Community Brag Posts

Simple Bench

Submitted by bhoppy on Wed, 05/01/2013 - 17:06

I modified these plans just a bit. I added 10 inches to make it 48 inches across. I also used a 1x3 on the top face frame instead of a 1x2. The plan calls for just a 1x12 on the top but I wanted it to be wider so I used my Kreg Jig to add two 1x2's to make the top 15 inches deep. I planned on staining the whole thing but made a few errors and had to paint the bottom as it is more forgiving. I loved how Brooke used the coffee staining technique but didn't like the way it was turning out so I just went with distressing the edges and staining the top like she did on her coffee table with the stain I had on hand. It took only a few hours to make the bench and about 3 days to finish it as I worked in the evenings after work.

Estimated Cost
$50-$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut on top. Paint Olympic No-VOC Ultimate Interior Paint in Semi Gloss in white. Sanded edges with 80 grit sandpaper and put stain on then wiped off. I used waterbased polycrylic on whole bench and 3 coats on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

A star for the bar!

Submitted by Ashley_C on Sun, 03/22/2015 - 12:06

This plan worked great to add a finishing touch to the front of our rustic barn themed bar project. Love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax stain in Provincial
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kitchen Island Trolley

Submitted by naomi on Fri, 06/23/2017 - 08:29

Base was made from recycled timber and the top was made with new pine.

The rails were made from curtain rails. 

One end has wheels for easy moving.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Enamel Paint and Brown Japan Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

sis2795

Wed, 07/31/2019 - 16:58

I don’t understand the cost for this. The wood is going to cost significantly more than $20. Am I an idiot and don’t know where to get the wood from??? How does that equal out to $20?

In reply to by sis2795

naomi

Sun, 08/11/2019 - 22:41

Hi,

All of the base was made from free pallet Wood and the timber top was one line length of new timber which cost about $8 and the wheels I had in the shed and the curtain rail was a couple of dollars from Bunnings. The paint and stain I already had.

I hope this helps. 😀

Kids dresser

Submitted by Lukilla on Wed, 09/29/2021 - 16:43

We found ourselves in need of upgrading our 4 year-olds dresser situation. This dresser answered the call and then some. We really like that it's short enough that he can access the top, and wide enough that the risk of it tipping over is fairly non-existent.

Jacobean finish to match his bed.

Comments

Modified tryde table with hidden storage

Submitted by ddietz12 on Sun, 05/05/2013 - 13:23

This table was built from my existing plan of a modified tryde coffee table. This was built with hidden flip-top storage and a matching side table. I hope you like it

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

Comments

Changing Table

My Grandson will be born any day now so I want to create a cozy environment for him. We still haven't put the bed up or added any of the decorations, but at least the changing table is finished smiley.  Painted walls, added new flooring, still have to customize the closet, but with Ana's help that will be a snap.  I would have never gotten the courage to do some of the builds I've done without Ana's site.  Thank You Ana!!!

Estimated Cost
Cost about $100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Minwax Sedona Red with a little Minwax Ebony in the mix to darken a little. Finish is Minwax Satin Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Studio 82 Build: Computer Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/25/2017 - 20:34

Farm style computer table. Simplistic so the design does not naturally attract your attention, but once you notice it, you notice the beautiful details. 

Of note, make sure you sand ALL corners before calling the project complete. Otherwise you'll be banging your knees and bleeding all the time. 

Estimated Cost
~$300
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Epoxy finish for top. Rubbed varnish for the body.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:31

I have 5 grandchildren that I made chairs for

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Antique white and brown top coffee table

Submitted by Derekmo on Tue, 05/07/2013 - 09:14

Thanks to Ana-White's easy coffee table plans I was able to build what I could not find for a decent price. Keep the plans coming!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut, valspar antique white in semi gloss, some distressing
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by rosiejane on Sat, 03/28/2015 - 06:11

Finally our 3 year old is out of her cot. Her long awaited bed finally got made! It took about 3 days to build (working around naptimes and school runs) and another week to paint it. I modified the plans slightly, using 70mm posts (instead of 90mm). I used 19x140mm for the rails so that more of the mattress was exposed (so we don't hit the rails when we sit on the edge of the bed) and also took quite a bit off the height of the headboard. I used bed brackets which made joining the rails very easy. Very impressed with how it turned out. The plans were really easy to follow and easily modified to suit our needs. A matching doll bed is in the works and her older siblings are also putting their orders in...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
AUD$250 (timber and bed brackets) I already had the paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I rounded off all sharp edges. This gave a nice definition to the head and footboard panels. I used gap filler in all the cracks and this made everything nice and smooth for painting. 1 coat primer and 4 coats acrylic semi-gloss - vivid white. I used a 100mm foam roller.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

britt.barth

Mon, 08/03/2015 - 17:16

we made a toddler size bed a few years ago recreating this farmhouse plan,  and are wanting to make the regular twin size now. I LOVE your changes. Any chance you could post a picture 1) a close up of the bracket (I'm wanting to do the same), and 2) how it looked from the inside, but pointing to the footboard? I want to copy YOUR bed! :D

Cheers!

58" Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by halsy on Wed, 06/28/2017 - 16:29

This was my first ever DIY project and I have to say I even impressed myself!

I modified the plans slightly as I wanted a longer version of this table.  Despite lengthening the table, I found a way to use less wood.  Instead of the 5 - 2x6 studs suggested, I bought 3 - 2x6x10s.  To accomodate the longer tabletop, I needed to extend the side trim and 1x12, but at 58" top length, these cuts were 47", meaning no extra wood was required (just a little less room for error).

I also used 3/4" cedar strips to mount the 1x12 since I do not have a pocket hole tool (see last photo).

For the finish, I applied Minwax wood conditioner, Dark Walnut for 14 minutes, then Classic Grey on top of the still wet walnut stain for another 10 minutes, followed by two coats of the Fast-Drying Satin Poly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60-70 CAD
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Conditioner
Minwax Dark Walnut
Minwax Classic Grey
Minwax Fast-Drying Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Planter Boxes

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:53

I made the boxes from plans, but added bench and trellis from my own design.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Gardening Shelf

Submitted by MMTruncale on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 08:23

I wanted a gift for my mom. Something special and unique I think she would really like. Once on a guest post Ana posted a jewelry holder using a board, and some mismatched knobs.

My mom likes to garden. She works so hard on her back yard, and spends a lot of her time there. How could I make this outside proof? A few Pinterest finds later I found my answer: Water Spigots.

Voila! This is what we came up with.

** It's not going to hang by a string. It will be attached to her fence. This is just for picture purposes.

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/makeovers/fast-makeover-projects?src…

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish. We wanted a rustic look. It came out perffect.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Coffee table

Submitted by gonzoo07 on Mon, 03/30/2015 - 12:05

Thanks for the plans. Love the table

Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Min Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Hall tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/01/2017 - 09:11

Great Plans! Thank you so much. My first go at a piece of "fine" furniture and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $150-175 I used poplar and a slightly more expensive stain though
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General finishes Gel stain (the best) new pine color
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Daughter in law wanted a new bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:14

Used single V-Groove on the head and footboard.
Modified the bed slats to be easily removed
Modified the sideboards for easy removal.

Comments

Dress Up Center (from recycled Baby Dresser)

I used by kids baby armoire that was headed to the trash, and turned it into a dress-up center for my 3-year olds birthday gift. The best part is it was virtually free! The only thing I purchased was the pole. It was a lot of hit and miss, measuring, re-measuring, pulling nails out – but – it worked!! And it is awesome – and it only cost me a few bucks!!! As you can tell from the last pictures I took a lot of time getting it ready – and you can tell from the last picture it didn’t take them long to mess it up.

The best part was that the girls were so excited. Hayden – the birthday girl – looked at it with her eye’s wide open – walked slowly too it – looked at me and said “Mommy – It’s beautiful!” It was the sweetest most heart warming thing! I love that now my kids look at something and either ask me to make it – or did I make it.

Love for you to see all the before and after pictures over at my blog: http://mycreativeescapes.blogspot.com/2011/02/dress-up-center.html

Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanding, primeing, painting
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Entryway console concrete top

Submitted by Tommyg on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 18:20

Made from entryway console plans and got the concrete top idea from DIY Pete's web and found a cool way to faux finish top with concrete stain I bought at sherwin Williams. Used a buff color dye added to top when mixing concrete 

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Satin black for table.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

3 sided square picnic table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:08

We built 2 of these tables for the McDonald’s in our area for the front of their building. With a few modifications to fit the space. We made the top of the table a foot smaller so it’s 3 x 4 feet. We also put extra bracing on the legs so the table would not tip over if one person was to sit on it. I love this table and will be making one for myself

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Craft Closet

When I was given a stack of MDF sheets from a friend, I knew this was the desk I wanted to build with it first! We recently moved into my husband's grandmother's house, and have been making some improvements. We took out the dark old built in, and I replaced it with three 4' long gallery shelves, and the Parson's Desk modified to 4' long. It fits perfectly in my space, and looks so chic and modern against our teal walls. It's the perfect craft nook and workspace! I added a mason jar pendant light I DIY'd from the IKEA bulb kit, and also sewed a reversible runner to match my handmade duvet cover. The fabric is Deer Valley, from Free Spirit. I also had the glass top from the original desk cut down at Lowe's for free, and it's a perfect fit.

Estimated Cost
$30 for ledges, $30 for desk
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded the 2x2's with 150, then followed up with three coats of semi gloss white paint, sanding with 220 in between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate