Today’s project

Every home needs a place to write letters, pay bills or do homework. Unfortunately, sometimes there just isn’t room for dedicated home office space (or even a full-size desk).

Now there’s a do-it-yourself solution that’s just the right size for any house.

Combining refined good looks with space-saving practicality, this handsome roll-top secretary works well almost anywhere: from the bedroom or den to the kitchen, dining room or even entryway. Easy enough for most woodworkers, the project features three pigeonholes under a neat tambour top above and a convenient pull-out writing surface and three big drawers below.

What you need

The secretary calls mostly for straight cuts of oak and oak plywood (other woods will work), and all of the curved pieces are traced from full-size patterns.

What you do

To build, simply cut out the pieces and assemble the lower cabinet, drawers and pull-out desktop. The upper section with the tambour cover is assembled separately and then the two are combined.

The roll-top secretary measures about 42 inches tall by 28 inches wide by 18 inches deep.

How to order the plan

The Roll-Top Secretary plan, No. 933, is $10.95 and includes step-by-step directions with photos, full-size traceable patterns, construction diagrams, a materials list and cutting layout and a toll-free help line for project questions. A mail-order source for a ready-made tambour is also included.

A package of four desk plans, No. C77, is $24.95 and includes two other roll-top desks, a traditional secretary with a bookcase on top and a small writing desk. A catalog picturing hundreds of do-it-yourself projects is $2. Please include $3 for postage and handling (except catalog-only orders) and allow about two weeks for delivery.

To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2383, Van Nuys, CA 91409.

To order by credit card, call (800) 828-2453. Visit U-Bild on the Web at u-bild.com.