Community Brag Posts

Sideboard and floating shelves

Submitted by knollgf on Tue, 12/05/2017 - 20:35

My wife wanted a piece for our dining room. This was a easy weekend project. I had to modify the size to fit my space. I decided to use red oak for the top. It was more expensive but is a much harder wood with a nicer finish. I made the hardware myself from aluminum flat bar. 

Estimated Cost
$200-$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Flat white base
Espresso top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Fireplace surround for electric fire pit

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/21/2021 - 09:25

Except for adding a bottom support in the center, and modifying the top to compensate for the larger crown molding, (and adding 2 inch wide putty to compensate for poor miter skills), I followed the plans that were given.
The mantle is approximately 15" X 60", and will be covered soon with a Nativity scene.
Thanks for the plans. Made an ideal Christmas gift for my wife and she is very happy!

Comments

Sausha's Washer/Dryer Pedestal plus a Bench

Submitted by Keltin93 on Tue, 04/05/2011 - 13:16

I love the height of this pedestal.  We also wanted a bench for the kids so we just extended the pedestal around.  It works great and looks awesome.  I put a floating shelf above the hangers and some of my art.

Estimated Cost
$250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Berh Ultra Espresso Beans, semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Side Street Bunk Beds

Our two oldest (both boys) had been needing bunk beds for some time. I came across the Side-Street Bunk Beds and LOVED the design; simple, easy, and most importantly, sturdy!

I used standard framing lumber from Home Depot and picked out the cleanest, straightest boards I could find. For safety (because boys will be boys...), I routed all of the edges of any part they could come in contact with using a 3/8" curved router bit. Along with tremendous amounts of sanding, that was the most labor-intensive part of the project. The Kreg Jig made short work of everything else, and eventually sprayed on the paint (I used Kelly-Moore brand paint, but the color is Behr Cinnabar Red).

Although I could have built the beds for cheaper (I spent upwards of $350+), I wanted to make sure the project didn't look like it was built out of framing lumber. A lot of sandpaper, wood-filler, and extra coats of paint could have been reduced, but at close look you can't even tell the main posts are laminated 2x4's.

For some reason, and I still have to find out, the paint still remained tacky long after drying, but that hasn't kept our boys from loving their new beds! Great design and a fantastic first project!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 - $375
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Cinnabar Red with Zinsser tinted primer
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Entryway Locker

We built this entryway locker using Hillarys plans. It turned out amazing and it gets more use than any piece of furniture in our house at the moment.

Estimated Cost
We used wood that we had around already for this project, so I an unsure.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Chalk paint and wax with some distressing.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Full Farmhouse Bed with mods

Submitted by Kingsamui on Thu, 12/14/2017 - 16:29

Made the standard full farmhouse bed with storage, but did a couple modifications. 1) Didn’t use drawers, but wanted closed, not open cubbies. I made the drawer fronts and then attached with full overlay hinges and magnetic catches do they open from top down like a horizontal cabinet. 2) built the slats as two, one piece slat frames which sit on the cleat so that they can easily be removed for the extra long term storage between the cubby boxes. Just lift mattress and the two pieces of slats and lots more space. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Red Mahogany Stain and semi-gloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Lazy Susan

Submitted by heidi4kidz on Mon, 11/29/2021 - 15:28

Made this for my moms caregiver for Christmas ❤

Comments

Mom's Lego Table (with chess board)

Submitted by DTeague on Sun, 04/10/2011 - 11:26

This is the Mom's Lego Table everything went according to plan until, I cut and tried to place the table tops in ... Ooops.  Was not square, with the help of my father-in-law we got them to fit.  So, as Ana says ..CHECK FOR SQUARE!!!  The other part that took awhile was the chess board but was worth it my son loves chess!

Estimated Cost
$50.00 (had extra wood.)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Mahogany stain and Clear Satin Rub on poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack Chair Set

This project is challenging enough for beginning builders, yet easy enough to keep them from becoming frustrated and discouraged.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax - Special Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dresser Makeover

I finally finished the bedroom set, this one the last piece (and the biggest dresser).

More info on this 1970's bedroom set here:

http://www.woodworkingfourdummies.com/blog/dresser-set-makeover

Cheers,
Ian

Estimated Cost
$200 for entire bedroom set, 2 night stands and 2 dressers.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax Walnut Stain
White Paint
Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

RenoRustic

Tue, 05/26/2015 - 08:44

Checked out your blog. I really liked it, but I couldn't find a way to follow though. Nice job on the makeover too!

First building project ever!

Submitted by mcrawford on Mon, 12/18/2017 - 14:48

SUCH a great project for my first ever build! The plans were so simple and fun to follow. I altered them slightly to measure 50" long so it would fit perfectly in my entry way. I used the Varathane wood stain in Dark Walnut. Can't wait for my next project! Ana, thank you for giving first time builders the tools and confidence to build beautiful furniture!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
22$
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane in Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Stocking Stand

Submitted by SofiaTaz on Mon, 12/13/2021 - 20:46

A very quick, easy, and attractive Christmas project! All
Made from scraps. Thanks for another great plan. The hooks are back ordered until after Christmas- so screws will due for now. This stand will double as a swimsuit and life jacket holder in the summer! Love it!

Comments

First Project: Storage Bench

Submitted by perchik on Tue, 04/12/2011 - 16:18

I finally got around to building the first project on my list. I needed more storage in my room so I built the storage bench from the plans. I did tweak it a little to make it a bit wider so that it will neatly match the width of my bed. I may get around to making a cushion for it but right now it serves as a nice tray to hold my wallet and other various sundries.

I had the guy at Lowe's cut the wood for me. Next time I'm borrowing a friend's saw, because the cuts were less than accurate. 
Estimated Cost
30
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax PolyShades [combo polyurethane and stain] in the Mission Oak color. I used two coats and rubbed it down with 00 steel wool between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Custom bunkbeds (FREE PLANS!)

I designed (in Sketchup) and built some bunk beds for my boys. They're made out of all common sized lumber, SUPER sturdy, and have no exposed nails or screws! The kids LOVE them and I'm really happy with how they turned out!

This portion of the build is just for 2 bunks, but the design allows for a third, lofted bunk to be added (I'll build that next year)

I've got the full step-by-step build at

http://www.iliketomakestuff.com/iltms-project-bunk-beds-part-1/
http://www.iliketomakestuff.com/iltms-project-bunk-beds-part-2/

Estimated Cost
$170
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

farmhouse table

Submitted by wvtim1968 on Wed, 05/27/2015 - 23:03

i built this for my mother when she decided she wanted a new table .i used the plans that i had found on this site Thank you for such an easy plan made my mothers day

Estimated Cost
20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
red oak stain poly and white enamel paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Console Media Center

Submitted by katonley on Fri, 12/22/2017 - 08:44

This was my third project, and the first one with doors (boy do I have some great opportunity for growth there!). I left off the bottom trim because I wanted a slightly more contemporary look. Thanks for this plan, Ana. It was the perfect size for this space. Things I learned doing this project: next time cut an extra 1x4 to tack in to do the doors, hinges require math, be sure to get the kind of wood filler that dries—not wood putty (sigh), I need a workbench. 

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Olympia enamel tinted to match Valspar’s discontinued “Secluded Garden.” Everbrite hinges and Liberty pulls (stock) from Home Depot.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My first project

Loved how these plans were so easy to follow and certainly appreciate the accompanying video.

Comments

Kentwood bookshelf

I built this using the Kentwood bookshelf plans as a guide. I made my shelves 3 ft wide and made it aprox. 8 ft tall. I also bought the KREG shelf pin jig and built the shelves to be adjustable. I haven't chosen a finish yet because I am waiting for my son to pick a color since it is going in his room. I am considering fixing a shelf in place and building some doors for the bottom. I worked on this over a week span, however I could only do bits and pieces at a time. The sanding took longer than the build because I plugged the pocket holes and they take longer to sand down.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet, but i'm thinking painting everything except the back (possibly grey) and staining the wood a dark color.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Weathered look Taylor’s Coffee Table

Submitted by dhoop31 on Mon, 12/25/2017 - 20:13

My daughter asked me to build this for her for Christmas but wanted it to have a gray weathered look to match some of her existing furniture that I had built.  Very enjoyable build!  Thanks Ana! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Gray washed with a black wax finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

easy children's storage chairs

Submitted by lorasolis on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 11:10

This came together pretty easily and the directions were spot on. These were my first 2 out of about 15 that are done now. The sage green one now has a chalkboard seat which I love!

Estimated Cost
around $6-8
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Blue is rust-oleom oil based which is good for indoor/outdoor.
Green is a mistint better homes and garden satin knee high grass.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Potting Table with old window

Submitted by mybartmart on Sun, 06/23/2013 - 15:40

Potting Bench.. Used an old window for the top part. Great easy plan can be modified to build for many uses. I had free wood and used a walnut stain. But I am thinking of painting it black.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
under $20 for wood and stain but for me it was free.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner