Planters
Cedar planter boxes made largely from fence pickets.
Built from Plan(s)
Community Brag Posts
Modified Apothecary Media Unit
We started this project when Young House Love agreed that I should paint the old, dated brick wall. Then we bought new couches. Then we needed a TV stand, and a coffee table to match.
This started out a project for me. I was in love with those 16 little drawers. My husband .. not so much. I saw a way to secure all my stuff from my soon to be crawling little one. Hubs saw 16 little blocks. So, after it was all done, we tore off the drawer faces, and started over.
I decided to not to do the doors. I was too worried about baby smashing her fingers, or me tripping over them and breaking the hinges, so we went with bins. They have a metal frame for durability, but are wrapped in a durable canvas to make them safe for baby. They’re a perfect fit for the center, and the feet side effortlessly across the paint. (There’s no polyurethane on mine yet!)
Extra Info:
The smaller baskets are from Target. ($12 for both)
The large baskets are from the Container Store. ($20 each)
Lumber was from Lowes of Streetboro, OH. (About $80)
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100, w/o accessories
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The blue paint is Olympic's Lava Grey ($16 @ Lowe's)
The stain: "mistint" Autumn Harvest (.49 cents @ Lowe's!)
The knobs are from Ikea (Elizabeth, NY). ($17)
The stain: "mistint" Autumn Harvest (.49 cents @ Lowe's!)
The knobs are from Ikea (Elizabeth, NY). ($17)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Kid's country bench
This was my first building project from scratch! I have modified some thrift store finds, but this was the first from lumber. I learned to countersink! I was amazed at how easy this was, and I'm so excited that this bench will sit by our front door for my three boys to perch on when they put on or take off their shoes. I went with 3 cubbies to hold three pairs of shoes. It also works great for a couple of kids to sit on at the table for when we have guests and need some spare seating.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oak stain (one coat) and polyurethane (2 coats).
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Entertainment Console with Barn Doors
This was an easy project. It turned out great. I made my own hardware from using the video on Shanty 2 Chic website. That's for posting the plans.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Classic Grey stain and Dark walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Liberty Wall Art
When Ana posted plans for this I immediately fell in love with it. I had a friend visiting, and I thought this would be a great project for us to do together.
A lot of time spent on this project was taking apart pallets, not an easy job. My poor friend did that part, she is great! I think the old pallets really made this look as good as it does, they were already so rustic.
The pallets were free and collecting free pallets was an adventure of it's own. I found a large piece of particle board in the depot's scrap bin for 51 cents! Can't beat that.
Estimated Cost
cost of paint
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I chose paint samples from the depot and had them mixed in the cheapest paint they had, which was Glidden. I just got the flat.
I used a drybrush technique to let some of the wood texture show through.
I had to cut out my own stencils to get the stars just right, but I love how it turned out.
I used a drybrush technique to let some of the wood texture show through.
I had to cut out my own stencils to get the stars just right, but I love how it turned out.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Modern Adirondack Chairs
Modern Adirondack Chairs
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum Spray Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
My 3rd build off this site
I modified the dimensions slightly and opted to not mount the fold down doors as I figured they would always be open anyway. I built this mostly from solid red oak save for the bottom panel and the middle panel, which are plywood. I crafted the top out of 5 pieces tongue and grooved with mitred corners on the front. I also tongue and grooved the doors with glass insets. I finished it in Minwax red cedar under poly.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax red cedar
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Farmhouse Dining Room Table
We needed a large dining room table for our space and couldn't find one we liked that didn't cost a fortune. We adjusted the plans to make the table 9 feet long. Also, around the edge of the table we added a 1.5 inch frame.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Espresso stain on top, Light Navajo White paint on base, and Water based Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Rustic tables
We were in the need of a set of tables for our living room
Thanks to Ana, I was able to make two coffee tables, a center table and a console table as well
Built from Plan(s)
Storage bench/ coffee table
The storage bench/ coffee table, customized for a small room to hold my son's lap top, and game controllers.
I cut it down from 48" to 36" and it worked great!
Estimated Cost
40.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax goldon oak with 3 coats of poly clear satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Bunk Beds with a Maine Cottage twist
I built these bunk beds for my almost-10 year old twins this spring! These were modified from the Side Street Bunk Bed plans to accommodate the longer Twin XL mattresses. I took inspiration from the Maine Cottage bunk bed collection for the end panels of the beds, and added furniture feet as finials on each post. It was a fun build, but pretty time intensive as I built both sets at the same time. This was my first major build.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar premium paint+primer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Becca trunk
I adjusted the measurements to make it longer and wider. I also looked the original Pottery Barn trunk and tried to copy the multi color finish. I had so much fun building this!
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
stain and paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Comments
In reply to This is truly gorgeous! by Ana White
Tue, 04/28/2015 - 12:05
Thank you, Ana! Your comment
Thank you, Ana! Your comment means a lot to me! =-)
Tue, 04/28/2015 - 12:07
The handles are from Ace
The handles are from Ace hardware--I had to spray them antique bronze since they only had them in silver. I stained the trunk is dark walnut from minwax and then used diluted paint in barn red and teal to spread some color here and there. Finished with some polyurethane in satin (spray). That's it!
Tue, 12/25/2018 - 19:42
Hinges
I don't know if you will check the comments on this brag post since you posted almost 3 years ago, but I'm also curious about the hinges to use. I have watched some youtube videos that show how to chisel out a space for the hinge, but I know there must be an easier way and an easier hinge to put on this box.
Thanks so much ,
Apryl
Outdoor Sofa from 2x4s for RYOBI Nation
We've been wanting to tackle some outdoor furniture for a while and finally took advantage of a coupon to get a bunch of outdoor cushions. With a big mound of cushions taking up space, we had to force ourselves to get to it. We spent more time talking about cushion and stain colors then it actually took to cut and screw it together. This is a great solid project to start with. Don't be intimidated by it. We can't wait to start on some chairs to go with it.
Estimated Cost
The cushions are from atHome. It's hard to say exactly because we bought a lot of them (for some upcoming projects) when we had a 20% off coupon. For these three sets and accent pillows, probably $125. Probably $25-30 for the lumber. $29 for a gallon of Behr deck coating (used maybe 1/4of it). $9 for a box of deckmate screws (used 75% of them).
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Deckplus solid color waterproofing wood stain in cordovan brown.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Bathroom cabinet with epoxy counter
This is my first bathroom cabinet. I'm a beginner in this carpentry thing. And using the plans to create the Cabinet I was able to do it
Comments
Danielle's Shoe Crates
We went a little crazy bringing pallets home once I got the idea that we could build something so cool and functional out of only a small amount of new lumber! We've had these about 6 months now and they still look great and serve our family in a very real and functional way! My boys have been WONDERFUL about keeping all their shoes in their crates!
Estimated Cost
About $10 per cart
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Just lots of sanding and Mod Podge to seal the customizations!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Patio Table with Built-in Beer/Wine Coolers
I stumbled on this site a while back as I was looking for ideas for an enclosure for my grill. I decided that my current table was fine, but found a TON of great ideas here on this site.
This patio table was first on my list. We enjoy having people over and I really like the built in coolers. We've started using our patio so much more already now that we have a good place to sit.
I modified the plans slightly: Extended the table so that we could fit up to 8 people, used 4x4's for the legs instead of 2x4's, and added a hole in the middle for an umbrella.
I need to build a couple benches (the chairs are a little low). That's the next project on the list!
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
probably about $90 for wood, screws, stain, and planter boxes
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I finished with BEHR Premium Weatherproofing Wood Stain - Semi-Transparent, Drift Gray.
Two light coats. Used a synthetic brush for the first coat, then I lightly sanded w/220 grit and applied second coat the following day with a pad.
I'm not sure if this was the right way to go. I wanted something that would hold up to the elements, but have read several reviews about peeling etc. after I already applied it. I guess we'll see.
Two light coats. Used a synthetic brush for the first coat, then I lightly sanded w/220 grit and applied second coat the following day with a pad.
I'm not sure if this was the right way to go. I wanted something that would hold up to the elements, but have read several reviews about peeling etc. after I already applied it. I guess we'll see.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Comments
Tue, 05/28/2013 - 17:02
Thanks!
Yes, I added the extra 2x6's to each end and extended the skirt about 6 inches to help bear the weight.
It's wide enough for us so far. If you were planning on setting the table with a lot of extra food you might want to widen it or you can just keep one side covered.
Tue, 05/28/2013 - 17:02
Thanks!
Yes, I added the extra 2x6's to each end and extended the skirt about 6 inches to help bear the weight.
It's wide enough for us so far. If you were planning on setting the table with a lot of extra food you might want to widen it or you can just keep one side covered.
Mon, 06/10/2013 - 14:11
Grill Enclosure
Did you create your own plans for the grill enclosure? I think it's great! We have an old Weber grill and it would be ice to have it as a back-up for foods that we want cooked over charcoal rather than gas. This dresses it up a bit. :)
GOOD JOB!
Thu, 06/13/2013 - 11:55
I'm loving the idea but am
I'm loving the idea but am curious about the melting ice....dripping, clean up, etc....Would it be possible to drill a hole and put a plug in?
Sat, 01/23/2016 - 18:50
Really Great Table
Ryan, fantastic job. I am for sure going to mirror everything you did here. I also want to make it a bit wider so we can fit a few more folks around it. Do you have to have the additional measurements that you implemented?
Thanks, Matt
Farmhouse King Bed
First project my husband and me attempted- turned out awesome! Very sturdy bed. The metal frame and box springs are not attached, it just sits inside the wood rails, headboard and footboard. We worked on this a few hours at a time on Saturdays and Sundays for one month since we work full time. Definitely more projects to come!
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex primer and latex white from Sherwin Williams
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Comments
Tryde Coffee Table
I love this site! This is my second build. I started this project one weekend and came back to it to finish. Unfortunately, two of the boards bowed by the time I got back to it the next weekend; so, I added imperfections of mine own and give it a rustic look!
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60 for lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Varathane weathered grey stain and poly semi-gloss for the top. For the bottom, I used Varathane ebony stain and poly semi-gloss. I went with these because our couches are black on the bottom and grey on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Simple Garage Shelving
Easy, fast and affordable garage shelving!
Built from Plan(s)
Painted Modern Farm Bench
I built this bench the day before Thanksgiving. I used scrap 2x6's left over from building our son's bunk bed. I shortened the plan to 43 1/2" total length to fit my space and accommodate the boards I had. The top of the bench is 4- 2x6 boards instead of a 1x12 board. The legs are 2x4's instead of 2x6's. I wood puttied all screw holes, sanded, painted 2 coats of Behr's decorator white, and applied 3 coats of Polycrylic.
After using it over the last few months I have noticed some of the pine knots have bled a little yellow into my finish. If I were to do it again, I would prime all knots with Zinsser cover all primer.
We really enjoy this bench and are happy with how it turned out. Although unfinished at the time, our Thanksgiving guests were impressed that I could whip out a bench by myself. Thanks Ana!
Estimated Cost
scrap wood, screws on hand, paint on hand, 1 qt. polycrylic on sale $8
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats Behr satin paint and primer in one, Decorator White and 3 coats satin Polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Comments
Ana White Admin
Tue, 10/05/2021 - 11:09
Love the cedar planters!
Wonderful way to dress up the yard, those look amazing, thank you for sharing!