Community Brag Posts

Outdoor bistro table and tall backed stools

I build the bar table with an x-base and created some stools using part of the plan. We really wanted backs on the stools so I made them up!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed and painted white, sealed against the weather.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Tue, 11/13/2012 - 05:39

That build came out really nice, but the scenic background, wow!!!!

Jake

Wed, 11/14/2012 - 18:16

Hard to believe that you are a beginner. Fantastic work. Keep it up and the whole home will be furnished.

dallynd

Sat, 04/13/2013 - 13:47

I'd love some information on the backs. My husband has a bad back and it's a necessity, but I'm a beginner and not sure how you did it/

Scrap wood mirror with hooks

Submitted by naomi on Sun, 08/31/2014 - 08:14

This was made from scrap wood, a cheap $5.00 mirror and some hooks. This hangs near my front door and I hang scarves and bags on it. Always good to have a mirror to double check yourself before you leave the house. It was based on Ana White's Craftsman Frame.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Side Street Bunk Beds

Capped railing and head/foot board for a different look. Did not like the look of the carriage bolts so sunk those in and used buttons to cover. Modified slope and added hooks to ladder so we could remove to vacuum etc. Would of added one more step if I were to do it again. My guys are little so added railings to back side top and bottom and extended railings.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ralph Lauren Napoleon Blue. Varathane Polyurathane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

modified X

Submitted by colsen on Sat, 11/17/2012 - 10:08

This is my very first project. Never used a saw before until a few weeks ago. I am really happy with the way it turned out.

I shortened the plan and modified the second shelf. I was planning on an "X" brace for both sides but got carried away and realized it wasn't going to work on the one side. I like the end result and don't mind that its missing.

I would have finished it sooner but was a bit intimidated by the angled cuts. My miter saw only cuts 45.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Iron acetate, however I applied the stain backwards. I put the tea on last instead of first. Then 3 coats of polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Mon, 11/26/2012 - 18:17

Wow you did an awesome job on this! Congrats! Looks very professional. The modified second shelf is a great touch, I think it looks perfect without an X on that side. BTW love the shells and captain's wheel too. :)

Check out / Display Counter

I built this Counter for a new business in Chatham, Va. Will add lighting in side !

Finish Used
Black Stain/Early American highlites/Gloss poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Grandy Sliding Door Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/23/2016 - 17:05

Had to trim a little off the barn door track so they would fit, but overall, great project!

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

Comments

Rustic Console Table

Submitted by crazedyak on Sat, 09/06/2014 - 14:10

I followed the plan, and used plain pine wood.  The wood cost $106 at my local Home Depot.  The Kreg R3 Jr. Jig, Clamp and Screws I already had from a previous project. This is a weekend project.  Biggest obstacle here is to make sure the shelves stay level.  After it was built I sanded everything with 180 grit before going to the staining step.

 

Stain...  I made a pot of STRONG Tetly Black Tea and painted the entire table.  I decided to go with this Oxidizing Stain (http://www.sweetpickinsfurniture.com/2011/01/how-to-weather-new-wood.ht…) for the wood.  The Black Tea increases the tannins in the wood, which makes a stronger reaction in the woodgrain after you apply the oxidizing solution.  After the solution dried I sanded lightly with 180 grit again and now it's ready for Wipe-On Poly to be applied.

 

Just one small hint.. The Oxidizing Solution takes a few days to react, so plan accordingly.  I let mine set for 7 days before use.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Oxidizing Solution and Black Tea
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Farmhouse Dining Room Table w/ Benches

Made a vintage/rustic farmhouse dining room table with matching benches. Fairly easy DIY job. The notches were the most difficult. Quite heavy, so I suggest using less 2x2 for under-table supports. Turned out beautifully and very happy with it.

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic tv stand

Submitted by joslwea on Mon, 09/08/2014 - 09:54

Rustic tv stand made from pallets and reclaimed ship lap and 2x4's

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax early american
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

joslwea

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 20:39

I actually made this without the plans. I saw the picture on pinterest that wasnt linked to your site and just made my own plans for it. If I recall, I made it 5ft in length. BTW, big fan of yours! Your plans are so detailed and your pieces give me so much inspiration as a fellow furniture builder. If you have time I'd love for you to check out my facebook page, jennamaedesigns, and tell me what you think. I'm new to the building bizz but I love it! Thanks again for commenting

Thanks for a super project!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/28/2016 - 09:49

I used cedar, stainless steel rails and finished with marine spar varnish.  Gave to my son for Christmas to hold his smoker/barbeque!   Thanks for the super project idea!

Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Marine Spar Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Nephew's Custom Bookshelf and Train Table Bed.

Submitted by pondrider on Mon, 09/07/2020 - 12:50

Today Tracie and I had the privilege of delivering a custom bed to my nephew south of Houston. His mom, my sister wanted to combine reading, trains, and of course sleeping. I delivered a bed with their selected color, dark walnut, hidden lights, electrical/USB outlets, a rollout train/play table, and a bed between two sets of bookshelves. Yes, it is all solidly built to be ready to hand down to the next generation. Please know I enjoyed this project while being inspired further to build more. I bragged recently that this would be the perfect bed for English teachers.

2 Person Desk System

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/14/2024 - 09:38

Took the farm house desk and mirrored it. It has four file drawers and a desk drawer on each end. The frame and drawers are clear coat polyurethane and the desktop is stained chestnut with warm satin polycrylic clear coat. - 

Mike Godfrey, Spring Hill, Florida

Built from Plan(s)

Traditional Toddler Bed with Rustic Headboard

Submitted by jenmac75 on Tue, 11/27/2012 - 17:42

After my daughter started escaping from her crib I knew it was time to build her a new bed. I didn't think she was quite ready for a full size yet so I thought a toddler size would work for at least the next year.

I started with the Traditional Toddler Bed plans and scaled down the size of the Rustic Headboard and incorporated that. The biggest thing I learned in the process was to measure your mattress first! I don't think I realized the size variation in crib mattresses and ended up having to recut my slats and rails to accommodate my larger mattress. Also, our mattress is 5 inches deep, which means that the safety rails only extend about an inch over the top of the bed. This seems to be fine for my daughter and she hasn't fallen out - yet - but I think if you have a very restless sleeper or just want to play it safe, you might want to add an extra inch or two to the height of the guardrails.

I also used a 2 x 6 for the foot rail as this allowed the legs to be inset further and gave it a more solid look on the bottom.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Primer and 2 coats of Olympic Premium in Caruso
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bookshelf Cubby for Fabric Drawers

Submitted by Niewenhuis on Thu, 09/11/2014 - 07:35

This was an easy build and I'm so happy with the finish. I used Hilary's oxidizing vinegar solution first. I didn't feel it was "grey" enough so I put on a coat of Minwax Weathered Grey. Let dry. Added a coat of Minwac Special Walnut and finished with Pastewax. Love, love, love!  They are very sturdy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Moore Kitchen island

Submitted by Swm1515 on Fri, 12/30/2016 - 11:45

My wife wanted an island so bad and didn't like any of the plans but this one. This was my first big project but it worked out well. In the front middle section, I went with a two trash can sliding cabinet. Took me around 36 hours to complete. I also found plans for tall bar stools that I used and made the chairs with the island. We found a stone place that had scrap granite that we bought cut to size. My wife loves it. Great Christmas present!! 

Finish Used
Behr antique white, minwax satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

mniehaus97

Sun, 01/01/2017 - 19:01

All I see is a PDF with the dimensions but not the step by step plans.  Can you please share the actual plans?  I am hoping to build two of these to go on either side of our fireplace.

 

Cheers,

Back