Community Brag Posts

Rustic x Coffee Table

This was my very first project. People ask me how much it cost me to make it, and I don't know that you can quantify the satisfaction of making our own furniture. The whole family helped in making this table. We elected for the Rust-o-leum Kona stain and then a semi-gloss poly. i think my next project will be a kitchen table, some built-ins as well as taking my son's favorite college team logo to embed onto a chair. Thank you for making the available and easy to follow.

I worked on this in the evenings after work so it took more than a day or two to complete. Plus sanding, staining and finishing if done right took over the course of a couple of nights.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Dresser Makeover

I finally finished the bedroom set, this one the last piece (and the biggest dresser).

More info on this 1970's bedroom set here:

http://www.woodworkingfourdummies.com/blog/dresser-set-makeover

Cheers,
Ian

Estimated Cost
$200 for entire bedroom set, 2 night stands and 2 dressers.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax Walnut Stain
White Paint
Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

RenoRustic

Tue, 05/26/2015 - 08:44

Checked out your blog. I really liked it, but I couldn't find a way to follow though. Nice job on the makeover too!

Faux Fireplace with Hearth

We made some modifications by adding a hearth for additional height (the room we have it in is very large and open) and joining 2x4s for the mantel and base which I stained grey for contrast. We decided to use thin brick for in the "firebox" to make it look more realistic. We also have a newborn and spent over two months putting it together a little at a time in our free moments so I'm not sure how long it would actually take to do at once, but cutting and putting up the brick was very time consuming. 

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White paint, Minwax "Classic Grey" stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

westmoundstar

Thu, 08/27/2020 - 11:16

This looks great! I'm actually in the middle of this build with the hearth as well. Couple questions....
How did you connect the two pieces? Also, did you connect to the wall? I'm assuming you didn't leave the 5 1/2 inch gap on the bottom of the fireplace and connected direct to the hearth. Let me know, thanks!

Seasonal And Holiday

Ladder shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/15/2021 - 03:57

I saw your video and it was perfect for a small room. You made it look easy but it was hard work but worth it in the end.

Comments

Library Bookcart

Submitted by mnewton on Tue, 04/12/2011 - 11:51

This was a fun, easy project...and perfect solution for the book clutter. I got some good practice rounding off corners (invested in a belt sander) and cutting out the handles. I beleive the baskets my wife bought for the bottom shelf cost double the entire project.

This is by far the best site I have ever found for wood projects.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Beautiful Cedar Patio Table

Submitted by NeoMoses on Wed, 06/19/2013 - 13:48

Slightly more elegant version of an outdoor cedar patio table. This is made from 100% cedar and joined using Kreg pocket hole screws. The finish is 2 coats of Sikkens Cetol MRD that has been hand rubbed on using a cloth, with 24 hours of dry time between coats.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of Sikkens Cetol MRD, hand rubbed with cloth.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

odpdxo

Wed, 06/19/2013 - 23:22

I really like the way you modified this design and I would like to duplicate it. I am curious about how you changed to framework to accommodate table top with the boards running lengthwise. The original design has the framework running lengthwise, so I am assuming you added framing that runs perpendicular. Is there any way you could include pictures and measurements of the framework under the tabletop? Thanks. Great work!

farmhouse table

Submitted by wvtim1968 on Wed, 05/27/2015 - 23:03

i built this for my mother when she decided she wanted a new table .i used the plans that i had found on this site Thank you for such an easy plan made my mothers day

Estimated Cost
20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
red oak stain poly and white enamel paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Xmas wall tree shelf

Submitted by debinmi on Fri, 12/22/2017 - 12:31

I've loved this little tree shelf since it was first published, but thought the angle cuts might be too difficult.  I was wrong.  It was simple and fun, with an extra pair of hands. Made a few minor changes. Merry Christmas & thanks for the cute plan!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Maybe $10, including paint, but not stain
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum hunter green paint & Miniwax stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

Deck Enhancement

A little tricky for me as it was my first time with a circular saw. It looks great on my deck. I'm going to build a few more for my front porch. Thank you for the easy to follow plan and video. You are an inspiration.

doll picnic table

Submitted by 3kidsilove on Sat, 04/16/2011 - 16:09

This is a picnic table my husband made for my niece's doll from scrap wood we had left over from the drawer pull project. he said "enough room so that she can have a doll party"  I'm waiting to see her at Easter to piant it with her!

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

Fantastic Garden Beds

These garden beds are fantastic! They were so easy to build and look great in our backyard. We have always found ourselves with a garden covered in weeds or plants out of control. Our garden this year looks wonderful and we have hardly any weeds in the beds. Thanks for the great plans!

Estimated Cost
$15 each
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Kentwood bookshelf

I built this using the Kentwood bookshelf plans as a guide. I made my shelves 3 ft wide and made it aprox. 8 ft tall. I also bought the KREG shelf pin jig and built the shelves to be adjustable. I haven't chosen a finish yet because I am waiting for my son to pick a color since it is going in his room. I am considering fixing a shelf in place and building some doors for the bottom. I worked on this over a week span, however I could only do bits and pieces at a time. The sanding took longer than the build because I plugged the pocket holes and they take longer to sand down.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet, but i'm thinking painting everything except the back (possibly grey) and staining the wood a dark color.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dream Bookshelves!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 12:32

When supply issues made buying lumber for my dream shelves nonsensical, I turned to Ana's Shelfhelp and Voila!! I built the base on my own and added my own moulding, but without Ana's sites, I would not have made this dream come true. THANK YOU!

