Community Brag Posts

Antique Chest of Drawers

Submitted by AndyH on Thu, 02/05/2015 - 18:25

Had some bronze legs off an old coffee table.  Used the two shorter end pieces to try to make an antique looking piece to go with a white metal framed bed in a guest room.

Stained and then painted and sanded back to give a weathered and antique look.

Have said a week long project just because of the time waiting between coats.

 

 

Estimated Cost
$110 including handles which were $22 for three.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean Stain, Vaseline, White Satin Paint. Applied the stain and let dry for 24 hours. rubbed thin smear of vaseline on areas wanted to show through the paint. Painted and let dry for 24 hours. Sanded by hand with 400 grit paper. Painted again and let dry another 24 hours. Sanded again by hand with 400 grit paper.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids picnic table

Submitted by Markb25 on Fri, 04/23/2021 - 23:33

I needed a picnic table to go with a playhouse I built for my daughter, this one is a modification of one saw on here with a few amendments. the original plan has the top from 6x6 in a traditional looking row and the seats also from 6x6 however, finding a straight piece of 6x6 in Cyprus is like trying to find a unicorn so I opted to use 2x4, I also decided to change the look of the top give it a solid edge all around. We can't get Cedar etc over here so I've had to use Nordic fir treated with high protection wood stain by V33.

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
High protection wood stain in Walnut by V33
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Clubhouse Bed

Submitted by Calebskie on Wed, 03/27/2013 - 10:57

The moment I saw this plan I knew I had to build it for our adventurous, imaginative daughter, Selah. I committed to trying to finish it before her birthday (a month away at the time.) This was only my second build with wood, so I knew I would need a little time due to the learning curve. Ana's plans were great and easy to follow, and I held religiously to Jaime's blog for tips and tricks or when I was generally lost. ;) I must say, staining was a LOT more tedious and expensive than I expected. I also ignored the warnings that Minwax's water based stain was not great for large projects...my wife just couldn't get her eyes off the awesome color options. I worked it on and off little by little....and after MUCH time and an aching back we were totally STOKED with the results. The poly was just the right touch to finish it all off. Selah loves the bed and I must say all of the work was nothing compared to the hours of fun she has with this bed. Thanks Ana! Keep doing what you do....I never would have thought I could do something like this.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250-275 for wood. $100 for stains and finishes. $50 for hardware, brushes, rags.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Water Based Stain: Green Tea
Minwax Stain: Espresso
Minwax Polycrylic, Glossy
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

r4ryder

Thu, 05/09/2013 - 07:29

Hello, I love your version of this bed and was wondering what tools you needed and if you followed the original plans or the additional ones posted by Jaime (other then the windows)? I also noticed you did something different to the feet of the latter??

In reply to by r4ryder

Calebskie

Sat, 07/13/2013 - 16:54

I used every inch of Ana's plans and Jamie's real world build. Smooth sailing for the most part. I used a sliding compound miter saw to do most of the build, as well as an electric random orbit sander. I followed all plans to a T. The ladder feet change was to fix a bad cut I made on the sides of the ladder. Too short! It was either improvise or run back to the store for more wood....haha.

Flip Down Desk

Submitted by vala41 on Fri, 02/08/2019 - 14:21

This was just what I needed! My daughter started homeschooling and we needed a place to neatlly contain her school stuff. I had her working at the kitchen table next to me, but it still felt like it lacked the school atomosphere. I removed the area for the paper holder and instead added a few support scraps to hold her folders and books upright. 

It did take me awhile to get the support hinges placed correctly (I almost gave up and went with a rope or chain) but I finally got them placed correctly after placing a pencil mark on where they could lie correctly open and closed - seriously this took me awhile because just when I thought I had it, the brackets when closed would be to deep for the desk or when I placed it it correctly inside when open it wasn't 90 degrees. 

The only thing I wish was that I had made it slightly shorter, because when it is open it is a little hard for her to reach the top shelf, but its not to bad and that is the height my scrap bead board was and I was to lazy to cut it =) 

I had a magnetic clasp left over from another project and that has worked well to keep it closed nice and tight, I also used some foam board I had lying around for the back so that her things were not tapped/pinned on my wall. I choose the bead board on the front because A: it is what I had lying around and B: it is in my dining room so I wanted it looking a little nicer.

I had everything on hand excpet for the support brackets which cost me 2 something each at Lowes. YAY for projects under $10 bucks! Thank you so much Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Had scrap wood, hinges, magnetic clasp and paint on hand. Only paid around 6 bucks for the support hinges.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Farmhouse Potting Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/02/2021 - 20:17

This was my first ever project! I decided to build myself this for mother's day. I'm very proud of my work and can't wait to build more.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used varthane jacobean for the finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Table with Hutch

I really enjoyed making this table for my sister from Ana's Farmhouse table plans. I secured everything with Kreg screws from the underside. I added a couple screws from the top in the breadboard ends for added stregth. Im thinking of building another one but making it wider!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
The base is painted with Behr satin black in 3 coats. I used vinegar and steelwool mix the the whole table was given several clear coats in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic X Kitchen Island - Double

We changed the plans for this kitchen island a bit to best suit our needs. We removed the middle shelf and the bottom half of the center divider in order to create a large, open area for storage. We also extended the bottom slats to the full depth of the island, or 21".

The drawer depth was also increased to the full depth, or approximately 20". Instead of using 2x2 cleats for the drawers, we installed 20" self-closing drawer slides from Lowe's. This allows the drawers to be fully extended as well as have a soft-close feature. 

The top measures 26 1/4" x 56 1/4" and was made by securing two pine panels together using pocket holes. We couldn't find an appropriate size at Lowe's, so we purched two panels instead. After sanding and staining, it is impossible to tell where the boards are joined together. 

In the future, we might distress or add an antique finish the white base. Overall, we are very happy with the kitchen island. It's wonderful to have a little extra storage in the kichen! 

Thanks Ana!

-Anna

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250 (mostly from buying way too much white paint).
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Base: "Du Jour" Valspar Signature Paint+Primer in Eggshell.
Top and Slats: Rustoleum Dark Walnut Stain with Rustoleum Polyurethane in Clear Satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Toy storage bin box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 16:40

I built this to hold my son's toys, which seem to multiply by the day.  It's very sturdy and has lots of storage room.  I printed out the lettering on paper, put the paper on top of the wood, and traced over it hard to create an impression on the wood.  I then used the feight lines as a guide to paint the name.  

Estimated Cost
$50
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Val's Toy Box

Submitted by mariemule on Tue, 05/11/2021 - 02:39

Used 3/4 plywood cut to nominal size instead of stock lumber. I'm a newbie so I thought it turned out great!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
free wood, $10 for paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum satin finish in claret red.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Playhouse

Submitted by Wfgamble on Mon, 04/01/2013 - 16:52

Wow! Did we ever pick a "small" project for our first build:) We had never built so much as a birdhouse and here we were building a playhouse. It was so much fun though and I'm glad that we did it. My daughter LOVES it and we are so pleased with how it turned out. We ran across a few problems due to our inexperience but nothing we couldn't overcome.

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Tue, 04/02/2013 - 05:20

I can't believe you picked this as your first project. I would have been totally intimidated. Wait, I still am! You nailed it, however. Awesome build! I wish I had a fancy front door like that! :)

Benchmark Media Console

I just made the center part of the console.  My daughter didn't want any cabinet doors or drawers on it.

It started out being painted yellow, then she changed it to the distressed light green in the first pic.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Emma's cabin bed

Submitted by jiffyone on Sat, 05/13/2017 - 18:38

Made this for my granddaughter and worked on it 40+ hours. I borrowed the removable window boxes and shutters off another plan to girlie it up. If I were to make it again, then I would add an extra 2 inches on the sides, front and back to make it easier to make up the bed. It's so adorable and I can't wait for her to see it. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400.+
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint from the big blue store.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kentucky Fried Hilton Chicken Coop

Submitted by redtrek on Tue, 05/18/2021 - 23:12

I took the idea of the "small cedar shed" and decided to upsize it for a new chicken coop. Our old one was small enough that we had to let our six hens out to roam the yard. Chickens. Poop. Everywhere. I wanted one big enough to have them live in it. The nesting box is about 24 sf. The whole coop is 18' long, about 6-1/2' at the back with a 15° slope to the roof, and about 4' deep. I built the ladder up to their nesting box and made a mitre-cut panel under the nesting box for cleaning out, feeding, and watering. Total materials cost was about $1000, but a couple of local homebuilders helped by letting me scavenge the lumber for the nesting box from around houses that they were finished framing.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$1000-1200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Thompson's Clear Water Seal
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Clara Table

Submitted by jasonD on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 17:37

Made this for a friend. Followed the plans from the Clara table, chairs were made from the 4 dollar stackable chair plan.
Finish was Watco Danish Dark Walnut oil, which i just discovered and love. Goes on even and isn't blotchy on pine. For the table top i added a couple coats of polyurethane.
The table was easy to make, but the chairs took quite a bit of time with the amount of slats. Also there are about 30 screw holes per chair to drill, countersink and fill with putty. I am making another set for someone else, and will probably go with a single, wide slat for the back and seat. Also I would suggest adding braces to the legs, they seem a little flimsy

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Watco Danish Oil Dark Walnut
Minwax Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Butchers Block Cabinet

Submitted by cbrick57 on Tue, 02/17/2015 - 10:05

I built this for some friends who are having a remodel done in their house to get their washer and dryer out of the kitchen.  The new area was a perfect size for a cool piece of furniture and because of how well my other projects turned out they asked if I would make something for them.  My friend is a great cook and has some really nice cookware that needed housing so we used the "planked wood sideboard plans" as the bones for the project.  I saw some cool things from Pinterest (Glideware) that I wanted to incorporate and we drew up some plans.  All in all it took me about 36 hours to complete. Two weekends and some work at night after work.   I used my miter saw, table saw, circular saw, power drills, wood clamps, Kreg pocket hole jig, and my electric sander to knock this one out.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
The cherry butcher block was $280 from Floor and Decor and the rest of the materials from lumber to finishes was about $300 all together a total of $580.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Gray latex paint and water based poly (it dries clear). Also, a butcher block conditioner.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

yasky9

Sun, 02/22/2015 - 16:49

I love this project. Awesome Job!!! Where do you find the hook/slides for the pans?

Thank you!

In reply to by yasky9

cbrick57

Mon, 03/02/2015 - 20:25

Hi thank you! I actually made them from 2x4's and 20 inch ball bearing drawer hardware. I mounted them to 1x4's then mounted the whole system to a 1/4 inch thick ply and attached it to the underside of the butcher block. The hooks were just 3 inch hooks from Home Depot screwed in the 2x4.

Anna White Loft Bed with Stairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 12:51

I just want to thank Anna for inspiring me! I would've never thought that I could actually build my daughter a loft bed from scratch if it hadn't been for this website! This loft bed took about 3 weeks to build but the reason why it took me that long is because I did it in my spare time which was a couple of hours each alsmost everyday excluding the weekends, also this was my first time using my husbands table saw and drilling pilot holes but once I got the hang of it everything went smoothly. I wanted to save money so I purchased the Mini Kreg Jig which is about $20 from HD and let me tell you it is a must when your drilling pilot holes. I purchased my lumber from HD as well. It took me about an hour to pick out the wood. I decided to paint the loft bed with DecoArt Enamel craft paint because it's non-toxic, the paint cures into a hard finish, no primer, I didn't have to sand in between coats,  or put a protective finish. It also dries fast. I put 3 coats. This paint can get pricey if you pay full price but I just used a coupon everytime I went to Hobby Lobby. I used a tea, vinegar and steel wool mixture for the stairs, again because it's non toxic. I also raised the height of the 2x4 posts 6 inches so my 7 yr old daughter could walk under there without hitting her head. I'm so glad I decided go for it! Thanks again ANNA!

Estimated Cost
Wood $120 (including boards for mattress)
Kreg Jig $20
Paint $35
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
DECO ART Enamel paint in Pure White
Homemade stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Hall Tree

Submitted by brino on Sat, 05/29/2021 - 07:53

Added a shelf for plants at the top, coat hooks.
I mounted the back panel to the wall so I could remove the supports between the bench and the back panel.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Simple Potting Bench turned sand table/ outdoor toy storage

Submitted by aecooper05 on Sat, 04/06/2013 - 15:34

I wanted to build my kids a sand/ water table, but wanted something that would could also serve as other purposes. My father helped me since I used his tools. We shortened the whole project by 16% so my kids would be able to reach it better. We also changed up what wood was used. My father came through and had a pile of wood that he had no use for. So we used 1x6's that we cut down for the shelves and 2x4's for everything else. We also added a brace on the back to add a little more stability to the bench since my kids were going to use it. To finish it up I bought a plastic storage tub with a lid and some sand. The bottom shelf is used for toy storage.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25 (cost of 2 boxes of screws, plastic tub and bag of sand... wood was free)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Rebecca Media Side Hutch

Submitted by Radcrafter on Fri, 02/20/2015 - 20:42

I used the Rebecca Side Hutch and Side Base plans to create a slightly wider version to fit the TV in our master bedroom.  The building took one whole weekend and then it took another week to finish it up like filling holes, sanding, painting and then reassembling.  My final cabinet is 36.75" wide at the top and I changed the doors to overlay instead of inset.  I love the finished cabinet!

Estimated Cost
$150-200 - including all wood, hardware and paint
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Black Onyx Behr Primer/Paint All in One, Wax Topcoat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments