Convertible Dresser

I needed a dresser and wanted it to have a secret to it, so I came up with a few designs.  This is the one I decided on, as you can see the entire top of the dresser flips up revealing a secret compartment.  Instead of sliding out like the rest of the drawers.  I also wanted it to look rustic, so I chose to use deer antlers as handles.  Caution this will take some patience to lay them out and get them attached to the piece.  If you like my instructable please vote for it.  Thank You

The first step is setting forth the dimensions, I decided I wanted to make a mammoth dresser.  One that all other dressers must bow to,  hahahahaha. Ok seriously the dimensions are as follows: 42" wide, 24" deep,& 65" tall.  You will want to design one that will fit in your space.  Next you want to cut all materials down to your dimensions.

Materials:
1. two sheets 4'x8'x3/4" Birch Plywood
2. 10- 1"x4"x8' white pine
3. two sheets 5mmx4'x8' luan plywood (drawer bottoms&back)
4. 2-1"x12"x8' white pine (drawer faces
5. 2- 2"x4"x8' white pine
6. miscellaneous hardware

You will cut down all your pieces and fit them together.  The sides take 20" wide plywood pieces, and the cross supports are 40" long.  These supports hold the dresser together and provide something for the drawers to slide on.  Next you trim out the supports and add in pieces in the middle running from the front to the back.  This helps make the cabinet stronger, Next build out the top.  This will be the convertible part of the dresser, I made mine with two smaller drawers.  Lay it out however you want.  Now comes the fun part making drawers.  Dependent upon how far apart you laid out your cross supports will decide the height of your drawers.  Cut the plywood to the height, width and depth of the drawers,  Next you will cut the luan ply to make your drawer bottom, then use the table saw to make a groove in the drawers sides and front and back.  This way the luan will slide in and stay in place.  Last the lid and false drawer front.  I wanted to create the illusion of a drawer but have it open making the top similar to a cabinet.  Measure the top dimensions of your cabinet ( width and depth), then cut the plywood to size. Then I added on trim to hide the edge of the plywood.  

After the rough out sand all surfaces with 80 grit sandpaper, and stain to choice of color.  You could always paint it but I look wood grain and the rustic look.  Then I applied danish oil and sanded with 600 grit sand paper.  

After fastening the lid from the back with hinges, I decided I wanted the lid to stay open by itself.  So I added toy box lid supports, they can be bought at most home improvement stores.  I had to use four because of the weight and how the lid is shaped.   I added brass escutcheons to give it a old look, and the deer antlers for the rustic look.  I took full size deer antlers and cut them down to the size I wanted.  Then take the drawer and sand the backs of them at an angle that will allow it to fit flat against the front of the drawer.  Then screw the antler from the backside of the drawer face.  Make sure to space them evenly throughout the dresser so it will look nice.  Last step I added brown leather to the top of the two small drawers on the top to give a nice luxurious feel to the inside.

Now you have a dresser that will make anyone jealous