Community Brag Posts

Simple Workbench

Submitted by coolove on Sun, 11/09/2014 - 15:27

A few months ago, I made a simple workbench to store my miter saw and other power tools when I'm not using them. I love it. It was a very easy project. I opted to do a full bottom shelf and added more 2x4s instead of the standard three.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish but I applied three coats of wood hardener for the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Castle Loft Bed "Frozen" Themed

I present the "Castle Loft Bed" with minor modifications. Finished in a "Frozen" theme.

It was time to upgrade my youngest to a "big kid bed" and she was insistent on a frozen bed. After searching for various options we settled on the "Castle Loft Bed" from the Ana White catalog of plans.

We left the slide off, due to available space. Also we changed the steps to be more of a usable toy box/storage and hamper area. I also modified the internal bookcase to have a small "secret" cubby for her "valuables". We also added color changing LEDs to fit the little princess's mood.

 

I hope you like my rendition and keeps in spirit the DIYers quality.

Estimated Cost
$425.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Various paint colors
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X Hall Tree

Rustic Hall Tree
I have been looking for a really nice Hall Tree with out having to spend an entire week just to build it and I found it here. I followed the plans with the exception of the width, which I had to narrow due to where it was to go. I also had to shorten due to wife's height (5 ft 1). Because I help with my friends projects I end up with left over odd and ends and can use them in my projects. The backing I used is T- 1-11, that I sanded down till smooth and then painted. The seat and shelf is a 1 x 12 x 6 bullnose that was left over from a prior project that I cut to 1 x 12 x 3, then ripped the other half to fill in the seat making it 18 inch wide and used the other half to make the top self. The trim was left over from a book shelf that I helped a friend build. I painted the tree but stained the seat, shelf, trim and X with red mahogany stain to match the floor and then sealed with 4 coats of semi-gloss polyurethane.
Thanks for the plans, next project will be a desk for up stairs.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Little foot stools

Very quick stools: 45 Minutes

Materials:
Lumber (plywood or solid 3/4 stock)
foam & batting to size
Straight Legs Plates
pre-made legs (finish to taste)
spray adhesive
staples
fabric

Tools:
Hammer
small flat head screw driver (helps to have one on hand)
small drill bit and screw driver (or cordless drill)
good shears and a razor blade. I circular fabric cutter is awesome and leaves a clean edge)
Staple Gun

* Out of a reclaimed 1x12 cutout 2 8"x14.5" pieces of lumber.
* Space out and attach the Straight Leg Plates (pre-drill the holes)
attach legs
* spray adhesive foam to the board.
* drape your batting over the foam. (I stretch and stable the batting).
* drape and cut fabric to the right dimensions (leave a little overhang to fold under.)
* Staple the fabric (either pleat or 45 the corners)
* Hot glue or nail head on your trim. If using nail heads make a ribbon from the fabric you are using.
* Done :)

My next set will be solid with nailheads

Estimated Cost
25
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Poly or Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

thebeatonpath (not verified)

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 09:20

So excited to see this! Recently purchased leg plates and legs for pennies at an estate sale and thrift store and wanted to make something from them, plus I already have the foam, batting and extra fabric. I have now found just the project because we have NO foot stools. THANKS for posting!

Tryed Side Table

Submitted by CJaq7 on Wed, 11/12/2014 - 17:16

Absolutely love this site. Built 2 of these for my living room. Now building the matching sofa table to match. Couldn't be easier and I think they turned out great. Thank you for all the great plans

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Golden Pecan with Minwax Satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Large Wood Pet Kennel End Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2017 - 14:02

I followed most of the instructions, but made adjustments on the sizing of the wood because I was using rebar.

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Loft bed with stairs

Submitted by donk on Tue, 11/24/2020 - 15:14

I started planning this project this spring when we bought and moved into our new house. I knew with the room size a loft bed would make the most of the room. My daughter is scared of heights a little bit so I was worried about using a ladder. I stumbled on this site and these plans and knew this is exactly what I was going to build. Ever since we finished painting it and getting her room done she has been glued to it!

Comments

Night stand

Submitted by JReed on Mon, 01/21/2013 - 13:03

We had a lot of scraps left over from a previous project so my husband decided to piece together a night stand for our daughter's room. We modified some end table and bar stool plans to fit what we were looking for accordingly. Because her furniture is natural color, we left the wood and just coated twice with polyurethane.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Simple staircase bench

Submitted by BenjiRPX on Sun, 11/16/2014 - 12:02

A simple bench to try my first Kreg Pocket hole Jig. I designed the bench myself, but did not create plans. I used pine wood and 3 layers of varnish for protection. My wife wanted to natural finish so I preferred varnish over paint.

