Community Brag Posts

Firehouse Playset

Submitted by vic b on Fri, 05/03/2013 - 19:03

I love making thing for our son. i document most of it at http://madeatthisplace.blogspot.com.au/

Our son has a lot of Lego, especially fire engine Lego.
It was spread out everywhere and we needed to contain it.

This fire station playhouse was perfect.

I added a ramp so the cars and trucks could get up to the top level and garage doors on one side as our house is more like a garage then a fire station.

I used scrapbooking paper on the upper level walls and painted a H on the roof for the helicopter. (or in our case a plane).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

rhonit

Mon, 05/06/2013 - 04:31

Awesome job!!! I don't see much built for boys and this is just an awesome playset, I will defiantly be doing something like this for my grandson. I especial like that it's up off of the floor.

Nightstand in two colors

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/24/2017 - 23:41

Followed the plans closely. Stained before assembly for the two color look.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane briarsmoke and worn navy. Satine finish triple thick poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

I built this!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:19

I have no idea how much time I spent on this, but it was worth it!

Comments

Rustic X Console

Submitted by RoseOfShaz on Mon, 05/06/2013 - 12:44

This is my second build and I'm so pleased with how it turned out! I bought a Kreg Jig especially for this project, and I honestly don't know how I ever lived without it!

I'd been wanting a new console for our TV and this seemed perfect.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained the table unevenly with Jacobean stain, concentrating mostly on the edges, ridges and knots. Then I whitewashed with some leftover beige paint I had (1 part paint to 2 parts water).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

ehays216

Fri, 08/02/2013 - 06:54

This looks awesome, I wasn't planning on building the console table to match my coffee table, but after seeing how yours turned out I might have to work on this next! I love the cool finish that you did!

RoseOfShaz

Fri, 08/02/2013 - 11:40

Thank you! You should do it, it would complement your gorgeous coffee table and end tables nicely. :)

Benchmark Dining Table

Submitted by Lsmith543 on Fri, 03/27/2015 - 10:13

Surprisingly simple. We used 4x4s for the diagonal supports because I prefered the look. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats Honey Satin from minwax, I believe.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

outdoor sofa with one arm piece to make sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/27/2017 - 15:53

My husband and I built this on Sunday- I love how it turned out!  The hardest part was finding cushions, and carrying it up a flight of stairs!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
this has not been sanded or stained yet
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Hall Tree

Submitted by Theavy on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:45

Used scrap material from a new development near me. (Was given permission by developer). Liquid nails and Brad nailer used to assemble the 1x12’s. 1x2 and shoe moldings to clean up edges. Chalk and white paint to finish it up. I already had the coat rack so it literally cost me nothing to assemble.

Comments

Sand Box

Submitted by lbrennec on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 05:54

I gave this one to my Dad to do. Of course he made some changes. But she loves her sand box and we love it too! Thought I would share some pictures of the construction after he brought the parts to our house. 400 pounds of sand later.

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

Simple Red Garden Bench

Submitted by EAnderson on Sun, 03/29/2015 - 19:20

This was the first building project I completed by myself start to finish! I was able to use 2x4s we already had in the garage (sorry husband!) and some scrap wood for the few other pieces it required. The only thing I added to the plans was some trim for the front.

I built this last summer and since then the shelf on the very top has warped a bit. I would recommend adding extra support. It rains a lot here, and I think that contributed to it warping. Other than that, it has held up very well and the shelf can easily be fixed with some brackets.

Overall, this was a great first build for me! The plans were straightforward and easy to follow. And there's just nothing more rewarding than standing back at the end of a day of building and thinking, Hey I made that :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My handmade farmhouse table and benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/29/2017 - 20:32

This is the table I made for my wife using 2x lumber...I used the epoxy resin finish and it gives it a beautiful look and finish...my wife, family and friends love it...I'm very pleased with how well it turned out...

Estimated Cost
300 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Epoxy resin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Subway Tile Bookcase

Submitted by handymommy on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 05:39

I had to adjust the height and width of this project to fit on my wall in this corner. But I just LOVE how it came out. It's one of my favorite pieces of furniture in my whole house!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Mix of ebony and walnut stains with poly top coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Happier table

Submitted by venessat on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 21:33

My very first piece of furniture I built!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark walnut with clear satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entry Built in and Board and Batten

Submitted by anb80 on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 11:42

Entry board and batten treatment with hooks, cabinet with doors and drawers and bench.  Made from plywood. 

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

Comments

anb80

Wed, 04/01/2015 - 06:55

Thanks! We just sold our house in under 48 hours and I think all these built-ins helped! Thanks Ana for all the great plans and inspiring me. I learned so much coming from some one that had never built anything. You're awsome!

Media console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:28

This great plan!! Thx Ana!

Comments

custom desk

Custom sized desk to fit between a radiator and wall. Combination of cubby desk with added lower shelving and upper hutch with shelf unit.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Desk top surface: 2 coats Minwax cherry stain plus finishing paste.
All other pieces:
1. one coat Kilz primer
2. two coats Behr off white satin
3. distressed with 220 grit sandpaper
4. Minwax cherry stain
5. one coat Minwax satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Floating "Book" Shelves

I wanted to make floating shelves. As I was making them, I got the idea to decorate them like books.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
To decorate I used card paper to round one side and covered it with scrap book paper. I used three coats of shellac for protection.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Minecraft Torches

My favorite 7 year old recently had a Minecraft themed birthday party.    For party favors, I made Minecraft torches from a 2×2 board.   Painting each pixel of the torch was an incredibly time consuming process.  This is definitely not a project you want to procrastinate on.   I would budget two hours per a torch.   The torches are 1.5″ wide and 7.5″ tall.  The scale for the pixels is 0.75 inches.  I am pretty happy with how the torches came out.  It is a great way to use leftover 2×2 boards in the garage and a neat treat for fans of the game.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Acrylic craft paint sealed with Mod Podge (Matte Finish)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Outdoor sectional!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/05/2017 - 16:12

My husband followed your design for an outdoor sectional for our pool deck. We LOVE it!! Our boys helped and we were able to get the whole thing done in two days!! 

Estimated Cost
Wood and screws: $110
Sunbrella Cushions: $584 (on sale through Home Depot)
White Paint: $30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Worth every penny, sweat dripple and sun burn (we finally got smart and set up our pop up canopy for shade). We did buy the cushions first, when they were on sale. We used 25 x 25 and I feel like we could have gone a little smaller, but maybe as we use them, they will settle smaller.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Coffee - Wine Bar (Adapted from Planter's Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:58

Built for my daughter but it came out so well, kept it.

Comments

Ana White Admin

Tue, 10/05/2021 - 09:58

That would be hard to give up, lol! The cup and wine glass storage is a great addition, thanks for sharing:)

Adorable Rustic Bench

Submitted by beingbrook on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 12:34

Love the rustic bench! This project took my husband about an hour or two to build and then a little primer and paint and it was ready to use. It was a pretty easy build and we didn’t modify the plans at all. We liked the bench so much that we made another one! My biggest tip is to always read the comments on the plans because people leave great feedback about their experience as well as any tips that they used. It cost us less than $30 to build two benches. Sanded really well and then filled screw holes with wood fill. Primed and painted with Behr’s powdered blush.

 

Pin For Later!

Adorable Rustic Bench

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15-20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
A coat of primer followed by a coat of Behr's Powdered Blush.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bunny Easter Basket

Submitted by DMax2010 on Sun, 04/05/2015 - 10:02

My son loved his new Easter basket! This was super cute to make and I just used scrap wood. The paint was CeCe Caldwell's chalk paint in Blue Montana Sky. I used CeCe Caldwell's Clear Wax for the finish. Love these projects!

Estimated Cost
Used scrap wood and materials I already had
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
CeCe Caldwell's Blue Montana Sky chalk paint and Clear Wax for the finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner