Community Brag Posts

Mud Room Bench

This plan started with Ana's "Mudroom Bench with Easy Drawers" project as a base. I painted 1/4" strips of plywood to give the look of distressed wood on the wall. The shelves above was a simple box with dividers. I made extra deep drawers for ALL my kids' shoes and it is so nice to just grab all the errant shoes and toss them in there out of sight! I also outfitted it with motion-detection lighting so no more fumbling for the light switch in this dark passageway.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white enamel, black is chalk paint with wax finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Small End Table from 2X4's

Submitted by jbknakal on Sun, 04/10/2016 - 11:55

I made a smaller version of the Tryde End Table with Shelf. I made 2 of them from 6 2X4's

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Dining Table

Fish made the tabletop from white oak and the base is pine. We still need to build a bench for one side and purchase new chairs, but we are IN LOVE with this table...and it somehow has allowed us to dine as a family more.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut, two coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

X console

I built these tables for a friend in need. I enjoyed building these. Need these for my house now.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Single picket recycle friendly bird feeder

Submitted by sxewhodey on Fri, 03/13/2020 - 06:45

I deviated unknowingly from the plan, lol. The top is wrong. I trimmed a half inch off one side to make the two lengs even, but you aren't supposed to use the lengths to go all the way down, but rather the lengths going accross as an overhang. Our project still came out nice, and my little girl will put hers together tomorrow.

I am getting ready to do a privacy fence project and I was debating between pine and cedar....this project actually seems to have confirmed I am allergic to cedar, so it was very useful in plans for a bigger project and saved years of sneezing.

Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Dining table

Submitted by will on Mon, 03/03/2014 - 07:43

I found this table idea on:

http://diy-my-homes.com/stunning-purebond-plywood-dining-table/

...then went for it. This is only the third thing I have built so it was one of those "Sure, I can do that" projects. At first I tried the hairpin metal legs, but they just didn't look right so I went with another design which I feel came out much better. Did a mix of 1 1/2" Birch and Oak strips on top of 3/4" MDF for the top. 2x6 routed out X for the legs bound together with 3 1/2" lag bolts and a 4x4. The chairs you see I picked up for $10 each from IU's surplus warehouse and the before/after are in the picture. All in all I am happy!

Thanks to Ana, Kelly and Dave for sharing their plans.

Estimated Cost
Table and Chairs - $250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Express - Black, Walnut, Oak, Black/Walnut mixed to make espresso, Minwax poly oil based seal.

Legs - Black gloss spray paint and clear coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic X Bathroom Vanity

Submitted by Decross on Thu, 08/15/2019 - 11:49

This is a heavily modified version of the rustic x kitchen island that I tweaked to make for 2 sinks. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sandishmily

Thu, 01/18/2018 - 05:30

Hi i actually have a question about the tv stand you made. I love it and I'm wondering what paint you used?  Sorry i wasn't sure that you would see my comment on the tv stand link because it was under guest.

Workbench

Wasn’t too awful bad. The cuts were basic and easy to duplicate. I would recommend having some clamps to hold the supports in place while you try to screw them together. Otherwise, this table is pretty heavy duty and a lot bigger than I thought it would be. I sprung for a more durable and harder wood top, oak so the cost was about $25 more.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our Farmhouse bed :)

Submitted by drewant on Sat, 04/19/2014 - 19:34

My wife and I wanted to upgrade to a king size bed and we stumbled upon this website and are so glad we did. My dad and I built this over the course of a month, working a couple hours at a time as time permitted. It was a fun build and the plans are easy to follow. I encourage anyone building these beds to find the exact measurement of your mattresses and modify the plans accordingly.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar antique white in semi-gloss 4 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

wthalin

Mon, 02/20/2017 - 13:43

I plan to make a bed very similar to what you did. I like the idea that it has a headboard and footboard with storage on the sides. How did you end up fastening the head and footboards to the body of the bed?

JanieMR

Mon, 02/20/2017 - 21:06

Bought your book and I love it, pouring through it every nite.  Planning to make the full size farmhouse bed.   Got lots of tools in the Garage and taking inventory of what's in there and what I'll need, (none have been used in a few years).  So glad my husband left all the tools behind when he left.

I've already built the worktable and saw horses. 

 

JanieMR

Mon, 02/20/2017 - 21:07

Bought your book and I love it, pouring through it every nite.  Planning to make the full size farmhouse bed.   Got lots of tools in the Garage and taking inventory of what's in there and what I'll need, (none have been used in a few years).  So glad my husband left all the tools behind when he left.

I've already built the worktable and saw horses. 

 

Dresser Bunk Built-in

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/09/2024 - 08:32

It started with the rustic rolling dresser. I wanted to try to build a dresser, but my girls needed a bunk bed. I modified the dresser to support a bunk bed. 2 little nooks for the girls, rock solid beds and a beautiful dresser.

HisAndHersOriginals

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Linzy's outdoor play escape

Submitted by Myk3 on Mon, 06/09/2014 - 13:03

Built using the plans as a starting point and built it bigger than the plans called for.. The deck is 10x10 and the playhouse is 6x10. I used pressure treated lumber for everything but the playhouse. I still need to paint the house and stain the deck, then put the roof on.. if it would stop raining.. Once i'm done staining the deck I can put the slide back on also. ''

Swings, monkey bars, and rings / trapeze was ordered from Amazon.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
2000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Pallet style outdoor platform sectional (variation) with patio table

Submitted by SeanyMc on Tue, 06/17/2014 - 13:44

Saw the Outdoor sectional on your website and I just had to build it! Made some variations to the original plans, one being making it higher off the ground and the other was a necessity because Home Depot didn't have the right size wood and I wasn't about to go running around from store to store, so I used scraps to make a corner piece that fits perfectly. The most timely aspect was the sanding and removing all the rough edges. Also used Bondo to fill in all the holes that were on the outside to give it an all around smooth finish. The end result is just about the same though and the family and friends are in love with it! Thank you so much for the plans! Really could not even come close to justifying what it would cost to buy a sectional like this. Cushions were a huge concern and rightfully so. After building, I started searching and was mostly getting prices in the plus $800 range. It was breaking my heart knowing I was going to have to pay more than double what the entire sectional cost me. In the end though, was able to land some 25 x 25 x 6 cushions at Lowes for 50% off ($50 a piece).

Estimated Cost
$750 ($300 Wood & supplies. $40 paint. $400 for 50% off cushions)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Dark Walnut Paint, All in One.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

drhj84

Mon, 10/06/2014 - 08:18

I was wondering if you could tell us the model of your cushions.  I builth this over the weekend, but I ma having a tough time picking cushions.  thanks

 

 

HANLOP01

Mon, 03/16/2015 - 09:06

I love this modification. Did you use 2x8s or 2x10s for your base? It looks like you angles the back. How did you go about doing that? Thank you for posting this?! Great work!

longshot

Mon, 06/29/2015 - 18:00

nice build, when you get some time can you put up your modifications please:) would love to build this! Love the colours you used and how it looks!Me too..you cook like me, i make it my style...thats how i do my salsa ..my way i like it...

longshot

Mon, 06/29/2015 - 18:00

nice build, when you get some time can you put up your modifications please:) would love to build this! Love the colours you used and how it looks!Me too..you cook like me, i make it my style...thats how i do my salsa ..my way i like it...

tsmith@vanausd…

Wed, 07/22/2020 - 11:37

This looks great. This is exactly what I want to make. How is the height of the sectional? That's my only concern. Is there anything you would change if you were to do it all over again?

Seasonal And Holiday

Den Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/26/2016 - 09:16

Cool project!  My wife liked it without the doors!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$55.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My version of the Small Chicken Coop with Planter, Clean Out Tray and Nesting Box -with the addition of a chicken run

I loved the design that Lady Goats and Ana had created but it wasn't quite right for me, so I used the 'essence' of the coop and tweaked it.

I had some leftover metal roofing sheets from a tool storage area I'd made so used this on the roof, and also made the roof a pent shape. I moved the doors to the side, and also reduced the size of the planter. Next to the planter I've made a lift up hatch so that I can more easily replace the water and feeders.
I've added in a 2m x 1.8m (approx. 6.5ft by 6 ft) run so that the little chicks are safe and can run about from their coop.

The whole coop is covered in stainless steel rodent mesh so not only can foxes not get in (our main predator in the UK) but also rats and mice won't be able to get in to take their food and bring their disease.

I undercoated all the wood and then double-coated in exterior weather-proof gloss. Inside the coop I triple coated (I wanted to be thorough!) and also sealed every single joint in the whole build to avoid water penetration as well as mites setting up camp. It's already very easy to clean and hopefully should last a long time.

Hope that you like what I've done here. I'm so pleased with the results but pretty tricky to do by myself.
I'm learning, learning, learning though :-)

P.S. Sorry that the pics below aren't the correct way up -I don't know how to make them appear in the right direction.....

Estimated Cost
£500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I sanded all the wood to within an inch of it's life (!) then undercoated all the wood with an exterior weathertight product (Zinnser BIN primer sealer) and then double coated all the non-inside areas with Sandtex Exterior white gloss.
The areas inside the coop were tripled coated and every joint was sealed with exterior caulk and then repainted.

It should hopefully be washable, mite-proof and last a long time now!
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Modern Industrial Adjustable Work Stand

$120 for 2 bases, one top ... less if you have scrap lumber and pipe

The hard part of some woodworking is what to do with the stuff BEFORE and AFTER it goes through the tools.

We need an infeed and outfeed table for routers, drill press, and saws but have no room to install a permanent workbench with an adjustable tool lifter.

We saw the coffee table to desk height adjustment mechanism and lightbulbs went off! This adjusts! We can take the top off! It stores!

The first photo shows it adjusted to align with the miter saw's cutting area.

As built, there are a couple of changes:

1 - It's taller. Lowest table height is about 30" ... add 8 inches to each leg.

2 - We only used 1 leg brace, about half way down the leg. Cut it to fit after you get the legs screwed to the top.

3 - the wobble of the adjustable bar on the threaded rod is not good for precision woodworking ... the second picture shows the guide pipe that keeps the threaded rod straight up and down.

4 - No pocketholes (sorry Anna) because this is a workbench, not fine furniture.

5 - The tops are cut from one sheet of 4x8 3/4 in melamine coated MDF ... 2 are 2x6 and one is 2x4.

This could also make an adjustable craft table. Raise or lower it to handle fabric for your sewing machine.

Estimated Cost
$120 for 2 bases, one top ... less if you have scrap lumber and pipe
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

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