Community Brag Posts

Vintage Step Stool

Submitted by chrisiross on Mon, 05/27/2013 - 08:18

I made this awesome step stool for my daughter to be able to reach things a little bit better. It works perfectly. And the heart adds the perfect touch, don't you think?

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
paint and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4x4 Truss Beam Table

Submitted by ___Ron___ on Mon, 08/21/2017 - 16:06

This is the dining room table I built for my house. It was based on the 4x4 truss beam table plans I found here on Ana's website. I opted against stain, and decided on a clear polyurethane finish to highlight the wood's natural beauty. I've had this table for over a year now, and it has withstood the rigors of young children quite nicely. Thanks Ana!

Sincerely,

Ron Floyd

Portland, OR

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Console Table

Submitted by hnick78 on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 06:25

I was commissioned to build this console table along with a couple “Rustic X” bookshelves. The finish is distressed white and True Browns stain.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Spa-Slatted Double Vanity

We redid our master bathroom - we ripped out a soffit, a closet, the old vanity, and we ripped off the HORRID old wallpaper, put up 5' tall beadboard, designed our own trim, designed and built some heavy-duty floating shelves (see pic below) and decided we wanted an open-concept vanity, too. I fell in love with these rectangle porcelain white sinks and with all the white beadboard, and soon-to-be dark walnut stain hardwood floors in there, I thought the vanity should be dark brown stain too.

I used the farmhouse vanity plans to build the frame of the vanity, but i had to design the shelves on my own - I chose to do spa-style slatted shelves - they whole thing keeps the bathroom very open looking and not heavy and closed off. we LOVE it! :)

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes water based stain dye in MEDIUM BROWN - 3 coats. then 3 coats of water based polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Our First Project: Console Table

This was our first project. The directions were easy to follow. We used wood screws to put this project together as I do not have a nail gun. My five year old was in charge of the electric screwdriver. I just used 1 peice of wood for the table top and diagonally screwed into it from the bottom. It took us a few days to complete as when you are working with a little one, everything takes quite a bit longer. This was the perfect project for us to work on together! My husband requested a table to put next to the hottub so he could put his drink on it, but I don't want this to move outside! Maybe I'll have to make another one. :)

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Kona, Semi Gloss Spar Varnish Spray (bc it will be used outside)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rope / Ring Puzzle

Submitted by mtairymd on Mon, 09/04/2017 - 07:51

This is a really easy project to make. The goal is to separate the ring from the puzzle. Refer to the solution video if you can't figure it out.

Build Instructions:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Rope-Ring-Puzzle/

Solution: 

https://youtu.be/0juqeATz29I

 

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

Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 12:22

This is my desk. It’s working out great. I’m thinking of adding a small drawer for stuff. Thanks for the design.
The other picture is the desk I’m building for my grandson. I’m painting the desk top. Still have to add the legs. I had to modify the size as his space in his bedroom is limited. I get confused putting the piano hinge on. Again thanks for your help. I love all your work.

Comments

Super Easy Bench Modified for shoe storage

This was the first time I built something from scratch. I've done assembly required bookshelves and a doll-house, but never before had I cut my own wood and drilled my own screw holes, nor had I ever tried my hand at painting a piece of furniture. My husband's friend mentored me and got me going with the power saws, I used his shopsmith for a table saw, and I used the compound miter saw we own. Because this website is so user-friendly, I might have even tried to do this on my own, but it helped having someone much more experienced than I check in on me every now and then and give me some tips.

We are in a new house, so most of our walls are still white, but we did paint the family room a bright green, so I used leftover paint for the bench. I had to work on this in the evening after the kids were in bed so it took me about a week, working for about 1-2 hours a night. I found relaxing for the most part(except for where the newspaper underneath the bench started sticking to the painted legs).

I did not use furring strips even though they would have been cheaper, since my friend convinced me they would have required more sanding. The upgrade only cost a few extra dollars.

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
primer and paint ("Lettuce Alone", Olympic no VOC)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Toy Box Gone Wrong

Submitted by vtmelody on Thu, 05/30/2013 - 10:08

We went exactly as planned in the Build a Toybox outline, but bought 12x1 instead of 16x1. This caused a problem when we started putting it together. The two short sides were taller than the long sides. We decided to make lemons from lemonade and turn it into a toolbox/toybox, and in the end really liked the result. We added an additional cut with 1.5" holes on either side and a 1.5" diameter 36" long dowel rod for the handle. We added casters to the bottom and poof! done. Fun project! We made it for our soon to be nephew and filled with gifts for the baby shower.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood Stain with blue paint on top and cut out a mustache for the design then painted around it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

PB Connor Table

Connor table

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

Platform bed

My first build!!!! I live in an apartment, so I was nervous to undertake any project... luckily I was able to borrow a garage one weekend to build it, and then moved it in and finished it. It took more than just the weekend to complete.  It probably took me a lot longer than if I had more experience and knew what I was doing...I stopped every two minutes to double check myself and reread the directions lol. I'm so happy with how it turned out. I used the IKEA center beam from my old bed for the center support, and cut wood slats for my mattress to rest on so I don't have to use a box spring. It looks so much more expensive than it was. my  next project is a headboard...as soon as I have a space to build it in :)

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax polyshades- satin honey. I used minwax wood conditioner as well.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Laundry Dresser for 6 (3 the short way & 3 the long way)

Submitted by mamma_joy on Mon, 03/14/2011 - 14:35

I needed a change. The freebie table that I used for folding laundry bugged me because the beat up legs of the table prevented any storing/stacking/using the space underneath it. The top of the table was always filled with baskets of clean clothes! I loved the tabletop and it fit the space perfectly so I decided to customize the laundry dresser to fit under the 2′x4′ tabletop. I wanted to fit a basket for each family member (5) and we always need one for linens.
I worked it out to use melamine boards to save on finishing (and match my other basement builds) and 2×2′s in a ‘U’ instead of a backing (kids were in the car so I couldn’t fit the big piece of backing!) I bought 2 2′x6′ shelves (cut one in half and one 3/4″ less than half) and 1 2′x4′ shelf and cut it to 43″. Then I just used a kreg jig to make the ‘E’ shape (the sides covered the rough edge of the bottom piece) and attach the tabletop. I also used the kreg jig to make the ‘U’ shapes to fit inside the 24″ space (long way) and 18″ space (short way). I thought about putting the back piece more forward so that the baskets the long way couldn’t slide all the way back, but decided to just make both sides the same. I pre-drilled and countersunk the screws to attach them to the sides (measuring and clamping over and over). Melamine is a little slippery to work with but it was nice to save time on the finishing end!
I have a fold down ironing board right next to the table which is just perfect!
P.S. I have a hanging drying rack in the background (the expanding ones didn’t work b/c the floor angles down to a drain) and a metal pipe behind the white curtain for hanging items.
Stand with the table at 36″ so you can fold without getting a backache, easily slide the baskets in and out to put away clothes as you fold them….and thank Ana for the way that she has transformed your home and feeling toward doing laundry!

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet, eventually [if I ever get everything else done] I will paint the 2×2′s white.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Spa Side Table

I completed this table with my 5 year old daughter as my assistant. My husband requested a table to put next to our new hot tub to set his drinks on and this is perfect. We only put one board on the top because I felt since it would be outside, I wanted a smooth top. I just screwed it in diagonally from the bottom. I also used spar varnish since it would be outside.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-o-Leum Ultimate Wood Stain in Kona
Semi-gloss Spar Varnish (3 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Small shop layout

This week's project was to reorganize my small garage shop for a better layout. Hopefully you can get some ideas from my shop to better organize your own.

 

Blog: http://www.lanebroswoodshop.com/2015/04/new-shop-layout.html

 

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuRVXdg-YNA

Estimated Cost
Free!
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Bathroom Cubby with Makeup Box, Mirror, and Jewelry Hooks

Submitted by Malka on Wed, 09/13/2017 - 01:25

Fiance wanted some rustic bathroom decor, and asked for 3 things. It should have a makeup box, jewelry hooks, and a touch up mirror. She was super happy with the finished product. Stained in Early American and given a Semigloss poly.

Estimated Cost
$16 for 1x12 board, $4 for jewelry hooks. Everything else was scraps and stuff on hand.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American, Minwax Semigloss Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

The Best addition to our home!

Submitted by alifrancis on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 15:05

This by far has been my favorite build.  Our front room is in the process of being revamped, and this is just the beginning.  With our garage now dedicated to building, our cars have been kicked to the street.  This means we actually use the front door now, so I took full advantage of making a piece of furniture that would allow for all the various items that get dumped on the floor when we walk in.  

I love that everyone has a cubby and shelf for the shoes.  My kids actually hang their backpacks up now when we get home from school and my husband can find his keys, wallet and sunglasses now! 

This was one of the bigger projects I have tackled, but well worth it.  I don't think my husband would have ever allowed me to buy this at PB for over $1000

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed the whole project with Kilz oderless primer and sanded it to get a nice finished. Painted it using the Martha Stewart Francesca Paint in eggshell finish from HD. I started with a brush but was unhappy with the look and did the rest of the project with a foam roller. After two coats of black, I finished it off with two coats of Minwax Polycrylic in the Satin finish. NOTE: I put three coats on the bench top and the shoe shelves just for more durability.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Armoire for Repurposed door

Submitted by JES on Sat, 03/19/2011 - 11:05

This is modified from Ana's Simplest Armoire plan, re-sized to fit the door (already had this, from another project -- I couldn't part with it when that room was remodeled- that gallery glass insert took me so long to make) and deep enough to hang clothes.  Used my favorite new toy, the Kreg jig for this.

Such a fun project, now we're hooked!  We've made a bedroom full of pieces to go with this one, and still making more.

Ana, thanks for the inspiration!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
110.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat Zinsser primer, 2 coats Ace Royal High Hiding white in semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

A Big Patio Planter

Submitted by Jake on Tue, 06/04/2013 - 17:47

I have a really boring backyard patio so I thought I would spice it up with flowers but I could not find a plan for a large right angle planter. So I made up my own.

The planter is made from cedar fencing but pine for the top trim and the corner legs. The legs have grooves that the sides slide into and are not screwed or glued in place. That is so you can remove the top trim and then just pull the sides out to replace them as needed or to even change the size of the planter.

This planter is 18" high so it is comfortable to sit on but that also means you will need a lot of soil to fill it up. Mine took 26 40lb bags which is over 1/2 ton of soil. Add water and that planter is here to stay. But it also means that there is a large tendency for the sides to bulge along the bottom so I placed stop blocks along the bottom base and screwed into the base.

I planted Angelonia for color and sage, oregano, and thyme for spice. It was fun to build and came out well but it was expensive as the soil along was nearly $60. Add another $50 for lumber and screws and you have exceeded the magic $100 mark. Still a good deal, however.

Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted the top trim and legs with Behr water-based enamel and left the cedar to mellow on its own.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments