Community Brag Posts

Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by naomi on Fri, 08/29/2014 - 06:52

Built to go with my farmhouse bed.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White enamel paint and walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/29/2020 - 08:17

This was the very first project that my husband and I have ever built and it came out exactly as planned. We followed the instructions exactly as written and I’m in love with this table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Top: Varathane Kona gel stain (one coat) followed by three coats of MinWax Polycrylic

Bottom: Primed all of the knots first with BIN stain blocker (to prevent sap bleed through) and then did 2 coats of Bulls Eye 123 water based primer. Once the primer was dry, we painted with one coat of SW Bohemian Lace Latex Satin and topped with 3 coats of polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Smaller Fancy "X" Desk

Submitted by NEmomof3 on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 12:21

this is a much smaller version of the $55 Fancy "x" Desk. We did not have the space for the larger version and my son liked that one best, so this is as close as I could come. I also made him the Higher Chair. He is six and very tall with it, but a standard height table and chair still make him sit low enough that writing and working on projects can be troublesome. He loves this, and we had fun working on it together.

Estimated Cost
Under $50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Ebony on bottom and English Oak (don't remember the brand) on desk top. the Ebony took several applications to get the darkness I wanted, if I did it again, I would probably just paint the bottom. The desk top got 2 applications plus a coating of Parks Super Glaze Ultra Crystal Pour On Epoxy Finish Kit, Clear Gloss. The epoxy was the most expensive part of the project, but the easiest.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Oak Easy Vintage Step Stool

Submitted by kcragun on Sat, 08/30/2014 - 19:53

I bought a box of oak scraps from a local lumber store - sold a firewood for $6.00 and I was able to get enough big pieces to make this step stool for my granddaughter.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$6.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Lego Table

Submitted by Jessi_ites on Sun, 12/18/2016 - 17:45

I wanted 2 large lego tables but also didn't want to waste space...so I came up with this! The top flips over and it becomes a desk.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Picket fence topped end table

Submitted by AnnieO on Fri, 11/16/2012 - 16:21

I wanted a table that would double as a file cabinet of sorts - so I made this end table with an opening big enough for my file box and the right height for my couch.

The top of the table and the lower shelf and made from pickets from a picket fence that was taken down and the rest was from leftover 2 x 4 s from other projects around our fixer-upper.

Estimated Cost
Free to Me
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
semi-gloss poly and house paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Media center

I needed to replace my particle board entertainment center. So here is my final project

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mini wax Jacobean for the hutch and Miniwax Ipswich Pine for top and trims
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Work Bench and Carts

I finally finished my workbench this summer. I started the bench 2 years ago for my miter saw. Got busy with other builds, things for family, clients, etc. I still had most of the wood cut for the carts. Here it is in all its glory!!! Finally organization and I can actually park my car in my garage. Thanks Ana for all of your plans.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
primer

Changing table - dresser

Submitted by sloneal on Fri, 09/05/2014 - 15:06

The storage on the dresser is great! I added a changing table top with routed dividers for changing pad and other accessories. I attached the top from above into the dresser frame with recessed screws so it can later be removed and a plain top added (I added a cross bar in both directions to the dresser frame under the top to support the additional weight). I used rough cut poplar from a local lumber yard except for the drawer boxes which are plywood. The legs on my version are made from 2 1x2½" boards cut on a 45° bevel on the table saw. I used full extension side mount metal slides. It was somewhat difficult to attach the drawer slides with a very pregnant belly - my husband helped out with that, not to mention lugging around lumber and painting. It helps to have an extra set of hands on assembly with a big piece like this. Thanks for great plans.

Estimated Cost
~ $250-275
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr low VOC ivory mist
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/25/2016 - 19:14

I followed the plans provided by Ana and boy am I delighted.  I changed up the color scheme based off a whim.      All the stained pieces or cordavan brown semi transparent from Home Depot and the wood is pine.     All the white is Douglas fir, (4x4, 2x4, 2x10) and I used a chalked white also from Home Depot. It was fairly easy, I just tweaked the dimension due to our bed height.   Great weekend project.  Beginner project to certain extent, turned into a intermediate based on tools used and certain finishes. 

 

Measurements were for a queen bed frame and tempurpedic adjustable bed frame (had to adjust post height to be taller,  adjust 2" shorter for standard Hollywood frame)

Estimated Cost
$225 based on more expensive finishes.
$120 ish in wood, paint and stain was about $60. Hardware cost the rest.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cordavan brown stain, chalked white paint
From Home Depot. Poly coat on top
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse hall tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/05/2020 - 20:06

I put my own twist on the Ana White “farmhouse hall tree”. I used 1- sheet of 1/2” project panel (4’x4’), 2 1x6x10’ boards and 3. 1x4x8’ boards. The bench was 3/4” hardwood plywood, trimmed out with scraps. I stained with a mix of briarsmoke and Kona.
The project panel was so easy to use. I bought this one at Menards.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Briarsmoke stain mixed with a third Kona. Polycrylic in satin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kitchen Utility Cart

Submitted by FBatt1963 on Sat, 11/24/2012 - 17:59

The cost was very low as I had recently purchased a pick-up truck load of maple (around 1300 bdft) at a local Northeastern Woodworkers Association auction for $1/bdft. This was the first furniture type item I had done and I was tickled to death with the results. The design was based on a number of "Big Box" examples of disposable furniture that looked very nice but would never last. I added the mahogany trim because I like the contrast (and I have a ton of it in the shop) and the sort of copper color it exhibits.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Wiped polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tall Narrow Wardrobe for Tiny House

Submitted by hkingman on Sun, 09/07/2014 - 20:27

Needed a wardrobe for a 24-inch wide space. Not sure you could buy such a thing -- certainly not in the small town where we live. Glancing at Ana's "Toy or TV Armoire" plans gave me an idea how to proceed.

Didn't plan for drawers, initially, but turned out I hadn't pre-stained enough trim for full-height doors, so decided to add drawers. Glanced at the insert plans, and it didn't look too bad. Decided to build the drawers right in with 22-inch 75lbs sliders, since again, not enough trim for full doors. Also, I think it might be tedious to first open a door or in my case doors just to get to the drawes. Miraculously, cabinet turned out to be square enough (+/- 1/16th inch) for the sliders. Here's to $99 table saws and pocket hole screws!

Thank you, Ana, for this and the other plans I built (craft table). Also, I admire your webmasters Drupal-craft!

Estimated Cost
$40 for the stain, $10 for varnish
$24 for hardware
$120 for plywood
$50 for trim
$30 for drawer sliders
$5 for pocket hole screws
Total: $279
Oh wait... $20 more for the two 2 x 6s used for the drawers, $8 worth of Tite Bond, and? Call it $310 or so.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Trim has two coats of Pratt & Lambert oil-based "Toy Wagon" color semi-transparent redwood stain, which takes two weeks to dry. The ply has water-based MinWax polyurathane. Finished most everything before assembling. Was too lazy to varnish over the trim, though that would certainly make it less "rustic." Oh well. It's not a piano.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

New Closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/27/2016 - 16:59

This is my first carpentry project. Bought my house recently and it had the white wire organizers on the wall but I wanted to do something different. Only had 6' width to work with so had to shorten it a bit and lose the middle shelves. Lowes didn't have enough 1x4's for the shelves so I used 1x8's and just left a gap in the front which in my opinion looks good.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200-$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat of Early American stain followed by a light sand and 1 coat of Minwax Polycrylic Clear Matte
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Camp loft bed with animal zoo storage

I made the loft bed for my 6yr old back in March. This weekend we took care of another issue, stuffed animal storage. So I added 3/16 bungee cord I found on Amazon. I bought 100 foot spool and it was plenty. Also found on Amazon 50 count of the 1.6 inch eye screws and had 2 leftover. I had to add 3 boards to the existing bed to complete this project.

It took some practice to get the cord threaded the way I liked it. I wasn’t overly concerned with the cord going straight up and down but I knew I didn’t like the diagonal look. I also wanted the stuffed animals off the ground to prevent a spider haven.

We used a drill to start pilot holes for the eyelet screws 1 inch from the edge of the board at 4.5 inches apart. Then the kids used small screwdrivers to twist the screws in. It was a real hand saver.

I hope this motivated someone to take care of that stuffed animal storage for good!

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Mantel Headboard

Submitted by Nelligator on Tue, 11/27/2012 - 07:24

I knew I needed to have this bed the second I saw it. Living in a condo I didn't have the space or the patience to try this project on my own so I hired Brown's Hill Construction and Remodeling (Maine) to create it for me. I feel like I'm sleeping in a hotel every night! Love. Thank's Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Tina10105

Sat, 10/25/2014 - 12:41

Was just wondering if you could share wat paint colour you used on your walls? I love it! 

Coat Nook

Submitted by swari on Wed, 09/10/2014 - 10:57

I am a complete novice, learning as I go. But the plans were so straight forward and well written that I got brave and added some cubbies! So happy with the nook and it helps when trying to get three little ones out the door for the school bus in the mornings. All of the things they need are in one convenient place. 

Estimated Cost
$300. The hardware was pricey (hooks and drawer pulls), as well as the paint (I purchased gallon pails at $80/gallon since we will be using it elsewhere in the house).
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore semi gloss paint for the wood and egg shell finish for the walls.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Wed, 09/10/2014 - 14:17

This looks awesome!  You did a fab job on this build, it looks very professional!  The extra cubbies and bead board are a great touch too!

Patio Furniture

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/09/2020 - 07:18

With a mix of the 2 attached plans, I found the perfect design! Plus, I was able to build them both, including the table, out of the scrap from the deck I built!! Thank you so much!!!

Comments

Play Castle with Aqua-duct System

Submitted by Toko on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 14:13

This project was around 2 years in the making after the initial idea, which consisted of adding a "small" water play area that would utilize a manual pump and some chutes to carry the water. It turned into a rather elaborate play structure that appeared to never get done. Luckily the weather played along and we were able to finish by late Fall and still run water through it. There is around 20 yds of black dirt and 2-3 tons of medium size boulders. The main structure sits on treated 4 x 4 posts and 4 x 6 joists. The decking and chutes were all made from cedar.

Estimated Cost
$1200
Finish Used
Marine Grade Poly for water chutes
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments