Before fastening the legs, slightly round the square corners of the newel post by hand, using fine sandpaper. Next, fasten each leg with screws and a small dab of glue. Don't use too much: glue squeeze-out is difficult to remove. Let the glue dry for about an hour, then stand the coat tree up. If it wobbles, find out if one leg is too long. A belt sander is an excellent tool for fine-tuning leg length. When you're satisfied with the tree's stability, predrill holes for the coat hook screws. Position the upper opposing pair two inches down from the top of the flat area, and the other opposing pair 1 1/2" up from the bottom. Drill screw holes, but don't install the hooks yet-leave that until after finishing.
Add Some Colour
Apply one or two coats of latex paint. A single coat of paint allows more wood grain to show through. I chose one coat of cranberry-coloured paint for a semitransparent look. I created an antiqued look by sanding it lightly with 120-grit paper after it dried, to create worn areas. Add a coat of stain to give colour to the worn spots, and a final protective layer of polyurethane. One coat offers sufficient protection, while a second increases the depth and shine of the finish. Install the hooks, plant the coat tree inside your front door and smile when you get compliments on your wood-turning abilities.
| You Will Need | |||
| Part | Material | Size | Qty. |
| Newel post | paint'grade maple | 3" x 3" x 54" | 1 |
| Coat hooks | black, steel | 5" | 4 |
| Legs | oak | 3/4" x 5" x 24" | 4 |
| Wood screws | flat-head, Robertson | #8 2" | 16 |
| Wood buttons | hardwood, domed head | 3/8" dia. | 8 |
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