This design reduces roses to their bare, basic petals, which when stained in a dark colour look stunning against a pale wall. Even if you don't consider yourself an artist, the supplied pattern allows you to create this stunning piece to sit at the head of your bed.

Construction is easy as it is based on a few pieces of MDF that can be pre-cut by the board supplier if there is one close to you. Even if you need to cut it yourself there is nothing complicated in the design. The floral pattern can be drawn on the board using a grid, but an even easier way is to use a full-sized blown-up pattern straight from a copying service (see below).

Construction is with glue and screws and the backing behind the design is opal acrylic. This can be lit at night by simply resting a small fluorescent light fitting on the internal shelf. The total cost of the project should come in under $300.

Gather your supplies

• A Rose panel 1550 x 1200 x 18mm MDF
• B Sides (2) 150 x 1200 x 25mm MDF
• C Top 150 x 1600 x 25mm MDF
• D Internal shelf/bottom (2) 1550 x 114 x 18mm MDF
• E Centre upright 114 x 514 x 18mm MDF
• F Back panel 1550 x 550 x 18mm MDF
• G Translucent panel 645 x 1545 x 3mm Opal acrylic
• H Beading (3, cut to suit) 1550 x 25 x 18mm MDF offcuts

You'll also need
Stencil (photocopied to exact size wanted); fluorescent light (eg. IKEA Liesta); walnut timber stain; satin polyurethane.

Here's how

STEP 1 Obtain a photocopy of the pattern in actual size (1500mm wide - it cost just under $20 from an instant print shop), or use a 100mm grid to copy the pattern from the diagram onto the top of the main MDF panel (A). Shapes are not critical and probably benefit from not being too accurate.

STEP 2 Transfer stencil to MDF by taping the paper in position on the top section of the panel, leaving a 25mm border at top and sides. Hold firmly then trace around the pattern with a sharp knife to cut out all the petals.

STEP 3 Use a pencil to mark the petals on the MDF using the cutouts as a guide. Carefully pull the pattern or template away, trying to keep it intact in case you have forgotten a petal here or there.

STEP 4 Rout a 6mm wide by 4mm deep shadow line rebate around top and sides, plus a groove across the middle 25mm down from the pattern with 6mm straight bit fitted to a router. This gives a border effect. Edges are easy to do using the router fitted with a fence, but to run the groove across the centre of the sheet, set up a straight edge and run the router along that.

STEP 5 Drill 10mm holes in the sections to be cut out so you can start the jigsaw. Drill close to the drawn edge of each petal to keep cutting to a minimum.

STEP 6 Use a jigsaw fitted with a scroll blade (2 packs for under $10) to cut out design, following the pattern and cutting into sharp corners from 2 directions. Scroll blades are skinnier and make it easy to cut around tight corners. Don't be too careful. You can go outside the lines (artistic licence and all that)- Just make sure you leave enough material between petals so the panel is not too weak.

STEP 7 Once done, turn the rose panel face down and screw on the 2 sides (B), predrilling and countersinking as mentioned in the box, below. When aligning, don't forget to allow for the shadow groove. The face of the main part of the boards should be flush with edge of the sides, not the bottom of the rebate.

STEP 8 Add top (C) by screwing to the panel and into the top of the sides, again taking care to align the face of the panels with the edge of the top.

STEP 9 Glue and screw the internal shelf and bottom (D) to centre upright (E), and in turn screw them in position at the bottom of the panel. Then add the back (F). Fill all screw holes with a fast-drying filler such as a 2-part filler. As these do not shrink, fill to exactly the level of the board, making a second application if necessary for a perfectly smooth surface.

STEP 10 Sand all the edges to roughly round them using approximately 25mm-wide strips of sanding belts. You can buy narrow strips or rip or cut them to the width you want. Have the opal acrylic (G) cut to size and test-fit behind the rose motif. Cut beads of MDF (H) and screw them to the sides, top and internal shelf to hold the acrylic to the back of the panel. Remove ready for finishing.

STEP 11 Stain the MDF with turpentine-based walnut stain (or any other colour you like). If you want a deeper colour, apply stain a second time. Finish with 2 coats of satin polyurethane for a durable finish. Reinstall the acrylic. For other interesting effects, try adding a coloured acrylic to the opal acrylic. Add a fluorescent light fitting that is already wired with a plug and hold it on the internal shelf with velcro to avoid having to open the fitting. Ahhh - life's a bed of roses after all.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens magazine, April 2006