Community Brag Posts

Modern Comfort Outdoor Sofa

Submitted by LinzFritz on Fri, 09/09/2011 - 18:45

I built this sofa in one day, and painted it the next! I procrastinated all summer, and now that it's almost fall I decided to finally build it so that I could relax on the sofa in the back yard for the last month of nice weather here in Winnipeg. The plans were fantastic, the only problem I had was finding 24x24 cushions. The closest I could find were 22x22, so I adjusted the plans accordingly. It turned out well but I prefer it without the back cushions because that way there's more lounging room. Thank you so much for the plans!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum glossy white outdoor paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

SingleMomThriving

Mon, 09/12/2011 - 08:56

Good idea to look for the cushions first and adjust accordingly. I love the color you chose to... works very well with the white sofa and warm wood deck. I agree that it is more inviting without the back pillows... That way you can see the wonderful detail of the back

karisaija

Tue, 05/12/2020 - 11:30

Beautiful!
I am so confused. Multiple people who have built this mention Ana's being 24 x 24. I can not find any plans for 2 x 4 sofa or couch with 24 x 24" cushions. I have spent days searching the interwebs.....

Seasonal And Holiday

My Very First Project

I modified one of the cubby book shelves for storing my sewing machine, altered the plan to have only 1 drawer since it will be against the wall and added dowel pegs to the drawer to hold thread spools.
This was very challenging but well worth it. I am excited because I was able to make this. Thank you!

Estimated Cost
$320
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Wood stain and enamel paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

deskchairnow

Tue, 10/08/2013 - 02:53

My first project was really very tough. When we work on raw furniture or old home furniture, then we should take care about the damage of our important or valuable furniture items. It is really very exciting and good feeling time for all beginners.

Kentwood Bed

Submitted by jbolson21 on Mon, 12/14/2015 - 07:30

Kentwood bed 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
cabinet coat white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Craftsman Style Toy Shelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/04/2019 - 19:41

These were such a gratifying project to build! Used a 1x4” for the top front frame and cut a curve in it to give a Craftsman vibe. I really like the look of the retired IKEA Norna bookcase and that inspired the 2x2” framed base painted in a contrasting color. I also finished the top with a full 1x2” frame with mitered corners to make it look more “finished.” If I were to do it again, I’d cut the top plywood shorter to create less overhang on the sides. Eventually I’d like to paint a design in white paint on the top!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Pretreated with strong black tea, steel wool & vinegar stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Smart Simple Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/29/2022 - 04:31

Built this workbench and added some casters from Rockler Woodworking. Also added a power strip for convenience and a handle made from black pipe parts that I had in the garage. I also added a sheet of masonite to the top that I can replace if needed.

Comments

Pet Kennel

Submitted by ecsorah on Sat, 09/17/2011 - 13:13

My dog is very scared of thunderstorms and was always trying to find the a place that she could hide, which was usually under my desk. I decided to build her the pet kennel so that she could have her own hiding spot.

This was my first project and I definitely learned a lot in the process. I learned how to use my kreg jig and that I much prefer using a hand saw over a power saw. I also learned about accent bases. This project probably took longer than it should have but it was my first! The husband and I are very pleased with it (and he can't believe that I enjoyed the hand saw so much!)

Sorry for the poor picture qualities, we have not finished unpacking yet...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around $60 ( I had a few things)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Outside - Oops paint - Glidden Accent base red delicious;
Inside - Oops paint - Sherwin Williams - light beige color don't remember name;
Oil Rubbed bronze Rustoleum spray paint on the hardware
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

loniwolfe

Mon, 09/19/2011 - 16:57

Great job! And I love how you painted it, it really pops! I've been wanting to build this for our dog, and let it double as a bedside table. Any suggestions or things to watch out for in the process?

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 09/20/2011 - 11:27

Thank you for the compliments!

What I learned in making this was when suing the kreg jig, not too much pressure or it will split the wood. I also learned about the importance of predrilling. Make sure you check for square and remember (because i didn't) that the plans don't include a bottom! I had previously made my dog a bed that I had stuffed with two old standard sized pillows and it fit perfectly in the bottom!

AmusingMJ's Fancy X-Leg Farmhouse Table

Submitted by amusingmj on Mon, 09/30/2013 - 05:58

We built a dining room table for some of my best friends. It was our first table build and a year later it is still beautiful! If you want to see a few 'in progress' pictures check out my blogpost on it at www.amusingmj.com/dining-room-table

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Works well painted too!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/18/2015 - 04:21

Came together so well. Thanks to Ana and pneumatic addict for tips and plans

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint varathane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Pallet Inspired Coat Rack

Submitted by thehallway on Sat, 02/09/2019 - 15:33

I built the coat rack along with the mail sorter and rustic bench for the long hallway to the garage since our new house doesn't have a mud room. I modified it to a length of 6'.  All but a couple pieces are made from poplar.  I burnt the stained pieces with a torch, then put a quick coat of Special Walnut on them.  The painted pieces are Rustoleum Weathered Wood.  Hooks are from Home Depot.

Estimated Cost
<$100 due to already have wood on hand
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I burnt the stained pieces with a propane torch, then put a quick coat of Special Walnut on them.  The painted pieces are Rustoleum Weathered Wood. The mail sorter has Chalkboard Paint on the front pieces.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dress up Center

Submitted by Kassidy_D on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 21:19

Made it smaller to better fit my daughter's room.

Comments

Finally!

Submitted by mhob209 on Fri, 09/23/2011 - 15:29

After looking at this for way too long, I finally bit the bullet and built this table. It really wasn't difficult and it's so awesome having a side table on wheels! The stenciling made it a little extra work, but I love the added details.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

dress up station

Ive made a couple of these dress up stations now, for presents for my daughters friends. I plan to make her one next!
Plenty of room for storing all their fancy dress items :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
wallpaper and paint, rubber lace lining for the shelves, wooden ball feet, decals, mirror, name, hooks
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4' tall reading lamp

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/21/2015 - 12:09

I made this 4' tall reading lamp by modifying the adjustable height bolt bar stool plans. I had to modify most of the measurements on the fly but I think it turned out well! It's a bit too cold here to stain it, so I'll do that (and tuck the cord away nicely) in the springtime. Love this site! So many great ideas and plans to be found. I recommend it to friends all of the time!

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Krafty Kimmys Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/16/2019 - 17:02

My wife, Krafty Kimmy Paperkrafts, needed a shelf to place in her booth at a local store. Obviously made out of pine, I burned and stained it for her. This weekend I'm making a ladder shelf to match.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Burning and Minwax Golden Oak stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Lisa's 2x4 couch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 19:29

This was the first time I made a piece of furniture since I was in grade 8 shop class and it won't be the last. It was so kuch fun. I modified the plans slightly to have the back a bit higher. Love it!

Built from Plan(s)

Modern Craft Table :)

I loved this project the minute I saw it. I was using a cheap'o little computer desk that had metal legs and a prefab top for my craft table, I knew how much better my craft room would look with this as well as how much more functional it would be!
The desk went together rather quickly after all the wood was cut, Assembly time was maybe 1-2 hours.
I love it! Now how to finish it....

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
120.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet :)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

hoffer5353

Tue, 10/04/2011 - 12:07

That looks great!
That was the first project that I really wanted to do. I haven't had a chance to do it yet but it is on my "to do" list for sure!
Can't wait to see how you choose to finish it!

Spanish Cedar X Base Farmhouse Table with Zinc Top

After craving a zinc-topped X base farmhouse table for our new house's large outdoor space for a while, but not wanting to spend upwards of $1k on one, I asked my husband (T) to build me one as my Christmas present last year. It took us a couple of months to get it done (very spread out over weekends) but I love the result.

I found the plans here for an X base table exactly like the one I had been lusting after, and googling around found several sets of instructions on how to fabricate metal countertops. We ordered the zinc from rotometals.com, and visited our local Woodworkers Source to find a suitable wood. I didn't want to use cheap lumber for a number of reasons.
1. I want the table to be around a very long time, and didn't want to have to stain it over and over
2. I was looking for a high end result that would only look better with wear and tear, which I knew couldn't be achieved with stained cheap framing wood
3. I had heard bad things about how wood wear outside in AZ, and though this is on a covered porch, we didn't want to spend hours making something only for it to fall apart.

We chose a Spanish Cedar, which the helpful guy at WWS suggested as one of a couple of good options. They squared the wood for us and cut it to the exact widths we needed, so T only had to cut to the lengths needed.

Once we were done with the frame, We used a sheet of MDF on a frame of pine to thicken the edges of the top, and wrapped the zinc around this.

We aren't DIY novices but this is the first piece of 'furniture' we have ever built.

We haven't sealed the zinc yet - I want it to patina more before I consider that. I have given the table one coat of oil (no colour) and it's performing wonderfully several months in.

Thanks Ana!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 10/04/2013 - 05:06

Love the mod to this with the zinc top. Beautifully done!

katie0910

Tue, 10/15/2013 - 20:58

I love your table! I live in AZ as well and I would love to build an outdoor table, so thanks for the suggestion of Spanish cedar. I will keep that in mind when we finally are ready to build one.

Above Toilet Cabinet

Submitted by Smokeydog on Thu, 12/24/2015 - 12:58

I built this above toilet cabinet for my son and his wife for Christmas. They moved into a new house and wanted this additional storage space.  Turned out pretty good!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$135.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
BEHR Satin Paint with primer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/23/2019 - 07:56

Used 4x4's for the legs to make it more "beefy" and therefore had to add an extra 2x6 on top. Also used a 2x4 for the upper side trip instead of 2x2. Used a dark walnut stain and several coats of clear gloss polyurethane.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 for the wood, ~$20 for other materials (i.e. screws, sandpaper, stain, poly, wood glue, adhesive felt pads under the feet, etc).
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain; Clear Gloss Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2023 - 11:35

This was so much fun to build. I couldn’t decide on a finish, so I used three different ones.
Thanks for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments