Community Brag Posts
Console table
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Built from the Balin Console Table plan. I needed more storage for my entryway table, so I added the extra drawers. First, I had it stained but found this chalk paint in the mistints at Lowe's. Perfect color!
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DIY Outdoor Wood Chairs
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Thanks Ana! Appreciate all the plans and how much I’m learning.
My First Project
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My husband and I got sick of buying particle board furniture and having it fall apart. I was so excited to see these desk plans and decided to build each child one of their own.
I tweaked the plans a lot. I learned a little SketchUp in the process. Each of these desk tops sits on 4 16x16" bases. Each desk has one drawer base, one fixed-shelf base, and two adjustable shelf bases. The bases can be rearranged as desired and can later be used as shelves when we don't need the desktops anymore.
All 3 desks took me just over 4 months to complete. Of course, Christmas happened during that time.
I used Fir based on some misguidance at the lumber yard. I'm still a little upset by that. I used pine edgebanding and am pleased with the finished look though. I just hope the wood is hard enough to not suffer too much damage.
I really enjoyed this project and my kids are loving the results. Their desks don't wobble and they have a lot of space.
Thanks for the jumping off point and all the instructions here. My next project is a built-in entertainment center. Should be fun!
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MinWax Water Based Poly - Clear Semi-gloss
One Piece Play Kitchen
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This was my first project and I learned a lot about drilling and sawing. I love the cute kitchens people have built with this plan, but we went for realistic with neutral colors since it is going to be in our own kitchen and not in a playroom. The biggest challenge was was that I was continually finding components I wanted to add, but then I would have to redo things I'd already done to fit them in.
For someone doing this plan, my only suggestion is to put the pocket holes inside the oven area instead of inside the sink area, as the countertop is easier to screw in that way.
For the fridge, I used 11x14 clear acrylic for the shelf and glued in a motion sensing light. For the farm sink, I used glidden super glossy white paint, which is supposed to not show brush strokes but it did for me. I also made the shelf under the sink a half shelf. For the oven, I used cookie racks from the dollar store and a push-on light inside. The counter top is a realistic looking laminate I found in the shelving dept of Menards for $2. I found the wire disks for the stove top at a surplus supply shop for 75c each. My husband tiled the backsplash and we added that board after the grout had dried so the rest of the kitchen wouldn't get grout on it.
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Comments
Mon, 01/06/2014 - 17:59
Great play kitchen!
Great job on this play kitchen! It looks awesome, love all the details you used. That counter top looks very real, and I love how you put the white inside the fridge with the light! Clever and super creative! Fantastic job on your first project!
Tue, 01/07/2014 - 10:05
Wonderful build!
This is one of the most realistic-looking play kitchens I've seen. I love the look of the farmhouse sink, the white interior of the fridge, and the tile backsplash. This will be wonderful to pass down to a future generation!
4x6 Version
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I made a few modifications that I think people starting this project may want to know. 1. 4x4 box gets a little tight for more than one kid. I chose 4x6 so that the bench dimensions would scale up to 3 slats per section correctly, but the length of 1x4 boards would not have to be lengthened, which would required additional support. 2. As a rule of thumb, any outdoor lumber that may have prolonged exposure to water (IE. Touching the ground) should be pressure treated. I couldn't find 1" thick treated boards, so the box uses 2x10 boards. 3. Used a redwood semi-transparent stain.
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Kitchen island
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I designed and built this kitchen island for my daughter and her husband along with the cabinets. the island top is made of walnut.
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Comments
Outdoor Couch
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Outdoor couch is a delight.
Damian
Kitchen breakfast bar with built in trash receptacle
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I wanted to add a breakfast bar to our kitchen but had nowhere to place the garbage can. An Internet search eventually led me to Ana's site and the perfect solution. I used the trash receptacle idea and integrated it into my breakfast bar. I added a cookbook shelf and incorporated shelves on the other side to use wasted space where leg room was not impeded. I also built a hidden shelf for cell phones, keys and wallets. The top is from Ikea and I cut to fit. The structure and base was all cut from a sheet of MDF and I added bead board for a bit of design. This site is fantastic! I've built modified versions of plans from this site including the shed, tv stand with side DVD shelves, mud room lockers, and have plans for more projects. I will post these projects soon. Thanks Ana!
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Comments
Wed, 01/08/2014 - 20:10
Looks great!
I love your design and the incorporation of the trash can. Very practical.
Wed, 01/08/2014 - 20:27
Thanks Linda!
The trash can space was originally going to be an area to store wine...thanks to my wife's suggestion I had to think of a way to store the trash can. That led me to this site and I've now been inspired to do several other projects based on plans found here. This site is terrific and inspirational!!
Christmas tree
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Thank you very much for the Christmas tree plans, was a nice and fun project, I added a star, can be removed if people wants to use the tree year long.
Thank you again
Sergio
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Square Outdoor Picnic Table
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6 seater Recycled Fijian Kauri with extra leg supports, one side higher & closer for kids.
Marty
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Comments
Florida Gator Themed Playhouse
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My husband Jon recently built this playhouse with/for a friend of his from work. It took them two months to complete and it's awesome! Jon's friend is also a die hard Gators fan so they made sure to add blue and orange as much as they could. Thanks Ana for giving them the courage to take on such a feat!
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Comments
Wed, 03/21/2012 - 01:51
Great Job! All this says is
Great Job! All this says is "GO BRONCOS!" I'm an Idaho girl and I love the BOise State colors, lol! "Playhouse" is an understatement. This is a jungle. This is a huge play structure! and it is awesome.
In reply to Great Job! All this says is by birdsandsoap
Sat, 04/14/2012 - 07:08
Haha! Thanks birdsandsoap! I
Haha! Thanks birdsandsoap! I think it's awesome that you saw something special in a totally different way. Glad you liked our color scheme and project! ;)
Pink Adirondack Chairs
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Two Pink Adirondack Chairs
Jons Home Made Table
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Built from the
Farmhouse Table - Updated Pocket Hole Plans. I used pine for all the wood, painted the bottom with white
Valspar Storm Coat, and table top with Miniwax Red Mahogany stain.
It's not purfect but, it turned out great.
Lessons learned
I need is a planer to make the boards straight, Belt sanding took a long time.
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60 for wood
20 for paint
10 for stain
20 clear coat
10 for screws
Farmhouse Hall Tree
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I made this hall tree for my daughter for Christmas . I am a beginner with woodworking and this is the first piece of big furniture I have made.
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Outdoor L Shaped Sectional and Table
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My wife used you patio sectional and table plans to make herself a summer oasis. She built it specifically to fit a corner of our patio that we were never using. Now it is used almost daily for reading, visiting or just sitting outside watching the birds.
Tony for Julie
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First Project Rustic Farm Table
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This the first project my husband attempted. I hope I can be more involved in the next project. I'm very proud of his first table! We plan on putting it on the screened in porch of our new house we are getting ready to build.
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Comments
Mon, 04/09/2012 - 08:33
Paint and Stain
I have a question. When you stained the top, how did you ensure that your paint was not affected by the stain? I am working on m y first project. I have it all together, painted the bottom, but am stumped by how to stain the top with out ruining all my hard work. Any advice would help.
Sun, 05/13/2012 - 12:29
So sorry I just saw your
So sorry I just saw your comment! We used a scrap piece of cardboard to put up against the table when "edging" the stain or paint. We could get in the corner alone the bottom where the stain and paint meet without having to have super steady hand or be completely stressed. Hope this helps!
Rustic X Bench
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Took a day to build a bench to match my table! I am in love with this bench.
Take a little extra time on your angles to make sure you get them right or you will end up with a gap!
Extra long, no middle shelf Rustic X Console
We have a huge sectional and loved this table, so we modified it a little to fit our needs. Took out the center shelf, made it 10 feet long, and added breadboard ends to the top. Came out perfect! Couldn't be happier.
Finished with three coats of wipe on satin poly (gentle knockdown with very fine steel wool between coats), and finally a coat of clear wax. Buff until arms give out.
Upgraded Luggage Rack or Suitcase Stand Benches
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Made from
Upgraded Luggage Rack or Suitcase Stand Benches
just added the seat cushions
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And distressed paint and varnish.
Privacy Planter and Under Deck Storage
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In the middle of a much needed makeover on our back deck! We did not have skirting around the deck and decided that we would like to close it in for extra storage(ladders,compost bin...) and we came up with this little something as a bonus. We are always hosting backyard get togethers and seating is a challenge. Setting up and putting away chairs,ugh. This has been the perfect solution. This was completely an "as we went" plan but the biggest need to know is, heavy duty hinges! (As I said,the deck is getting a makeover so go easy on the appearance:)
Jodi and Matt B.
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