Community Brag Posts

End Table

Needed an end table, left out the x's on the sides.

Estimated Cost
20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Winwax American Chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

First Furniture Build

Submitted by Jeffmb on Thu, 02/03/2022 - 14:23

My first indoor furniture project - the Rustic X coffee table. I added a lift top to store remotes etc and use as a laptop table. Fairly easy build I only had trouble aligning the "x's". I used of the shelf dimensional lumber but I might try this one again using different wood and a lighter finish.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Picture ledges

Submitted by nanpannapa on Tue, 05/24/2011 - 13:42

PIcture ledges ~ made my living room look so much better. Thanks Ana

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Left over satin paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kitchen Renovation thanks to Ana-White

Submitted by mcbuckle on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 12:38

The ongoing saga of our cruddy old kitchen is finally over, for the most part. We attempted the quick fix and failed and now with a little time, knowledge and cash we think we finally got it right. Our ceilings are lower than the average house so we couldn't buy stock cabinets. We custom made everything and added some accessories. All thanks to Ana-White!! You are so awesome!!

For more photos etc... just visit:

http://buckleyjournal.blogspot.com/2013/07/kitchen-reno-redo-20.html

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin-Moore "Dove White" applied with a spray-gun.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

mcbuckle

Wed, 07/17/2013 - 05:23

Thank you Gina! I couldn't have done it with out that wonderful chop saw table you designed!!

yurra-bazain

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 23:16

You've got guts AND glory! :) Wish I had the confidence a year ago to build our kitchen cabinets. I hired a friend of a friend. It took months for him to build the 5 bases, then he took another job and left our kitchen without doors and drawers. If he doesn't come this weekend like he promised, I'm revving up our circular saw and growing some guts myself.

Thank you for the inspiration. (Oh, I was not able to post a comment on your blog. When it asked me to type in the code to prove I am not a robot or web spider, the submit comment button was missing.)

mcbuckle

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 05:48

Go for it!! Trust me, if I could do it anybody can.

And thanks for the heads up, I think I fixed the comment issue!

Lasso the Moon

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 11:54

This looks so beautiful. Aren't you proud!?! I'm relatively new to this site, and can't believe the sense of empowerment that comes with building for my home. Well done. This is inspiring me to keep going!
Anna

My biggest project to date.

Submitted by bkis1969 on Thu, 07/16/2015 - 13:43

I made this bar several years ago after returning from a deployment to Iraq. I used the spillway as a convenient location for some of my military award coins. At this point I had little in the way of skill so it is rough but everything else being equal, it turned out just fine for the garage man cave.

Estimated Cost
800.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Tile Top, Black Walnut Stain, Light Oak Stain, and Varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse table bench no pocket holes or screws on top

Submitted by tjlichat on Wed, 02/23/2022 - 12:55

Liked very much the general design of the farmhouse plans but wanted to avoid buying the pocket hole jig and the puttying of screw holes on top side (exposed) side of boards.

Increased slightly the table top and bench seat board supports (2x2's) which worked well for holding those down and placed the angled wood piece in corner of table leg to support bread board.

Please with the results. We really wanted to avoid attempting to hide the screw holes with putty. Others have posted and we had similar results of blotches on the surface of the top boards resulting from even "stainable" putty. No amount of sanding seemed to help.

First Tryde Side Table

Love the simple look of this collection! This was my first table to do. I will be doing more...such a great and sturdy table. The wood is absolutely beautiful stained too!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 (island living cost more)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Nuwood walnut poly stain. Top has 2 coats of glossy poly finish as well, but the legs just had the 2 coats of stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified grandy console

Submitted by Lukilla on Thu, 02/15/2018 - 12:22

Built a smaller version of the grandy console with slot in the top for a sound bar. This was my first time using barn door hardware. Was a good time.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250 (includes barn door hardware)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean stain anf white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Added a wall for mounting the tv

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/16/2022 - 10:28

I've gotten tons of comments from friends and family already on this build. I liked the original white but it wouldn't have matched my other furniture in the room already built/stained this color.

Comments

HBWineWoman

Fri, 03/18/2022 - 09:28

Oh my gosh, this looks fantastic! I love that you did the simple framing on the "headboard" portion. Might have to give this a try!

Kentwood Nightstands #My First Project

Submitted by daddydrew on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 11:41

This was my first project I did this many months back and I have just now started to put up brags after getting into building furniture for about 8 months now. This project was much easier than I expected and I did the build out in about two hours. When I did this project all that I had tool wise was a mitre saw, a drill, and a tape measure so if you want a project that uses minimal tools this one would be a great one to start with! I think that I spent around $125 on this bedside table and that number is a little bit higher because I used all premium wood because it was my first project. I stained it with Jacobean oil based stain and then I used the polycrylic finish (both by minwax) which turned out great I think!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean oil based stain
polycrylic clear coat finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Mud Room Family Clothes Closet

Our son built this based off of these plans. He had to make the corner hanging areas smaller to fit our area, but we were still able to use this space for hanging items.

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

Comments

Outdoor Sectional (modified park bench)

Submitted by JustJ on Tue, 02/20/2018 - 08:16

This is a modified version of Ana's park bench.  Had a large deck, with plenty of room for a sectional. 

I basically built two benches.  One with an extended back (to create the back for the side of the second), and modified the front leg to sit under the frame, to allow the second bench to sit flush.  I used lag bolts to attach them together on the seat base.  Using lag bolts allows it to be easily taken apart for moving.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Finished with Minwax Espress Polystain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic Bathroom Vanity

Submitted by khoran66 on Tue, 04/05/2022 - 13:18

This was a great first project for my husband and I. First time doing drawers but was amazed how easy it rally was.

Comments

Deck Chairs

Submitted by melaniesue on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 10:46

These were so simple, and SO FUN to build! These were done all while having a schools out party, and an evening outdoor movie with kids running wild! I really liked building them, and can't handle how cute they are! I used pocketholes and also brads and glue. Pretty sturdy, but I think I will use harder wood for them next time. We went to a cabin over Memorial Day, and we ended up leaving them for the owner because we thought they were so cute on her deck! My finish was super easy and fast because I wanted them finished so I stained, and dry painted then set them in the front to dry out in the sun, sealed with poly and TADA, DECK CHAIRS!!

Estimated Cost
15.00, maybe?? Including the fabric for both chairs.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Oops paint, and Minwax Dark Walnut. Distressing, it was a super simple finish. I got the fabric at JoAnns and used my coupon 40% off.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

queen sized bed for my twin sized son

My son wanted a bigger bed so when his friends and cousins sleep over they dont have to squeeze into his twin. My son is 12 by the way, so when I got a king I gave him my queen. I needed to raise it up because I knew I wanted to build a trundle to put under it. This bed is pretty heavy, very sturdy (even with 5 kids sleeping on it or jumping on it) I took the idea from my Malm bed from ikea but its a lot heavier and stronger

Estimated Cost
just under $100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax ebony stain. 2 coats. semi gloss poly spray
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Reclaimed look headboard with vinegar and steel wool finish

Submitted by edaffron on Mon, 07/27/2015 - 20:00

Used a vinegar and steel wool solution. Also put some six inch 1x6 3 inches from the bottom as a bracket to mount to a full bed frame. If I later upgrade to a queen I will but the wood bracket flush and reattach

Estimated Cost
About $95
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Vinegar and steel wool brewed a month
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Patio table

Thanks for all the ideas. Wanted to share my build with everyone. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet will be applying sherwin Williams river birch in future
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Octagon Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/09/2022 - 10:23

I just finished this octagon picnic table as per your plans
the 2x6 are all clear Western Red Cedar and the skeleton is
Douglas Fir. I think it turned out astonishingly excellent.

Thanks for the inspiration Ana.

Seasonal And Holiday

Toy Box

Submitted by Marisol on Sun, 06/05/2011 - 15:51

I have been wanting a toy box for my kids, for a while...problem is... I didn't print the plan, still love it though!!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
left over material from Apothecary project- free
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Melanie Rust (not verified)

Mon, 08/13/2012 - 19:48

Do you have plans posted for this particular toy box? Maybe I'm missing it? I like this one because it sits right now the floor. Thanks.

[email protected]

Sun, 06/30/2013 - 08:43

Wow, that was very fast to make that! I made one similar out of Northern Red Oak and it took me about 80 hours. I spent more than two hours just driving and selecting my wood. Very nice!