Community Brag Posts

Modular Play Kitchen

I made this for my 3 kids for Christmas and I'm so glad I did!  They have gotten so much use out of it and love to move it around to set up different "houses" and restuarants.  Thanks so much for these plans!  I made the pieces a little taller, and use the play stove as the sink base too so that it could double as a dishwasher :)  

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Color Bay by Pantone
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Faux Printmaker's Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/05/2020 - 14:23

This was pretty difficult for a beginner, but only because I had never made something with a frame that had to be squared up. I didn't realize I need a big square and should have checked each join of the 2x2's to the plywood. Ended up that the center supports were not square but this was after I had already made doors and drawers. So I rigged them up with shims to make them fit better. However, I still think it turned out great and one day may take it down and fix it or sell this one and make another. I added tea stained vintage font numbers to the pulls. To me, this really made the piece special. I would suggest a little more instructions for doors and drawers. Ana has a great youtube on drawers I found today. I will definitely use that method next time.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
One coat of Varathane Special Walnut with one coat of Weathered Oak on top of it; sealed with Polycrylic after stain dried well.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Benchwright Console Table

I followed the plans exactly, except I didn't put the trim pieces on the lower shelves sides. I really like the way it turned out, and my wife painted it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, color "Paris Grey" and then used Annie Sloan finishing wax (both clear and dark wax) to protect the piece and age it. I think it turned out great! Thanks for the plans!

Nothing was to difficult with these plans, at least not if you have a Kreg Jig. I would add that I used pocket screws on the top pieces not only to join them to the breadboard end pieces, but also to each other. That made it really strong!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Yes, its called chalk paint, but not neccessarily chalk BOARD paint. its just a really flat paint that has way more color pigments per oz than most latex interior paints. In other words, less coats, and rich colors. You can paint it on raw wood (no primer needed) and you can paint it over old finished pieces too, and it has great coverage and bonding strength! Also used Annie Sloan clear and dark waxes for the finish. Just apply with a stipple brush and then buff. And don't forget fun drawer pulls to top it off!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Herb & Flower Ladder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/09/2016 - 15:06

Living on a small city plot, this vertical ladder planter was just what I was looking for to grow my herbs and flowers. I am not an experienced builder but the plans were easy to follow. It didn't take me much time at all to complete this project. Now I am looking forward to fresh herbs and flowers all summer.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sofa table

Submitted by djandcj on Fri, 02/14/2020 - 11:09

We converted the sofa table to a storage area with drawers and games area and repurposed the bar stools at the kitchen island

Small Kitchen Storage Pantry

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/02/2023 - 11:17

I adjusted your Barndoor l Pantry plans to utilize repurposed lumber from a Murphy bed. The shelves are 22" deep for my microwave, toaster oven, etc. It's so functional and much easier to work in my small kitchen.

Cheryl G

Built from Plan(s)

Housewarming gift, Dining Table

Submitted by sgilly on Sat, 02/15/2014 - 08:15

So my son and daughter-in-law have a new home, and lots of empty space. I told them to find a table they liked and I'd try to make it for them. They liked the PB benchwright table (http://www.potterybarn.com/products/benchwright-dining-table/http://www…) with the iron support pieces. I had to get creative for those using electrical conduit and some plumbing pieces that I spray painted black. I finished it exactly like Jen of House of Wood (http://jenwoodhouse.com/blog/2013/06/07/diy-dining-table/) and it turned out beautifully!
It was a fun project and they love it.

Estimated Cost
$300 for table and bench
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Wood conditioner, Minwax special walnut and weathered oak, whitewash (old white paint diluted), satin poly topcoat. The 9 step finish was definitely time consuming, but so worth it!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

iTable with bench seats

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/12/2016 - 13:43

Ana, I really loved this design and was pretty easy to build! I like the way the finish turned out by painting it black and just a few coats of poly on top. 

The benches are overbuilt with intention of converting 2 benches into 4 chairs in the future.  I made them larger so I can simply just cut them in half and add two 4x4s 18 inches higher than the current bench legs at 24" and just deck it as a chair back, seems simple enough. One thing I would change in the design is eliminating the 3 1x12s and 2 of the 1x4s and just going with a solid table top at 33 3/4 x 40 3/4, similar to what I did on the benches.  

