Community Brag Posts

x end table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/20/2016 - 13:34

Was realy easy to build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Min wax clear gloss polyurathane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Lunar2

Fri, 04/21/2017 - 12:09

This turned out very nice; I wish you would have included a few more details on your build.  And a couple more pics.  Enjoy!

8 foot picnic table

Submitted by Abby721 on Sat, 07/18/2020 - 08:40

This picnic table was a quick build and turned out amazing. I modified the center base support by adding an extra table top support and seat support board to the opposite side of the center legs to give the table symmetry to accommodate an umbrella hole. I also shortened both cross supports by an inch to make sure the base wouldn’t be longer than the top boards. The space between the center table support boards and seat support boards is the perfect size to fit a standard umbrella. I used a 1 3/4” hole saw to make the umbrella hole. The build and stain/paint took me about 5 hours but additional time is needed to properly seal the table. I used untreated pine. Treated pine may give the table longevity but it would also add a lot of weight to an already heavy table. This was a relatively easy and quick build and is a great size to fit my whole family plus a couple guests! I’m happy with how it turned out and would recommend this build to anyone looking for a budget friendly and simple patio table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Briarsmoke for the top and Rustoleum Canyon Black Satin for the base. Sealed with 2 coats of Varathane Helmsman Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

iTable!

Submitted by megan_m on Tue, 09/18/2012 - 17:53

My husband and I are very happy with how this table turned out, we put it together in a couple of hours on a weekend. It took me a couple weeks of sanding and staining and sanding and staining to finish it, but it was worth it.
Decided to use up some previously bought stain, Minwax Polyshades in Royal Walnut, but it just wasn't getting as dark a color as I wanted, even after three coats, so I picked up some Varathane Gel Stain in Dark Walnut. 2 coats of that brought it up to a nice rich color.
I'd like to say that I'll never do that many coats of stain again, but I will probably have to go through the whole process again, as we have a in-progress matching side table that I want to finish the same. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75?
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
3 coats of Minwax Polyshades in Royal Walnut
2 coats of Varathane Gel Stain in Dark Walnut
2 coats of Clear Gloss Protective Finish
(sanded lightly with very fine steel wool after every coat)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

HappyDouta (not verified)

Thu, 09/20/2012 - 07:33

hi there,

what a lovely piece of furniture

can i just ask? is that wood putty used or wood filler, prior to sanding

thanks

k

megan_m

Fri, 09/21/2012 - 13:31

I used elmer's paintable/stainable wood filler. I wound have rather not had to use anything because it isn't completely invisible when it was finsighed, but the edges of the 4x4's we got were pre-rounded so they left some gaps in the top and sides, and some of our other joins weren't completely straight either.

Sweet stair gate

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/23/2016 - 16:37

I just pictured what it was supposed to look like and winged it

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Espresso stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Farmhouse Dining Table

Had to make modifications for size, errors, and personal preference, but we love this table! Still deciding on all white paint or a 2-tone finish. Also- first time using a Kreg jig. What an amazing tool.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Workbench Console and Hutch

We are in so in love with this finished piece! We made some modifications to the original plan to fit our needs. We made the top wider - 24" wide like the Pottery Barn original. We also used 4X4's for the legs and widened the distance between the legs to sit the shelves inside the legs.

We also built the second shelf. We created the second shelf to hold wine, so we modified the front of the shelf to allow for the wine bottle necks to rest. The handle was made from plumbing hardware. We got this wonderful idea from one of the posters on this site, I need to find their name to give proper credit, but it worked beautifully.

For the hutch, we also made modifications for our needs. We made it taller by 4" (so 40" tall). We used 1 X 12's for the shelves for a deeper shelf. We also raised the bottom shelf up to accommodate our Keurig coffee maker. We did not divide the middle shelf to leave a tall opening for some items we wanted to display. We also left a gap at the bottom of the hutch for cords.

Once built we distressed the entire piece, then stained with Provencial stain, and finished off with a semi-gloss poly.

