Community Brag Posts

Kids Storage Step Stool

Submitted by Kast on Fri, 09/05/2014 - 13:21

Purchase poplar wood from Home Depot, was unable to find all pieces of wood in pine. Cut according to plan, sanded, used kreg jig for joints, (forgot wood glue until last piece). 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
49$ in wood/supplies and about $15 in acrylic craft paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White semigloss latex paint, acrylic craft paint colors, used microsoft word for letters (enlarged to size 200 and printed, took paper and either use pencil on opposite side or carbon paper, tape to stool, trace letters with pen). Used clear polyacrylic for topcoat.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Birthday seesaw

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/25/2016 - 15:02

Built this for about $16! Fun wonderful project! Thanks Ana

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$16
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil based outdoor paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My daughter’s first project assist

Submitted by tcorstange on Sat, 09/05/2020 - 20:05

My daughter wanted to help with building her loft bed. She handled drilling all the pocket holes, sanding, painting and some of the assembly. This was her first project. We opted to not use the landing from the plan. Increased height to 70 inches. Used 1x4’s for the mattress supports. Anchored to the wall to eliminate any shaking in the bed when climbing up

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi gloss white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Retro Play Kitchen

I made this from the Simple Play Kitchen Plan. I recently purchased Ana's book, and it inspired me to finally build something on my own. I am proud to say I got it done within a few weekends, with minimal issues.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-Gloss Behr Interior Latex, Sea Life
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pallet hope chest

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/27/2016 - 15:12

This is a hope chest I made for my step daughter this Christmas it is made intirely out of pallet wood except for the frame which I used 1by4 by 8 pine board 

Estimated Cost
20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Glossy polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Refinished Red Oak Fireplace Mantel

This is a century old red oak fireplace mantel I bought off of Craigslist. It came out of a home in Louisville, KY. It was in bad shape as you can see in the photos. I stripped it and replaced the veneer that needed it. I had to modify it a bit to install it to my mother-in-laws brick fireplace. The mirror is mercury glass and beveled. I did add some red oak rope trim which I beveled to give a more formal look. I countersunk some holes along the sides that I covered with some red oak trim. This allowed me to attach studs to the brick and then attach the mantel to the studs. The very top shelf was rotted so I found some beautiful spalted red oak and rebuilt this. The former onlay on the front was beyond repair and I found the current salvaged onlay on Ebay for around $10. I am really happy with how it turned out.

Estimated Cost
$200-$40 initial cost and about $160 in improvements
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The stain is Minwax Early American. I gave the old growth wood 2 coats and the newer wood and trim 3 coats. I used Minwax fast drying satin polyurethane. I used three coats throughout the project. I applied 2 coats of poly and then sanded with 220 grain sandpaper before applying the third and final coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Electric Heaters (not verified)

Wed, 01/23/2013 - 04:05

Fireplaces can be a good option for heating the room as that consume low space area and provide heating in affordable prices. the most amazing thing about modern fireplaces is that they can be easily move anywhere in the house.

Mini farmhouse Bedside Table, football style

These mini farmhouse tables are great examples of a creative way to personalize plans.  They both cheer for thier college team!  And as fall in the south is here, college football is king.  Please go to www.ourhomemadefamily.com for my thoughts on how the finish is the personality of all my custom builds.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$18
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
annie sloan chalk plaint, cc cal dwells chalk paint, annie sloan clear wax, I used carbon transfer paper to trace the tiger stripes and houndstooth.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Truss table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/29/2016 - 15:10

I reduced the length by 12 inches to accomodate my space, and I ripped the boards on the table saw so they would be more flush when I assembled the tabletop. Otherwise, I followed the plan exactly. Distressed tabletop before staining. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Multiple stains including pickled oak and jacobean by minwax. 2 coats of poly on tabletop only.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy X Desk

Submitted by lwinchip on Tue, 09/08/2020 - 12:28

Desk was built per the plans. The only adjustment made was to the width to fit the space. Desk was easy to build and looks great! I added Gator Hide to the top to provide water resistance.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk paint and walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Console - First Build!!

Ana's simplest console inspired my first build. I decided to make it a bit wider like one I saw on Shanty 2 Chic's website, and this is what I came up with. So excited about my first build - can't wait for the next!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax water based stain in Latte. Olympic indoor paint in Brigade.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kid extremely happy

Submitted by hrios on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 17:49

This project took us four days. The biggest job that took us awhile was sanding and painting.

Estimated Cost
156.27 this included paint, wood, screws and glue
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My laundry basket dresser

I started with the standard laundry basket dresser but went with shelves. I thought that the baskets would last liner this way. The baskets used are from IKEA and sit on felt runners to keep the noise down.

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

Modified Husky Farmhouse Table

We built this farmhouse table for my Mom's house, to create a space big enough for our growing family to gather at holidays and birthdays. We added to the size- the final dimensions were 82″ (long) x42″ (wide) x 30″(tall). It is a huge, chunky table! My parents prefer natural finishes, so we gave the natural wood several protective coats of polycrylic. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toy Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/03/2017 - 13:23

project for my niece's Christmas gift.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used wall paint for this one. Buy next time wood paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Small island with storage and two stools

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/14/2020 - 12:07

I had a friend who was interested in a small island with two stools that looked like this offered by a fancy home interior store. The reviews weren't all that great, even for the half off sale price. They needed something small to fit their space that would basically serve as a dining area for her and her husband. It is build out of spruce and whitewood lumber. White paint and dark walnut stain, with poly on top. The legs are two 2x4s glued together , then ripped each side to square it off making it an actual 3" x 3". The stools came from Ana's farmhouse counter stool plan. The island I just went with overall demensions and built it from there. Pocket hole screws and finish nails.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
140
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Dark Walnut stain, water based poly
Behr ultra white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Doggie Daybed

Submitted by moosmani on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 20:18

Since making a twin size daybed still seems intimidating to me, I decided to get some practice by making a small version for our dog. I modified the doll farmhouse bed making it a bit larger and in daybed style. We'll see if our doggie takes to it. If not, it will be a toddler couch!

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

Comments

dananryan

Tue, 12/04/2012 - 22:14

I love the modifications you made. I believe you are ready for a twin size. Lucky doggie...

spiceylg

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 05:40

Oh my gosh, I love it. I have to build one for my dog. You did a great job. You are definitely ready for the twin, go for it! Love the dog cushion, too!

abbpim

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 07:07

I built the big farmhouse storage bed and nightstands in my bedroom and my dog needs her own little farmhouse bed now. I've been trying to decide how I want to do it... You've just decided for me. Thanks!

Ashley I. (not verified)

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 09:00

I love this!!! I think I might steal this idea and make one of these for my nephews as a little couch. About how much did you spend on lumber?

moosmani

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 20:52

I pretty much just followed the plans, except making it taller and wider by adding more slats and making everything taller. The finished dimensions turned out to be approximately 26 ½” x 16 ½”. I kind of made it up as I went, but I did take some notes. Here is the first part of my altered cut list:
9 ea – 1x3 @ 8” tall (headboard panel slats)
10 ea (5 for each side) – 1x3 @ 5 ¼” tall (side arm panels slats)
2 ea – 2x2 @ 8” tall (side arm legs)
2 ea – 2x2 @ 13 ½” tall (headboard legs)
For the rest of the cut list, I didn’t take notes. I just cut the lengths to fit my new dimensions. I hope this helps. If you’d like more measurements just let me know and I can measure the actual bed.

moosmani

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 20:21

Thank you! I made the cushion with foam and batting. I got the foam piece from the fabric store. It was 2" thick, 22"x22" square. It was on sale, but I don't remember how much I paid. I cut it down to 22" x 12” to fit the inside of the bed. A regular handsaw worked great for cutting the foam. Super easy, but messy. I wrapped it in batting so it finished a little bigger, 23” x 13”. I bought one pillow sham from Walmart because I liked the design and cut it apart to make the cushion top. The rest is from one of those cheap fuzzy blankets.

moosmani

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 21:08

Thank you! I have much to learn about finishing. I first used regular stain. I think the color was gunstock. It turned out so not what I was going for. It was too orange. So then I stained it again with Minwax Hickory Gel Stain. Better, but the wood putty still showed and looked terrible. So I resorted to Minwax Bombay Mahogany Poly Shades which I found difficult to work with, but it did a fantastic job of covering over the wood putty filled holes. I think I used either 2 or 3 coats of the Poly Shades. I’m sure I could have skipped the first two stains and could have had the same result!

colsen

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 19:30

Fantastic bed!! I've been shopping for a dog bed. This is 100 times better than anything in the store. I may have to borrow you're idea :)

Distressed Picture Frames From Scraps

Submitted by sraper2 on Thu, 09/18/2014 - 10:52

I built everything above my couch using scraps from my garage.  The "family" and hearts were cut out of a scrap piece of 1x12.  The frames were made using my worst 1x2 and 1x3s.  I sprayed them with stain and then paint and finished them by sanding them down. 

Estimated Cost
Free
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner