Community Brag Posts

Modified Emerson Cabinet

Made this cabinet to go between the fridge and stove in my kitchen. I based it on the Emerson plans (although heavily modified) because I love the looks of that buffet. Came out huge and quite square (its about the size of a washing machine), and it holds soooo much. Great to have that much extra storage in the kitchen.

Estimated Cost
~$100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

cassidy king bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/31/2016 - 11:37

my first grown up furniture!  I didn't start small lol.  I listened to the advice of others who'd made the bed and sanded and stained each shim individually.  Lots of work, but well worth the time and effort!  It did take me all summer lol. I used minwax gel stain 606 and used a glossy varnish.  I did make matching night stands, with a plan from another website. Super pleased with how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
minwax gel stain 606
glossy varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

First thing I’ve built in almost 20 years

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/11/2020 - 08:05

Thank you Ana for the plans!! I haven’t built anything in almost 20 years, My daughter and I built these together!! It was a great way to spend time together and we are now planning on building the matching coffee table!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70 (Canadian)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
The base is painted with a left over can of paint I had, painted it on then used a rag to wipe it off to let the grain really show. And an oak stain on top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse TV Stand

Submitted by chenny on Sat, 12/01/2012 - 00:08

This was my first project from scratch.

I used the following resources:
Kreg Jig
Table Saw
Random Orbital Sander
Jigsaw
Bosch Power Boss 360 Radio (for my sanity)

I used the following materials:
2x2 Furring Strips
1x2 Furring Strips
1x6 Cedar Planks

1 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws
1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
2 1/2" Pocket Hole Scerws
Minwax Prestain Wood Conditioner
Minwax Classic Grey Stain
Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane
Magnetic Touch Latch
Hinges
Handles

*Project Idea was based on the following item:
http://www.porterinternationaldesigns.com/ge5016-plasma-tv-stand.php

I altered the design and materials to fit my needs.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Classic Grey
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Kitchen Island

Submitted by dgruennert on Sun, 09/14/2014 - 15:33

I found the bead board and post for the legs at a reclaim store. I had so much fun doing this!! 

 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Desk redo

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/02/2017 - 22:23

Found the writting desk on an online yard sale site for $25. Desk is all wood except the top which is wood with a laminate overlay. The top had severe water damage and could not be reused. I used 1 x 4 pine furring stipes to make a new desk top and frame out the drawer which was originally a key board tray. The paint used is Behr paint and primer flat Shadow Mountain. After the paint set for 48 hours I used a cream wax to protect the finish. 

Estimated Cost
$75 total including the purchase cost.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr paint and primer flat finish; Shadow Mountain. Minwax Provincial penetrating stain. American Decor Creme wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Meuble d'appoint pour le patio

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/13/2020 - 19:26

À partir du rustic x desk, j'ai modifié pour l'adapter à mon besoin.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
75$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

rustic media center

This project took several months of off and on work but I am very happy with the results. Got the wood from the local lowes and the hardware from Ace Hardware. Used the Kreg Jig pocket hole system to hide the fasteners which makes a big difference. I also used flat black spray paint for the hardware.

Followed the plans on this website to the T and they were pretty good. The only change I had to make was adding some wood shims for the magnetic door closures. It also wasn't clear where to place the center shelf front and back but I figured out it needed to be back. Also cut some holes in the back for cords and made my own custom legs rather than pay so much for store bought ones.

I made some other furniture from this website so I used the same oxidized finish. I used flat black hardware where I could and spray painted everything else. The stain was great, really easy to make and stains really well. I covered the stain with the recommended wax which gives it a really nice shine and is very smooth.

Huge thanks to this website!

Estimated Cost
300.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
"Hillary's oxidized finish"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Estate of Bliss

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/05/2017 - 20:47

Coffee cabinet with slide out drawer, finished in Burgundy and a dark wax finish

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Annie sloan Burgundy
With dark wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Barn door console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/16/2020 - 12:15

I am so happy with the way this turned out! (By no means is it perfect) My husband and I have been looking for a tv stand for our basement for months! Everything we liked seemed overpriced and still not exactly what we wanted. That was when we remembered the Adirondack chairs we had made from Ana’s plans and started looking to see what else she had. We found this tv stand and read through the step by steps and it all seemed manageable. Ana has the easiest plans to follow along with and so many tips and tricks also! We are by no means experts - we are very much still beginners, that’s how good her directions are!

Estimated Cost
$250?
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We bought “chalked” brand paint from Menards in linen white. It comes in spray paint or little cans. We used a wood stain in “carbon gray” to match our barn door that’s not pictured. And the back of the console is a project panel/wall panel from Menards that looks like white barn wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

$55 Fancy X Desk - modified

Submitted by mtairymd on Sat, 09/20/2014 - 04:50

I made a new drawing since I updated some of the dimensions.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-Low-Cost-DeskTable/

Video of the build:

http://youtu.be/7TGnfrXRWRE

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint - white/green
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Salsa Console

Submitted by Pauline M on Sun, 01/08/2017 - 05:28

This was my biggest project yet and I am so proud of the final finish. I adapted the salsa console plans to make all drawers. I felt this made more use of the space in the island.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
€500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I wanted a cream gloss finish and figured out it was cheaper to use car wrap to give the same effect. It also saved time. Top is 2x4's glued and screwed together. Stained and varnished.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Lift top table with storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/19/2020 - 15:09

I used the lift top table for inspiration, we needed more storage in our livingroom for throws and blankets. This was the perfect solution as fall approaches. Thank you for your original design!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American

Our First Ever Project!

This was our first attempt ever at making a piece of furniture. We rented the miter saw and bought a kreg jig. My husband did the research after we discovered how grossly expensive attractive patio furniture is. We bought inexpensive white pine and used stain and I sewed the cushions myself. We are hitting a snag there as we've discovered that the high density foam for the inside is super expensive too! Right now I have it stuffed with a combo of some foam padding and batting. I figure if we stuff it enough it will last a while. Overall I am very happy and proud to say we made this!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
This was an indoor stain and we used a finish over it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Wed, 12/12/2012 - 05:21

Nice build and pretty cushions! Foam is too expensive, I agree. I think the best thing is to look online or wait until you can get JoAnn Fabrics 40 or 50% coupons (I forget which is more common).

hand made in Brazil

Ana, thanks for the plans. it was really cool to make that.

Estimated Cost
U$ 60,00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids Trestle table

Submitted by The6greers on Mon, 12/17/2012 - 12:06

This is a last minute Christmas gift for my girls.It was very easy to build; took me just a couple hours to assemble it and a few days of secret sanding and painting.
It will be the girl's art table and will sit about where the Christmas tree is right now. Maybe now I can have my kitchen and dining table back:)

The cube seats were made from the plan over at Shanty2chic http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2012/07/rolling-storage-cube-stools.html
And the tapered bins you see in the background on the right are made from this plan from That's my letter http://thatsmyletter.blogspot.com/2012/06/m-is-for-mudroom-bins-4.html

Estimated Cost
88.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted Black
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ilie's Garden Planter

Submitted by Mary Helen on Fri, 09/26/2014 - 14:28

I built this elevated garden planter for my daughter who loves to plant veggies. This planter measures 22" x 49". It is made from cedar and pine. The bottom support is made from treated lumber. I used Ana's cedar planter plans with some added adjustments for my use. For the bottom support portion I also used Ana's Adirondack Coffee Table plan with some minor adjustments for my use. 

Ana, thank you for your plans and inspiration. 

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffee table height X end table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/11/2017 - 05:16

Created over a week using Tasmanian oak. Pine for the shelf slats. Finished with a tea rust stain and polyurethane varnish. Weighs a whopping 35kg!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
AUD
$100 on wood
$25 varnish
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Tea rust stain
Polyurethane varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Lunar2

Fri, 04/21/2017 - 11:56

This is lovely!  The table turned out well and the stain is beautiful - love the woods you chose.  Thanks for sharing!

Kitchen helper

Submitted by flinchball on Wed, 09/23/2020 - 14:13

What a great help for mom in the kitchen. Very stable even without the extra feet. Only thing I wish I had done differently is make it two inches shorter so it would slide under the edge of the counter. My kids love helping to bake now.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Boiled linseed oil. So easy. Just wipe it on and let it soak in.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments