Community Brag Posts

Rustic Burned table

Submitted by Malka on Wed, 09/13/2017 - 00:59

Used the plans for the Rustic X coffee table as a starting point. Left out the X's as they don't appeal to me. Took a butane torch and burned the base and tabletop before staining, and stained the table in alternating stains to give it a really unique appearance. Stains used were Rustoleum Summer Oak, and Minwax Early American, finished with Minwax Semigloss Poly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$85
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Summer Oak, Minwax Early American, Minwax Fastdry Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First Build: Grace's Bookshelves

Submitted by alifrancis on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 14:36

These bookshelves were a great first project, mainly becasue with the affordability, ease and great look......I was able to convince my husband I was not crazy for wanting to build furniture.  After all I was a Construction  Management major in college, wood shop was my favorite class in junior high and I spent countless summers in Mexico building homes.

Well he is now convinced!  This was the perfect addition to our playroom for our two kids.  As they have transitioned out of the preschool years we need to update the look.  These bookcases are the perfect size for most basket and cubbies. 

The one lesson I have since learned and would do if I build these again is to make sure the guy cutting my boards at HD cut them all the same width. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I learned a lot in finishing this. I used a Kilz spray primer and sanded it after the primer dried. Painted it with two coats of a Kelly Moore paint (color of the trim in our house) followed by two coats of Minwax Policrylic in Satin Finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic X stlye coffee table

Submitted by CMT.Chris on Mon, 06/03/2013 - 08:15

The construction of this project itself took me just over an hour. All my time was out into making it look very old, and staining it just right. I am very proud of how it turned out. Looks a lot better in person. This table is for sale.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
English Chestnut stain with poly semi gloss finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Dining Bench

Submitted by danicarby on Thu, 09/14/2017 - 07:01

Hi there!  This is Dani from The Project Lady!

 

I wanted to share my building plan and tutorial for these dining room benches!  Total cost is about $20 for lumber per bench!

 

Head over to my website for step-by-step instructions and pictures!

 

Happy Building!

Estimated Cost
$20 for lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes Brown Mahogany Gel Stain, Ceramathane Clear-Coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Monkey bar and play house

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/09/2021 - 06:21

Inspired in one of your projects this was my first project with wood and turned out a go to place for the kids and guests to play all the time.
Thank you for the plan. Kids appreciate it too.

Comments

Farmhouse Bed With Stenciled Headboard

Submitted by idearoom on Fri, 03/18/2011 - 23:43

Loved Ana's Farmhouse Bed so we downsized it and made it into a twin size for our daughter.  Took out the boards in the middle and painted a stenciled pattern instead.

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint
blue paint is Mythic Paint in Smooth Waves
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor sectional sofa

This is my first woodworking project ever. I wanted an outdoor sectional for my screened in porch, but couldn't afford to pay $1000 to $2000 to buy one. I saw this plan and decided to give it a shot! I used pressure treated 2x4 lumber rather than 1x4. My Dad always built everthing from pressure treated if it was to be used outside... so I followed suit. I have to say I am more than pleased with the final product. This piece of furniture will outlive me! I have three young girls so it had to be durable.... and this is definitely durable. Thanks you so much for the great plans. It felt great to accomplish this project and we'll enjoy this sofa for years to come!!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Olympic deck stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Loft Bed

My first build, easy and fun.  Finished in a weekend .  Added handles to help my little man.  He loves it, and so do I 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
English Chestnut, minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

scrapbook album storage wall cubby

Submitted by mplauger on Mon, 03/21/2011 - 20:04

I needed something to hang above my scrapbook table to hold alot of heavy albums and supplies.  I got instruction from Ana's  General Store Cubbies plan but I modified it to 48" long since the boards were already 48" long.  I went with 30" tall so it would hold the 12"x12" format scrapbooks comfortably.  I hadn't bought my pocket jig at this point yet so I just used glue and screws stratigically so they are mostly hidden.  I already had some trim so I threw some of that on there to cover a couple flaws. 

I then made the bulletin board hanging below it.  It is a ceiling tile cut in half and painted the wall color.  I used the miter saw (yikes!) and even made some awesome 45 degree joints for the frame!  Before I added the frame, I fastened some ribbons criss-crossed to tuck things behind.  This picture doesn't show the final addition: some undercabinet lighting. 

Now I just need to build a new TABLE to go under it!

Estimated Cost
about $25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
several coats white paint -behr interior semi-gloss I already had.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Queen Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by howiesca on Thu, 06/06/2013 - 04:35

This was my first build and I definitely learned alot about the new pocket hole techniques. Nothing too technical about it except I made things more difficult by adding a metal bedframe kit because I was in a hurry to finish because of some company arriving. The only issue is that you can see the support legs of the bed frame kit so I'm sure I will dissassemble it once the company leaves and build a lumber frame and remove the metal one.

Otherwise, the only two variations from the Ana White plan was that I added the Arch trim board and I also used 1.25" sheetmetal screws on either side of the pocket holes that attach the verticle boards. I pulled the boards up tight to the horizontal trim boards and made a cleaner line. I also learned to sand and prime every board before assembly next time, there are several hard to reach areas that need sanding once it is assembled.

This bed is built like a tank and is beautiful.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Killz Latex primer then two coats of Valspar Brilliant White. I assembled, sanded, wood filled, sanded, primed, caulked all seams, then two coats of paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Parson tower desk

Wanted a new computer desk, fits the space perfectly, clean and simple lines with a beautiful natural wood and white finish. LOVE HOW IT TURNED OUT

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Satin varathane on top, white satin paint with varathane on towers
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

TwoCuteKids

Mon, 06/08/2015 - 12:17

I was looking through the desks gathering ideas and saw yours. It turned out so well and I love the cedar top!

End Tables

Submitted by RITWood on Sat, 09/30/2017 - 17:20

This is my take on the Narrow Cottage End Tables. Painted the bottoms and stained the tops.  Added the shelves towards the bottom for added storage and stability.  The bottom shelf is 'let in' around the inner legs.  The shelf boards rounded over to give them a batten look.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35 each
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sprayed on latex with two coats of clear water based poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse potting bench

Submitted by mbaylis on Mon, 10/18/2021 - 19:14

Birthday present for the fiancée. I think it was a hit! :)

Thanks for the plans!

Comments

Big Kid's Picnic Table

I cut my pieces and spent hours sanding to get a smooth finish on each board. After the paint/finish I assembled the pieces in the house so I could use the floor as my flat even surface.  I read quite a few comments on Facebook about the tables ending up with a wobble so here is how I avoided that. 

Warning! When choosing the boards for this project, be picky. Make sure the 2 pieces in the middle of the table top are flat and not bowed or warped. These are the pieces that the legs are mounted against. With any variation the table will wobble. After screwing the table top boards to the table supports I attached the legs to the table support with ONE screw first. Next I flipped the table over onto a flat surface (top side up) to adjust the legs and then I secured them in place with the remaining screws.  Note: I used my legs wrapped around the table legs to hold in place while I was putting in the rest of the screws. My table does NOT wobble, YAY! Everything else went smooth and I love the table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35 includes screws and finish
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted it unassembled with DecoArt Lush Foliage all purpose acrylic craft paint (found in the craft section of the craft stores). Acrylic craft paint covers in one coat, dries fast even in the cold, goes on smooth with no brush strokes and no need for primer. After paint dried I sanded each board with 120 grit sand paper distressing the edges. Wiped dust off with a towel and used Minwax wipe on poly (LOVE IT) goes on smooth and dries quickly even when it’s cold. After the 1st coat of poly dried I rubbed each board with a terry cloth towel (this smoothes the surface without leaving dust). I applied a second coat of poly and when dry, rubbed each board with the towel. I couldn’t be happier with the end result.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

We built a treehouse thanks to Ana White !

We had SO much fun turning our existing old play structure into a fun, beach-themed "treehouse". Without Ana's plans and brag posts from others who also built a playhouse, my husband and I would have never attempted this. We are thrilled with the outcome and our kids just adore there fun little home away from home. Thanks Ana!!

Estimated Cost
$200-$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore exterior stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Garage Pegboard Storage Wall

Thecreativityexchange.com did such a great job with the original project, so of course I had to give it a try! I had only a few minor adjustments in size. I made this one 8ft X 8ft and only using one sheet of pegboard. My amazing wife stained it too with English Walnut!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
English Walnut Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor sofa!

Easy!!

Estimated Cost
$209
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Cedar waterseal
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Octagonal Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/29/2021 - 05:47

The easiest way to build the best octagonal table, Thanks for Your detail plans, and Greetings from Puerto Rico

Comments

Shoe Dresser

Submitted by Chuck M on Tue, 03/29/2011 - 12:37

We needed away to organize the pile of shoes that occurs in the mudroom.
 I built it in a little over a day, but priming and painting added several days to the project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Kitchen and Bath Enamel, White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate