Community Brag Posts

DIY Small Manger

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/03/2024 - 08:34

Seen a picture somewhere and I liked it . It was on my mind so I made this Nativity Manger, no plans just went for it by memory.

Mike

Doggie Daybed

Submitted by moosmani on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 20:18

Since making a twin size daybed still seems intimidating to me, I decided to get some practice by making a small version for our dog. I modified the doll farmhouse bed making it a bit larger and in daybed style. We'll see if our doggie takes to it. If not, it will be a toddler couch!

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

Comments

dananryan

Tue, 12/04/2012 - 22:14

I love the modifications you made. I believe you are ready for a twin size. Lucky doggie...

spiceylg

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 05:40

Oh my gosh, I love it. I have to build one for my dog. You did a great job. You are definitely ready for the twin, go for it! Love the dog cushion, too!

abbpim

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 07:07

I built the big farmhouse storage bed and nightstands in my bedroom and my dog needs her own little farmhouse bed now. I've been trying to decide how I want to do it... You've just decided for me. Thanks!

Ashley I. (not verified)

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 09:00

I love this!!! I think I might steal this idea and make one of these for my nephews as a little couch. About how much did you spend on lumber?

moosmani

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 20:52

I pretty much just followed the plans, except making it taller and wider by adding more slats and making everything taller. The finished dimensions turned out to be approximately 26 ½” x 16 ½”. I kind of made it up as I went, but I did take some notes. Here is the first part of my altered cut list:
9 ea – 1x3 @ 8” tall (headboard panel slats)
10 ea (5 for each side) – 1x3 @ 5 ¼” tall (side arm panels slats)
2 ea – 2x2 @ 8” tall (side arm legs)
2 ea – 2x2 @ 13 ½” tall (headboard legs)
For the rest of the cut list, I didn’t take notes. I just cut the lengths to fit my new dimensions. I hope this helps. If you’d like more measurements just let me know and I can measure the actual bed.

moosmani

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 20:21

Thank you! I made the cushion with foam and batting. I got the foam piece from the fabric store. It was 2" thick, 22"x22" square. It was on sale, but I don't remember how much I paid. I cut it down to 22" x 12” to fit the inside of the bed. A regular handsaw worked great for cutting the foam. Super easy, but messy. I wrapped it in batting so it finished a little bigger, 23” x 13”. I bought one pillow sham from Walmart because I liked the design and cut it apart to make the cushion top. The rest is from one of those cheap fuzzy blankets.

moosmani

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 21:08

Thank you! I have much to learn about finishing. I first used regular stain. I think the color was gunstock. It turned out so not what I was going for. It was too orange. So then I stained it again with Minwax Hickory Gel Stain. Better, but the wood putty still showed and looked terrible. So I resorted to Minwax Bombay Mahogany Poly Shades which I found difficult to work with, but it did a fantastic job of covering over the wood putty filled holes. I think I used either 2 or 3 coats of the Poly Shades. I’m sure I could have skipped the first two stains and could have had the same result!

colsen

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 19:30

Fantastic bed!! I've been shopping for a dog bed. This is 100 times better than anything in the store. I may have to borrow you're idea :)

Rustic x hall tree

Submitted by Takoravi on Mon, 10/05/2020 - 08:50

first furniture build from scratch. A few minor differences. I decided to distress by staining entire piece with minwax espresso stain, then painting over with white chalk paint and sanding through. Decided to leave bench and to molding stained for effect. Love the piece and so does my wife.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Laundry Orgainized

We needed to organize in the laundry room. This was the perfect idea.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
This was easy and fun to do. My husband and I worked on it together and we are both alive to brag about it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Apothecary Jeans Dresser

Submitted by vendo on Wed, 05/19/2021 - 18:27

I used Shelf Help for the plywood pieces and a mash up of Ana's plans for the rest. I shared a video on my family page for steps used here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urFoX5j4J0s

Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kitchen Island

The plans were easy to follow. I modified my island to fit my space and cut it down to 44 inches in length.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
The entire project cost $47.00.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained the top and shelves with Watco Danish Oil in dark walnut and then used a satin finish varathane for only the top to protect it from spills, etc. The sides and legs were painted with an interior latex paint called "Sandbar" from Home Hardware.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Emily Jo (not verified)

Mon, 10/31/2011 - 15:33

Your island is gorgeous, and I love the modification you made to the original plans on the shelving support! I would like to know what size the boards are that you used so that I can duplicate. Thank you!

Lisa Tamaye (not verified)

Sun, 02/05/2012 - 18:10

This is great! ANyone know how I could extend one side in order to put stools for an eating area?
Would love to do that!

Alice (not verified)

Tue, 02/07/2012 - 19:43

I would think it would be basically the same build, just add brackets to support the extra wood.

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 03/05/2012 - 15:20

I want to make this Kitchen Island but if can't find the Supply List. Would you mind posting it or emailing me please! This will work perfect in my Kitchen

Katia57

Mon, 03/05/2012 - 17:46

Wow! Just a wonderfully simple project! I can figure it out by looking at it. I have a piece of Rock Maple Counter Top 24"x6'that needs legs. I'll probably use 4x4' for legs, six of them. But the shelves will be just like this. Thank you!

Katia57

Mon, 03/05/2012 - 17:50

Wow! Just a wonderfully simple project! I can figure it out by looking at it. I have a piece of Rock Maple Counter Top, 24in.x6ft., that needs legs. I'll probably use 4x4s for legs, six of them. But the shelves will be just like this. Thank you!

Guest (not verified)

Wed, 04/04/2012 - 11:58

Just click on the link for the instructions. It's under the heading 'About This Project' titled as 'From Plan: Easy Kitchen Island Plans'.

Click where it says 'Easy Kitchen Island Plans'. When you hover your cursor over the words, you will see that is a hyperlink.

Lindsey Adams (not verified)

Sun, 05/20/2012 - 06:48

I love your island and I also have a small kitchen...would you happen to know the sizes of the boards you used? Thanks

??? (not verified)

Wed, 07/25/2012 - 14:31

Yours looks so different and so much better then the one that show how to make it, how did you do it? I really would love to build it but have no idea how...
Thanks so much!

CBsMama (not verified)

Wed, 08/15/2012 - 13:08

This island is perfect. I love the shelves and the size. Any chance you could send me the dimensions of this island and details on how you did the shelves? Great job!

lizzy1299

Mon, 02/04/2013 - 15:03

I'm SO glad I stumbled acrossed your website! I LOVE that island and getting ready to get all the stuff to make it. Did you use the Kreg Jig thing the original person used...? If not, how did you cover the screw heads?

Thanks!

ameliam

Wed, 12/31/2014 - 07:37

Hi, this is my first time building anything. I really like the modification made to the original plans. I like the legs facing the other way. I can't figure out how to modify the cuts on the sides and front and back supports for the top to adjust for turning the legs the other way. Are there modified plans. LOL I need instructions, I’m not quite there yet on doing it myself. Thank you

djbeenie

Wed, 02/04/2015 - 15:03

How did you mount the 1 x2s since its on the side of the 1 x 4s. Did you tac them in. I really like the way that looks. Thanks!

MBuckson

Mon, 03/16/2015 - 08:00

Amazing island! I am in the middle of building this and looking ahead to the finishing aspect of it and I have a question: What tool did you use to apply the oil on the counter top? A cloth or a certain type of brush?

wiri0302

Sat, 06/06/2015 - 18:33

Hello, i love this island but maybe i missed it. What kind of wood is everyone using? Frosting said $47 but that could only be for pine right? Are people using pine to build this? I would like it to look just like the picture. Any help would be appreciated! thanks!

