I'm in the process of designing a pair of somewhat contemporary walnut nightstands/bedside tables for a friend of the family. This is my first significant project outside the immediate family and am trying to make things simple. I've been looking over many design elements from other craftsmen and I was curious if the front rails serve as a structural piece? Every drawer seems to be enclosed by a top and bottom rail. Does this simply prevent the piece from being squeezed from the sides? Could I just make the front "apron" the face of the drawer? I like that I wouldn't have a seam between the rails and the drawer face. Very clean looking.
I would then use 1/2" wooden drawer runners, set back a few inches from the front, to support the drawer from below, as well as a stop to prevent the drawer from pulling completely out. So I guess I would cut the drawer sides slightly shorter to accommodate runners? Would you put one on the top and one on the bottom (on each side), or just one on the bottom and have the top of the drawer side ride against the underside of the top? Or, would you dado the side of the drawer and use one runner on each side? The drawer face/aprons are 6" tall.
I will also mention that there will be a bottom shelf to add side to side support.
Additionally, as the piece is only 18" x 18", and the aprons are going to be <14" between the legs, would a haunched tenon be necessary? Could I get away with simple mortise and tenons?
Thanks in advance,
Jeff