Community Brag Posts

10.5' Farmhouse Dining Table

Submitted by ehays216 on Mon, 07/06/2015 - 06:20

I built this 10.5' farmhouse table for my aunt and uncle's dining room. I modified the plans slightly to try and look more like the Restoration Hardware version, using 4x4's for the beams and side supports and rounding the sides of the side supports. I also modified the top by adding an extra sideways board in the middle. The rationale for this was that I was worried about finding boards at the length I wanted that were perfectly straight from end to end, so by adding the center sideways board I only had to find boards that were perfectly straight for about half the full length. Also, we liked the look of the extra board in the middle. My little cousins had fun helping me distress the wood with hammers and other tools laying around. We love the way it came out, thank you Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
300-350 including staining materials and hardware. I bought twice the wood for the table top boards due to the modified tabletop/ and length.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut with Minwax red mahogany on top of that. On the 2x8 boards, the dark walnut made a lot of contrast with the grain of the wood, and I was trying for a more evened-out color. The dark spots were almost black after one coat. Additional coats and the red mahogany helped even out the contrast and added color. We ended up really liking the final result, but in the future I think I will go back to using the black tea/ steel wool and vinegar method which is what I had been using in the past.

I used polywhey on top and applied several coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Stuffed Animal Storage - The Zoo

With a third baby on the way, they may not be enough room in this one for much longer, never realized how many they had till be put them all together.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Market Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/16/2022 - 06:17

Plans were easy to follow and we were able to build it using scrap and salvaged wood, and leftover paint. Only had to buy screws and the chalkboard sign materials, so very affordable to make. Birthday boy LOVES it! We set it up with some bakery toys, but the dramatic play options are virtually endless. This is one of those type of toys that will be part of all kinds of play with kids of all ages. The size is great for him at 3 years old but I expect it will be usable for many years before he outgrows it. Well worth making.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

2x4 Garden Beds

Submitted by binah06 on Wed, 05/18/2011 - 09:37

My husband and I were inspired by Ana's plans, but needed to use up some wood we had laying around the garage because it was starting to bend and warp. We made the large box 2x6 ft and the smaller one is made from scrap and is about 15in x 2.5 ft.

Estimated Cost
free
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My second project

This is the second project I've completed and I'm very proud of it. The design was changed just by adding four legs instead of three. It took me awhile to get the color even. Sanding between coats of the clear coat semi-gloss finish would leave white marks/residue that was difficult to clean away. I would have to restain those sections with a swift wipe on/wipe off action. This made the color deeper but also richer. During the summer months, the bench will be outside but will serve as indoor seating in the winter.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$34 for wood
Finish Used
Miniwax water based stain in toffee. Two coats on the seat. More coats added to the legs (as needed) to match color. Three coats of mini-waxed water based semi-gloss clear coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mini farmhouse coffee table

Submitted by Lukilla on Sun, 01/28/2018 - 11:02

The original plans make a pretty big coffee table (52" wide).  I made this one (32") with the left over pieces of 2x6 from the bigger one. It was fun to make and is great for someone with a smaller living room

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40 (using left over 2x6)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our First Project

Submitted by Simplyel on Fri, 05/20/2011 - 19:56

My dear husband built the bed and I painted it. He found that it was easy to make. Thank you Ana, we love it. We are waiting for our new mattress!

Estimated Cost
Less than $175.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex White Paint. I want to distress it but he is not sure. Figure we will live with it for awhile and then decide.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

a miniature version for a one year old

I was looking for inspiration for the grandchildren when
I came across the full size version. I have now made 3 of the 1\3 sized as pictured, in different colours. It takes longer to paint them than make them.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ronseal exterior wood treatment
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Console Table

Submitted by ctummins on Sun, 07/12/2015 - 01:47

First table I've built. The Rustic X Console Table was fun and fairly simple. A little complicated since we live in Hawaii and decent cheap wood is difficult to come by. Makes my entrance way very inviting. 

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

Dress Up Center

Needed to get the girls Dresses out of the nursery, this will work.

Estimated Cost
100-150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

wider kentwood bookshelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/31/2022 - 11:45

I made a wider bookshelf with reclaimed wood. Those wood slats 1*4 and 2*4 were from pallets .I used pocket hole to put them together. After painting, it looks much better.

Comments

Outdoor Patio Deck Chairs

Submitted by nlindauer on Tue, 05/24/2011 - 06:42

Made these chairs from plans found on the Kerig Jig website. I added the cup holders for convenience and lowered the seats by 2 inches to account for our short legs. Chairs were stained with an outdoor fence treatment that was tinted with a light grey color.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Maximum Solid - Grey Base
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

JRSMRS's $50 Daybed Brag Post

The daybed took about 4 weekends, and started with a lot of trial-and-error. Around the 3rd weekend, and a lot of "redo-ing", it started taking shape! This daybed will go on our screen porch, along with the homemade outdoor pillows and mattress cover. This project was definitely frustrating at times, but has been well worth the effort.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Pressure treated lumber for the frame, and 5/8" wooden dowels for the design.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Fancy X Desk

Submitted by eralben on Thu, 07/16/2015 - 11:55

I made this desk for my wife's office space.  The plans for this desk are great and easy to follow.  The only change I made was I shortened the size of the desk top to fit in our space.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$55.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Plus One Puzzle

Submitted by mtairymd on Sun, 02/04/2018 - 08:29

This is one of my favorite puzzles so far. You are given 8 blocks that must be placed in a box. They will fit and the box will be "totally filled." Once you are done, slide the lid on the top to complete the puzzle. Your test subjects might feel pretty smart by knowing that they solved this puzzle within a few minutes. However, you have a surprise. Pull the extra piece from the lid and tell them to place it in the box. I've tested this puzzle with 20 people so far and the common response is "No Way!". But yep, it can be done.

This video shows the solution but doesn't answer the why. Do you see a difference?

https://youtu.be/D8V0wRFAoz8

 

Estimated Cost
Besides the box, everything was built with scrap wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Miter Saw Cart

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/22/2022 - 08:51

Followed the plans and it came out great. I am still thinking about the extension on the right side since the hinges are so expensive.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Library Cart - Teachers Gift

Submitted by lollypoppy on Fri, 05/27/2011 - 09:32

The moment I saw this I knew it would be a perfect teachers gift for my daughters teacher. She loved it.
This was only my second project, the first being the 10 dollar ledges. I'm glad I tried a smaller project before tackling the farmhouse bed. I think it helped with just knowing how to assemble a project a bit better.
I used my Kreg Jig and it worked marvelous! Also I ended up not having a jigsaw so I just cut the top at a 35 degree angle with the miter saw and rounded the edges a bit with the sander. I was going to add handles but the top goes up enough that it's easy to manuever without. I also wanted her to be able to fit it in anywhere and was worried that the handles sticking out would just get in the way.
Overall I think it turned out great. Her teacher loves it. Thank you Anna for such wonderful plans!!

Krista

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toy 2x4 Cubicle Shelf

This was the first project my husband and I attempted. I'm new to building but he has lots of experience. Went real well, I should have taken the advice though to measure and cut trim at the end. I did it at the start to get it sanded and we ended up needing to redo it all with new wood. So happy with the end result though, tons of storage for baby's toys.

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

Comments

NannyGoat

Wed, 05/12/2021 - 20:02

Do you have the plans for this? It looks really great for my grandchild's toys.
THanks.
Nancy

Halltree

Submitted by worrow on Mon, 07/20/2015 - 11:45

My wife was dying to have me build her a halltree for the entryway in out house. She drew up some "blueprints" and we started building together. I know the finished project is dark but from the before pic you can visualize it.

 

I'm sorry for not having the plans up. I will get her "blueprint" scanned for everyone to use as this was our design.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

worrow

Mon, 07/20/2015 - 15:37

We used provincial by Minwax. My picture really doesn't do it the justice it deserves.

worrow

Mon, 07/20/2015 - 15:39

Finish is Provincial by Minwax, oh and satin polyurethane also made by minwax.

Console X Table

Submitted by Worrell16 on Wed, 02/14/2018 - 19:43

A lot of fun to try.  X’s were challenging, and used the pickled white washed stain for the first time.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Simple dark walnut with white wash stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner