Community Brag Posts

Providence Bench for my Front Porch

Submitted by kerrbear on Wed, 09/26/2012 - 10:30

This project was quick and simple. Just keep in mind and pay attention to the plans where they state "bevel" or "miter". There is a difference!

This project was free to me as we have a huge amount of 2x4 studs left over in our garage from a previous project so I should be able to do the table and another bench for free as well.

It went together within a few hours as the cuts are easy.

Working on the camp loft bed now with some mods to add a stationary bed beneath and more height for my girls room.

Overall great build.

I stained it with one coat of Kona. I did let the stain sit and barely wiped it off that is why it ended up being very dark which is the look I was going for. I then finished it off with 4 coats of polycrylic clear in high gloss which dries very fast and does not yellow.

Estimated Cost
$10.00 - 2x4's here are about $1.54 each
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat of Rustoleum Ultimate wood stain in Kona. This is the best stain ever for dry time (its not clean like gel stain though so it is runny and can get messy just an fyi)
It dries within an hour! And only needs one coat!

Finished it with 4 coats of Minwax polycrylic clear gloss. Its ultra fast drying and water based for easy clean up. Comes in matte, satin, and gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jamie Hynes (not verified)

Sun, 11/04/2012 - 14:15

Hi - would it be possible to get these plans also? Thx so much, it looks like a fun project with fast results. jamie

Vicki G. (not verified)

Fri, 11/23/2012 - 10:49

There is a clickable link above where it says "Blog Link: Build a Providence Bench"

Weatherly Benches

We used the Weatherly plans for this project amending in a couple of places. The two seat version was attached to the three with using just one set of legs and then we added a 2 x 6" upright at the join and put another 2 x 6" on top for a drinks tray! Rather than 8 individual 24" cushions we went with 48 x 24" seats and did the same for the backs.

The cost for materials was only about $70 and the outdoor fabric was twice that amount. As it is under a covered deck we just used 4" foam for the seats and 2" foam for the backrests, costing about $100. All Canadian Dollars.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We coated everything twice with Benjamin Moore Cloud White external paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Dartboard Cabinet

I had a big empty wall in my den/man cave, so I decided to build a dartboard cabinet instead of just hanging a dartboard on the wall. No plans for this, I just made it up as I went. Measured twice, sketched it out and cut as I went.

I use pine 1x4's for the frame and back. 1x3's for the accessory box, 1x2's for the door frame, and poplar strips for the doors and door braces. The darts are held by 6" long 2x2's with holes drilled.

Wood screws, finish nails, and small brads were used to hold everything together.

The chalkboards are simple MDF's cut and sprayed with chalkboard paint. Overlay hinges are used for the doors, and the dartbord is held on with screws from the back so it can be replaced when needed.

The Alabama A is hand-painted.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Classic Gray with light coats of spray glosscoat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor patio furniture

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/24/2020 - 12:19

Thanks Ana, for the great plans and inspiration!

Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax stain & polyurethane ( Bombay Mahogany)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ottoman

This is my 3rd completed project. This has storage, individual hinges was used.

I am still on the sofa after 9 months could not decide if I wanted to make storage.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
estimate cast was $55 dollars, and that was due to the coast of the fabric covered top with plastic covering.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I sand the piece with 120, 220, 500 grit. Then stain/protection, it was suppose to be walnut, and it turn out this color. Can't complain, the cats are happy about it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Easy kitchen island

Submitted by JoseO1998 on Fri, 07/25/2014 - 02:15

I built the cherry stained easy kitchen island for my own kitchen... After friends and family looked at it, my daughter' smother (of course my ex) asked if I could buiild her one... we love both of our "islands" even though we both have them along walls in our homes... I added a second shelf for extra storage but it's great for what I call a grocery drop off point... Very sturdy and they both compliment our kitchens... I don't have a picture of it in her home (both of these were in my home on different floors of the house) but she says it matches well with her oak cabinets... Hope you like them :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Approx $150-200 depending if you stain and polyurethane
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The first pic I used a medium oak stain and polyurethane... The second pic I used a cherry stain without polyurethane; however I have decided I'm going to add polyurethane to it for a nice shine ;)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entry way cubby

Submitted by mmaixner06 on Fri, 11/04/2016 - 16:57

My dad helped me build this. I wanted to make one out of crates similar to another post but we decided on plywood and my dad wanted to play with the portable saw he bought me. We customized it for my space and didn't use any plans. I think it turned out nicely though I may need another for all my other shoes!

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Flat matte indoor Behr paint in a light grey.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

2x4 Laundry Basket Organizer

Submitted by vendo on Sat, 06/29/2024 - 10:07

This is my first time building for resell, I learned a lot in the process. This is an easy beginner friendly project with a 2x4 frame and 1x top. I love that you can stack them or put them side by side. This plan is also easy to modify for basket size or height! Thanks Ana

Seasonal And Holiday

iSideTable

I bought my first home in July, and have been looking for furniture to fill it with. Then I found this site, and decided I would build what I want. I plan on making the iTable as well, but for my first project, I thought about starting a little smaller. I also needed side tables for my couches more. So was born the iSideTable ;)

23 3/4" high
10 1/2" wide
22 1/2" deep

Materials used:
1 4x4x8
1 1x4x8

All told materials alone for this project is a miserly $23!!

I have just finished my first coat of Varathane Kona (it's what we have in Canada). I want it nice and dark so I am leaving it on to dry, then applying a second coat.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse Table 4x4 truss

Submitted by ayoung82 on Mon, 07/28/2014 - 15:40

This is my first attempt to build anything since the age of 17 (school!). I have recently bought a house and tried my arm at installing skirting (base boards in the US I think?) and it piqued my interest. The family needed a table, so I built one..

Its not perfect, but I'm looking forward to many family meals with our young family :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
€162 euro in wood (white deal) and left over stain and varnish from my floors
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustins Medium maple & satin varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

bclute

Mon, 07/28/2014 - 19:48

Great job! ... it looks great. I know you are not in US, but did you just use the cheap pine? I made a farmhouse bed with it this past fall and I have had problems with it shrinking on me. I want to do this table, and I know that the kreg will keep it tight ... I just need to buy one. Good work!

ayoung82

Fri, 08/01/2014 - 08:32

Hi bclute... thanks for the comment and the compliment. As for your question about the type of pine, I’m so new at this I’m not sure really. I understand there are grades of timber, but I went to my local timber yard and got what they had. Construction grade I believe. The bed is my next project so it's interesting to hear about your project. I suppose letting the wood dry fully is an option, but that takes a lot of time. I used the Kreg HD, it was great and easy to use, although clamping it each time makes for a slower job than the standard jig. Thanks again A

Simple Bed, Simple Plan!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/07/2016 - 20:04

Total cost was around $170. I used western red cedar for 4x4 posts and 2x4's, all the rest is carpenter pine. For the slats I decided to go with .375" dowel pins and drilled holes to hold slats in place. I sunk 3" screws through frame to connect head and footboard, if I decide to move it one day, I will just remove screws and do the same again. The finish is Milk Paint, i absolutely love it, mostly because it is 100% non toxic for my kiddies :-). The bed is for my two year old who is delighted with it! Thanks Ana for once again saving the day! We have such great and solid furniture because of you!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$170
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Milk Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse end table

Submitted by omnia on Tue, 07/28/2020 - 16:30

Made the smaller one from the plans and stained with Minwax jacobean.

My wood was pretty rough, so a lot of time was spent sanding. Other than that, pretty straightforward project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax jacobean

Comments

Bucket Garden with 2x4 Frame

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/01/2024 - 13:25

Bucket Garden made out of 2x4s and painted with outdoor paint for many seasons of use.

Jeff DeVries

Our version of the Rustic X Console Table

Submitted by Jeepmommy on Sun, 10/07/2012 - 20:30

We LOVE this Rustic X Console table! We used a Kona stain and we took the iron hardware and rusted it up with heat, vinegar, salt and hydrogen peroxide.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Twin in Weathered Grey stain

Submitted by kymbarylee on Wed, 07/30/2014 - 09:27

This was for my 5 year old son and it was much easier than we thought it would be! We didn't have a nailer when we did this and wish we had one! Get a nailer for this project!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Stain in Weathered Grey and Valspar Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Annie E

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/12/2016 - 22:38

Our fireplace only had a  granite surround and was lacking personality. The wall that our fireplace is built into is kind of a strange size and all of the mantle kits won't fit our fireplace. It wasn't until I ran across Ana's plans that I knew this was exactly what I wanted around our fireplace!  We adapted the plans a little bit, and created a ladder up the sides of the fireplace  to attach the front plate onto. I couldn't be more thrilled with how it turned out 

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-gloss paint to match kit trim
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ipex Bookcase

Submitted by MikeO on Sat, 08/01/2020 - 12:35

Painted the arms in a metallic onyx paint, shelves are Briwax dark brown.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Briwax dark brown, metallic onyx paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Farm Bench

Submitted by Mikia on Wed, 10/10/2012 - 00:43

My 8 year old daughter and I decided we wanted a bench to the kitchen. Found this plan here and went to the local lumber yard. My daughter drilled and screwed about half of the bench. So much fun doing this together.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200 SEK
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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