Community Brag Posts

Playhouse Loft bed

Submitted by jlhelzer on Fri, 03/01/2013 - 23:56

Thanks for the plans. Our daughter loves this bed and I am so proud of my husband for building it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

14' dining room table

14 foot dining room table made by following the fancy plans.  Modified with 2 bases and 14' boards on top.  Awesome project!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
#320
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
American walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Stool

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/08/2017 - 09:23

Voilà . Bois recyclé.

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

Farmhouse Doll Bed

Made from 1x3 and 2x2 pine furring strips and a piece of 1/4" scrap plywood. I added an additional support across the center of the bed to provide some extra strength as was suggested in the tutorial. Painted with Benjamin Moore Select Soft Gloss White. Mattress is a foam pad inserted into a pillow case which is folded over to make it easy to wash. The bedding was purchased through TreasuresDollShop located on Etsy. https://www.etsy.com/shop/TreasuresDollShoppe

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted with Benjamin Moore Select Soft Gloss White.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Shanty Sideboard and Hutch

My husband and I just bought our first home and in the kitchen there was a large wall that needed a large piece of furniture. To purchase something like what we needed in a store would have been outrageous! I found a piece of furniture that I loved and that would be the perfect fit for that wall on your website. I printed it out and gave it to my dad, who is pretty crafty himself and asked if he could make it for us. He looked at it and said sure. We made a few adjustments to your design. This is how it turned out. I love it and it looks perfect in our home!! Thanks for sharing your ideas!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Jacobean stain
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Countertops

Wanting to replace our white laminate counters, but not having the funds made us think outside of the box.  We used these aspen boards to make the most beautiful and durable countertops.  Check out my blog post to see step by step instructions and hilarity.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
provincial stain and wipe on poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Fri, 01/09/2015 - 13:45

Love your new counters, they're so beautiful! Also your post describing how you did them was super funny! Great job!!

Freestanding Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/10/2017 - 18:56

A twist for a smaller space, the stained wood is old heart pine reclaimed from a 1875 house in Savannah, GA. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Danish oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by stina7186 on Thu, 03/07/2013 - 05:47

Very easy to put together... Only hard cuts were the X's. we ended up doing it like the pictures, not the plan. Stain is tricky, make sure to practice! We ended up having to resand and restain the tabletop.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Oxidized wood
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Attic Reno and Built-ins

This was my first-ever woodworking project, which followed a pretty significant renovation of my attic. The built-ins were inspired by the plans and videos from this site. The renovation started with removal of the wall-to-wall carpeting (including 20k nails and staples), repairing the subfloor, replacing the stairs and landings, including the drywall. I used Home Depot’s Lifeproof floating vinyl flooring, which I’m really pleased with.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$3500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Corner Door Cabinet

Submitted by searcyb on Sun, 03/10/2013 - 13:10

My wife came to me a couple of months ago and asked me to build a corner cabinet for our family room. She had found inspiration through a picture on pinterest that she "had to have." I found a couple of old doors through a resale shop near our house and this is what I was able to make with them.

This was a little tougher than I thought it would have been. I have done crown molding before, however, I have never done a floating crown (no support on the top). I was able to use my nail gun and get a solid fit on the bottom of the crown and then glued a support strip behind the crown.

The shelves are made out of 3/4" ply with a birch veneer facing. Surprisingly easy to use with just a little measuring and a hot iron set to the cotton setting.

Again, another project that would have been made infinitely harder without my kreg jig.

Let me know what you guys think!

Bryan

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes Brown Mahogany gel stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Bathroom Cubbie Shelf

Submitted by adeath on Fri, 01/16/2015 - 11:19

This is a piece from Ana's book.  I used the plans from the book and followed Shabby-2-chic's recommendation for the finish.  I used 120 grit sandpaper to knock the edges off then applied a dark minwax stain.  Soft scrub was used to remove the extra finish from my white paint.  The kreg shelf pin jig was invaluable in getting the holes just right.   

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr premium white with primer in eggshell. Minwax dark stain applied to the sanded edges.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Counter height 4'x4' square footage gardening planter boxes

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/18/2017 - 07:01

4' x 4' x 32" planter boxes perfect for square footage gardening. Added pre-made trellis to back for tomatoes and melons/cucumbers. Had to use pressure- treated 4x4 for legs but wrapped them in plastic so not near the soil. 4" lag screws holding just fine with 5 horizontal strapping bars on bottom and 1 vertical 2x4. 

Estimated Cost
$150 for 2
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My spin on the Counter Height Farmhouse Table from Amazon White’s free plans!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/20/2021 - 06:52

The counter height farmhouse table plans were so helpful! Thank you Ana White! I replaced plywood on top with 2x8s and added a shelf underneath the table for some kitchen storage! I am in love thanks again😍 Follow me on Instagram @abbbclark_homeee for more home renovations, decor and DIY!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered oak oil based stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

balin console table :)

I changed the 1x12s to 1x10s because I needed it to be a bit narrower and I added s few inches to it's height also. I love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Vinegar and steel wool stain first, then minwax dark walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

1x12 Wood Bulk Bins

I added legs to mine so it would lean up against the wall above the molding. I liked the look of it without plywood backing. I'm really happy with it and it was pretty simple to make.

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

Newbie

My first build in my new house I didn't think it would come out so well. Thanks for the plans. I love working with my hands

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

DIY Queen Headboard

This is one of the coolest things I've ever built! My husband was so proud of me. :) I recently completed built-in bookcases in our 3rd bedroom/office and those were neat and much more complicated, but I think he likes this better because he sleeps next to it every night. This only took about 2 hours to build, but the staining made for a weekend project by the time it was completed and dry. We've gotten a TON of compliments on this and even had friends ask for me to make them one! Thanks, Ana!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Medium Walnut Stain - Minwax, even coats, 2 applications, ample dry time between each (6-8 hours).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My first build, total success!

Submitted by thempaula on Wed, 01/21/2015 - 16:46

This was my first time using a plan from this site, it was my first time using a kreg jig, and pretty much my first time using a circular saw on anything that mattered.  Also my first time staining.  I'm real happy with how it turned out except for the staining! I used a stain + polyurethane in one and found it very difficult to get the color even without streaks.  Next time I think I am going to stain all my cut wood BEFORE I assemble.  I think that will let me have a nice even stain.  Any thoughts on that?

I enlarged the plan by adding 12 inches to the top and 6 inches to the width. So I added a shelf 12 inches above the top one.  It feels big and I love that.  

Another thing that worked out nicely for me,  I noticed when I was buying lumber from HD, the 2x2's were all a little bit warped or crooked, So for the four legs I opted for the premium perfectly strait and smooth pine.  It was 8 bucks a piece instead of two but worked out I think.  For the back I used mahogany pickets - not smooth, hard to sand down, but looks nice.  

Took me about 20-25 hours over two weekends.  Sanding and staining were the only laborious parts.

 

Estimated Cost
120 for lumber and screws
30 for stain,conditioner and brush

other essentials I needed to buy: kreg jig (40) with the right clamps (40) and some saw horses (40)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
american oak (water based stain and poly in one)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

windjamer812

Wed, 01/21/2015 - 23:01

You did a great job. Keep up the good work and learn how fun and addicting these projects become.

ncderemer

Fri, 01/23/2015 - 14:36

First I think your shelves look beautiful! I generally do find it easier to stain before I assemble. The corners can be really hard to do properly otherwise. The other thing I would say is that a stain primer can help make your application more even.

smuilenburg

Thu, 11/10/2016 - 11:34

I like the size that your book shelf is better than the original.  What are the dimensions of your altered plan?

 

Garage work bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/22/2017 - 17:15

Nice and easy work bench to complete my garage setup.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Base for my next projects!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner