Community Brag Posts

Simple Outdoor Bench

Submitted by gabdannad on Fri, 10/25/2013 - 14:51

I had to modify the plans. The Size is 14" x 48". I also added a shelf at the bottom for shoes. Can't wait to replace the ugly shoe rack at the front door with this! I also used 1 x 4's for the apron. I found 1"x4"x14' at homedepot for only 3.40per piece!! So I was able to build this for less than $15. The wood has more knots than the other 1 x 4's, but if you look thru you can find some good pieces. I'm going to use this same wood to build the outdoor sectional too.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
14
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/08/2016 - 11:41

I took this picture prior to putting the lower shelf pieces on. Never got around to taking one after.

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

Farmhouse Table and Benches

Submitted by nichole6 on Mon, 11/14/2011 - 06:45

We built this Farmhouse table in a week. Unfortunately, we didn't get it completely put together for four months. Now it is finished. It is our first project. We used pine and fir boards from our local lumber store. It is finished with red chestnut and dark walnut stain and then a couple coats of briwax dark walnut (love that stuff!!). The table is 96" and pictured here without the 15" bread boards that go on either end. The benches are 8' as well.

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Red Chestnut and Dark Walnut Stain and Briwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

wannabee

Sat, 05/24/2014 - 01:12

I loved your stain. I see you used two types of wood and two types of stain. Can you tell me more? Did you alternate the wood pieces? Did you stain the red chestnut first and followed it with dark walnut? I'll probably copy what you did :)

Garden Bench

Submitted by monster on Sun, 10/27/2013 - 14:48

This bench is HUGE! I think I should have scaled it back. It was fun to make, though. Thanks for the plans :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Caleb's Yeti Tower

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/11/2016 - 17:38

This was easily the most elegant and functional tower design I found on the internet and it does not disappoint! I made a few modifications that included a lower, squarer (?) profile to fit under our counters, a hand painted mural, some stain, and of course some Yeti-your-feet-go-here-footprints on the platform. As soon as the paint was dry, I set my son up at the counter in it. His little face lit up with delight at all the new details and things to see. He instantly started looking at everything with swift little back glances at me that said “Really Mommy?! I can stand here?!” Totally worth it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Enamel Paint
Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Industrial Closet

Submitted by cgarrett42 on Mon, 05/20/2019 - 05:35

After being "so done" with the original closet that came with the home, I decided to rip out all the wire shelving and make a custom closet out of 1x4s and 2x4s.  I pre-stained all the boards and cut to custom lengths.  I kept the integrity height for the shelves of 42" and 84".  Instead of using galvanized pipe, I used Halefe Premium Oval closet rods.  In the end, I have a very stout closet and a much better use of space.

For the small shelf beside the window, I used 1x4s cut to custom length.  Under the hanging shelves, there will be a shoe rack.

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut Polyshade
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Built from the design here.  Espresso stained top with flat antique white base. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80 for raw materials
$40 in finish
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Espresso Stain
Minwax satin polyurethane
Glidden antique white paint (flat)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/19/2023 - 16:50

Loved this project. Not completely done. Still need to acrylic our name and poly the whole thing.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

... and the chairs

In addition to the farmhouse table, my husband also built me six chairs to match. He started with the modern angle chair, and added a cross support underneath. With the dark stain they work perfectly with the table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80-$100 (can't really remember!)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Sun, 12/04/2011 - 02:30

He did a beautiful job! What an accomplishment. I know you are proud!

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 12/04/2011 - 05:49

What a fantastic Job!! The set looks great. Definately work to be proud of. Thanks for posting!

Ten dollar ledges for School Pictures

I needed a place to hang the children's school pictures. I wanted to showcase them and didn't have any ideas what wall would work. Once I finished my selves for the living room I knew it was the perfect place.

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
White with a gloss overcoat. Matches my edging perfectly as my walls are a soft yellow.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Toddler bed

This site introduced the Kreg Jig which was a game changer as far as allowing me to give this a go. Thanks to the various posts for inspiration particularly Suzie_R. I added an off the shelf guard on the bed - photo to follow. I built the dimensions to fit a day mattress that I bought.

Estimated Cost
I expect that I spent around $100 on pine for the job and I made an initial investment on the Kreg Jig.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None until the chalk and crayons come out!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mini outdoor sofa

I modified the 2x4 outdoor sofa plans to create this "mini" version which is the perfect size for an outdoor loveseat cushion!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less than $50 for the wood, screws and varnish. I had the other materials/tools on hand.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a one coat gel stain in dark walnut. For the clear coat I used a semi-gloss varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/24/2023 - 17:15

Laundry Pedestal

Thank you for the fantastic tutorial to build this laundry pedestal. I was able to have the the pieces cut at my local Lowes store. After making the pedestal I would make a few adjustments to make it more sturdy. I would attach the four posts to the inside corners and cut the bottom platform corners to fit around the posts instead of attaching them to the platform with brackets. I made my posts a little taller too because my laundry baskets were taller. I love my new addition to my laundry room! The link to Saushas Laundry Pedestal that I followed is here, http://ana-white.com/printpdf/2011/01/sausha’s-washerdryer-pedestals.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

LOVED this easy build!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/20/2016 - 14:48

Built this over 5 days, around my son's naps (including 2 days for sealant to cure). Actual time was probably around 8 hours total. Not too bad for my third project! I only built one shelf and am using it for storage in our master bathroom. I love the way it turned out. Thanks again, Ana, for a great project plan. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Patio couch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/03/2023 - 08:09

I have been looking at your blog and always been interested in making my own furniture. However, I was scared to try. Your diagrams and measurements were awesome. Thank you! Gave me the encouragement to try!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Tryde Coffee Table with shelf

Submitted by Snipes on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 09:51

I built this coffee table for a friend. It is a square version of the Tryde coffee table with a shelf underneath. The dimensions of the tabletop are 42" x 42." It took a couple of weeks of working at night to complete, but she loved it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used a Minwax Early American Stain with a coat of satin wipe-on polyurethane and 2 coats of satin spray polyurethane over that. I distressed the table a little with a chain, drill bits, hammer, etc.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate