Community Brag Posts

20 second tidy up coffee table

Submitted by jjsarkinen on Wed, 01/23/2013 - 14:07

Loved making this coffee table and having somewhere to hide all the toys! Was my second project to tackle alone and I probably took longer than most. Only thing was it was a little wobbly for my husband and I so we took it apart and put in metal supports on legs. Sturdy enough that all 5 of my kids have been on there spinning around and it didn't budge. Much larger than you think!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax puritan pine and red mahogany. Permanent marker for numbers.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Lady Goats

Wed, 01/23/2013 - 14:51

Especially for a second-alone-project! I'm usually partial to darker stains, but I kinda dig the medium stain you used, too... Maybe I'll have to start lookin' into those!

jjsarkinen

Wed, 01/30/2013 - 09:36

Thank you! I've seen some of your project and I am always blown away by what you build. :)

Kentwood Bookshelf

Submitted by REASMOM on Tue, 11/18/2014 - 17:00

I followed the plans for the Kentwood Bookshelf but added an extra shelf.  I stained it with Minwax Early American stain & 3 coats of Minwax clear satin polyurethane.

Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American stain & 3 coats of Minwax water based, oil modified poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Loft Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/23/2017 - 14:53

This was a pretty easy build and super cost efficient! I decided to paint mine instead of staining it and only used stain on the steps for the platform. After it was put together and the mattress was put in I decided to add an extension to the top (not a lot of room between the top of my son's mattress and the upper edge after an 11" mattress was put in) that could be put on and taken off by just un-clasping it!

Love that the footprint on this loft bed is so small and allowed for SOOOO much more room in my son's room to play and store things! Couldn't be happier with this build.... Only downside: Your friends may ask you to build one for their children, haha.

Estimated Cost
$120 after costs of lumber, pocket hole screws, and paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Polycrilic coat over paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Entryway Bench

We already had a coat rack (which we painted to match the red of the bench) and so we simply made the bench portion of this plan. This was my first non-shelf project since acquiring my Kreg Jig for Christmas and now that it is done I am very pleased with it. I learned a lot about the importance of straight boards here. Those final pieces went on with a certain amount of force! Also, I asked the folks at HD to cut my boards for me to save time (which it certainly did), but their blade caused a lot of splintering on the edges which I spent a lot of time trying to remedy. In the future I will take care of cuts (assuming the boards will fit in my vehicle). Lots of learning, lots of fun.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint, Clear Coat
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Fancy Farmhouse King Bed with footboard

Submitted by Ellie S on Thu, 11/20/2014 - 20:25

I loved the look of the Mom's Fancy Farmhouse Bed...but we wanted a footboard. Made this to fit a traditionally sized King mattress (76x80) and it fits perfectly. Left the 3rd 1x6 off the frame of the support and instead connected a footboard which I made exactly like the headboard, but with shorter legs. I also added height to the headboard legs in order to accomodate both our mattress AND box spring. I didn't have room to bolt the headboard or footboard to the frame/support so instead I screwed 3" screwes through the legs into the frame from the footboard, and then screwed the headboard legs directly into the studs/wall in our bedroom. Very sturdy seeming and not wobbly. It worked perfectly for size/look in our new master bedroom. Spent several weekends on this project. Could've finished it faster if you have a full day and an extra set of hands to help move/turn the headboard/footboard as they get heavy once assembled.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 after cutting the moulding incorrectly/needing to repurchase that.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Kona (2 coats), Rustoleum Polyurethane Satin finish. Could've gotten away with one coat but did not wipe off soon enough/was a bit uneven so the 2nd coat helped even everything out.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Distressed antique white corner cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/25/2017 - 18:24

I used Anna's design to create an 8' tall cabinet with a weathered finish. The inspiration was a reclaimed window frame.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Mocha stain on shelves with grey paint dry brushed over a few areas to look weathered. I finished the shelves with a satin poly.

For the rest of the project I used DIY vinegar and steel wool stain on everything else. I then rubbed a candle of over parts of the stain where I wanted the wood to show thru. I painted over the stain and wax with antique white paint. I then used a heat gun to melt the wax and scraped it off with a chisel.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Christmas Stocking Stand

Submitted by Eddie A on Fri, 12/11/2020 - 16:28

My wife was upset that we didn’t have a mantle in the living room of our new home a d I said, “no problem!”

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut and Dark Walnut Danish Oil

Coat rack / hall tree

Submitted by takahler on Sat, 01/26/2013 - 16:30

Have been wanting to build this coat rack for over a year. Had to postpone all building when my mom became ill and was in the hospital for 9 months. She is home now and is healthy. Back to building! The room is 6 ft x 6 ft. My project is 7ft high x 5 ft wide x 12in. deep. When it gets warmer I can sand it. I am going to paint it white. Bench seat lifts up for added shoe storage.

Estimated Cost
$135.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Will paint white probably in March or April
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Perfect addition to our dining room!

Submitted by Hmccarty on Mon, 11/24/2014 - 17:49

This was our first Ana White project and we absolutely love it! Made it to coordinate with a dining room table and chairs we refinished two years ago. We only made a couple changes: used an edge-glued spruce board for the top instead of the 2x lumber to better match the dining set and added two glass panel doors ($7 each at the local glass shop.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Two coats of Minwax Early American stain followed with Minwax clear gloss poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Out new end tables!

My boyfriend and I bought new furnture for our living room and we didn't like the end tables that came with it so we made our own.  They turned out so beautiful! We have had so many compliments and we plan on building the matching console table.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

melaniestephens

Tue, 02/28/2017 - 06:42

My boyfriend and I bought new furnture for our living room and we didn't like the end tables that came with it so we made our own.  They turned out so beautiful!

Heavily Distressed Bathroom Shelf

Submitted by kotzfunkel on Mon, 01/28/2013 - 10:12

My interpretation of the Martina Bath Wall Storage Shelf. It is constructed from 3/4" pine boards; then heavily distressed. I watered down some dark brown paint for the exposed wood to make it appear that a darker hardwood was used rather than plain pine. Also, instead of the 1/4" ply wood for the back, I used solid pine boards as well to create a flat surface on the back. Plus, it adds stability for hanging.

I used Behr's "Bon Voyage" paint for the outside. The inside of the shelf is mostly white with a splash of "Bon Voyage" to match the outside.

The hardware was bought at Hobby Lobbby.

Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr's Premium Plus "Bon Voyage"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

kotzfunkel

Mon, 01/28/2013 - 13:59

Thanks, etbuogie. Sorry for not elaborating on the finish in the project discription already.

Well, after building I beat the shelf up (just a little bit) with a steel chain to create some dimples on the larger surfaces. Next, I used an awl to randomly stab holes into the sides (wormholes?). After sanding all surfaces smooth, I painted parts of the shelf white with two coats. You could paint it all white, but you really only need to paint those areas that you want to have exposed later. I mainly concentrated on the edges and two outside sides. Next I painted everything blue with a couple of coats. Then I mixed some very light blue paint with white and a bit of my other main blue paint to paint the inside cubby of the shelf. After everything dried, I took a hammer and beat some cornes up. Then I scraped some "cracks" into the side using my awl. Using sandpaper, I eased some edges, sanded the blue paint down to the white creating a layered look, and made larger notches in some parts. Try to imagine where the wear would be if the shelf was in fact - let's say - 20 years old. Then I watered down some dark brown paint (probably a 1:1 ratio) and painted all the exposed yellow pine areas. This made a huge difference, I think. A couple of coats of Polycrylic wrapped the project up.

It sounds like a lot of work, but it was a lot of fun. Just make sure you don't do one area at a time but rather, focus on the whole piece. Periodically, step back and "squint your eyes" to not lose track of the big picture.

I hope this helps you create this beautiful look for you wife.

John Deere toy bunk bedl

Submitted by Veronica P on Wed, 11/26/2014 - 14:18

I made this as a Christmas gift for my two year old. I painted it to match his tractor bunk bed. 

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
John Deere green
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

TwoCuteKids

Sun, 12/07/2014 - 17:32

He is going to love it! You're an awesome MOM! I made bunks for our little girl, but I know her brother will like them just as much. I can see his "puppy" spending the night with her dolls!

Rustic Toy box

I used tongue and groove pine for this. I just ripped the top board down so the ridge wasn't there.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
130$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used strong tea, then once dried I used a vinegar and steel wool mixture. Once that dried and finished the chemistry i sealed with clear varathane. The edge pieces i used a jacobean stain for contrast.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

martina wall shelf

Submitted by jjsarkinen on Wed, 01/30/2013 - 09:34

I built this for my mom for her bathroom. I actually love this shelf so much I built one for me, my mom, mother-in-law and a friend. :)

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
A grey from Behrs. Cannot remember which one. Sorry
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Media Console

Needed a media console for a large TV

Estimated Cost
$ 70.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kids Loft Bed

Submitted by kdins31 on Mon, 03/06/2017 - 10:25

Turned my daughter's ordinary room into a cool hangout for many years to come.  The frame fits a twin with a decent buffer on 3 sides for "stuff."  I also built the headboard with a shelf for more "stuff!" Loft is 4' off the floor.  Headboard was made with with 2/3" frame and scrap 5" t&g boards leftover from other project.  Bed frame is made of 2x8s lag bolted to wall and supported by 4x4.  Railing is made from 2x4s, 1x2s and 1x3s.  The stain is a walnut Danish oil. Under the bed there are LED lights shining down on the seating area.  The couch is made up of two separate folding chairs that turn into beds for sleepovers.  Couches were purchased from Walmart and I built the base.  Built in shelf in wall uses primed 1x4s.

 

 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint. Medium Walnut Danish oil.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Ana White Stocking Stand & Shanty2Chic Stocking Box

Submitted by vprice on Thu, 12/24/2020 - 19:14

Built this today per request of my daughter because she wanted our stockings hung! I loved the stand Ana made but wanted to be able to use it after Christmas. I saw Shant2Chic built a stocking box and decided to combine my two favorite inspirational builders and came up with this! I hope you like it!

I added a 50” box (monitors Shanty2Chic’s measurements) and screwed it to the top of Ana’s Stocking stand!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Clubhouse Bed

Submitted by kylenase on Sat, 02/02/2013 - 06:52

My son is 2 1/2 and saw your clubhouse bed plans and was so excited I decided to build him on.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Mini wax water based stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments