Community Brag Posts

This was made from several heavy duty palettes that were used for delivering stone. Because of the wood I could get off the palettes, I switched the thin and thick pieces so that the slat gaps were where the 2x4 pieces were missing instead of the 1x4s. 

This was a pretty easy build. This was my first project and this looked like a pretty straightforward plan. I read over it several times before deciding what to do. I didn't like that it was held together using only screws. I anticipated that these beds will be moved several times over their lifetime and I did want to hassle with the screws stripping out the wood. Instead I used a 3/8 bolt and washer/nut set up so I could take the bed apart without worrying about stripping out the wood with screws. This necessitated drilling several large unsightly holes at the connection points. To help disguise this I trimmed it out using door casing and finished it out by staining the whole bed. The result was a classic look that will last my daughter's lifetime.

I will note that I changed a few parameters. I routed and the edges including the slats with a rounded corner edge. I used a 2x6 for the top cap of the head/footboards. With the addition of the trim work and bolt hardware, this did change the overall cost of the project. Total cost was probably close to $200. Had I stuck strictly to the plans I would have been closer to $100.

I used flat stone and a masonry circular blade for the base of the corner posts. I also used 2 x 4's for both layers of the top boards. It was a lot of fun to build.

The bench was easy to build with great instructions. I had Home Depot make my cuts for this first project and then I went and bought a miter saw and other power tools for future ones. So much fun. 

Took the farmhouse plan and added a Trundle.   Was initially going to build two farmhouse beds for my two girls, but thought adding the Trundle would free up some much needed floor space.  The girls love it!

This table was quite simple to build. The hard part was the sanding and the painting/staining. It is sturdy. I also like that I can sand or touch up stain if it is ever damaged. Most store bought tables don't have that ability since the table top is usually a veneer.
Step by Step Summary on my blog - http://thequaintcottage.blogspot.com

This started out as the Outdoor Multipurpose Cart....and after my hubbies evergrowing wishlist, it quickly become THE GRILL TROLLEY EXTRAVAGANZA!!!! I added the bulk and the height which he wanted, a John Boos butcher block 24x18, which is removable. Funny thing is, I also sampled Ana's Farmhouse frame to cradle the butcher block! I didn't want to put any holes in the 100 clam butcher block so it has it's own little bedframe. It's totally waterproofed and stained since it's new home will be beside the pool. I used all Kreg joints, so you could sit on this it's so sturdy. I also added 2.5 inch locking casters for the bottom. There's a stainless steel bathroom towel rack which doubles as a handle, lots of hooks for his BBQ paraphenelia, and the most important addition...The Guinness bottle opener. Totally hubby customized. And the best thing> I did it myself, setting it aside whenever a problem arose, but always coming back to it. This was originally a Papa's day present

The idea for this project (and the final image that you see) came from the Whiskey Drink Studio ! Cheers to them for the original design. 

So, this is a really fun project that has to solve the following problems: 

• Be a handy place to store jewellery
• Feature a custom layout / organization system 
• Be concealed, meaning it shouldn't be directly obvious it's a container, or if so that it contains jewellery
• Be mounted on the wall (just because where else would you really put it)
• The cover should be a painting on a canvas or another form of artwork. I mean not really SHOULD, but this was the original idea, you can modify it for your purposes
• Should be styled to match the decor and interior design

Great, lets start with the:

Materials 

The sizes are entirely up to you, but if you're going to be using a canvas as a cover, you should first pick the size of your artwork and then scale everything else to size. 

They go as follow: 

1 x A3 Canvas Painting (420mm x 100mm)

1 x Same size hardboard cover (420mm x 100mm)

2 x Wooden Boards (420mm x 100mm x 50mm)

2 x Wooden Boards (287mm x 100mm x 50mm)

1 x Bundle of nails 

1 x Bundle of screws

1 x Bundle of screw hooks

1 x Magnetic catch set

3 x Standard cabinet hinges or 1 x Piano Hinge

This a very very beginner level build, so we're using the easiest techniques possible. Advanced users, who want to make the strongest box possible, can use alternative materials and methods. 

Step 1: Assemble the box

So, very straightforward, just start building the box, starting from the frame. In the GIF above you see how we put the shorter boards in between the longer ones and just nailed them together. 

If you want this to be extra strong, you can use corner braces on the inside. 

After the frame is ready, flip it on it's face and nail in the hardboard. The hardboard should be thick enough so it holds the screw hooks and your jewellery. It should also be pretty sturdy and well attached to the frame so use plenty of nails (well, don't go overboard).

Step 2: Attach the cover

Take your canvas (or whatever other cover you picked) and mark equidistant locations on the lower back side. Take your measurements and mark the same locations on the bottom of the frame. Put the two together and see if they match. 

Now screw the hinges in the cover and then, into the frame. 

At this point the door should open and close, lining up perfectly. 

Step 3: Screw the hooks

The next step is to think about the internal layout. Using a pencil plan and divide your space to represent your needs for storage. Then simply screw the hooks in. 

Step 4: Attach the magnet catches

The last part is attaching the magnet catches. They will hold the cover tighly close, with no accidental falls and issues. This can be substituted for a hydraulic arm, but we chose the simplest options. 

Special thanks to Rachel at Whiskey Drink Studio for the inspiration ! 

Check out the full tutorial over at my blog - DIY Wall Mounted Jewellery Organiser

I've been building Ana White American Girl doll furniture for my two daughters for the last three years, culminating with my biggest build of all - a modified version of Ana's dollhouse.

My wife kept telling me it would end up being huge, and she was right.  The great news is that it doubles as storage when the girls aren't playing!  2 Bedrooms, kitchen, living room, bathroom, and upstairs bonus room for dance and gymnastics.  78" tall x 76" wide, mounted to the wall studs for safety.   Lots of joy in our home on Christmas day.  Thanks Ana!

I wanted something quick and easy to display or hold magazines or blankets. I used two 3x5x8, cut the bottom at 5 degrees and the top that leans against the wall at 85 degrees. You don't have to do this, but I liked the look. Last, I drilled 8 holes at 1 1/4" diameter to fit 1 1/4" dowel cut in inch increments: 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11. I used a brad nailer to hold the dowels in place from behind.

Just wanted to do something a little more original.

I loved the Idea of new closet doors and hated the idea of bi-folds. My house is crooked it seems. The doors don't sit straight and bi-folds always fall off their tracks. When I came upon the plans for Bypass Doors from Old Paint Designs I was hooked! I made 4 doors for the hallway in 1 day, oiled it with Danish Oil in Dark Walnut, hung it the next day and what a difference!! Glass is rather expensive in Hawaii and so is plexi-glass so I opted for Bead Board which gave it a more "country" feel instead of a more modern feel. I wish I could have used glass but the $150 price tag just wasn't fitting into my budget very well. My hubby loved the bypass doors so much he asked me to build them for our open closet. 2 days of work, 8 doors, 2 closets done!