Community Brag Posts

Rustic X Coffee Table Woes

Submitted by mrcleland on Thu, 06/02/2016 - 05:56

I started this project a few months ago for a friend. The build went easy enough and was complete is less than a day. The only issue I had was with the X's. My miter saw doesnt cut past 55 degrees and it called for 60 degrees. I had to eye it and the X's turned out less than perfect. It did give me a compelling arguement to upgrade from my 10" to a 12" sliding saw (we will see how that pans out). The finishing was the real problem for me. Ive had issues in the past with not liking the final color and having to sand the whole project over and over until I finally just settle. I was hesitant on the vinegar and steel wool finish but went for it anyway. The top turned orange, almost like a fresh cedar color. I whitewashed it the following day and roughed it up with some light sanding. It looked great. I added poly and the top turned orange again. It was horrible. I had to sand it and start over. I then went with a weathered grey with a whitewashed top coat and it looked great but my friend wasnt a fan. I sanded AGAIN and tried another color. Third time was a charm and the sunbleached stain with whitewash came close to what we wanted to acheive. He likes it, I like it, and eveyone is happy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sunbleached Color Stain w/ a whitewash mixture (1/1 white paint and water)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Camp Loft Bed with Video Gaming "Boy-Cave"

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/25/2020 - 08:35

I built this for my 10 year old son. His room is not very big so this loft bed provides the perfect solution to freeing up floor space for playing.

I added some toy shelves to the side for additional storage.

The curtain, TV and gaming chairs turn the under the bed portion into his personal "boy-cave" gaming center.

Thank you for the easy to follow instructions. He loves it!

Estimated Cost
The bed / shelves combo cost me a little less than $200, including sanding, staining, etc...
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used a very light minwas stain that my son picked out
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Geo Dresser

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/04/2023 - 14:44

Bedroom dresser made from Ana White’s plans! Absolutely love it and it was easy to build!

Kristen Kobeszko

Rustic X Console Table

Submitted by jwerne2 on Wed, 03/05/2014 - 12:55

My husband built this Rustic X Console table to plan. We love it so much he is now building the coffee table and end tables to match (and I may convince him to build the bookcase too!)

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Dark Walnut, wipe on satin polyurethane, furniture wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Alexia Bench modified

Submitted by rkyount on Sat, 06/04/2016 - 15:35

This was a very quick and easy build that was completely finished in an afternoon. My Kreg jig was loaned out, so I have exposed fasteners, but I prefer to let them show instead of filling the holes. I built this with 20" legs to make it a little taller and more comfortable for my height. I also prefer straight lines and angles, so I changed the trim pieces a bit to suit my style. The hardest part was getting the drawer slides lined up. The finish is Rustoleum Heirloom White with a coffee colored glaze. The picture makes one drawer look darker, but it's really just a shadow. I'm in love with this project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Heirloom White with a coffee colored glaze
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack from Deck leftovers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 09:58

We are stuck at home for the Shelter-In-Place due to COVID-19 so we decided to use the scrap wood left over from our new deck. Because we didn't have the materials exactly meeting the specifications in the directions, we had to adapt the design significantly but we're really pleased with how it turned out. My 16-year-old daughter made it with me so it was a great to get her involved in building

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modular Desk System

deskMy home office remodel was inspired by a post from Ana White a few years ago. For this project I ended up using IKEA bookshelves and cutting the tops off and flipping them upside down. I used some crown mounding to cover the base of the cabinets on the tops. The desk top bases are file cabinets I found at the office supply store and the desk tops are edge glue pine. Overall I think I only had to make 8 cuts for the entire project. Saving me a ton of time and money. Thank you Ana for all of the wonderful post!

Mark Danreiter on Facebook

sandbox

This is the first thing I have ever made out of wood in my life! I'm a quilter, I have never even used a screwdriver, but I followed your plans exactly and made this for my grandchild! I am so proud of this sandbox. (I did talk the guy at Lowe's into making the woodcuts for me).
Thank you so much for this plan and thank you for making it so easy to follow. Sherry

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
was told to wait to paint for six months because pressure treated wood needs to dry out
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kendra Side Table

Thanks for the GREAT plans. Slightly modified to allow more space on the top shelf.

Estimated Cost
40.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Linda7

Sun, 03/09/2014 - 15:23

Lauren,
They are found on this site called the "Kendra Storage Console". Click on "plans" in the tool bar above, type in that title, then hit "apply." The original plans will pull right up.

JoJo Lynn

Thu, 01/29/2015 - 20:01

I too was looking for the plans on this and i clicked on plans but when i entered Kendra Side Table it came up as no results found. Is this not the name listed above? Am i doing it wrong?

Jodi

Queen size farmhouse bed with storage

Submitted by fdfp84 on Wed, 06/08/2016 - 17:11

I made the bed  from the plans on this site, I made the drawers using a dovetail joint.Took a little longer because of that. 

Estimated Cost
cost was around 350.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Fireplace Mantle

Submitted by advanlente on Sat, 03/28/2020 - 11:37

I really wanted a mantle to hang our stockings and to have some decorations. When we moved in there was just a shelf above the fireplace which was fine but I wanted to make more of a statement. This was a pretty easy project after all of the math was calculated. I made to follow guidelines for the fireplace as well. Thanks dad for that :)

Tryde Coffee Table

Submitted by JHughes on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 15:00

Tryde coffee table pattern with added magazine rack. We used pallet wood which was sanded but still retained it's rustic appearance. Dark walnut stain was used to finish!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain with Satin Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Armless Sectional Bench

Submitted by seaweed805 on Wed, 03/12/2014 - 21:14

I built four pieces of the sectional (1 corner, 3 reg) It took me a long weekend, I would come and go so actual hours are hard to estimate. For the stain I used steel wool and vinegar, followed up by strong black tea. Teak oil was used for the sealer. The second photo is a picture of one stained chair approx 30 mins after stain applied, the other one has no stain yet. The pillows I sewed myself, outdoor fabric is from Jo-anns (use the coupons!) and inserts are from ikea. The only large investment were the cushions! Pine Wood - FREE. My dad works for a lumber company. Outdoor fabric - Between $6 and $10 a yard Pillows - $3 for small, $6 for large Cushions - $29 each **my picture wont display correctly even though uploaded correctly!!!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Steel wool and vinegar, followed by strong black tea. Finished with teak oil.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Full Size Storage Bed

Submitted by duchamp6 on Sun, 06/12/2016 - 20:57

My daughter turned 10 this week and we did a room makeover for her birthday. She is in LOVE with her new space. She has been sharing a bunk with her 6 yr old brother. We told her when her 2 yr old brother climbed out of the crib that she would get the baby's room and the boys would then bunk together. Well, he climbed out as they ALL do. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Behr satin finish white with primer and applied it with a sponge.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by B.W.Martin on Thu, 04/16/2020 - 20:46

I used the Rustic X Coffee Table plan to make a living room set. I added a 3.5" deep lift top storage area out of plywood, and also used plywood on the bottom of the table as well instead of 1" by 12".

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used an eggshell antique white for the paint. I used a minwax pre-stain, one coat of minwax honey stain, and two coats of minwax polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Farmhouse Entryway Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/18/2023 - 12:28

Built 2. Stained one Briarsmoke the other to be determined. Thank you Ana for the inspiration and plans!

Tim Basoco

Comments

Joss' Big Boy Bed

My building write-up goes with the post for the plans. The only thing I need to add here is the change I made on the toddler rail. The first one I did wasn't quite long enough for my little guy. He's quite the squirmmy bug at night, so he kept slipping off the bed with the shorter one. He never just really fell hard, but it was enough to wake him up a few times, so I added a little more length to the rail and it seems to be working much better. I'm excited to see how this bed will evolve :) Hoping to make a few additions to it a little further down the road!

Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Distressed a few shades of blues and greens of interior flat paints. Wiped on a light coat of a satin poly for the top coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

10 Cube Shelf

Submitted by john.h on Sun, 03/16/2014 - 18:38

Expanded the 6 cube shelf to 10 cubes, beefed up the feet a little and fancied up the top to more closely match the picture in the plan page. Just joined a couple 1x8's and cut to length for the top.

Used the Kreg Jig to make the shelf box and face frames - biscuit joiner for top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150? had some leftover material and spent a little extra on finishes.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
primer/spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

rwkaupas

Wed, 11/26/2014 - 05:32

Hi John- this is exactly what I'm looking for- did you by any chance save your modification measurements and cut list?  Also- I'm considering putting a 50 inch tv on the unit- would you recommend additional support?  Thanks for any help.

 

Cedar Wood Fired Hot Tub

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/17/2016 - 16:31

We are developing a completely off-grid property and before starting on construction of the house, we decided to start with a smaller project to get our feet wet (no pun intended!). We also wanted a place to soak our sore muscles while we build a house since we are restricted to taking 60-second hot showers, and so we came up with the idea of a wood-fired cedar hot tub.

Buying a cedar hot tub retail can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000, but we were curious to see what we could build our own for and it turns out, we spent $850. Since there were no existing plans on the internet that we cound find for such a project, we decided to document the entire process and make our own! We struggled a bit with the build, but on our blog we documented what worked to save other people time who want to build something similar. In our post here, you will find a 9-part video series on how we put the hot tub together. Enjoy!

Estimated Cost
$850
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
No finish needed on a cedar hot tub.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

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