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DIY
I'm excited to share this project with you guys because it marks my official entry into the world of air dry clay. I know everyone is doing it, at least all the cool kids are (probably explains why I am just now getting my hands dirty… literally). While this is a DIY tutorial on how to make your own fab mobile wind chime, since there are a million and one tutorials on how to use this stuff, I am keeping it short and sweet and just touching on a few of the things I found tricky or helpful.
I will actually admit that my very first adventure into air dry clay was one of my biggest project fails… to date. like ever. so, so bad. Since that ridiculous flop I haven't managed to get my stash out of the deep dark box I hid it in, so there it has remained for the last year and a half. Yikes. A few weeks ago I decided to pull it on out and see if it was still usable and when it was, I decided to give it another test drive with Amber for a project I have had on my mind for a while now. When that seemed to go well, I worked up the nerve to make my mom a handmade mobile and wind chime for Mother's Day and it couldn't have turned out better if I wanted it too. There really is something to that whole 'getting your hands dirty' thing…
These cool supplies were my secret weapons for getting this project to work and come together how I pictured it in my mind. It took a few tries to get the paint process right and find the right products to make the paint adhere and also waterproof this so it can be used outside in the wind.
It seems as though standard acrylic craft paints get a bit flaky and weird so I found that my Chroma Art Student paints and a final coat of Sculpey Glaze worked well as did the DecoArt patio paints which happen to be perfect for outdoor use all on their own.
MATERIALS //
// Amaco Stonex Self-Hardening Clay – White
// DecoArt Patio Paints or
// Chroma Art Student Acrylics
// Sculpey Glaze
// Waxed Paper
// Rolling Pin
// 220 Grit Sandpaper
// Nylon Fishing Line or Thin Wire
// Stick, Drift Wood or Dowel
The steps for this are a bit self evident if you know anything at all about clay or even play-doh. Roll, make a circle shape with something and then pierce that sucker so you can hang it. I won't bore you with silly things… but I did find a few things helpful for making this process not so maddening. The first of these things is that it helps tremendously to work on wax paper. I was working on a different kind of non-stick surface and it wasn't working as I thought it might. The waxed paper helped so much, but ;use a gentle touch because if you roll your clay out with strength and vigor, it will tear and get stuck to your clay… that is annoying so avoid that. A rolling pin, dowel or even a tension rod as I am using above will work to roll your clay into a flat smooth surface.
As for thickness, you will want to aim for your discs to be somewhere around 1/8″ thick which is a compromise between durability and being thin enough to make the gorgeous sound these make when they 'chime'. I used a highball glass to create the larger discs and a champagne flute for the smaller discs. You will need 6-8 large discs and 6-8 small discs depending on whether you want 4 dangly pieces or 3. I chose 3 so I used 6 of each size. Also, pushing inward on your cut out is a far easier way to get your discs out than hoping for them to come out any other way.
Once you have your discs cut out, I found it easiest to smooth the edges with my finger. This helped any areas that got crazy in the process of trying to get the disc out of the glass. There were many of those instances so get your finger ready to do some smoothing. Also dipping your finger in water first helps and is also a great way to smooth the top surface as well as the edges.
I used the bottom end of a toothpick to create the hole I will use to string these babies up. I found it was important to pierce it on one side, then flip it and pierce it again on the other side. Then let these cute guys dry for at least a day or so then sand gently using a very fine sand paper to really perfect things. This last step was a game changer for any of those awkward areas that absolutely happened during this whole process.
Paint as you wish, just be sure that if you use acrylic paint of any sort that you seal it properly with a glaze to make it waterproof and durable.
Once everything has dried, you can begin to string up your discs. I used a nylon fishing line and looped it around and through each disc hole twice before securing it with a knot three times. I am constantly overkill in the securing department so this may not be necessary, but I live in a windy area so… who knows.
Here is the crucial step for ensuring that you get a gorgeous sound when these clack together. Overlap and secure your small discs above the large discs by about the bottom third of them. This gives them enough area to clack together when they sway in the wind and really makes the prettiest sound.
Once you have your bottom pair secured, fasten your top pair in place about 3 inches up. Above you see only the large disc in the upper pair so just something to note.
Secure each strand of your clay discs onto your wood piece and hang them at various heights so you can maximize the sound they make on their own and also when they clack against each other. It is glorious and I hope you make one of these for yourself or someone special. It's such an enjoyable thing to work with clay and this is a project you can't really mess up so just dive right in and enjoy! If you want to share pictures of your own version of this project, share on social media using the hashtag #builtTDCtuff and be sure to tag me so I see it! My handle is @thedesconf on twitter and @thedesignconfidential on Insta and FB.
Plans
Entertain in Style this year with the perfect outdoor dining table… Save yourself hundreds and build that gorgeous new table, and while you are at it, make it custom to suit your personal backyard entertaining needs and wants. To make your decision easier on you, I have rounded up our reader faves and the Top 8 Most Popular Outdoor Dining Tables.
Browse through our hundreds of reader showcase projects to see some of the awesome design choices our amazing community of builders have made and how they are making their own entertaining dreams come true.
Showcase
This bench really caught me eye. I had to make it!
Followed the plans except for the slight modifications I did. Instead of using 2×2’s for the frame I used 1×2 poplar. I just kept adding frame pieces until I reached my desired width. Thanks for the plans!
Modifications
Instead of using 2×2’s I used 1×2’s and just kept adding sections until I reached my desired width.
Plans
Part bunk bed, part play house and if made and finished with the right materials this awesome piece of furniture could be both indoor and outdoor compatible (water seal and all that jazz). If you have been with us here at TDC for any period of time, you probably already know by now that this is my favorite type of build. Multi-functional and the stuff that dreams are made of… Ah, to be a kid again…
As with all of our plans, you are building at your own risk and you should have a firm understanding of building in general before you attempt many of our plans (some are easy as pie and perfect for beginners). With that, go forth, have fun, take lots of pictures and share them in a showcase or on social media with the hashtag #builtTDCtuff and we will share our faves! Be sure to tag @thedesignconfidential on Instagram / FB and @thedesconf on Twitter.
Showcase: Built From These PlansI am so honored each and every time one of you fine friends builds from these very plans! If you have built this piece, please take a moment and showcase your build! We are dying to see your fabulous hard work!
- 3 – 2×6 at 8’
- 14 – 2×4 at 8’
- 1 – 2×2 at 8’
- 2 – 1×4 at 8’
- 5 – 1×3 at 8’
- 5 – 3/4” plywood at 4’x8’
- 4 – 2×4 at 58” – Posts
- 2 – 2×4 at 72” – Side Tops
- 2 – 2×4 at 72” – Side Rails
- 2 – 2×4 at 72” – Side Bottoms
- 2 – 2×4 at 19” – Side Short Studs
- 2 – 2×6 at 76” – Side Bed Rails
- 2 – 1×4 at 76” – Cleats
- 2 – 2×4 at 53” – Side Long Studs
- 2 – 2×4 at 21-1/2” – Rungs
- 2 – 2×4 at 43” – End Rails
- 2 – 2×6 at 43” – End Bed Rails
- 2 – 2×4 at 30-1/2” – End Studs
- 2 – 2×4 at 43” – End Bottoms
- 1 – 2×2 at 79” – Roof Ridge
- 8 – 2×4 at 31” – Rafters
- 12 – 1×3 at 40” – Slats
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 27-1/16”x80-1/2” – Upper Back Wall
- 2 – 3/4” plywood at 4-1/4”x31-3/4” – Back Wall Sides
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 1-1/4”x72” – Back Wall Bottom
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 10-13/16”x80-1/2” – Upper Front Wall
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 48”x80-1/2” – Lower Front Wall
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 46”x80-3/4” – Head Wall
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 1-1/4”x17-1/2” – Door Bottom
- 2 – 3/4” plywood at 1-3/4”x32-1/2” – Foot Wall Tops
- 2 – 3/4” plywood at 2-1/2”x9-3/4” – Foot Wall Sides
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 46”x48” – Foot Wall Bottom
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 33-1/4”x80-1/2” – Back Roof
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 4-1/4”x33-1/4” – Small Front Roof
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 55-1/4”x33-1/4” – Large Front Roof
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.
For the Back Wall, cut the pieces for the Posts, Side Top, Side Rail, Side Bottom, and Side Short Studs. With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in both ends of the Side Top, Side Rail, Side Bottom, and Side Short Studs. Make sure that the pocket holes drilled into the Side Bottom are within the area that will make contact with the Posts. Assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” Pocket Hole Screws.
Cut the pieces for the Side Bed Rail and Cleat. Attach the Cleat to the bottom edge of the Side Bed Rail using 2” Wood Screws. Clamp the Rail/Cleat “set” into place as shown, leaving a 1-1/2” space on each end for the End Rails. The Side Bed Rail, Cleat, and bottom of the Side Rail should be flush with one another. After making sure that everything is completely square and aligned, use a 7/16” Drill Bit to drill through the Side Bed Rail, Cleat, and Post. You should have two holes on each end for the Bolts. Fasten with Carriage Bolts and tighten.
For the Front Wall, cut the pieces for the Posts, Side Top, Side Bottom, Rungs, and Side Long Studs. With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in both ends of the Side Top, Side Bottom, Rungs, and Side Long Studs. Make sure that the pocket holes drilled into the Side Bottom are within the area that will make contact with the Posts. Assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” Pocket Hole Screws.
Cut the pieces for the Side Bed Rail and Cleat. Attach the Cleat to the bottom edge of the Side Bed Rail using 2” Wood Screws. Clamp the Rail/Cleat “set” into place as shown, leaving a 1-1/2” space on each end for the End Rails. The Side Bed Rail, Cleat, and bottom of the Side Rail should be flush with one another. After making sure that everything is completely square and aligned, use a 7/16” Drill Bit to drill through the Side Bed Rail, Cleat, and Post. You should have two holes on each end for the Bolts. Fasten with Carriage Bolts and tighten.
For the Head Wall, cut the pieces for the End Rail, End Bed Rail, End Bottom, and End Stud. With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in both ends of the End Rail, End Bed Rail, End Stud, and End Bottom. Assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” Pocket Hole Screws.
For the Foot Wall, cut the pieces for the End Rail, End Bed Rail, End Bottom, and End Stud. With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in both ends of the End Rail, End Bed Rail, End Stud, and End Bottom. Assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” Pocket Hole Screws.
Cut the pieces for the Slats. The Slats will be spaced approximately 4” apart. Attach to the Cleats on each end using 1-1/4” countersunk screws.
Cut the pieces for the Rafters and Roof Ridge. Cut the bottom ends of the Rafters at a 45-degree angle as noted. With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in both ends of the Rafters. Assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” Pocket Hole Screws.
Cut the pieces for the Back Wall. If preferred, you can cut the Back Wall out of a solid piece of 3/4” plywood. However, this image shows the Back Wall made of several different pieces – time to use those scrap pieces of 3/4” plywood! Cut the top of the Upper Back Wall at a 45-degree angle. Attach to the back of the Bed Frame with glue and 1-1/4” Wood Screws. The Back Wall should be attached to the Bed Frame 1/4” from the ground and have a 3/4” overhang on both sides.
Cut the pieces for the Front Wall. The Front Wall will be cut in two sections – an Upper and a Lower section since plywood comes in a 48” width. Cut the top of the Upper Front Wall at a 45 degree angle. Make the ladder cut-outs with a drill and jigsaw. For these interior cuts, start at the inside corner of the cut-out and drill a hole slightly larger than the blade of the jigsaw. Insert your jigsaw blade and make your cut.
When the wall is attached to the Bed Frame, the cut-outs should line up just above a 2×4 for extra support. Attach to the front of the Bed Frame with glue and 1-1/4” Wood Screws. The Front Wall should be attached to the Bed Frame 1/4” from the ground and have a 3/4” overhang on both sides.
Cut the pieces for the Head Wall. Attach to the head of the Bed Frame with glue and 1-1/4” Wood Screws.
Cut the pieces for the Foot Wall. Attach to the foot of the Bed Frame with glue and 1-1/4” Wood Screws.
Make the window cut-outs with a drill and jigsaw. For these interior cuts, start at the inside corner of the cut-out and drill a hole slightly larger than the blade of the jigsaw. Insert your jigsaw blade and make your cut.
Cut the pieces for the Roof. Each end of the Roof pieces should be cut at a 45-degree angle. Attach to the Rafters and Ridge of the Bed Frame with glue and 1-1/4” Wood Screws.
That’s it! Experiment with painting the inside of the Bunk Bed a different color than the outside. You can also play around with installing puck or rope lighting… the possibilities are truly endless with this Bunk Bed!
Finishing Instructions
Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired.
// Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you ONLY use 1 image and provide an ADEQUATE link back to the original source and appropriate plan! 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. By accessing or using any part of the web site, you agree to become bound by the terms and conditions of this website as outlined under Terms of Use. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, then you may not access the Website or use any services. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by The Design Confidential.com and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, personal injury or death, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of information or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website. 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. The Design Confidential.com is inspired by but does not replicate exact designs, any similarities between these plans and items sold at specialty retailers is coincidential and not endorsed by or related to any said retailers. // Post Contains Affiliate Links
Home / Travel
It has been way too long since I finished sharing the details of our much needed family vacation last month! I am already wishing desperately for a repeat of the week which means that it has obviously been long enough for me to forget how awful my babies were for the entire trip. For me to see only the good stuff in my mind when I think about the trip might be something akin to child birth. We gals forget just enough of the bad stuff to think it’s a good idea, nay a great idea, to do it over and over again.
When last we left off, we decided to leave a day early for our Southern California trip and head down to the Central Coast. Our plan was to split up the drive a bit and check an item off my personal bucket list. After a glorious night on the beach we set off bright and early to spend the day touring Hearst Castle, that big house on the hill.
This adorable babe, demonic as he was for the majority of the day, was virtually reverent on his very first bus ride ever. We take Blake to the bus stop each morning for school so he has a natural curiosity toward busses in general. To ride on a bus himself was definitely the highlight of his trip.
My big boy was actually an angel for most of this tour which isn’t all that shocking when I stop to think about the fact that he loves to see pretty things.
As a gal who loves to take pictures, this little jaunt was an absolute dream for me. Since they don’t allow strollers, we rented a child carrier backpack and the mister got to tote the babe around and it left me relatively hands free, which might have been a first. So with millions of photos taken in this amazing place each year, I thought I would share some of my favorite moments and some of the under appreciated details that can be found at every turn in this architectural relic. Even the waiting terminal was filled with beauty… and don’t even get me started on the pool entrance and ladders.
Uncat
Space-saving and stylish, these Compression Nesting Tables need to be in YOUR nest! The construction of these tables is as straight-forward as it gets and can be easily done in an evening. And who doesn’t absolutely love transforming furniture?
As with all of our plans, you are building at your own risk and you should have a firm understanding of building in general before you attempt many of our plans (others are super duper easy and perfect for beginners, like this one). With that, go forth, have fun, take lots of pictures and share them in a showcase on the site or on social media with the hashtag #builtTDCtuff and we will share our faves! Be sure to tag @thedesignconfidential on Instagram and @thedesconf on twitter so we are sure to notice!
Showcase: Built From These PlansI am so honored each and every time one of you fine friends builds from these very plans! If you have built this piece, please take a moment and showcase your build! We are dying to see your fabulous hard work!
Lumber
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 4’x8’ (you really only need 4’x4’, but you typically cannot find that size!)
Cut List
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 16”x24” – Large Table Top
- 2 – 3/4” plywood at 16”x19-1/4” – Large Table Sides
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 3-1/2”x22-1/2” – Large Table Back
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 15”x22” – Small Table Top
- 2 – 3/4” plywood at 15”x17-3/4” – Small Table Sides
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 3-1/2”x20-1/2” – Small Table Back
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 Large Table Top and Sides. With the Kreg jig set for 3/4” material, drill pocket holes in the top ends of the Large Table Sides. Assemble as shown with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws. Apply edge banding to front edge of pieces if desired.
Step 2
Cut the piece for the Large Table Back. With the Kreg jig set for 3/4” material, drill pocket holes in the both ends and on the top side of the Large Table Back. Assemble as shown with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws.
Step 3
Cut the pieces for the Small Table Top and Sides. With the Kreg jig set for 3/4” material, drill pocket holes in the top ends of the Small Table Sides. Assemble as shown with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws. Apply edge banding to front edge of pieces if desired.
Step 4
Cut the piece for the Small Table Back. With the Kreg jig set for 3/4” material, drill pocket holes in the both ends and on the top side of the Small Table Back. Assemble as shown with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws. Attach small casters to the bottom of these two tables for even more versatility!
Finishing Instructions
Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School
// Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you ONLY use 1 image and provide an ADEQUATE link back to the original source and appropriate plan! 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. By accessing or using any part of the web site, you agree to become bound by the terms and conditions of this website as outlined under Terms of Use. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, then you may not access the Website or use any services. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by The Design Confidential.com and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, personal injury or death, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of information or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website. 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. The Design Confidential.com is inspired by but does not replicate exact designs, any similarities between these plans and items sold at specialty retailers is coincidential and not endorsed by or related to any said retailers. // Post May Contain Affiliate Links
Entertaining / Studio
If you need a fun way to round out the amazing food spread you have planned to celebrate Mom this weekend, or any fabulous day this summer, I have just the thing for you with this modern twist on an old classic – a Tropical Tequila Sunrise Poptail! For the 21 and over crowd this seemingly complex treat is actually super simple to make – no culinary skills required.
Have you gathered up your bottles for The Art of Patron contest yet? If you plan to try your hand at creating something unique from their iconic bottles (check out the prize and the details here), you will need a few good reasons to empty them out and so I thought it only prudent of me to share this fun series of cocktails to help you put that artisanal tequila to good use.
The other recipes in this series //
The Art of Patron // Coconut Mint Margarita Recipe
Without further ado… I give you an easy, semi-DIY recipe that will have your guests oohing and aahing over your culinary prowess, without hardly lifting a finger.
TROPICAL TEQUILA SUNRISE POPTAILS // Serves 6
To make this recipe as a drink rather than a poptail, the same directions and ingredients apply, simply fill each glass in the same manner you would fill your popsicle mold. // Serves 3
INGREDIENTS //
16 oz or 2 cups Passion Fruit Juice
4 ½ oz or 3 Jiggers of Patrón Tequila
1 Crystal Light On the Go Stick – Raspberry Ice
1 – 20 oz Bottled Water
Popsicle Mold with Sticks
DIRECTIONS //
Note // Passion fruit juice sounds like a specialty juice (and it is), but Welch’s makes it in a carton or individual bottles that can be found in the refrigerated juice section (near the orange juice), so it should be easy to find. If you aren’t able to find the On the Go packs of Crystal Light, you can use a standard 2 quart mix container of Raspberry Ice as well. You will simply skip the water bottle step and prepare as outlined on the package.
// Open your 20 oz water bottle and empty out just a tiny bit of the water. You need to create room for your raspberry ice packet and give yourself room to shake, shake, shake. Go ahead and do this now and set it aside for just a bit.
// Add 2 cups (16 oz) of Passion Fruit Juice to a shaker or your blender if you prefer. Then add 3 jiggers of Patron Tequila (4.5 oz) and shake, shake, shake. Pour this mixture into your Popsicle mold and fill ¾ of the way full. Now give your Raspberry Ice a quick shake and fill the remainder of each Popsicle mold with it. Try not to shake things around too much if you want to get that separation of color. Place your lid or lids on your mold and place your sticks in through the openings in the lid. Place the whole thing in the freezer near the coldest part and let the magic happen. Because we are trying to freeze alcohol, the colder the better. If you have trouble getting your sticks to stand up as much as you would like them too, try letting your popsicles set up for a couple of hours before you put them in.
Let them freeze overnight if possible and enjoy.
This article was created in partnership with Patron. Thank you for supporting the amazing companies that help bring fresh new content like this to The Design Confidential! I heart you guys!
Showcase
I built this rocking chair pretty much as soon as the plans came out! It's still snowing here in Colorado but I'm making sure I'm super-prepared for summer.
I love the way this turned out, barring a couple glaring errors that hopefully won't be noticed once everything is sanded and painted. Thanks for the great plans—they were precise and error-free.
Estimated Cost
$20 for hardware and paint—all the lumber was leftovers and scraps from other projects.
Length of Time
An entire Saturday and Sunday morning, including two unnecessary hardware store trips because I kept buying hardware with weird threadings that didn't' work together!
Modifications
I made a handful of modifications:
1 – I tweaked the rocker curve for a faster rock (more like a 39″ or 40″ radius) and to shape the edges a little more. I also made the rockers out of 2-by material instead, partially because that's what I had and also because I made my chair out of softwood—I felt like they needed to be a little beefier to be stable and wear well on a brick patio.
2 – My chair was a little prone to splaying out at the back of the rocking action—I think because of the wood—so I used a length of all-thread as a stretcher between the back legs. It works really well to keep the rockers perfectly parallel and makes the rocking much smoother and more stable.
3 – Replaced the two bolts at each joint with one because I wanted to counter-bore with a washer on the outside; the joints are additionally pinned with screws from the inside to prevent racking. The benefit to doing it this way is that I could dry-assemble the whole chair and adjust everything slightly to get things perfectly level and make the rocking super-smooth before adding glue and screws.
I also swapped out the slats for 2.5″ wide strips to match better with some other patio furniture I have, and made the seat back lower for more of a low-slung look.
Lumber Used
Construction Douglas fir that had been sitting in my shed for a couple of months.
Finishing Technique
Unfinished thus far, but I'm planning to paint with acrylic enamel in a fun yellow. I'll probably eventually cut the bolts down, too; I counter-bored for them so they stick out a bit too far.
I tried template/pattern routing for the first time on this project, and it worked out amazingly well. I made my rocker template on 1/2″ MDF (which also gave me a good chance to lay out and tweak the curve before committing) and then used it to make two exactly identical rockers. I also used the router to trim excess off the side frames, using the rocker surface as the new “template”. The finished edges are smooth, flush, and perfectly the same—something I could never have accomplished freehand with a jigsaw.
Plans
A fabulous bench for the end of the bed, your entryway or even in the backyard for a little enjoyment of the great outdoors… Did I mention easy to build? This will be a bit like a puzzle and fun to piece together!
As with all of our plans, you are building at your own risk and you should have a firm understanding of building in general before you attempt many of our plans (some are easy as pie and perfect for beginners). With that, go forth, have fun, take lots of pictures and share them in a showcase on the site or on social media with the hashtag #builtTDCtuff and we will share our faves! Be sure to tag @thedesignconfidential on Instagram / FB and @thedesconf on Twitter / Pinterest. If you are a blogger and you post about your build, don’t forget to include a link to your post on your showcase here. Don’t forget… for all of our newer plans, clicking on the images will let them expand to enormous sizes with much greater clarity. The older plans may need updating so please let us know if you need one fixed!
- 2 – 2×3 at 8’
- 1 – 2×2 at 8’
- 6 – 1×2 at 8’
- 4 – 2×3 at 16-3/4” – Legs
- 2 – 2×3 at 16” – Bottoms
- 2 – 2×2 at 46” – Tops
- 4 – 1×2 at 3-7/8” – Ends
- 27 – 1×2 at 16” – Slats
- 52 – 1×2 at 3/4” – Spacers
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.
Cut the pieces for the Legs. On the top edge, measure 1/4” and make a mark. From this point, mark and cut a 45-degree angle. Make a 45-degree angle cut (perpendicular to the 45-degree angle on the top of the Leg) on the bottom of the Leg.
Cut the pieces for the Bottoms. Cut each end at a 45-degree angle as shown. With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in both ends of the Bottoms (on the longest side of the Bottom, which will face downward when assembled). Attach the Bottoms to the Legs as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the Tops. Cut each end at a 45-degree angle as shown. With the Kreg jig set for 1-1/2” material, drill pocket holes in both ends of the Tops (on the longest side of the Top, which will face upward when assembled). Attach the Tops to the Legs as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket hole screws.
Cut the pieces for the Ends. Cut only one end of each End piece at a 45-degree angle as shown. Attach the Ends to the Tops as shown with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails. See how the Ends hide those pocket holes? Nifty, huh?
Cut the pieces for the Slats and Spacers. Place the first Slat next to the End pieces, flush on each end with the Tops. Secure the Slat to the Ends with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails, countersunk (brads will be nailed through the side of the Slat into the Ends). Next, position Spacers next to the Slat, one on each Top. Secure the Spacers to the Tops with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails. Repeat this step until the last Slat has been positioned on the other end, next to the End pieces. The best way to finish this piece is to have the Slats one color and the rest of the pieces another color – this will give the really cool effect of the Slats “cutting” into the Bench.
Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School
// Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you ONLY use 1 image and provide an ADEQUATE link back to the original source and appropriate plan! 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. By accessing or using any part of the web site, you agree to become bound by the terms and conditions of this website as outlined under Terms of Use. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, then you may not access the Website or use any services. The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by The Design Confidential.com and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, personal injury or death, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of information or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website. 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. The Design Confidential.com is inspired by but does not replicate exact designs, any similarities between these plans and items sold at specialty retailers is coincidental and not endorsed by or related to any said retailers. // Affiliate links are used for tools and materials. The Design Confidential will earn a small commission for any items purchased using these links. Thank you for your support – every little bit counts!
Design / Home / Studio
Despite the title of this article, this is not actually going to be all about my feelings or personal reflections. Unless you count gazing at my full length reflection in the mirror a personal reflection (which you totally could). Nope, just a bit of decorating goodness, progress on my closet makeover, and a super handy tool, especially if you are working on a project by yourself. I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten creative (and completely irritated) when I am trying to measure something larger than my personal wingspan and I am by myself. Let’s not even reflect on how this scenario plays out when I need to measure both height and width then need to mark my point… multiple times. Forget it… So frustrating. I have developed some tricks over the years, but there are circumstances where those tricks don’t precisely work, like when you are working in the middle of an empty wall and you need to calculate relatively precise distances between objects… And then do some math that hurts your brain…
My tricks have nothing whatsoever to do with measuring, more like for hanging things and making sure they are level without having to climb up and down the ladder 87 times. But these smarty little Intel Tablets can actually give you exactly the kind of measurements you need when you are trying to figure out how many mirrors you can fit between two dressers and if you have enough space to hang a shelf above those cute dressers. Imagine if you were planning a gallery wall… you could snap a picture of the wall, tap the two points you want to gauge the distance between, both horizontally and vertically, then use a stylus to draw frame positions directly on your picture. You can even measure your frame size to get a true to life representation of how things will look. But, I digress down the rabbit hole of possibilities.
Armed with all my numbers I set out to add a bit of reflection to this space and some small storage solutions that are big on style, not on size. Visually, I didn’t want to add bulk or weight to the space, prefering instead to keep things light with a round metal wire shelf and wire shelf brackets for hanging my heels.
#spon: I’m required to disclose a relationship between our site and Intel. This could include the Intel Corporation providing us w/content, product, access or other forms of payment.
Design / Home
I have always thought that a vacation home that is not stationary and is actually more like a boat of some sort, would be a much more flexible vacation home. You wouldn't be confined to one place and could essentially take that vacation home with you as you travel and explore.
Obviously I know absolutely nothing of the actual people who own this gorgeous thing, but their space gives me a serious case of Room Envy. This boat is filled with spaces that seem to simplify and streamline, only catering to the essential things that are necessary for maximizing their R and ;R. I imagine the people who inhabit this vessel are very much a 'work hard, play hard' kind of family and I can appreciate that to no end.
If this is your first Room Envy + 5 Things here at the House of TDC, you can read past articles here, and they are basically my chance to share a room or space that seems to represent a life or lifestyle worthy of envy and 5 things about me that you likely don't know. A little up close and personal with a bit of pretty inspiration thrown in, so here goes…
5 THINGS //
One / My adorable little bird baby, at the ripe age of 2 1/2 has officially gone to the dark side. He has passed successfully into the realm of toddler-hood and is well on his way to becoming the crazed dramatic teenager-type my 7 year old is. The terrible two's doesn't even begin to describe some of our recent adventures, though I know for certain this is simply his version of them. Extreme and tenacious, it seems as though that sweet and mild tempered little guy is gone for now, and has been replaced by a demanding, dominating, alpha slash a-type personality. As if our little group needed another… eek, it certainly did not, and this change makes for loud and large conflict that seemingly erupts out of nowhere and any moment, but most particularly when you least want it to.
Two / I have been ridding my life and our household of excess. It feels amazing to let things go and get rid of things that I have carried with me for years, even when those things don't bring me happiness or have any current use for me. It bogs down my creativity and forces me to 'make things work' when I would be well suited to simply go without rather than settle for something that isn't perfect. This is a great book if you are looking to simplify and unburden.
Three / My infection is still very much present and accounted for and I think the forced respite from work and regular activities has given me a chance to seriously reevaluate how I spend my time and the type of time I give to and spend with my family. I need to live life, now. It doesn't cost a single thing to make a memory that will last a lifetime and it's those memories that I hope my boys hold close as they grow older and eventually move on to have their own lives and families.
Four / I have been wanting to share more of my life here with all of you and expand the topics we chat about to include more of those raw everyday moments, both beautiful and not so beautiful perhaps. Each of us travels on a special and unique journey through our lives and I have felt for some time that the story I tell here is only a very small part of my whole and actual story. I am hoping to fill that gap and make this space more representative of who I am and all that I love. It's a tricky path to travel as I have such an amazing group of you who have been part of this community from the start and I honestly don't know if this is something you will enjoy. But, I think with blogger burnout becoming such a prevalent thing (and something I experience often), and the internet going the way of tumblr and pinterest with words that are few and far between… that rather than trying to ease my workload by growing this brand and bringing on contributors to expand into the world of mass blogging, that perhaps I do the opposite and simplify, round out, and get more personal. If I have a space where I can share those things I love, whatever they may be, then I will love that space in a more honest and wholehearted way and hopefully this will resonate with you too. At least that is the idea… what do you think? I promise it won't mean the end of this site or the death of anything we currently do, it will just be more and more can certainly be better.
Five / I mentioned one of my goals for this year right here, and I am so excited to say that I have set those wheels in motion and I am completely immersed in making those dreams a reality, in the present. No more waiting… only doing. I am also seriously considering rolling up my sleeves and doing more client based design work. It seems I am happiest when I am making and decorating and so I should be trying to fill my life with more of those things, don't you think? I have the most wonderful group of you who spend your time with me here and put your faith in all that I do, but as a group of fellow DIY'ers I am not sure if hiring a Designer is the type of thing you would be inclined to do… but I am eager to find out!
Entertaining / Studio
With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner and hot weather right on the heels of that, the timing of this fabulous cocktail recipe couldn’t be better, if I do say so myself… which I definitely do, since I had the distinct pleasure of creating and then testing this recipe. And a pleasure it was, since I had reason to celebrate the start of a new partnership between The Design Confidential and Patrón Tequila for the launch of The Art of Patrón, a contest for Makers and Creatives alike.
This contest celebrates the story behind the craft and the making of their bottles. Created with heart by skilled artisans, no two are alike and each has its own individual beauty and character. It is a very special thing indeed when a product produced en masse is still made by hand and not by machine. And so we should celebrate the beauty of this artisanal tequila and the gorgeous bottles that house it and in turn see how you might be inspired to use these bottles to create something unique and handmade of your own. If you craft something amazing from the bottles and help us celebrate the Art of Patron, you just might win $10,000.
I am also excited and honored to tell you that I have the privilege and pleasure of being one of the judges for this contest and I will be creating a project of my own to get in the spirit of things and mark the occasion. I hope you will join me and put some of those DIY skills to good use… maybe win yourself an amazing prize… In the meantime, I thought it only considerate of me to help you put that tequila to good use with this fine specimen of a margarita!
Of course if something that is equal parts fun and simple to make with a playful modern take on an old classic is a bit more your speed, be sure to check out my other tasty Patron recipe the Tropical Tequila Sunrise Poptail
COCONUT MINT MARGARITA RECIPE // Serves 2 – 3
INGREDIENTS //
16 oz or 2 cups Coconut Sorbet / Ice Cream (5 of these will also work)
1/2 Cup of Patrón Tequila
1/4 Cup Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
4 – 5 Mint Leaves
4 Tablespoons Simple Syrup
GARNISH //
2 Tablespoons of Sugar
1 Tablespoon Shredded Coconut or Flakes
1 Mint Leaf
DIRECTIONS //
Make the Rimming Sugar /
To do this you will want to add a couple of Tablespoons of shredded coconut to a plastic bag (can also use a paper towel or napkin folded in half). Add a mint leaf and gently rub or muddle the mint leaf and shredded coconut together until the mint infuses the coconut just a bit. This will generally take just a minute or so. Once you can tell there is a hint of mint mixed with the coconut, add your sugar and stir to mix, you can do this right in the bag or you can pour your mixture into a bowl at this point. You simply need to be sure that the bowl is relatively shallow and has a base that is large enough for your glass to sit with the rim sitting slightly down into your rimming sugar mixture and set aside.
Make the Drink /
Add Tequila, Lime and Mint Leaves to your blender and pulse or grate to mix and chop the mint leaves. Keep your juiced limes on hand for rimming later. If you are using a Coconut Ice Cream or the Coconut Helado Paletas, you can add a cup of ice to the blender along with your ice cream. If you are using a Coconut Sorbet, you can most likely skip the ice but this will be a judgement call. Blend thoroughly to mix well.
Put it all Together /
Use a juiced lime remnant to wet the rim of your glass, then turn upside down and set your glass in your rimming sugar mixture until the rim is well coated. Pour your coconut mint margarita into your glass and garnish with a mint leaf or sprig. Enjoy!
