Community Brag Posts

Ana inspired playroom

Submitted by cannelle9 on Tue, 02/19/2013 - 19:12

There are three plans combined here in this picture. All three completed in the past year. The toy boxes are from the one plan, the cubby shelves from another and finally the dress up stand is the third. It is never this tidy in our playroom! Ah ah, what you cannot see is the other half :D But the girls do enjoy it quite a bit and it does keep most toys off the floor and easily accessible. Thanks Ana for a great variety of plans!

Estimated Cost
150$ plus scraps
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
plain old wall paint leftover from renovating the house!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Boy Scout Project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/27/2017 - 14:04

Table created for the chartering organization for Troop 4900 in Woodstock, GA (Woodstock Community Church).

Some deviations from the plans...we notched two of the cross member that support the seats and glued/screwed them together for greater strength in the center. That left 4 supports to be installed with pocket screws (weak). We added two small 2x6 supports where all these members join in the center and screwed the supports to the cross members, reinforcing the center and taking load off the pocket screws (see photo). Also, as you can see, we built the framing for the seats and table top, then added legs and placed the table top last to assure a level table top.

Finally, a recommendation - use 1x6 boards for the table top and seating areas for a lighter and more manageable table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Picnic table and parent table (by the playground) for a church.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Truss Beam Dining Room Table

Submitted by td_tx on Wed, 02/03/2021 - 08:57

We built this table for our dining room. The project followed the plans for cuts and dimensions except for the top. Instead of using 2x10, we used 2x12 and ripped an inch off each side to have flatter top with out needing to plane.

We used pine for the top and douglas fir for the 4x4 base. Before staining we used a pre-stain conditioner. The table was stained using Minwax Early American and then finished with a clear satin polyurethane.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early America and clear satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Customized console

Submitted by JimmyE3 on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 09:04

Modifed the Rustic X console to fit the width of den area's windows. Wife wanted storage, I needed a project.

Estimated Cost
$55
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American 230 stain. Just brush on, wipe off after 15 minutes, and let dry.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Double square X pedestal dining table

Submitted by eklein21 on Wed, 12/31/2014 - 11:44

Thanks for the great plans. I modified them slightly by building a 60x40 farmhouse style top and a double pedastel. The other change is that I made the side 4x4s into 2x4s. 

Estimated Cost
~$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
General finishes gel stain in brown mahogony (https://generalfinishes.com/retail-products/oil-base-wood-stains-sealers/oilbase-gel-stains#.VKRQ2ivF9UM) and finished using general finishes arm-r-seal in satin (https://generalfinishes.com/retail-products/oil-base-top-coats/arm-r-seal-urethane-topcoat#.VKRRDyvF9UM) ... sealer is so strong it was harder to drill through then the wood when attaching the top to the bootom. Started with the pre-stain conditioner as well (https://generalfinishes.com/retail-products/oil-base-top-coats/pre-stain-wood-conditioner#.VKRRmyvF9UM)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

traciw25

Fri, 08/12/2016 - 12:58

Your table looks great!  Love the farmhouse top and your revisions.

 

Would you mind sharing what dimensions you went for the table top and what width you went on the doubt pedestal length?

 

THanks so much!!! I hope I get to have one like yours someday soon :)

Farmhouse Storage Bed with Storage Drawers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/29/2017 - 12:17

I accidentally found these plans on Anna's website when I was looking for deals on mattress sets.

 

After mulling it over a while, I decided to give it a try.  It just so happend that it was our anniversary coming up, and I thought hey, better than dinner and a movie.

 

I reviewed the plans, and upgraded the wood to entirely knotty pine. Even the posts.  Since I couldn't buy what the plans called for in knotty pine, I bought cheap pine shelving and milled the pine, then laminated for the posts, 2x4s, 2x6s and drawers.  Easier to work with than plywood.

 

About 35 hours later, I finished the pieces and parts with Polyshades Royal Walnut, and voila!!! 

My wife absolutely loves the bed, and now she even has a place to store more shoes!

 

 

Estimated Cost
Home Depot
$600 - Pine shelves
$50 - drawers slides
$20 - screws
$40 - stain
Grand Total $700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Polyshades- Royal Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Free standing pantry with coffe bar

Submitted by Keldani5 on Wed, 02/10/2021 - 06:14

I loved doing this project, I did a burn treatment on the door and I made the shelves adjustable. It took me a weekend to build and 2 days to stain and do a matte poly finish.

Estimated Cost
300.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
smoke grey stain with a matte poly finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Herringbone Top Console Table

I was looking for a "super easy console table" and once I was ready to build it, I mustered the confidence to try a more complex table top design. Using pocket hole joinery, 2"x2" legs and supports, scrap 1"x2" "blocks" for the herringbone pattern, scrap 1/2" 8"x4' plywood, 3/4"x1/2" pieces to frame the top, and much wood glue, I built this 8.5" narrow console table for under $30. The plan shared on this site was one of the inspiration pieces that helped me believe I could do this too!

Estimated Cost
$28.10
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Golden Oak and Red Oak. Watco Danish Oil in Black Walnut. Olympic Semi-Gloss white (off the shelf).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

yurra-bazain

Mon, 02/25/2013 - 21:22

Thank you both for your gracious comments. It is so lovely to receive supportive feedback from a community of doers. =D Blessings to you!

Console Table

Finally got a miter saw and a pocket hole jig. So decided to try this for my first project with new tools. Turned out great and I learned lots of things I'd do differently next time to save headaches.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Cost about $80 in wood but spent around $120 including hardware, stain, sand paper, etc.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Used a dark walnut for the top and satin polyurethane.
For the bottom we painted a blue and didn't like the color because it was too bright but then we sanded areas to distress and stained over the top and it changed the paint to the perfect tint we were looking for. Have no idea why this worked but we love it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

msh_76

Sat, 01/03/2015 - 17:27

I love the colors of this. My husband just made one but we modified it to turn it into a desk. Now, he's going to make the coffee table and end tables to match.

msh_76

Sat, 01/03/2015 - 17:27

I love the colors of this. My husband just made one but we modified it to turn it into a desk. Now, he's going to make the coffee table and end tables to match.

Trishlatish

Sun, 01/04/2015 - 17:39

This was one of my Christmas presents this year from my husband. It's all reclaimed redwood from a house that was being torn down.

DWinMadison

Tue, 10/18/2016 - 19:44

I'm doing a riff on this project this weekend; Two tables actually to go in front of matching windows in our den, each about half the length of the original @ 41" long on top.  My question is this: How do you securely attach the rails to the ends?  I'm all about a pocket jig, but use of 2x2's means I can basically only get 1 screw between the rails and the side of the 2x4 legs. Is that enough to support the weight on the shelves?  How did y'all connect them, pocket holes or inset screws drilled from the outer ends through the 2x4s?

easy night stand

Submitted by dacajun on Sat, 04/01/2017 - 17:02

Needed a night stand for my sons bedroom. this was perfect....

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less than $100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Apple Red and Navy Blue
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse coffee table under 40 - ( 65 dollars Canadian)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/17/2021 - 15:50

This was my first project and had tons of fun building it. Can’t wait to build to end tables to match.
The plans are so easy to understand. The only change I made was instead of exposed screws I used the pocket hole method

Estimated Cost
65 dollars ( Canadian)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax pre- stain wood conditioner, minwax classic grey ( 2 coats) minwax clear satin poly urethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

mh6558

Fri, 01/12/2024 - 08:33

This is beautiful and just the look I'm going for with the color scheme. I am wondering if it would be easier to paint the wood before constructing it? Also, what is the pocket hole technique? I think I would like the screws hidden too.

No sew Parson Chair!

this project called for sewing the cushion covers, but i was to lazy to take out the sewing machine, so instead I stapled the fabric and it turned out pretty good if I do say so!! thanks for the plans!!

Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

moosmani

Tue, 02/26/2013 - 16:07

Oh, very nice! I am making one of these right now. I need to go out to get the foam before I can proceed. I'm excited. It's great to see how nice yours turn out!

Rustic X console table

<p>My husband made this from some redwood salvaged from and house being torn down. The finish is Briwax, very easy to apply and polish to a nice shine. It also comes in a variety of colors. Make sure the wax is done in a well ventilated area. A Kregs Jig is a must for fastening this together.</p>

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
All the wood was free so the cost was limited to the wax and screws
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Bri wax-dark brown. It's all we use anymore!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Work bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/03/2017 - 18:11

I made this work bench today with your plans, this was my first time building anything. 

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Floating bench for entryway alcove

Submitted by msantos116 on Tue, 02/23/2021 - 11:20

I was looking for some inspiration to clean up our small entryway room in our Cape Cod style home in Worcester, Massachusetts that was typically used for recycling and dirty shoes. These plans were very easy to follow and really spruced up the room quite a bit.

I used standard pine 2x4's for the frame and 1 inch boards for the bench platform and upper shelf features. The platform consists of four boards (3 1x6 boards and 1 1x5 board) that were glued together and sanded down. This was finished with Minwax Colonial Maple stain (a few coats), a couple coats of satin polyurethane, and then sanded down for a nice smooth finish.

I used a couple of 2x4's behind the vertical face below the shelf, giving it some depth and better stability.

Cast iron hooks were found on etsy, ebay, and Amazon.

Estimated Cost
$75-$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Colonial Maple stain
Minwax satin polyurethane
Automotive turtle wax for a smooth shine
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sideboard

Submitted by BJW1262 on Fri, 03/01/2013 - 11:59

7 ft long gigantic sideboard. Removed the options for the drawers and extended the cabinet doors for extra storage needed. My favorite project to date.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Emerson Console

Submitted by jsims on Tue, 01/06/2015 - 13:31

Slightly modified the plans to fit our record player and albums below. Wood is reclaimed from a barn. Bought off Craigslist. The wood was originally planned to go in a restaruant but when they sprayed it with poly the white paint turned yellow. The owners no longer liked it so I was able to buy it off of them. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sanded and used finishing wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sliding door buffet with real barnwood

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/06/2017 - 19:57

Built the buffet and doors in one day...spent two days making the hardware....1" flat bar (1/8" for mounting wheels and 3/16" for track). For the wheels I used screen door sliding wheels.. materials for sliding hardware totaled $30. Barnwood was obtained from a CL guy tearing his barn. Donated this buffet to my local high school Booster club for their auction. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Web Gray semi gloss
Kilz 2 primer
Sprayed with Fuji MiniMate 4
minwax water based polyurethane for barnwood
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Chestwick Platform Bed - King Size

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 15:42

Wanted to build a simple platform bed to match our existing set that only had a queen. So I built a modified version of the Chestwick Platform Bed. Modified the plans to allow for a king size. I used rope molding at the bottom to match with our existing side tables. I wanted to be able to take it apart when needed, so I used knockdown hardware to be able to move it around in pieces if I ever needed.

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

Comments

Tria

Tue, 10/26/2021 - 10:46

Can you please provide the measurements for the king? Your bed turned out amazing! I love the details.

Queen Headboard

Submitted by TKP3321 on Sun, 03/03/2013 - 17:48

Was my first DIY project and was surprised as to how easy it was. The directions in the plan were spot on and look forward to future projects.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Stain - Riverstone
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner