Community Brag Posts

Chunky Rustic Hall / Console / Sofa Table

This table is made entirely from Ethically sourced Local Redwood Timber. The wood has been kiln dried which makes it very solid and perfect to make furniture with. This results in a piece which is known for it's sturdiness, it's chunky & rustic look and it's lovely grain and colour.

I have used carefully selected Kiln Dried Timber planks of varying sizes here. When the table has been finished, the grain and colour really shine through.

This table is very sturdy and moderately heavy (Approx 15kg's).

The table may move ever so slightly over it's years too. This is due to the temperature changes in your home and thus it may create very slight cracks and stretches etc. This is perfectly natural and only adds to the rustic charm of this kind of piece. I really like the way wood moves over time and creates a character of it's own. In this regard, each and every table is going to be unique.

The legs on this table are fixed, as is the shelf.

This console table has been distressed and aged and features authentic wear marks such as knocks, dings, scrapes and even nail and screw thread marks!! It looks like it been in this world for generations!

It is then finished off by being waxed all over to treat and protect the wood.

I hope you all like it! It's fun to build.

Mark :)

Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Briwax (Tudor Oak)

Simply brush the wax on with a large paintbrush and wipe the excess off straight away before it dries fully to leave a perfect finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sewing Table for Small Spaces

Love the sewing table! It was a surprise Christmas gift from my parents.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
We used Bombay Mahogany stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Lack Inspired Entertainment Center

Submitted by eralben on Mon, 04/20/2015 - 07:24

The IKEA Lack Inspired Bookcase plans became my inspiration for the entire entertainment center.  I made a few changes to the bookcase plans.  I increased the height of the bookcases to 84 inches and added adjustable shelves.  I also included some major extras including a console for the TV, a bridge to connect the bookcases, and doors inspired by www.shanty-2-chic.com.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Red Mahogany
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

slightly modified x console table with added hutch

I have been dreaming about this piece of furniture for 3 yrs....I used Ana's plans for the rustic x console but took out the front middle support and made it a little deeper I also turned the 2x4 vertically and added an extra 2x4 behind it to add extra strength.....because I wanted to fit 3 baskets from Target underneath...the hutch i just winged!....Thank you so much Ana for giving me a place to start!...I am in love!......

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$230
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Maison Banche in Wrought Iron and vinegar stain (2cups vinegar 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide and 2 things of steel wool)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Farmhouse Bed Single

Submitted by lindslar on Fri, 10/15/2021 - 05:40

This was my first project and I’m beyond proud. Thank you for the instructions!!!

Comments

Full Storage Bed

I built Ana's Full Storage Bed.  This was fairly easy to build and it is a perfect bed for a child's room.  I LOVE the added storage!  You can see the plans for the crates I built to fit at our blog http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2011/03/crates-for-storage-bed.html 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut Stain and Minwax Polycrylic Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Playhouse - Drew Gaffke

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 14:46

I combined a couple of playhouse plans for this one. The framing is 2x2 treated pine. The front is real stone. I tried to match our home the best that I could. The floor is made out of composite decking.

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Not so "Rhyan" Nightstands

Submitted by Kimbers on Sun, 05/08/2011 - 19:05

I used the Rhyan end table plan (with a few alterations) to make my nightstands. I changed the dimensions so mine turned out to be 20”D, 25”W, 27”H, I extended the side and back panels all the way to the top to close in the shelf and I made the bottom drawer larger. I decided to use under mount drawer slides but I think I will try out the side mount slides in the future though.

I wanted them to match the headboard and bench that I made for my bed so I added the same molding that I used on those pieces to finish it off.

I pre cut every piece for the main body of the nightstand and predrilled all of the Kreg holes which made it a really quick piece to put together! I purchased the Mini Kreg jig for this project and am so glad I did. Totally worth the money!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $80 For 2 Nightstands
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted with Rust-oleum painters touch semi gloss white and then sprayed a few coats of polyacrylic on the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Play House For Ece & Zeynep

Hi, My name is Ibrahim I am a Project management Unit Manager in an Information technologies. I have two daughters, 3 and 8 years old. We have garden around 150m2. I want to do play house in our garden to play. First of all I searched how can do it in internet. Than I did preliminary work. I provided equipment and materials. And I take a holiday my company as a week. I started my first project which is wooden house.

My daughter and all around me was liked wooden house. I hope you like it:)

Sorry my English :)
.

Estimated Cost
all inclusive around 1.500 TL (Turkish Lira) around 564$
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I painted white and pink the project.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Shaker Cabinet Doors

I used the easy frame and panel doors instructions to build 4 new large cabinet doors for my hallway cabinets!  I painted them Sherwin Williams Alabaster.  You can find my full blog post about them here:   http://www.leapoffaithcrafting.com/make-shaker-cabinet-doors/

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Lowe's paint in Alabaster Sherwin Williams color
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Airplane Swings

Submitted by samueldodd on Thu, 08/06/2015 - 06:57

Built in an afternoon. I built them from a picture on Ana White website and modified a bit with both planes. Roll Tide was routed into a piece of wood and glued to the sides of the plane. The "A" was cut out on the band saw and finished on the scroll saw. The "T" on the orange plane was painted on The tri plane is the favorite. Roll Tide !

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20.00 plus paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil Based paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Banquette Seating with storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/25/2022 - 13:58

You didn’t have plans, so I had to “wing it” without you; however, I couldn’t have done it without all the practice I’ve had from all your plans on this website these past several years!

Comments

Narrow Modifed End Table

I wanted a table like Ana's narrow cottage table, except I just wanted an open shelf instead of a drawer for a basket.

Here is my version modified to fit my needs. Thanks to Ana, of course. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Undecided...

Step by step and cut list on my blog.
http://thequaintcottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/diy-simple-end-table-for-small-spaces.html
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our Flare!

Submitted by bfinnemore on Mon, 09/28/2015 - 11:56

Hi Anna, I really had fun making our version of your sliding mirror project! Thought you might enjoy the photos!  I made it into a jewelry cabinet.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Easy Workshop Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/01/2022 - 04:21

Great plan and great instructions (especially the cuts). My only two deviations from the original design were to use carriage bolts to secure the long apron pieces to the legs (I like to have the bench frame be more flexible while I add the components and then tighten everything up once all the pieces are in place) and to add adjustable feet (You might have stellar tradesmen up there, but down in the Pennsylvania woods, we tend to get the C & D graduates from Trade School; hence, level, evenness, & square are rare qualities to be celebrated when encountered and not taken for granted). My only other comment regarding the instructions would be to mention in the tools required that either a big honking set of clamps (36" span) or maybe ratcheting straps would be a good thing to hold the shell together while you are trying to screw the cross pieces into the shell. Maybe you are good enough to do it without clamps / straps , but I sure couldn't get the (slippery) glued cross pieces to stay put without some kind of support. Other than that, great design and instructions. Thanks!

Copy Cat Bedside Table

I needed new bedside tables to replace mine that were falling apart. I love the whole Stratton line at PB. I wanted to make something similar, but a bit more sturdy.

So, I made this table with a much more solid bottom shelf and a deep drawer with a full face to mimic the sides and the back panels.

Estimated Cost
Wood $20-$25, Drawer Slides $7, Drawer Handle $2
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I haven't determined yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Harriet goes outdoors, dressed to impress!

Submitted by E.A.Y. on Tue, 08/27/2013 - 14:26

It took me a long time to finish the chairs, although the table was a snap. The time consuming thing was my desire for two paint colors. Painting is not my strong suit. But I got it done, just in time for our annual Labor Day house party.
I cut the lumber using our radial arm saw. I sanded with an random orbital sander, and used really great cordless drill and driver. My husband likes to buy good tools, but hardly ever uses them.
I had never used pocket screws before: I love them and found it very necessary to use the face clamp and right angle clamp Kreg sells to prevent splitting. My assortment of speedclamps were not getting the job done.
For the table, I tried masking off the white when I painted the red on the legs, which did not go so well as there was annoying paint-creep under the tape. I also decided that the red paint needed two coats to look good (it actually seemed to do better on bare wood then on primed wood.) So that took more time.
I finally bought a really good paint brush and that made a huge and positive difference.
I had intended to paint the chairs' slats red, but the back frame white, and the side supports red. To do this I intended to paint individual pieces and assemble the painted pieces, but the splitting (before I invested in the specialized clamps) was heartbreaking after all the sanding and painting. So I took a month off from the project, ordered clamps, recut a few pieces, and simplified my paint scheme. Much better!
I'm looking forward to starting my next project (NO paint!)

Estimated Cost
$70 (USD) for lumber, $37 paint, $25 for screws (leftovers)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore exterior soft gloss in red and white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Hoop Trash Can

Submitted by spiceylg on Sat, 11/10/2018 - 03:23

My family is doing a home made Christmas this year.  I fell in love with this plan the first time I saw it.  While out shopping, I happened upon this trash can on sale which reminded me of a basketball net and knew I had to build this project.  We used leftover plywood which necessitated using paint to hide blemishes.  The size was modified a bit to fit this trash can.  I think it is really cute!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$6 as the paint, 2x4 and plywood used were left over from other projects. The longest amount of time was taken up by painting, not the actual build.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Blue - Behr sample
White - Rustoleum
Black - actually a stain - unsure of brand and not close by as I type this - Ebony
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

X Dining Table

Submitted by raybotelho on Sat, 09/07/2013 - 06:57

I built this table a year ago just never got the chance to post pics. It was an easy build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
It's been so long I cant even remember exactly :/ but I believe I started with the vinegar steel wool mixture.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Sat, 09/07/2013 - 17:16

Your table looks beautiful! Love the finish, and the way you arranged and photographed it is wonderful, great job!

Elijah's Washer & Dryer Pedestal

I got this Idea from Sausha's washer dryer pedestal post.  Before then i didnt know people even built pedestals for their washer and dryer.  Just purchased new front load washer and dryer and they wanted 250 bucks extra for each pedestal.  That is 500 bucks and is absolutely rediculous.  So i opted out of those and thought to myself maybe I can build something instead.  So I began my search online and stumbled across this post which seems to be the most popular pedestal build on the web.  I think sausha's build is fantastic and absolutely beautiful though I went another way with mine.

I tend to like to overbuild things.  Especially in this case, seeing as the washer weighs a beastly 200 pounds by itself.  I figured with clothes and water it would be about 235 pounds just for the washer.  I noticed that with the aluminum drawer pedestals that you can purchse with the washer and dryer the support is only where the legs from the washer and dryer will sit.  That was all I needed to get on my way.  Purchased some regular old douglas fir 2x4's, 4x4's, and a 4'x8' sheet of 3/4 inch plywood.  I opted to use fence post brackets to tie everything together because I didnt feel like driller pocket holes in each 2x4 when you were not going to see them once its all said and done.  The fence brackets are not structural so they lack ridgidity untill you tie everything together with the legs, slats, and top.  Cut the top from the 3/4 plywood sheet and used the left over plywood to cover the front and the sides.  I left the back open as it is not seen anyway. 

Total size of the pedestal is 56" wide x 31" deep x 12 3/4 inches tall, but you can build it as wide, deep or as tall as you need it.  When i was done putting it together.  I tested it by jumping up and down on it and I weigh 230 pounds.  So this thing is quite strong.  I finished it up by covering the edges where the plywood meet with Edge moulding and the bottom with baseboard to match my laundry room.  I used Behr premium plus ultra paint on most of it and, behr alkyd paint for the baseboards.  Gave the top a couple coats of General Finishes High Performance Polyurethane.  Which isnt neccessary but I opted to do so because of the weight of the washer and dryer and the General Finishes High performance dries harder than most other polys that I have used.  I only used it on the top though. 

Taking into account that I used the paint and baseboards left over from renovating my laundry room.  This project cost about 150 bucks.  200 if you have to purchase the paint and moulding.  Quite easy to do and though I made the cutes I needed with my table saw.  This can be done with a circular saw and a drill.  No exotic tools are needed.  Will post finished pictures when my washing machine and dryer are delivered on friday and they are sitting on top of the pedestal. 

Estimated Cost
150 give or take a few bucks.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner