Community Brag Posts

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

Rustic X Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/21/2020 - 18:33

I built the Rustic X Console Table. This is my second time building this table. So much fun! I posted our process and more pictures on my blog.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Dark Walnut
Satin Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Apothecary Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/02/2024 - 08:44

About 12 years ago we built the apothecary cabinet and painted it light blue/gray with a barn wood top. This year I decided to update it! It's now black with new hardware and feet added. I love the new look!

Built from Plan(s)

Simple Modern Bar Table Desk

Submitted by maw0130 on Sun, 08/19/2012 - 17:46

Check out the bar stool also. I thought the inset being stained added a little touch. I use this as my desk. I get compliments all the time!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut and clear poly and Kylon Espresso (in can-not spray)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Octagon Table Finished!

Submitted by kkwong5 on Mon, 06/09/2014 - 08:47

Finished building this table with the plan provided by Ana White! Worked out great. I stained it in a with a transparent deck stain in natural sequoia. Happy to help if anyone has any questions!

Tips: Definitely cut as you go. If you get the angles are off in the center when all the long pieces connect is it makes each top piece larger or smaller.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My piece of heaven!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/22/2020 - 18:16

I saw Anna’s and said I can do that, right? I made it mine with a couple of edits. The sides I used old pallet wood. I used Rockler tracks put a track system for many different uses. I had cut all the shelves but haven’t installed them as of yet. Using that space in the mobile carts to hold wood for now. Probably shouldn’t have cut all shelving yet but who knew!! I love this space now. My husband was like wow!😃
Thank you Anna. I love how your mind works. Your such a great teacher, I have learned so much from you.
Thank you!
Melissa

Estimated Cost
$240.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Potting Bench

This potting bench is my first project, and I am so happy with the way it turned out. I was a little nervous to paint it purple, but I think it looks pretty good. I originally planned to deviate from Ana's plans, but decided not to go overboard for my first project. The plans were straight forward and easy to follow, it only took me a couple of hours to build. Looking back though, I would have gone with a different wood (I used cedar), because I used conditioners and sealers and primers etc... and the cedar grain doesn't come through over the paint, and isn't really worth the extra cost for what I did with it. Overall a great beginner project. I am looking forward to many more.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior paint, and a polypropylene sealant
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Work bench

I was inspired by this workbench post to create a workbench, especially since I needed one! I painted it with exterior paint and added wheels. I also added extra wood around the bottom to make it sturdier.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

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

King Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/26/2020 - 05:51

My husband built this beautiful king frame and we stained it with Minwax semi-solid pure white. He made a few tweaks- used tongue & groove pine in the headboard and footboard to decrease the likelihood of any gaps we may get from subpar wood at the big box store. The night stands are From the Farmhouse bedside table plans.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Semi-Solid pure white
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My first table

Submitted by gdecris on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 19:06

This was my first project building furniture. It was a fun time!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Not Finished
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Turquoise Bar Stool

I wanted a bar stool for my kitchen counter and this plan was perfect for what I wanted. I painted it turquoise to match a bookcase I had in the connecting living room. Since I already had the paint and wax all I had to pay for was the wood.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar "Swim" satin sample paint + 1/3 cup water + 1/3 cup plaster of Paris to make homemade chalk paint.

Sealed with 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

Cedar Storage Box

My wife and I constructed this cedar storage box over a few days. We lined the inside with heavy-duty plastic in the hopes of keeping it dry(ish). It will store the cushions for our patio chairs, which otherwise would be laying around in our master bedroom taking up space. The legs on the storage box still have the bark attached to the boards, which gives it a great unique effect. We purchased a whole bunch of cedar from a mill for cheap - they are "off cuts," or edges with bark on them. There are a ton of useable boards that we've pulled and the rest we'll use as firewood. It was a great deal, but a lot of labor to go through the huge pile. Overall, very worth it when you consider the price per useable board is <$1 for cedar. This was our first major woodworking projects and I have to say -- the box came together beautifully. Thank you for the detailed plans. I'm very grateful for this online community!

Estimated Cost
<$5, but see details in description
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet, weighing our options
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Farm Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/18/2024 - 13:09

My Version of your Country 'X' Desk, Thank you for your website & videos, Joe from Canada

Built from Plan(s)

Chevron Shoe Bench

Submitted by brookslu on Sat, 08/25/2012 - 19:51

I based this project on the Outdoor Shoe Bench. We used some leftover wood from a large building project, so we had to make some changes depending on wood dimensions available, but it worked. We also did a few things a little differently, such as the overall dimensions and how we did the lot. I very much appreciated the help and inspiration I got from this website!

Estimated Cost
20
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I just used Kilz spray primer and white Rustoleum spray paint. I also got the fabric from the Premier Prints collection on fabric.com
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Storage cabinet

Submitted by coryjon on Fri, 06/20/2014 - 04:34

We needed some extra kitchen storage with a baby on the way and this project did the trick! We needed something skinny since space is a premium in our kitchen. I am happy with how this turned out. I made the shelves adjustable using the Kreg shelf pin jig, which worked amazingly.

Finish Used
Valspar Swiss Coffee in semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mantel Moulding Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/18/2016 - 21:29

I made this in one day.  I used builders grade lumber and made it full size instead of queen. 

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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