Community Brag Posts

Rustic Concrete Island

Submitted by mdurling on Mon, 03/28/2016 - 08:42

I used the Farmhouse Table plans as inspiration for my concrete kitchen island. I doubled up on the stretchers to add additional support for the 3x5 (275lb) cast concrete top and reversed the legs to expose the notches which were cut using a table saw. I used two coats of Minwax Golden Oak stain and two coats of Minwax polyurethane for the finish. The galvanized lag screws on the end supports are decorative, not structural. I used galvanized plumbing pipe to support the shelves and accessorized with bottle/wine openers. The top required 3 80lb bags of Quikrete 5000 and was sealed and waxed using Cheng concrete products. Because the concrete top was cast off-site, I had to build an A-frame to transport it safely to the installation site.

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Golden Oak (2 coats)
Minwax Polyurethane (2 coats)
Cheng Concrete Sealer (5 coats)
Cheng Concrete Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Malka

Tue, 05/17/2016 - 03:55

This might be one of the coolest builds I've seen yet! Love the combination of wood, metal and concrete!

Farmhouse Table w/ pocket holes

Submitted by JustJ on Sun, 11/17/2019 - 07:07

Pocket holes made it a breeze,  and so strong. Very heavy.  Recommend assembling top to base after you have placed it where you want it.  Modified slightly for length,  and only used 2x8, instead of 2x10 in center, for correct width.   

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Outdoor Conversation Set

Submitted by cspires64 on Sun, 03/18/2012 - 13:13

Spring is around the corner and I had no outdoor furniture. My boyfriend had just talked me into a new weber grill, which did not leave much budget for new outdoor furniture. That's when I came across this web site and thought 'I can do that'. So I talked me boyfriend into helping build this Simple Outdoor Conversation Set. We used plans for the Simple Outdoor Lounge Chair and Simple Outdoor Ottoman and then followed the alterations by post for 'My Modern Outdoor Patio Collection' to make the loveseat.

The whole project came together over 5 days.
Day 1: Cut all boards (5 hrs)
Day 2: Sand all boards (5 hrs)
Day 3: Stain all boards (6 hrs)
Day 4 & 5: Assemble furniture (9 - 10 hrs)

The total project took about 25 hrs and cost about $350. Here's the breakdown wood and supplies $204 from Lowe's for pretreated wood. $145 on cushions (NOT ON SALE); $60 for the seat cushions from Home Depot and $80 for the back cushions from Wal-Mart. We were originally planning on only having the seat cushions, but the seats were long when you set in them with your back against the bear wood (I was setting so far back, my feet couldn't reach the floor) so we opted for thick back cushions to make it more comfortable. The project finished up just in time for our first BBQ party! (March 2012)

Estimated Cost
$204
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Redwood toner and sealant
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Beautiful in Gray

Submitted by kegrove on Wed, 01/08/2014 - 19:02

This was my first project from this site and it came out beautifully!!!
I was lucky and got all my cuts at Home Depot for FREE so I only had to buy minimum hardware. Total cost came in under $200 and I highly recommend the Miniwax Gray.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
under $200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Classic Gray
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Master Bedroom Update with New Bed!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/30/2023 - 15:07

Master bedroom makeover ❤️ bed plans are from Ana White

 

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Cottage End Table modified slightly

Submitted by KelleighW on Tue, 03/20/2012 - 15:39

This was my second build and am very proud of myself. Never would I have imagined I would be able to build a piece of furniture!! It took me a little while to finish as I slowly bought the wood and worked on it here and there.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I found a recipe on the net for chalk paint and wanted to try my hand at that. What a disaster! The mixture was really thick and I ended up having to water it down A LOT. I perservered and thought well if this doesn't work I can always sand it back and try something else. I applied two coats and sanded it slightly so that the table had a weathered look and I loved it. I then applied a clear coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor Wood Cooler

Submitted by wcoombs30 on Fri, 01/10/2014 - 07:59

Philadelphia Phillies Outdoor Wood Cooler, I used a 48qt cooler and enclosed with pressured treated wood. I also ran plumbing from the spout and attached a brass faucet so it can be emptied when you want to. Three handles were also attached one each side to carry it and one on the lid so it can be opened.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Outdoor Polyurethane Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Barn Door Console used as buffet/server

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/30/2019 - 14:18

used the Grandy Barn Door Console plan to make this buffet-server-storage for my kitchen. I added some additional support to the top shelf, on the back portion, as I want to be able to put heavy dishes in it without the shelf bowing. Just need to add my doors. Burnt the wood on the top for some nice dimension.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
300.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tilt Out Garbage Center with Shelves

This was made for a friend. I looked up Ana's original plan and modified it a little. The end result was something she was very happy with.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer and red spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

N. Hunter (not verified)

Mon, 07/09/2012 - 20:39

I love your modifications.. Think I'll take it bit further and add another pullout on the other side of the shelf. This way I can put one hamper in each, and my whites and darks will already be separate.

Rustic X Kitchen Island - Double

I was in love with the plans, but I knew it needed to be wider to fit my space and be usable. Plus, I didn't want to have the space in the back for stools. I wanted something that had a good amount of storage so I extended the box that was the shelf area and did away with the back board and side boards. I also extended the drawers to the back of the piece.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted with Valspar Satin Black Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Hanging Bookshelf for Toddler Bedroom

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/04/2016 - 13:46

this was super easy and a quick project!  used some wood I already had and it worked perfect for my toddler son's bedroom!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Serving Tray/Caddy

Submitted by LampAtFeet on Mon, 12/09/2019 - 11:49

I recently saw a similar tray on Pinterest and decided to come up with my own version. It's approximately 20 x 12 3/4" and is made from a scrap 1x12 and 1x4s. The removable insert fits 3 pint mason jars for holding silverware and 18oz plastic cups. The handles were purchased from Hobby Lobby.

Tray cut list:

1x12 cut to 18"

2 1x4s @ 11 1/4" (cut to fit short sides)

2 1x4s @ 20" (cut to fit)

- glue and nailed with 1 1/4" brad nails

Removable Insert cut list:

2 1x4s @ 8 1/4" (sides)

1 1x4 @ 12" (top)

1 1x4 (divider) cut to fit, a little less than 10 1/2" (center divider is positioned 3 1/2" from bottom opening)

Glued and nailed with 1 1/4"  brad nails

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum matte black spray paint and 2 coats of satin wipe on polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Surprise Master Closet Makeover!

Submitted by ferbit on Mon, 03/26/2012 - 13:28

After over a year of other projects, I finally had the chance to completely redesign our master closet! I used EasyClosets.com to come up with the design again. :)  I still have a few more tweaks here and there, but I absolutely love it! I surprised my husband for his birthday by doing this project while he was on a business trip. :)

Other than mounting these boxes to the studs, this project was built exclusively with my Kreg Jig. I drilled all of the adjustable shelving holes with a nifty Rockler Jig-It shelving jig - wish it had been the Kreg shelving jig, but I bought mine before Kreg came out with theirs. The Rockler one works great - I just love Kreg's stuff so I'm sure theirs is awesome too.  ;)

I begged Kreg to let me buy their new circular saw rip cut product early for this project, but they said no.  :-(  Bummer because I saw Ana using hers and was so jealous!  I had to rip all of my plywood the old fashioned way on the floor with my circular saw and lots of clamps.  Yuck!

This time around, I used birch plywood.  I used white pre-drilled melamine for both of my daughters closets (brag post here), but I didn't like working with that stuff.  Too sharp, slippery and HEAVY.  I did our spare bedroom closet with pine 1x12 boards a few months back. I think I liked working with the pine best..

After a few months, I purchased a bunch of Closetmaid Fabric Bins/Drawers and they look so good!

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

ferbit

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 18:00

My husband has more room on his side of the closet so his boxes are 16.5" deep. I think that's a bit too deep, but I was trying to use existing wood that had already been cut for shelving on that side. Heavy to hang though. :)

On my side of the closet, the depth is 14.5" deep.

The rods are awesome! Super cheap at The Container Store. You buy them in 2-foot, 3-foot or 4-foot lengths and they cut them on site for you. I posted hyperlinks to the rods and the rod hanging hardware on one of my other brag posts. Love them!

felicia (not verified)

Sat, 11/10/2012 - 17:23

Your closet looks great. How did you get the unit to float on the wall?

Rhea

Thu, 05/16/2013 - 15:00

The closet is amazing. Yesterday I finally took off the builder installed shelf and dowel. Took a while, still need to patch up the drywall. I am now research to get the closet renovation started. I have tons of questions.
I understand that the shelves itself were attached by kreg jig holes. How do I hang the shelves on the wall?

jyothianil

Tue, 11/19/2013 - 06:47

Yours closets are awesome. Can you please advice as i am a newbee.

White closets: For the white closets we buy the regular plywood from Home depot and then do primer and paint. Can you please advice on the primer and the paint I should use to make it white color.

Wood closets: I like the wood color closets. Do we need to do any polish. What sheets should we buy in home depot to make wood color closets. What are our options for wood color closets

Thank you

ferbit

Thu, 11/21/2013 - 11:16

Rhea, take a look at Ana's kitchen cabinet plans and look at how she braces them along the back. That's what you screw through into the studs. To make it easier, I screwed in a scrap 2x2 into the studs at JUST below where I wanted the closet shelves to go (sort of like a temporary shelf). Then I carefully set the closet box on my temporary shelf and screwed it into the studs.

Also, if you click on my username, I explain how I hang them in a bit more detail in one of my daughter's closet makeovers. :)

ferbit

Thu, 11/21/2013 - 11:24

Hi jyothianil,

I have done both actually. I did both of my daughter's closets using pre-peg-hole-drilled white melamine from HD. You can get it in two widths and it saves you a ton of time not having to drill all of those holes. A few things to consider... Melamine is HEAVY and a total pain to work with. The edges are sharp after being cut and it slips everywhere when trying to kreg-jig it together. But it's DONE once it's put together...

On two other closets, I just used ripped sheets of birch plywood or 1x12 sheets of pine. I didn't finish mine, but I probably should have. It doesn't snag the clothes, but it does create dust. If I had at least put one coat of poly on, it would have eliminated a lot of the dust that collects on the clothes.

If you want to paint them white, I would just use some sort of primer and any white paint. It's all personal preference, but I would get semi-gloss or gloss white paint because it won't show fingerprints and clothes will slide on and off the shelves easier.

Doll Farmhouse Bed

Love this bed! Fell in love after seeing it here and on That's My Letter, so my dad and I built the beds according to the plans (did add a center support under the mattress) and I made all the bedding. My daughters' dolls love their new bedroom set!

Estimated Cost
$20 for wood & paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer then semi-gloss spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

$55 Fancy X Desk....with a few alterations.....

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/06/2016 - 11:48

I loved the design of the desk, but needed it to be just a little higher so I could use it as a standing desk in my office. (So I'm not sitting ALL day). The plans were easy to understand and very clear.

Thank you Ana....You are awesome!!!

Estimated Cost
$100 (but that was because I "needed" to buy a couple of new toys......I mean tools).
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Desk for my office.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner