Community Brag Posts

Raised Garden Bed Variations

Submitted by biz_kid1 on Sun, 04/03/2011 - 19:57

Our 1x6 cedar fence posts were like $2.39 each, but the 1x4's were $1.17 each, so $9.36 for the cedar plus about $2.50 for the trim.  But on the 2nd bed, we opted to use 4x4 @ 8' cedar that I got for half off (@$8) because there were 3 "beat up" pieces left.  So our total was @ $13 each.  

Estimated Cost
$13.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Play Kitchen Extreme Remodel

Submitted by Dr. Prus on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 18:48

My wife and I were perplexed about what to get my 2nd daughter for her 3rd birthday. We were also tired of all the plastic around the house. I was browsing and saw your kitchen plans.

Interestingly, one year ago we remodeled our main kitchen when my wife was 8 months pregnant. So we used our kitchen as the model and built a smaller scale version for my daughter. Complete with stainless appliances and accessories. The counter/backsplash was the sink punch out from our main kitchen counters that I kept after I installed them.

My daughter was thrilled with the way it turned out!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Kilz, Rustoleum magnetic primer/black enamel/, stainless steel spray paint, white latex
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Chunky Media cabinet

Submitted by redhead_61 on Tue, 12/05/2017 - 22:43

This was loosely based on one of the media cabinets on this site.  I built it to fit this spot exactly and used many of the same design elements as in the Leighton media Suite I built several years ago.  One thing I want to mention I did with this design that is a FABULOUS idea in all media units.  Inset the back of your lower section.  I hate not being able to run the top of my "counter" flush with the wall because the back of my unit or bookcase is running into all the plugs in the outlet.  I left a little larger of an overhang than I normally wood to clear the baseboards and I inset the backing of this peice about and inch inward to leave lots of room for all the chords to just hang there but be hidden.  They are much more accessible and now the top of my unit is flush to the wall.  

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Acrylic hard finish white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rolling shelf turned laundry cart

Submitted by makermave on Sun, 11/21/2021 - 16:17

This is my first build! It came together really easily. I modified the dimensions to fit my space. I didn’t add the black pipes, simply because I couldn’t find all the pieces, or the corner brackets, and I think it looks great without them. I added a handle (a towel bar I found on Etsy) to pull it in and out. I used rough cut cedar, and have not finished it. I’m not sure if I will. I wanted to spray paint the wheels, but the person that helped me attach them (a.k.a. my dad) was ready to to help me before I had them painted! But I love it, and it really adds functionality and stoage to this little gap between our washers and dryers.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Camp Loft Bed w/Add on Desk & Chalk Board

I added a small attached desk to the Camp Loft bed plans and framed a 1/2 inch sheet of scrap plywood painted with chalkboard paint. i then Reused an old "hanging herbs" fixture bought from IKEA for art supplies. My daughter calls it her "Art Studio"!!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi gloss enamel paint and Rustoleum chalk board paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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

Bench

I needed a place for my kids to put their shoes so I shrunk the plan for the X Console and made it fit my entry way. I love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint, stain, and Kilz Sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Christmas Tree Shelf

After watching Ana's video I decided to try to build the Christmas tree shelf this year in time for the season. It worked out alright. The build is straight forward. Doesn't take long and it's a fun seasonal project. Now I just have to figure out what to put on it.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Children's Homeschool-Craft-Play Area in our Living Room - 3 of Ana's plans

My husband just finished the Elementary Trestle Table from Ana's plans.  I painted the base white and he polyurethane'd the pine project panel for the top.  He also used "Super Glaze" on the surface for a thick shiny protective coating.  I made the Storage chairs from Ana's plans last year, they were my first real project. I also made Grace's Bookshelves a while back, you can see them a little in the background, one is pink and one is blue.  We love Ana's plans and are always printing and planning what we're going to build next.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint, Poly, Super Glaze
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Spock89

Wed, 02/07/2024 - 06:16

Love the shine on the table.

Do you have the plans for the table? I made this table and the chairs in 2020, but now can't find the designs for the table. Thank you for any assistance.

Rustic x Coffee Table

This was my very first project. People ask me how much it cost me to make it, and I don't know that you can quantify the satisfaction of making our own furniture. The whole family helped in making this table. We elected for the Rust-o-leum Kona stain and then a semi-gloss poly. i think my next project will be a kitchen table, some built-ins as well as taking my son's favorite college team logo to embed onto a chair. Thank you for making the available and easy to follow.

I worked on this in the evenings after work so it took more than a day or two to complete. Plus sanding, staining and finishing if done right took over the course of a couple of nights.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

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!

Ladder shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/15/2021 - 03:57

I saw your video and it was perfect for a small room. You made it look easy but it was hard work but worth it in the end.

Comments

Library Bookcart

Submitted by mnewton on Tue, 04/12/2011 - 11:51

This was a fun, easy project...and perfect solution for the book clutter. I got some good practice rounding off corners (invested in a belt sander) and cutting out the handles. I beleive the baskets my wife bought for the bottom shelf cost double the entire project.

This is by far the best site I have ever found for wood projects.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

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

Xmas wall tree shelf

Submitted by debinmi on Fri, 12/22/2017 - 12:31

I've loved this little tree shelf since it was first published, but thought the angle cuts might be too difficult.  I was wrong.  It was simple and fun, with an extra pair of hands. Made a few minor changes. Merry Christmas & thanks for the cute plan!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Maybe $10, including paint, but not stain
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum hunter green paint & Miniwax stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

Deck Enhancement

A little tricky for me as it was my first time with a circular saw. It looks great on my deck. I'm going to build a few more for my front porch. Thank you for the easy to follow plan and video. You are an inspiration.

doll picnic table

Submitted by 3kidsilove on Sat, 04/16/2011 - 16:09

This is a picnic table my husband made for my niece's doll from scrap wood we had left over from the drawer pull project. he said "enough room so that she can have a doll party"  I'm waiting to see her at Easter to piant it with her!

Estimated Cost
free
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fantastic Garden Beds

These garden beds are fantastic! They were so easy to build and look great in our backyard. We have always found ourselves with a garden covered in weeds or plants out of control. Our garden this year looks wonderful and we have hardly any weeds in the beds. Thanks for the great plans!

Estimated Cost
$15 each
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

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

Dream Bookshelves!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 12:32

When supply issues made buying lumber for my dream shelves nonsensical, I turned to Ana's Shelfhelp and Voila!! I built the base on my own and added my own moulding, but without Ana's sites, I would not have made this dream come true. THANK YOU!

Comments

cottage bench in a day

Submitted by lorasolis on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 10:48

Love this bench! Its now finished in a Martha Stewart paint called leafy green and resides in my large bathroom housing excess towels.
I did change this up a little and used 1x2's for the top and bottom of the backing. I drilled my screws in from the top and it went together easily. Then I just filled in all my holes.
one suggestion would be to make a paper template 2 1/4" for the spacing between the rails. Saves lots of time.
This project took me about 3 hours the first time and about 2 hours for each one after.

Estimated Cost
maybe $30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Pic is shown unfinished. But its now in martha Stewart interior/exterior satin leafy green.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner