Finessing it together
It's difficult to clamp together mitered pieces that don't meet at 90ยบ, so make it easier on yourself by breaking up the job into a series of smaller glue-ups. Start the process by joining the centre front to the two main dividers. As you work, put the bottom panel in place. Use the same method to glue the false dividers to the sides. Once the sides and centre section of the box are dry, the remainder of the vanity valet should go together easily.
Plane the lid and lid hinge strip to a 5/8" thickness, then go ahead and cut these parts to length and shape. Fasten the two-inch-wide strip to the back of the box using two #0 biscuits. To attach the lid to the hinge strip, you'll have to cut down a standard 24" piano hinge at one knuckle, as close as you can to the 20" mark. A hacksaw or cut-off disc on a rotary tool works well.
Add the hardware
Predrill and attach the piano hinge prior to gluing the lid assembly in place. In order to keep the lid from opening too far, buy a small, fine chain to attach to the inside of the box. Once the piece's lid is dry, have a look at the inside of the box to find a spot where the upper chain bracket won't hit any of the box members when the lid is closed. Mark the spots, predrill the holes and then secure the chain.
Cut two 1/4" x 1/4" Douglas fir plugs to fill the exposed panel grooves at the back end of the box sides. With that done, attach four self-adhesive vinyl bumpers to the underside of the project to give it some grip and create a nice shadow line.
Finishing touches
I finished my vanity valet with three coats of penetrating oil; then, after the oil had cured for a week, I topped it off with two coats of beeswax polish. As for whether you fill up the piece with gifts before you close it up and wrap it, well, that's up to you.
Read more in Woodworking Projects and Furniture Plans
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