Community Brag Posts

Sandbox :)

This sandbox is based off one on this website. We made ours 5ft x 5ft x 1ft and instead of spacing the boards out 1/2' we put them right next to each other and routered out the space for the hinges :) It looks amazing and such fun!

Estimated Cost
225.00 - With sand and we are in rural comminity so things cost little more :)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Red Mahagony wood stain and tried to use Thompsons waterseal on top.- was not working! LOL Just brushed the stain on!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sports theme Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/28/2016 - 11:20

 These chairs turned out awesome!!! Go Royals! Go Tigers! The step-by-step directions were great and easy to follow. We went with a fun twist on the Royals chair by cutting out the top with the scroll saw to look like the crown. Turned out great, couldn't be happier with the outcome and will definitely be making more!

Estimated Cost
$50 per chair
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
decals are all hand painted which took the longest, the chairs themselves were easy to make and assemble. Great step-by-step plans! I went with the actual team colors that I found info on at our local Home Depot (the sample size paint worked great, no reason to get quart or gallon size) and applied a couple thick (but not runny) coats of polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Queen sized farmhouse bed

Submitted by SAKR on Fri, 04/24/2020 - 13:31

I needed a new bed for my son and could not fin anything we liked for a reasonable price. In searching online for bed plans came across this site. The plans were really easy to follow and it came out great. The only change I made was adding an extra support leg and I reused the bed slats from his old bed rather then make new ones. The bed came out great. Although my husband and I are both quite handy I never imagined building my own furniture. But now we are both looking for new things to build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Mahogany Stain and Miwax Satin Polyurathane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids Mini Dining Table

This kids mini dining table is a pretty easy build, especially if you have a Kreg Jig. I love that it is so pretty at a great price. It fits in well with our home too, which is awesome. The final product measures 30"x48", so it is big enough if your little one decides to have some friends over for dinner. One of my goals when building was I wanted multiple kids to be able to paint, color, glue, cut, or eat at it without getting in each others way. I think it won't be a problem! The whole project only takes a few hours. It was my first project with the Kreg Jig that has been sitting in my garage since Christmas. I was scared to use it. I can't believe I waited so long! That thing is amazing!
Thanks Ana for all of the encouragement and inspiration. I truly enjoy building furniture. It is so exciting thinking about my next project. I can't wait to use your plans to build storage for our entire play room!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Table Top is finished with one coat of Minwax Dark Walnut.
Base is painted with two coats of Valspar Pillow Mint, followed by dry brushing on Aqua Ocean. The edges of the aprons and legs were then sanded for distressing and stained with the Minwax Dark Walnut as well.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First Project - Closet Makeover with Laundry Basket Dresser

I altered this plan to make a short and wide version of the dresser. It is also one whole piece as shown in the picture. I am remodeling my office closet and plan to use it for storing bulky items like cables, gift boxes, etc. I must say for my first project, I think it came out pretty good.

I then moved the existing shelf in the closet up, added shelf bracket rails, and spackled & painted the wall. I added a few shelves, dollar store bins and then labeled everything. I also screwed some small metal baskets with removable handles to the wall, I think it turned out terrific.

Thanks for the inspiration, Ana!

Estimated Cost
$30.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White glossy paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

DIY Farmhouse Table For Under $40!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/02/2016 - 16:39

This is my sqaure farmhouse style dining table. It is so easy to make! An important tip is to get good pieces of wood. You don't want any bowing or else it won't be perfectly level. To see more photos and tips, go to SweetTeal.com/diy-farmhouse-table.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
For the color combination, go to SweetTeal.com. For whatever color you do though, remember to put a finish on top. It will help protect your table and seal the wood. I used DecoArt's Soft Touch Varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Garden-potting bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/27/2020 - 19:48

Great project! Thank you Ana!

1 thing though, it was 6-2×6×8' boards!
Cheers!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Adirondack Chair, Fountain and Bench

Ana, I want to say how inspirational you have been to me over some years. I think my first project found on your website was a chicken coop. More recently I have built the large garage workbench system with 2 rollout workbench/storage units (still in progress). In the past few weeks I have built the Adirondack chairs. The Adirondack chairs spurred me to continue building a “park like” setting in my small backyard. This includes a park bench (to match the Adirondack chairs), a park style grill, and a water fall. The waterfall is fairly simple (now that I have done it once - ha).

