Community Brag Posts

Farmhouse bedside table inspired nightstand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/30/2016 - 19:54

This nightstand was insprired by the Farmhouse Bedside Table.  I was looking for ideas for a simple nightstand with a drawer and the Farmhouse Bedside Table was almost exactly the style I was looking for. I used solid walnut which accounts for a majority of the cost. Typically I would use motise and tennon joints for something like this but decided to try pocket hole joinery in an effort to save some time.  Overall, it worked well with the exception of the top rails. When I attempted to screw the top rail to the leg, the screw split the leg likey because of the screw going in so close to the edge. Instead, I just glued and clamped the top rails.

One unique feature is a power strip mounted in the back.  The drawer depth is reduced to make room for a 3 outlet power strip with 2 USB charging ports so that phone/tablets can be charged.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Clear satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Reclaimed Wood Queen Size Headboard

The plans for this headboard are great. Very easy to follow and the cut list is spot on. I used some choice pine from Lowe’s ($63) and then used the vinegar with steel wool mixture to age the wood.  That’s where this piece is at right now. Trying to decide if I want to leave it or put a light satin clear coat. 

Thank you for the plans!!

OK.....I added 2 more pics.  I added 1 coat of Satin Clear Poly witch gave it a richer look. 

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
1 Sheet of 0000 Steel Wool torn apart and left in a mason jar of vinegar over night
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Handmade gifts for Mom

Submitted by JoanneS on Tue, 12/27/2011 - 17:39

My favorite thing this Christmas was making handmade gifts. Mom's were the most fun. :) The first is the Cube dresser, using the plan from 2x4 console cubby shelf (turned upright), with wheels. Next are 2 recliner side tables, made from the 5 board bench plan, with added shelf at the bottom for books and magazines. The last is the 'trinket box' - which isn't really from a plan, just made up with 1x4 and 1x6 boards. We finished these to match her existing furniture, which we built for her earlier this year. Mom loved her gifts! Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Total $217: ($120 lumber, $45 paint/stain/poly, $52 cube drawers)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint is Benjamin Moore Aura satin in Sea Urchin, tops are Minwax Color Express in Walnut, plus 2 coats of clear satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

"reclaimed wood" bed.

Submitted by bskovlin on Sat, 11/16/2013 - 14:15

I wanted to make a sturdy bed that was rustic and old looking but still kind of modern... I looked at google images and a photo of Ana's bed popped up. I started with new fir from Home Depot but wanted a good weathered look, so I spent extra time and effort on the distressing. It turned out just like I was hoping!

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I made stain with vinegar and steel wool, hit it with that then sanded. Light paint strokes with white and maroon, sanding in between, then ebony stain, sand, then a chestnut stain and wiped off. Clear finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Val Manchuk

Sat, 11/16/2013 - 22:54

The light and dark variations in your finish make your project very unique! Nice work!

Val
artsybuildinglady.blogspot.ca

Farmhouse table

This was my first "big" project. I built it for Thanksgiving. I recently bought a home, and everyone wanted to have Thanksgiving at my new home I had no table, so I built one. Can't wait to start my next project. Love the site!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50-$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax polyshades in Bombay Mahogany, I just sanded the entire table, and applied with a stain brush. Nothing fancy, just applied two coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse King Bed

Submitted by aehutton33 on Wed, 07/24/2019 - 09:17

We used 2x6s on the sides so we wouldn't have a ledge on the side of the bed. Everything still lined up really well! We also used brackets to put the sides onto the headboard and footboard. It made it easier to put together and seems sturdier. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Weathered Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

okstout4

Mon, 10/19/2020 - 19:53

I thought about doing brackets too, but not sure how that would work w/the cleets on each side for the slats.

Storage Coffee Table

I just was looking for something simple with a top and bottom shelf with storage. Ended up coming out amazing! Very pleased! it only takes about a day of time, but because of all the stain and glaze coating it took over 24 hours.

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Cabot wood stain Golden Oak and Minwax polycrilic satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

DIY Kitchen Island

Submitted by katie0910 on Tue, 11/19/2013 - 07:18

This was my second solo project. I built it for my mom's kitchen to replace her old kitchen table. I absolutely love how it turned out. It is big and functional. Come see how I built it on my blog.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
approx $600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Paint+Primer in Deep Twilight Blue
Valspar Antiquing Glaze
Minwax Polycrylic Spray
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Lift Top Coffee Table - Rustic X Style

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/04/2016 - 18:55

Just wanted to do something a little more original.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$230
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kitteny

Tue, 02/07/2017 - 06:33

Could you please provide the plans for this table? Looks perfect for what I need. Thanks!

Double trash can cabinet

Submitted by jenklase on Thu, 05/04/2023 - 15:43

Double trash can cabinet made of plywood. Included soft close hinge. Holds 2 13 gallon cans.

Comments

Playhouse Loft Bed

Submitted by sraper2 on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 18:20

Built this bed for my 5 year old for Christmas. I planned on doing it alone but luckily my husband helped because it was much easier to put everything together with 2 people. I definitely recommend the Kreg Jig if you are going to be building this bed. The lumber for the bed was $190 with a 10% military discount at Blue then about another $100 for paint, primer, sand paper, screws, and hinges for the stairs. You could probably do it for less but we sprung for the expensive self tapping screws and I got a gallon of primer and a gallon of each paint color. It took me about a month to finish the bed working but between my twin 1 year olds, my husbands schedule, and making sure I wasn't to loud in the garage (we have a duplex and the garage is right by the neighbors room) I could only work about an hour a night.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Laundry Basket Dresser with picture top

This is my take on the Laundry basket dresser. I started with the idea based on many photos I found on this site, but made some updates/improvements (well they are improvements in my mind anyway). Please view the last picture that has text for explanations of the "features" of my design.

I did some quick drawings in Sketchup, and then did some work in the workshop. I don't have exacting plans on the exact measurements, but you'd probably need to tweak for the size basket you plan to use.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Oak is finished with polyurethane. Everything else is painted with the color "guacamole" which is a sage-like color.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Jake's Beach Cabin Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/07/2016 - 08:18

I built this for my son's beach room.  We stained the roof to match his dresser and built him a ladder as well.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
High Gloss white and Colonial Maple stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Adirondack chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 09:20

Finished the second chair using Kreg holes fir the arms
Cedar looks good I think

Comments

Factory Cart Table

Submitted by tonihowe on Fri, 01/06/2012 - 08:47

Thank you Ana! I requested my dads name this year for Christmas. Why? He has everything! With the help of my husband & son, we took wood out of my dads old farm house that is about to fall down. The house was built over 150 years ago, and to my suprise the wood walls were beautiful tounge & grove pine. I built the base out of big box pine & stained. The old pine I sanded lightly & scrubed down with murphys oil soap. The only finish was the Austrailian oil sealer in natural. Table left my dad speachless & with a tear in his eye. You made Christmas great Ana - Thanks

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Maybe $20 for the casters - had wood for frame, repurposed wood on table top
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax old american on base, natural austrailan oil sealer on table top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jelly Cabinet / Pie Safe

Submitted by Ctarbell03 on Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:28

My mom as always wanted a jelly cabinet and there's one for sale at a local antique barn so when I saw the plans I knew exactly what I could get her for Christmas. The plan measurement's were a little off so I ran it through Google sketch-up to get the exact cuts I'd need and to play around a little with the plans. I used chicken wire for the doors and they came out better than expected. For a finishing touch, my mom loves black bears and moose, so I decided to include them in the final design. I went with free drawing them on contact paper and cutting them out and using them as a stencil, I love how they look. Overall it was a fun project. I just need to distress it a little and seal it with poly and it should be better well done.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Just wanted to paint this piece, will be doing some sanding to distress it and then seal it with a coat or two of poly to protect the finish. The back pieces I stained first then drew the moose, bear and trees on contact paper then stuck them to the wood and painted it, let it dry, peeled off the contact paper and it came out better than I hopped.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Scrap Wood Barstools

Submitted by BERobinson on Tue, 02/09/2016 - 07:33

Wife wanted me to throw out all the scrap wood I had lying around. Instead I made some killer barstools. Fun look.

Estimated Cost
FREE SCRAPS
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Ebony stain on the chair border and legs, various paint colors from previous projects on other pieces
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bookshelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/15/2019 - 18:35

This was my first project in about 10+ years, so it's not perfect. Thanks to my oldest son who bought me a compound miter saw for Mother's Day and a few of my hubby's tools. My son's and I completed this project over the weekend. Looking forward to our next team project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Provincial stain

Upmarket hardwood Adirondack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 11:33

Loved design so decided on hardwood and no visible screw heads….. took a while but loved the result

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Easiest Uphostered Bench - with a Skirt

We took the idea from this brag post, and changed the dimensions to fit the space in front of our window. We actually built 2 bases to ensure it would be sturdy.  We love how it turned out!  Check out our blog post for more details. 

Estimated Cost
$90 + Scraps
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
FABRIC! We didn't do anything to finish the wood- just upholstered the bench, and put a skirt around the legs. Easiest finish EVER.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments