Community Brag Posts

Modified Brookstone desk

Submitted by JoanneS on Mon, 10/29/2012 - 18:37

My son asked me to build him a narrow desk for his bedroom, with lots of drawers. This desk is a modified version of the Brookstone desk, with 7 drawers on the side and a pull-out writing surface (inspired by the pull out surface LadyGoats added to the Mod bar wine grid base – Gina’s pictures from her blog were really helpful!) The top measures 16 ¾ x 48 (top is a 1x12 and 1x6 edge joined with pocket holes). Lots of pocket holes on this one, because it’s stained and I didn’t want to fill nail holes. For the color we were trying to match the PB small printers desk Chestnut color. The pulls are antique bronze from Lowes. The drawers slide directly on the wood, because I knew I wouldn’t have the patience to install 8 sets of drawer slides ;) used ¾” S4S and 1x2 to hold the drawers. The drawer bottoms and the wood all got a coat of soft wax, and they slide nice and smooth. This took about 20 hours to build and finish over a long weekend. My son said he thought it looks amazing, which is the best part!

Estimated Cost
$155
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I wanted the finish kind of rustic, so I didn’t use wood conditioner. Finished with 1 coat Minwax water based stain in Dutch Chocolate, 1 coat Minwax water based wipe-on poly, and a coat of soft wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

LisaTen (not verified)

Tue, 10/30/2012 - 07:09

This looks awesome! Love those drawers, colors, handles-everything!

JoanneS

Tue, 10/30/2012 - 07:29

Thanks LisaTen! This was a fun build, especially since it was for my son, the college student :) :) (proud Mom smiles)

JoanneS

Sat, 11/03/2012 - 10:35

Thanks Gina! I'm glad you like the desk, and especially glad you added your link to the tutorial. :) I couldn't have done the pull out without it! I can't wait to see your desk, I'm sure it will look awesome!

benjaminrogers

Thu, 09/05/2013 - 07:49

JoanneS,

I think I've just found my design for my fly tying desk! I was wondering how wide you made the drawer base and how tall each drawer is?

Thanks,

Ben

JoanneS

Wed, 09/11/2013 - 02:19

Hi Ben,
Sorry I'm so late replying, I just saw I had this comment. The drawer base on this is 16 1/4" wide, and each drawer is 2 3/4" tall (a 1x3 with 1/4" plywood as the bottom). I'm kind of a spreadsheet geek, so I have all the measurements and cut lists in an Excel file. If you would like to have these, please send me a message via "contact" on my profile, and I'll reply with the attachment. Thanks for commenting, glad you like the desk! :)
Joanne

Linen closet

Submitted by Texjan on Sun, 08/17/2014 - 19:38

I needed a place to store towels and other items in my bathroom. This was the perfect project for this. I have friends begging me to make one for them. Not too hard and it definitely does the job!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint on this (2 parts Pure White and 1 Part Florence).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/03/2016 - 03:30

I built this table from your Farmhouse table plans for my friends.  They did the fabulous job of staining it.

Great site!

Estimated Cost
$130.00 for the legs, $70.00 for the rest.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Fancy Desk

Submitted by CEC on Mon, 08/17/2020 - 18:11

Needed new desks for remote learning and working from home. Easy to build and we love them. This is 1 out of 2.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60/ desk

Farmhouse Table - Shortened

Submitted by Danimal on Fri, 11/02/2012 - 20:53

I loved the look of the farmhouse table, but it was a little long for what I needed as our kitchen table. The original plan made a longer dining room type table. I decided to shorten it up a bit, it has a bit more of a stocky look to it but we love it! It is such a solid design, and we get such great compliments on it. I used wooden dowels to fill the screw holes which gave it a bit more country look to it because the vinegar stain turned them a slightly different color than the tabletop.

Estimated Cost
$100 for more than enough lumber.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used the apple cider vinegar and steel wool stain (soaking #0000 steel wool in a mason jar with enough vinegar to cover the wool. Allow to soak for approximately 4-6 hours. Then straining the vinegar through a coffee filter to strain out any remaining steel wool. After testing on a scrap piece of wood, I found the right amount of vinegar to brush onto the wood. I sanded it down after it dried and finished it with some wood finishing paste wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

The Caboose Bunk bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/06/2016 - 20:03

Hi Ana,

My wife and I wanted to creat a caboose bunk bed for our boys.  When we saw the cabin bed plans we loved the look for the caboose.  We used your plans as a guide and made a few modifications.  We are really happy with how it turned out!  It just needs a ladder and maybe some train wheels.  Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas. They have inspired us!

 

Travis and Krista Lundell

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250 - $300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Yellow latex paint for base color. Red paint for roof, stripe, and numbers. Dark walnut stain for antiquing (just apply and wipe off immediately).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Skanda

Tue, 07/09/2019 - 19:32

Hey there. Do you have measurements or a description of how the top modification part was done?

my father wants to make a caboose bunk bed for my train   Fanatic Son.  

 

Thanks,

-Amanda

Outdoor Patio Set (Tall People Approved)

I was so excited to build this outdoor patio set! My husband and I looked high and low to find an affordable,“tall and sturdy people” outdoor patio set. The sturdy pieces we found were in the $600-$1000s... and I’m sorry.... we’re not paying that. Especially, since most of those sets were not built to hold up in the Florida rain and humidity. So my husband suggested... “ just build it!” I modified the leg length to 28 1/4”, since I have tall family. The cushions were found at Pier1 for a steal since they’re going out of business, so the chairs were modified to fit the cushion size 22”x 22”.

Estimated Cost
$250 with Cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson Waterseal- transparent- Autumn Brown
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Stackable Chair Turned Desk

Submitted by thebulger on Mon, 11/05/2012 - 07:26

I made this for a friend whose son is turning 1. I wanted him to be able to sit in the seat without falling out, so at first I just planned on making arm rests (thus destroying the stack element, but he's an only child haha!). I had an extra piece of 1x8 laying around that turned out to be just long enough, and some hinges and a sash lock.

in the first picture, the desk is screwed on. I ended up changing it so he could use the desk longer! little legs can only squeeze into spaces for so long :)

Long story short, for this project I took all of the measurements for the original stackable chair and took 2" off to make it more appropriate for his size, EXCEPT the front legs, which I actually added 5 inches to. The front legs then stuck up from the seat about 5 inches, and i attached a 10.5" 1x2 from the front leg to the back leg on each side. Hinges on one side of the 1x8 board, sash lock on the other, and voila! desk-chair!! and it fit my 15 month old AND my almost 3 year old! granted, it was a tight squeeze for the 3 year old, but he LOVES the desk and I'm planning on finding a way to convert his stackable chair into one :)

Estimated Cost
$10-12
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
enamel paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

redhead_61

Mon, 11/05/2012 - 10:43

I bet kids would LOVE this. Great idea, and the fact you figured out how to make it with a hinge....pretty awesome!

thebulger

Tue, 11/06/2012 - 11:07

i brought it outside to sand yesterday and all of the kids in our row of townhomes were trying to play in it! i had 2 people ask me to make one for their kids! i hope a lot of other people can use this concept and make it even better for their kids! i feel like there have to be better hinges and lock sets than what i used, hopefully someone on here can make suggestions!

Garage Workshop Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/10/2016 - 21:57

I followed the plans to a tee.

Estimated Cost
$80 - California
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modified Farmhouse table

Submitted by JMD1905 on Sun, 08/23/2020 - 15:38

I modified the Farmhouse Console Table to serve as a entertainment center for our new 75" television. I removed the center shelf so that we could place our taller knick knacks there. I also put a 'hidden' shelf at the top and painted it flat black to hide the cable box, power strip etc. I also added a back to hide the wires. It turned out nice.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Green = Beir Premium Plus paint - picked color chart and mixed.
Top is Varathane stain - I mixed part Espresso and Red Oak.

