Community Brag Posts

This was a very fun project to build. I pretty much followed the directions that were posted, but I used 1x6's instead of 1x4's because I wanted more storage space on the shelves. I also used 1/2" iron piping instead of 3/4" and am happy with how it turned out. Since the guest bathroom is gray, we didn't want to stain the wood and chose to do an easy to do "weathered" (directions below) look. Now all we need to do is replace the ugly shower curtain!

Inspired by the Vintage Bench plan we created this Little Bench for our Daughters Shoes and other stuff!  Added Trim work and layered Paint to create a Vintage look.

I loved Ana's upholstered toy box benches that she made and really wanted to do some of my own (three girls = muchos toys). We are remodeling our kitchen, so I decided to use our old cabinets for as much of this project as I could! Fun to keep a little bit of our home with us wherever we move (military family). :)

This planter was easy to make. The only thing I would have done differently is to have stained and applied the weather coating before I assembled it so that the weather coating got into the cracks better. But overall, I love how it turned out! I think it would've taken only an afternoon to do if it hadn't been so hot outside which slowed me down.

The rolling bar cart (or BBQ cart) with removable tray is the latest addition to my suite of DIY patio furniture. This site has become a bit of a building obsession with me. Even with the detailed instructions, I still found ways to make this project my own: I added a 3/4" dowel and plastic wheels, instead of wood rounds. I painted all the pieces with primer and exterior paint before assembling it, because it's hard to get paint between the slats, unless you have a spray painter. The white slat design of the bar cart, park bench and matching side tables goes with the white siding of the house for my own patio picnic.

One of my first pieces of furniture I built.

I needed a project, my daughter and son-in-law wanted a cabinet that had to be custom built to fit in their small space. It was just what I needed. Nothing simple for my 1st time, oh, no! I wanted doors and drawers. Learned a lot, and know I have a lot more to learn. The importance of getting things square is probably #1 on my list. I thought I'd start parking my car in the garage, but this was too much fun - the tools are staying!

I did this table in 8 hours and I am ready to do some other projects. The final goal is to do the all house.

Needed a table under the TV, and this was perfect. I had to adjust the dimensions to decrease the length 6 inches to make it fit. Used the black tea, vinegar and steel wool combo for stain. Turned out great!

Built this for my two boys, ages 3 and 1.5. They are in heaven! I found the plans extremely helpful and allowed for simple modifications along the way (ie 7’ ceilings). 

Our guest bedroom has been utterly neglected and stark. When I found a pair of lamps at Goodwill recently, I knew it was time to make bedside tables.

These were created on the fly, without even a sketch or a trip to the lumber yard, though I had to select a plan title for this post.

I took a plywood scrap, cut it in half, framed it with 1x2 furring strips, added 2x2 legs, and then used more furring strips to stabilize the legs.

They were assembled quickly, and then I faced choices about how to finish them. I ended up using Minwax Provincial for the tops, then taping them off with trash bags and spray painting the rest.

They're plain, but versatile enough for whatever I end up doing to decorate the guest room in the future. I plan to stick baskets underneath them, when I find a good deal.

Next up will be a headboard for the bed.

This took about a week to complete.  I modify the original plan to include "built in" dressers and a night stand type of dresser.  The night stand has shelves built on the side.     Two beds were built of different configurations.  

My dad and I built this toybox for my son on a weekend afternoon.  We were able to use some tongue and groove boards that my dad had pulled off a job site.  We glued them together to get the width we needed then cut them to size according to the directions.  Its not perfect, and I think I might paint it this spring, but my dad and I made it for my son and I think that is pretty awesome! 

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

I had fun with this one. I was in a race to complete 4 major things before entertaining a group of 30 people in our home. My wife was searching Craigslist for existing pieces. I love to build things so I had to intervene. This pine desk/table was preceded by craftsman wainscoting, the hutch and buffet on this site, and a large framed mirror.

I went by the plan pretty much exactly. I made it 6 feet long. I used middle grade pine from Menard's, glue, brad nails, and screws. My finish process was min-wax wood conditioner, min-wax special walnut stain, and a per-catalyzed lacquer satin clear coat.

Total buy, build, sand, finish was around 8 hours.

I would love to build for you. To your exact specifications. Message me.

Built this from Ana's plans over a weekend and spent a few nights painting/staining/finishing. We decided to use a true quarter sawn red oak for the top. This is not a cheap wood (~$180) for the top alone, but I wanted it to be solid and thick. It is extremely hard so you will not want to use this if you don't have the necessary tools, like a table saw. It is usually purchased rough cut, which means the width can range in size by inches. You will need the table saw with a sharp blade in order to cut it down to matching widths. For the stain we used a General Finishers gel stain in Java from Woodcraft. That was followed with a General Finishers Gel topcoat. This is an excellent topcoat as we have 0 scratches in almost 6 months of regular use. My wife painted the base in a Cream Puff color from Behr I believe with a dark stain glaze, followed by a wax coat. This is a solid table that cost a fraction of what this would be in the stores. Most of our friends think we bought it! Thanks Ana! 

Thank you so much for the plans! My wife is extremely happy with the results and so am I. I am in the process of adapting these plans to make a matching end table. Once again, thank you!