Build a kitchen nook

Cut the seat base and seat base edge parts to size, then mitre the ends of the edging. Next, glue and nail these to the edge of the plywood base, which together make the 12" x 15" seat base. Centre this on the skirt and screw the seat base to the top edges of the skirt.

Prepare the top frame parts now. Mitre the ends and use biscuits or dowels and glue to make the 13" x 16" seat top frame. Employ the services of a jigsaw to cut the corners to a 5/8" radius, then roundover all outside edges to a 3/16" radius. Centre this frame on top of the seat base and glue it down.

Once you've reached this stage, you can slide the skirt frame and seat base unit over the top ends of the legs and clamp them in place, square to the legs. Join the legs to the skirt from the inside surface with three 1 1/4" screws per joint.

Cut the footrest braces now, then saw a one-inch corner from each bottom end. Centre the braces onto the inside surface of a pair of legs, eight inches up from the bottom. Glue and clamp each brace in place, adding one #8 x 2" screw per joint for strength.

The footrests are next, so cut them to size, then round the corners to a 1/2" radius. Round all of these edges to a 3/16" radius. Position the footrests onto the braces and secure them with glue and one #8 x 1 1/2" screw per joint.

Back to the Table
Cut the tabletop and tabletop edge parts to size, mitre the ends of edging, then glue and clamp the wood strips to the veneered plywood. The final overall top size should be 28" x 28". Round the corners to a 5/8" radius, then roundover the top and bottom edges to a 3/16" radius with a router. Place the tabletop upside down on your work surface.

The tabletop trim adds visual thickness to the project. This is the time to install these parts. Glue and nail the side and end trim components to the underside of the tabletop to give the appearance of double thickness. Tack parts in place, first with no glue so you have the option of adjusting the strip location later, if needed. Start with the 1/2"-wide end strips, placing them 1/2" in from the table end edges. The one-inch-wide side trim strips are located one inch in from the table side edges.

Place the tabletop onto the skirt frame you completed earlier, centre it and check for a good end trim fit. The end trim parts should fit neatly along the end skirts, also filling the notches of the side skirts. When you've adjusted everything, remove the trim, add glue and reattach the trim for good. Mount the top to the skirt with about eight metal tabletop clips.

DIY UPHOLSTERY
Your choice of fabric for the stool seats can radically alter the look of this project and how it looks in your kitchen. Add calm to a crowded space with light tones and simple patterns-or no pattern at all. Give a monotone kitchen a splash of colour with bright solids or large prints. Shop for fabric, as well as the one-inch foam, at any general fabric store. But choose strictly uphostery material-it is more durable than other fabrics. Accidents do happen, so buy extra in case you need to replace the fabric someday. To deflect some of those dining spills, consider applying a liquid-repelling coating such as Nikwax (available online at www.mec.ca or in sporting-goods stores) or spray on Scotchgard Fabric Protector, before you install the upholstered seat.