This is one of my first projects and—now that I think about it—really sparked my interest in woodworking. I built this a few years ago over a weekend shortly after embarking on another hobby. I approached it as a quick and dirty, not to mention cost-effective storage solution for almost 200 bottles of wine. It’s made out of solid red oak from Lowe’s or Home Depot. Knowing what I know now about cabinet and furniture-making, it would’ve been more efficient to use plywood in some of the case construction. Notwithstanding, for what this cost me to build, there is nothing I could purchase that would come close to the level of quality.

I got this idea and plan from a New Yankee Workshop episode. I made this as a gift—-I thought the “hidden compartment” in this project would be a perfect place for an engagement ring. It was, but I did have to unwrap it and take it out of the box because this hidden drawer is fairly shallow.

I used cherry, most was “curly cherry.” As for a finish, I found an article in Woodworking Magazine that led me to try boiled linseed oil (cut w/ 1/3 mineral spirits) and 3 coats of spray lacquer. I didn’t have time for the sun or tanning salon treatment (I am planning on trying this for my next project with cherry) but I think it came out great nonetheless.