Mid-Century Nightstand

A simple case is elevated by a unique leg design and elegant suspension.

- Collin Knoff

PROJECT #2203_

Skill Level: Intermediate

Time: 2 Days

Cost: $150

This was a real project of growth for me. I’ve written before about my woodworking journey being defined by life functionality over my desire to create interesting things. Even my first project for the magazine, the Sliding Door Stereo Cabinet from June of 2020, was driven by the need to have a better place to put my TV.

I was actually working on a design for a work desk when I stumbled upon a piece by Silvio Cavatorta, a prominent Italian designer in during the 1960s who has since seemingly vanished from the public consciousness. I quickly dismissed the design for a work desk, but used the idea of Cavtorta’s suspended case furniture as a jumping-off point to design a pair of nightstands.

I was originally going to build the nightstands using only my miter and track saws in my small garage shop. However, fewer travel restrictions suddenly meant I was able to make the project at the Popular Woodworking shop in Des Moines instead. There, I could try out new techniques and tools (such as hand planes) and have direct help from more advanced woodworkers.

Case Assembly

With a design in mind, I started by building the case first since it was fairly straightforward. I broke down the plywood on the table saw, then drilled pocket holes for the sides and bottom. For the top, I used a technique that was common in early plywood furniture, often referred to as plywood edging. It is where a solid piece of wood would be used for the outside edges of the top piece to hide the plies on the side pieces.