Community Brag Posts

So fun. So easy. So beautiful.

This table was so easy and so much fun, even for a beginner. In fact, it's so easy I've built it three times. The latest one is my favorite. I think it's the beautiful blue color...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
First I stained it in a dark color. Next, I painted it with a watered dawn blue. Then, I sanded for a distressed looked. Lastly, I coated it with a finishing wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Classic Bunk Beds modified for toddler mattresses.

Submitted by sjs1220 on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 11:13

Started with the classic bunk bed plan. Changed most of the 1x4s to 1x3 except the boards at the mattress level. Added an additional rail up top to make safer for my young children. Also added 1x3s on both ends of the head/foot board to make the legs a litter sturdier and to widen the frame as our mattresses turned out to be a little wider than standard. Took out the built in ladder and matched the rest of the rails. Then added detachable stairs to be able to remove during the day and make it easier for my girls to get up and down. Made a few mistakes along the way (when you write 57.5 inches and transfer 52.5 inches to your cut list you eventually have a really bad/sad day), but had a ton of fun!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax wood conditioner to start. Minwax (1/3 red mahogany, 2/3 dark walnut). 3 coats of spray poly. Then sanded with a 0000 equivalent fiber sanding pad.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/02/2017 - 18:53

We are obsessed with our new outdoor sectional.

Estimated Cost
300 for the chairs, 600 including cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Expanded Planter Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:30

I wanted to put a planter around our new mailbox. So, I took your single planter design and build it as if it were three separate boxes only leaving out the interior pieces. It required making a T section for the middle pieces, And I made sure I used plenty of glue to firm up the structure and provide stiffness.

Comments

Anna's Low Activity Table for her Dollhouse!

Submitted by ferbit on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 09:52

Anna's (the one on the right) new activity table with rolling carts! Rolling drawers are made of 3/4" MDF with 2" casters underneath. The chalkboard frames (found here) were painted with satin finish pink paint, then two coats of glitter Mod Podge. I love how they turned out!!! We added a piece of 1/8" plexiglass to the top to protect it better. The flat top is made of MDF, sides and frame are made of pine and the legs are poplar. Two coats of primer, three coats of semi-gloss paint and three coats of poly. She is sooooo excited!!! Ana's estimate of $50-$100 on her website is fairly accurate depending on where you live, minus the plexiglass. So adding it all up... 3 - 2" x 2" x 8' stud/strips are $1.29 each at HD (total $3.87) 4 - 1" x 2" x 8' Radiata Pine boards are $4.82 at HD (total $19.28) 1 - 49" x 97" sheet 3/4" MDF was about $40 at HD (they rip cut it for me for free) 8 - 2" casters were about $2.50 each at HD (total $20) That's $83.15 plus tax and doesn't include all of the smaller extras like screws, glue, sandpaper, primer, paint and poly. I had most of those already... but it's items like that would easily push the total over $100. The little extras that I did were pricier poplar legs since I didn't like the look of 2x2 stud/strips and the custom sheet of plexiglass $35 at local plastics company. 2x2 studs/strips are fine, but after using them on my sawhorses and painting them, I wanted something more perfectly square (prettier?) for this table.

Estimated Cost
$85.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer, semi-gloss acrylic latex paint, brush-on poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

built by Grandpa

Submitted by jsanders on Sun, 05/12/2013 - 10:25

Grandpa modified the simple changing table to match the rest of our nursery furniture.

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

Bunny box

Submitted by Josh_B on Wed, 04/01/2015 - 17:54

1/2" oak ply, cedar fence post, 1/4 inch oak ply

 

 

First brag! I had a little time to play in the garage and decided to join the scrap wood bandwagon. The wife loves the bunny box and now the mother-in-law NEEDS one. Back to the garage I go...

 

 

 

Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Classic gray
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modern Adirondack chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:57

I’ve been enjoying making the modern Adirondack chairs, only with reclaimed wood seats and backs. Finally made a love seat version.

Comments

Murphy Bed

Submitted by arkep on Tue, 05/14/2013 - 19:19

I'm turning my messy sewing room into an organized craft/guest room, so I made a murphy bed to conserve space. I used corrugated tin on the the face of the bed so that I can use it as a magnet board while not in use as a bed.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyshades Antique Walnut--two coats with light sanding in between
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Julie44256

Fri, 05/17/2013 - 09:54

The estimated cost is $100, but the hardware linked from the original plan was over $300. Do you have an alternate method of mounting this?

arkep

Fri, 05/17/2013 - 11:23

I think that link was a suggestion if you want an assisted lift/lowering system, and that hardware is part of what makes regular Murphy beds so expensive. I just used door hinges--3 for $8. It's not that heavy to lift and lower the bed, in my opinion.

Julie44256

Fri, 05/17/2013 - 11:40

Thank you for your reply! If I make this project, I think I'll try the door hinges. It won't be frequently used (a few times a year) and I'm pretty sure we can handle the minimal weight for those few occasions.

P.S. I really like the styling with the wood and corrugated metal, it looks sharp!

iMark

Fri, 06/28/2013 - 20:02

thanks for sharing the murphy bed. have been looking for a space solution for my daughter's bedroom. the corrugated tin look sharp in this project--my daughter would like the corrugatged tin as well--except for hot pink stain on the cabinet.

anyone know where to get hot pink stain?

DorieM

Wed, 02/10/2016 - 04:22

I would love this for my room let me save space versus sideways bed. Maybe spray chalkboard or dry erase on one side magnets to one side and daily to do notes on the other?

Fireplace makeover

Submitted by Stewsterl on Sun, 04/05/2015 - 00:30

This is my first DIY project ever. No plans. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Airstone
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor Sofa and Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/14/2017 - 00:22

I haven't really done anything like this, came out quite well. I modified the back for what I think is better comfort, added side supports to hold throw pillows in place and added 2 extra 2x4's to seating surfaces. The sofa I built in an afternoon with an extra pair of hands to line things up and hold them in place. The sectional took a little longer to complete as my helper was off building his own couch (after he saw how simple it was to do). I also didn't use a pocket jig (couldn't find one in rural hardware store) but a countersink drill bit for all screw holes. 

Estimated Cost
in Canadian, for the sofa and sectional about 220 with stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
latex semi transparent stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Headboard and barstools

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 14:49

I adapted the plans somewhat. The headboard is made from Pucte, a trpical hardwood with frame of Cedro, a Mahogany. The seats of the stools are also Cedro and legs of Caoba, another Mahogany. I live in Yucatan so these woods are available. The Pucte was repurposed old salvage free

Comments

Danielle's Painter's Ladder Shelf

Submitted by zigmommy on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 13:50

This was the first good-sized project I built by myself. I finished it more than 4 months ago and it still makes me smile every time I look at it. :-) A simple, functional and BEAUTIFUL shelf that will work anywhere and for anyone! I was so impatient for it to be finished I didn't put poly or any clear coat on it and I'm still in love!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams 'Sierra Redwood'

(The grain in the wood shows through just BEAUTIFULLY!)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack Chair

Submitted by maparuna on Sat, 05/18/2013 - 19:07

Built three Adirondack Chair, got the dimensions from Ana's Adirondack Chair and modify dimensions for the smaller chair for my daughter. Used ceder and pine. Cost about CDN 40 per chair. Specially I would like to thanks Ana giving information about simple but beautiful furniture designs.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Used for my backyard
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kitchen Cabinets

Submitted by bsbdays on Tue, 04/07/2015 - 06:18

Here is a pic of kitchen cabinets I built using Ana's plans.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Calmly

Tue, 04/07/2015 - 11:40

If you lived near me, I would hire you. If you can do this, your funk tire buying days are over ! Awesome job!

bsbdays

Mon, 05/04/2015 - 12:00

Thank you, this was my first Kitchen remodel. I am not sure if I want to do this for hire. I may just build the cabinets but not sure if I want to install anymore.

bsbdays

Mon, 05/04/2015 - 12:03

I still have to install the back splash and flooring. Going with a knotty pine flooring. I will distress it and I am going to install vintage Common Rose Head nails at the butt joints of the flooring.

Hall Tree

Submitted by Don Ellery on Wed, 07/19/2017 - 11:25

I made this project for a friend.  It was very important to get straight boards for the back in order to make everything square.  Let me know if you have any questions!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet! I did fill and sand the project and condition the wood for paint. Any exposed pocket holes were filled with angled dowels, some wood filler, and then sanded flat. I used a little extra 1x3 in order to face the middle two dividers. One more note...depending on your board length, you might need to get an extra 1x4. An 8 footer will leave you 1" short for the 41" board. But hey! Leftover wood turns into a new project!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Chicken Coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 15:53

We made this Chicken Coop this summer , with lots of help. We doubled the coop and the chicken run is 8x8 . We used the base of a previous clubhouse!! Thanks so much for the plans

Comments

Farmhouse Bench

Submitted by lhynx28 on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 16:34

Tools Used:
Jigsaw, Hammer & Sander.

FIRST Project! Made this for my brother who works out at home and uses his bed as bench when he lifts weights. tsktsk. It took me 2 days, on and off to finish this. :))

Thanks Ana for the plan. I learned a lot and I can't wait to try and build your other plans. :)

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Portable countertop

Submitted by Spacemanta on Mon, 05/20/2013 - 20:53

I made this from the kitchen island plans, but added a countertop. It's really sturdy and cost about $65 in materials. I love it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

painted buffet

Submitted by samtmsvp on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 23:15

I basically just followed the plans on this site. it is really a pretty simple build but it helps to have a second person and it is very time consuming.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
olympic one paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Our finished product

Submitted by gkreations on Thu, 08/03/2017 - 10:14

Accidentally flipped the outsides but like how it came out.

Estimated Cost
45
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner