Community Brag Posts

Farmhouse Bench

Submitted by Mikia on Tue, 10/09/2012 - 23:43

A 1m version of the farmhouse bench. We needed a shorter one for the hallway and realized that the only way would be if we built it ourselves. My bf and I built this together and it's really sturdy. Some adaption to the plan was made since it's shorter. It's very useful and we all love it. It's used each and every day.

Estimated Cost
200 SEK
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Outdoor Table and Benches - First Project

Submitted by linlet_e on Sun, 08/03/2014 - 10:26

First project of my husband. He had no experience at all in making furniture but when he stumbled on this website he was inspired.

I wanted to contribute so I volunteered to stain both the table and benches.

Modification: used 2x4 for the legs of the table

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
For the Table:
Cabot - Australian Timber Oil: Honey Teak.
I used a total of 1 & half cans (946 ml per can). I did it by sections - used paint brush to apply stain, gave it enough time to absorb (a few minutes) and then used a cloth to even out blotches. I also used a very small foam paint brush to stain the areas that are hard to reach - the gaps in between boards. Waited a couple of days to apply coat number 2.

For the benches:
Benjamin Moore Arborcoat - Solid: Spellbound
I used 1 can for both benches (414 ml). Again did it by sections, used paintbrush to apply 1 coat only and used a small foam brush for hard to reach areas. It dried very fast.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bar Height Farmhouse Table / Benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/15/2016 - 12:07

I wanted to say thank you for the inspiration.

I took the general idea, made it bar height and my own preferred size and beefed it up by doweling together the top pieces.

Given the size, I made the top removable with threaded inserts as well as the removable support beams below.

For the benches, I wanted something sturdy and a look that was similar to the table.  I added in a nickel support rod for the foot rest for both strength and a nice look.

All in all this project took a lot of time, probably more so with my perfectionist ways and wanting to  make the finish perfectly smooth.  It's like glass, which I just love against the dents and dings of the wood.

Some of the challenges were wood that warped.  After putting together the bench tops, the wood warped quite a bit, nothing that a few clamps couldn't undo but a pain nonetheless.

Using black stain really brought out a nice look and I'm taking that same look to the new trim and door that are going into the dining area as well.

 

I've not seen a bar height (not counter height) table in a full dining table size before, it's what I wanted and I couldn't be happier with the results.   Was it worth all of the time?   That's hard to say, I really love it, but it took a long time to get it to be exactly what I wanted it to be.

Thanks!

 

 

Estimated Cost
$180 in lumber, $200 for stain/poly/sandpaper/steel wool/Kreg jig/screws. $20 for furniture screws that look sharp and allow the table base to be easily disassembled. Another $20 for threaded inserts and machine bolts to hold the top to the base.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ebony Minwax oil based stain and Satin Poly.
Pre-stain, one coat of stain, wipe after 5 min, three coats of poly using steel wool (00) between each coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Big Kids Picnic Table

Loved your plans for this and built a table for my 4 year old grandson who could destroy a box of rocks if given the opportunity! I was able to get by with (5) 2X4's instead of the (6) called for in the plans which was even better since I've now got an extra one for the next project. I used pocket hole screws, #8 x 2-1/2" exterior grade screws, and some Thompson's Water Seal and everything turned out even better than expected! Virtually no "scrap" to absorb either. Thank you for sharing your plans - I'm looking at those for the full-size version for someone that has asked if I could build one for him!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30 - $35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson's Water Seal Natural Cedar

Mirror Project from the book!

Submitted by JoanneS on Sun, 10/14/2012 - 05:54

This project is the mirror from page 37 of The Handbuilt Home. I received my copy on Thursday night, built this and painted on Friday, then (impatiently) waited 24 hours for the paint to dry before distressing and hanging it up yesterday afternoon. The mirror was a plain one I found at Lowes for about $20 and attached with mirror clips. I attached to the wall with 2 1/2" screws through the frame into the wall studs. I was going to leave the screw heads exposed for decoration, but now I think I'll add a dab of gray on them to blend them in. This was a super fun project, easy to do. Love the book, and can't wait to build more projects from it! Ana, fab job on the book!!

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat white paint, 1 coat gray paint (greek column by Ace), after 24 hours, sanded with 220 and some 100 grit sandpaper to distress, then added a coat of soft wax to protect the surface.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

itzann

Sun, 10/14/2012 - 10:19

Very nice! I kind of like the black screw-heads showing!
-Ann

JoanneS

Sun, 10/14/2012 - 14:25

Thanks Ann! This was a fun project. I've been wanting a mirror to match that table since last year, and this one fits just right. My family said they liked the visible screws too, so I'm going to leave them as they are.
:)
Joanne

JoanneS

Thu, 08/29/2013 - 13:57

Ana, Thank you so much! I can't wait to get building on more projects from the book and from here too! You are awesome! :)

YankeeBelle, thank you! How do you make chalk paint? That sounds like a great time saver!
:)
Joanne

Garage Storage Cabinet

Submitted by AndyH on Tue, 08/05/2014 - 18:57

First part of garage storage system complete. 7.5 foot cabinets with whiteboard marker board doors inserts.

Next step to build new bench with storage cupboards to keep dust out and a central dust extraction/containment area.

Then put some tool board and a charging station above the two outlets.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Classic Gray
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

TaylorMade1205

Wed, 08/06/2014 - 05:51

What plans did you use to build the cabinets? I'm currently re-doing my garage and I was looking for something like this.

AndyH

Wed, 10/08/2014 - 19:20

Hi.  I drew the plans myself to make it fit the space I needed.  Happy to share the google sketchup file with you if you want to send me your contact (if that is allowed on here!).  Sorry for the delay in replying but not logged on here for a while. 

SAWL27

Sun, 12/13/2020 - 05:04

These are perfect for what I'm working on. Do you still have the plans that you're willing to share?

thank you ana you inspired me to begin with this!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/18/2016 - 18:13

Thank you Ana because you were my inspiration. I would've never dreamed of building my own furniture before I saw you doing it. I loved doing it I loved outside the US and the machines and jigs are difficukt and expensive here but I've managed to get the basics. this is my 5th project and was a lot of work because the woods here are exotic but not dried in kim and come with lots of imperfections but are beautiful..anyways thanks again! 

Estimated Cost
250 usd
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
wood sealer then 240 sand paper then polyurethane high gloss the same finish used for cars.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse bed with drawer storage

Submitted by SE-Mark on Sat, 10/20/2012 - 22:56

I had to come on here to thank you all for inspiring me to build this bed! The thought of building such a big piece of furniture never really occurred to me until I saw the Farmhouse queen plans, which really got the gears turning.

I wanted to add some storage to the bed, though, and so I kept looking at other projects on this site. I don't know which plans are all combined into this one, but you can see the one side table in some of the pictures which is based on a hutch plan here, and the concepts there are used in the drawer fronts on the bed. I still plan to build a matching side table for this side of the bed and also a dresser unit to complete the bedroom set.

This entire project was built on my deck as I don't have a garage. Started at the end of September and working by flood light on nights where I could find the time. It was finally moved inside to paint. The bed is built into four sections for disassembly - headboard, footboard, and a base section that is split in half with knockdown fasteners. The headboard and footboard are also attached with knockdowns, so the entire bed comes apart with an allen key.

The cost was incredibly low. My biggest cringe costs were for the 4x4 posts, which I had to buy in cedar, and the birch 3/4" plywood for the drawers. All in costs are still under $200, though I did own a Kreg system which got used a fair amount.

I did modify the footboard / headboard construction since I had the Kreg system. Rather than using a 1x4 backing board with 1x verticals and a 1x4 front board, I used a Kreg'ed 2x4 as the backing board, flush to the 4x4 post... no 4 1/2" screws required! The 1x verticals were then glued and nailed onto the 2x4s, and the 1x4 front board was glued and nailed to it.

The drawers are huge! 29" wide x 26" deep x 14" tall (more or less). Also, they are positioned so that when a side table is placed beside the bed the drawers can still open. The panel at the head of the bed is a door with a magnetic catch. I think of that area as 'deep storage' as you would have to move a side table to get in there. The door is there to get there if you want to though.

One cost not accounted for... my 'work bench' patio table sustained an injury. I still maintain I did not drop anything onto it. In fact, I was using a tape measure to measure a drawer length when the glass shattered out from under the piece I was measuring. It was cold in the morning, so maybe that had something to do with it. But now I just have to add 'fix patio table' to the project list.

Thanks again!
Mark

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Tremclad / Rustoleum semi-gloss white.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

5 tator tots (not verified)

Tue, 10/23/2012 - 19:04

I can't wait until we have time to build a farmhouse storage bed. Yours looks great!.

jaimej

Sun, 01/06/2013 - 19:35

Very smart placement of the drawers - I too am aspiring to build this some day and wondered about a fix on that - do I just store things in that drawer I rarely want to get at? No, I like your idea better. Beautiful job on the bed - it looks nice.

niki

Sun, 11/10/2013 - 17:49

This is exactly what I'm looking for. I love the drawers. Would you be willing to share more on how you did those, vs the plywood boxes in the plans?

SE-Mark

Thu, 03/20/2014 - 11:40

Sorry for taking so long to reply to your question! I missed it.

I don't have any pictures / details on how it was done, but I can explain it. The front face is built as a 2x4 surround with 1x6 inset boards. I then put a dado in the bottom side 1/4" up from the bottom.

I then made a drawer box from 5/8" plywood, kreg jigged to the front face. A 1/4" piece of plywood was used as the drawer bottom, and inset into the front face of the drawer.

This all sounds a bit difficult and confusing, but it isn't. Maybe I should take some pictures. Let me know if you'd like to see them.

briankerr

Wed, 07/30/2014 - 10:55

Great build! I'd love to see some more photos of the drawer surround/frame with the drawers out. Is it all 2x3 stud construction? Any problems with warping or the drawer slides not square/plum?

omegatek

Thu, 10/16/2014 - 10:22

Racking my brains out trying to figure out how you laid those slats across the top of the drawers...  If you wouldn't mind posting a few more pics, I would really appreciate it.  My daughter wants this for her birthday. 

Thanks!

Haven Turned leg Coffe table

Submitted by creegs7882 on Thu, 08/07/2014 - 10:25

My wife does puzzles and most of her school work on a coffee table. We had bought one from that large blue and yellow warehouse furniture store. I liked its size but never the materials. When I saw the Haven Turned Coffee table, I knew I could make that. Using the pocket screws made this an easy build. I made the top out of 1 x 8's and used biscuits to hold them together. I attached the top using a series of cleats around the inside edge. I stained it with an cherry Minwax stain and polyurethaned the top. Project took about four days on and off not including the staining and urethane.

Estimated Cost
~ $ 125.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Cherry Stain and Polycrylic Polyurethane (gloss)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My version of a farmhouse table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/22/2016 - 13:19

I found this plan through a YouTube video unrelated to DIY. It has been to long since I had done any woodworking and I knew we needed a table. I modified the plans some and made the table wider and the benches to fit under when not in use. I bought the wood and ended up with yellow pine top and Douglas fir bases. It was what that had at my Home Depot. But the contrasting woods gave me the idea for the finish I ended up with. Love the outcome. Hope you all like it too. Now on to the next project. 

Estimated Cost
I probably have 400 in materials in the table and benches.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax gel stain mahogany
Just one application

Minwax fast drying polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Chicken Coop

Submitted by Elloh on Tue, 08/11/2020 - 11:05

This was my biggest build yet and these plans along with being able to see a few brag posts with modicifactions made this project less intimidating. I extended the coop in order to add a walk in door. The drop down doors on both sides will give plenty of access and help with cleaning. I've added door latches to all the doors since putting it in place. My dad provided the cedar so that greatly reduced my costs. This project took about six days to complete. The fun part was getting it out of my carport : ) This was built for my daughter's chickens and she is thrilled with it. So am I! Thanks for the plans Ana!

Estimated Cost
Hardware, screws, hardware cloth and plywood - around $150

Balcony Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/26/2024 - 11:14

First time build. Easy because the instructions are well defined and clear. I was inspired by the Shroeder House by Gerrit Reitveld and the color scheme follows its Mondrian Movement simplicity.

Your website also has the clear simplicity that facilitates the work. Thank you for your website and the effort that you put into it.

Rosarito BC AnaWhite fan

Mom's Jelly Cabinet

Our first DIY furniture project. We told friends it was an assignment from couples therapy. lol Don't look too close or you will see the many flaws, but I can say it has character and will serve its purpose.

We had problems with the doors. I think they are true and plum, but the cabinet, not so much. They hang a little cockeyed, but they do swing. The plans for the doors didn't quite match the cabinet, but we are newbies so we could have misread the plans.

The hinges and latch are from the blue store - painted matte black from a can from the original nasty brass. The red is Balero and the shelves are a coordinating tan from Sherwin Williams. A coat of Minwax Polycrylic for protection. We used square wire from the blue store for the doors. We didn't router the doors to inset the wire, a stapler worked fine.

It was an absolute great first project that Husband & I enjoyed tremendously. Mom has been looking for a jelly cabinet for 6 months without success. Old functional furniture pieces just aren't manufactured anymore. This cupboard fit the bill perfectly.

Estimated Cost
$80 for wood and another $80 for paint and supplies
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Balero Red and coordinating Tan with Minwax Polycrylic Spray
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Maira (not verified)

Tue, 10/23/2012 - 08:01

This is awesome. Seriously. You two did such a great job and your mom will enjoy it for many years. That red with the black hardware looks so great.

aruchti

Tue, 12/13/2016 - 07:41

Hi, I can't seem to find the plans for this, the PDF is just a PDF of the thread. I'd love to make this as a coffee stand. thanks!

aruchti

Tue, 12/13/2016 - 07:44

Hi, I can't seem to find the plans for this. would love to make this for a coffee stand. can you provide the link to the plans?

 

thanks!

Adjustable sawhorse craft table

Submitted by Oldmanguge on Sun, 08/10/2014 - 20:03

Built from MODERN INDSUTRIAL ADJUSTABLE SAWHORSE DESK TO COFFEE TABLE. I used a solid table top reinforced underneath so my wife can can use the table as a craft table. I also used 3/4 in allthread

Estimated Cost
100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

End table (pre sanding)

Submitted by S Woodland on Sat, 11/26/2016 - 09:05

This was the first project my husband requested to help with! It was a great for teaching easy cuts with a miter saw and pocket holes with a kreg jig.  Thanks to this end table we now build things together! 

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain on top and chalk paint on the bottom
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Outdoor side table

Keeping budget with wood projects, made side table for outdoor fire pit area.

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Legs and braces=rosewood stain
Top=honey pine
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Shiplap Fireplace Accent Wall

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/28/2024 - 14:27

This was exactly what I wanted for an accent wall in my family room. It was an easy build!
The mantel in cedar that my son in law had laying n his yard. I hollowed out the back the size of a 2x4x 30” long. I mounted it to the fireplace with liquid nails and wood 5” wood screws. Then I predrilled 3 holes in the top that went through the cedar and 2x4 and into the 2x4 backing under the shiplap. The mantel cavity was covered with liquid nails and then placed over the mounted 2x4. I use the 5” screws to help secure the mantel. It’s perfect. I love it!

Candie Reed (Michigan)

Outdoor Farmhouse Table

I've been wanting to build an outdoor farmhouse table for quite some time. Getting it to look old with new materials was the idea.Using notches to hold part of the base and experimenting with finishes got the 'rustic' look. I took a few ideas from the Gaby Kitchen Island and implemented my own; it turned out to be a great weekend project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint, Stain, Poly-acrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Juanita_r

Fri, 10/26/2012 - 23:43

Love the table, especially the finish you used, it looks amazing. just have a question about if it is waterproof...i know it is an outdoor table, but is it protected by a veranda or is it completely exposed to the elements. i want to make one but am hesitant as it will be completely outside! Thanku!

My version of the SMALL CEDAR FENCE PICKET STORAGE SHED

Submitted by dalbrough on Wed, 08/13/2014 - 08:53

We needed something to hold our garbage cans and recycling.
We made this little shed with fence board floor and fence board roof a lot shorter in depth and height - We also used 2x4's as we already had them - fits perfect and was amazingly easy to do.

Looks fantastic in our yard - we are still working on the yard so ignore the extra fence boards and 2*4s laying next to it.

Thanks so much for the great plans.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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