Community Brag Posts

Footstool

Submitted by MandyM on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 14:22

Made a footstool by modifying the rustic X end table plans. I used all scrap wood, foam, and fabric from my various stashes so this was free for me to make. Also, on all of my x tables, I use a dado blade so the exes are intact and not cut and screwed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Charcoal grey stain

Comments

King Modern Farmhouse Bed

Made this bed from Ana's plans. Modified it with rail so I can add my box spring. Cost was approximately $160 for lumber, screws and stain. Absolutely loved the plans and easy to follow or modify if needed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
160.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax wood conditioner, Minwax Special Walnut Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modern adirondack chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 08:48

I've made 2 of the Modern adirondack chairs. Really enjoyed the plans and the video for help as I'm new to woodworking. I look for new plans all the time to see what I might build next

Comments

6 Cube Bookshelf - Poplar

Submitted by kev117s on Tue, 07/28/2015 - 18:29

I built this set of cube shelves for my 3 yr old son's room. THANK YOU, ANA! I used poplar as I did not want to paint the wood and I love the irregular pattern of the wood grain. To save money, I used pine for the inner shelves and dividers. I stained it using the oxidized solution (http://www.friendly-home.net/2012/05/oxidized-x-console.html) that Ana recommended from the instructions of the Rustic Console. I added a cup of coffee to the solution to get a darker browner shade and unevenly sanded the wood for the distressed look. It matches the poplar wood more so than keeping the pine wood as is.

I also created a 5-tier version to match the 6 cube shelves but did not include the legs. I thought it would be more stable to keep the lower frame on the ground.

I purchased the storage boxes from Amazon It was around $20 for 6 boxes!

 

I am ready for the next project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Oxidized solution for the shelves and dividers.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Media Wall

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/16/2024 - 18:47

My husband and I have started our first DIY project! I was on PB website and found the Logan Media suite and fell in love their was just one problem I can't afford to pay 2,000 or more for an entertainment center. So I drew out the plans for it and went to my husband with the idea and he was all for it!! He really likes to build outside of work he enjoys it and we have a lot of fun together as couple. Were not completely finished yet and I will update this blog once were done but for now this is what we got.

Laundry Station

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/27/2017 - 10:03
We followed these plans, but instead of building two cabinets, we combined them with one side in the middle. We also used pine planks on top. The sides are painted with chalk paint, and the top is finished in dark wax. 
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bookshelf Hidden Doors Over Closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/23/2017 - 10:13

Hidden door bookshelves hide a furnace closet.  Built by Kraig Faulkner

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

charkue

Thu, 09/17/2020 - 08:01

I'm currently working on a basement renovation project. I'm probably going to incorporate a feature like this for my mechanicals, too.

One important safety note for anyone who wants to do this: It's recommended that your furnace be a minimum of 30" away from any combustible materials. That includes walls and partitions. The image of this project displayed is right next to the furnace, which is not a good idea.

Potting Bench for a Friend

Submitted by Jake on Sun, 05/20/2012 - 17:07

A friend of mine said she needed a potting table (aka bench) so I offered to make her one. Got the plan for the simple potting bench and went to work. The friend wanted a lip on the left and right sides of the top self and she wanted the top shelf to be solid. So adding the lip was no problem and I added the same but smaller on the bottom shelf. I built the solid top from three pieces of wood held together with pocket joints and glue. Worked great. With just a little sanding it is a beautiful flat solid piece of wood. Much better and cheaper than plywood. Since I do not like to rip lumber the final top self was about an inch or so deeper than the plans but that was easily adapted to. It is a good lesson to cut as you go along rather than cutting everything at the onset of a project. You make changes and it effects other aspects of the build. I added a Shaker peg on each end to hang a bar towel or a trowel whatever suits your fancy.

Most important is to continually check for square joints. Especially if you don't have the fancy tools and jigs. I got lucky and my final bench was square and level in all directions.
The build takes about 8 hours (plus a couple of days for priming and painting) using mostly hand tools. If I do another one I am going to substitute lighter and thinner wood. The 2x4 shelves and supports are over kill. I think it will give you a better and nicer looking final product. Keep Ana on The Web,,,,

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30 - $35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I made the potting bench on the agreement that she would finish it. So with the table went instructions on sanding, priming, and painting. Maybe I will have a picture later of the finished product. My cost above does not include the cost of finishing,
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jake

Sun, 05/20/2012 - 17:10

I also added a face to the exposed lumber ends in the front and for the top and bottom shelves. The bottom face is actually a piece of old cedar fence I found in the garage. Sorry I forgot to mention in my first Brag ...about the potting bench.

Modern Dorm Mini Refrigerator Microwave Cabinet

Submitted by rachelcb on Sat, 07/31/2021 - 12:35

I changed plan to make deeper. I also modified the bottom trim and top. I put a ball bearing soft door drawer guide on modern door so it can slide back and forth. I feel we need more modern plans on here but with a bit of creativity and using plans you can make anything. I have never built anything before. I love General Finishes Milk Paint in Snow White and I brushed rolled it on (sanded between 3 coats). It’s basically self leveling and leaves a nice matte finish. Used door glide in picture bought from homedepot in the 24 inch and that’s how wide door was and it was 36” tall. Door glide I only used one on top of the door not on bottom as well. Door piece of fiberboard with just strips glued on and quarters spacing them correct.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dorm mini refrigerator microwave cabinet
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Ultimate work bench

Submitted by markmart74 on Fri, 06/16/2017 - 18:44

Tablesaw, router, fliptop mitersaw, and dust collection workbench. 

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Teaching Easel in the Classroom

I built this easel for my wife who teaches 2nd grade using the plan on this site. I used a jigsaw to make all the cuts which is why some of them are not perfect. All holes were countersunk and covered with wood filler as I have not yet purchased a Kreg Jig. One sample jar of paint was just enough to cover the whole project with 2 coats. Home Depot sells the whiteboard in 2' x 4' pieces for about $10 in my area. The toughest part was getting the holes to line up just right for the bolts that fix the four main pieces together. Some of them I had to use a little bit of force to make fit. The plan was easy to follow and worked well. I added a curtain rod to the top to hang a paper pad from which I bought for about $5. The big whiteboard behind the easel was hung over the existing chalkboard using industrial strength velcro strips. I bought the whiteboard material from Home Depot for $13 for a 4' x 8' sheet (it is actually called a "hardboard panel board". It works very well with dry erase markers and was an easy, cheap way to install a whiteboard over the current chalkboard.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr purple paint sample
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Simple Outdoor Dining Table

Submitted by DD5.1 on Sat, 04/26/2014 - 20:00

I didn't make any changes , his orginal design was great. Hope these pictures help others. I tried to link to the modified-simple-outdoor-dining-table but wasn't able too.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
make sure you stain as you go
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

DD5.1

Sun, 04/27/2014 - 14:06

Found the plans "modified-simple-outdoor-dining-table" and I built it. Very nice table, I posted more pcitures to help others

DD5.1

Sun, 04/27/2014 - 14:06

Found the plans "modified-simple-outdoor-dining-table" and I built it. Very nice table, I posted more pcitures to help others

My first project!

Submitted by J_Weeks13 on Sat, 03/07/2015 - 10:26

Thanks for the awesome, easy to follow plans!! All that's left to do is stain it and build another one- I'm going to have 2 on my back patio! A successful first project! Thanks!!

Estimated Cost
$130.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

thecityalaskan

Sat, 03/07/2015 - 12:27

So awesome!!! Especially for your first project! Super inspiring for those of us who would like to attempt a project like this! Thank you for sharing!

My take on the chicken coop design

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/30/2021 - 13:01

When we became accidental chicken owners, we had to build a coop fast. I found the plans for Ana’s replica of the Williams Sonoma chicken coop and got to work. They were very easy to follow and easy to modify to fit our own needs and aesthetic. We decided to enlarge the coop and remove the planter in the original plans do we could accommodate more chickens while keeping the original footprint. Instead of plywood, we used cedar reclaimed from an old fence we had recently replaced. We also enlarged the rear door to make clean out as easy as possible. I cut pieces of corrugated plastic that fit inside the door and windows to winterize the coop when temps drop below freezing. The run is designed to follow the shape of the coop and is large enough to give our 5 chickens plenty of space. The planter box runs the length of the chicken run, providing some plants to munch on inside and shady vines that will eventually cover the outside. Thanks for the awesome plans!

Comments

Chaise Lounge

I built this chaise lounge for my daughter from your plans. She will paint it tomorrow. Thanks!!!

Comments

Doggie Daybed

Submitted by MurdaRae on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:16

I've thought for a while about building a bed for our dogs, but wasn't sure where to start. We had an extra crib mattress so I set out to find a toddler bed that would work. I decided the Lydia Toddler Bed plan would work best. It doesn't look anything like it, but it was a great starting point.

First, I got rid of the canopy and the decorative side pannels. I also raised the bed 12 inches. (The hope is to add a rug on the floor underneath as sort of a "bottom bunk") The lumber store didn't have 2x2s so I used 2x3s for the legs. I also only used two 1x6s at the head and foot of the bed. They are seperated by 1" because when I got home, I realized they were actually 1x5 (RUDE).

All in all, it turned out exactly as I had hoped and the dogs love it! GOODBYE stinky dogbeds!

**Photo 1: Just finished building--the slats weren't screwed down yet.
**Photo 2: Deacon is testing out his new digs! See the stinky dogbed underneath?YUK!
**Photo 3: Dog Bed Completed! Mac & Deacon love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$38
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dropzone Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 12:54

My son asked me to build him a cabinet for his drop zone. It turned out awesome.

 

Cedar planter and 3 tier planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/04/2020 - 17:48

My very first attempts at wood working. My new COVID-19 hobby 🥰

Estimated Cost
20.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner