This project was built and designed by Jon Peters from Longview Woodworking. It’s a refined entryway table made from solid cherry, complete with tapered legs, continuous grain drawer fronts, and handmade drawer pulls.
With thoughtful design and precise joinery, Jon transforms a classic idea into a professional-quality piece of furniture. From lumber selection to the final finish, each step reflects careful planning and craftsmanship.
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Selecting Materials and Planning the Build
Jon begins by selecting premium cherry lumber from the mill, carefully choosing boards that match in color and grain. The legs, apron, drawer fronts, and tabletop all come from this initial batch of material.
Grain continuity across the front of the table is a top priority. Jon cuts the apron and drawer fronts from a single board, preserving the flow of grain and creating a unified look.
The drawer pulls are crafted from Bubinga, a dense and richly colored hardwood that contrasts beautifully with the cherry. This simple detail adds a layer of elegance and distinction to the final piece.
Cutting and Shaping the Legs
The legs are made from thick cherry stock, cut to length and then tapered on two sides using a tapering jig. These tapered legs create a more delicate profile, giving the piece a lighter visual footprint.
Before tapering, any flaws or knots in the wood are removed. The cuts are made carefully to keep the grain direction smooth and consistent across all four legs.
Building the Apron and Adding Bead Detail
Jon prepares the apron pieces, ensuring tight-fitting joints with clean, square edges. The front apron is designed to include the drawer openings, and the grain is laid out to flow uninterrupted through the drawer fronts.
A bead molding is routed along the bottom edge of the apron, adding a subtle decorative element. This detail is understated but adds refinement to the piece without overpowering the clean design.
Assembly is done with pocket hole screws on the interior of the apron, keeping fasteners hidden. Scrap wood spacers help keep everything square and level during glue-up.
Making the Drawer Runners and Boxes
Drawer runners are built from poplar for stability and ease of installation. These are joined with pocket hole screws and reinforced with biscuits for additional strength where needed.
The drawers are constructed from figured Sapeli for the sides, poplar for the backs, and birch plywood for the bottoms. Rabbet joints connect the drawer fronts to the sides, and dado joints hold the backs in place.
Jon resaws the drawer sides thinner than standard thickness for a more refined appearance. Each piece is carefully milled, joined, and glued, with excess glue cleaned up before it sets.
Installing Drawer Stops and Hardware
To prevent drawers from falling out, Jon adds internal drawer stops using glued and pinned hardwood blocks. A rotating stop mechanism is also added for extra control and security.
The drawer pulls are shaped from Bubinga, using a micro jig gripper for safety and accuracy. Their slim, ergonomic shape fits comfortably in hand and adds a custom look to the drawer fronts.
Each pull is pre-drilled and countersunk for screws, with slight adjustability to ensure perfect alignment across both drawers.
Constructing and Shaping the Tabletop
The tabletop is made from two cherry boards joined edge-to-edge with biscuits. Jon cuts the boards slightly oversized to allow for final trimming and sanding after glue-up.
Once joined, the top is flattened and a subtle curve is cut into the front edge. A 5-degree bevel is added to the top perimeter, echoing the taper of the legs and giving the piece a consistent design language.
These small shaping steps elevate the visual interest of the piece without making it fussy or overly ornate.
Finishing with Waterlox
For the finish, Jon uses Waterlox, applying multiple thin coats and sanding lightly between each one. This finish is known for its durability and for enhancing the natural tone of cherry wood.
After curing, the surface is hand-rubbed with steel wool and polished with a soft paste wax. This gives the piece a silky, durable finish that resists wear and deepens the color over time.
Why This Table Stands Out
This entryway table is more than a functional piece—it’s a showcase of traditional woodworking skills and design principles. Every part of the build, from grain matching to handmade pulls, reflects the care and planning put into the final result.
With storage for everyday items and a form that fits in almost any space, it’s as practical as it is beautiful. The blend of cherry and Bubinga adds visual contrast while staying rooted in timeless design.
A Project That Teaches and Inspires
This build is packed with techniques valuable to woodworkers at all levels. It demonstrates clean pocket hole joinery, elegant drawer construction, decorative routing, and advanced finishing techniques.
Jon’s methodical process and attention to detail make the project a great learning opportunity, especially for those interested in moving beyond basic builds.
Get Jon’s plans here: https://jonpeters.com/products/cherry-table-design-plans/.