Play Vanity

You're building two small open cabinets. Mark the sides inside and out where the shelves land, so you know where to place them and where to drive screws. Predrill, glue, and screw the shelves to the sides with 2" screws, keeping everything square.

Predrill along the sides, apply glue to the top edges of the sides, and screw the top down with 2" screws, keeping the outside edges flush. Do both cabinets.

Cut the angled-top back panels — cut one side, then flip the board and cut the other so the two sides match. Attach the backs to the cabinets.

Glue and nail the 3-1/4" base molding across the front feet of each cabinet. This gives the little boxes a finished, furniture-like base.

Predrill and screw the 1x2 cleats to the sides of the 1x12 bench top with 2" screws and glue, keeping the top flush. The cleats are how the bench spans and attaches to the two cabinets.

Nail the 1-1/2" molding onto the front edges with glue and 1-1/4" finish nails. This delicate trim is what dresses the fronts and reads as detailing.

Join the bench top to the two cabinets to complete the vanity — predrill the 1x2 cleats first so screws start easily, and get a second pair of hands or assemble it upside down on the floor. Fill holes, sand, prime, and paint in a child-safe finish. Add a mirror above between the two boxes.