Community Brag Posts

Baby changing table

It seemed as though this project started out as a nightmare. I didn't think it was going to happen. Working with 2x2 and soft doug fir is no fun. I bought a kreg jig and was super siked to use it but really couldn't figure it out yet so I just pre drilled and blasted screws in from the sides. Luckily I took some time to wood fill and do clean up work and you have no clue. I am so proud and excited about how this came out. It brought tears to my wife's eyes and maybe even a little to mine. Added some dipped blue legs and a simple blue band molding to pop off some color. Went to babies r us and purchased some canvas cubes and crazily enough the blue matched exactly!!! That was not planned.
All in all this will be in use for years to come.

Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
No voc paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Painters shelf Christmas present

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/27/2021 - 11:25

My daughter had asked about making shelves sometime. I didn’t say anything and snuck measurements when I was at her house. Followed Ana’s plans and she loved the results.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Variation on the Charging Table

We loved Ana's charging table, but didn't think we needed the holes for charging - what we really needed was just a side table to go next to our couch, but one with storage capacity (hence the shelves behind the doors on the bottom) and a place to put the remotes and game controllers for the TV (hence the shelf at the top). We decided to keep the "secret" compartment on top that flips up, like in the original plans, for storing messy things with cords like the headphones that you can see in the picture.

We also decided to replace the solid wood doors with a glass pane, and used glass paint to paint a square in the middle of the glass.

This was our very first - ever! - furniture-making project and we both really love how it came out. :-)

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Golden Pecan Stain and three layers of a polyurethane finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Parsons dining table (with extension leaves)

Here we have a Parsons style dining table built out of solid Alder wood. The table length is 72" but can extend up to 110" with two drop in leaves on either end. The table was clear coated with a satin poly.

Estimated Cost
$400.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Clear coat of water based poly
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

HGTV's Home Town featured Table

I built this table in the summer of 2017 specifically for our new home.  I used the reclaimed barnwood from my wife's grandfather's corn crib barn he built in 1947 along with a few pieces of lumber cut from trees that were blown down during hurricane Katrina.  The table top boards were planed to 1" thick and glued on edge with biscuits.  The table top is wrapped by a ripped rafter from the barn about 2" x 2".  The verticals of the legs are laminated leftover pieces, one of which has the initials of a son preserved from the original barn.  The horizontals of the legs are from pine and red oak Katrina wood.  The table bracing is made from barn rafter material and the metal straps are made from scrap and painted black.  The table itself has no stain, because we felt the true charm would be more appreciated showing the old nail holes, knots, and bug scarring.  It is finished with three coats of clear matte polycrylic.  I engineered the table into two pieces, so that the top could be removed for ease of transport. 

You may see our table in HGTV's Home Town Season 2 Episode 3 originally airing January 22, 2018 at 8 CST.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
No stain. Three coats of matte clear polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

My first build - work bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/28/2021 - 17:11

Hi Anna and everyone else that read this. My name is Scott. I got into woodworking to have something to do after I retire retire. No, that's not a typo. I retired the first time from the military, but right now I'm still working. For a couple more years. Anyway. The first photo was my workbench to build my workbench. The second photo is the all the cut wood. The third is the finished product. Mistakes were made, of course, but I learned from them. For example, the plywood is what I believe is termed 'exterior'. I figured, it was going to be hammered on, drilled on, painted on (you get my drift). What I didn't count on was splinters from the very rough surface. I sanded it. And sanded it. And sanded it. Now I just wear gloves, LOL. Since then I've also built a set of "Owens Night Stands" of yours. My wife loves them. Me - I see all the mistakes I made while building them. I'm hoping to learn from them also. BTW, Anna, that video you made for setting up drawers? Wish I'd seen it earlier, would have been a lot of help with those 2 stands, LOL. Last thing - I always remember everyone saying 'measure twice, cut once'. For me, until I get better at this, it's measure 3 times!

Comments

Reclaimed Wood Desk Caddy

Submitted by melaniesue on Tue, 05/10/2011 - 12:11

I wanted to build something fun and challenging for me. I was inspired to do more caddy things because of Anas fun plans for her Soda Caddy. I often try to design my own plans, (the old fashioned way, because skechup hates me!). I LOVE to look at pictures online, and just see if I can replicate it somewhat. So this Desk Caddy is what I came up with. I used all old wood that I had in the shed, and was begging to be made into something fun! I think this would be cute for so many different areas. Outside, you could organize your gardening items, seed packets, shovels and pots. It could be an awesome message center, mail area. Whatever!

If the dimensions are with the image, it's much easier for me to figure out, this one had dimensions, so I just went with my gut and I think it turned out ok. It sold in my booth, at our local antique mall in 2 days.

Without the Kreg Jig, I would not have had the confidence to build this, and sell it. I love the Kreg Jig!

Clearly I need to get a new camera, and need to take better pictures, SOON!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Steel wool/vinegar mixture, slight dry brush in an oops white I had on hand, 2 coats of satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bookshelf wall unit

I fell in love with a set of bookshelves from a big box store (ahem, T@#get) but was disheartened to find that they would not help me get the corner shelf ordered to Canada from their website.

With inspiration from Ana, I decided to design and build the whole thing myself. It cost 1/3 the price, and as my first wood project, I'd say it turned out pretty well.

I made my design to work best with the wood available local to me, and to fit specifically in our room. The biggest challenge wasn't wood-related at all, but was actually dealing with the electrical outlet that I needed to attached to the base of one shelf.

Check it all out at my blog; http://projectjumanji.blogspot.ca

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kentwood bed

Submitted by Wiscogrl on Sun, 06/28/2015 - 06:59

I built this for my four year old son! He even helped me out so that made him love it even more :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100-$120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Oil based stain- Dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Loft Bed Full Size (12 inches shorter than plans)

Submitted by NWhited12 on Mon, 01/15/2018 - 11:10

We made these beds for the kids as their Christmas present. They’re full size and we plan to add shelves later. We had to cut them 12 inches because the kids were hitting their heads on the ceiling. I added white Christmas lights under them. I LOVE how they turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
I used MinWax Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table & Bench

Submitted by CHRISSYK on Sat, 01/01/2022 - 10:47

This was my first big project. Plan was so easy to follow. It took awhile but so worth it. I have had so many compliments on it. Thank you Anna!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Leaning Bookshelves

Built this over a relatively warm Saturday in January. Like most projects, the building wasn't bad but the finishing took forever :)

Estimated Cost
Built it so long ago I don't remember for certain, but less than $100 I'm sure
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Mascarpone paint in Semi-Gloss; Benjamin Moore
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Red Hen Home's Modified Providence Bench

This is a slightly modified version of the Providence Bench. I used 1x wood rather than 2x wood, so the legs are slightly longer to make the bench come out to the same height. Made this to match a planked-top table. More photos on my blog: http://redhenhome.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-other-solomon-table-bench.ht…

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Custom mix of Minwax Weathered Oak and Antique Walnut stain, followed by hand-rubbed polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JW

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 05:46

I like the planked top! Great job on the finish - it's rustic without being overdone. It's one of the things i love about pottery barn furniture.

What is the hand-rubbed polyurethane? Is that just the wipe-on stuff I keep seeing at the store? Was it easy to use?

Rustic x coffee table

Submitted by PNWbuilder on Wed, 07/01/2015 - 09:44

This is my second project. I used all pine. The top is stained special walnut then added poly acrylic sealer and the bottom I sprayed with Rustoleums heirloom white. This one was a lot of fun and I love the result. Since this picture, I added corner brackets sprayed with Rustoleums oil rubbed bronze (my fav-so good!).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100-125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleums heirloom white (spray can) and special walnut for the stain. Sealed with satin poly acrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Storage Bench

Submitted by Jdschrag on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 05:28

Inspired by the Vintage Bench plan we created this Little Bench for our Daughters Shoes and other stuff!  Added Trim work and layered Paint to create a Vintage look.

 

 

 

Estimated Cost
$40-50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Layered Enamels to distress and finished with a Clear Wax applied with soft rag
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Poppy's Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/05/2022 - 13:19

I started with the 'Camp loft bed with stair' plans and added height and a wall with window for my daughter's bed.
It is absolutely the coziest spot to sleep and a great spot to hang out. The landing is a great spot for reading too!
She loves it.

Comments

Beach Cottage Dresser

Again I'm sorry I have no plans, but what I do have is a great instructional video. Drawer slides are such a pain to install without the right tools. I'm sure you can find great dresser plans but the kicker is how you install the drawers. These inexpensive drawer slide mounting tools might save you from going insane. Check them out. http://youtu.be/vI3jgkhxxPE

Estimated Cost
$100-140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Martha Stewart Interior Semi Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Outdoor Couch with Chaise/Ottoman

Submitted by NJ_DIY on Mon, 07/06/2015 - 08:56

This couch was super easy. The 2x4s cost about $30. The cushions were a little higher at $160 for all, but can't complain when spending so little. I bought the cushions first to assure the size would be adjusted correctly. It took about 30-45 minutes to put together. I say it's a weekend project because of the stain and sealer. Then the wife wanted a chaise also. I decided to make it an ottoman so it's a chaise when she wants and an extra seat when we have extra company. I went with the color Kona for the stain and applied clear satin spar urethane 3 times since it was raw wood initially. Excellent project that really completed my outdoor space!

Estimated Cost
$30 for 2x4s,
$160 for cushions,
$25 for stain and spar urethane,
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona stain,
Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

NJ_DIY

Mon, 07/06/2015 - 20:16

They were on sale at Target, but they were running out. We initially wanted the Navy Blue but when this was the only color available we settled but now we couldn't be happier. Fits in with our backyard perfectly.
The cushions are Threshold Deepseating Outdoor Cushions. They do get soaked in the rain but I suppose they're outdoor cushions because once the sun is out they dry instantly. Let me know if I could help any further!

NJ_DIY

Mon, 07/06/2015 - 20:15

They were on sale at Target, but they were running out. We initially wanted the Navy Blue but when this was the only color available we settled but now we couldn't be happier. Fits in with our backyard perfectly.

The cushions are Threshold Deepseating Outdoor Cushions. They do get soaked in the rain but I suppose they're outdoor cushions because once the sun is out they dry instantly. Let me know if I could help any further!

mtnluvnfun

Sat, 10/03/2020 - 23:56

Are the plans not posted to your website? I built a 90" version of your plans that are for 79" couch and want to use an ottoman as a versatile chaise similar to this layout.

X End table

Submitted by smurf1018 on Tue, 01/23/2018 - 19:42

One of my first pieces of furniture I built.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Steel wool and apple cider vinegar mixture and Minwax Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Library Cart (Bookshelf)

Submitted by Kassidy_D on Sun, 01/16/2022 - 18:54

Project #3 very pleased with the outcome!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments