Community Brag Posts

Martina Bath Storage

Submitted by wahome on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 13:14

So happy to finally get around to this build. Super easy, though I found I am not that skilled with cove moulding...nothing a little wood putty couldn't hide.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr primer and paint in one, color was custom mixed based on Martha Stewart craft paint in Pool. Topped with Minwax waterbased poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Benchmark Storage Tower

Submitted by katefago on Fri, 03/14/2014 - 20:00

I was given an old window that was going into the trash from an old house in Key West that was being remodeled and decided I wanted to use the window as a door on a cabinet. These plans were very thorough and easy to follow. I modified the measurements to fit the window and am really happy with how it turned out. I added some trim to the top and bottom and used beadboard for the back to fancy it up a bit. I painted it in Sea Mist by Behr and distressed it by hand. This is my first post on this site. Thanks, Ana, for making this possible for me!

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted Sea Mist by Behr and distressed for an aged look, followed by two coats of polyurethane in Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

A-Frame Chicken coop

I built this chicken coop/tractor a few years ago, for my cousin. I loved the ease of the plans and the build, and she loved the hens in her backyard!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150 CAD
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Kitchen Table

Submitted by sonji98 on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 07:54

Table mad using the Rustic Table plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250 for all materials & finishes
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood COnditioner, Minwax Stain in English Chestnut & Provincial, flat house paint and wax for apron and legs.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Britt (not verified)

Wed, 10/10/2012 - 20:39

I love your tabletop! How did you finish your top to reduce the gaps between the boards?

Thanks for your picture!

Dinosaur Patchwork Dresser for Baby's Room

We wanted a bright and colorful dresser for the baby's room, and one that would match the Will Ruocco dinosaur prints that we purchased for the walls (http://etsy.me/PJ1yOs). This project spread out over many weekends but we were very happy with the results. We choose to go with legs instead of wheels, and made them tall enough that the Roomba would have clearance to get under. For the design, we used a combination of the plans here and a similar plan from The Design Confidential website.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ben Moore Advance in semi gloss, plus a coat of wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Computer Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/19/2016 - 15:31

Used MDF for the bases since we  painted them. I didn't do the interior trim on the bases as the plan says, because I felt they constricted the size of the shelves usability. Top was made with 3/4" Birch plywood. Simply routered the edge to have a curve then stained. 

Estimated Cost
$135
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Penny the Chicken's new house

We needed a coop for our son's chicken Penny as she was big enough to move outside. We wanted one that would hold at least 2 chickens as we plan on getting a second soon. We found the plans for the a frame chicken coop here and the next day my husband and 5 yr old son got to work. Took them about 3 hours from start to finish and it turned out great. He plans on spraying the whole thing with outside deck sealer to protect the wood and had some trim on the edges to protect the kids from getting scratched by the chicken wire.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$169
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Side Street Bunk Bed

Submitted by wotto on Sat, 03/22/2014 - 16:10

This one will be around for a while... heavy as sin, but solid.
Used 11 2x2 removable slats per level spaced 5 1/2" apart by 2x2s.
Added a 44" ladder and back rail and front rail with 30 degree miter cut on 2x4s.

Next time, would have sanded & stained the headboard/footboard 2x6s on the ends before screwing them to 2x4s. Didn't have a sander that could get between the 1/2" gap and the hand sanding from position can be tough. Overall, very pleased with the result.

Kids love it! First of many projects I will be doing from this website.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum Kona
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Larger Farmhouse Table w/ Removable Legs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/22/2016 - 11:46

Used Ana White's Husky Farmhouse Table plans/instructions and then made some of my own modifications to make the legs removable and expand the dimensions a bit. Turned out pretty good! This was my first project :)

Estimated Cost
~600 dollars. Had to buy some tools.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Min Wax Stain, water based
I used wood conditioner before the stain to ensure even staining, then 1 coat of the stain, then did 3 coats of thinned Polyurethane finish (3 to 1 ratio of finish to mineral spirits), and 2 coats of pure polyurethane finish. The polyurethane is Min Wax satin finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

CSaintD

Sat, 06/25/2016 - 15:02

Wow! She's a beauty! I am interested to hear how you went about making the legs removable.  And where did you get those legs? They are stunning.

Chestwick Queen Bed

Submitted by maw0130 on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 19:29

Built this as a platform bed for guest bedroom. Nice, sturdy bed.

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Niki Maddux (not verified)

Sat, 09/29/2012 - 04:11

I Love this Bed. Would love king size dimensions. This is exactly what I have been looking for.

New England Channing Desk

my very first project! i surprised myself on how AWESOME this desk came out! although im not a huge fan of the finish i selected but i can live with it. i also used oak plywood (which i will never used again), poplar and i also used cedar planking for the backing and drawer base. i learned a lot from this project, mostly what not to do for the future, like use plywood.

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

Modified Ultimate Changing Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/26/2016 - 04:20

My wife and I wanted a changing table that could also function as a bookshelf, so after a quick Google search, I found the Ana White Ultimate Changing Table plans. I modified the original design by making the legs 36" and by adding side and back panels so that the piece could convert to a bookshelf when the baby gets older and we no longer need it to be a changing table. This was easy to do by using my table saw to cut 3/16" stopped grooves in the legs before attaching to the table and slotting in 1/4" plywood cut to fit before attaching the tabletop. Opted not to cut rabbets for the back panel as it would have changed the measurements for the drawers by recessing the rear 1x6 apron by 1/4". 

My wife and I are very happy with the results and the amount of storage we now have. She's so happy in fact, that I will apparently be building one of these for each future child as well! Thanks Ana White for the straightforward and easy to follow plans.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
3 coats Behr Semi-Gloss ultra pure white paint, 2 thin coats minwax water-based polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse bed - full

Submitted by bronorm on Sat, 04/25/2020 - 20:10

We built the full sized Farmhouse bed and stained it with gray stain. Are building a trundle to put under later this week. We added 3 inches to the height to be able to add the trundle.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Gray stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Mug Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/04/2023 - 09:23

I made this as a special housewarming gift for a family we are helping out this Christmas. I didn't need to buy anything, but I love how it turned out.

Built from Plan(s)

Red and Black Hutch

Submitted by market5e on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 13:34

This was an older hutch, oak in color. I took off the top glass doors off, put wood putty where the hinges were. I lightly sanded the hutch and cleaned it with TSP. Finally I primed and then painted black first. I used a candle to put wax on the area's I wanted to look distressed. After the black dried, I lightly sanded again, before I sprayed the red paint on. I lightly sanded the hutch once more, concentrating on the black to show through. Finally I glazed the hole hutch in a black. Black baskets were added to add to the appeal.

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

Comments

Entrance Cabinet

Submitted by AndyH on Fri, 04/04/2014 - 07:00

Wanted to build a cabinet for the entrance and liked the look of the Rustic X console but wanted drawers and doors too. Second piece from mainly own design just incorporating those Rustic X ends.

The piece is 6ft long for the main cabinet part.

Found the hinges off the internet and just trying to find some matching drawer pulls now. (Any suggestions greatly welcomed).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Ebony (2 coats) and Minwax Poly Satin (3 coats).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Flag Pole Planter

I wanted a place for a flag pole, but I didn't want to put one in the ground or screw into my siding, so I modified the cedar planter to hold a flag pole. It was a fun project!  Check out more here!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40 plus flag pole
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White Exterior Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sawhorse Table

Submitted by RHgaijin2 on Sat, 04/25/2020 - 20:48

I made this table for my two boys to do their homework on so I modified it a little to make it shorter.
I used reclaimed 2x4's for the base and MDF for the table top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
black stain, white paint, polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Back