I just wanted to thank Lady Goats for the idea for this project. I got the plans from http://ana-white.com/2011/12/plans/rhyan-console-table and made some modifications. I wanted to use the table as an entry table, so I made it taller and longer to fit the space I had for it. I still have to poly it and will post more pics as it comes along.
As far as cost, I used 1x6 instead of 1x12 to reduce the cost for the project. I think at the most it came out to 90 (including stain, poly, screws, brushes).
And yes, I built it in the living room of my small apartment.
Thanks again!