Community Brag Posts

Croquet Island based on Michaela Island plans

Using the Michaela Island plans, I modified them for this croquet-inspired island, complete with black iron foot rail, sewing spindle drawer-pulls, and iron-supported cantilevered top. The extra boards making up the overhang are also supported by a trio of 1/2-inch dowels drilled through several of the planks.

The top was stained using several colors, with sanding in-between, and finished with paste wax.

The bottom shelf is supported, albeit not visibly, using a croquet mallet head.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint, stain, paste wax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic X Coffee Table and Console

I built the coffee table and console to plan and also a custom cover for our dog's crate to match.  Simple builds with easy to follow plans!  For the Xs, I just clamped the 2x2s up to the opening and scribed where to cut.  Then, I notched out where the intersection is so that the X is more solid and I didn't have to worry about the cut portion lining up.  A bit more time consuming but definitely worth the effort.  So happy with how these turned out, thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$40 Coffee Table and maybe $60 for the console.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I did the oxidization but really wasn't happy with how orange/dark it went. I didn't want to sand everything back and start over, so I did a coat of liming wax to make it lighter and more grey, then followed up with a couple coats of clear wax. Love the smoothness of a wax finish. The liming wax definitely gave it a beachy/whitewashed look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

X Leg Farmhouse Bench

The challenge this go around is build benches to match a wheat colored dining table, sight unseen. Quite a challenge!. The table has X legs with cross braces running from leg to table bench top for support. Coming up with a design to match the X legs was simple however matching the color was not easy and left me anxious until I delivered the benches. Thanks to my previous experience building a farmhouse bench and using this plan, I had the foundation and cut list to execute. With a few tweaks it came together very nice!

 

Visit charitybuilds.com to find our how the color turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Sunbleach, Summer Oak and Honey Maple. Head over to charitybuilds.com to find out ratio to acheive final color.
General Finishes High Performance Top Coat
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Stocking Rack

Submitted by dabsads on Wed, 12/09/2020 - 14:16

Thanks for the stocking stand plan! We have LOTS of people coming in for a Cozy COVID Christmas, and needed room for more stockings.

Made out of cedar. Substituted 4’ black pipe and drapery rings. And built it with hangar bolts and wing nuts so it can be easily broken down and stored between Christmases.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished for now. May just use some tung oil to highlight the cedar grain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dumbbell Table Desk

Submitted by romanweel on Fri, 01/25/2013 - 17:17

This table filled two needs at once for us: we needed a dumbbell or free-weight rack ($50 and up retail), and we needed some kind of desk-like surface for our home gym area that could withstand us two jump-roping fiends (um, maybe that's just my husband). Basically, it needed to be able to hold a lot (a Lot) of heavy metal stuff and take a beating while NOT Falling Over. The trestle desk was my biggest inspiration, and I guess I just stole the metal stretcher idea from that Pottery Barn dining table. It doesn't even really seem to need the metal stretcher, though...this table is beyond-my-wildest-dreams sturdy, even though it is standard counter height. The metal bar was about $17, so that's a big savings, if you leave it out. You MUST use a compound miter saw for this project. OR...you must be flexible about working with irregular cuts and joints. Also, I'm not sure I'd attempt butt-jointed 2x4's without pocket holes (or biscuit joints, I guess?), but that might just be me. I think this project could have taken only a single day if I hadn't screwed up just about every step of the way. I'm not the only one, right? You can read about a lot of those lovely embarrassments on my blog :) If you'd like the SketchUp model, it is available in the 3D Warehouse as "Dumbbell Table".

Estimated Cost
$50 - $100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Boiled linseed oil and a coat of furniture wax. Since this table will be taking some hard knocks, we decided against stain or paint, which will show the pine when dinged. The oil hydrates the wood, and the wax protects it - easy upkeep is a plus.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIY Liam Barn Light Bed - Full

Submitted by thehallway on Sat, 11/22/2014 - 16:26

I found the Liam Barn Light Bed online and knew it was perfect for our son's room (except for the price tag).    After some research, I decided to use the Reclaimed Wood Headboard plan with some modifications.  I increased the height to 72", like the inspiration bed.  We used 1x6 Tongue and Groove boards for the middle panels instead of a mix of 1x4 and 1x6s.  Then we cut holes and installed the barn light and dimmer switch.  For the bed frame, I used just the frame from Mom's Fancy Farmhouse Bed, which I had used before HERE.

Building the headboard and frame was quick and only took a short afternoon.  Finish took a lot longer since I used oil based paint.  That only allowed me 1 coat per 24 hours, so it took several days.  I wanted a durable surface for a kid's room though.  I used the same paint to modify Ikea Hemnes Dressers and Nightstand to match, along with adding custom hardware.  I love the way everything came together and our son loves it too!

Visit the link to my blog for more information and the modified material and cut lists.  I have also posted the material and cuts lists for TWIN SIZE as well.

Estimated Cost
~$350
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Oil Base Semi-Gloss Enamel in Cracked Pepper (PPU260-1)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Frozen Theme Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/27/2017 - 00:09

Never having done anything like this before I knew it would be a challenge. I used the base plans provided and taught myself the CAD program used in the provided plans. From there I redesigned it to meet my dimensions and what I wanted. It took a lot of time overall but am thrilled with the turn out. Thank you for the original plans to use as a guide! Also with the cost I used a higher grade of plywood and also used cabinet paint to make it durable wich drove the price up some.

Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Cabinet Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Christmas done!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/13/2020 - 11:22

I made some for me but didn’t use cedar for the 1x2 and 1x2.5. This time I ripped the pickets for those and love how these came out. I may be making me some more in the future.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Rustic End Table

My table is without the X's because I was having some trouble with the angles. I am just starting out, so I think it turned out pretty well!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40-$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut stain & poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

coffee table

Submitted by DanGraves on Wed, 11/26/2014 - 08:55

After I made this the wife wanted it destressed and we had the kids put their initials in like an old picnic table at a park bench.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45.00 for wood and stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

DanGraves

Wed, 11/26/2014 - 09:25

For some reason it has turned the photo but if you click on it. It will open normal

PIrate ship for my sons pirate party

Submitted by Uberhandy on Mon, 01/28/2013 - 21:36

I made this for my sons pirate party. It has an entrace under the plank to the pirateships "basement"

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

Comments

Simple Daybed

Submitted by ladybug618 on Fri, 11/28/2014 - 13:26

This was made from the simple daybed plan, took more time than expected but the end results are worth it. Build and paint first then assemble in the room it is heavy. Used non mortise bed rail hinges to detach easily.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Black behr paint and primer two in one...two coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Vertical Planter w/ Succulents + White Opaque Stain

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 23:20

Made this over a few afternoons during the interesting year that is/was 2020! First DIY project and really enjoyed it! I used an opaque white stain and it's filled with succulents from our local nursery (Lincoln Nursery in Pasadena, CA). Painting took the longest as one coat of the stain still let some of the knots in the wood show through. Thanks so much for the plan and inspiration!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Opaque white Behr outdoor stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table (wooden pallets)

Submitted by dak1ne on Thu, 01/31/2013 - 20:36

Hello, I'm doing furniture with wooden pallets and I found your awesome website with nice explanations and plans so I decided to make this nice farmhouse table but with wood from shipment wooden pallets.
Thank you very much for all your work and plans !

I will make other furnitures from your plans with wooden pallets :D and post the brags here soon.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
mahogany wax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Farm Table

Submitted by Jackalaca on Sun, 11/30/2014 - 18:23

I modified the plns for this table a little bit. I couldnt have the table as wide as the plans so I left out a 2x6 for the table top. I also beefed up the legs and added another 2x6.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and Shellac
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Firepit Swings

Submitted by hwallace on Tue, 03/07/2017 - 09:45

This was a real challenge as I did the whole project alone. 6x6 pressure treated lumber was used as posts and support beams. 120 lbs of quickcrete was used for each post and the support beams are bolted onto the posts. The swings were all made with pressure treated

lumber and I bought heavy duty mounting hardware for the chains. I bought the firepit kit at Lowe's and did the 4 block high enclosure. I had a lot of fun with this!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Doll Bed and Doll Mattress

Submitted by Pa on Sat, 12/26/2020 - 22:58

Well ... we found this farmhouse bed pattern as two play kitchen set were being constructed. Irresistible design; we decided that we HAD to also make the doll bed! And the bed came together very quickly. Two changes: per other comments, removed one vertical slat from the headboard/footboard (wanted the narrower width), and put an extra brace in the middle of the bed (just in case it gets stepped on or sat on).

Also used the pattern for the 18” Doll Mattress Tutorial. Skipped the buttons for tufting and simply sewed in 8 little Xs with embroidery floss.

This bed is for a granddaughter with a birthday in a few days .... and I’ve already started cutting out a second set for a granddaughter with a birthday in a couple of months. Happy to say that all of the bedding/linens are handmade; the pillows include lace and ribbons from two family weddings. You just can’t help but smile when you look at one of these finished farmhouse beds!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Laundry Orgainized

We needed to organize in the laundry room. This was the perfect idea.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
This was easy and fun to do. My husband and I worked on it together and we are both alive to brag about it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments