Community Brag Posts

Banquette Seating with storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/25/2022 - 13:58

You didn’t have plans, so I had to “wing it” without you; however, I couldn’t have done it without all the practice I’ve had from all your plans on this website these past several years!

Comments

Storage Bench and Crates

I modified the bench to make it longer and for four cubbies (for four kids and their shoes) instead of three.

Estimated Cost
$20-$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Distressed grey paint, sanded on edges with Jacobean stain used as a glaze. Three coats of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Dollhouse Bookcase

Submitted by TheCarlaG on Thu, 08/08/2013 - 12:37

This was a collaboration between my father and I as a piece to add to my newborn daughters room.

I had seen a similar bookcase in a model home in my neighborhood and wanted it. That's when I remembered that Ana had plans for something similar on here. I used those and made modifications to suit my tastes by taking things I liked from Ana's plans and things I liked from the one I saw in the model home.

It was painted white with primer and then I painted the roof and accents with the same color paint I had used on my daughters' accent wall to make it match perfectly.

You can see photos of it from different angles and then a completed photo of it in her room.

I absolutely love this piece!

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

Comments

Tall Corner Media Console-Barn Door Twist

Submitted by dcraible on Wed, 09/02/2015 - 09:46

This project was modified from the original plan in that it is not as tall, the shelving was configured differently as well as the doors. I wanted a sophisticated yet rustic appeal to it. Thus, I made vertical long doors with a barn door design. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Driftwood Stain with a water based satin polyurethane. This project has 2 coats of stain and 3 coats of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Full outdoor furniture set

Submitted by Bradnag on Fri, 06/22/2018 - 10:15

Built a new outdoor furniture set using the following plans:

Ryobi Outdoor Couch (linked to in the One Arm Outdoor Sectional plans)

Armless 2x4 Sectional

2x4 Outdoor Coffee Table

 

I also built the Tryde End Table with Shelf & 2 of the Modern Outdoor Chair from 2x4s and 2x6s, but they will be in a seperate brag post since I can only link 3 sets of plans per post.

 

I built the armless middle sectional piece exactly to plan, to fit 25x25 outdoor cushions. The bench is a little deep for sitting, but great for laying out. The 2 side pieces I shallowed to fit 19" cushions, since they are cheaper and easier to find and are more naturally sized for sitting. I also added a support board under the back rail, which is missing from the Outdoor Couch plans but is present in the Armless sectional plans and I wanted everything to match. I stained everything with Thompson's water sealing stain, since it was going to be exposed to the elements at all times (though this picture was taken before the staining was completely finished, hence the untouched lumber visible under some of the cushions).

 

Project took a 3-day weekend. Day 1: measuring and cutting. Day 2: assembly. Day 3: sanding and staining. 

 

Estimated Cost
$250 in materials, $300 in cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson's Semi-Transparent Stain & Sealer, Honey Gold
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Fenced-In Walkthrough Garden

Submitted by jmholzma on Fri, 04/29/2022 - 17:08

Used the Garden Enclosure plan as a reference, but wanted a much bigger area to walk through and relax in. Dimensions are about 30'x20'. Took a few months with a break for winter because it was just me working in spare time on weekends, would have gone a lot faster with an extra set of hands. Towards the end realized that drainage in the walk path was going to be an issue so I put in a very basic french drain before I weed fabric and mulched.

Really happy with how it turned out. Cost was pretty high, probably about $1500 all told, between wood, garden soil, etc. But we'll be able to enjoy it for many years.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Giveaway @ www.RustiChic.com

Submitted by Anneke on Thu, 07/07/2011 - 16:33

I have arranged a giveaway for $50 on my blog at www.RustiChic.com. I have learned so much from Ana and other builders on here, I couldn't NOT let you know!

On a side note....any advice on the button??? I've tried all three links and can't get it on there for whatever reason and NEED to!!!

Also, any web/blog/wordpress designers with advice or services? I am interested!

Best of Luck!

~Anneke

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JES

Sat, 07/09/2011 - 18:36

Such a cute thing for taking baby pictures! Love it! You did a wonderful job. :) J

Rustic X End Table

Submitted by Tlbarnett on Sat, 08/10/2013 - 21:23

We decided to use redwood because it is sturdy and looks nice. We used the steel wool in vinegar to stain the wood, which FYI, redwood turns black. We were a little worried they were ruined and we weren't going to get that rustic look. After a lot of sanding and 3 coats of clear poly they look great! Thank you so much for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150 for 2 tables
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Steel wool dissolved in vinegar, then Minwax Clear Poly finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bedside Tables

Submitted by cjlaw on Sun, 09/06/2015 - 12:29

These tables were easy to build.  We ended up using paint and stain to give the tables a distressed look.  They will make a great addition to our guest bedroom.  

Estimated Cost
About $30 each.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
We used both paint and stain for a distressed finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X console table

Submitted by AUPatrick on Mon, 07/16/2018 - 09:30

My 14 year old son wanted a piece of furniture to put under his TV.  We made it 20 inches less in length but kept the other dimensions the same as the plans.  I made the cuts for him, but he did all of the work putting it together, sanding and staining.  He loves the outcome and it only took us about 6-8 hours over the course of two days.

Thanks for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80-$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacoby for the legs and Early American for the remainder
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Happy Mother's day

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/08/2022 - 08:21

My sons and I decided to tackle a project for mom this year, and the farmhouse coffee table was a great project. Tweaked the design slightly with offset full length cross pieces and a distressed paint finish on the base. Great plans, fun project with the kids, and mom loved it!

Comments

Doll Farmhouse bed

Submitted by kylihoot on Sat, 07/09/2011 - 16:48

I built this bed for my new doll I got from my mother-in-law. All the girls in her family got one as a child, so she got me one, too. This is such a cute bed! Matches my own Farmhouse bed:)

I'm sure this would have been easier with a nail gun, but it is was pretty simple with the drill too.

LOVE IT!

Estimated Cost
>$10.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded with 120 grit, then primed and spray pianted purple. I filled the holes prior to painin with a putty.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Ladder Filing Cabinet

Submitted by RoseOfShaz on Mon, 08/12/2013 - 12:57

I needed a filing cabinet but wanted something stylish and unique. At the same time, I was also looking for an excuse to build this beautiful ladder shelf. So I decided to combine the two and create a "ladder filing cabinet!" I adjusted the plans so that the legs were made of 1x3's for extra support and I used 1x2's for shelf trims. I also converted side-mount drawer slides into a bottom track for the drawer.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60 (I used leftover wood to construct the drawer)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-o-leum Walnut. For the drawer, I whitewashed it with white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kf

Tue, 08/13/2013 - 19:22

Great job!
I'm curious, what did you use to hang the files on?

Rustic X CoffeecTable

Submitted by kelty on Wed, 09/09/2015 - 08:51

My first build from your site. The plans are great!  I changed it and used half lap joints for the Xs to keep them as solid pieces. Only cheap lumber is available at the big box stores, so LOTS of sanding. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered gray by rustoleom
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffee Table

Submitted by melehes on Thu, 08/02/2018 - 12:38

Burned wood finish with stain and lots of coats of poly for protection and shine

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our first project, EVER!

Submitted by RyansMama on Wed, 07/13/2011 - 18:30

I had never built anything before. I also hadn't had a headboard in years, so I figured two birds with one stone. The biggest lesson we learned was how important it is to find the best wood. One of our pieces was not straight and we ended up having to make another trip out to the store. Otherwise, it was a pretty easy build!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Second Squared2 Chair

I purchased and used a circular saw to cut the back legs, which was so much easier than just using a jigsaw like I did the first time. Having experience building one before made assembling the second one simpler.

(Note: The measurements in the photos are different than those in the plans because I cut the back legs to be 37", adding about 1" to the height of the patterned back support to accommodate a 1" seat cushion for future.)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar sample of Birchwood White ($3) with Valspar shimmer powder (remaining powder of previous $7 purchase), teal color ($3 oops paint my brother gave to me).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Medickep

Mon, 09/02/2013 - 06:59

Are the back legs of your chairs two different pieces?? I noticed they have a curve to them and was curious how you got that look!!

Thanks,

In reply to by Medickep

yurra-bazain

Wed, 09/04/2013 - 00:54

The chair is essentially made in two pieces: the back support and back legs being one assembled piece and the seat and front legs being the other. Each back leg is cut from a 2x4 to make the angled back, which was the trickiest part of the whole build for me. There are diagrams in Ana's plans to explain it visually. =D I hope this helps a little!

King Headboard

Submitted by kaileelev on Sun, 09/13/2015 - 19:26

Super easy and quick project! If you buy the select pine from home depot- it is a piece of cake to build. No sanding!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax provincial stain. Polyurethane coating.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modern Farmhouse Bed with changes

Submitted by alleysrats on Tue, 08/21/2018 - 19:25

I needed a bed frame to go around my adjustable mattress and cheapest I found for pre-fabricated was greater than $200 and I thought why not go on Ana’s site and see if I could build one cheaper and I found this design.  I did everything in the instructions but build the platform as I was only getting it as a frame around the base that I already had.   I ended up using carsiding as it was cheaper than 1x6’s I also did not use pocket holes I just used regular screws that I countersunk and it gives it a bit of a more rustic look   I did have to adjust a few things as the side rails the 2x4 toppers went over too much on the adjustable portion of the bed and I didn’t allot for additional width on the head and footboard so I had to remove them -  to me it presents a little bit of a cleaner line I figure I can always go back with a 2 x 2 if I want a capped look.  The weathered recommended product turned it to a grayish purple hue no matter how much I sanded it -  it grew on me but definitely not the same color probably different tannins in the wood I was able to find not sure.  

 

The build took about two days total I built it all on my own the bed hardware was tricky though after failing to find anything local I ordered bed rail hardware off of Amazon for 12 bucks it’s a lot easier and your able to connect the side rails to the head and footboard on your own.

 

Total cost with the bed hardware probably about $130 if I took off the stuff I wasted it may be closer to $115.

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