This project was built and designed by Mike Montgomery from Modern Builds.
Mike creates a striking bathroom vanity featuring a custom fluted design on the doors and drawer faces. The project demonstrates how to achieve high-end results using basic tools like a circular saw and trim router, proving that professional-looking furniture doesn’t require an extensive workshop.
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Cabinet Construction
Mike builds the main cabinet box from red oak plywood, keeping the tool selection minimal by using only a circular saw with a straight edge for all cuts. The cabinet features a simple but sturdy design with pocket hole joinery throughout.
The construction includes a thoughtful internal layout with a door opening on one side and three drawers on the other. A middle divider creates the proper opening width while maintaining structural integrity.
Special attention goes to the front edge treatment, where Mike doubles up the top edge with an additional strip. This creates a more substantial appearance and provides the visual weight needed behind the door and top drawer.
Drawer System Design
The drawer configuration follows clean proportions with the bottom drawer taking up half the available space to accommodate hair tools like blow dryers and straightening irons. The remaining space divides equally between two smaller drawers.
Mike constructs the drawer boxes from the same plywood, using pocket hole joinery for quick assembly. The drawer slides receive careful layout with precise center lines to ensure proper spacing and smooth operation.
The installation process includes adding dividers between drawer faces, which creates additional clearance and improves the overall functionality of the soft-close hardware.
Fluted Design Technique
The standout feature involves creating vertical fluted patterns on solid red oak panels. Mike develops a simple but effective jig system using his workbench as a base with a T-square setup that references both the panel edge and router position.
The process requires patience and consistency, with Mike spending several hours routing each panel. He discovers that making two passes per flute with sawdust removal between passes eliminates burning and produces cleaner results.
Testing different router bit sizes helps determine the optimal flute profile. The technique proves that impressive architectural details can be achieved without expensive specialized equipment, just careful setup and steady execution.
Panel Preparation and Assembly
Mike creates the door and drawer face blanks through traditional panel glue-ups using solid red oak boards. Proper clamping technique with caul boards ensures flat panels that require minimal cleanup after curing overnight.
The grain matching receives careful attention throughout the project to maintain visual continuity across all the fluted surfaces. This planning phase proves crucial for the final appearance.
Edge banding covers any visible plywood layers, using both standard and wider oak veneer to match the different applications. Heat activation with an iron and careful trimming creates seamless transitions.
Hardware and Base Integration
The hinge installation requires problem-solving since the fluted door panels lack sufficient thickness for standard cup hinges. Mike adds a backing strip of solid oak in the hinge areas to provide the necessary material depth.
The base platform creates the proper height and overhang proportions while providing structural support. Hidden pocket screws allow for easy assembly and future adjustments if needed.
Drawer face attachment uses an oversized hole system that permits final adjustments during installation. This approach accommodates any minor variations that might occur during the bathroom fitting process.
Finishing Process
Mike selects crystal clear lacquer in spray form to avoid brush marks in the fluted grooves while providing excellent moisture protection for bathroom use. The spray application works particularly well for the complex surface geometry.
The clear finish enhances the red oak grain without adding the amber tint associated with traditional lacquers. Multiple light coats build up the protection while maintaining the wood’s natural appearance.
Final preparation includes cutting plumbing access and planning for electrical additions, showing how custom cabinetry can integrate practical requirements with aesthetic goals.
This project demonstrates how thoughtful design and patient execution can create furniture that rivals high-end commercial pieces at a fraction of the cost. The fluting technique alone opens up numerous possibilities for adding architectural interest to future projects.
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Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
The fluting technique Mike demonstrates here is a great example of how simple jigs can produce professional results. That T-square setup against the workbench is brilliant – it’s all about creating repeatable reference points. When routing flutes like this, I always keep my router moving at a steady pace to avoid burning, especially in hardwoods like red oak. Taking light passes definitely pays off in the long run.
One thing I really appreciate about this build is the attention to drawer proportions. That oversized bottom drawer makes perfect sense for modern bathroom storage needs. Those hair styling tools are bulky, and most standard vanities just don’t accommodate them well. The pocket hole joinery throughout keeps things simple while still being plenty strong for cabinet construction.
The hinge backing strip solution is smart problem-solving. Fluted panels often create these kinds of hardware challenges, but adding material where you need it is usually the cleanest fix. For anyone considering a similar project, remember that spray lacquer in bathrooms needs good ventilation during application, and those multiple light coats really do make a difference in the final durability.