Community Brag Posts

Pallet Shelf

Submitted by beingbrook on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 09:39

We are going for a rustic look in our teen sons bedroom. He has some large books that will not fit onto his bookshelf so a pallet wall shelf seemed like a perfect solution.

This project literally took five minutes. If you don't have a sawsall it would probably take around 30 but still pretty quick.

Estimated Cost
Less than $5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Our pallet didn't come with tons of character so I did a vinegar and steel wood treatment to it to help age the wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

rustic x sofa table

I love this site. We needed new furniture in are house and didn't want to spend a bunch of money. Finding the Rustic x plans was a life saver.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint and kona stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My First Fully Finished Project ! YAY Thanks Ana

Submitted by fariha ali on Wed, 01/13/2016 - 21:03

I am very excited to post this project .

 

I used the Schoolhouse Chair with Writing Pad Desk Plan exactly and did not stain the wood. Just gave it a coat of PU and there it is .

Its not a perfect project (since I used a Jigsaw ... Yes I did as no other tools were available :() but carefully cut them straight using guide.

 

As a  first-timer I am happy with the result... sort of... But Thanks for inspiring Ana & Jaime !!!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
One PU coat and sanding ..
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Small Chicken Coop with Planter

Submitted by will m. on Sat, 05/25/2019 - 12:14

Great plans! Fun project

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

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Farmhouse Entryway console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/17/2023 - 15:29

I saw these plans several months ago and finally got the time I wanted to make it. I chose oak because it’s the best and prettiest stained. I love the way it turned out!

Comments

Simple and easy console table

Submitted by Jen Pedro on Thu, 12/01/2011 - 13:44

I built this as a place where my husband can store his keys and wallet. This table has nice, clean lines. The simple angles fit with the many pieces of Asian décor that we have.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
brown low VOC acrylic latex
polyacrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Patrick's Jelly Cupboard

Submitted by tamicaleb on Thu, 10/31/2013 - 16:30

I am built two of these cupboards for my dining room. I am calling them pie safes though. Making two added twice the work but I only had to think through the steps once.

Estimated Cost
$250 to build two. That included paint, hinges, hardware etc.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Interior painted butterscotch. Exterior spray painted black then painted over with a muted red. Distress sanded and then wiped down with dark walnut stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Customized Entry Console

I changed the size and style of the Pottery Barn plan to fit our space and match the Fancy Hall Tree that we recently completed. We think it came out great so wanted to share.

Estimated Cost
$240
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Min wax aged oak gel stain and tung oil
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

First bed frame.

Submitted by msucharski on Tue, 06/04/2019 - 02:46

I work at a lumber yard, and this was built with "garbage" door jambs. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustolium wood stain. Kona.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Shanty Side Board and Hutch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/24/2023 - 09:05

This is the Shanty Chick Side Board and Hutch that some of my high school students chose to build. It is going to the Texas state contest in Corpus Christi next week.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Spa Bench with Doors

My first Ana project- took the spa bench and added doors. Thanks for the easy-to-use plans, Ana. Still learning, though- I ended up buying three sets of hinges before I was happy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Ebony Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Loft bed with stairs

Submitted by Rory1976 on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:38

I've made three of these loft beds. The plans are very easy to follow, and once assembled, they form extremely solid structures. Thank you very much Ana, what you are doing us very much appreciated.

Estimated Cost
£150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Redwood wood stain three coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Wood pallet wine rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/19/2016 - 20:15

My wife showed me this wine rack on a you tube video so I checked it out. She really wanted one so I made her two of them. I also made a longer one for liquor bottles as well, ill post it as soon as I hang it on the wall.

Estimated Cost
$10 for the stain
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
The stain was English chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Cubby Shelf with hairpin legs

I built this modern cubby storage shelf by making a few modifications to the Rolling Cubby Bench plan. It's a quick project with extra bright paint to add a bit of fun. Check out all of my tips for building this fun storage bench at https://mamaneedsaproject.com/modern-toy-storage-project/ . 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint, Minwax Polyshade - Mission Oak, Pink paint - Cerise by Sherwin Williams (SW6580)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

An adaptation of the Rustic Bookshelf!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/28/2023 - 16:44

During Covid, my husband and I renovated our mountain house. After taking down a wall enclosing a staircase, we were left with awkwardly long pony wall. Originally we planned to do built in bookshelves, but then I decided the x bookshelves would look good and be a lot easier. So we customized the measurements and built them. Then I decided we really needed a bar space, so we built another x bookshelf around the measurements of an inexpensive bar fridge and voila! They look great and we get lots of compliments on both!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Large Rustic X Bench

Submitted by jlamorey on Wed, 12/14/2011 - 10:39

We've recently moved into a new house and I've wanted a bench for the mudroom entrance from the garage. This bench is perfect.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
legs - white gloss that I use for the moldings and trims in the house
top - water based stain tinted with a semi-gloss poly over
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Factory Cart Coffee Table with Storage

I have been longing to make a factory cart coffee table for years after seeing one in a local antique store in Jacksonville Florida. I started by following the dimensions from Ana Whites table and then decided to make the table top with the ability to open up into storage. I followed the plans and updated with hardware that I (painstakingly) pieced together from various sites online. I love the industrial feel the cast iron hardware brings to this adaptation and cannot wait to start building matching end tables. Thank you Ana for the inspiration!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax provincial stain for the primary and minwax espresso to detail the distressing and edges. Finished with 4 coats of minwax water based polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

jahnkekong

Wed, 11/06/2013 - 17:11

Could you share any details about how you finished the wheels? I have a cart I am trying to refinish but stalling out on the cast iron parts. I really don't want to paint them, and I don't want them to rust.

Just noticed the Kupo Nut reference! I love it!

In reply to by jahnkekong

TongueAndTeak

Wed, 11/06/2013 - 19:16

Thank you so much for catching the Kupo nut reference! Haha I only felt it was fitting to add a little nerd flair :) rust oleum has a hammered black paint that also doubles as a rust inhibitor so it worked perfectly to touch up the cast iron parts and keep that rustic feel to the hardware. I finished with a clear top coat as I'm sure that I will end up constantly kicking the wheels by accident haha.

Cyber Sapp

Wed, 12/04/2013 - 18:45

I know you mentioned it was painstaking to find all of hardware, but can you share where you found the front casters? Also how did you put your stamp on it? I'm knew to woodworking so please excuse my ignorance.

In reply to by Cyber Sapp

TongueAndTeak

Wed, 12/04/2013 - 19:18

Hi cyber sapp! I was able to piece them together from eBay and etsy items. I searched for key words: "antique cast iron caster" or "factory/industrial cart wheel" and you should be able to find ones that work. I held out for the best deals I could. Be prepared to search quite a lot if you want to find the best deal.
As far as the decal is concerned, I created the template on illustrator and used it as a template to paint the decal on. I checked online and saw a few examples of transferring images on to wood that will probably be easier than hand painting. Hope this helps!!

Cyber Sapp

Wed, 12/04/2013 - 22:25

Thanks for the update. I made one similar to your modifications. I'm using storage too, I will share once I get the soft close installed. I'm looking for something that want slam fingers when it is closed. I also used Walnut to build it. It is solid like a tank with the hardwood, but came out pretty good. I made a few minor mistakes and now want to make one closer to yours.

Mandymoochops

Mon, 12/16/2013 - 23:30

What an amazing job you did, I'm still holding out for my end wheels too and you are so right about search search search. It doesn't help being in Canada with shipping costing so much for these too.

Love love love, well done

TongueAndTeak

Tue, 12/17/2013 - 21:23

Thank you very much!! I do not envy you right now as the search took me forever to find the right wheel that matched one I already had. I have had good luck in the past asking eBay sellers about changing to flat rate shipping options. Not sure if they have that option for shipping internationally but it never hurts to try! Keep up the good fight as the wheels REALLY pay off in the end.

Full Open Kitchen cart

Submitted by 914934 on Thu, 01/21/2016 - 10:27

Mom wanted an island for her new large kitchen but something that could be moved out of the way. With all her cabinets and drawers, we omitted the shelves and drawer from the original plan. We also wanted it full across the inside, not just half way. This allows her to put her stool on the shelf out of the way if needed. However, after getting all her furniture into her new home, she decided that she had enough in her new kitchen so she scoots it under the breakfast bar for now. 
This was made on a tight budget. We only had to purchase the 2x4s and casters.
We also used tongue and grove blue pine left over from our house for the bottom shelf and staggered scrap pine 1x4 & 1x6 boards for the top and then routered it to give it smooth rounded edges on top. 

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished. Mom hasn't decided if she wants to paint it or not.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Indoor Picnic table for grandchildren

Submitted by tcm9966 on Thu, 06/27/2019 - 08:09

Easy build- used Coated boards for top and seating to reduce finishing work and potential splinters . It can go outside but shouldn’t LIVE outside.

I’m a little in love.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern clock

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/07/2023 - 13:51

From a picture I found on Pinterest

Comments

Baby Changing Table

Submitted by jah_alh on Sun, 12/18/2011 - 12:08

My husband and I built this changing table for our sons room. We made a few modifications, but overall, I think it looks great! This was the first of many projects to come from this website!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sara Skeen (not verified)

Fri, 11/09/2012 - 12:13

Hi! This looks great! Was wondering if you had the plans for the side hutch? I tried to use the link but it keeps telling me the link is unavaliable.

Thanks so much!