Community Brag Posts

I made half of the Rustic X Console table. It was an easy build until it was time to make the X's. They were only hard because I was using a circular saw and carpenters square and I couldn't get my lengths right. I ended up with a lot of short pieces and I was glad I ended up buying more than enough 2x2's. If I had a miter saw it would of been a lot easier (I have one now).

Clara table and 4 dollar stackable chairs. I used Minwax Early American on the table and a variety of paint colors on the chairs to keep it fun. I also used select pine on the chairs which increased the cost but cut down on sanding time. I also routered the top edge of the table to create a smoother edge.

Large Banquette Bench with Storage (12’x7’)

It was a big project, and my husband did all the main stuff!
I still have to paint the inside. Since we aren't building a deck yet, we are putting it on some pavers. We bought 40 12x12 pavers and will push that out on in the next couple of days. I also will eventually attach a window box with plants. I'm planning on painting a couple of the inside walls with chalkboard paint.
It was seriously worth every amount of time and energy. If you are thinking of doing this, do it! You can, it's a great plan. Thanks Ana for the plans!

This project was made for our four year old son, after viewing an article from a known magazine he came over charmingly stating "Daddy can you build me this in a dinosaur theme??" So of I went searching and found the plans online here (Thanks Ana!) @ a cost of approx $400 and about 40 hours of work it was built. He loves it and loves to show it off to friends and family, as it has also been a hit within our neighborhood. We built it using white board wood, sanding everything down, and using just semigloss polyurethane to seal and protect the wood. All materials where obtained from either Home Depot or Lowes.

I made this Farmhouse X Table from Ana's plans with the adjustment of adding a breadboard to each end (a perpendicular piece of wood). This table was my first woodworking project ever! Now I am hooked ;) I have made a bench to match. Both are stained with minwax English Chestnut and finished with minwax fast-drying polyurethane, semi-gloss. Now I just have to figure out the rest of my chairs! Thanks Ana!

This is a TV console I made using Anna White’s techniques, which make woodworking achievable even for the novice builder.

I Loved the idea of this table! It is in the kids' living room/game room. This room is usually cluttered with blankets for friends, games, game controllers and so on! I was thinking about building a storage chest for their coffee table, then I saw these plans! It is perfect! The boys even use it to clean up...WITHOUT ME FORCING THEM! Oh yeah!!!!

I wanted my table to appear to have three drawers instead of two, so I modified a bit. I also opted out on the breadboard ends and just made the top boards a little longer.

After looking at sofas in magazines and fliers, I decided I wanted to build one. For the quality (or lack of) at the price we could even dream of, it just didn't make sense to purchase one if I could build it. There are still a few little adjustments I may make as time goes on, but overall, I'm happy with the way it turned out! The pillows I made definitely added the finishing touch it needed!

It's a full 8 foot sofa designed with plenty of space underneath for storage! My plan was to build two wooden boxes on casters for the kids to use as toy boxes, but I think plastic totes will work just as well and much lighter and easier to clean! I drew up the dimensions and plans to fit what we wanted and went from there. The frame was the easiest part; took about a day. The cover and cushions on the other hand were quite a challenge. The sewing involved in this project was HUGE; took a little more than a week just for that. The pillows took an evening.

Thanks for checking out the project! Whatever you have in your heart, you can do!

Built this media tower based off the plans inspired by the Pottery Barn Benchwright Towers. I used Annie Sloan's French Linen chalk paint followed by a clear then dark wax. The door panel was made using a decrotive bronze aluminum sheet cut to size. It makes a nice addition to my living room. 

I built the entire project to plan.. I did however engrave my daughters name instead of painting it on.. I think it gives a little more personal touch..

My wife got a large fountain for her birthday. She likes the sound of running water while she reads. What she doesn't like is damp carpet because the fountain splashes a little, as running water is wont to do. We had a choice of returning the fountain or me getting busy to build her a table for it.

The entire project is simply 2x4s and 2x6s. The top measures 44" x 36" and is made completely of pocket hole-joined 2x6s. The base is all made of 2x4s and is 16" high (plus top). I went for a little different look on the legs with a 15 degree cut, to a height of 4".

We both liked the look the Corona square table (the top especially)...BUT! She likes to be able to vacuum under furniture without having to move it or get Down on hands and knees with the wand attachment. So...recessed cross-brace to the rescue! I rigged up the miter saw to cut 1 1/2" into my bottom braces (2x4s on edge front-to-back), the exact depth of my cross piece (a 2x4 laid flat), and made repeated cuts, then leveled with a chisel.

I made sure to adequately brace the top, since the fountain, plus rocks, plus water comes in at well over 100 pounds. The pictures aren't all that great, but what can you expect when some are taken in an unfinished basement with no windows, on a cell phone...right?

You could probably replicate this for less than the $150 I spent, but I needed the wood, new stain, urethane, and new brushes.

Tiered Cedar Planter

I found a place on the Naval base here that is a storage for broken pallets and other wood scraps. I picked up a variety of pieces and decided to make an endtable. My sizes of boards are all different than the ones in the plan, but the overall look is about the same. I created my own 2x2s by cutting 2x4s in half. All of the wood was free and I used Kiwi brown shoe polish for the finish. My drawers are actually a door with hinges. I have two shelves on the inside.

I saw this project posted online and thought it would be a nice improvement to our patio since we just added fire pit benches this would be a great addition instead of dragging the old plastic cooler out every time we entertained.

Once I got all the cuts done it was like putting together a big puzzle. For the most part I did this one my own on the floor of the garage. If you have the space I would suggest doing all the screwing together atop a table and off the floor.

I was very happy with the outcome and I look forward to finding more projects here to add to our backyard.

I used Ana's plans for this entertainment center. I wanted tour pride my husband so I built it while my he was out of town. When he got back into town and settled in to watch television I heard him say "oh wow.....where did you buy this, it's gorgeous"! He thought I had bought it.

thanks Ana for providing easy to follow plans!