Train Table

Submitted by Mdcary on Thu, 11/08/2012 - 04:26

We started with a play table from Ikea, added a 1X3 lip around that and then built a train table top to the same dimensions as Thomas the Train tables, trimmed it with 1X2 and glue thin felt on the base. I built cleats uner the top to fit snuggley over the base table. The train top can be lifted off and the under table is perfect as a leggo table when my grandson is old enough for leggo.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
clear polycoat
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by naomi on Fri, 08/29/2014 - 06:52

Built to go with my farmhouse bed.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White enamel paint and walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Dining Room Table - Dual Trestle and Extension Slides

My 40”x80” dining room table with equalizer extension slides that bring it to 110” when both leaves are installed. This was initially inspired by the Farm Hose trestle table. I've got details in some blog posts on my build. It’s not exactly the most complete blog with every detail, but it has a bunch of pictures along the way.

Estimated Cost
$1,200 for wood. Probably around $1,500 total if you add in some tools / supplies I didn't have.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Aqua Coat grain sealer. General Finishes Prairie Wheat Gel Stain, General Finishes Arm-R-Seal poly seal coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/29/2020 - 08:17

This was the very first project that my husband and I have ever built and it came out exactly as planned. We followed the instructions exactly as written and I’m in love with this table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Top: Varathane Kona gel stain (one coat) followed by three coats of MinWax Polycrylic

Bottom: Primed all of the knots first with BIN stain blocker (to prevent sap bleed through) and then did 2 coats of Bulls Eye 123 water based primer. Once the primer was dry, we painted with one coat of SW Bohemian Lace Latex Satin and topped with 3 coats of polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Smaller Fancy "X" Desk

Submitted by NEmomof3 on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 12:21

this is a much smaller version of the $55 Fancy "x" Desk. We did not have the space for the larger version and my son liked that one best, so this is as close as I could come. I also made him the Higher Chair. He is six and very tall with it, but a standard height table and chair still make him sit low enough that writing and working on projects can be troublesome. He loves this, and we had fun working on it together.

Estimated Cost
Under $50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Ebony on bottom and English Oak (don't remember the brand) on desk top. the Ebony took several applications to get the darkness I wanted, if I did it again, I would probably just paint the bottom. The desk top got 2 applications plus a coating of Parks Super Glaze Ultra Crystal Pour On Epoxy Finish Kit, Clear Gloss. The epoxy was the most expensive part of the project, but the easiest.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Oak Easy Vintage Step Stool

Submitted by kcragun on Sat, 08/30/2014 - 19:53

I bought a box of oak scraps from a local lumber store - sold a firewood for $6.00 and I was able to get enough big pieces to make this step stool for my granddaughter.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$6.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Lego Table

Submitted by Jessi_ites on Sun, 12/18/2016 - 17:45

I wanted 2 large lego tables but also didn't want to waste space...so I came up with this! The top flips over and it becomes a desk.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Picket fence topped end table

Submitted by AnnieO on Fri, 11/16/2012 - 16:21

I wanted a table that would double as a file cabinet of sorts - so I made this end table with an opening big enough for my file box and the right height for my couch.

The top of the table and the lower shelf and made from pickets from a picket fence that was taken down and the rest was from leftover 2 x 4 s from other projects around our fixer-upper.

Estimated Cost
Free to Me
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
semi-gloss poly and house paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Media center

I needed to replace my particle board entertainment center. So here is my final project

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mini wax Jacobean for the hutch and Miniwax Ipswich Pine for top and trims
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Work Bench and Carts

I finally finished my workbench this summer. I started the bench 2 years ago for my miter saw. Got busy with other builds, things for family, clients, etc. I still had most of the wood cut for the carts. Here it is in all its glory!!! Finally organization and I can actually park my car in my garage. Thanks Ana for all of your plans.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
primer