Community Brag Posts

Benchwright Dining Table

I built this table using a hybrid approach; I used Ana's plans as a loose guideline (leg angles) and drafted the rest using the dimensions supplied at Pottery Barn's website (for the fixed table, not the extendable version).

Estimated Cost
150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The table is finished in an Espresso stain with a clearcoat of Minwax oil-modified water-based clear satin polyeurethane. I beefed up the table legs by using "4x"6 lumber and also included a wood stretcher instead of a metal one. I originally installed a "3/4 metal stretcher made of spray-painted conduit, but it looked too flimsy and dinky when juxtaposed with the thick legs of the table. I added two countersunk lag screws to each endcap and also attached the stretcher with two lag screws and joist supports (all spray painted with Rustoleum textured black enamel). My favorite part of the table is the faux slotted cross-brace ends that protrude from each leg. I simply cut four "1 pieces of "1x"4 scrap and attached one to each leg using glue, two nails, and a nail set. Pottery Barn charges $999.00 for this table; I built it for $150.00.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Keri Beth (not verified)

Wed, 09/14/2011 - 23:04

This is awesome. I'm finishing up my first project (floor to ceiling bookcases) and looking for a dining room table to make next. This just might be the one. Thanks for sharing!

Herringbone Table

Submitted by newtoit on Thu, 12/17/2015 - 11:58

This was a project I had been dying to try out as a way to challenge myself. I wanted to make a herringbone pattern on a table top. I built the legs around the Bois Rouge Saint Paul Table plans. The hardest part was milling on the wood and making it the same width and size but once I had all my pieces the process went pretty smoothly. The funy thing is I did not build this piece for anyone specific and now I have this beautiful table that is sitting unused in my garage. The next step is to sell it!! wink

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300-$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Waterlox Original Sealer/Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Herringbone Bar Height Dining Table with Hairpin Legs

Submitted by kwildman on Fri, 02/08/2019 - 07:13

We used 3/4" birch plywood and glued 1/2" thick x 3" wide wood pieces in a herringbone pattern to make the top.  We used 1 x 3 oak boards for the trim.  The wood is a variety including walnut, maple, cherry, sassafras, etc.   We ordered the metal hairpin legs.   

We started with a base stain of Danish Oil in Dark Walnut.  Once that dried, we went back over that with a very light coat of Minwax gray wash oil based stain.   We used 4 coats Laquer for the top coat.

Easy build and we love how it turned out!

Estimated Cost
$350 Bar Height hairpin legs were $100, 1/2" wood variety pack was $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Two coats of Dark Walnut Danish Oil, one light coat of Minwax oil based gray wash, and four coats of laquer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Greenheart Bathroom Vanities

I've been working on these bathroom vanities for a family building a home. These are made of gorgeous Greenheart lumber. I have only worked with pine and spruce up to this point, but this wood is truly stunning. It has been quite the adjustment to work with, and I've broken my share of bits and screws :)

All of these together took me about a week to complete. Had I been working with a softer wood it would have taken no time hardly, but the hardwood....that's a whole other ballgame to me!

They will be adding 2'' thick concrete counter-tops on these when they get installed. I love the simplicity of their look!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
No idea on what this wood costs (and the costs to get it to where I live)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Unfinished in these photos. They are still trying to decide the final finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

NimbleShopper

Tue, 10/01/2013 - 07:35

These vanities are beautiful. It would be really neat if you could add pictures when they are installed with the counter tops! I am contemplating replacing a vanity with a DIY one, and I love seeing how other people have made things beautiful with their own 2 hands.

The Weekend Sleeper

Submitted by vendo on Tue, 01/10/2023 - 10:03

My step son, who is in college, comes to stay with us some weekends and we don't have a lot of room in the rental we are in. So I built a place for him to put his things and sleep, during his visit. This was an easy and quick build using 1x10's for the frame and 1x2's for the face frame. Being 1x10's it's super low profile and doesn't make the room feel much more crowded, so that is a huge bonus! I built it around the dimensions of this floor bed/sofa that I found on amazon

Here's a Youtube Video of me building it, if you want to see how it went together.

I really like this design, because I feel it would make a great addition to a guest room, bonus room, dorm room, shared room and more. I ended up attaching it to the wall as you will see in the video because it will be tippy if not. Hope you like it!

Clara table and $4 chair

Submitted by newtowood on Mon, 09/26/2011 - 15:44

This was a gift to my good friends son. She said he needed a desk for his homework, but I hear he's using it as a dinner table. :) It was a fun project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15-$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded, primer, paint, stenciled
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Reclaimed from 100 year old farmhouse

Submitted by Richard714 on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 07:27

I was so excited to see this plan and knew what to do with the wood I had recently acquired when an old home was being destroyed near my house.
Love the site and the projects are too much fun!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Lacquer over danish oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Cabinet

Submitted by AndyH on Wed, 12/23/2015 - 16:33

Cabinet with adjustable shelf. Finished in an antique white effect. Gave it a coat of Grey stain first then painted with two coats of white sanding back after each coat. Top was stained Walnut and then painted grey and sanded back to show some of the walnut stain and the grain through. I left the inside natural color for contrast rather than having it all white .

Estimated Cost
$170
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Gave it a coat of Rustoleum Weathered Grey and painted with two coats of white sanding back after each coat.

Top was stained Minwax Walnut and then painted grey and sanded back to show some of the walnut stain and the grain through.

I left the inside natural color for contrast rather than having it all white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/18/2019 - 15:06

For my daughter's birthday, I used the plan from your site, but I substituted 1x6 poplar for the top, rather than the 2x6's. Turned out so well that my other daughter wants one as well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$145
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Enamel white for the base and stain/polyurethane for the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Barn Beam Shelf

Submitted by amym on Sun, 10/02/2011 - 12:01

These shelves were easy to make and are sturdy also. I haven't gotten frames for my pictures yet - I was so excited to hang up my shelf.

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

Rustic X coffee table and end tables

WOW this was our first build. We had some money to get started so went and bought new miter saw and sander, kreg jig, basically everything we needed to build it. Tools aside we spend only about $100 on the lumber to build the coffee table and 2 side tables.

Eric cut notches in the X instead of using 2 separate pieces for the other side, so they fit together like a puzzle piece. it was a learning experience of trial and error, but he got better and better each time.

For the finish i used the tutorial of dissolving steel wool in vinegar and then added a coat of strong coffee which made an ugly green-gray color. I happened to have picked up a can of "autumn" wood stain that when applied made the color pop and look amazing. (thank goodness because i was so frustrated and wanted to give up) when we do this again (cuz i just sold the set we made) i will be better at sanding everything nice and smooth, and do staining/painting of the Xs and the top separately before putting everything together.

I dont recommend the steel wool and vinegar stain, it smelled terrible and was hard to apply because it was watery and ran a lot plus you cant see the color develop for a long time so its hard to see what was wet and what wasn't. yuk. The Minwax "gray" stain they just released would most likely work a lot better. those small can of stains for $6 are big enough for all 3 pieces we built so really i don't think i saved money buying the steel wool and vinegar.

Anyway this was way fun! Cant wait to build again :)

Estimated Cost
$100 of lumber, $500 of power tools and supplies
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
steel wool and vingear, plus a coat of coffee, then a coat of Rustoleum Autumn stain, coat of spray-can poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Handmade by horseminded

Only change to original plan was width of top.  Used 2  2x6 boards with 2x8 for middle board instead of 3 2x6 boards. One note: deck or porch spindles are less than 2 inches and will not fit tightly against the shelf boards. .Cut the lengths form 8ft 2x2 and sand smooth.

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Weathered Oak stain with 3 top coats of waterbased Polycrylic, semigloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Ana White Farmhouse Bed - King Size

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/07/2019 - 09:37

This King Size Farmhouse Bed turned out better than I could've imagined! It did take a lot of patience, time, and even left a few bruises but, a few months out, I think I would do it all over again!

We chose the Farmhouse King Bed Plans by Ana White and I read everything I could about it. This would be the biggest project I'd ever done. Through reading comments, I found the DIY Farmhouse Bed - King Version by Ed Hart. He had a few modifications I liked so I bought his plan.

Then, I set to work!

We have a Naturepedic mattress and built this bed to its specifications, including bed slats no more than two inches apart.

Check out this post to see the modifications we made to the Ana White Farmhouse Bed: https://sunshineandrainydays.com/king-size-farmhouse-bed/

Thank you, Ana, for the inspiration to build!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Homemade wood stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Modern Farmhouse Dropzone

Amazing Custom Built-in Entryway Mudroom by 804_Sycamore using Shelf Help!

Comments

Twin Farmhouse Bed

This was made with the Farmhouse Bed Plan.
Woodworking runs in my family, but this is my first item built from scratch.

We decided to leave it bare for a while. It looks beautiful as is.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Right around $100 for all wood and screws needed. Mattress was $200 and bedding was $60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jbayer80

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 07:24

I will be building this with modifications to the headboard. I'm going to put baseball bats in-between the 4x4's as the header.

Kentwood Nightstand

Submitted by Hippychic on Wed, 10/09/2013 - 19:01

Kentwood night stand and matching headboard!

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

Laundry Pedestal

This was a pretty simple project that saved me hundreds and is more functional.  I built it to fit our laundry baskets, unfortunately I didn't take a photo of the washer/dryer in place.  I've used it for several years now without any issues.  This was one of my first builds and it was a good one.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Aunt's Kitchen

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/11/2019 - 04:47

My husband and I redid my Aunt's kitchen.  She has no storage, hardly any counter space and her kitchen was cluttered.  So we painted, put up beadboard and trim, plus added storage.  We took the console table plan and modified it to fit what she needed.  We raised the height to 39" tall and made two tables for the "L" shape storage.  She absolutely loves her kitchen!  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner