Community Brag Posts

King Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by peaches76 on Sat, 05/28/2011 - 01:34

I had been dying to make this bed for awhile but first I needed to convince my husband that it really would be okay to let his sentimental old headboard go. He doesn't like change. Obviously I eventually won. This bed is absolutely bomb proof! I built it as a platform bed and plunked a brand new memory foam mattress on it. We love it!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed. Painted in Behr Cotton Fluff - Satin finish. Sanded and stained with Minwax Dark Walnut stain. The stain was pretty dark but I wanted to use up what I had. I just kept plenty of paper towels and paint thinner nearby to thin it down to the shade I wanted.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Small raised planter stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/10/2022 - 17:04

Plan to use as a cooler :) adjusted dimensions to fit a bigger planter box and added some decorative details. It came out great!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Kids Picnic Table

Submitted by bkb on Thu, 05/25/2023 - 05:27

I made the picnic table for my grandchildren. The plans were great and so easy to follow. The cuts, measurement are perfect. Table is sturdy and came out balanced! I used water based paint. Thanks for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday

Couch mods

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2016 - 00:09

My SketchUp of the Sofa I am going to build, modified from this plan. New features include wider arm rests, and a taller back that is at a 12 degree slant. I will post additional pictures after the build.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Simple Outdoor Lounge Chair with 2x4 modification

I modified this chair with 2x4's as the base and 2x2 for decoration on arms, this is prior to sanding and finishing

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15-$20 dollars, depending on local lumber prices and finishing options.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

RandyW

Sat, 06/13/2020 - 16:33

I always take my sander to the sharp edges and round them off

A-Frame Hen House

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/22/2024 - 10:22

Great easy project to get the bigger chicks out of the garage to integrate with the older hens. Made some modifications because we have a lot of critters trying to kill the chickens/chicks.

Built from Plan(s)

Sandbox with built-in seats in our playhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 10:55

The base of our playhouse felt like the perfect spot to use the sandbox plan with built-in seats. The bench seats actually fold flat to create a lid for the sandbox when it’s not in use. I followed Ana’s plans exactly and used the list of materials she provided. The only modification I made was eliminating the back supports. It was not necessary for me to add the back supports since we have the playhouse posts to support the back of the bench.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Sandbox with built-in seats

I modified this a tad from the original plans to suit my needs. I will eventually be adding a platform with attached slide and swing set.

Plans were easy to follow. My store didn't have 1x8's so I stacked 1x4's and used my Kreg jig to join them together and then I added extra bracing.

I had seen this on Pinterest a couple years ago and thought it was the coolest thing! Io excited I was able to build it myself!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet. I will stain and seal everything when I get the entire play set finished.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Outdoor Conversation Set

Submitted by cspires64 on Sun, 03/18/2012 - 13:13

Spring is around the corner and I had no outdoor furniture. My boyfriend had just talked me into a new weber grill, which did not leave much budget for new outdoor furniture. That's when I came across this web site and thought 'I can do that'. So I talked me boyfriend into helping build this Simple Outdoor Conversation Set. We used plans for the Simple Outdoor Lounge Chair and Simple Outdoor Ottoman and then followed the alterations by post for 'My Modern Outdoor Patio Collection' to make the loveseat.

The whole project came together over 5 days.
Day 1: Cut all boards (5 hrs)
Day 2: Sand all boards (5 hrs)
Day 3: Stain all boards (6 hrs)
Day 4 & 5: Assemble furniture (9 - 10 hrs)

The total project took about 25 hrs and cost about $350. Here's the breakdown wood and supplies $204 from Lowe's for pretreated wood. $145 on cushions (NOT ON SALE); $60 for the seat cushions from Home Depot and $80 for the back cushions from Wal-Mart. We were originally planning on only having the seat cushions, but the seats were long when you set in them with your back against the bear wood (I was setting so far back, my feet couldn't reach the floor) so we opted for thick back cushions to make it more comfortable. The project finished up just in time for our first BBQ party! (March 2012)

Estimated Cost
$204
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Redwood toner and sealant
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Great weekend project...the "love swing"

Submitted by Don Ellery on Mon, 05/19/2014 - 15:49

A great weekend project...the "love swing"! I used the plan from Ana for the swing seat and added two arm rests from left over 1x6, rounded them off and sanded.

I cobbled together an A-frame to hang everything, made from five 8 foot 4x4s and two 8 foot 2x6s laminated together for the stretcher. Assembled with 1/2" galvanized carriage bolts and hung with 1/4" chain.

Definitely going to want a good miter saw for the A-Frame angles (the top ones are a bit tricky to get everything lined up)

Love it! Thanks for another great plan Ana..and of course..Shanty2Chic!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 ish..including the A-Frame... the hardware and chain can be pricey!
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr exterior weatherproofing stain - Chocolate.

Just 2 thin coats, dries fast...second coat can be applied later the same day.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Carpenters Daughter

Mon, 12/12/2016 - 17:09

Could you please post the plans to build the a frame as well? I really love what you did and would like to copy it! Great Job!

Don Ellery

Wed, 07/19/2017 - 11:31

Hi! I wish I could, but I didn't take any notes on the angles or lengths when I made this and I left it with the house when we moved. 

Junior loft bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/29/2017 - 09:55

My very first furniture build! Took me about 5 days, but as a beginner I found it very easy to follow the plans. I did buy a Kreg jog for this project, highly recommend it! Other tools used were a miter saw, circular saw, and drill.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ebony stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Eagle Project Workbench - Ultimate Roll Away Workbench with Miter Saw Stand

Submitted by nelsoncc on Mon, 10/18/2021 - 11:32

My son chose to make a workbench for his high school theater for his Eagle Scout project, and selected the Ultimate Roll Away Workbench with Miter Saw Stand as the basis for the project. The theater teacher wanted pegboard for tool storage, so we extended the rear legs on each workbench and notched the top to allow them to pass through. We built two frames from 1x3s to fit inside the rear legs, then put a pegboard inside each one.

To secure the extended legs, we added a riser shelf from 1x8s. We put a storage station for drills at one end of the riser shelf.

We also made all the cart shelves adjustable and added an adjustable shelf under the miter saw, and added lighting and power strips.

We left out the panels at the end of the workbench to allow access to the shelves there without having to remove the carts. Once we had constructed it, we added a brace at each end of the workbench to better support the outside front legs.

This plan was the perfect one for the theater, giving a stable work area for the miter saw and allowing for tool and materials storage. The carts can be rolled around to where a work surface is needed. This will come in handy for years of set construction in the theater. So proud of my son and all the leadership and hard work he put into this project!

Comments

Pull-out step stool

I needed a step-stool in my kitchen to reach in my top cabinets. I'm rather short so I was constantly dragging a chair from my dining table over to find things. I did a google search for a step stool and looked at images. As soon as I saw the picture I knew I had to build it, the retailer selling the original one I saw has a starting price of $270 and goes all the way up to $680! It took me 2 weeks off and on and several times of putting together and taking apart to get Ito the size specifications on the retail website.

Estimated Cost
Around $50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and satin finish poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bunnie1978

Wed, 10/09/2013 - 04:13

That's a cool idea... mix between nesting tables and stools! Great job!

Mrswhetstone

Sun, 05/31/2015 - 18:27

I just used the picture i found online as reference and built it through trial and error. Unfortunately I don't know how to create plans either.I can tell you the legs are 2x3's cut at a 5° angle and the tops are 2x6's. I ordered the drawer slides from amazon for approximately $12 a piece.

robear529

Fri, 08/21/2015 - 06:34

Hi, I've been looking for the original image that you used as your model in an attempt to find dimensions to start with, but haven't been able to find it. Could you perhaps remember what brand it was or what site you found it on? If you still have the stool, could you maybe tell me the width of your top step and I could maybe go from there? 

Thanks for the picture. This is a brillant idea and exactly what I'd like to create for my kitchen. I'm hoping to be able to use it as a counter height seat as well when I'm working in the kitchen.

Patio Swing

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2016 - 11:41

Quick build for the garden swing.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished, we are still waiting for some sun in Portland.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by rachelmlee on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 20:23

This was my first real woodworking project and was so much fun! I use my deck much more now and am excited to build more!

Estimated Cost
$500 (with cushions)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Jacobean stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Modern Outdoor Double Lounger.

Submitted by omahattan on Wed, 06/13/2012 - 11:52

Finished it in about two weeks, but that was during my sons daily two hour nap window and two days of staining. Had to make a few adjustments so the pillow from West Elm would fit, because the plan calls for 11 slats on the deck when it should be 12. I added some wheels to the back and will add pull out drink tables soon. It was a fun project and my wife is thrilled.

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot Semi-Solid Stain (Cordovan Brown).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

New counter height planters in use

Submitted by jrbdmb on Fri, 06/20/2014 - 05:05

Using the counter height planter plans from Janettx. Thanks!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Janettx

Mon, 09/20/2021 - 13:24

Nice job!!! I'm still using mine. I ended up putting 12"x12" pavers under each leg to extend their life. After the 2nd year now we get bumper crop out of ours each season.

Kids Adirondack chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 04:46

This was my first time building a chair. The plans were so easy to follow. The kids size fits an average child up to about age 5 or 6. If I were to build again I would add a bit of height to the backs so they could fit them even longer. My granddaughters aged 3 & 5 just loved them.

Built from Plan(s)

DIY Farmhouse King Size Bed

Ever since we moved into our current home, our master bedroom headboard has been at the top of our my project list. I knew I wanted a beautiful farmhouse style headboard. What I didn’t want was the heavy retail price tag. I searched high and low at places like Target, Wayfair, Amazon and even Walmart without finding an affordable option for us.

There is this perfect vantage point of our bedroom from the glider in my son’s room. I remember staring at that empty wall space above our bed for years, it felt like, while rocking our son to sleep. Just willing a headboard to appear. I wanted it so bad I could taste it. Something about looking at that same view, night after night, and waiting, waiting, waiting for it to happen just makes me appreciate it so much more now that it’s here, as so often happens in life.

This project inevitably got put on hold over the years after one thing or another got in the way. Either we didn’t have the time to devote to it, or we always had something else to put our money into. Untilllll I stumbled across Ana White’s Farmhouse Headboard Plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~ $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar off the shelf white in semi gloss applied with paint sprayer in several, thin coats with sanding in between.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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