Community Brag Posts

Farmhouse Table and Benches

Submitted by chadk on Thu, 12/24/2015 - 11:27

I modified the dimensions of the pocket hole farmhouse table plans so the table would fit our smallish dining room.  60 inch table and matching benches from the Friendly Home.  It turned out great!  We couldn't be happier.  This was our first build.

 

Thanks Ana!

-Chad

Estimated Cost
$200 +/-
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Mission Oak Stain and a triple coat Minwax Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Shiplap fireplace

Submitted by Medickep on Tue, 01/31/2023 - 05:42

My fiancée wanted to spice up our living room and we got this great idea from Ana, whose video made me realize I could do this! I was a little reluctant because a lot of these you see don’t have a lot of electronics and the TV is pretty high. I feel like we we able to balance this out by adding the shelf’s to the side for electronics!

Comments

Console Table

Submitted by amil04 on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 11:17

I followed the instructions Ana provided, but added a small crown molding to the front and sides and added a solid top that I stained. I also added the lower shelf with leftover pieces and a knob for decoration. I love this new table in my entryway!! I built it in about 3 hours and had it all painted and stained by the next day! Thanks Ana!

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

Twin Over Queen Loft Mod

This is the nightly sleeper for our 6yo (queen) and 4yo (twin) boys, but we have in-laws who visit from out of town frequently and we also wanted a place to allow them to be comfortable as couples.

 

To accomodate adult headroom on the queen, I raised the entire loft 7" (72" high) and to fit the queen beneath, I had to lengthen the loft rails by 9" (84" long). To fill the resulting gap, I just used some 39" scraps of 2x4 and 2x6 overlapped to create a 4x10 landing which actually ended up a cool addition since it gives the kids a spot lower than the mattress to make the transition from the ladder to the mattress. It also has given us adults a spot to sit off the mattress while comforting them to sleep when needed, so we don't end up waking them when we leave.

 

I based the height of the queen legs (made four of them) off the size of a standard storage tote, which was ~13". We can fit 12-16 totes of clothes or other random storage under the bed as a result. The queen frame was just a simple 64"x84" rectangle out of 2x6s with 7 2x4s used as crossbeams to hold the mattress.

 

Note on the mattresses - these 8" memory foam mattresses are just as comfortable as our expensive name brand king mattress, but MUCH cheaper!

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-8-inch-Memory-Foam-Mattress-Multiple-Sizes/47826185

 

Despite raising the loft, I kept the height of the stair platform the same, but just added a second 'ladder' rung to get up to the loft (refer back to the 4x10 landing spot on the loft). To keep with the using available storage space theme, instead of attaching the stairs permanently, I used 1"x4" hinges to that we could swing the stairs up and put 4 more storage totes under there. (However, we quickly found that the kids liked that area as a 'fort', so we've left it open for their use.)

 

In the picture, you'll note there are four treads/steps on the stairs because I thought to myself "little feet, little steps" would be better. I soon learned that the littles are more than capable of using adult sized steps while adults nearly killed themselves coming down the little feet, little steps. As such, I ended up removing one of the middle steps and moving the new singular middle to a spot between the other two. Much better, stay with 3 steps.

 

While the queen can stand alone, I still attached it to the 'legs' of the loft so that our rambunctious boys didn't 'sweep the leg' and bring the whole thing down on themselves while under it.

 

Estimated Cost
Only need an additional 8 2x4s and 6 2x6s from the original plan.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Actually no stain on this. Instead, used a Benzo torch and burned every board to produce the grain patterns seen. Just sealed it with a standard clear poly to lock in that grain and protect the wood a little.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Garden Bench

Submitted by monster on Sun, 10/27/2013 - 14:48

This bench is HUGE! I think I should have scaled it back. It was fun to make, though. Thanks for the plans :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table

Small Farmhouse table with custom made husky legs and side trim. I used my router to create the legs and trim.It was my first attempt at turned legs. I used minwax white wash pickle, then I went over with a mixture of minwax of dark walnut and golden oak.

Finish Used
minwax white wash pickle, then a mix dark walnut and golden oak, polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Val Manchuk

Thu, 11/07/2013 - 08:18

Great job on those turned legs! That table looks beautiful!

Val
artsybuildinglady.blogspot.ca

JoanneS

Thu, 11/07/2013 - 12:23

Your table looks awesome! What an amazing job you did turning the legs, and the finish is fab! Beautifully done!

Stick on drawer organizer for laptops

Submitted by Ana White on Tue, 04/25/2023 - 14:06

Our family uses the dining table for homework and work with laptops. I have drawers in a window seat, so I added the stick on dividers to create laptop storage in the drawer.  This was super quick and easy.

I used ripped 1/2” thick plywood pieces.

loved the results!  So easy and exactly what I needed!

 

Interior Wood Rack

My brother just bought house and has a large living room with a large fireplace. He needed something that would hold firewood and also was decorative. We came up with this plan after I built the Grandy Sliding Door Console. Instead of putting in shelves or doors, we put a bottom on and a back on and add the x (2x4's) in the center. We didn't know what to expect, but after finishing it and delivering it to his house, it turned out great.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75-$100. Depending on what paint/screws you have on hand. If you have to buy all paint, stain, and screws, probably closer to $100. The back we used leftover ply wood from the Grandy sliding door console.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax, dark walknut for the top. Then 3 coats of poly. The base is a white paint, distressed with a small amount of dark walnut stain. The base was sealed with Minwax Polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Paulodbe323

Sat, 02/06/2016 - 20:49

Thanks for the comment. I have made many other projects from this site. I need to upload them all soon. 

Paulodbe323

Mon, 05/30/2016 - 00:02

I do not have the full plans exactly. I originally built the grandy sliding media console from this site. Then I got the idea to make this firewood holder with the same concept. The only thing I did different was I didn't add any shelving inside except the very bottom shelf, and I didn't add any doors. I just used 2x4s in the center for the x's. Sorry for the late response. Hope this helps. 

Firetruck Loft Bed

I knew I had to build this bed when I saw the images on a Google search. Thank you so much for such great plans. And FREE no less. Due to the small size of my son's bedroom I couldn't add the front bucket. He's so excited now to go to bed. Thanks again.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$275.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Olympic One paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Outdoor Storage Bench by Crazy Life with Littles

It’s a miracle I was able to finish this outdoor storage bench considering my kids are on summer break 😂

💡Tip: can’t find cedar pickets at your local stores? Just stain them. No one will ever know 😉 sealed with Thompson’s WaterSeal

by Crazy Life with Littles on Instagram

Seasonal And Holiday

Sliding Barn Door Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/16/2016 - 12:14

We wanted to build this piece for so long, but couldn't find 1/2" metal anywhere. Mind you, we live in a pretty small town. We finally just decided to use 1/8" Metal, which works just fine in my opinion. We followed the rest of the tutorial, but I find that they don't go over how to install the metal at all. That needs a tutorial all on its own. We improvised with what we had here in our small town. We ideally wanted to find old metal, but that didn't happen. So we bought new steel, spray painted it & then beat it up so it looked more vintage. 

I'd say hanging the barn doors & the track is the longest part for sure. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
300 ( We live in Canada, so everything is much more expensive here )
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Top is stained in our Beachwood ( colors mixed from the Minwax stains ) Bottom is painted in pure white. Hardware is black & beaten up
Matte Polyurethane finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Stable for Nativity Scene

Submitted by arkep on Fri, 12/06/2013 - 18:51

I had been thinking about making something to go with the nativity scene that I made a few years ago, and was so excited to see the plans for this stable this morning. It's less historically accurate, but much easier to build than a cave. =) I had cedar fence picket scraps laying around, so this project didn't cost me anything extra.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0--made from scraps
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none--just sanded
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse King Size Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/03/2019 - 15:56

Finally replaced our old queen size bed frame. It took me 2 weekends to finish the project. We bought a Nova Comfort memory foam.

Estimated Cost
C$150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr light grey paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Ana White

Tue, 11/05/2019 - 10:38

Thank you for entering your bed!

We are so excited to let you know your entry won a random draw $100 gift card.  We will email you all the details as well!

Thanks again! Ana

Square Picnic Table using Deck Boards

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/07/2023 - 11:32

I used deck boards instead of 2x6 for the top and seats; this lightened the table overall while negating the need to sand and finish the boards.

I also used a cedar-tone treated board so staining wasn't necessary.

Kelly S.

Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday

Sister's Table

This was the second table I built - it was much improved on my first and was for my sister as a Christmas present. It has 4x4 legs that I notched out with a circular saw for the legs and a spruce top. I modified the length down to 6' for her house but added extensions on the end that make the table up to 9' long when fully extended.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut with Polyurethane and a epoxy coating on the top to seal all the cracks, as sister has two little kids.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

L-Shaped Desk

Submitted by flyboy599 on Wed, 01/01/2014 - 08:16

This desk was made using the "Fancy X Desk" and "Modular Office Base" plans. A CPU enclosure was added with a similar "X" design. The top is 3/4'' plywood with 1x2's and 2x2's providing the framing. A 1x4 runs down the back of the desk with a cord try to hide cables.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black paint and primer in one with 5 coats of polyacrylic on the work surface.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

ksc70x

Thu, 01/07/2016 - 15:16

HI, The desk is awesome and I thought I would make this my first attemt at building something.

But I am unable to find the instructions.

Please help.

 

Thank you.

ksc70x

Sun, 01/10/2016 - 08:46

Ok after reading the subject matter I realized that this is the merging of two different desks.

Can you post a photo of how you joined them.

The support for such a long desk is my concern, with out it having any middle support or at the the corner?

 

Thank you.

ksc70x

Sun, 01/10/2016 - 08:47

Ok after reading the subject matter I realized that this is the merging of two different desks.

Can you post a photo of how you joined them.

The support for such a long desk is my concern, with out it having any middle support or at the the corner?

 

Thank you.

Bed with Storage for the Master Bedroom

I built the same bed as for my son for the master bedroom. A queen size bed with storage with paneled footboard and headboard. I love that style and I made board and batten too.
I am very happy and the bed is very sturdy. I didnt make drawers because it's too difficult for me. I am not ready to build drawers! Maybe next time!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Stefanye Thurmond (not verified)

Fri, 05/04/2012 - 08:12

I share your fear of drawers! It still looks great with cubbies :)

Anelicia (not verified)

Sun, 11/25/2012 - 21:27

I love this bed but I am wondering since there is no edge if you have any issue with your mattress sliding side to side?

alamanda973

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 17:18

My mattress does not slide because it is heavy and it is a little wider that the bed thus there is no edge which exceeds. I hope to have answered the question.