Community Brag Posts

Picture ledge

Submitted by joja on Wed, 05/02/2012 - 13:32

The first one is in place - more to come!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Twin Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by uncdrum on Sun, 02/16/2014 - 19:14

My dad and I built this twin farmhouse bed for my three-year-old son. I used no-mortise bed brackets from Rockler Woodworking and modified the plan by adding slat brackets mounted directly to the rails with 1x3 slats.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin-Williams 'Naval' in satin finish (three coats).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Loft Bed With Stairs

Submitted by jbknakal on Mon, 05/16/2016 - 06:03

I built this for my 3 year old so I made stairs to replace the ladder.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic hall tree with alterations

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/19/2020 - 11:36

A few alterations I made to your original design plans:
1. I went with 1/2” plywood and bead board for the back. This gave it a little more stability and a complimentary design element to match other pieces I’ve built.
2. I used 2x3’s instead of 2x2’s since the selection was much better at the lumber store.
3. For the bench top I used a black walnut slab cut to size finished with a danish oil and satin poly top coat.
4. Instead of the X, I enclosed the sides and used a pair of parallel 2x3’s backed with poplar boards cut to size.

Thanks! I hope you enjoy.
Chad Cote

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Watco walnut danish oil
General Finishes satin top coat
General Finishes Antique White milk paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Side Table

I decided to build this bedside table for a friend of mine who just graduated from college as a special graduation gift. I thought it was a beautiful plan, and knew she would love it. This table was fairly easy to build and easy to finish. I ran into problems with the shelf, at first I decided to just add 1x2's around the bottom, but didn't like that and then built the shelf with a "frame" around it. It turned out nice, I hope she likes it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $100 for all the wood and finishing products. I used no scraps
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Providence and Ebony mix. 3 to 1. Four coats of Poly-acrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

chriskerr21485

Thu, 04/23/2015 - 20:28

This looks great! I'm thinking about building something very similar, and I was wondering what type of wood you used?

Rustic Farm Table

Submitted by jandmhough on Tue, 02/18/2014 - 17:35

We needed a sturdy table that we could put our son up to. We looked around at a few different options and discovered this plan that we could build on our own for the same price it would have cost us to buy a used table. I have built a few small things like a bookshelf and a headboard, but this is by far the biggest project I have ever done. It took about 5 hours on a Friday afternoon and about 8 hours on a Saturday to get the construction and first coat of stain on. After that we put 3 coats of a satin polyurethane on over the course of the next several days. We are really happy with how this turned out and it was a relatively simple project.

Estimated Cost
$150 including extra stains for testing.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Before applying any stain or conditioner, we took several tools and distressed the top. We put Minwax quick-drying preconditioner on before using any stain. We used a weathered grey stain first, wiping it off almost immediately. We immediately followed that by using a dark walnut that we left on for about 5-7 minutes before wiping off. After the stain dried we applied 3 coats of satin polyurethane, sanding with a finishing paper between each coat. We applied all the products with foam brushes.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Chicken run

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/19/2016 - 19:28

Or use the same plans with the exception of I extended the height so I could actually walk into the run fairly simple to assemble I would strongly recommend an air compressor staple gun or you'll end up with four arms like Popeye

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250-$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Small Balustrade Coffee Table

Submitted by mmadden20 on Sat, 02/22/2020 - 12:33

This might be my favorite build yet! We made some minor modifications to the plan since we only needed a 2’ x 3’ table. The legs were ordered from Osborne Wood - delivery was super quick and they make the table! The plan was easy to follow. I still can’t get over how much I love the final product!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat of special walnut and 1 coat of weathered grey. I used a wipe on poly for the legs and water based triple thick satin finish poly for the surfaces.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Square Modern Farmhouse table--47 inches

Submitted by mommy to 3 on Wed, 05/09/2012 - 11:47

I wanted a square table that was standard height but not too big for my 9' by 9' breakfast area. I used the plans for the square modern farmhouse table, but mine is a 47 inch square. It seats 6 easily (and the chairs tuck in), but can seat 8 if we need it to. It turned out great!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax stain, ebony (3 coats) followed by minwax polycrylic finish (3 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rhyan Console Table

Submitted by christyp on Sun, 02/23/2014 - 10:03

I made this Console table for our entrance way! I modified the plans by adding an extra 10" in height and included a second shelf. We are now using the bottom for a shoe rack and the middle for hats, mitts and stuff! It's a perfect fit for our front entrance!
It was my first time with drawers so I had a bit of trouble. But they open and close and aren't too lopsided, so I guess they are a success! Love these plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
SamaN stain in Walnut with distressing, and water based Poly in semi gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mini Farmhouse Bedside Tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/23/2016 - 08:06

. They were made exactly according to the above referenced plans. 

Estimated Cost
$30 each table.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
These tables were sprayed with a flat brown, then with a flat dark red. Then they were finished with a hand wax of minwax dark.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kentwood Bookshelf, kid version

Submitted by craw4dz on Thu, 02/27/2020 - 11:42

I have built three of these so far: one for my daughter, one for her best friend, and one for my cousin's son for their baby shower (books instead of cards).  I've modified it and tweaked it a little each time but the overall finished product is basically the same.  It's about 36" tall but the same width and depth as the Kentwood plan.  I put the one shelf tall enough so that the biggest books can live on the bottom.  I used beadboard for the backing but I think the next time I'll use either 1/4" plywood or common boards and Kreg them together.  This takes less than a day to build and less than $40 in lumber.  Easy to make, easy to assemble, and endless possibilities to finish.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Whatever your heart desires
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Custom Hutch Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/20/2023 - 07:52

My wife asked if I could build this, showed me the pictured. Well, I’ve never built something that big before but I’ll give it a try. I took the time to draw it all out and get all the measurements down before hand, and it all turned out pretty nice. Most importantly my wife loved it! We paid someone to paint it, because I know my limitations lol.

Bob J - Texas

shoe shrine shelves: first project

Submitted by ZjWalker on Mon, 05/14/2012 - 03:20

I searched for nice shoe storage for ages and found these plans on this awesome website and even though it is an intermediate project I gave it a try. As you can see my drawers and the whole thing in general is squint but I am proud of my first ever build project. It took me 2 evenings to complete.
I added some drawers for my jewelry like one by balard designs.
I hope my next project has better right angles and joints.
Oh and I used a Kreg jig and it is amazing!!!

I used white shelves from the home store, that I cut to size. I live in Saudi Arabia so wood is not so easy to find. Maybe I can use palm trees next time!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Little Helper Tower

Submitted by pde00311 on Mon, 02/24/2014 - 23:16

While our daughter initially freaked out at the thought of standing on this, she is starting to come around. The adjustable level will make this a mainstay next to our kitchen island for the next few years.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Sweet Taffy paint, step in Behr off-white #1873
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/27/2016 - 18:17

Not a hard project. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150-200
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Lovely

Submitted by NanOk on Mon, 03/09/2020 - 20:15

The plans were simple to follow and made an awesome headboard! Just what we wanted! All pieces were finished prior to assembly. Built a simple box frame for the mattress to match. Love the result! Thank you Ana! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

California King Farnhouse Bed Fancy Style

Submitted by crtrimb83 on Tue, 05/15/2012 - 20:50

I LOVE the Farmhouse bed but wanted to do something new with it. After looking through some other brag posts for inspiration I made my own blend of things to get what I wanted. There are a a few things I did differently than the original Cali Kinf Bed instructions, which are noted in a list below.

I'm a military wife so whatever I made needed to be easily taken apart, moved, and put back together. For this I used 2x4 joist hangers on the inside of the side rails and cut 2x4's to width. I also wanted to have storage available under the bed so I made it a little higher, 12 inches rather than 10. I should have also made the overall headboard 2 inches higher as well, not just the spot the side rails sit on. Our mattress is a little taller against the headboard than I thought it would be. That's the only thing I'd of done differently.

I didn't use 4x4s for the foot board sides, I did use 2x4's and put them together like the headboard instructions with the slot for the side rail. The difference in mine is that I added thin backer board on the front of the 2x4 and mounted the foot board flush with that, and then used wood filler to smooth around the edges and give it the appearance of a 4x4. Adds a little more work but it was well worth it.

~ I did not use 2x4s laid on top of the finished head and foot boards
~ The headboard top has a 1x6 rather than the 1x4
~ I added rope chair rail on the tops of the head and foot boards
~ I added cove molding around the plank section of the head and foot boards
~ The very top pieces of wood on the head and foot boards have a 1 inch overlap to the back of the 2x4 sides. This allows space for floor trim behind the headboard and comforter stuffing behind the foot board.
~ I added molding to the bottom of the side rails, they looked too plain with the rest of it together and that made a big different in the overall look.

Overall I'm very happy with the way this build turned out, especially for my first furniture build!

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Ultra in Magnolia Blossom
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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