Sofa Console Table Bar Height for Dining

Submitted by ezematis1 on Mon, 01/23/2023 - 06:55

I took the basic idea of the Rustic X Console. Raised it to countertop height so I could use it for three stools. I also added a shelf so people sitting on the sectional could put drinks right behind them. Added a charging station to that shelf as well. Topped it with a live edge black walnut slab. Finally, I didn't use the X because the table was too high and the base was too narrow to make the X work. I used a tablesaw to cut a grove in the legs and then put a 1/4 plywood panel.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Built-in Bookshelves

Submitted by seeca13 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 13:34

I built this project in 6 separate pieces before installing it in our home. I pulled the baseboard and attached it to the wall to give it a built-in feel.  For the majority of the project, I used 3/4" plywood with the exception if 1/4" plywood for the back of the shelves as well as the centers of the cabinet doors.  For the trim, I used select pine boards.  I had to work around an airconditioning vent that was in the floor.  I was able to divert it to run out the bottom of the bookcase. 

This build is loosely based on the Willy Bookcase.  I actually found another brag post on the Willy Bookcase that was immensely helpful in constructing my project.  I'm so grateful for the brag boards!  Instead of fixing all of the shelves like the Willy, I used a Kreg shelf pin jig to make the shelves adjustable.  The shelf that lines up with the TV is fixed for stability. 

The estimate below covers all of the wood, paint, screws, hardware, etc.  For fun, I'm including an in progress photo to illustrate the process.  Thanks for looking!

Also, a note - this is a relatively easy project, however, I listed it as "intermediate" because of the cabinet doors.  They definitely made it more complicated!

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams paint custom matched to trim.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Corner Media Console

Submitted by craw4dz on Thu, 02/27/2020 - 10:39

We had just moved into our new house and were using an end table for our TV stand I just didn't like it.  I found this and modified it so it's shorter and fits in our room better.  I also opted to not put doors on it and use it to display items instead.  This was a relatively easy build and I'm learning new things with every build I make.  It took about 2 days to complete not including filling holes/paint/stain.  I love it, it looks so great in our room and I am planning on building end tables to match as well as replacing our buffet with movies in it to match also.  Thanks for the easy-to-follow plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Whatever white paint I had on hand (haha) and Varathane Kona with a satin poly for the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Patio Table & Bench

Submitted by madore07 on Wed, 04/16/2014 - 18:47

Great projects for any beginner. Make sure you're working on a level surface for the table. I purchased simple planter boxes from a local hardware store, and worked around those. For the bench, my only suggestion is to verify you are square at each step- other than that it's pretty straightforward.

Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Teak Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

TV Stand Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/02/2016 - 10:00

This was a super fun project and didn't cost much at all.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mixture of Grey and Brown stain with a poxy coating
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse King Bed- Beetle Kill Pine

This was our first build and it was quite a big project to take on to start with. We had so much fun and learned so much along the way. 

Our biggest lessons were to hand pick our wood and make sure we get the straightest pieces possible. We had to wrestle some wood to make this bed work!  Clamp everything especially when using large bolts as the pieces would pull apart from each other. We even used a ratchet strap at one point becuase our small clamps weren't cutting it. I'm sure there's a better way and we'd love to hear about it but we made what we had work. We also had to figure out how to attach the side rails and at what height. We ended up using 3 4-inch screws on each end to screw them into the posts.  

We love this bed not only because it was a labor of love but because its such a solid beautiful piece. 

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Polycrylic Water based - 4 coats, sanded using a 220 grit sanding block in-between each coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Huffaker6971

Sun, 08/18/2019 - 13:47

This is exactly what I've been looking for. Are there plans for this build?

sxewhodey

Sun, 03/01/2020 - 11:29

Very nice! I love the lighter wood too, but my wife likes the darker stain, so we compromised in the middle for the finish. Why  arethe post always so red? I can appreciate the natural tendency of nature to add color, but the 4*4's are always red-er in color. Do they always use a different pine or certain part of the tree for those?

Picnic table

Got the plans on here had a little trouble with the angles on the seat but overall looks good and was easy to follow the plans

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free wood just time invested and $10


in screws
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Playset Addition

Submitted by Derek S on Wed, 06/10/2020 - 08:27

Decided our old play set needed an addition, landed on these plans of Ana's. Sat on them and mulled them over for months. Once the wife said something about adding on to it I made the purchases needed. Connected the two platforms with a bridge. I used 4"x4"x10' for the runners, same boards as the decking for the platform of the bridge(5/4"x6"), 2x4's and 1x4's for the railing. If you look at the 3rd photo, I had to chisel out the 4x4 post to get the 2"x6"x12" support to fit correctly. This should measure 2"x6"x13". Another change I made was to cut the bottom and top trim pieces longer on the front and back sections so that the trim would cover the framing of the gable end walls (see last photo). my son wanted windows so I faked in some windows with scrap 2x2's. I used 2x6's as supports from the 4x4's to the 2x6 framing (see photo 3) I added the monkey bars about a month before deciding to do the platform/deck and playhouse. The ladder is based loosely off of a couple of plans I found online. I was able to do all of this work myself except for the roof. Need my dads help to lift the plywood, he then helped me with the rest of the roof.

Estimated Cost
$1000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used a dark wood stain fore the house, green exterior paint for the trim and white exterior paint for the interior of the house.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

X Console Table

Submitted by MichelleC on Thu, 10/04/2012 - 13:53

I built this a couple feet shorter than in the plans because it is for my neighbor's fish tank! It was fun to build and I'm in love with the finished product. She's going to paint or stain it herself. The pics were taken in my messy, projects-everywhere carport right before the neighbor hauled it off! Her son-in-law wants one now, and I will be building one for MYSELF right away as well! Thank you Ana!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Saddle Seat Stools

Submitted by naomi on Fri, 08/29/2014 - 06:57

After a lot of cutting, screwing, chiseling and sanding... oh and a lick of paint! My new little Saddle Seat Stools are complete. Time will only tell whether they will hold up to the abuse the boys give them especially Brodie! These new stools only cost me $48 to make the pair and I got all the timber from Bunnings

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$48
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Teak and White Enamel Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Hexagon Coffee Table for the patio

Ana, I borrowed the structure of your hexagon picnic table and created a coffee table to compliment my collection of Adirondack chairs on our patio. The rib structure using 30 degree angles is surperb, and with pocket screws on the joints plus Gorilla Glue, it is far stronger than I anticipated.

The table is first shown unpainted, then again on the patio in poor light (sorry for that.) I primed and then painted it brick red and am in the process of updating the paint on all of the chairs to match.

The 30 degree angles are probably the trickiest part. If your saw is off by even a tiny bit, the tolerance buildup will come back to bite you. For example, if each cut is off by 1/2 a degree, you have six cuts, which equals 3 degrees of error. My mistake was not calibrating the cuts made on my table saw or mitre saw. A professional woodworker buddy of mine suggested buying a cross-cut sled for my table saw. That's my next purchase.

Overall I am very happy with the final outcome despite the slight imperfections in the spacing between the slats. A little wood filler covers a multitude of sins!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
water-based primer, then water-based semi-gloss latex enamel (three coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Fred C

Wed, 05/15/2013 - 16:21

Really like this table. Besides a coffee table I think it would make a great picnic table for the little kids, where they could pull up their small chairs and I also think I might try building this out and up a little and use it as an addition table for dining on the deck. Now I just have to decide what kind of chairs to build to go with it. Thanks for all the additional ideas.

Custom Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/21/2024 - 12:36

Based on your 2x4 console table. I cut 2x4s in half to make the legs and frame. And instead of putting the two slats on an angle I placed them all vertical and moved them to the back.  - Larry Donnelly

Built from Plan(s)
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