Community Brag Posts

Build A House Bunk Bed

House Beds are a huge trend right now. I saw my first house bed over a year ago and I fell in love and I swore that as soon as we built our daughter a toddler bed someday, I would make a super cute pink house bed, decorated in cute pom pom buntings and it would be perfect. Well, fast forward a year, and she’s only 16 months, still a ways away from being in a toddler bed. Then I had a idea! We are in the process of decorating our boys bedroom. and we needed to build them a new bunk bed set as their old set was massive and took up half their room. Click link below to view the full tutorial!

Estimated Cost
53.00 ( we only had to buy the wood )
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded with our dustless sander and then painted grey with chalk paint ( two coats ) and finished with a matte poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King Bed Frame

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/08/2019 - 21:18

My daughter got a new king mattress. We went shopping for a bed frame, they were all really expensive or junk. Decide to make our own. So far its coming out great. Total build time 5 hours.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
220.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Bunk Beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/13/2023 - 11:56

My latest project - a bunk bed for our grandboys, coming to visit in a few weeks from Germany. The end slats are connected with 36 stopped mortise and tenon joints. The rails are connected with 8 through mortise and pegged tenon joints. The drawer pulls are walnut and large enough for a toddler to operate with both hands. The fences use dowels and are pegged on the ends. The ladder utilizes a french cleat to hold it in place.

https://www.facebook.com/randallgroves

Built from Plan(s)

scraps come to life!!

Submitted by sueslager on Mon, 03/26/2012 - 06:15

Thank you ana ... and all of you "braggers" ... I have a huge list of projects now, but this is the first one from your ideas. I had an old piece of 3/4 plywood left over from something else so that became the top .. and other sizes were adjusted as needed. I realize now that i should have taken pictures along the way ... it was pretty ugly before finish :) The top is brown paper bagged ... the best instructions out there are at http://lovelycraftyhome.com/2011/11/09/the-ultimate-brown-paper-floorin… ... it is truly almost magic how beautiful such simple ingredients and technique become (and cheap) Thanks again!

Estimated Cost
free - from leftovers and scraps
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
satin black oil enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bunnie1978

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 07:20

I love the texture. I have never heard of paper bagging. LOL. It is very unique, and I'm sure it can be just as durable as anything else with the right finishing. Nice job! I am very impressed.

sueslager

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 10:20

my finished dimensions ended up being 13 (W) x 48 (L) x 18 (H) ... found Ana's dimensions were very adjustable though ... the only trick was the cross braces ... and those i ended up having to hold in place and draw the cut lines .. my geometry failed me :)

from what i hear the "paper bagging" is quite durable .. there are reports all over the web of people who have had it in place on their floors for years with only occasional touchups with poly ... definitely time consuming with needing so many poly coats .. but they go quickly. i'm putting it on my stairs next ... have tile below, will be wood above .. and i'm too cheap to pay for hard wood stair tread!!

kaytrishjr

Wed, 03/28/2012 - 13:25

You did a wonderful job!!!! Mine is holding up just fine, my son practically does cartwheels on it everyday, no problem! Now, I'm about to start on my floors this week, cant' wait to see how it turns out!

sueslager

Wed, 03/28/2012 - 17:52

i already tore out the carpet on my steps ... if we still like it the bedroom will be next ... hope your project goes smoothly!

Table

Submitted by Burge12 on Tue, 01/14/2014 - 09:35

This is my first table. I used the Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table plans, but modified it to fit our kitchen.

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

Comments

JoanneS

Tue, 01/14/2014 - 16:35

Great job on this table! I like how you placed the pedestals, you can push the chairs all the way in on the ends. Your finish looks beautiful!

Washer & Dryer Pedestal

Thank you dmccoy!! Washer & Dryer Pedestal / Platform with Drawer

Followed your plan and these came out sturdy and solid.

I adjusted it to 55 inches to fit my smaller space and decided to not build the drawers.

So simple to put together and saved over $400 

Estimated Cost
About $100
2X6 wood, plywood, screws
I had extra paint in the garage
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

So Chic Dream Dollhouse

Submitted by navinifiji on Fri, 03/30/2012 - 19:50

My first attempt at a woodworking project. I LOVED IT!! But I'm not sure which I loved more...the building or the decorating. I can't wait to build more!

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax natural cherry.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Liz B. (not verified)

Mon, 09/24/2012 - 20:31

I'm curious about the scrapbook paper, do you know which paper she used? Thanks!

Liz B. (not verified)

Mon, 09/24/2012 - 20:30

Hi! can you tell me about your decorating supplies? Did you use scrap book paper for the walls? I am really interested in the wall with letters and children playing! Also, what furniture did you use?
Thanks!!

Tropical Wood Cooler Built From Ana & Birds & Soap Plans

Submitted by nprcowboy on Fri, 01/17/2014 - 07:49

My wife and I saw the wood cooler plans here and decided that would be a great project and great addition to our outdoor tiki patio area. The build wasn't that bad. I could not find the exact cooler as listed so I got a different one and the dimensions were different, but I accommodated for it. We went with a tropical rustic look and decorated like a live blue crab crate. Really came out amazing.We had slated to paint it yellow with blue trim, but yellow was too bright so then started painting lid blue over the yellow to see what it looked like and decided to sand it down and do something different. That's when the magic happened. When I started sanding, blue and yellow came out and look faded and rustic, and it looked amazing. So we went with that as our scheme. Sanded up areas to look distressed!!! We put the shelf and spout on the opposite side to fit our area better. All in all was a great project and love the results. Going to break it in for the superbowl in 2 weeks!!!! My wife was a great help doing the painting and my 11 yr old daughter pitched in on the wood work. Thanks girls!! Contact me with any questions. So what you think of it?????

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
gray primer, exterior paint, clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Knot Good with Wood

Sun, 01/19/2014 - 18:16

You nailed it bro! Very nicely done, and it looks very well built. I've had this on my to-do list, but haven't tackled it yet.

-Brian

A little upgraded version!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/09/2016 - 17:00

A little upgraded version. Made it a little taller so little sister could sleep below! 

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

Evergreen Tree Shelf

Submitted by Sue Hill on Tue, 12/17/2019 - 10:43

This has been such a popular post this season, so I had to give it a try. I was worried that the angles wouldn't match up but it turned out wonderful. I think a beginner woodworker could build this if they had a miter saw and good measuring skills.

Thanks for a terrific plan!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Varathane Red Oak Stain, then mixed some water with Evergreen paint to wash over the stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Vertical Herb Garden

Submitted by rsk9rsa on Tue, 04/03/2012 - 11:05

Decided to build a vertical herb garden after seeing a brag post. I used 3 six foot cedar fence pickets cut to 22 inches to fit between our garage doors. I used 2 inch nails and wood glue to keep everything together.

The best part was ripping th left over pieces of cedar at a 45 degree angle to use as hangers. I have not seen this described yet on this site yet. After you rip the boards you attach the one side to the back of the box so that the short side is flush. The other portion you attach to the wall so that the pieces will slide together to form a full board again. Its a great way to get the boxes flush against the wall and avoid expensive hanging accessories. It also allows you to do all your gardeining at your potting bench and then hang them when you are done.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
7.50
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Gymgirl (not verified)

Thu, 11/01/2012 - 10:24

That technique you used is called a French Cleat system. I had three parallel rails installed on the walls in my garage, and, so far, have built two cabinets that hang on the walls (I have many more to go!).

Anything to which you can attach a cleat on the backside can be hung on a corresponding cleat on the wall! Pencil boxes, pegboard sheets (I have pegboard hanging on cleats), swivel lights, paper towel holders, an old bookcase (makes for instant shelving), etc.

Hugs!

Oliver Couldn't Wait!

Submitted by mtrotman on Sun, 01/19/2014 - 04:17

This was a fun, easy project. The main modification I made was to use 1 x 6 boards for the bench tops.

I also used my Kreg Jig extensively for this project. There are no visible screws on the tabletop or bench tops.

My grandson Oliver couldn't wait for me to put a finish on it. He had to try it out while snacking on his great-grandmother's pumpkin bread.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35 but I already had screws and glue.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
TBD
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Versatile Wine Holder Gift

Submitted by calcowoods on Tue, 12/24/2019 - 11:39

Plans with accompanying video were just perfect and we built two holders in a few hours.  Stained with 2 coats of Minwax Cherry and applied Minwax Finishing Paste as topcoat.  My wife created a template for the 3 part circle wood section and used a scroll saw for the cuts.  We will be building more sets of the wine holders as gifts for family and friends.

Estimated Cost
Less than $7 dollars with $4 for pair of holders for each
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Cherry and applied Minwax Finishing Paste as topcoat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My take on the toy box

Submitted by Patrick on Sat, 04/07/2012 - 13:30

I chose to go with regular plywood, and I used thin pieces of wood to cover the screw holes in the corners. I just rounded the edges of the corner pieces to make them meet up with the molding better. Then I routered the top to smooth it out. I stained and clear coated it instead of painting it. For the lettering I chose to router it out instead of drawing it on.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax gunstock and spray on clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Storage Bench

Submitted by Celsius86 on Tue, 01/21/2014 - 13:13

I have a small mud room and this bench was perfect for keeping shoes organized on the bottom shelf, as well as storing hats and gloves inside. The storage area isn't very deep but it holds a decent number of hats and gloves.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of Minwax Early American stain with a satin sheen polyurethane over the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Ghol on Thu, 04/14/2016 - 10:52

Fancy table for outside barbecues. I built this table out of 100% Cedar. In order to maintain the lighter cedar color, I just several coats polyurethane for outdoor protection.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~ $250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear outdoor polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

rustic farmhouse kitchen island

Submitted by shawnkirk on Fri, 12/27/2019 - 10:48

My wife wanted/needed a kitchen island for more storage and prep space. After seeing the prices online of nice kitchen islands, I decided to take the time to make her this one. I would mark this as advanced due to the numerous cuts, joinery techniques, and sheer prep time it took. The build was a success as on Christmas morning once she saw this she cried out of joy! It took the better part of a month because I Hand Hewed with an axe the legs, the whitewash finish is of my own design(a 6 step process), all pieces were sanded, finished, and distressed before assembly. For the butcher block, I used Anna's rustic-x coffee table top design- I only wish I had a jointer so I could have the slabs flush, but I did plane and sand all the way from 80 grit to 240 grit to create a smooth finish. Then all pieces were treated with multiple coats and buffings of citrus wood wax.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400- lumber was around $300, stain and hardware added maybe another $60-70
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax antique American walnut gloss stain, Behr semi gloss white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced
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