Farmhouse Kitchen Island and Bar

Lay the back slats side by side, keeping them square, and measure the total assembled width — round up to the nearest 1/4" if needed and adjust the back trim length to match. Set the slats aside; they'll be attached once the frame is built. Mark 5-1/2" from the top and 1-1/4" from the bottom of the side pieces. Confirm the top and bottom shelf pieces are cut 1.5" less than the back trim length.

Attach the top shelf so its top edge sits 5-1/2" from the top of the side pieces, and the bottom shelf so its bottom edge sits 1-1/4" from the bottom. Attach the shelf dividers to the top and bottom shelves, 18" in from each side. Measure the resulting center space to confirm the center shelf cut, then insert and attach the side shelves and center shelves.

With the frame built, attach the back slats and then the back trim. A nail gun with nails sized not to punch through the far side speeds this step up considerably.

Attach the front side trim flush with the sides. Attach the center front trim so its inner edges are flush with the center shelves, with no trim overhanging into the shelf openings.

Attach the top side-shelf trim flush with the top of the top shelf, and the bottom side-shelf trim flush with the bottom of the bottom shelf. Measure the space between the center front trim pieces to confirm the center shelf trim length, then attach the upper and lower center shelf trim the same way. Attach the drawer trim above the side trim.

Measure the distance between the upper side trims to confirm the back skirting length, then attach it in line with the side trim. Glue the long leg support to the inside of each leg, flush with the floor — this edge has no clean way to screw, so it's the one glued joint. Attach the short leg support to the ends of the legs, aligned with the side trim and inner leg support.

Center the front/back top supports along the front and back, and the side top supports along the side trim, checking for square before attaching. Inset the center top support along the back slats and attach. Center the butcher block top and attach by screwing up from underneath the top supports, so no screws show on top.

Lay the door slats for each of the two doors next to each other and measure to confirm the door trim length. Attach the door trim 3" from the top and bottom of the slats. For an optional decorative "Z" trim, cut a 1x2 with one end at 45°, lay it across the door slats between the top and bottom trim, mark and cut the other end to match, then attach. Hang the doors with the hinges.

Attach the drawer back to the drawer bottom, positioned next to rather than on top of the bottom. Attach the drawer sides. Set the drawer inside the island opening, mark where the drawer front should line up, and attach the drawer front. Add the drawer pulls, then sand every surface and finish.