Community Brag Posts
Custom Wood Cooler Stand
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I made this Ice Chest Cart for my son’s schools silent auction. It features a spigot for drainage, bottle opener, hook for a bar towel and I also set it on castors so it can be easily moved.
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French County Wardrobe
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This is probably one of my favorite pieces I have built. Challenging but fun. I built it as two separate sections, an upper and lower cabinet to make it easier to carry indoors. I added a full-extension drawer below for storage. The two-toned paint combination did take a lot of extra time. Because I used an airless spraying to paint I had to tape and cover each section separately.
Comments
Fri, 03/06/2015 - 10:43
GREAT job !!!
WOW it looks awesome the extra time spent on the painting was more than worth it looks spectacular. I bet you also could make a great profit selling this Wardrobe either on line or in a consignment shop, if I had the need for one and the money I would defiantly buy one!!
Sat, 03/07/2015 - 18:55
I love all the attention to
I love all the attention to detail. Great job! I especially love the color selection. How did you achieve the look of the top stained piece?
In reply to I love all the attention to by handmadewithash
Mon, 03/09/2015 - 22:01
Hi Ashley,
Hi Ashley,
The top was built separate, stained, varnished and then attached to the painted wardrobe. :)
- Brad
Sun, 03/08/2015 - 07:36
Great job!
This looks awesome! I love the the paint finish and it your profession work
Mon, 03/09/2015 - 17:30
Beyond Beautiful
I agree this is your best so far...which is hard to say b/c all your projects are amazing! I love the style, the paint colors, the stained top, and the hardware!
In reply to Beyond Beautiful by TwoCuteKids
Mon, 03/09/2015 - 22:02
Thank you so much! :)
Thank you so much! :)
Sat, 03/19/2016 - 15:06
Any plans or sketches?
It looks really great!
I have fallen in love with it the second I saw it and somehow I am now convinced that I need a new wardrobe ;)
I guess you don't have plans for the wardrobe laying around - but would you mind doing a fast sketch (just a simple one on paper) with all the measurements noted? I would be thrilled to try building it myself in the summer.
Greetings from Germany!
Sat, 03/19/2016 - 15:07
Any plans or sketches?
It looks really great!
I have fallen in love with it the second I saw it and somehow I am now convinced that I need a new wardrobe ;)
I guess you don't have plans for the wardrobe laying around - but would you mind doing a fast sketch (just a simple one on paper) with all the measurements noted? I would be thrilled to try building it myself in the summer.
Greetings from Germany!
Tue, 07/18/2017 - 05:43
Links to plans??
Are there plans used for this beautiful piece? I do not see any links. Help please!! I absolutely need to make this armoire :) :)
Fri, 01/03/2020 - 08:09
Anyway I can get plans for…
Anyway I can get plans for this beautiful piece?
Mon, 01/03/2022 - 05:53
Plans to Build French Country Wardrobe
Love this wardrobe! Are there plans available to build it?
Thank you.
Chelsea Loft
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Wanted to make a loft bed for my 4-year-old son's room that could accommodate a toddler bed beneath it for when my 1-year-old daughter eventually starts sleeping on her own. I was torn between the Chelsea and Cabin bed plans, but eventually settled on the Chelsea because I liked the look of the headboard better.
I looked through all the brag posts to get modification ideas. I ended up mostly stealing ideas from "chadwickstafin", and like him took the great idea from "groovymom2000" to use chalkboard paint (though I only used it to paint the side of the desk end, since I knew the bookshelf end would be mostly blocked by a ladder). I decided to skip the decorative feet and just extend my 2x2s to the floor for extra strength, a mod that most people appear to be doing with this plan. I saw some people using 2x3s in place of 2x2s for added strength, but I can confirm that 2x2s are plenty strong enough on their own (2x2s are stronger than people give them credit for, and there's 8 of them here to distribute the load).
Like chadwickstafin, I cut my headboard a little differently, and I used short lengths of scrap 2x2s cut at 45-degrees to brace the top and bottom corners of both end units. There is no wiggle to the bed at all, it's stabilized so well. I also added a middle support to the short rail, just for a little extra safety, and secured the inside ends of the railings to the headboard/footer with pocket screws. I skipped the filler pieces for the railing, and just did a little extra sanding to make sure all exposed corners were smooth and splinter-free. I made the opening to the bed a bit wider than the plans, 15" instead of 13". I used 2x3s for the ladder, which gave me the sturdiness I wanted without the full bulk of using 2x4s, which looked especially chunky next to a loft unit made with mostly 1x boards. I played with some different angles, but eventually went with a 15-degree ladder. There were some leftover plastic handles sitting in my garage (originally from an outdoor playset ladder before I replaced it with a climbing wall), so I added those near the top of the ladder for some extra safety. I put some color-changing strip lighting under the bed, so there would be plenty of light for the desk and bookshelves (my little guy loves to just plop down on the ground beneath his bed and read).
I spaced the 1x3 slats about 3.5" apart (used scrap 2x4 blocks as spacers). Because my wife or I will lay in bed and read to our son at night, I easily added a couple 2x2 support rails under the 1x3 slats for extra mattress support. I'm a big dude at 6'3 and 250 lbs, and the slats alone WERE strong enough to hold me when I did a test, but they bowed just enough in the center (unnoticeable to me up on the mattress, but I had my wife watching the slats for me below) that I felt I should add a bit more support. Now there's no bowing at all.
I also used Ana's Top Bunk Organizer plans to give my son a little extra storage up top (and a place to set a glass of water during the night), and painted it to match the bed's color scheme. Everything was sanded, painted, sanded again, repainted, and then given a couple coats of polycrylic (the painting process took longer than the cutting & assembly!).
Cost-wise I was extraordinarily lucky. We have a Habitat For Humanity ReStore near us, so I was able to get my paints and a 3x6 sheet of MDF for $15 total. I also had some rebate cards from Menards (regional hardware store, similar to Lowes or Home Depot), plus happened to go there on a week when pine wood was on sale, so I got all my lumber for less than $60.
I could not be happier with the end results, and my son absolutely loves his new bed.
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Modern Cedar Outdoor Storage Bench
I had built two outdoor chairs with love seat (modified from the sofa plans) with 2x4s. The cushion seats were 24" x 24". Where to store them? I modified the Modern Cedar Outdoor Storage Bench plans to make the box wider, higher, longer to accommodate the cushions. With five boards comprising the top, it's a bit wider than the box so I didn't need to carve in an opening.
Comments
Desk Wall System with IKEA Door Faces
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Adirondack chairs
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Thanks for the awesome plans Anna! God bless.
Eddie Jimenez
Comments
Modern Adirondack Chairs & Outdoor Side Table
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These modern Adirondack chairs were my first wood working project ever and they turned out awesome! I wanted to build a small table to complete the set and Ana’s new side table plans were exactly what I was looking for. I am truly amazed at how easy these projects were to make and how great they look on our front patio. Ana’s step-by-step plans make it so simple. My wife and I can’t wait to build some more of these projects for our backyard lanai and pool area.
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Spar Urethane
Comments
Mon, 04/12/2021 - 10:21
First project!
Amazing job on your first build, I see more handmade pieces in your future!
Small kitchen island with slide out double trash cans
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This was a mommy do during work furlough. Wasn't too hard. I have minimal experience with saws, but with hubby help, we got it done. Some of the instructions didn't make sense, but but we were able to figure them out or change them to work. I used bead board on the front and sides that we added over the existing sides. I used a manufactured butcher block that had to be cut down. Looks great and now my trashcans don't walk around the kitchen when the dogs play. The downside, the dog bowls slide under the island. If you have to cut down butcher block, make sure you have the proper blade.
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4x4 Truss beam table and bench
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The plans were very easy to follow for non avid woodworkers. We decided to upholster the seat on the bench.
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Comments
Tue, 10/05/2021 - 10:43
Great addition!
Looks professionally done and well built, the upholstered bench is a beautiful addition!
Bunk Beds for 4 to 6
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We used the Build a Simple Bed plan and the Bunk Bed from Simple Bed. I modified the plans to build a double bunk bed. We needed a way to fit up to 6 small children in a long, narrow room. Although we haven't built the trundle beds yet, each bunk will also have a trundle bed. The kids especially love their "privacy" curtains!
Charcuterie Board
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Made a this for my step-daughter and her husband for Christmas. Love your projects, and am learning to do everything on my own which is so empowering thank you for sharing and encouraging all us girls we can do it!
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Comments
Laundry Tower
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Reader submitted photo
Pretty AND Functional Wall Shelf
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To finish off my bathroom remodel I built the Martina wall shelf. I reused the metal hook that was previously on my wall before the board and batten treatment. It fit perfectly in the space under the shelf meant for hooks. I wish I had measured out my towels and storage needs. I could have actually stored more if I had adjusted the plans to make the shelf a little deeper and a couple inches wider. Overall, I'm very pleased! The Kreg Jig is a fun little tool, too!
Valspar High Noon in Flat Enamel finish (2 coats)
Comments
Fri, 11/04/2011 - 07:24
How did you attach the shelf
How did you attach the shelf to the wall?? Thanks!
Modern Craft Table *tweaked*
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Completed Modern Craft Table! We tweaked the plans a bit because I was looking for a larger table top. The top now measures 48" x 76". We simply did this by adding an extra set of cubbies to the other side of the shelves. Absolutely LOVE how this turned out! All I need now is 4 counter height stools built and lots of shelves to complete my craft room! Will be sure to post those once they are completed!
Comments
Thu, 11/17/2011 - 01:10
Darn I was so excited to see
Darn I was so excited to see you craft table! I apologize that your brag post did not show images. If you can send me images at knockoffwood(at)gmail.com I'd be happy to post. Thanks so much for submitting a brag post. Ana
Sun, 03/04/2012 - 07:31
Craft Desk
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your craft table. I want one! Looks like my husband wil have to get busy! Thanks for sharing!
Kristina
Houston, TX
Tue, 05/29/2012 - 00:05
Question about Middle support
This is great!! I am planning something similar, but what is your idea or the plan you used for the middle support to keep it from sagging over time? My idea is to run another cubby in the middle from side to side. What do you think?
Mon, 01/21/2013 - 09:54
I love the modern craft
I love the modern craft table, just what I have been looking for, do you share instructions, dimensions, etc.? thanks, Laura
Thu, 05/12/2016 - 15:14
Are plans for the tweaked version?
I'm loving this and would love to have FIL build it for me but the plans look like its for the regular modern craft table but not the tweaked? Also is there support for the middle? Can you send me a link for the tweaked supply list please, can't seem to find it. Love what you do!
DIY Room Divider Closet
Tall Rustic X Bookshelves
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I followed the Rustic X Tall Bookshelf plan to make a set of bookshelves for my husband for Christmas! It was my second ever woodworking project. The plan was really easy to follow and so fun to make! I ended up using an additional shelf piece on the very top for a more modern spin on it. I also bought a pocket hole jig to use on this project. I'm happy with how it turned out!
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Folding workbench
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We do not have a garage yet, so this size works great to push out of the way when not being used and pull out for a workbench and also to extend the table top for the saw. The plans were easy to follow and easy to modify. I added a base made of 2x4’s to make it sturdier since it will be moved across a deck vs a level floor. I also added some boards behind the shelf to keep things from falling out the back and adjusted the height to match the table saw top. Next up will be a router table stand to replace the camping footlocker.
10 foot long Provence Table with 4x4's
My mom was looking for a new outdoor table, and asked me to come up with something. I found the link for these plans (http://www.thedesignconfidential.com/2011/04/free-diy-furniture-plans-t…) to knock off Restoration Hardware's $4000 Provence Beam outdoor table. Overall I liked the plan, with the chunkier look of the 4x4's. But there were a lot of errors in the diagrams, and the finished height is 34" which is ridiculously tall for a table. So we took it apart and cut the legs back down to change the finished height to 30". We chose rough-cut cedar for it's look and outdoor properties, not wanting to use treated lumber for a dining table. We couldn't find 2x10's like the plan, so we substituted seven 2x6's just like Ana's plan, but left a 1/2" gap in between so water can drain and not pool on top and rot the wood. Also, since we were working with 4x4's for the legs, we chose heavy duty lag bolts instead of screws to join them together. I love the finished look they give. Overall it's a sturdy, yet lightweight table that my mom loves and has already used for entertaining!
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Comments
Wed, 04/25/2012 - 10:02
Thank you!
Thanks Brook! It was so much fun to build. I put my dad and husband to work while I was the "project manager" ;)
Storage Daybed
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This is the 3 box storage daybed, as you can see I added an armrest on one end as it sits in a corner.
Tips for building this project: Buy a decent circular saw, I used a cheap one and really regretted it. Square your timber, I ended up squaring my timber using a sander, which wasn't as easy as it sounds. Check you measurements, the bottom of one of my boxes was a little short because I didn't double check the measurements and I ended up having to fix it with an extra piece of timber. 2 or 3 saw horses are a real help and lots of clamps.
I used the cutout outline from the link below but had to convert it all to metric since I live in Sweden, also a standard single mattress here isn't as wide but longer then the one used in the linked project. I didn't take this into account and ended up having to buy an extra piece of plywood.
http://ana-white.com/2009/12/plan-stratton-daybed-as-request-by-you.html
I got the single mattress and the pillows from IKEA.
This was a lot of fun and I look forward to spending many hours relaxing on my new daybed.
Comments
Thu, 08/09/2012 - 10:48
I Feel Your Pain
Nice job on the daybed, I like that you got through all your "dilemmas".
Your saw's bevel function (hopefully it has it) might be nicer than mine but you can try to adjust it.
I have a $50 dollar skil saw and my only complaint is how difficult it is to set the base plate 90 degrees to the blade. I even take care to set the circular saw between two 2x4 when not in use so that setting it on the ground doesn't change the angle of the foot plate to blade. I can cut 90 degrees with a speed square as a guide, but I can't adjust the saw right.
I will be starting assembly of my first furniture project with the wood I cut two days ago. I will see how the pieces go together.
Best of luck on your next project!
Sat, 08/11/2012 - 06:27
Thanks, I'm pretty pleased
Thanks, I'm pretty pleased with it. Yes that was one of my problems as well, trying to get the base plate set at 90, I found that if I leaned on it too much it flexed a bit which isn't good. Also by the end I had a pretty blunt blade or I was getting pinching or something thing because the plywood had some shocking edges with splintering. What I would really like is a proper saw table, but for now that's just a dream. Good luck on your project.
Wed, 08/21/2013 - 10:50
Armrest
Hi there! I was hoping that someone on here had added the armrest! Would you be willing to post a pic of the end of the bed so that I can see how you configured it? Im goint to be starting this project soon for my daughter, and need to strategize some armrest ideas for hers.
Thanks so much!!
Wed, 08/21/2013 - 10:50
Armrest
Hi there! I was hoping that someone on here had added the armrest! Would you be willing to post a pic of the end of the bed so that I can see how you configured it? Im goint to be starting this project soon for my daughter, and need to strategize some armrest ideas for hers.
Thanks so much!!
Camp loft with side stair
I finally decided I was going to make the fort bed for my daughter and was about to print off the materials list to take to the lumber yard and the junior height camp loft was front and center on the webpage. Though significantly more bed, it looked perfect my little girl. We really wanted her bed high enough to avoid the only heating vent in the room and didn't want to lose the floor space for play, this seemed to be an ideal fit. When I finally put the bed together I realized that keeping the staircase as in the original plans resulted in a bowling alley sort of space left over. It was awkward and really shrunk the room as the 'alley' wasn't usable for much of anything. I played around a little bit and my husband and I decided that we would put it on the side. It fit perfectly to the wall and was much more space efficient for the room. I am a little nervous about the new openness of the deck portion, but both kids have found it a fun place to read and pretend fish. It was my first project of this size and I did everything until the final assembly by myself and I am so glad to have done it. It took more time than I imagined, but again I am a true novice.
I really wanted it stained so that it would camouflage the wear a little better, but I had a great deal of trouble finding a low VOC stain in my town. I used the lowest I could find and a low VOC water based poly. It matches her dressers and trim nearly perfectly. Her older brother likes the bed so much that nearly everyday he tries to convince her that she wants to switch beds with him.
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Comments
Tue, 08/28/2012 - 11:28
I love your bed so much! And
I love your bed so much! And I love the idea of having the stairs on the side like that. :)