Community Brag Posts

Magnetic Spice Rack Drawers!

Submitted by biz_kid1 on Fri, 10/05/2012 - 09:10

So our oven died back in July and we ended up having an unplanned mini kitchen remodel. One of the things I wanted to implement was magnetic spice racks in drawers, simply because we had a little space left on either side of the oven. Note: we hired a contractor to modify the existing cabinets because we had already been without an oven for over a month by the time home warranty decided they would have to replace the oven and we knew us doing it would take too long - a whole different, LONG story (read about that here: http://christinashaw.com/?p=1203).

But if you want to read more about the magnetic spice racks (which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, by the way!), you can read about that here: http://christinashaw.com/?p=1168

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Easy Build Wood Headboard, King Size

Floating headboard made for a friend of mine. Didn't have a picture of it mounted in their room but I wanted to get it up here anyway.

Estimated Cost
$70-$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Stain (Dark Walnut) and one layer of polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Inspired Sofa Table

Submitted by danicarby on Tue, 11/08/2016 - 04:25

This was a very fun project for me!  I love turning unwanted-old things into something beautiful and usuable!  I built thit table using a reclaimed door and old railing spindles but you could easily improvise by using dimensional lumber for the top and buying new spindles or using 2x2's if necessary!  This took me a few days because I built as I went and made sure it was just right.

 

Guess what?  I built it for $37!!  The door and spindles were a great find at my local Habitat for Humanity store - check yours out!

 

I have a building tutorial on my blog so you can make one too!

Estimated Cost
$37 - plan for around $50 if reclaimed materials aren't being used
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White Washed Latex Paint and Polycrylic Protective Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm Table (Pocket Holes)

Submitted by egm on Tue, 07/28/2020 - 18:03

First time I have ever attempted something like this. Made this table for my wife's birthday. Mistakes were made. Lessons were learned.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
1 Coat Natural Danish Oil
1 Coat Medium Walnut Danish Oil
1 Coat Dark Walnut Danish Oil
3 Coats of wipe On Poly
Base is painted with Benjamin Moore "Black Panther"
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple White Patio Sofa

This was one of my favorite DIY projects. It's so much more affordable than buying patio furniture, and the building instructions make it sturdy as ever.

I built this with my fiance, who you'll see in the image of the in-progress bench. It was a snap for us, since we have a fair amount of experience building our own furniture. With the right tools, this project can take only two days, including wait time in between coats of paint and varnish.

We made our sofa to fit the cushions we found, and thus, the sofa is actually 84" wide, instead of 72" wide. By doing this, we also eliminated the need for a love seat, and instead are in the process of making two chairs to match this sofa. All in all, our patio will seat 6, which is what we were aiming for.

TOOLS
The most important part of making this an easy, fun project is having the right tools. I highly recommend you purchase or borrow:
- Compound miter saw
- Kreg jig
- Square head screws (stripping these is nearly impossible)

Estimated Cost
$300 (including cushions)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior satin white (stay away from spray paint, since it's less efficient and more costly)
Exterior spar varnish in aerosol can for extra outdoor protection
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modified Simple Rolling Bar Cart

I honestly think Ana is a mind reader. Whenever I need plans for a particular piece of furniture, they magically appear on her site. Of course if she was a true mind reader, everything will be exactly as I need it requiring no modifications. That's what makes her plans so amazing. I can build bigger and better because I've learned to modify her plans to fit my current needs.

This Cart was no exception. I had to make mine a few inches deeper and change the height of the legs and it was a piece of cake. I put this together in less than 2 hours and finishing was easy too.

I did a blog post all about what I did differently including how I constructed a towel bar instead of the pipe. Check it out at www.thepursuitofhandyness.com

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25 Depending upon the type of casters used
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil Based Primer & Rustoleum Painters Touch Spray Paint in Paprika Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse Media Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/13/2016 - 19:05

Super excited for my new media cabinet!  I painted my cupboard doors white and added L brackets on the inside of the doors for support.  I had never worked with crown molding before so this was a great starter project on how to cut crown.  My cost was kept down by using supplies such as paint and hardware that I already had. 

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwinn Williams Pro Classic - Extra white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Simple Outdoor Chair

Submitted by mhineman on Thu, 10/11/2012 - 08:56

I made this chair as a part of an outdoor furniture set including a loveseat and coffee table (also featured on this site). Very simple and easy to follow instructions..I did not have a jig to create the pocket holes, so I decided to leave the screws exposed and then cover them with wooden dowels sanded down. It created a little more work but added a little more character.

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

Chest of drawers

Submitted by charae22 on Mon, 08/04/2014 - 08:35

I needed this to be a little taller, so I added another drawer. Other than that, all the other dimensions were the same. I built it in one weekend, but the finishing took about 5 days (for drying time between coats). I was trying to match a baby bed (expresso) so I stained it dark. I also used plywood on the sides, top and drawer fronts instead of pine boards. It really turned out great and matched the bed perfectly.

Estimated Cost
$90
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Conditioner, 3 coats of English Chestnut, 2 coats of Ebony (Minwax), 3 coats of Minwax Wipe-On Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sharshar1960

Mon, 08/04/2014 - 11:11

LOVE the finish on this piece! Can you elaborate on the two stains? Did you alternate?

In reply to by sharshar1960

charae22

Mon, 08/04/2014 - 11:43

No, I didn't alternate. I needed the base color to be a deeper brown so it took 3 coats of English Chestnut. Then 2 coats of Ebony over the English Chestnut, to get the black, layered look. I put each coat on, then wiped it off after a few minutes. On the last layer of Ebony, I only lightly removed the stain. The brown shows through in some areas which is exactly what the bed had. I used the oil-based Minwax.

In reply to by sharshar1960

charae22

Mon, 08/04/2014 - 11:43

No, I didn't alternate. I needed the base color to be a deeper brown so it took 3 coats of English Chestnut. Then 2 coats of Ebony over the English Chestnut, to get the black, layered look. I put each coat on, then wiped it off after a few minutes. On the last layer of Ebony, I only lightly removed the stain. The brown shows through in some areas which is exactly what the bed had. I used the oil-based Minwax.

tmclifton

Tue, 09/09/2014 - 19:43

I love the finish!  Did you use the satin wipe on poly, or gloss? 

cirkit1

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 11:44

can you comment on the stain with sandeply.  did you use sanding sealer?

i have read many a comment on issues with staining sandeply but yours looks awesome.

i like the approach.

Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table

I modified it slightly by leaving off the trim around the perimeter. I also shortened the table to 84" which then only required 2 legs for a custom fit for the mom space. The finish was distressed to conceal heavy use (more like spills :-D) from kids which turned out to be a home run with moms

Check out some tips during my build @ charitybuilds

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes Antique Walnut Gel Stain
General Finishes Water based Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic Farmhouse Console Table

Building this console table was built over two weekends. Cutting the wood and assembling the pieces was fairly easy but choosing the right colors for the stain was not. We finalized on hickory for the frame and mocha for the top and X's. We decided to build it 6 inches taller then the plan and als to trim the inner edges of the 2x6's to eliminate the crumb catchers. We also rounded the feet because they were chipping on the garage floor during the build.

We loved the final result!

Modified/designed Farmhouse bed

modified that bed, it is higher. We also paid our neighbor, who is an artist, to design and paint our foot board. Our cats love this bed too! We are putting the sideboards to cover up the mattress tonight.

p.s., If you live in GA and want to do something like this, let me know and I will give you the name of our artist

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

Comments

Full size Brookstone Headboard

Submitted by Speedi58 on Wed, 08/06/2014 - 07:53

We built this out of solid Maple for my son's 30th birthday. He has a full-size bed, so we had to adapt the queen size plans. It turned out great....he was thrilled...but it was heavy to carry upstairs to his apartment!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Colonial Maple - two coats of stain and two coats of ply
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Grey console table

Submitted by damrobin on Sun, 11/20/2016 - 00:30

This was my first attempt at furnature. I didnt use the best quality wood, and had a hard time finding straight boards at my local Lowes.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Grey paint and Minwax dark walnut stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm bench and Adirondack chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/07/2020 - 14:14

Had already posted the truss bench but since I was staining both it and the Adirondack chair together thought I’d share both side by side. Thanks for the wonderful, simple plans!

Estimated Cost
Bench=$25 chair=$45 (wood and screws)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax Honey Pine stain and urethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2 Piece Kids Wood Outdoor Chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/22/2024 - 10:54

I made a pair of these beach chairs from recycled lumber. I extended the back rests by one board. They will add to my grandson’s tree house furniture. The frame is treated with Australian oil stain and the boards are rolled on acrylic paint decorated with sprayed on marine shapes aided by paper cutout templates.
Ana White plans are excellent! Thank you!
Noel

Flat Wall Book Shelves

This was made entirely of scrap molding. The sides and bottom shelves are left over baseboard. The front stops are made out of door/window casing.

We wanted this to hang on the wall instead of the floor, so we added 1x3 scrap under the 2nd and 4th shelf and countersunk screws into the studs in the wall.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
high gloss white
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
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