Wonky ‘Corner Table’ Build (& Thank You SketchUp)

Believe me – I’m at least 10 times as tired of my kitchen rehab as you probably are. But there’s one last big project to tackle before I can call it (almost) done. That’s a counter-height (and counter-topped) table for a wonky curved corner to the left of the stove.

Because that’s where the cat bowls are, I didn’t want to build a cabinet (I also didn’t want to have to build to that curve for a cabinet that isn’t really needed). This table will allow me to keep the cat bowls and bin of extra food underneath, but still provide some open storage on the slatted shelf. (And the slats will be easily removable, so that if I do sell the house this spring, a future owner might take those out and use the space as a convenient space to tuck away a trash can.) The top aligns with the counters to the right of the stove, and will provide an additional 3′ of flat, horizontal surface on which to pile cra…I mean, at which to work.

I shared some (failed) designs on my personal blog (where you can also see the pesky curved corner and two of my cats if you’re so inclined). In response to some of the comments there, I’ve lightened the look of the aprons by making them narrower, and dropped the shelf a little.

After work tonight (or perhaps tomorrow), I’m popping into the shop to cut the tapered legs at the jointer; I already have the aprons, stretchers and slats ready to go, and a 76′-long slab of Ikea butcherblock for the top – but at home, I still need to cut a gatorboard template for the curve on the top (I want to make sure it’s fits the actual wall rather than the “wall” in SketchUp before I head to the band saw…especially because it appears Ikea has discontinued the Numerär – so there’s no room for error).

Over the next week or two as I get this thing put together, I’ll share the build. But for now, here’s my cutlist:

– 4 legs: 2″ x 2″ x 34-1/2″, poplar
– 2 long aprons: 3/4″ x 3-1/2″ x 21″, poplar
– 2 short aprons: 3/4″ x 3-1/2″ x 15-23/64″, poplar (OK…I added 1/64″; they’re really 15-3/8″)
– 2 stretchers: 3/4″ x 3-1/2″ x 15-3/8″, poplar
– 6 slats 1/2″ x 1-1/2″ x 26″, poplar
– 1 top, 1-1/2″ x 25-3/4″ x 38″, beech butcherblock

And for what it’s worth, SketchUp has been a godsend throughout this wee kitchen project, from drawing out the floor plan to trying out different types of doors and face frames, to working out design and construction challenges on all the components. And I’m not even a whiz at using the program – but I’m a lot faster with it now than when I started!

— Megan Fitzpatrick

p.s. We have a new book in the store on tables, “Furniture Fundamentals: Tables” that includes 17 projects and five technique articles from the magazine. And if you don’t know how to use SketchUp (and like me, can’t draw well on paper), well, you should learn. If you need professional help, check out “SketchUp for Woodworkers,” by Joe Zeh.