Community Brag Posts

Hannahs Barbie house

My wife wanted me to make this. The frame was meant to be coated in polyurethane but as the wood did not look the best, i painted it. I think the colours work quite well.
The stairs are different, i wanted something unique for those.
My daughter loved it as it was a birthday present for her.
The project took about 3 weeks in the evenings after work for a couple of hours most days.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint, Polyurethane, Wallpaper
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Project Complete!

Here is my patio sectional made of 2x4s. Used my Kreg Jig for the first time to complete this project. I used pocket holes in as many places as possible, then finished it with two coats of leftover fence stain and two coats of semi-gloss outdoor Varathane spar urethane for a nice sheen. I modified the dimensions to fit the cushions that my wife purchased before I began the project. I made the back substantially taller to support the cushions and left the arms off of both ends of the sectional so people could sit facing sideways too. I left the corner of the sectional without a cushion so people would have a place to set drinks.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Two coats of Behr transperent weatherproofing all in one wood finish stain in "chocolate" (leftover from our fence) and two coats clear semi-gloss outdoor varathane spar urethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Workshop Now in Session!

Submitted by Ahlinn3 on Thu, 01/25/2018 - 18:46

Easy instructions and simple design. One cart houses table saw, and the other I plan to make a router table. I did make a slight modification in design by adding T-nuts and 5/16” bolts for feet. (My shop floor is crowned). I also used 3/4” melamine white panels for table tops. Difficult to work with but cheaper and has a smooth surface. (Be careful using for structural parts due to glue not impregnating through melamine) 

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Farmhouse King size bed frame

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/19/2022 - 08:00

Found the plans on your site for Farmhouse bed frame, thank you!

Made a spectacular Christmas gift for Hubby!
I ended up buying a few more pieces of 1x6 as I opted not to waste the 4x4 posts, and added 14” height to the headboard and 7” height to the footboard.

I actually forgot about my lights on the wall, so what to do? Drilled holes in the headboard and wired them through! Love opportunity solving! 😂👍🏼

I should’ve moved the Hopechest for the photo, but you get the idea. Next project, matching side tables!

Comments

Pottery Barn Benches with X Table...Modified

Submitted by AJW on Thu, 05/19/2011 - 13:18

Pottery Barn Bench: Length Modified and utilized 2-1x6s for seat. X Table: Length Modified, utilized a 6x6 for the stretcher and drilled a hole through both the 1 top material and 6x6 stretcher beam. Holds the Pottery Barn umbrella real well. All made of Cedar and painted for good measure. Everything counter sunk and plugged, sanded to high heavy and ready to last.

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Oil based primer with 2 coats of acrylic over top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Built two queen sized farmhouse beds for my daughters.

Submitted by bh2469 on Sat, 07/13/2013 - 13:11

Decided to build beds for my two daughters. We went with two queen sized farmhouse beds that I hope they can keep with them for a very long time. I used joist hangers and attached the head board and foot board so that they could be disassembled easily for moves. The beds came out great and I painted them using Chalk Paint. The project took about three weekends to complete.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sandbox with benches

Submitted by nananana on Fri, 07/10/2015 - 13:18

This sandbox has been around for some time BUT it is still a great project to build The plans were simple to follow and would be an excellent project for beginners. We built this for our grandson and future grandbaby. Was easy to complete in one day, including painting

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Estimated cost was $75.00 including the wood, hinges and paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We used a flat exterior paint. paint color was Cool Bamboo. We put on two coats to preserve the wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Square rustic X coffee table

Submitted by Borknard on Tue, 01/30/2018 - 06:54

I wanted a square coffee table, so I adjusted the Rustic X Coffee Table plans to fit my dimensions.  The table top is 38.5 by 38.5.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$90.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane quick drying dark walnut stain.
First coat of varnish was spray on shellac, then 2 coats of wipe-on poly.
After the poly was cured, I rubbed it down with 0000 fine steel wool and wax then buffed it out after the wax dried.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Shaker Style Cabinet Redo for Laundry Room Renovation

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/28/2022 - 19:02

This was my first time being involved in a renovation. At our last house, my husband (who works in trim carpentry) did all the work to my decor instructions. This time I wanted to be involved and do the work alongside him. Using Ana White's instructions we were able to reface our laundry room cabinet to be the shaker style cabinet that I love. Keeping with a modern theme, we painted it black. I've included the before and after photos of the cabinet as well as the cabinet in context to the entire laundry room that was renovated. It came out awesome. Thankful for all of her helpful posts.

Comments

Doll Picnic Table

Submitted by dhrider33 on Sun, 05/22/2011 - 18:09

My 10 yr old son and 8 year old daughter really loved helping make this for their cousin. They've never been so excited to give a gift!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~ $15 ... although I had various scrap wood laying around from other projects
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded / Primed / Painted
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Noah's Shelf

Submitted by LadyBird on Sun, 07/14/2013 - 20:49

My son is three and loves animals. His collection of animals keeps growing. They were originally sitting on his toy chest. This made things difficult because we could not use his toy chest storage. He liked having all his animals lined up. So I thought I would build him some shelves. But something cool and fun for a little boy with a growing animal collection. So I set out to build the Noah's ark. It didn't take me a hundred years but I kind of know how Noah felt because we messed up and had to rebuild. There was supposed to be sides with a drop down bridge so he could load his animals on to the arc. It was supposed to be attached by hinges and have a latch to hold it up. My husband and I are beginners at cutting wood and were unable to make the proper cuts. So we decided to go without sides. If anyone does this arc with the drop down side please let me know. I would love to see it like I originally imagined it. I first set out to make it 4 feet long but after building it and messing up some of our wood; I thought my son will need a bigger arc. The final product is 5feet long at the top and 3 feet at the base. I used 6 inch wide base because we have baseboards close to that wide. The shelf width is 10 inch. I would recommend attaching to a wall. I used some left over railings I had from another project. You can buy them at a hardware store. I was going to stain it but did not have the time. So we painted it. I used dowel rods for the roof and glued them on.

Estimated Cost
$50-$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin dark brown paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

An heirloom for the youngest grandson

I used 5 inch wheels  as I wanted the wagon to sit a little higher. http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-polyurethane-heavy-duty-swivel-caster-69852.html and http://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-polyurethane-heavy-duty-rigid-caster-61757.html    We bought these metal pieces for the straps http://www.lowes.com/pd_44138-37672-11662    Our Lowes didn't have snow blower parts in July. But we were able to find a shear pin  in the draawers where much of their specialty hardware connectors are located.  . I opted to screw everything together and not use nails.  Thanks so much for plans that include a seperate shopping list and cutting list and easy to follow directions.  The wagon was a huge hit with the birthday boy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$69
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
The body of the wagon was finished with homemade chalk paint. The metal pieces were spray painted in black satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Benchmark Media Console

Our version of the Benchmark Media console. We shortened the width to accommodate our space, and decided to do 4 doors instead of two. Had some trouble with them not being square, might redo the doors if we get around to building the matching bookcases, but it's not something I can't live with for now. Used General Finishes light brown dye stain, followed by GF shaker maple water based stain, GF Pitch black glaze, and Endurovar satin.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250 (not quite sure, but think the wood was around $150, plus screws, hinges, hardware and finishing supplies)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes light brown dye stain, Shaker Maple, Pitch Black glaze, Endurovar satin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Convertible benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 13:43

We love these benches! We actually just leave one of them in bench form and the other in table form for everyday use.

Comments

Planked headboard

I love how the stain turned out on this one. Super simple project!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained it dark walnut and then sealed it with three coats of matte polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

yurra-bazain

Wed, 07/17/2013 - 09:56

I just clicked over to your blog, Autumn. I wanted to comment on your "Never ever" post, as I never thought I'd be building furniture and blogging about it, either. I live in Hawai'i as well, although I was born and raised here. =D I've added you to my bloglovin' list to keep track of your posts. Malama pono!

Ash Trestle Table with benches

Submitted by Bbova on Sat, 07/18/2015 - 19:40

The Ash for this table was sitting at a friends house out in a field for years. There were several 8/4 x 8' boards with various widths laying in the dirt. After many hours of planning and sanding I brought the Ash back to life. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Mix of Min Wax stains applied 3 light coats with a Waterbased poly (matte finish).
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Kentwood Bookshelf

I had a few days a week to work on this project.  I needed to modify them by the following:

Size was 92" H x 47" W x 14" D.  I had two football helmet cases to place on these shelves and they had big cases above the standards shelf size.  The top of the case did not overlap the project.  I cut it to size.  I used Cherry Stain and did not varnish it.  I am not a fan.  One thing I would change is the wood.  I would have paid double for the premium select wood so that I know it is cut straight. 

This was my first project and it didn't turn out bad.  I never used the Kreg, but I think I became a pro after this one.  I would recommend going out and buying all the size pocket screws and have them on hand.  Also, buy the vises that you will need.  Trust me, they will come in handy.  I hate having to drive back to the store for things I should have had. 

Overall, I paid about 240 for the wood.  Since I only had the Kreg and no screws, I ended up shelling out a lot of money for the big buckets of screws and vises.  Total for the both came out to about 350, from wood stack to finish.  I would have paid more for one smaller piece at a store. 

Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cherry Stain. Did not use any finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/14/2022 - 10:09

Built this exactly from your plans. Used aged barrel for stain. I love it!!!!

Comments

Sewing Table for small spaces

I loaded this project months ago, but somehow it was removed I believe during one of the websit updates. So far in my wife's crafting life she generally cuts things out on the floor. It's not so good. Our dining room table is usually covered in food or playdough so she generally just spreads things out on the floor. I realized how much she needed a table, and armed with new power tools from Christmas and my birthday, I set out to make me a crafting table. This was my first project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax blue rub on stain and sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by camilton on Thu, 07/18/2013 - 12:07

First attempt at a project and I have to say I am pretty proud! It may not be perfect but I think the imperfections give it some character. I used a dark walnut stain and finished with poly two coats.

Estimated Cost
125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner