Community Brag Posts

Storage step stool

I made this step stool in around four days. It took longer because of the five coats of paint. It has two coats of paint and three coats of finish. It should stand up to many years of use. With the storage area empty, the lid dropping closed can be somewhat loud. I added felt bumpers underneath the top step to dampen the sound. It's light enough for my 18-month old to push around.

The jigsaw cuts weren't always perfect. I filled any gaps and countersunk screws with wood filler. I used a mouse sander to smooth everything out after screwing it all together. The longest part was the painting. I painted every surface, hidden or not, to protect the wood and hopefully make it last forever.

I didn't list an estimated cost because I had to purchase several tools, including a jigsaw, sander, and countersink bits. It was probably user error, but the countersink drill bit was a pain to use. The locking nut couldn't be tightened enough to keep the adjustable drill bit in place.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Two coats of Minwax Polycrylic over two coats of Behr Premium Plus Ultra semi-gloss paint (color: Old Fashioned Pink).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First Project!

Submitted by Kory on Mon, 11/03/2014 - 21:10

Easy starter project that has gotten me hooked on this site. Wish I could go back and re build it with pocket holes. Changed the farmhouse bench dimensions to fit with the table.

Estimated Cost
$200 first project always costs the most as you get new tools
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Rustic Bathroom Vanity

I really like vessel sink vanities, so I did some research and found a couple of DIY projects I liked on Pinterest. I showed them to my husband and after telling him that I wanted a hybrid of about 3 vanities I liked he came up with the vanity that we (we as in he) built :)

Estimated Cost
Roughly $100 for the wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained and varnished
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

X bench

Submitted by ART.S on Sun, 11/08/2020 - 10:53

My first bench ever, i like it

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Simple Bookshelves

A smaller version of the original plan, intended to be a nightstand for our bedroom.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Paint in Distant Thunder
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dresser/Toddler Changing Table

Submitted by milleall on Thu, 11/06/2014 - 10:52

My 15 month old needed a new dresser and a place to put his changing pad as he outgrew the changing table with rails but still fits on the pad itself. I stained the drawers dark to match his existing crib. I used plywood for the drawer faces and attached 3/4 inch square poplar as pulls. I wanted an integrated look and the bonus is that my son has a harder time getting a good hold to open the drawers. I used the plans for the three drawer dresser but omitted the face frame because I wanted to cut costs (I used poplar not pine or else it would not have added much). I just made the plywood wider and I added some stabilizing pieces in the back.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint, Kona stain, and semi gloss polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Little Kids picnic table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/13/2017 - 08:49

I made one fairly major change. When I was buying the boards, I noticed the store sold a panel of joined wood that was just a bit bigger than the final table top was going to be for just a couple dollars more.  My kiddo likes to write and color, so I figured a smooth-topped table might make sense.  I could have cut down the panel, but as it was only a few inches bigger (36x20x1) I modified the design a little bit instead and just made the cross beams a little longer.  My only concern is that the large panel won't drain water as well as the the four boards in the original design, so after I painted the stencil (I got a die cut machine for Christmas, so suddenly everything needs a stencil...) I applied 4 coats of spar urethane to the top and two coats everywhere else. We'll see how it holds up.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Artist acrylics (not craft paint) and minwax helmsmen spar urethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Alexia Bench

Just under a year ago, I decided to put together a small project using up a few of my scrap wood pieces I had. This "quick" project ended up sitting half finished in my shop until this past week. I'm on a mission to finish up the remaining unfinished projects I have and this one was higher on the priority list. I based it on the Alexia bench with a couple modifications. The only thing I ended up purchasing to complete it was the drawer slides and pulls.

Built from Plan(s)

Gallery Ledges

Submitted by Mhillis on Sat, 01/12/2013 - 10:10

Our living room is long with a vaulted ceiling. I wanted to find a way to break up the length of the room visually, and Ana's ten dollar ledges were the perfect solution. They also had a great price tag!

I changed the the plan just a tad to break up our wall space, creating two ledges - one 6' and one 4' long - instead of one that is 10' long.

The only other variation we made to the plan was adding kreg pocket hole plugs (http://www.kregtool.com/solid-wood-pockethole-plugs-prodview.html) since we hung our shelves high enough to see where screws were drilled in.

After shelves were assembled, I painted them using Lowe's Antique White in satin finish. This project was easy, fast, and very affordable! I love that we can change out the items on display either seasonally or whenever we want a fresh new look. These ledges would work in any room and even instead of a chair rail in a dining room... and the lip on the front makes them safe so that nothing will slide off!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
lowe's antique white paint, satin finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Balustrade Coffee Table

Submitted by SKrampl on Sun, 11/09/2014 - 11:01

This was a frist time project for myself. I'm always trying to prove to myself and my husband I can take these new projects on, and found this plan to be very easy to follow. I used the modified plans from "House of Wood" as the more square-ish version of the table, becuase those dimesnions were more suitable for the space I was trying to fill. 

This table is quite large, and that is what drew me to it. I loved the solid-ness of it. It almost seems indestructible (something that is handy with 3 young ones running around)

Can't wait to start another project! :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I found a local wood worker who was able to make the Balusters for me. I was grateful to find a local guy, using local wood, as I do my best to support local businesses.
For the lumbar/Hardware/mini Kreg jig it cost me: $115
For the 4 custom Balusters: $100
Stain/Poly/sand paper: $50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I chose not to pre-treat my wood before staining as I was trying to achieve the rustic look. I knew it would make it appear less uniform in colour, but thats something I felt would add to this tables character. I used the Varathane Tuscan wood stain. I did about 2 coats of stain. I applied with a lint free rag, and just wiped the stain on in thin coats. For the finish I used the Wipe-on Poly from Minwax. I applied 4 coats of the poly. In between Poly coats, I sanded with the 600 grit sandpaper, which made the wood feel buttery soft! I'm glad I didn't skimp on that part.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Corner Hutch for Dining Room

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/15/2017 - 11:40

Needed a corner hutch in our dining room and what better way to get one than build it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Faux aging using a mixture of brewed tea and iron acetate to chemically alter the wood color. Brushing tea on the wood adds tannins and the iron acetate reacts with tannins to turn the wood gray. You can make iron acetate by putting a few pads of fine steel wool in white vinegar and letting dissolve for a few days
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Coffee Table [Modern Farmhouse Collection]

Loved the design. As I live in the UK finding 1x10 is difficult so I used scaffold boards(6×1) fixing 2 side by side using my nice new kreg pocket hole jig(which is amazing, thank you Ana). I then used a light grey stain applied using a sponge and painted the legs a off-white. Due to having to spend 1 day sanding the scaffold boards it took a little longer, however the construction was quick.

Thank you Ana

Estimated Cost
£110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Dresser Wine Bar

Material: Re-purposed dresser from thrift store.
Finish: Rustoleum High gloss black paint finish with brushed nickel drawer pulls

This is a very manageable weekend project that does not require any power tools. For more photos of the transformation check out my blog.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Old dresser and Rustoleum High Glass Black
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Bench

Submitted by zjlawlor on Wed, 11/12/2014 - 10:53

Built a simple bench to put under our big living room window. Top boards are were reclaimed and left over from my buffet table project. One of them was fracturing on the outside, and upon cleaning it up it gave it kind of a live looking edge that I think looks cool. I used 2x6 pine for the legs and support underneath with 2x4's.  

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona-colored stain on bottom. The top was stained with a weather grey and sanded down to show some wood grain. Poly on everything after.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Thomas Smith

Fri, 11/14/2014 - 03:56

It is a good idea to collect some recycly material and create some stuff, be imaginative. Recently I have discovered your site so can get some extra ideas of how useful things can be created in spare time.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

 

Thomas Smith

Fri, 11/14/2014 - 03:59

It is a good idea to collect some recycly material and create some stuff, be imaginative. Recently I have discovered your site so can get some extra ideas of how useful things can be created in spare time.

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

 

Adelyn's Canopy Double Doll Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2017 - 08:29

My wife and I came across your plans for a single canopy bed which we modified since our granddaughter Adelyn has two American dolls.    Modifying your plans to widen the bed was easy.  We elected to go with a "split rail" design for both the headboard and the footboard.  

My wife made the bedspread, pillows and "curtains".

Today (2/17) is her birthday - can't wait to see her reaction.  Thanks for posting the project plans for this, as well as many others.

Bob & Marilyn, Rochester NY

Estimated Cost
Negligible cost since I had plenty of scrap lumber to use for this project. Only thing I bought was a quart of gloss white paint. I gave it three coats because some of the wood had been previously painted.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rhyan Collection Coffee Table and End Tables

Submitted by kffisher on Tue, 11/24/2020 - 13:40

Modified the Rhyan Coffee Table plan for a square, 4-foot by 4-foot coffee table. Used poplar 1 x 3s glued together and then planed down to 2.25-inch square for the structural members. The stained wood portions are glue-ups make from Hemlock 1x 6s from Lowe's.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The paint is a color match from Sherwin Williams of a chalk paint from Valspar call Kid Gloves. The stain is leftover from the builder of our house and is the same stain used on our stair railings. Drawer pulls are off the shelf from Home Depot.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

The Simple Bed (Full-Size)

Submitted by JReed on Mon, 01/21/2013 - 12:17

We had been looking for a headboard for our son for the longest time, but could never find anything we liked in the shade we needed in the stores. Fell in love with this bed, thought it was one of the more "boyish" styles that I've seen which was what I wanted for my son. Asked my husband if he thought he'd be able to build it, he said he'd try and voila! We, however, modified the plans a bit and only made a headboard, but overall, I love it!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Play Kitchen

Submitted by gitelmic on Sun, 11/16/2014 - 07:25

My daughter's 4th year-old birthday gift.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dream Dollhouse Revisited

Submitted by Lindswatne on Tue, 01/22/2013 - 20:49

We made a modified (and scaled down) version of this dollhouse. Check out our blog for a complete list of details, plans, dimensions, furniture plans, and a downloadable sketch-up file to help you in building this. SUCH a fun and wonderful project. This was a Christmas gift and we are hoping it will be around for years to come! Thanks Ana.

http://www.thoughtcomics.com/projects.html

Have fun! We are beginner builders but it took us quite some time to build this. 20 Hrs...??

Email any questions!

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

Comments

mblee (not verified)

Wed, 01/23/2013 - 06:27

That looks amazing.

4x4 Truss Beam Table

Submitted by sven126 on Tue, 11/18/2014 - 08:40

I used old gumwood and pine for the table top. Just finished renovating 1930’s house and saved some old wood from the baseboards, fireplace mantel, etc. Used craigs jig to connect them for table top. I was only ¾ inch thick, a bit too thin for my liking, so I added bottom frame from new ¾ inch pine then enclosed the whole table top with the 1.5 inch frame from old wood leftovers. Legs all new 4X4 fir beams. Came out quite nice and definitely unbreakable! Thanks for the plans, Anna! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
mixture of Minwax Provincial 211, Red Mahogany and Dark Wallnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Love this project.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/22/2017 - 17:20

This project was completed in a weekend. I was really proud of the result. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Cost was about $55 I didn't keep track but was cheap.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted the base Shark tooth white and the top was stained a dark walnut and finally waxed. I probably should have put poly on it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate