Community Brag Posts

Coffee Table Plan Modified for Flat File Cabinet Table

I found this fabulous vintage metal flat file cabinet at an antique store (Hunt & Gather Vintage Market, in Princeton, MA), but it didn't have a base or a top, so I went searching online for something that I could build.  The Corona Coffee Table plans were going to be perfect!  I just had to make a few adjustments:

  1. Build it to fit my flat file cabinet.  
  2. I didn't inset my apron 1x3 boards because I wanted the top ones to be flush with the edge of the flat file cabinet, and then I wanted the bottom ones to match.
  3. There was a "lip" on the top of the flat file cabinet, so I had to build a thin trim around the bottom edge of the table-top.  This lip keeps the top from sliding off the flat file cabinet, but just to be sure there wasn't any wiggle, I put a bead of silicone around the top of the metal cabinet and then placed the wood top on.  

LOVE how this table turned out!  It's counter-height and the perfect centerpiece for my craft room.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
I stained the piece with dark walnut and then painted with 2 coats of "creamy" Sweet Pickin's milk paint.  Sanded it down to distress it a bit, and then used a clear wax to seal it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Hexagon address planter

Not much to say, just a quick project to use up some scrap lumber. Better to use it than burn it. 

Estimated Cost
$15 for the numbers, wood was all scrap 2x2 and 1x2
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax English Chestnut and Thompsons Outdoor Sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Simple Outdoor Bench with Cedar Slats

Submitted by kmatt55 on Thu, 07/14/2011 - 17:53

I am close to completing an outdoor set with only the table to go. My parents are going to love this at their new house they are building!! I found the cedar 1x4's at home depot for about six dollars a piece. I painted the base a basic semi-gloss white before I built the bench. It's so much easier to paint first and build later. I have a few more touch ups but I am happy with it. I used the Kreg Jig Jr to screw in underneath($40), which made this project and every project I've done so far that much easier.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-gloss white exterior.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

bhoppy

Tue, 07/26/2011 - 15:28

Looks great! Love the two toned wood look. I wondered whether you added an extra support in the middle... sort of seems like there's one at least in the last picture. Also did you build the top completely separate so it was one piece? Sorry for all the questions. I really want to make this bench for a friend and I would like it to look better than the last outdoor table I made with my kreg jig. Thanks

kmatt55

Tue, 07/26/2011 - 16:42

Thanks! The bench had a little flexibility when I sat in the middle of the bench. I added the extra support in the middle which made no difference at all. It turns out that cedar is a naturally light and flexible wood. If I had it to do over again I would use treated pine for the white base and keep the top cedar. The 1x4 cedar from home depot I used is actually .625 x 3.3875 not .75 x 3.5. So as you can imagine, it threw off the whole slat configuration. Best thing to do is use 28 or so .25 inch spacers to place in between the 14 or so slats on level ground. Once you space the slats like you want, then you can maneuver the frame freely until its even on both sides. Once it looks even on both sides start screwing kreg screws at one end and continue until the last one is done. FYI - I highly recommend drilling the pocket holes first before building the frame in Step 1. Hope that helps!!

kmatt55

Tue, 07/26/2011 - 17:05

Almost forgot. I did add 2x2's in between the blue and green boards on each side of the frame to add more support. The middle board I added as you can see in the last picture did nothing structurally speaking.

bhoppy

Fri, 08/05/2011 - 10:11

Thanks for the tips. I finished cutting all the wood and am going to start putting it together tonight... After reading through the comments I think I'll join the 14 slats together with the side 52 1/4 boards before attaching it to the frame. Did you use an extra 1x3 for the second leg board?

Playhouse loft bed with stairs

Submitted by Benjies on Fri, 08/16/2013 - 13:24

This was my first "real" project other than making a small bench to hold my miter saw in order to make this project! :)

Saw these plans and instantly fell in love. I knew my daughter's birthday was coming up soon (she turned 4) so I got to work!

I used Poplar wood that had different nominal dimensions than the standard making this project not nearly as easy as what it should be. A lot of headaches, but seeing Tatum's smile on her face when we revealed her surprise made it ALL worth it!

I mostly used my Kreg Jig and Kreg screws. Used my nailer to tack up all trim. used wood screws to secure all of the walls together through the legs.

For the stairs, I purchased a large bathmat from Walmart and cut it to fit each step. I tacked it down with some staples and adhesive. I used 12" continuous hinges for the stairs and they worked perfectly.

Keep in mind other expenses, as the bill can increase rather rapidly!

My total wood bill was $398...but I used Poplar. If you go with pine, it will cost you less. $40 for primer and paint. $100 for new twin mattress. $30 for protective mattress cover. $75 for pottery barn quilt set (eBay). $13 for carpet on stairs. $24 for hinges ($8 each)!! $28 for 2 sets of sheets...bringing the grand total to a whopping: $708!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
2 coats of primer then Glidden latex paint from Walmart.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Famhouse Table

This is my 2nd built and it was a fun one.  I built this table for a friend of mine and she wanted a different look to the table.  She picked Patina Green and Snow White paint for the base and legs.  First I applied the white paint, let it dry and then applied a very small amount of the patina green and dry brushed it in.  After it dried I used my sander to blend it in and have some of the wood grain to show.  On the table top, I applied the stain and let it dry over night and then sanded down (lightly) so the grain would pop.  She loved the different colors and look of the table.  She had the perfect chairs to match the rustic look.  Excellent project!

Estimated Cost
$100 wood materials, $75 for wood conditioner, milk paint, stain and top coat.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
General Finishes Wood Stain, Water Based, Antique Cherry Stain, HP Polyurethane Top Coat, Semi-Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Queen sized bed

I wanted a new bed that was a little taller that the irobot vacuum could get under and the dog could not. Altered the modern queen sized farmhouse bed using mostly pallet wood to come up with this. Overall cost about $65 with the lights and all. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Mahogany, headboard has a coat of minwax classic gray over the top, let dry and then wiped down with mineral spirits.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Outside Serving Table

Submitted by jazberg on Fri, 07/15/2011 - 13:17

Problem: I want a serving table. I love the Rustic X Bench. Solution: Longer legs! This was made from the Rustic X Bench plans. We built two. And they serve us well. We love them. They are small enough to move around and use for all kinds of purposes from serving outdoor meals to holding the screw gun while I clamp the next ana-white inspired project (it was my tool holder/work bench when I built our chicken coop). Easy project made super cheap that works perfect for every outdoor serving table need.

Estimated Cost
$75 for two
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Moss Green paint, distressed with a red mahogany stain rub.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Toddler Picnic Table

Submitted by lmolli84 on Mon, 08/19/2013 - 19:08

My husband and I made 2 of these for my 3 year olds "Picnic Birthday Party", and they worked out great! We will definitely be using them for a while! They took about a week off and on since I just had a little time each day to do them, but I could have gotten them done in a couple easily. Very fun, easy project! We ended up staining the bottom support pieces and painting the top pieces a light blue, I love how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 per table
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain/ Outdoor Latex Paint

I ended up cutting out the pieces, and finishing all of them with the stain/paint before we assembled the table. It worked out great! All we had to do after they were assembled is fill in the top screw holes and then paint the table top and bench seat tops.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Mon, 08/19/2013 - 19:13

This little table is just darling! The picture of your girls at the table is just the cutest thing! Thank you for posting this!

Oliver's Toy Box

Submitted by jswsks on Tue, 09/22/2015 - 14:20

I found these plans and told my husband he had to make it for our grandson's 2nd Christmas.  So.....he did!  I was so happy with the outcome.  We didnt put in the groove on the front & we used the Rockler torsion hinges.  I chose the letters and painted them for his name.                    We are now beginning a new one for our new Granddaughter for this Christmas!  

It gets lots of use and will be a treasured gift from Grammy & Grampy for years to come!  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Glossy white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

mtrainerjr

Sun, 07/31/2016 - 14:51

Which Rockler hinges did you go with, as far as the inch-pound?  I'm not sure if I need the 40 inch-pound or the 60 inch pound.  Thanks in advance.

My Awesome Wooden Cooler!

Submitted by mcbrasi on Sat, 09/22/2018 - 18:41

It took me till the end of the summer but I finally finished my awesome wood cooler project! Check that one off my to-do list.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear and dark walnut stain
Polyeurathane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

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

Simple Outdoor Lounge Chair

Submitted by stacynabby on Sun, 07/17/2011 - 19:57

I've now made two Simple Outdoor Lounge Chairs and can't get over how sturdy they are! I also modified mine to have a 1x6 arm rest, but I ripped the back part of the arm rest so it tapered down to the 4" on the back side. I also made the chairs an inch taller on the legs since my family and I are tall.

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax - Colonial Maple
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Taylors console

Submitted by DWeen on Mon, 09/28/2015 - 16:30

Our recent Taylors Console project. A nice, easy project. We're very pleased with how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr 'Lap Pool Blue'
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic end table with storage drawer

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/14/2018 - 12:59

I used the rustic end table plans from ana-white.com, but modified to include a drawer for additional storage.

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

Comments

Outdoor Sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/24/2022 - 15:25

We built the outdoor sofa from 2x4 collection, me, my dad and my kids. Didn't take too long to put together, maybe 2 and a half hours from start to finish. It's my dad's gift for Father's day and we had a great time doing it together! We used pressure treated wood and sanded at the end. Just needs to be stained and get some throw pillows.

We did use an extra 10x2x4 (cut to fit of course) to box in the cushions. Which were 24x24 inches. Great project. 👍🏻 Thanks!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Bathroom Re-do

I so wish I had taken a before picture! Last summer we did a lot to make over this bathroom. Previously the cabinets were a birch color with a white door (gross). The faucet was one that came with the house, cheapo builder's grade, a tacky medicine cabinet, and that oh so attractive Hollywood lighting. So we painted the cabinet black, replaced the medicine cabinet with a nicer black mirror, replaced the faucet and lights. That had it looking pretty decent, but the wall above the toilet had 3 small pictures hung rather oddly to hide some poor patch jobs from a busted towel bar. So when I saw the plan for the bathroom shelf I was thrilled! I made a few adjustments to the size to meet what I wanted and got started. I also had an extra 30 minutes before a birthday party we were leaving for and had some scraps already the right size for a simple step stool.

Estimated Cost
Free...all made from leftovers and reclaimed wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jaimehack

Thu, 03/07/2013 - 23:28

Oh! Your bathroom re-do projects sounds cool and abrupt. Myself being a bathroom lover usually spend times in Bathrooms. Besides always avid to observe the interiors. As you have done up with the black fixtures and cabinet, I guess it looks pretty stunning. Your ideas and the layout looks good to me and for sure I'm going to utilize my next afternoon.

Straight leg farmhouse table

Slightly based on Ana White's husky farmhouse table, this table has 4x4s as legs and a nice, thick planked top with breadboard ends. It will easily seat 6 and will seat 8 in a pinch! I also build a bench to match, using the same concept, just smaller dimensions.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a combination of golden pecan and dark walnut stain on the top. I painted the legs black and used Rustoleum's polyurethane in semi-gloss to seal the whole thing.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 09:26

I concur with JoanneS. Love the stain on the top and I also love the two tone look. Beautiful build!

Northern Wisconsin White Pine Bed and Dresser

In need of outfitting the spare bedroom for overnight guests I came upon this site and found the storage bed plan we liked.  After building the bed of course a dresser was in order.  My sawyer has some northern white pine that came from the Wisconsin Northern State Fair grounds in Chippewa Falls.  Having never worked with white pine before I found it rewarng and was happy with the finished product.  Hope our guest enjoy it as much I had building it

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
A self leveling poly finish by General Finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Perfect for our new home!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/18/2018 - 21:21

My husband built my son’s bed using plans of this website before (we didn’t post to brag chat but almost two years later and a move the bed is still holding up!) so we were very happy to find plans for a kitchen table here too! My husband did all the wood work and I painted and stained. It’s perfect for our dining room. Now on to the benches!

Finish Used
White paint on the legs, coffee stain on the table top with a spray can of a clear sealing coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids Chair with Storage / Toy box

Submitted by bozarthm1 on Mon, 07/04/2022 - 18:24

Made from Ana's Kids Chair with Storage. Love these little chairs. I riped up some 2x4's to 7/8th and used a 1 x 12 stair tread for the seats. glued with screws, then removed the screws and replaced with glue and dowels. Made for kids, strong enough for adults.

Comments