Community Brag Posts

We wanted a simple loveseat that used standard-sized cushions (that I found at target.com) that we could put on our narrow screened-in porch. The cushions were about twice the cost of the lumber! I modified the plan by changing the outsides from 2x3's to 2x4's and I made decorative panels of our State's flag using a stencil I created from an image on the Internet. I then cut the stencil out, marked it and cut it out using a scroll saw. The pattern is on 1/4' plywood framed in with 1 x 2's on the sides and 1/2" quarter round on the tops and bottoms of the patterns on both sides. This was fun and quick to build and it met our needs perfectly! I'm even designing some matching end tables for it! Since we're in Charleston, SC we used a color called "Charleston Green", it's nearly black but in bright sun you can see a little green. We barely get to use it though as the cat has taken it over! Thanks for a great plan!

This is made by using treated lumber and concrete deck piers. The genius of this bench is that there are no screws. It fits together like a puzzle and sits on concrete deck piers. I left it untreated for a bit and decided to let the piers stay gray. The original plans called for the piers to be stained black and a stain to be applied to the wood. I wanted to post this as inspiration but will add the link to the template for the wood pieces at a later time. 

This project took several months of off and on work but I am very happy with the results. Followed the plans on this website to the T and they were great. Got the wood from the local lowes and the hardware from Ace Hardware. Used the Kreg Jig pocket hole system to hide the fasteners which makes a big difference. I also used flat black spray paint for the hardware.

I loved the rustic look that this project was finished with so I did the same. The stain was great, really easy to make and stains really well. I covered the stain with the recommended wax which gives it a really nice shine and is very smooth.

Huge thanks to this website!

I built this at the Home Depot "Do it Herself" class last month.  I have been trying to figure out something for a large ironing board (for yardage of fabric for quilting) for quite some time now.  I decided this was PERFECT!  I removed the top tray, and added a 2' X 4' craft board on top, covered it with insulbright and canvas and it's a perfect Ironging station!!  I keep the ironing supplies underneath, and I have tons of extra storage space, it's WONDERFUL!

Built my wife a farmhouse table. We kind of took 3 different plans and made 1 table. We used the table top from one set of plans, the legs from another, and the X design from a 3rd. We built it on our week off for Christmas. Building wise it took 10-20 hours, but there was a lot of drying time with all the stain and poly. Two coats of Early American stain and 3 coats of poly on the table top. It's about 7' long, and the only problem now is we don't have enough chairs. 

I am all about charm and character, but when it comes to my 1940s brick bungalow, the plaster ceiling cracks got on my nerves. Every changing season brought the inevitable expansion and contraction that would leave new mapped territory on the ceilings in the bedrooms. I usually just mudded over them and smoothed them out with a bit of paint, but that was getting old. So, I decided, after much brainstorming, to come up with a permanent solution. I created a ceiling treatment using beadboard and lightweight trim board to make a faux beamed ceiling. The rooms look great and I finished the look with crown moulding. I chronicled the project with detailed step-by-step directions and photos on my blog: www.momthebuilder.net. Check it out and let me know what you think!
-Angie

Modified the Gaby Kitchen Island plans to fit our own needs! LOVE THIS PIECE!

We wanted to make our daughter a play kitchen for her birthday. We have a farmhouse sink so we wanted her to have one just like ours. My husband built it out of wood. We wanted the cabinets to look like Shaker cabinets so we added trim to them & the Fridge. We bought the handles from Home Depot.  If you have any questions I will be happy to answer them. 

I wanted to add a little homey touch to my ledges so I burned a saying into one of the two ledges in each pair. My husband and I used the plan for the Ten Dollar Ledges and instead of painting, we finished them with Stain/Finish in one.

9 drawer dresser made out of African mahogany wood. 

Built for our new puppy, Bullet. He is a brindle boxer, and our new pride and joy! Dimensions of this crate will work for him for approximately a year or so. I assume at some point i'll need to build another, slightly larger version of this one. But all-in-all it came out excellent. One issue in the cut list as mentioned before, but you figure it out when you get to it. Not a big deal. Time frame for cutting and assembly is would probably have been just a few hours(3-4) had I not spent 2 days sanding, staining, lacquering, waiting for lacquer to dry, sanding, waxing and polishing.

I used the plans for the Fancy X Farmhouse table, but customized the lengths of both the bench and table to fit our room and to the sizes we wanted.  Thanks Ana!

I had a great time building this coffee table and the instructions were easy to follow, especially for a beginner like me. Thanks Ana! 

I saw many different sliding door projects online, so I did my own spin on one. I was able to get several old pallets for free (pine and oak). I went to Lowes and bought a few 2x3s which I used as the frame, and the track hardware which was only $13! Most doors I see are mounted from the wall, but since I have 7' ceilings downstairs I mounted mine from the ceiling. This project only took about 4 hours total and cost about $40 when you figure in costs for screws, stain, etc. The most difficult part was taking apart the pallets. Using a reciprocating saw with a 12'' demolition blade is the best way to take them apart. Thanks for the idea Ana.

A little warmer than I had planned but very happy with my completed first project. Thanks Ana!

I used the Sliding Door Console and modified it for a 36" Electric Fireplace insert.  Behind the doors are the shelves as per the original design.  

I did purchase the door track - and used reclaimed wood for the doors.  These pieces are about 1/4 - 3/4" wide and vary in color.