The Design Confidential | DIY + Design: Your Field Guide to a Well Designed Do It Yourself Lifestyle

An Updated Painting and Seeing Spots

05|21|13

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential

I have been making some major headway in the new house, despite my radio silence on the matter... I have had freelance project after project and haven't hardly had a moment to update you on what I have been up to otherwise! In fact I am almost completely finished with the Family Room, squeal... can't wait to do the full room reveal for you guys! Such a fun space...

In the meantime the other areas of my house are needing some love desperately too! Remember this painting I found at Denio's, my new home away from home? Well as much as I loved it as it was, I wanted something fresh and exciting and so I took a paint brush to it, duh. After all, the reason I purchased it in the first place was the sheer size and of course the price of a mere $3! Doesn't get better than that folks, except when it gets a new 'do' and that 'do' is a little reminiscent of a space I loved when I shared it with you here... See the room with the spotted art above the bed? Yep, loved it...

One of my goals in the new house is to turn my design style up a notch and mix things up. I want to really push my design boundaries and find a new style to love for a while! The only way for me to do this is to take risks, so a few dalmatian-ish spots above the bed are a great place to start!

I will spare you the 'tutorial' since it's pretty straightforward, but I will mention that I used Rustoleum spray paint and primer in one to give it a good base coat. I used just regular acrylic craft paint for the spotted goodness and a sponge brush with a round tip. That made the spotting that much easier to do! Easy Peasy update and I couldn't love how it sets a fresh new tone for the space any more than I currently do. It makes me happy to remember it's there and stare at it. Ya, that's probably weird but, it's my way...

Also... how devious does that pup look. I clearly caught him in the act of something, I have yet to simply find out what... He's a little out of focus here because I was shooting the painting, but that look on his face is priceless. Part, leave me alone, part, did she see what I was doing? eek...

Comments

Free DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Crate and Barrel Inspired Bluestone Coffee Table

05|20|13

Submitted by Cher-Ann Texter / Cher-Ann Texter

Project Details

Free DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Crate and Barrel Inspired Bluestone Coffee Table! The top can be painted to look like concrete or you can brush on some concrete resurfacing material for a thin coat! How fantastic is that... Xx... Rayan

Estimated Cost

$25-$50

Dimensions

Tools

Tape Measure
Saw – Jig, Circular, or Miter
Drill
Countersink Bit for Drill
Square
Sander
Kreg Jig
Brad nailer

Lumber

2 – 3x3 posts at 3’
1 – 2x2 at 6’
1 – 2x2 at 8’
1 – 2x3 at 6’
2 – 2x3 at 8’
1 sheet of ¾” plywood

Materials

2-1/2” pocket hole screws
3” screws
1-1/4” brad nails
1-1/2” edge banding
Wood filler
Sandpaper
Wood glue
Finishing Supplies

Cut List

4 – 3x3 at 15-1/2” – Legs
4 – 2x2 at 22-1/2” – Stretchers
4 – 2x3 at 22-1/2” Stretchers
4 – 2x2 at 12-1/2”- Truss Pieces
5 – 2x3 at 24-1/2” – Slats
2 – ¾” plywood at 27-1/2” x 27-1/2” - Top

Instructions

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Step 1

Cut the pieces for the legs and the stretchers. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the stretchers. Secure to the legs as shown using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws. The front face of the stretchers will be flush with the outside face of the legs.

Step 2

Cut the truss pieces. Cut the angles as shown (they are NOT cut at 45 degrees) and drill pocket holes in each angle. Position as shown and secure to the stretchers using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws.

Step 3

Cut the pieces for the other stretchers and drill pocket holes in each end. Position as shown and secure using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws.

Step 4

Cut the pieces for the slats. Drill pocket holes in each end and secure to the stretchers as shown using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws. Locate them ½” down from the top of the stretcher.

Step 5

Cut the pieces for the top and fasten them together using glue and 1-1/4” brad nails. Apply the edge banding. Position the top on the frame and secure using glue and countersunk 3” screws from the underside of the upper stretchers into the underside of the top.

Finishing Instructions

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

Disclaimer

**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.

Comments

Cher and Rayan Want to Know What You Are Doing

05|18|13

Submitted by Jake /

If you are absent from building and commenting for more than a couple of weeks Rayan and Cher start asking what you are doing. Kind of nice to be missed. So I am posting some pics of things I have been doing over the past few weeks:

1. A hummingbird garden divided into two parts for each local grandkid, Jonathan and Noah. Planted a firebush and firecracker plant in each garden with sunflowers between them. Next year they will be screaming with color. Added three hummingbird feeders and one platform feeder for the lazy birds and squirrels.

2. Two jigs for the bandsaw and maybe someday a tablesaw. Wish I could remember where I got the plans.

3. A new gate latch that is massive enough for a barn door. I was tired of the "gravity" types not latching. In this South Texas wind the latch has to work or your gate will become splinters very quickly.

4. Protection for my tomato, cucumber, and watermelon plants from the birds and squirrels. I am losing the battle.

5. Organizing my garden tool shed. New hangers for the big tools. An adjustable shelf case for the other stuff. And a new door made from fencing and pine using dowels and PH screws.

Maybe Cher and Rayan could add a section for posting projects like these.

Comments

Free DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Wooden Truss Dining Bench

05|17|13

Submitted by Cher-Ann Texter / Cher-Ann Texter

Project Details

We covered the plans to build the table here and now the benches! Yahoo... Materials listed are to build two benches, even better, right? Xx... Rayan

Estimated Cost

$50-$75

Dimensions

Tools

Tape Measure
Saw – Jig, Circular, or Miter
Drill
Countersink Bit for Drill
Square
Sander
Kreg Jig

Lumber

2 – 1x2 at 4’
2 – 2x2 at 6’
1 – 2x3 at 4’
2 – 2x4 at 8’
6 – 2x6 at 8’

Materials

2-1/2” pocket hole screws
1-1/4” screws
2-1/2” screws
Wood filler
Sandpaper
Wood glue
Finishing Supplies

Cut List

8 – 2x6 at 16-7/16” – Legs
4 – 2x4 at 16-1/2” – Side Stretchers
4 – 2x3 at 11-1/2” – Side Stretchers
4 – 2x4 at 16-1/2” – Seat Ends
6 – 2x6 at 68” – Seat Planks
4 – 2x2 at 33-7/8” – Truss
2 – 1x2 at 36-3/4” – Stretcher

Instructions

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Step 1

Cut the pieces for the legs. Cut the angles in the legs as shown using a jigsaw, miter saw, or circular saw. Note that the angles are NOT cut at 45 degrees. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes in the top edge of each leg. There will be two left legs and two right legs.

Step 2

Cut the pieces for the side stretchers. Drill pocket holes in each end of the 2x3 stretcher. Assemble the sides as shown using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws. The 2x3 stretchers will be perpendicular to the ground and will not follow the angle of the legs while the 2x4 stretcher will rest on top of the legs.

Step 3

Cut the pieces for the seat and drill pocket holes as shown. Assemble using glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws. Position the seat as shown and secure using countersunk 2-1/2” screws through the upper side stretcher into the bottom of the seat.

Step 4

Cut the pieces for the trusses. Cut the angles and the notches as shown. Position in the center of the lower stretcher and secure using toenailed 2-1/2” screws through the truss into the stretcher, as well as through the truss into the top on the underside.

Step 5

Cut the piece for the stretcher. Center on the trusses and secure using glue and countersunk 1-1/4” screws.

Finishing Instructions

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

Disclaimer

**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.

Comments

Builders Showcase: Vickys Play Teepee

05|16|13

Submitted by vic b / Made at ThisPlace

Our son kept building forts around the sofa with blankets, he was having lots of fun but I thought he needed something more permanent. The restoration hardware and the land of nod teepee's are just gorgeous. I made this one with canvas painters drop cloth from the hardware store using The design Confidentials teepee plans, but added windows like the restoration hardware ones and stamped on letters.