Community Brag Posts

Start of the complete desk..

Submitted by reyncloud on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 20:10

I decided to start the large desk plan, with these bases being the start. I didn't use the formaldehyde-free plywood yet, but plan on using it for the remainder of the project. I also decided to paint it, instead of using stain and/or polyurethane. I wanted to try to make the room feel more open (it's pretty small) and like the fresh feeling of the white.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Menard's Eggshell Interior Bright White Paint (Dutch Boy?)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Argie Bedside Table

Argie bedside table painted teal and yellow. Lights attached to underside of shelves as well.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint & stained top wood slats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Using Commonly Lost Garage Spaces for Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/07/2016 - 08:02

I recently spotted a little gem in the garage - a little space in between the garage doors.  It was perfect for building a modular system of small French cleat box shelves.  I made them all using scrap wood.  I even had extra scrap wood to make a battery charging station in another narrow gap on the wall.  You can read all the details about my latest storage adventure on my blog:

 

http://www.justmeasuringup.com/blog/using-commonly-lost-garage-spaces-for-storage

 

I'm on high alert for more areas like this that get overlooked easily, and am just waiting for more inspiration to strike!

Estimated Cost
$0 as I built from scrap plywood. If you're not as lucky to have scraps, its prob under $20 in wood costs.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none, but a little stain or paint could kick its visual appeal up a notch
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/21/2020 - 18:14

My first project and it was so much fun to build! I had no problems cutting the wood and getting it sanded and ready to go. I made a mistake putting it together and didn't realize it till several steps later. Luckily it was easy enough to unscrew it and go back and fix it. I was brave on the gray/light walnut colors I chose but I like how it turned out. Glad I tackled something easy for my first project. Now I'm happily looking forward to my next one. Thanks for the great plans!

Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain is one part Golden Oak and one part Dark Walnut
Gray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rhyan End Table - hardwood plywood, aspen, pine

Submitted by bryanvold on Sun, 08/19/2012 - 18:05

This all started with wanted to clean up my side of the bed. I have a CPAP machine, I like to read and I am a techno-geek. There simply wasn't enough space for things to fit, so they find themselves on the floor.

I started looking around at furniture stores, and none of them were exactly what I was looking for, and the ones that I would have considered were $500+. I thought to myself that I can use this as a learning opportunity. I found Ana's site here and immediately knew I had found the right place.

I downloaded the plans to the Rhyan End Table and was so impressed with the layout. I wanted to know how the construction pictures were built and downloaded Google Sketchup and the Rhyan End Table plans and proceeded to build the end table virtually. I am truly in awe of the power of that tool.

Then I started the actual build of the project. I hadn't really done a lot of woodworking - but I am now a fan of the Kreg Jig. What a great tool!

I know I should have read everything *thoroughly* - but I didn't. Because I didn't have all my own equipment, I went to a friend's house to cut all the boards. In hindsight, I now know why that wasn't a good idea. Because I had pre-cut everything (and was as accurate as I could make it), when I got to the drawers, I was really in over my head. I had a woodworking friend help me set the drawers and shave off a bit of the drawer slide mounting boards, so the drawer would fit. One side effect of that is that I decided that putting the spacer board in-between the two drawers would made things more difficult and could possibly make the drawers not work very well, so because it is for me, I decided to leave the spacer board off.

I just finished putting the last coat of Pecan Poly on last night and moved it in.

As this was my first project, I learned a _ton_ of stuff. So I left it rougher than other people would like but I already love it.

Now my wife wants one for her side of the bed :-)

Thank you Ana for your site, your passion and inspiring me to start doing a little woodworking!

-Bryan

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Too much sanding initially, but I learned ... stripped too much of birch plywood veneer off.
2 Coats of MINWAX PolyShades Pecan Stain and Polyurethane Satin 320
I didn't sand in between, just left it kind of "rough" - I'm fine with the results. My friend said it best when he said you can't be a perfectionist in wood, it will drive you insane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Awesome Farmhouse Style Table!

Submitted by Andrew_P on Mon, 06/09/2014 - 10:21

Plans used from Ana-White.Com's awesome recreation of a commercially available table. Ran through this construction in no time and it came out like a charm. Thanks!

Estimated Cost
$74
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Min-Wax Espresso Brown
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor seating made with thrown away cushions

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/22/2020 - 18:01

Someone on my street had thrown out 2 couches. The cushions were in perfect condition. So I built chairs and fit the cushions! I built a matching coffee table to fit a glass I had. To finish the space, I added a table to have my morning breakfast.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Here's our version...

Submitted by bethnapp on Wed, 08/22/2012 - 07:23

This is our version of the factor cart. I used 12 inch boards on the sides to make the table have a little more height.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean from Minwax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified providence bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/11/2016 - 20:20

Started with the providence bench plans and made a couple changes.

Finish Used
Charred the wood finished it with waterlox.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

We built our kitchen cabinets and hood!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 16:50

It took us awhile but we built these white cabinets from scratch. It turned out great and looks better in person. Thank you for your articles!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White acrylic latex.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Outdoor Comfort Collection and Simple Outdoor Dining Table

Modern Comfort Outdoor Sofa and Loveseat to go with the Simple Outdoor Dining Table and Benches that I made 2 years ago. I love that the "Modern Comfort" plans don't require angles or a miter saw. I used a circular saw for all of it!

 

Harriett Higher Chair

Submitted by jcordle on Fri, 08/24/2012 - 06:21

This seat is awesome for my 5 year old because now she can have a big girl seat and reach the table!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and fabric for the seat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

modified 4x4 bench

Submitted by Angel Rose on Mon, 06/16/2014 - 13:48

I used 2x4 instead of the 4x4 to create this bench for my entry way. I left off the stretcher so my shoe baskets could fit underneath.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
maybe $15 I used a lot of scrap wood
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used left over blue paint from a bathroom redo. I watered it down to make it more of a wash. Finished with rub in wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy X desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/13/2016 - 21:21

Loved this desk, for my first project I was extremely pleased how it turned out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
base is done in warm white with a white wash on the top
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Narrow Console Table

This is my first try at one of your projects. I made the console table 48 inches long to fit the space of our entry way. I thank you for all of your amazing content, and still having informative and wholesome things to watch.

Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Weathered Teak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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