Build the Villae Display Cabinet

An Easy to Build Storage Cabinet

Inspired by a piece from Pottery Barn, this cabinet is a great piece of storage for any room. The plans to build a Villae display cabinet use a mix of off-the-shelf boards and plywood, with a copper pipe accent in the leg base. There are three shelves with two doors each, and the door panels can be made from Plexigas or punched aluminum.

This plan is a really easy build and is suitable for all skill levels!

Materials:

• 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws
• 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws
• 1-1/4″ screws
• 2″ brad nails
• Edge banding, optional (<– affiliate link!)
• 1 – 1/2″ copper pipe at 8′
• 2 – 1/2″ copper tees
• Six sets of hinges
• Six magnetic catches (<– affiliate link!)
• Six drawer knobs or pulls
• Sandpaper (80, 120, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies

Lumber:

• 9 – 1×2 at 8′
• 2 – 2×2 at 8′
• 1 – 4′ x 4′ sheet of 1/4″ plywood
• 1 – 4′ x 4′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood
• 1 – 4′ x 8′ sheet of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

• 4 – 2×2 at 12″ – Legs
• 2 – 2×2 at 43″ – Base Sides
• 2 – 2×2 at 13″ – Base Ends
• 4 pieces of 1/2″ copper pipe at 6-1/2″ – Base Stretcher
• 1 piece of 1/2″ copper pipe at approximately 44-1/2″ – Base Stretcher
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 16″ x 44-1/4″ – Sides
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 16″ x 44-1/2″ – Bottom
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 16″ x 46″ – Top
• 6 – 1×2 at 13-3/4″ – Shelf Frames
• 6 – 1×2 at 44-1/2″ – Shelf Frames
• 1 – 1/4″ plywood at 44-5/8″ x 45-1/4″ – Back
• 3 – 3/4″ plywood at 16″ x 44-1/2″ – Shelves
• 12 – 1×2 at 13-3/4″ – Door Frame
• 12 – 1×2 at 19-1/16″ – Door Frame
• 6 – 1/4″ Plexiglas at 11-1/4″ x 19-9/16″

Notes About the Project:

• Edge banding will be applied to the exposed edges of the plywood prior to assembly.
• Sand all pieces before putting everything together.
• The magnetic catches on the doors are optional, but helpful for keeping the doors closed.
• Finish this project however you desire and send me photos of your finished build!

Step One

Cut the pieces for the base. Set the pocket hole jig for 1-1/2″ material, and drill pocket holes in each end of the side and end pieces. Use a 1/2″ Forstner bit to drill a 1/2″ deep in each leg for the copper stretchers. Secure the side pieces to the legs using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws. Make sure the holes in the legs face toward what will be the inside of the base.

Cut the shorter pieces of copper pipe and insert them into the ends of the tees. The assembly should measure approximately 14″ or a tiny bit less. Cut the longer piece of the copper pipe and use it to join the two tee assemblies. Insert the entire copper assembly into the holes drilled into the legs to make sure that the copper assembly is the right length. Adjust as necessary.

Secure the shorter end pieces of the base to the legs using glue and 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the sides. Set the pocket hole jig for 3/4″ material and drill pocket holes in one end of each side piece. Secure the sides to the base using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws. The outside faces of the sides will be flush with the outside faces of the base.

Step Three

Cut the piece for the bottom. Secure the bottom to the base between the sides using glue and 2″ brad nails.

Step Four

Cut the pieces for the shelf frames. Drill pocket holes in each end of the shorter pieces, and assemble the frames using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws. Position the frames between the sides as shown, locating them so that the frame is flush with what will be the back edge of the sides. Secure in place using glue and 1-1/4″ screws.

Step Five

Cut the piece for the top. Secure to the top edge of the sides and upper frame using glue and 2″ brad nails.

Step Six

Cut the piece for the back. Secure the back using glue and bad nails.

Step Seven

Cut the pieces for the shelves. Place the shelves on top of the frames, and secure using glue and 2″ brad nails.

Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the doors and drill pocket holes in each end of the longer pieces. Assemble the frames using glue and 1-1/2″ pocket hole screws. Use a router and a 1/4″ rabbeting bit to cut rabbets for the Plexiglas along the inside of each frame. Square the corners of the rabbet using a chisel.

Run a thin bead of glue along the rabbet in the frame, and place the Plexiglas in the rabbet.

Step Nine

Install the hinges for the doors on the cabinet, then install the doors. There will be a 1/8″ gap around all sides of the doors, as well as in between them. Install the magnetic catches, if desired, and the drawer knobs or pulls.

Finish the cabinet as desired!

This cabinet would be a great way to display any type of collection or even assorted linens! Baskets could also be used to store assorted item inside.

Have questions about the plans to build a Villae display cabinet? Leave a comment below!