DIY Network

Butler's Chair Build this fun, functional bedroom piece. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-159

Lay out tomorrow's outfit today—or just display some of your favorite items—with this butler's chair you build with help from Michele Beschen. The B. Original host shows how to combine existing pieces to form the butler's chair, painting everything to match and adding storage hooks.

You'll use an elegant, wood-framed mirror...

Combined with a sturdy (and reinforced) stool.

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Butler's Chair

Materials:

long mirror with a sturdy wooden frame
stout wooden stool
paint
1x2 lumber for mirror braces
1x4 lumber for stabilizer step
1x8 lumber for stabilizer step
screws
clamps
seat cushion (same size as stool top)
wooden hanger
clothes hooks

	Figure A
	Figure B

Prepare the Mirror

• Paint all surfaces of the mirror (except the glass) and stool the color of your choice. Don't forget to paint the back of the mirror.

• Measure the mirror. Cut two braces from 1x2 lumber, each measuring about 8"-9" shorter than the side of the mirror. Paint the braces the same color as the mirror and stool.

• Lay the mirror glass side down on your work surface. Measure and mark a point 12" below the top of the mirror on each side of the wooden mirror frame. Line up the braces with these marks.

• Drill pilot holes and screw the braces to the mirror frame, making sure to screw into the wooden frame and not too close to the mirror glass (figure A). Place a screw about every 6" along the brace.

• Cut a piece of 1x4 lumber to match the width of the mirror. Attach a few clothes hooks to the wood, paint it (hooks and all) and attach it to the mirror frame resting above the braces (figure B).

• If the mirror is narrow enough, find a sturdy wooden hanger that is 4" or more wider than the mirror. Paint the hanger to match the rest of the piece.

• Drill two small pilot holes and attach two eyebolts to the bottom of the hanger (figure C). Drill four small holes in the hanger and attach it to the top of the mirror (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

	Figure E
	Figure F

Modify the Stool

Mirrors can be heavy—build a stabilizer step to keep the stool from tipping over when you attach the mirror. The side pieces of this step will attach to the inside of all four stool legs.

• You will need to cut two pieces of 1x4 lumber for the side pieces of the step. To get the length, measure the length of the stool from the front legs to the back, including the legs themselves. Add 8" to this measurement to allow for the top of the step. Cut the boards to this length.

• Cut a piece of 1x8 lumber to the same width as the top piece, this will be the top of the stabilizer step.

• Slide the side pieces into position between the stool legs and clamp them to the legs. Position the top of the step on the side pieces and attach to the sides with screws (figure E).

• Unclamp the stabilizer stool and paint to match the rest of the piece.

• Slide the step back into place and attach to the stool legs with screws (figure F).

Figure G

Put it All Together

• Try to have someone on hand to help you attach the mirror to the stool. The mirror won't rest flush with the stool frame—it will be about 2" above the stool to allow for a seat cushion.

• Look at the back of the stool and figure out how far down from the stool's top the screws attaching the mirror should go. The top screws need to go into the corner brace of the stool, not just the legs.

• On the back of the back piece, measure 2" down from the bottom of the mirror; this is where the top of the stool will hit. Pre-drill two holes in each of the mirror braces below this mark and attach to the back of the stool with screws (figure G).

• Add a seat cushion to the stool, and you're good to go.

Set up your butler's chair in your bedroom and use it to lay out clothes or just display some of your favorite items. It's beautiful, unique and a lot less expensive than a real butler!