Community Brag Posts

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

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

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

Chevron simple 1x10 single step stool

Submitted by Eplunkert on Thu, 01/08/2015 - 12:22

I built this stool for my niece's first birthday! It was super easy to build. The painting process was another story. In hindsight I should have just stained it but I wanted something fun and bright. I'm happy with how it turned out and I will definitely be making one for my nephew for his first birthday! Overall it took me about 2 hours to cut and put it together.

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray paint and spray clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Gorgeous and easy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/09/2017 - 18:28

My hubby built the table and I stained it. It's GORGEOUS in our living room. Next weekend we're building the side and console tables. 

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax 80% Gray and 20% Jacobean , 2 coats polyurethane and 1 coat polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Drop Zone/mudroom

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/09/2021 - 07:10

I used ShelfHelpNow which I LOVED! Got it delivered at the start of a snowstorm! Would never have made it then if I had to go get the wood myself!
Got so many compliments and requests
To build this.
Thank you for your easy plans and wonderful ideas!
In hindsight I would have either connected the two units or separated them more. I’m more a wing it/see how it goes type of builder for myself rather than a planner. 🤣
Diane

Estimated Cost
600 for carcass
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Putting it together took a couple hours. Painting and waiting for things to dry took a lot longer!
Hopefully this will free up some room in my house for more utilitarian closet/pantry.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Barn Playouse

Submitted by lddupuis on Wed, 03/06/2013 - 08:15

We turned the Playhouse loft bed into a "Barn" for my son who wanted his room to be all about horses.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

"Big Boy" headboard

I built my son his first "big boy" bed and we needed a headboard so my wife loved this one, and now my son does too! 

With pocket holes this was pretty easy to do, great plans, I had to modify the dimensions a bit since we didn't build the Hailey bed. We built a twin version of the Captain's Storage bed, so this matched up with it with only a few minor adjustments. Thanks for the plans and the great site.

Estimated Cost
35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Milk paint (typewriter color with curio color) distressed, sealed with Hemp Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Painted and Stained Katie Open Shelf Nightstand

Followed Katie Nightstand plans, but stained the top and both shelves. Open areas were built to accommodate some wire baskets we found at the Container Store.

Estimated Cost
90.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Off White (can't remember exact color) in semi-gloss and Minwax Wood Finish in Red Mahogany/Gun Stock (2/1 mix) with 2 coats high gloss Polycryic over top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Night Stands custom sized and finished

Submitted by pondrider on Thu, 01/15/2015 - 07:50

Night Stands custom sized and finished per customer building new home based Ana White's Farm House collection  #‎anawhite‬  

Intentional distressing per customer request with guidance from Ana White plans.   Finish contains a mix of paint, removing of paint, staining and restraining.   Now to move to a purposeful Mud Room Locker for a new home suited for family. 

http://ana-white.com/users/pondrider/
#anawhite   #Stain   #CustomFurniture   #Paint 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Finish contains a mix of paint, removing of paint, staining and restraining.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Love it! But when the washer is on spin it shakes the whole pedestal and dryer! Help!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/16/2017 - 11:01

The build was pretty easy. Husband did it in a day. But after the paint dried and we out it in our laundry room and I did some laundry we realized that the washer now shakes the entire pedestal violently to the point where the dryer is being shaken so much that it's banging against the wall. We have brand new LG washer and dryer and this wasn't a problem before our diy pedestal. Do you have any modification suggestions?  We really love the project- but we will have to take it out if we can't find a solution for the shaking. 

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My First Project

Submitted by sbonander on Thu, 03/18/2021 - 08:16

I learned so much for this first project. I used redwood instead of cedar and finished it to match our fence. I coated the inside with flex seal. Next time, I'll drill drain holes nearer to the front edge of each box so they drain into the box below a bit better. I angled the bottoms of each box with a band saw on a 15 degree tilted platform. They fit like a glove! Thanks for a great plan.

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Boys Room Makeover

Submitted by agarrigan on Mon, 03/11/2013 - 14:08

My husband and I made this for our boys last spring, while we were still in our old house. It's a modification of Ana' loft bed, with stairs that I drafted myself, a smaller version of Ana's flat bookshelf at the top, and a modification of Ana's dresser bookshelf from the cabin collection underneath. It has tons of storage and a tunnel/hiding spot that goes under the back step all the way through the dresser bookshelf. My boys loved this, and it made a huge difference in their room. Oh Ana, where would I be without you? Thanks for the great plans and inspiration.

Oh, and if you want to see more pictures including before and after shots of the boys room, check out my blog.

http://theelusivebobbin.blogspot.com/2012/03/finding-space-aka-boys-roo…

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Flat latex paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

robsaem

Tue, 11/25/2014 - 07:52

I absolutely LOVE this bed design.  Do you have a complete set of plans for this bed?  I tried to follow the separate plans for each part, but it is a little confusing.  I am a newbie, so wanted to make sure I do this right.   Thanks so much!  Robin