• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • Meet Jen
    • Testimony
    • Meet the Team
  • Project Gallery
    • Furniture >>
      • Beds
      • Benches & Ottomans
      • Bookshelves
      • Desks
      • Dressers
      • Tables
    • Recipes
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • Kids
    • Lighting
    • Organization
    • Outdoor
    • Seasonal
  • Shop
    • Free Resources
    • Apparel
    • Custom Furniture
    • Home Decor
    • Building Plans
  • Contact
    • Email Jen
    • Sponsor/Advertise
    • Disclosure

The House of Wood

The DIY Life of a Military Wife

January 28, 2015

Ballard Designs-Inspired Nightstands

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook (you’re amazing – thank you!), you’ll have caught sneak peeks of this project. And if you don’t, get with the program! The House of Wood IG and FB feed is where it’s at, yo.

This project is way overdue, you guys. Like, several months overdue. Way back in September, I promised my sweet friend Emily that I’d build her bedroom furniture and then I totally dropped the ball. Emily is a fiercely talented Kentucky-based photographer and she and her hubby recently bought their first house. Emily’s nightstands and dresser have been on my ‘To Build’ list for-freakin’-ever. I’m so embarrassed it’s taken me so long to deliver because that’s just not how I roll (usually).

But life got in the way, I spent a lot of time traveling, the craziness of the holidays came and went, and then Winter rolled in and I pretty much went into hibernation mode. Read: turned into a big ole baby about working in the freezing temps. Yeah, yeah. Excuses, excuses, right? But! No! More! Excuses! I am so relieved to finally be able to share this project with you guys! And so is Emily. She has the patience of Mother Teresa. For reals.

Here’s how her nightstands turned out:

MY LATEST VIDEOS

DIY Ballard Designs Nightstand

I’m kind of in love with them; I may just need to build another pair for our guest bedroom. And it wasn’t that hard to build – I just had to get my butt in gear. I get intimidated by a project and it sits and sits and I mull over it for a few months until finally I’m like, ohmygoshjustDOitalready! And then it gets done in, like, a day or two. I’m a perfectionistic procrastinator. Is that a thing?

Once again, I called on the lovely and talented Ana White to draw up a plan, which you can download (for free!) here.

DIY nightstand

As always, I used my favorite Purebond Plywood in birch. It’s the prettiest plywood on the market and it takes stain beautifully. It’s also formaldehyde-free and made right here in North America. Read about why Purebond is the healthier alternative here.

Purebond Plywood Pledge

First I built the carcass, using 3/4″ pocket holes and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue.

DIY nightstand

I have to apologize that I don’t have more progress photos for you; blogging is hard y’all! But worry not, you’re in luck! Ana drew up the plan to perfection, outlining every single step so you can build this nightstand without issue.

DIY nightstand

*This post contains affiliate links. To read my full disclosure policy, click here.

Gotta love that shallow little drawer. So cute! It’s the perfect size to hold an iPad, iPhone, or a magazine. Or a very skinny book. Not a novel, but a short story. You get what I’m saying. And check out those shelf pin holes. I used my Kreg Shelf Pin Jig to make the inside shelf adjustable. So fancy!

I built the shelf per Emily’s request, so Ana’s plans don’t include it, but it’s easy to add. Just cut a piece of 3/4″ plywood at 16-1/2″ x 21″ and there ya go: instant shelf. I ironed on some veneer edging on the front and sides of the shelf to hide the raw plywood edges.

DIY nightstand

Because I couldn’t find an affordable option for the curved trim, I had to make my own. This did require a bit more intricate detail work, but it was so worth it in the end. Ana’s plans include a graphic for the curved pieces, so I printed it out on card stock and used it as a template. And don’t laugh at my Elsa pencil – it was the only pencil I could find in my entire house. What? Don’t act like the Frozen phenomenon hasn’t overtaken your household too.

curve template

cutting curves on a scroll saw

This was the first time I’ve ever used a scroll saw and lemme tell you, I am a huge fan. This is the one I have. I cut the curved shapes out of 1/4″ plywood, following along the pencil lines. I just love the precision of this tool.

cutting curves with a scroll saw

I purchased the straight trim pieces (found in the moulding aisle at Home Depot), connected them with my DIY’d curved pieces to form this fancy-lookin’ moulding, then glued and nailed it onto the sides and doors of the nightstands. Look how pretty! I’m so excited, I just gotta shake it out. *dance break*

DIY nightstand

DIY ballard designs nightstand

Now let’s talk about those legs. They’re custom, but you can purchase them here. Once again, we worked with our good friends at Osborne Wood who made them especially for this project. I attached the legs using my tried-and-true hanger bolt/tee nut combo. Details on how to do that can be found here. Using a drill press to drill the pilot hole for the hanger bolt is ideal, but not necessary. You just want to make sure the pilot hole is as straight as possible, so the leg doesn’t look wonky when installed.

emily-nightstand-drill-press

*Helpful hint: when drilling pocket holes into the side panels, take care not to drill the holes too close to the sides of the edge. Otherwise, your pocket hole screws and hanger bolts may have a traffic jam later on. Just a little foresight for ya. Don’t ask me how I know.

And can you dig these knobs? So rad. I got them from D. Lawless Hardware. And I’d like to bring your attention to the white background in the photo. It’s snow. Told you it was cold. Winter = not my BFF.

Oh, yeah. I hate Winter. Have we covered that? No? There. I said it. And the dear husband wants to get stationed in ALASKA. Will someone please tell him he is out.of.his.mind?

emily-nightstand-knob

After I built the nightstands, it was time to finish them. I posted this photo on Instagram and Facebook to get your input:

10919012_10152985195453147_6840234362858562378_n

Thanks to your wonderful recommendations, I ended up mixing Golden Pecan stain with Weathered Oak, then followed up with liming wax. Then I finished it with three coats of satin wipe-on polyurethane. I think it turned out pretty darn close. What do you think?

DIY Ballard Designs Nightstand

emily-nightstand-06

DIY Ballard Designs Nightstand

DIY Ballard Designs Nightstand

DIY Ballard Designs Nightstand

DIY Ballard Designs Nightstand

Big hugs and tons of gratitude to Ana for working with me on this project (be sure to download the free plans here) and to Emily, for her unending patience and friendship! I’ll be building her a matching dresser next, so stay tuned for those plans soon! Thanks for stopping by, lovely people! If you’d like to pin and share this project, feel free to use the image below. Thank you, I heart you!

Build your own DIY Ballard Designs-inspired Isabella Nightstand | www.jenwoodhouse.com/blog

*A huge thank you to RYOBI, Osborne Wood, and D. Lawless Hardware for partnering with me on this project. I received products and/or compensation for this post. All ideas, efforts, dance breaks, and professions of undying love are my own.

You may also like:

  • Master Bedroom NightstandsMaster Bedroom Nightstands
  • Pottery Barn-Inspired Bedside TablePottery Barn-Inspired Bedside Table
  • Original Woodhouse NightstandsOriginal Woodhouse Nightstands
  • Simple DIY Side TableSimple DIY Side Table
  • Nightstands with Hidden Charging StationNightstands with Hidden Charging Station
  • Pottery Barn-Inspired NightstandsPottery Barn-Inspired Nightstands
  • DIY Chunky End TableDIY Chunky End Table
  • DIY Printer TableDIY Printer Table

Filed Under: Design Plans, Furniture, Organization, Tables Tagged With: accent table, Ana White, ballard designs, bedside table, end table, furniture, nightstand

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie says

    January 28, 2015 at 10:56 pm

    I’m so in love with this look! This looks like a lot of work (as most DIY is) but the payoff is so worth it. Fantastic job!

    Reply
  2. Elisha @ Pneumatic Addict Furniture says

    February 2, 2015 at 1:45 pm

    Absolutely perfect! As usual

    Reply
  3. Amy says

    February 5, 2015 at 10:19 pm

    Gorgeous nightstand Jen!

    Reply
  4. Ann O'Connell says

    February 14, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Gorgeous nightstand! I’m coveting the lamp too! Where is it from? You are so talented

    Reply
    • Jen says

      February 14, 2015 at 3:45 pm

      Thanks, Ann! The lamp is from Overstock, but I must warn you – the crystal base arrived broken and shattered, so I contacted Overstock and they sent me a replacement. Unfortunately, the replacement also arrived damaged. Though it’s just a small chip that is very discreet, I’m convinced there is no way of getting this lamp delivered in perfect condition.

      Reply
  5. Donna Marie says

    February 27, 2015 at 12:47 pm

    Gorgeous! Don’t you just love Ana’s plans?! I also use the shelf pin jig and feel fancy every time. Great tutorial. You’ve inspired me, and I’m sooo jealous of that scroll saw! I’m buying one!

    Reply
    • Jen says

      February 27, 2015 at 12:51 pm

      Thanks, Donna! Yes, definitely get one – I love mine!

      Reply
  6. Terry says

    February 27, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    Oh My Goodness!!! Did you seriously make these from SCRATCH??? Absolutely beautiful work! You are uber talented for sure! You shame the rest of us DIY peoples 🙂 Thank you for sharing your work!
    Smiles!
    Terry

    Reply
  7. Paula D says

    March 6, 2015 at 12:50 am

    Hopped over from FFF on Miss Mustard Seed. Amazing night stands! You are quite talented! Also a beautifully put together room. Would it be possible to know the bedding source and the wallpaint color? We’re you the decorator as well? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jen says

      March 6, 2015 at 1:02 am

      Hi Paula! Welcome, so glad you stopped by! Thank you for the kind words. The bedding is from Pottery Barn. I’m sorry I don’t know the wall color – we’re in a rental and it was painted before we moved in.

      Reply
  8. Saima says

    June 12, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    I am in love with these stunning night stands. Jen! your blog post is so inspirational that i have decided to build these night stands for my guest bedroom.

    Reply
    • Jen says

      June 12, 2017 at 6:27 pm

      Wonderful, Saima! So glad to hear it!

      Reply
      • Saima says

        June 23, 2017 at 5:03 pm

        Thanks for your prompt response. I just want to confirm how should i mix Golden Pecan stain with Weathered Oak. Like should i put one coat on the wood first and then put another stain or do i need to pour two stains in a separate bucket mix it and then apply the mixture on the wood.

        Reply
        • Jen says

          June 23, 2017 at 6:05 pm

          Hi Saima,
          I believe I mixed the two stains together in a plastic container and then applied the mixture to the wood. Start with the Golden Pecan and add Weathered Oak until you get the desired shade – apply it to scrap pieces of wood to test the color. Hope that helps – good luck!

          Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Playroom Mood Board Ideas says:
    February 2, 2015 at 10:54 am

    […] Emily (not the same Emily I built the nightstands for) contacted me about putting together a mood board for her playroom, she sent a few photos of […]

    Reply
  2. Emily Nightstand says:
    February 3, 2015 at 12:07 am

    […] friend Jen Woodhouse from The House of Wood wanted to build nightstands for her friend, so she asked me to team up with her for plans. […]

    Reply
  3. Romantic Nightstand with Turned Legs says:
    February 5, 2015 at 8:00 am

    […] friend of Jen from House of Wood recently purchased her first home, and Jen was excited to help furnish it. Jen started with a pair […]

    Reply
  4. PureBond Birch nightstands by Jen Woodhouse! says:
    February 5, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    […] cut size panels online as well)! Check out the project in detail at Jen’s blog by clicking here and for How-to plans from Ana, click […]

    Reply
  5. Living Pretty With Your Pets: House of Wood - Cuckoo4Design says:
    February 6, 2015 at 4:31 am

    […] Can you believe she built this nightstand from scratch (click HERE): […]

    Reply
  6. Centsational Girl » Blog Archive BOTB 2.7.15 - Centsational Girl says:
    February 7, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    […] by Ballard Designs, Jen at House of Wood built this beautiful nightstand! She shares her step by step […]

    Reply
  7. furniture feature friday | favorites & link party - Miss Mustard Seed says:
    March 5, 2015 at 10:00 pm

    […] custom side table from The House of Wood took my breath away! I definitely have this bookmarked for a spring project with my dad. I […]

    Reply
  8. DIY Ballard Designs-Inspired Dresser says:
    March 20, 2015 at 7:00 am

    […] the DIY Ballard Designs-inspired nightstands I built for my photographer friend Emily? Well I’m back to share how I built her matching […]

    Reply
  9. DIY Ballard Designs-Inspired Dresser says:
    June 25, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    […] the finishing process, I gave the dresser the same finish as I did for Emily’s nightstands: a coat of Golden Pecan stain, followed by a couple coats of Weathered Oak. Then I applied some […]

    Reply
  10. Living Pretty With Your Pets: House of Wood | Cuckoo4Design says:
    March 7, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    […] Can you believe she built this nightstand from scratch (click HERE): […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

WANT FREE PLANS SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX?

Footer

WANT FREE PLANS SENT TO YOUR INBOX?

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Disclosure
  • Sponsor / Advertise
  • Contact
© 2007-2018 · Jen Woodhouse · Log in