The best thing, it cost about 10% of the price of the original!!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provencial Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

tommirhea

Fri, 09/21/2012 - 06:43

This is so awesome, and nobody will have one anything like it! I love how you totally modified it for your space. The gap for the cords was brilliant-that would be something I would of thought of after I was completely done! This is very inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

Chalkboard

Child's chalkboard as a birthday present. "Frozen" inspired color theme. Received feedback that it would also work very well as a boutique store sidewalk sign.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10-$15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Paint and Primer in turquoise. Acrylic Paint in Purple.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Lego Kentwood Bed

Submitted by Sb1212 on Wed, 10/26/2016 - 20:29

I am one of Ana's biggest fans. I have been building furniture using Ana's plan for a year in a half now. This is my first time ever posting though. I built this lego themed kentwood bed for my 5 year old son who loves legos. The lego house is built with left over scrap wood I had laying around. I love how it turned out and my son also loves it! Thanks Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Toilet paper holder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/20/2020 - 11:08

Toil paper holder

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around 2$
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Teak varnishes
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bench with Mini Cooler Holder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/11/2024 - 08:49

Took your bench and used center to hold the mini cooler ,u-type frames fastened to 2x4 in bench frame underneath. all 2x4 with the exception of flip top which is 2x4 cut down on either side then the remainder cut again and sanded to give rounded edges. Mitre saw, table saw, 18 gauge brad nails around edges of top bench side and to fasten straps down covering cooler.

Built from Plan(s)

Bistrol Outdoor Lounge Chairs

Submitted by newpassion on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 14:56

This was my very first project. I cut the wood during the week, to have it ready for the weekend. I intended this to be my summer project. I had so much fun, i completed building both chairs in a day and a half!!!!! I then ordered the foam which took a couple weeks. I ordered the fabric online. I had two large pillows which I covered and used them for the back cushion. The total cost for BOTH chairs was under $250.00. Looking forward to my next project. :)

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I only used Helmsman Urethane ,which gave it a natural look.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

newpassion

Tue, 09/25/2012 - 06:36

I ordered the foam from DLT Larson Fabrics, Livonia, MI Because of the size 6x28x30 ,the did not have it in stock. They were $54. each.

Easy Console Table

I loved this easy project, and I made it even easier by using a solid pine panel for the top.  I also added a bottom shelf to allow for storage.  Please see my blog post for details on our size customization, cut list and modifications.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum Dark Walnut stain, Valspar Semi-gloss "Bayside"
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Mom's Outdoor Dining Set - Thus Far

I'm slowly working on building the whole Simple Outdoor Dining Collection.
When my Mom and I moved into our new apartment, we spent all our money on new indoor furniture, and we have this really huge porch with a nice view and nothing to put on it. So as a surprise after we moved in, I made her the bench. She loved it so much that I decided to make the matching table for her birthday. The stack-able chairs will be her Christmas present, so stay tuned for that if you'd like to see how they turn out.

-The bench was about $20 for lumber, a total of $40 or so with stain and screws and everything.

-Table was about $60 for lumber since I couldn't fit the the 12-footers in my car. I probably spent a good amount extra on a bunch of 8 footers instead. Also wasted a lot of wood that way, but I will find a use for it. Definitely get the 12 footers if at all possible. No need to buy the rest of the materials again if you have left-overs from the bench.

I didn't modify anything on this set at all, it was pretty much perfect the way it was designed. Although I did add some 1x3's to the legs on the bench to make them sturdier- notice the corner leg rather than just a 1x4 by itself. Thanks for these plans Ana, you make me look good!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax's full line: Pre-satin wood conditioner, Ipswich Pine stain, and clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Larger closet / armoire

Submitted by Mfitz08 on Tue, 07/22/2014 - 20:23

I increased the size of the original pLan per the customers request. 45" wide x 72" high x 22" deep. Had to build it in my garage and the dismantle it and build it again at their house as it wouldn't fit up the stairs all together.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used minwax provincial on the main body- the customer is finishing the trim pieces and putting a coat of flat poly on it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Hailey Platform Bed - Queen

Submitted by sdelmastro on Tue, 11/01/2016 - 14:45

More than happy with how this turned out. Hoping to do the headboard soon after a few orders. Decided to use ash and match a dresser I made. Used pine 1x6s and attached ash 1x6s on the outside for the frame. Used ash for the trim, as well. Assembled with pocket holes and wood glue. Decided to raise the legs 1" and turn then on the lathe. Used 4x4 douglas fir for the legs instead of a 2x4. Attached the legs with carriage bolts. Not shown are plugs to cover the bolts. Finished with a golden oak stain and semi-gloss polyurethane.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Already had the ash.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Golden Oak - Fast dry - 1 Coat
Varathane Polyurethane - Semi Gloss - 3 Coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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