Let me know what you think and if you have any questions.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Flat black paint with satin finish polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kind bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/16/2020 - 22:07

King bed hand made made with 1by4 pine boards

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Writing Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/06/2023 - 08:58

Brookstone desk with a white oak top and drawer that I built for my 8- yr old son. It is a very fun build.

Jerry from NC

Built from Plan(s)

Modified Farmhouse Bench

This was a very modified version of this plan. I mostly just dismantled two stools and built the top. The top is one solid plank of wood and two layers of 1x2's to create the frame. It goes perfectly with my Farmhouse table. I love the character of the wood top, its so unique. Enjoy!

Estimated Cost
$10 trim only. I used mostly scraps and furniture I already had
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Providence and Minwax Ebony mix 3 to 1.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Shaker style cabinet doors and drawers!

Submitted by ksmith311 on Sun, 02/16/2014 - 16:49

After some inspiration from Ana, my husband and I tackled refacing and rehabbing our original cabinets circa 1939. The drawers and shelves were in rough shape so we built our own using the kreg jig. We're extremely happy with how everything turned out. When the weather gets better we will be building new cabinets on the opposite side of the kitchen where unfortunately we don't have ANY storage.

Thanks for looking!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Farrow and Ball "Lime White" uppers and Benjamin Moore "Kendall Charcoal" lowers
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rectangle Nesting Tables

Submitted by BrandyK on Sat, 05/14/2016 - 14:55

I needed a small rectangular table to put between the sofa & wall. I also wanted a small table to set elsewhere in the room temporarily. Nesting tables were the answer. I adjusted several measurements to fit the wood I had on hand for the tops. The larger table used 2 1x8's. The smaller table is topped with 3 1x6's. I also used 1by lumber instead of 2by except for the 2x2 legs.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Mostly used lumber I already had, about $15 if new
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Leftover white paint, stain/ poly combo from house windows
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King bed

King bed made with Kona stain check us  on Facebook marney Marie 

Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)

Comments

Changing Table with slideout shelf

With a little one on the way, we just couldn't find a changing table that fit our space and wasn't too expensive. So, thanks to Ana's plans, I was able to put together a smaller changing table with a slide out shelf. In the future, I'd do a better job of measuring out the height of the middle sliding shelf...anyone over 5'5" will have to bend way over to slide it in/out. I switching the 1x4s from the top to the middle shelf and made sure to measure my changing pad before starting (after reading the comments on Ana's original design). My local lumber store cut my 3/4" ply to size for free, so if you can go in with dimensions already planned out, it'll save tons of time and headache driving with 4'x6' ply floppin' around.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Interior primer and semi-gloss interior bright white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4x4 Truss Beam Table with upholstered bench

Submitted by hubn8147 on Tue, 02/18/2014 - 14:35

I shortened the length of the table but kept the width. I have to re-figure the angles of the cross beams underneath. I also added decorative hardware to the raw post edges on the sides, on the edge of the breadboards, and underneath. I used Rustoleum Dark Walnut stain, and Rustoleum Satin Poly for the finish. I bought the 4 chairs before I stained it so I could match the table to the chairs. I then made the matching bench and upholstered it myself to match the chairs. All in all, it looks like a complete set and I'm so happy with it!
It is very heavy...

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

Comments

Joni

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 08:24

This looks fantastic. I LOVE the hardware on the edges. I know how hard it is to match stains and you did a great job. The upholstered bench looks professionally done.

Sandbox

Submitted by andygurbal on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 15:10

I followed Ana White's instructions to a tee and things turned out great! I chose a dark brown wood stain and used an exterior Helmsman Spar Urethane for protection. Because the sandbox will always be outdoors, I ended up putting 5 layers of urethane on it.

I also attached a tarp (not seen in the pictures) to the bottom to hold the sand in. This way the sandbox can be dragged if you want to move it's location.

Estimated Cost
I bought all of my wood from Home Depot, as well as the wood screws, brushes, stain and spar urethane, so it ended up being a little bit more than I expected. All in all, it was around $125, but it could definitely be made cheaper if you have wood already on hand or the screws, brushes, stain, and urethane readily available.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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