sammer party: "M" is for Mudroom

I built custom storage bins for MB's mudroom:

Bins with handles and monograms.

MB is a school friend who recently moved into a beautiful new home and was looking to make the best use of her mudroom cubby system.

She already had two places with baskets and was looking for another different, more decorative storage solution for off-season items.

I must give MB all the credit for coming up with the design: a tapered wooden bin with a handle.

I simply executed her design; building the bins to size (20"w x 12"h x 13"deep, 17"high at handle) painting, adding a handle and handpainted monogram.

I used about one sheet of 1/2" plywood ripped at 12".
I cut the four sides on an angle to get the tapered bottom:

Originally I had planned for an inset bottom using the 1/2" ply but that wasn't working out so great.
In the end the bottoms are 1/4" ply nailed from the bottom and it gives a much better finished look.

I painted the bins with two coats Benjamin Moore wedgewood gray matte.

Sanded to distress lightly.

Applied Minwax dark walnut stain.

For the monogram I used DFKai-SB font, printed the middle letter 6" tall, find the center of the box and line up the letter. Simply trace letter with a ballpoint pen to get a light indent in the paint.

Paint in the indent using Behr french roast.

Add the remaining two letters on either side which are 4" tall.

Sealed with wipe-on Minwax poly satin finish.

One down, three to go:

For the handle I used an 18" embroidery hoop (1"wide x 1/4"thick), pried off the hardware and cut each circle in half.

Applied one coat of Minwax dark walnut stain and sealed with wipe-on Minwax poly satin finish.

Measured the handle height at 17" and screwed into the sides. The handles are purely for decorative purposes, they will hold the bin but I wouldn't recommend carrying the bins around by the handle.