The wood used on the face of a quality cabinet shouldn't have knots, pitch pockets, sanding scars, grain irregularities or color differences. Where two pieces of wood meet in a joint, the line between them almost disappears. Drawer fronts are cut from a single piece of solid wood. Flat door panels are made from solid pieces of wood. The side of the cabinet exposed to view.
Solid wood is chosen for similarity of grain and color.
All sides are routed with a groove that supports drawer base. Joints are dovetailed at all corners. The plywood box that forms the cabinet's interior, seen here lying on side panel. Cabinet floor and back fit into a routed side panel. This Old House and the This Old House window and This Old House Online are trademarks of WGBH Educational Foundation.