18" Doll: RECYCLE - Roll Top Desk

One day....

while I was shopping at Goodwill....

I looked over and saw a desk top organizer

(like these: http://www.amazon.com/ROLLTOP-DESK-ORGANIZER/dp/B0002U3A50 )
( http://www.brandsonsale.com/mini-rolltop-desk-003688.html )

( http://www.organize.com/cherry-roll-top-deluxe-valet.html )

I realized that this would make a PERFECT "desk" for the dolls....

with a bit of "tweaking" first!

The best part....it was only $7.99!!!

 It was missing a chunk out of the side, one of the drawers was DESTROYED, and it was DUSTY, but it had lots of potential!

I LOVE the desk that American Girl sells, 

but I can't afford that kind of money for a toy.

If you are interested, though, you can find that desk here:

http://store.americangirl.com/agshop/html/item/id/141477/ctc/SI

Here's how it did it:

1.  I took out the broken drawer, and trashed everything except for the drawer bottom, which I glued back into the empty "drawer space" to act as a shelf.  I filled the missing "chunk" on the side with wood putty, and then let dry.  (Later this was sanded smooth and colored with the same stain used on the legs.)

2.  I then turned the desk onto its back.  I wanted to remove the vertical "files" on the bottom left corner to create room for a chair to sit.  I carefully sawed down the left side of the drawer bank towards the back of the desk (desk front is pointing "up" in photo).

 3.  I then used a hammer to gently "tap" out the bottom piece that I had cut away (I could tell that the bottom piece was only "glued" on the left and at the back).

 4.  Here is what it looks like with the bottom piece cut and then "tapped" off:

5.  I removed the vertical dividers, and sanded the raw edges where the bottom came off.  I also sanded all of the exposed edges of the desk to give it a more "antique" and worn look.

6.  I'd love to show you pictures of the "legs" being added....

but either it was operator error OR my camera "ate" those pics!!

I used 1" square dowels (4 total) for the legs on the right side under the drawers (5" tall),

and I used .5" square dowels (2 total) for the legs to the left where the chair sits (these measure 10.75" tall).  I spent about 2 weeks on the legs just sanding, gluing, and clamping each one in turn (I only have one set of jumbo clamps)!

7.  I then stained the legs to match the desk.  Once the stain is dry (give it a good week!), you can accessorize!  Enjoy!

The desk measures: 13.5" wide x 10" deep x 20" high

 

Here's the desk with a My Twinn doll featured next to it:

 American Girl doll (sitting, left) and My Twinn doll (standing, right):

Please feel free to use these plans to build furniture, for sale or for pleasure, but please do not sell the PLANS as your "own".  Please also give credit to me and link back here!  I hope you enjoy them!!

***I am NOT LIABLE for any plans featured here. Please take every precaution and use your own discretion to make sure these toys are safe for children to play with them.