Comments

cottage bench in a day

Submitted by lorasolis on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 10:48

Love this bench! Its now finished in a Martha Stewart paint called leafy green and resides in my large bathroom housing excess towels.
I did change this up a little and used 1x2's for the top and bottom of the backing. I drilled my screws in from the top and it went together easily. Then I just filled in all my holes.
one suggestion would be to make a paper template 2 1/4" for the spacing between the rails. Saves lots of time.
This project took me about 3 hours the first time and about 2 hours for each one after.

Estimated Cost
maybe $30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Pic is shown unfinished. But its now in martha Stewart interior/exterior satin leafy green.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Jessica's Bed & Headboard

This bed is so perfect for my studio apartment. I don't have the floor space for multiple dressers, and the modular 3 bench design made it super easy to move in (and hopefully to move back out when school is over). LOVE LOVE LOVE this project.

I also made the headboard.
It is a single sheet of plywood, cut down and covered with polyfill and fabric. We predirlled holes for the buttons, and I set the headboard (fabric side up) across 2 saw horses with a flashlight underneath so I could see the drilled holes. I used nylon thread and a large needle to attach the buttons. There are flat buttons on the backsides of the holes so the thread doesn't slide through. It is hung directly on the wall behind the bed via wire hooks - make sure you hang it from the studs!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Painted with white semi-gloss paint.

We used sheetrock mud to fill in holes and divets since we used cheap plywood.

We crafted our own drawers as well - they ended up being 18 deep x 24 long x 10 tall. We used premade metal drawer slide kits from Lowe's.

Use an air nail gun if you have access to one. My very number one recommendation for this project! Makes your life so much easier.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Craft Desk

Submitted by Chuck1979 on Thu, 12/28/2017 - 21:40

Love the desk! A few issues I had though are that the top panel will not go into the space of the top angle pieces are in place. I had to remove them to get it in. Additionally, the pocket holes seemed insufficient for the top 2x2s because of the angle they are at, so I went back and drilled countersink holes directly into the adjacent support board and added wool glue. Lastly, for then 2x2s that are supporting the bottom panel, I was worried about just having the pocket holes there as well because I could see my 5 year old climbing on it to reach the pegboard so I added L brackets to the bottom of the 2x2s under the bottom panel. I also added a light to the underside of the top panel and supports at the bottom near the floor. Turned out great 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Squared2 Headboard, Queen

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 13:55

Made from red oak. I made it 65" tall so the full pattern was visible above the mattress.
I'm very happy the way it turned out and would like to thank you for the inspiration 🤗

Comments

Modified Flip Top Storage Bench / Coffee Table

Submitted by bluejazz on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 20:50

This table is based on the Flip Top Storage Bench / Coffee Table.  While the original design size was almost perfect for my needs, my intended use was as a base for a flat panel TV. For this use, the flip-top made no sense so a modest design change was required. 

To add some strength to support the TV, and still get some utility out of the top shelf for remotes, magazines and what-not, I left off the front trim and pocket screwed a couple risers to the top shelf and back trim and attached the top to these as well as the legs.

I had big-time warpage issues with 1 X 12 pine boards, So I settled on a 'speed' approach using a  18 X 72 laminated pine board, which I cut to 52 inches length. These dimensions eliminated the need for second top board used for the hinge mount in the original design. I immediately took it home, cut and mounted it on the table carcass and locked it in position with screws before it had a chance to move on us.  My wife then quickly painted it.

I have a sketchup model of the revised non flipping bench. If anyone is interested in that let me know.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Flat Black Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our Much Appreciated Mudroom Bench!

Submitted by jkellhofer on Mon, 06/24/2013 - 21:24

I followed Anna's plans pretty closely though deviated somewhat as well. Added additional length and one more seat separators & seat, increased depth by a few inches, changed design of seperators to allow for arm rests, added some additional trim, a second inset shelf w/in the shoe box area (for sandals and whatnot), and then inset wainscoting.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200-$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of Golden Pecan 245 Minwax stain (and then a poly clear)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Tue, 06/25/2013 - 04:43

Seriously impressive build with awesome mods. Love the pop of color on the wall as well!

Bathroom Wall Crates

Submitted by eralben on Mon, 06/08/2015 - 05:36

Ana's little crates go perfect in our beach themed bathroom. I altered Ana's plans a little. I changed the dimensions to 12 x 11 1/4, and I did not use lath sticks for the crate slates because I wanted something sturdier. I had some left over 2×12 wood from a previous project, so I cut off 3/4 in wide pieces to make the crate slates. The wood grain gives character to the crates and makes it look more weathered.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

OUTDOOR SOFA

Decided to build Ana's outdoor sofa for our Master Balcony and love the results. I was a bit impatient to finish the build and therefore did not take the time to use pocket screws for a more finished result, (which I will do next time). Regardless, I love how the sofa turned out and would reccomend for anybody to build. The cheapest outdoor cushions I could find were from Ikea and we spent around $160.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 BUILD, $160 CUSHIONS
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
OUTDOOR STAIN
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner