Community Brag Posts

Dinosaur Patchwork Dresser for Baby's Room

We wanted a bright and colorful dresser for the baby's room, and one that would match the Will Ruocco dinosaur prints that we purchased for the walls (http://etsy.me/PJ1yOs). This project spread out over many weekends but we were very happy with the results. We choose to go with legs instead of wheels, and made them tall enough that the Roomba would have clearance to get under. For the design, we used a combination of the plans here and a similar plan from The Design Confidential website.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ben Moore Advance in semi gloss, plus a coat of wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Computer Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/19/2016 - 15:31

Used MDF for the bases since we  painted them. I didn't do the interior trim on the bases as the plan says, because I felt they constricted the size of the shelves usability. Top was made with 3/4" Birch plywood. Simply routered the edge to have a curve then stained. 

Estimated Cost
$135
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Penny the Chicken's new house

We needed a coop for our son's chicken Penny as she was big enough to move outside. We wanted one that would hold at least 2 chickens as we plan on getting a second soon. We found the plans for the a frame chicken coop here and the next day my husband and 5 yr old son got to work. Took them about 3 hours from start to finish and it turned out great. He plans on spraying the whole thing with outside deck sealer to protect the wood and had some trim on the edges to protect the kids from getting scratched by the chicken wire.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$169
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Side Street Bunk Bed

Submitted by wotto on Sat, 03/22/2014 - 16:10

This one will be around for a while... heavy as sin, but solid.
Used 11 2x2 removable slats per level spaced 5 1/2" apart by 2x2s.
Added a 44" ladder and back rail and front rail with 30 degree miter cut on 2x4s.

Next time, would have sanded & stained the headboard/footboard 2x6s on the ends before screwing them to 2x4s. Didn't have a sander that could get between the 1/2" gap and the hand sanding from position can be tough. Overall, very pleased with the result.

Kids love it! First of many projects I will be doing from this website.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum Kona
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Larger Farmhouse Table w/ Removable Legs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/22/2016 - 11:46

Used Ana White's Husky Farmhouse Table plans/instructions and then made some of my own modifications to make the legs removable and expand the dimensions a bit. Turned out pretty good! This was my first project :)

Estimated Cost
~600 dollars. Had to buy some tools.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Min Wax Stain, water based
I used wood conditioner before the stain to ensure even staining, then 1 coat of the stain, then did 3 coats of thinned Polyurethane finish (3 to 1 ratio of finish to mineral spirits), and 2 coats of pure polyurethane finish. The polyurethane is Min Wax satin finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

CSaintD

Sat, 06/25/2016 - 15:02

Wow! She's a beauty! I am interested to hear how you went about making the legs removable.  And where did you get those legs? They are stunning.

Chestwick Queen Bed

Submitted by maw0130 on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 19:29

Built this as a platform bed for guest bedroom. Nice, sturdy bed.

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Niki Maddux (not verified)

Sat, 09/29/2012 - 04:11

I Love this Bed. Would love king size dimensions. This is exactly what I have been looking for.

New England Channing Desk

my very first project! i surprised myself on how AWESOME this desk came out! although im not a huge fan of the finish i selected but i can live with it. i also used oak plywood (which i will never used again), poplar and i also used cedar planking for the backing and drawer base. i learned a lot from this project, mostly what not to do for the future, like use plywood.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modified Ultimate Changing Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/26/2016 - 04:20

My wife and I wanted a changing table that could also function as a bookshelf, so after a quick Google search, I found the Ana White Ultimate Changing Table plans. I modified the original design by making the legs 36" and by adding side and back panels so that the piece could convert to a bookshelf when the baby gets older and we no longer need it to be a changing table. This was easy to do by using my table saw to cut 3/16" stopped grooves in the legs before attaching to the table and slotting in 1/4" plywood cut to fit before attaching the tabletop. Opted not to cut rabbets for the back panel as it would have changed the measurements for the drawers by recessing the rear 1x6 apron by 1/4". 

My wife and I are very happy with the results and the amount of storage we now have. She's so happy in fact, that I will apparently be building one of these for each future child as well! Thanks Ana White for the straightforward and easy to follow plans.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
3 coats Behr Semi-Gloss ultra pure white paint, 2 thin coats minwax water-based polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse bed - full

Submitted by bronorm on Sat, 04/25/2020 - 20:10

We built the full sized Farmhouse bed and stained it with gray stain. Are building a trundle to put under later this week. We added 3 inches to the height to be able to add the trundle.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Gray stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Mug Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/04/2023 - 09:23

I made this as a special housewarming gift for a family we are helping out this Christmas. I didn't need to buy anything, but I love how it turned out.

Built from Plan(s)

Red and Black Hutch

Submitted by market5e on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 13:34

This was an older hutch, oak in color. I took off the top glass doors off, put wood putty where the hinges were. I lightly sanded the hutch and cleaned it with TSP. Finally I primed and then painted black first. I used a candle to put wax on the area's I wanted to look distressed. After the black dried, I lightly sanded again, before I sprayed the red paint on. I lightly sanded the hutch once more, concentrating on the black to show through. Finally I glazed the hole hutch in a black. Black baskets were added to add to the appeal.

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

Comments

Entrance Cabinet

Submitted by AndyH on Fri, 04/04/2014 - 07:00

Wanted to build a cabinet for the entrance and liked the look of the Rustic X console but wanted drawers and doors too. Second piece from mainly own design just incorporating those Rustic X ends.

The piece is 6ft long for the main cabinet part.

Found the hinges off the internet and just trying to find some matching drawer pulls now. (Any suggestions greatly welcomed).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Ebony (2 coats) and Minwax Poly Satin (3 coats).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Flag Pole Planter

I wanted a place for a flag pole, but I didn't want to put one in the ground or screw into my siding, so I modified the cedar planter to hold a flag pole. It was a fun project!  Check out more here!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40 plus flag pole
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White Exterior Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sawhorse Table

Submitted by RHgaijin2 on Sat, 04/25/2020 - 20:48

I made this table for my two boys to do their homework on so I modified it a little to make it shorter.
I used reclaimed 2x4's for the base and MDF for the table top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
black stain, white paint, polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toddler Bed & Quilt

My son has been falling/climbing out of his crib. My wife wanted a toddler bed as soon as possible, which meant yesterday. She has had this in mind for some time considering she made this marvelous quilt for our little dude. The bed is pretty crude from a joinery standpoint. It's just butt joints with glue and screws. The dimensional lumber gives a nice break on the pocket book, especially when it's free from helping someone move it into my truck. The joints get some spice by button plugs. It's not finished with anything special, just some 120 grit. I figure we will probably paint it to match his new room in the house we are moving into next week. I wish I could have made it out of pocket holes entirely but the box o' screws wasn't in the budget when the wood is free and the 2-1/2" screws are given to you. Bottom line is that my wife is happy with her hubby the the little stud muffin is happy with his "big boy" bed.

Estimated Cost
2 Gatorades worth of sweat
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern farmhouse bench

Submitted by Schlages18 on Sun, 04/06/2014 - 10:58

Modern farmhouse bench used as entryway bench/storage

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Brown Mahogany with two coats of semi-gloss poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

TV Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/03/2016 - 12:58

TV console table made of poplar wood. Shaker style inset doors. Solid wood construction. Painted with General Finishes Milk Paint and High Performance Top Coat.

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes Milk Paint. Dark Chocolate.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor Chair

Submitted by Chanda_B on Tue, 04/28/2020 - 10:49

Adjusted the height of the back to better support back cushion.

Angled back and seat boards for relaxed fit.

Used pine boards for side of chair.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Stain + Poly (Red Mahogany)

To be added: Spar Urethane (Satin)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Helmet Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/19/2023 - 17:24

Modified DIY Coat Rack! We call this our "Bear Proof" helmet rack. My daughter's chihuahua (named Bear) likes to mark anything at his level, lol. So I took Ana White's free coat rack plan and added helmet hooks to keep everyone's helmet off of the floor and safe from our little Bear. Thanks so much Ana! We all thank you so much for your generosity!

Paula the Crafty Grandma

 

edited to include * 

Plans are Shanty 2 Chic 

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