Community Brag Posts

Modified: Becca Trunk

Submitted by fallingday on Fri, 01/24/2020 - 15:45

A huge thank you for these amazing plans. I absolutely love this site! I had so much fun making this chest. Overall a very simple build. I struggled with the finish but eventually got it how I wanted it. I also ran into a snag while building the lid. I ran out of 1x6’s which resulted in the unique top you see in the picture made from scrap 1x4’s from other projects. On to the next project.

Estimated Cost
About $65
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Very easy and quite comfy!

Directly from plan. Fun to make. Kreg and glue attachements.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45 for all 4 stools.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Addison Headboard - King Size

Submitted by awbrown on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 16:07

This site features the queen size version of this headboard, I decided to build the King and use more elaborate molding pieces, which increased the cost. I stained the wood to a very close match although my mobile photos don't do justice to this claim. It took me about a week to complete with nights and weekend availability.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
130
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Custom
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

PorkyPok

Thu, 03/12/2015 - 13:37

looks great. Did you use pine? Which stain did you use? I would like to be able to closely match the stained version of pottery barns addison too. Thanks!

Farmhouse Queen Bed

Submitted by cabinK on Wed, 01/29/2020 - 23:32

Made this awesome project from Ana's plans. The best part is it came from old barn wood that has been stored for decades. Had to plane most of it to get it closer to dimensional size to work with the plans. I have had a lot of advice and recommendations from friends and family on how to finish it, but I like it perfectly natural with nothing added. The finished picture appears that it has a finish on it but it was just the difference in lighting. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Only paid for screws and sandpaper
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Coat Rack

Submitted by mweir on Tue, 04/24/2012 - 19:17

We needed a coat rack in the mud room to go along with the X Bench that I built earlier. This was made from a drop of wood left over from the bench. I had the hooks left over from a project I made a couple of years ago. My wife says our mud room is now complete. I used the plans Entryway Bench and Storage Shelf I just didn't use the shelf part

Estimated Cost
$5.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Planter Box from Pallets

Submitted by mtairymd on Sat, 02/08/2014 - 05:10
Estimated Cost
$5 Stain & Nails - free pallet wood
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Red Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

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

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

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
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