I had the boards cut at HD and just "went for it". All the junk cleaned out, new tile, some paint, and some screws and I was set. Removed the old ratty bi-fold doors, and framed in the doorway, leaving it open to the den.

I used a water based minwax "vermont maple" stain -- 2 coats on birch plywood. Then 3 coats of water based poly on each side of the shelving, sanding with 330 grit paper between coats.

I am really pleased with how it turned out. I will have to get one of those cord hiding zippered things to bunch all my computer cords together. The part I hated most was actually drilling a hole in that pretty top just for all the wires.

If I had it to do over, I'd be a tad more careful with the glue, but overall, I'm satisfied for a first timer.

Cindy

I used birch 3/4th inch plywood. Then edged it with some trim molding. The trim is pine. All of the stuff came from HD, and most of the major cuts I had them do. The trim and a few boards I cut myself.

For the trim, I used some wood glue and small finish nails. I should have been a teensy bit less liberal with the glue, because glue doesn't stain. If the glue gets on your boards, it won't stain as well in those spots. I did find that both the pine and the stain did stain up pretty well the same though. I attached the trim first, then stained and poly'd.