Ken Moody - Babcock Ranch, Florida

Seasonal And Holiday

Tryde coffee table

I made this out of discout lumber. Each board was only .51 so that made it pretty cheap but a bit challenging (I had to cut the boards to fit and also cut off the twisted ends without cutting too much off). There is still a bit of uneveness in some of the boards, I think it adds to the character of the table. I changed up the plan a bit and made this from 2x6's and the ends with 2x8's. final size is 49 1/2 x 49 1/2.
A friend wanted this so I'm not sure what she is going to finish it with but will post pics as soon as I get them. I may make another one for myself :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Spring Entry Update - DIY Storage Bench

The entryway in my mom’s house was the perfect candidate for a spring update. Home to a broken, non-functioning storage bench and constantly cluttered with shoes, we decided it was time for an upgrade. It took us a weekend, some PARA paint & stain, a little fabric and lots of elbow grease, but we were able to take the entry way from boring to beautiful.

Estimated Cost
$100-125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Bench - PARA TimberCare Solid Stain tinted in Runway (P5191-85D) topped with PARA WoodCare urethane varnish in glossy

Bench seat - Landsmere fabric in 'Current' from Tonic Living.

Storage boxes - Primed & painted in PARA Too Hot To Handle (P5078-85)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bedside Tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/05/2016 - 18:33

Went together well, a few things modified. 

I get my wood from a sawmill and plane it myself, so the legs are 2x2's instead of the commercial sized 1.5's x 1.5's and to make them go with my Ana White Farmhouse bed I built a few weeks back I made the legs 30" long to compinsate for the height of the bed

Winwax Polyshades Mission oak

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
40 dollars before stain
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshades Mission Oak x2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Chairs, Modern Loveseat, and the 2x4 Outdoor Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/29/2020 - 19:58

I took this opportunity while quarantined to make this set. I think it came out really beautifully!

Finish Used
Shou sugi ban, Simple Finish by Maker Brand, and Total Boat Halcyon Clear.

I used a blow torch to burn each board. Then I used a wire brush to remove soot, and washed with water and allowed to dry completely. I opted for pocket holes for the chairs and love seat. After assembling, I finished with Simple Finish by Maker Brand ($40/qt), and top coated with Total Boat Clear Halcyon ($32)

Farmhouse Bed DIY

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/26/2023 - 12:21

After realizing how much solid bed frames were selling online, I started googling. Thankfully I came across the farmhouse design! It was EXACTLY what I was looking for. Total for wood and paint etc was approximately $400.

kategelineaurealestate

Twin Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Sieryn on Mon, 06/18/2012 - 06:09

This was for a boys room so we wanted something sturdy, and oh man does this plan fit the bill.

Was easy to assemble, most of the project time went to sanding and staining to get the dark wood finish.

Finished in a poly gloss.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Jamocha Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pottery Barn Harper Style Coffee Table

My wife saw the Harper Style coffee table by Pottery barn and loved it so as a gift to her i set out to recreate this table in a white wash look that is not available and after a week of creating plans and a weekend of work here it is with fully functional drawers that are accessible from both sides

Estimated Cost
$150-$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
combination of Minwax Honey and Ebony for the top and an underlying of random Ebony strokes and a few coats of Minwax Pickling White wash for the body of the table
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Easy 2x4 potting bench

Submitted by Randall on Mon, 05/04/2020 - 11:20

Great easy to follow plans, I cut both front and back legs from one 2x4x8’ by having the back leg 1” shorter than plan. Also bought 1x4x39” slats at less cost than buying the 8’ ones.
Great unit would be perfect for near the BBQ and any place needing storage and work bench

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympia Outdoor wood sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Platform Bed for 1st Apartment

Submitted by Sutton615 on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 08:48

My dad and I made this in a queen size to match a mattress it already had. We changed the plans a little, making the legs from two boards to make it more stable. We used a nail gun to put together the lip of the frame and used wood screws for the rest. The headboard was made from the left over slats and attached with a 2x4 on the back of the frame. We also bought square sliders and screwed them to the bottom of the legs so that they don't scratch our wood floors.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I chose to leave the wood unfinished (which saved some time) because I liked the natural look. Just sanded it and left it. I may let it weather a little and then do something for staining it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/11/2016 - 14:15

My wife and I loved the look of this plan, so I decided to make it happen! I built this same console, only half the length for our dining room, and then made this full size version for the living room area. I used this plan for both designs. I used a table saw to cut dado channels from the intersecting pieces of material for the "X" design on each side of the table which was considerably easier for me. It can get a little tight when trying to secure the 11.25 inch pieces of 2x4 and 2x2 with pocket holes so I opted to secure through the outer frame with 2.5 inch screws. Countersinks, wood filler, and some sanding made for a clean alternative to the pocket-hole approach. Stained and chalk painted frame and shelves separately before assembling. We love this table and promise you will not be disappointed either.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80-100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sea Foam Green Chalk Paint
Minwax Espresso Stain
Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Porch bed swing

Submitted by janamason on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 18:30

My 15 year old son built this for me!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax ebony
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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