Community Brag Posts

KCup holder

Submitted by lolalove77 on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 06:58

I am so thrilled to share this. My very first build and I am so happy with it and so excited to share the build. My very first ever build of any kind whatsoever. I am inspired and buying a new home. Thank you for all the plans that will be so helpful to me with the upcoming house.

Schoolwork organizer

Submitted by Deborah on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 15:45

I'm trying to revamp our family "launch pad" in time for the start of school and was hoping to have a box for each kid to drop off their school forms and stuff. The "numbered cubbies on the wall" plan is just not practical for us -- I don't need a lot of little cubbies, just a few big ones! So I modified it to work for us. The letters are each of my boys' initials.

Also, I used scrap wood and leftover paint. So basically the cost was almost nothing, just a few nails and some wood glue.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
0
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
First I painted the piece black, and then covered it with some light gray house paint I had leftover. I used a sharpie pen for the letters and distressed everything.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Grill Prep Table with built-in cooler

Submitted by coolove on Sun, 06/15/2014 - 18:03

I made this for my father for Father's Day. I wanted to do a grilling prep table with a built in cooler. The cooler part is not really just for drinks but also a place to store barbeque utensils while in use.

Height is 36 inches. Made out of 2x6s, 1x4s, and 4x4s. Because the table is so short, the planter slides in and out from the side underneath the table top. I had cut the top before buying the planter which lead me to do a few changes to my initial design on the fly.

Estimated Cost
$36 for wood excluding the top. (Already had on hand), $25 for bbq accessories
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Dark Walnut. Two coats. And Cabot Spar Finish Semi-gloss. Four coats for the top and three coats for the bottom shelf.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cross35

Thu, 03/12/2015 - 10:50

I love to grill and would love to build one of these. Do you have any other details on your design? Cut lengths or anything? I'm too new to building to deviate to far from plans right now haha.

Thanks!

Our Leaning Wall Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/13/2016 - 14:59

I followed your plans, with the exception of the computer desk. I mede it just a bit deeper, 1.5" or so. If I were to do this again, I think I'd go a little deeper still, maybe.  Anyway, great design.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modern farmhouse side table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/29/2020 - 06:22

My first project since getting a miter saw! I'm so proud of how they turned out. We needed sturdy side tables so our toddler can't pull them down onto herself & these fit the bill. I dont have a brad nailer so had to pound in the nails by hand, which made it take a lot longer.... overall for me was a week & a half long project with 2 littles to care for at the same time. I used walnut stain, 2 coats. Can't wait to do another project!

Estimated Cost
$150 (for 2)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
walnut stain two coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Eagle Scout Project - 6 Outdoor Garden Benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/17/2024 - 07:53

We found your great plans and site online.  My son, Michael made 6 Garden Benches for his Eagle Scout Service Project and donated them to the local Master Gardener’s Association.

They turned out beautiful!

Thank you for sharing your plans. We’re looking forward to building more of your projects!

The Taylors

Built from Plan(s)

Reclaimed-Wood Headboard, Queen Size

You can't tell in the pictures but the frame where the bolts are supposed to be barely touch the legs on the headboard. I have a standard queen bed on a standard queen frame, but it's just a bit too wide to bolt the frame to the headboard. I also had to take about 8 inches off the original plans because of the window the bed is under. Measure, measure, measure.

Get straight wood. The straighter, the better.

I used standard finishing nails and liquid nails glue to hold it. I didn't need to break out the Kreg Jig as the original plan stated.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I made my own finish using steel wool in vinegar. This is what took the most time.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sewing/cutting table

Submitted by drc3924 on Thu, 06/19/2014 - 19:53

This has become my dream sewing/craft desk!! This project took about a week from start to finish (with work days in between). The shorter portion of the desk is used for my machine and sewing. The taller portion is used as a cutting table. The plans (dimensions) were tweaked some to get the perfect heights for me :).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
After sanding I painted 1 coat of interior primer the about 2-3 coats of mint flat interior paint. I decided not to add a clear coat just because I wanted to use my amazing desk ASAP!!!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

tamaralyn79

Wed, 03/25/2015 - 06:31

Your desk is GORGEOUS!!!! It's exactly what I've been looking to build for my space. I would love to know how you modified the plan to make it.

TaylorMade1205

Wed, 03/25/2015 - 07:23

I also wanted to comment on the thread shelf you build, that is really awesome, you can see all your colors right in front of you. Mine are in a drawer and I have to pull the whole thing out to see what I need. This is really giving me ideas.

kchess

Fri, 09/04/2015 - 08:45

Would you please send the plan instructions (with measurments).  It is perfect for me as I sew and embrodery both and have two machines.  

Lilia's Dresser and Nightstand

Submitted by EngrTodd1 on Sun, 09/18/2016 - 08:34

I made this dresser and nightstand for my oldest daughter when we moved her into her "big girl" room, as we were expecting a second daughter who would take the nursery.  I ended up modifying the design a bit with the side panels to have them more closely replicate the multi-layered look of the actual Pottery Barn dresser.  I wanted to add a nightstand to have another matching piece for more storage.  I ended up taking some average dimensions from other kid's nightstands online and designed and built it in the same style and manner as the dresser.

 

The overall project took WAY more time than i thought it would but I'm very happy with the way it turned out. This was the first time that I used a router to cut grooves in the drawer box pieces to slide in and lock the drawer bottom in place.  Also, this was my crash course with an HVLP sprayer as well.  Hopefully, these pieces will be able to handle all of the abuse my 3 year old daughter will surely give them.  Thanks to Ana for the wonderful plans!  Also, thank you to Ed for his detailed write-up on his modifications, http://www.edhart.me/2015/05/how-to-build-a-kendal-extra-wide-dresser/.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$600 for both dresser and nightstand
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Zinsser BIN Shellac based primer.

Rust-Oleum Satin White Enamel Paint top coat.

Applied with Rockler HVLP sprayer.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Modified Hailey Platform Bed

Submitted by amjoear on Mon, 08/27/2012 - 16:54

Our first building project and couldn't be happier with the outcome!

My husband and I were in the market for a new bed frame, but nothing in the shops were what we were looking for. We discussed making it. I came across these plans (http://ana-white.com/2012/01/plans/hailey-platform-bed) and off we went! The headboard was something we "designed" on our own (we did not work off any plans). We wanted something simple and functional.
We started from scratch .... had to buy tools, wood conditioner, stain, etc. But unbelievably thrilled with the outcome (and cost)
It is a very sturdy and heavy bed, something that is great for use, but may cause some issues when we move .... ;)

I did not include the time needed to dry, only the time it took to get items/measure/cut/build/assemble.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Approx. $300 (includes all tools needed, wood, stain, etc.)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Premium Wood Stain
*conditioned, stained, top coat (glossy), once over with sandpaper (220 very fine with handheld sanding block), second application of top coat
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Hallway Table

Submitted by DawnB on Sun, 06/22/2014 - 22:51

Turns out this plan was made for this random spot in our hallway! I used leftover butcher block for the top.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King Headboard

We used these instructions for this project. This is for our king size bed. We used premium pine wood from Lowe's and Home Depot. The boards weren't 100% perfect, so on the back side we had to attached a piece of wood vertically and centered to straighten them out. For the stain we used Minwax Honey 272 and applied a coat of polyurethane (clear satin). 

Estimated Cost
$500 (remember, this is for a king size bed)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Honey 272
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

When you follow directions and plans..

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/04/2020 - 05:54

Followed Ana’s plans down to the measurements. Didn’t have a brad nailer, so I attached the 1x4 sides with 3/4in pocket holes and 1 1/4in PH screws. Additionally used trim screws and 1 1/4 finish nails throughout it for places I couldn’t put a PH. Plan on getting four more brackets for the bottom half, like the top. Very proud of myself.
Stained the legs, top, and base before completely assembling them.

Estimated Cost
$35 (without tools and screws)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Briarsmoke. Three coats of Satin finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ten Dollar Ledges for Books

What a quick easy project!!

I bought 8 ft long boards....and was able to make a 3 ft shelf and a 5ft shelf with each set. (The 5 foot shelves are going in my bedroom for photos...I'll be finishing those up this week!)

I hung these (3 foot) book shelves behind my daughter's bedroom door....so I adjusted the 1x4's to 1x2's....that way the door can open all the way and not bump in to them. A perfect fit for usually wasted space!

I staggered the shelves in my daughters room, so some taller books could stand up on the sides. She LOVES them!!

~Don't mind all the other chaos in the photos....that is all my daughter's "projects". She's a doer- like her Mama! =)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $3 per shelf (since I used the remaining wood on other projects)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I didn't even stain/paint these. They look adorable just bare wood!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Repurposed Pallet Dinning Room Table

This was done entirely with thrown out pallets. Lots of work and sweat but I love it! Used polystain as the finish. Only spent about $30 in supplies ie screws, nails, stain.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Girls' room

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/25/2016 - 15:32

From selecting wood and staining, it took about a weekend to build and an additional weekend for finishing. It's stained with Minwax  classic grey and protected with three coats of poly. Recommend only using 0000 steel wool between poly coats, as sandpaper took off the stain. Also modified ladder and safety rails. For smaller space, it works great! Build cost came in as expected. I used a Kreg Jig and flush screw plugs. Great project! Best I was able to find after an exhaustive online search. Keep up the good work!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stain plus polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Great plans!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/06/2020 - 07:34

These plans were great. Easy to put together and they look quite amazing. And they are solid! Bought cushions from IKEA and the wood from Home Depot. Stained and sealed.

Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr stain and seal
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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