After finally “finishing” the worst drywall patching in the history of drywall patching, I’m ready to start on the built-in closet that will cover up my shoddy patch job and make use of this dead-end hallway on the backside of my shower by providing linen storage. (Right now, my extra sheets and towels are in inconvenient plastic tubs under my bed.)
I perhaps ought to be more ashamed of my drywall work…but I wasn’t planning on putting up any in this space; what’s here is simply what was left over from the bathroom. And I’m not bothering to tape or mud it; it will be completely covered, top to bottom and side to side.
The built-in will basically be two big plywood boxes, with a face frame out of reclaimed Southern yellow pine to match the rest of the trim in the house. The bottom cabinet will have three drawers; the top will have two doors with a center fixed shelf, and three adjustable shelves. In between (on reader recommendations from an earlier post), I’ve decided on a pull-out shelf for folding towels or what have you. (I first drew a drop-down front, but didn’t like the look of the supporting lopers.)
Side, back and top removed.
The wide rail at the top will get an applied casing and mouldings just like those atop all my door frames, flush to the ceiling (I’ve had a salvage one, er, seasoning in the basement for a year now…).
I have the SYP for the face frame and door rails and stiles – and best of all (if I can make the frames without mucking it up), it already has a perfect patinated period finish. I’m hoping to find the same for the drawer fronts and door panels – or at least SYP from the right period. (I have a matching finish formula worked out…but wouldn’t it be glorious to not have to use it!)
In the meantime, I have some big-ass boxes to build and lots of plywood to waste.
Sub-optimal “optimization.”
Rude Mechanicals Press Blog 
That’s a fine plan for the space. Can’t wait to see it come to fruition.
Back in my shopfitting days I volunteered to head across town to tape/joint some drywall. I’d never done it before but the fella I was working with told me it was easy enough as long as you had a nice, sharp filling knife.
Long story short, I made a total pig’s ear of the jointing, sliced my palm open and left bloody handprints all over the shop.
Moral? Never volunteer…and good work avoiding that jointing!
As a plumber firstly and woodworker second I’d recommend that you have a look at your shower faucet before closing the back side up. (that is if that is the side of the shower you’re closing in)
It would suck to have to cut your built in up to replace a bad faucet in a year or two.
Have fun with the project!
Not to worry — it’s on an adjacent wall — easy access from the back.
Residing perpetually in the eighteenth-century, I applaud your decision to incorporate a pull-out slide in your closet. Have you given its construction much thought?
Yep…but I’m afraid it’s not in the 18th-century vein. Screws and plywood (with an m&t face frame).
It’s good to know that it’s important to dry the location asap if there’s water damage in my home because mold could grow. I’ll follow your advice and dry the room as soon as possible and call a professional water damage service afterward. Thanks!