Build a Joss & Main Inspired Marie Hall Chest

An Easily Customizable Hall Chest

This chest is another of those pieces I am dying to build. Though it is very narrow, it still has plenty of room for storage! The plans to build a Joss & Main inspired Marie Hall Chest feature a drawer (with no drawer slides) as well as panels that are attached to the back of the door that can be covered with fabric, scrapbooking paper, or wallpaper to perfectly complement your décor. Another idea would be to cover the panels with pages from a car magazine or a Snap-On Tools calendar (I’m sure you know what I’m talking about) for the man cave!!

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws
• 3/4″ brad nails
• 1-1/4″ brad nails
• Edge banding for plywood, optional (<– affiliate link!)
• Covering for the door panels
• Cabinet pulls
• Paste Wax
• Finishing supplies

Lumber:

• 2 – 2×2 at 6′
• 3 – 1×2 at 8′
• 2 – 1×3 at 8′
• 1 sheet of 1/2″ plywood
• 1 sheet of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

• 4 – 2×2 at 34-1/4″ – Legs
• 2 – 1×2 at 8-1/4″ – Side Frames
• 2 – 1×3 at 8-1/4″ – Side Frames
• 2 – 1/2″ plywood at 8-1/4″ x 27″ – Side Panels
• 4 – 1×2 at 33″ –  Stretchers
• 2 – 1×3 at 33″ – Lower Stretchers
• 1 – 1/2″ plywood at 27″ x 33″ – Back
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 9-3/4″ x 34-1/2″ – Upper & Lower Shelves
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 9-1/2″ x 34-1/2″ – Center Shelf
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 12″ x 37-1/2″ – Top
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 10″ x 31-1/2″ – Drawer Bottom
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 3-1/2″ x 10″ – Drawer Sides
• 1 – 3/4″plywood at 3-1/2″ x 32-3/4″ – Drawer Back
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 4-1/4″ x 34″ – Drawer Front
• 4 – 1×3 at 14″ – Door Frames
• 4 – 1×2 at 22-3/4″ – Door Frames
• 2 – 1/4″ plywood at 15″ x 20-1/4″ – Door Panels

 

Step One

Edge banding will be applied to the exposed edges of plywood before assembly.

Cut the pieces for the legs. Cut the taper (optional) as shown using a jigsaw.

 

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the side frames and panels. Cut the arc as shown in the 1×3 piece using a jigsaw. Drill pocket holes at each end of the frame pieces as well as all four edges of the panel. Attach the lower curved frame pieces to the panel using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The back of the panel will be flush with the back of the frame piece. Attach the top frame piece to the panel using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The panel will be positioned 1/4″ back from the outside edge of the frame piece. Attach the panel assembly to the legs as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

 

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the stretchers. Cut the arcs in the lower stretcher pieces as shown using a jigsaw. Drill pocket holes in each end of the stretchers. Attach the upper and lower stretchers as shown using glue and 1-1/4″pocket hole screws.

Attach the remaining two stretchers to the front as shown noting that the lower of the two will be positioned 1/4″ back from the front edge (to allow for the door panel).

 

Step Four

Cut the piece for the back and drill pocket holes in all four edges. Position the back so it is 1/4″ back from the outside edges of the frame pieces and the legs.

 

Step Five

Cut the pieces for the shelves. Note that the center shelf is narrower than the other two to allow for the door panels. Cut the notches as shown using a jigsaw. Drill pocket holes around all four edges of each shelf. the depth setting of the pocket hole bit may have to be adjusted to keep the screws from poking through the side and back panels (1″ pocket hole screws can also be used). Position the shelves as shown – the top of the shelves will be flush with the top of the stretchers and secure using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Six

Cut the piece for the top. the top will overhang the front and sides by 3/4″. Secure in place using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails through the top into the side frames and stretchers.

 

Step Seven

Cut the pieces for the drawer box. Drill pocket holes in each end of the sides as well as all four edges of the bottom. Assemble as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws. The front will overlap the sides by 5/8″ as well as the bottom by 3/8″.

There are no drawer slides to install. Apply a coat of paste wax to the bottom of the drawer as well as to the top of the corresponding shelf where the drawer will rest. This will help the drawer slide smoothly.

Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the door frames. Cut the notch in the rails (the 1×3 pieces) as shown using a jigsaw. Assemble the frame as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Cut the pieces for the door panels. Cover the panel as desired and secure in place using 3/4″ brad nails. Install the cabinet pulls.

Finish as desired!

Have any questions about the free plans to build a Joss & Main inspired Marie Hall Chest? Leave a comment below!