Modified the plans only slightly - to make it fit perfectly in the space, and to add a shelf. Great plans, I love my table! Thank you, Ana!!
As my first furniture project I was impressed at how straight forward this was.
I expanded the plan to fit our family of 10. I also decided that splitting the benches into two and extending the overhang on the ends would allow us to tuck the benches all the way in without the legs colliding. The table is 120" with trestles centered at 20", 60" & 100". I did some math to make sure that this wouldn't cause the table to be tippy and I should be able to stand on the very edge (like a diving board)
Biggest fail was not keeping the top level. This created far too much sanding for my liking. Any tips on how to avoid the pocket hole joins from shifting? Would be appreciated. My clamps don't have a deep enough mouth to reach the joins and I guess the kids aren't heavy enough to hold it all in place.
Hardest part was cutting the curve for the benches decorative pieces.
The base of our playhouse felt like the perfect spot to use the sandbox plan with built-in seats. The bench seats actually fold flat to create a lid for the sandbox when it’s not in use. I followed Ana’s plans exactly and used the list of materials she provided. The only modification I made was eliminating the back supports. It was not necessary for me to add the back supports since we have the playhouse posts to support the back of the bench.
It took me longer than it would a normal because it was my first completed project. I couldn't decide if I wanted to build the top or use plywood or a project panel. I ended up building it using Aspen 1x3 for the apron and whitewood boards for the rest. I probably wouldn't buy the Aspen again. I would use whitewood for all or maybe pine. I do prefer the wider apron that the 1x3 provided.
Also, Jen from House of Wood suggested painting prior to putting the top on which was a great tip!! I stained my top after I put it on though, because I didn't want to accidentally scratch it trying to move it into place.
I glued everything and attached with pocket hole screws just for safety. One thing I learned is that wood glue does not stain, so I had to sand it down completely and sand off the glue that seeped for the final result I got.
Also, having paintable caulk is a good tip. I got a board for my lower shelf that was slightly bowed and the caulk was great to hide my beginner imperfections.
It was really easy build (keeping things square was the hardest part, but the carpet hides the small wobble I had on the cement). It looks great in our living room.
Media console for the living room made out of walnut. Semi-inspired by the Rustic X Console. Speaker shelves made to match.
Sun, 09/14/2014 - 12:14
This looks beautiful. I love the Waterlox finish. What state do you live in and where do your purchase your Walnut lumber?
Wed, 04/08/2015 - 17:45
This is great. Do you have plans for this table? I'd love to build a real hardwood media center.
Thank you.
Mon, 08/31/2015 - 08:09
Wow. Evidently ana-white.com stopped telling me I was getting comments on my projects, lol. For anyone still interested:
I live in upstate South Carolina. I get my black walnut at Woodcraft, which, while pricey, is incredibly close to my house and their customer service is awesome, so I don't mind the cost. I've tried other lumber yards in the area and they consistently tell me I won't be able to find black walnut over 10" wide, but Woodcraft had the 12" piece for this media console and the 22" slab I used for my coffee table.
I do not have drawn up plans for this table. This was my first free-form project I attempted without detailed plans. The pieces were all hand cut from rough lumber, so nothing has specific sizes, but if you are still intersted in plans, send me a message and I can draw up some.
Thank you for the plans! It came out great.
crown ledge shelf in poplar scraps - i used a scrap 1x6 for the backside to hang my hooks off of.
It was time for my daughter to get her very own big girl bed! I found the plans and my wife approved and construction began. 3 weeks later this is what we have created. Everyone at work is super jelious and have referred quite a few people to the website. Thank you Ana for having such a great resourse!
Changed some measurements to make table smaller to fit space and made benches to fit! Took 2 weeks total with the help of my wife! Great plans to use as a guide!
A year ago I built my daughter a custom dollhouse for a Christmas present. She asked if I could make her one in her size. Initially, I laughed and said that I didn't think I could pull something like that off. Over the next Spring Break, I decided to give it a try. After pricing out custom playhouse kits online, I figured I could do it myself. I watched some youtube videos and looked at pictures online and came up with a project plan. The detailed step-by-step instructions along with pics are available on my blog: www.momthebuilder.net. Good luck with your playhouse project!!!
Fri, 12/07/2012 - 02:43
This came out beautiful. Great job! Love all the attention to detail and the rug is awesome, too!
My son told me he needed a desk for his room, for his recording equipment. I remembered seeing this desk and that I had some wood in the garage. Using 50+ year old 2x4's and a 100+ year old 2x12, left in the garage from the previous owner, I made this desk in a day. My son LOVES it! Thanks for all you do.
Roger
We were looking for desk that will grow with our family. This was the prefect plan. We went back and forth with the hinges and decided the chain would be best. We also added magnets to use as closures.
Lots of sanding and staining but love how everything turned out. Very sturdy and doesn’t creak when you jump into bed.
My handy husband whipped this little bed up from the leftover wood of the rustic "X" end table! I love it so much, a great toy / newborn prop!! I wanted to finish it with the steel wool/vinegar method, but it was too late, he already painted it. I love it just the way it is! Thank you for the awesome plan!!
The plans make this huge! I had to narrow down, and adjust for shelve opening. Hardest part were getting slides situated on sides, there was just enough difference from 2x4s to upset slides a little. I recommend going for the longer slides, if u r running into the same issue.
Love the plans and love this site, so much inspiration here!
Thanks Ana
dan
My Husband made this twin bed for our son off the Alaska Cabin Bed plan.
It was easy enough for him. To complete without any mistakes. Took aprox 3 days to complete, about $130 in lumber. He used
6 (pine)2x4's & 1 sheet of cabinet grade Baltic Birch. He added a center support beam.
Painted a white trim around drawer fronts coordinate with white nightstand. Used magnet clasps on drawer flaps. The bed is solid enough for us to lie down and read bedtime stories with our son, and the bed doesn't even creak a sound. Easy to slide mattress off a little and change the sheets. I would highly reccomend this plan to others.
I love this site and the user friendly plans. I used the suggestion of turning the 2x4’s but I think it would have been better to have more to screw the top boards to if I hadn’t.
Didn't use the wheels, so I lengthened the legs to compensate. Also I didn't make it round but instead cut the corners off and used a router on the edge. We use it mostly for puzzles.
Used some cool old pallet wood to put together a dog food bowl stand I've been meaning to make. My big 10 year old lab is getting a lot slower and struggling a little bit so I thought this could help him out some and get his food and water closer to his face. Winged this one. Had a vague idea in my head that sort of evolved as it progressed. Used some left over 1x4 lumber to build a simple frame, and encased it in the pallet wood to give it the wood crate look (jigged some hand holds in the side to give this same look) . Used jig saw to cut the holes out of the 2 top boards for the bowls.
