Free DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Ballard Designs Inspired Paulette Server

Submitted by Cher-Ann Texter / Designs by Studio C
Project Image
Project Details

This project is quite the beauty. Strong traditional style and amazing functionality, this fine piece of work is sure to serve any need for storage and display you might have, or might even think of having! 

Showcase: Built From These Plans
I am so honored each and every time one of you fine friends builds from these very plans! If you have built this piece, please take a moment and showcase your build! We are dying to see your fabulous hard work!

Estimated Cost

$75-$100

Dimensions
Dimensions for This Project
Tools
  • Tape Measure
  • Saw – Jig, Circular, or Miter
  • Drill
  • Square
  • Sander
  • Kreg Jig
  • Hammer or Brad nailer
Lumber
  • 2 Full Sheets of ¾” plywood
  • 1 Sheet of ¼” lauan or hardboard
  • 4 – 1x2 at 8’
  • 1 – 1x4 at 4’ or scrap at least 25” long
  • 1 – 1x6 at 4’ or scrap at least 25” long
Materials
  • 1-1/4” pocket hole screws
  • 1-1/4” screws
  • Small nails or 1-1/4” brads
  • 3 sets of 16” drawer slides
  • Drawer Handles or knobs
  • Shelf pins (for adjustable shelves)
  • Edge banding for the plywood
  • Countersink bit for Drill
  • Wood filler
  • Sandpaper
  • Wood glue
  • Finishing Supplies
Cut List
  • 2 – 17-1/4” x 35” of ¾” plywood – Console Sides
  • 6 – 1x2 at 17-1/4” – Shelf Supports
  • 1 – 1x2 at 26-1/2” – Back Spacer
  • 3 – 17-1/4” x 26-1/2” of ¾” plywood – Console Shelves
  • 3 – 1x2 at 25” – Console Frame
  • 1 – 1x4 at 25” (ripped to 3-1/4” wide) – Console Frame
  • 2 – 1x2 at 35” – Console Frame
  • 1 – 28” x 35” of ¼” lauan or hardboard – Back
  • 1 – 18-3/4” x 28” of ¾” plywood – Console Top
  • 2 – 11-1/4” x 47-1/4” of ¾” plywood – Hutch Sides
  • 2 – 11-1/4” x 26-1/2” of ¾” plywood – Hutch Shelves, Fixed
  • 2 – 11-1/4” x 26-1/4” of ¾” plywood – Hutch Shelves, Adjustable
  • 1 – 1x6 at 25” – Hutch Frame
  • 2 – 1x2 at 25” – Hutch Frame
  • 2 – 1x2 at 47-1/4” – Hutch Frame
  • 1 – 28” x 47-1/4” of ¼” lauan or hardboard – Hutch Back
  • 1 – 13-3/4” x 28” of ¾” plywood – Hutch Top
  • 4 – 9-1/2” x 24” of ¾” plywood – Large Drawer Boxes
  • 4 – 9-1/4” x 14-1/2” of ¾” plywood – Large Drawer Boxes
  • 4 – 2-3/4” x 24” of ¾” plywood – Small Console  & Hutch Drawer Boxes
  • 2 – 2-3/4” x 14-1/2” of ¾” plywood – Small Console Drawer Box
  • 2 – 2-3/4” x 8” of ¾” plywood – Small Hutch Drawer Box
  • 3 – 16” x 24” of ¼” lauan or hardboard – Drawer Box Bottoms
  • 1 – 8” x 24” of ¼” lauan or hardboard – Drawer Box Bottom
  • 2 – 11-1/2” x 24-3/4” of ¾” plywood – Large Drawer Fronts
  • 2 – 3-1/2” x 24-3/4” of ¾” plywood – Small Drawer Fronts
  • 2 – 28” Baseboard Trim or Door Casing – Upper and Lower Trim
Instructions

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Step 1

Cut the pieces for the console sides, shelf supports and back spacer. Set the Kreg jig for ¾” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the back spacer only. Attach the supports to the sides as indicated in the drawing with glue and countersunk 1-1/4” screws. Attach the back spacer as indicated with glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.

Step 1
Step 2

Cut the pieces for the shelves.  Attach to the underside of the supports with glue and countersunk 1-1/4” screws.

Step 2
Step 3

Cut the piece for the back and attach to the console with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails.

Step 3
Step 4

Cut the pieces for the console frame. Drill pocket holes in the ends of the horizontal boards and assemble the frame as indicated in the drawing with glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. The horizontal pieces of the frame will be flush with the tops of the shelves.

Attach the frame to the console with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails. 

Step 4
Step 4
Step 5

Cut the piece for the console top. Apply edge banding, if desired, and attach to the console with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails through the top into the sides, back spacer, and frame.

Step 5
Step 6

Cut the pieces for the hutch sides. Drill pocket holes in one short end of each piece to attach to the console. Also, drill two rows of holes on each piece for the adjustable shelves and shelf pins. Attach the sides to the console with 1-1/4” pocket hole screws making sure the outside faces are flush with the sides of the console.

Step 6
Step 7

Cut the pieces for the fixed shelves and apply edge banding, if desired. Attach to the hutch sides as indicated with glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. It will be easier to attach the bottom shelf first, then the upper shelf. The bottom shelf will be located ¾” up from the top of the console.

Cut the pieces for the adjustable shelves. They will be ¼” shorter than the fixed shelves. Apply edge banding to the front of the shelves, if desired.

Step 7
Step 8

Cut the piece for the hutch back and attach with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails.

Step 8
Step 9

Cut the pieces for the hutch frame. Using a jigsaw, cut the arc in the 1x6 piece as shown. Drill pocket holes in each end of the horizontal pieces and assemble the frame as indicated with glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.

Attach the frame to the hutch with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails. 

Step 9
Step 9
Step 10
Cut the piece for the hutch top. Apply edge banding, if desired, and attach to the hutch with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails through the top into the sides and frame.
Step 10
Step 11

Cut the pieces for the upper and lower trim. Attach as indicated with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails.

Step 12

Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes. Set the Kreg jig for ¾” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the shorter pieces. Attach the bottom with glue and brad nails. Do not attach the drawer faces until the drawer  boxes have been installed and adjusted! Install the drawer slides in the console (the hutch drawer will not have drawer slides) according to the manufacturer’s instructions placing them ¾” back from the opening face to allow for the fronts. Make any adjustments necessary.

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. Drill the holes for the handle or knob placement. Shim in place in the opening (there will be a 1/8” gap around all sides) and drill a temporary screw through the holes into the drawer boxes. Open the drawers and secure the fronts to the boxes from the insides with 1-1/4” screws. Finish drilling out the holes for the handle or knob.

Finishing Instructions

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

Note

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Disclaimer

**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.

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