Surprinsingly easy project ! And my wife is very happy that the staircase if finally tidy. Happy wife, happy life ;-)

Estimated Cost
20 euros
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varnish - 3 layer
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Little Helper Tower

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/20/2017 - 07:54

This project is so great! At first I put one side of the hinges on backwards but it was easy to fix and now it actually folds flat. I left the stabilizer feet off because I only have about four inches beside my fridge to store the tower in but it it's still completely stable. My son was "dancing" on it yesterday and it held up perfectly! Thanks Ana, I'm so excited to use this for years!!

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

Christmas pie safe

I found the knob on clearance for 59 cents at Lowe’s and the hinges were under $3. The rest was just pretty plywood and some thin poplar instead of edge banding with a boiled linseed oil finish.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Boiled linseed oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

mamasue72

Sat, 11/25/2023 - 12:17

I am so in love with this! I love traditional and antiques this old time pie safe is what I have been looking for. Especially with cats around. Beautiful and simple!

Seasonal And Holiday

julia nightstand

Submitted by jjsarkinen on Wed, 01/23/2013 - 13:55

Nice plan to do. Used an off white paint and antiqued it with stain pen.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by jesskb on Tue, 11/18/2014 - 14:37

This was my first build and I'm really happy with how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used the oxidation technique and finished with 5 coats of satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Custom built kitchen

Submitted by DIYMomof4 on Thu, 02/23/2017 - 11:30

With our old kitchen crumbling to pieces, I decided to build a new kitchen.  I followed several of Ana's cabinet plans to build the entire kitchen(more than I could list at the bottom).  I was able to customize the cabinet sizes in order to maximize my kitchen space.  I made the doors myself, so I didn't need to worry about standard sizing.  It took me about a year from demolition to completion.  I had to buy a few new tools, all the wood, appliances, the floor, and countertop, and still spent around $5,000.  I learned so much from this project and we all love our new kitchen!  Thank you Ana for all of your wonderful plans!     

Estimated Cost
under $5,000 - including a table saw, hardware, appliances, flooring,
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Target Coatings golden chestnut stain and waterborne alkyd varnish semi-gloss. You can order this online.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First project!

Submitted by Cindycir on Thu, 01/24/2013 - 18:40

I still can't believe how great this turned out and looks just like Pottery Barn's! It was our first project but we are now tackling bookcases for our family room... I can't wait to post again!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Restoration Hardware Industrial Wagon

Submitted by allchrome on Thu, 11/20/2014 - 18:31

What new Mom wouldn't want this for a baby shower gift!!! Easy build

Estimated Cost
$65.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American stain on the body, ebony stain on the side slats, red satin paint on the handle and name plate.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Farmhouse with end extensions

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/25/2017 - 13:29

This farmhouse table I built is 40x84 and has 9" extensions on each end for a total of 102."  I opted to go with 2x4 extensions instead of 2x2s for a durable look and feel!

Estimated Cost
Roughly $150 for lumber and finishing materials.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American stain. Semi gloss polyurethane 3 coats sanded to 240 between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4x4 Truss Bench

Submitted by Eddie A on Fri, 12/11/2020 - 16:25

This was my first bench build and I’m happy with the way it turned out! I adjusted the plans to account for wood movement of the table top using mortise and tenon joinery and draw board pins on the bread board ends. Also edge glued the table top boards and used z-clips to attach the bench top.

Built from Plan(s)

Rustic X Console

Submitted by nteichert on Sat, 01/26/2013 - 14:08

I finally talked my husband into helping me whip this thing up. It didn't take very long to put it together, but it did take a long time for me to figure out a finish I would like. I used the steel wool/vinegar and black tea stain, but it ended up too dark, nearly black. So I sanded and sanded and applied a wood stain on top of it. It looks great!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less than 100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bench Birthday Surprise

Submitted by AlexO on Mon, 11/24/2014 - 06:37

We bought a new house this past summer and got a new table but without chairs.  My wife wanted a bench for one side and I decided to surprise her and make one.  This was my first woodworking project and thanks to Ana it came out great.  I made some modifications to the plan:

4x4 for the legs

2x8 for the top

2x6 for the breadboards

I also made it about half as long to fit under the table.

My time frame was longer than it needed to be because I made some rookie mistakes I had to redo some things.  The notches in the legs was probably the only really hard part and with some practice not bad at all.

My wife loves it and now wants me to build more!  I guess I have a new hobby!

I finished it off with a single coat of Varathane Red Oak and a satin poly.

On to the next project....

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Red Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner