Community Brag Posts

bench #5

rustic bench, modified length and omitted x detail, painted numbers

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
1. Minwax ipswich pine
2. Minwax early American
3. two coats clear satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

5 tater tots (not verified)

Wed, 02/08/2012 - 08:27

Sometime I wish I hadn't been handed down such a nice dining table and chair (plus coordinating antique buffet!)set from my parents. I read about this project at your site and would love to build this for my family. We are expecting baby #6 and two benches with 1, 2, and 3 on one and 4, 5, and 6 on the other would be too cute.

I keep hoping my parents will build again, this time in the style that matches their previous set and I can "generously" give them back the heirloom set ;-).

Kids Step Stool

My sister wanted a step stool for her grand-daughter via her daughter-in-law. Like our mother and grand-mother before us, we stood by the sink with our hands in the wash water "helping" with the dishes. She asked it I could build a stool. After searching through several plans, I came across this vintage step stool and changed it up a little for the personal touch. I added the cartoon characters to fit with my great-nieces theme and she now has something that she can "brag" about as she grows.

Estimated Cost
Less than $20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Oak stain, Minwax Provincial stain, latex paint for cartoon characters and 2 coats of Minwax Polycrylic. When using stain, I prefer to wipe on with old rag or t-shirt, it seems to cover better. As far as with the acrylic, I use a foam brush going with the grain whenever possible.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Noah's Modern Dresser

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/24/2016 - 17:31

Thanks so much for this build post.  We actually were about to purchase the dresser that this is designed after, but I couldn't stomach the 900 price tag.  I headed to anna-white.com to see if she had plans for anything similar and voila! the plans for the exact dresser we wanted were here!  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I spent about $300 in materials.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used red oak stain from minwax, and white paint. We coated it all in a rub-on poly finish for durability.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Desk Bling accessory sets for Christmas

Submitted by JoanneS on Tue, 12/17/2013 - 14:28

These desk sets were made from scrap wood and left over finishes, and are the inspiration for the desk bling accessory set plan, the cedar 1-board desk accessory set plan, and the 1-board cedar 2 drawer desktop storage cube plan. I had a ball planning and building these 4 sets over the summer, and gave them to the girls at work today as Christmas gifts. They were a big hit!

The cube sides and drawer fronts are made from scraps of wainscoat paneling.

The gray set is a distressed finish (not shown - the matching cube storage included pulls painted in oil rubbed bronze). The Espresso painted set received pulls spray-painted in silver. The Onyx set was stained with Minwax Express color, with pulls spray-painted in silver. The blue set received 2 coats of paint, and a Walnut glaze. Those pulls were done with a gray paint wash, with sea glass pebbles glued on the fronts.

The pulls are all made from pieces of S4S moulding, sanded and then painted. These also received a poly topcoat before attaching with super glue.

Total time for each set is about an afternoon each. Each set received multiple coats for the finishes, but was well worth the effort.

For some added "bling," I raided my stash of sticky-back felt scraps and applied to the bottoms of each piece, along with the drawer bottoms.

Estimated Cost
all materials already on hand, except for the sea glass (purchased at Michael's)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Gray: 1 coat white, 1 coat gray (Ace, Greek Column), distressed with 100-grit sandpaper, 1 coat polycrylic satin.
Espresso: 3 coats Benjamin Moore aura paint in Wenge, 1 coat polycrylic satin.
Onyx: 2 coats Minwax Express Color in Onyx (brushed on), 2 coats polycrylic satin.
Blue: 2 coats Clark & Kensington tinted to Benjamin Moore's Blue Echo, glazed with Minwax Express Color in Walnut, top coated with Minwax Oil Modified water based poly in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Loft bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/28/2016 - 18:35

I loved making this bed. This was my first experience using a Kreg Jig and it was great! We added three inches to the height of the bed so that my daughter could stand up for the next two years or so without bonking her head. We opted for rungs instead of stairs to save more space. We also used 2x4s cut to width for bed slats instead of a bunkie board.

Estimated Cost
$90 for all lumber, wood condition, stain and PH screws
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax wood conditioner
Minwax Ipswich Pine
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Chunky leg table

Submitted by tonellieto on Sun, 10/06/2019 - 21:16

I made this table from the husky farmhouse table plan, I have loved this  table since I first saw the plan. I used 4” legs instead of 5” and 1x6’s for the top. It turned out beautifully. I did purchase the Osborne legs as recommended.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Top: stained with “Early american satin stain.
Legs and base: sarin black spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Epoxy Table Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 07:14

Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of the finished product, but these are the table tops I built for couch tables in my basement. First time working with resin, I learned a lot!

Buildermomma

Barnwood Frame - Variation

Submitted by Joni on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 08:48

Have you checked out prices at framing stores lately? Since I didn't want to pay $250 for a frame, I decided to make one out of some spare 1x4 Douglas Fir that I had. It's a single board with a router cut at the edge for detailing. I routed a rabbet onto the back, and kreg-jigged it together. I distressed the wood by beating it with a hammer and chain.

Prior to completing the frame, I took a sample piece to the framing store (who would be matting it) to make sure they could work with my rabbet size. I ended up having to make it deeper and wider to accommodate them, so I would advise doing this if you're taking it to a framer.

I never dreamed I could actually make a frame, much less a piece of furniture. Thanks so much to Ana for sparking all of this. I've found my creative calling thanks to her!

Estimated Cost
Free (spare wood!)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
1. Minwax water-based wood conditioner. 2. Minwax mix of Onyx & American Walnut water-based stain. 3. General Finishes Glaze in Van Dyke Brown. 4. Bartley's Satin Polyurethane (4 coats).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Becky Smith (not verified)

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 04:32

That is really beautiful! I've been considering the same build for the same reasons. Framing costs are outragous! I've never used a router before and I guess I'm a little intimidated by them. What do you think? Are they too hard to use? Worth investing in?

Thanks!

Joni

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 08:11

Becky -- thanks for the feedback. The router is hard for me, but I don't think I know all the ins and outs of how to use it. For making the rabbet on the back, I've found out that a table saw works SO MUCH BETTER than trying to use the router. I believe that a dado blade for the table saw could make the decorative cut (and much easier, faster, and cleaner than trying to use the router).

Wood block pyramid

Submitted by Lsh108 on Sat, 12/21/2013 - 06:35

What a great little gift idea and made this in about 4 hours. HD had 2x2 poplar turning blocks that were perfectly straight and pretty smooth to start with. Required minimal sanding. Each board was $1.98 but was 32 inches long. So you have to buy 15. Start with the larger cuts first. The end of each board will produce one or two of the smaller cuts. Used the food coloring and also coconut oil on the blocks.
Great project, had fun doing it.

Estimated Cost
$32
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Food coloring and coconut oil
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Clara Table

Submitted by WolffA on Fri, 10/11/2019 - 07:51

I stained the top with Dark Walnut stain and used perfect white paint. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain. Ultra White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

x bench

Submitted by sidman on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 02:41

I loved this bench when I saw the plan and had to try it. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Red oak stain on top and painted the botton black.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Fire Pit Benches

Submitted by tsmonson on Mon, 12/23/2013 - 21:24

This was an easy plan to follow! We built these for around our fire pit. The finishes is what took the longest. The tops are stained American Walnut.

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

Comments

Full Length Mirror

Submitted by AndyH on Fri, 03/04/2016 - 18:03

A $10 Mirror framed out with some 1 by 2, 1 by 3 and 1 by 4.

Stained black and then 2 coats of white paint sanding after each to give a rustic/antique look.

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained in black and then two coats of white paint sanded between coats to give antique finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

American Girl Doll Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 13:08

My daughter wanted a bed for her dolls. American Girl Doll Bed beds are outrageous, soI decided to make one out of some scrap wood we had laying around. I modified it a bit and added a trundle bed below.

Estimated Cost
0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cedar Garden Bed

I made this garden bed in one evening. I love it! I bought 6 6' cedar fence pickets and two cedar 1x2s. I don't have a table saw, and they wouldn't rip a fence picket for me at the store, so I had to buy the cedar 1x2's but the project was still very affordable. I wanted it a little wider than the original plan, so I just cut the 6' pickets in half for the sides.
It is 6' x 3' and I didn't bother to cut the dogears off. You probably wouldn't even be able to tell they are there. I didn't trim the top out because that would add on about $6, and I like it just the way it is.
Now, lets see if I can actually grow some plants in it!!
I'm a beginner, and this project was really easy.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Lisa P (not verified)

Tue, 04/03/2012 - 08:08

This is exactly how I was going to modify Ana's plans as well. Have you started growing anything yet? Looks great!

Tara Kirkland

Tue, 04/17/2012 - 20:55

Yes, I've started "trying" to grow a few things. I don't usually have much luck, but maybe.... just MAYBE this will be the year!! :)

Lindyer0523 (not verified)

Mon, 04/23/2012 - 07:13

What would you have used for the top trim?

Distressed Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/07/2016 - 04:50

We used the Fancy X Farmhouse plans and matching bench to create a wonderful new farmhouse table and bench for the lake house. We distressed the tops of the bench and table and stained them Weathered Grey with the base of the table and bench stained Ash.  We absolutely love it!

Estimated Cost
Less than $200 for both pieces
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used a stain called weathered grey on the top and sanded some of the stain away in areas that would be typically used a lot and in the areas that showed bare wood we added the Ash stain and rubbed it in and lightly sanded the whole tops before applying final polyurethane coats. The bases were stained Ash.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments