laurie says

    December 20, 2013 at 12:35 pm

    That’s beautiful! They both did an amazing job!

    Imagine having the power to build a dresser.

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      January 5, 2014 at 1:57 am

      I know, right? It’s pretty cool. Thanks, Laurie!

      Reply
  4. the Blah Blah Blahger says

    December 20, 2013 at 12:39 pm

    Tom, you ROCK!

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      January 5, 2014 at 1:57 am

      Thanks, JJ!

      Reply
  5. Heather says

    December 20, 2013 at 7:13 pm

    Great job, Tom!! So impressed!

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      January 5, 2014 at 1:57 am

      Thanks, Heather!

      Reply
  6. Jeanna says

    December 20, 2013 at 8:26 pm

    That is wonderful Ladies!!

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      January 5, 2014 at 1:58 am

      Thanks, Jeanna!

      Reply
  7. Emily@Decorchick says

    December 20, 2013 at 9:59 pm

    Way to go Tom! I am super impressed.

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      January 5, 2014 at 1:58 am

      Thanks, Emily!

      Reply
  8. Janet @ Ordinary Mom says

    December 21, 2013 at 9:05 am

    Wow! That is amazing!! What a great job he did. Can’t wait to see it finished.

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      January 5, 2014 at 1:58 am

      Thanks, Janet!

      Reply
  9. Catherine says

    December 21, 2013 at 9:40 am

    Wow!!! That dresser is gorgeous and yay to Tom and Rayan!! Seriously can’t stop looking at it. Can’t wait to see it all finished.

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      January 5, 2014 at 1:58 am

      Thanks so much, Catherine!

      Reply
  10. Giselle says

    December 27, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    This is absolutely gorgeous. May I ask what kind of wood you used? I know the instructions tell you to use plywood but this is not looking like plywood to me. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      January 5, 2014 at 1:59 am

      Hi Giselle- He used birch veneer plywood and then pine for the drawer fronts.

      Reply
  11. Jeremy Voros says

    January 4, 2014 at 5:54 pm

    Did you guys use solid wood or plywood? The finished piece is very polished.

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      January 5, 2014 at 1:59 am

      Hi Jeremy,

      He used birch veneer plywood and then pine for the drawer fronts.

      Reply
      • tuck says

        June 24, 2017 at 3:42 pm

        Nice work! how did he finish the edges? Veneer strips?

        Reply
  12. Greg says

    February 23, 2014 at 10:48 pm

    Hi, the dresser looks great! I am working on one right now and I am about to put the drawers together. I have access to a router/table and I was wondering if you used one for the edges of the drawer fronts and sides. If so what bit did you use?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lindsay Ballard says

      March 31, 2014 at 10:16 am

      He did! He used a 3/8″ round over. Sorry for the delay in my response! Tom has been traveling for about the last month for work, and we were just now able to discuss it. Hope the dresser went well!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How to Make a Midcentury Modern Inspired Two Tone Dresser - Makely School for Girls says:
    December 21, 2013 at 11:51 am

    […] we last left my DIY midcentury modern inspired dresser, my husband Tom (who built this dresser from scratch) handed it over to me for finishing.  When he […]

    Reply
  2. 12 (Free) DIY Dresser Plans | Marke-Promotion-Verzeichnis says:
    January 19, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    […] Crate and Barrel Steppe Knock-off by Makely School for Girls […]

    Reply
  3. Design Your Own Dresser | My Woodworking Blog says:
    March 28, 2016 at 5:15 am

    […] Build Your Own Crate & Barrel Steppe Dresser […]

    Reply
  4. Build Your Own Virtual City says:
    April 25, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    […] Build Your Own Crate & Barrel Steppe Dresser – Makely – About Makely. Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, essential oil loving, DIY fanatic. Lindsay chronicles her … […]

    Reply
  5. Reader Showcase: Makely Home Steppe 6 Drawer Dresser - The Design Confidential says:
    August 21, 2017 at 8:07 pm

    […] we shared the plans for the Steppe 6 Drawer Dresser along with a sneak peek of the unfinished build from my sweet friend Lindsay. Today, I bring you the showcase on this build in all it’s […]

    Reply
  6. Free DIY Furniture Plans: How to Build a Steppe 6 Drawer Dresser - The Design Confidential says:
    August 21, 2017 at 8:24 pm

    […] She has worked so very hard on building and finishing this beauty so I hope you will head over to visit her and gush over her build! She will be sharing more beautiful images, details about their experience […]

    Reply
  7. 23 Free DIY Dresser Plans You Can Build Today - Lemon Slide says:
    October 23, 2017 at 10:41 pm

    […] Build this dresser […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Makely

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Lindsay lives outside of Austin, Texas with her husband (Tom), children (Zack and Emma), and dogs (Duke and Jill). She plays roller derby for the Rockin' City Rollergirls out of Round Rock, Texas.


Archives

Categories

PRIVACY POLICY
Copyright © 2009-2019 Makely School for Girls | All Rights Reserved | Posts may contain advertising content or affiliate links