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Shopping
If you have a few remaining items to scour the interwebs for or head out on a hunt around town for, let this roundup of some of my favorite handmade gift items inspire you! There is still a bit of time to shop online if you shop local, which you can do at Great.ly, but I hope these items in this gift guide will be an inspiration to remind you that it is the power of imagination and pretend that often delights the young ones most.
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The story stones seen here are the most popular item in my Shoppe to date, and I love a gorgeous modern doll house, especially if it doesn’t cost a small fortune and is something those little might be able to put together themselves since it is made of heavy duty paper products…. though if I had little gal in my life, she might have to fight off her mommy for a turn at the building, just sayin’. Anything with a cape is popular in my house, and seeing these handmade costume sets for both girls and boys makes me a happy mama. I know that bedding and art do not replace the fun gifts, but my boys love getting things that make their spaces special. It makes them feel so big and they love anything that does that for them!
What gifts or toys do your kids end up loving most each year? It is always the unexpected ones in my house, though I have gotten a pretty decent handle on it these days. I hope…
Psst… you can browse the gifted for girls guide and the gifted for guys guide and the fun gifted for spreading holiday cheer guide as well an expanded list for all four of these gift guides on pinterest here, here, here and here. I will add to these over the next many months and they should be a fabulous list of goodies to give! Yahoo.
Plans
I just love a good modern and substantial canopy bed, don’t you? Good thing for these free diy furniture plans to build a canopy bed, eh? This is avtually a really simple build so if you are looking for something fast with big impact you can make, this might just be the perfect thing!
If you prefer – Plans for the Queen Size Canopy Bed
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!
- 8 – 4×4 at 8’
- 14 – 2×8 at 8’
- 7 – 2×4 at 8”
- 4 – 4×4 at 84” – Posts
- 2 – 4×4 at 77” – Front and Back Frame
- 2 – 4×4 at 94-1/4” – Frame Sides
- 2 – 2×4 at 77” – Front and Back Top Rails
- 2 – 2×4 at 94-1/4” – Top Rail Sides
- 2 – 2×8 at 77” – Front and Back Platform
- 2 – 2×8 at 94-1/4” – Platform Sides
- 2 – 2×4 at 94-1/4” – Cleats
- 1 – 2×4 at 94-1/4” – Center Support
- 2 – 2×4 at 3-3/4” – Center Support Legs
- 13 – 2×8 at 77” – Slats
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 Posts, Front and Back Frame, and Frame Sides. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the Frame pieces. Assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. At this point, the Bed is upside down so that it is easier to assemble. Make sure that the pocket holes will face the ceiling when the bed is turned right side up.
Flip the piece over. Next, cut the pieces for the Front, Back and Side Top Rails. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the Top Rail pieces. Assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Make sure that the pocket holes face the floor when assembled.
Cut the pieces for the Front, Back, and Side Platform pieces. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the Platform pieces. Assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Make sure the pocket holes face the inside of the Bed when assembled. In addition to the pocket screws, you can use 2” wood screws to attach the Top Rails to the Platform pieces.
Cut the pieces for the Cleats. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the Cleats. Assemble to the Platform Sides as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. In addition to the pocket screws, you can use 2” wood screws to attach the Cleats to the Platform.
Cut the pieces for the Center Support and Center Support Legs. Set the Kreg jig for 1-1/2” material and drill pocket holes in the top ends of the Center Support Legs and in each end of the Center Support. Attach the Center Support Legs to the Center Support with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws. Attach the Center Support to the Front and Back Platform pieces and assemble as shown with glue and 2-1/2” pocket screws.
Cut the pieces for the Slats. Attach the Slats to the Cleats and assemble as shown with glue and 2” wood screws.
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. // 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!
Home
I think achieving this elusive balance is always the goal for me, with our busy lives, large extended family and no less than 16 birthdays between the months of October and January. Of course this is certainly much easier said than done, most of the time.
White + Gold Candle Holders – In Store Only
If everything I add to my home will look just as good in February as it will in December, then it is a keeper in my book. I have found that the ideal balance between effortless holiday décor and capturing that warm holiday feeling, for me, is in fact a streamlined smattering of festive details and is how I define a modern holiday. My modern holiday is easy and carefree and still looks amazing alongside all of the décor I have worked so hard to create during the rest of the year.
Bottle Brush Tree Large / Bottle Brush Tree Small / Happy Holidays Glittery Garland / 4.5′ Prelit Tree
Sometimes keeping things simple means getting creative with my décor. I like to add a handmade touch to my tree and mantle, but I don’t always have the time to do this. This year I let the folks at Target do the heavy lifting for me, and I added those handmade touches by choosing decorations that are unique and made from natural materials. Glittery paper garlands hung from the mantle and cut into sections to adorn my tree add just the right amount of texture and don’t require any significant time investment on my part. Perhaps semi-homemade is a more appropriate turn of phrase as even some adorable wooden snowflake and tree shaped gift tags I found became the most gorgeous ornaments. Beautiful bottle brush trees grace my hearth and add a bit of that wintery feeling with ease and elegance. I used shimmery tablecloth for a tree skirt and added just the right amount of shine without stealing the show.
My home is both festive and carefree with these easy holiday pieces and it has taken much of the thought and effort out of the process. I could not be more glad of that… now that I am finished with most of my holiday chores, I’m off to sit by the fire and watch my boys fight over who gets to redecorate the tree for the eighteenth time. Please tell me your kiddos do this too? It’s a wonder anything ever stays in the same spot longer than a minute. At least if everything coordinates, I suppose it doesn’t matter much if my holiday trimmings end up in a different place every hour on the hour, and it certainly makes things fun for my babes to get involved in dressing our home this time of year.
Faux Fur Throw / Fur Pillow / Bottle Brush Tree / Glittery Garland / Silver Garland / Tablecloth
This post is sponsored by Target. Shop Home Décor for modern luxury made easy.
Shopping
Sometimes it is the people who are not family, that are the hardest to shop for! You know… those folks who you want to give a little something special to, but that you don’t necessarily know well enough to give something very personal or personalized to… or those folks who are a family and where the gift needs to suit multiple people, sometimes with a very wide age range and taste. This is where I think spreading some holiday cheer is in order.
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I have rounded up a few of my faves for spreading some happy holiday spirit. This collection of items also happens to be perfect for keeping on hand so that you can reciprocate in kindness for those occasional unexpected gifts and people that surprise you! It would be amazing to have the foresight to buy these early, which I typically don’t, or even after the holidays to stock up for the following year! I have a whole series of collections in my shoppe for just such a thing, and an expanded list of holiday cheer in the form of a pinterest board.
I would love to know some of your go-to gifts for spreading holiday cheer! Let’s swap ideas!
If you are shopping for the boys, check out My Gift Guide for the Guys, my Gifted // Guys Shoppe collection and Gifted for Guys Pinterest Board
If you are shopping for the girls, check out My Gift Guide for the Gals, my Gifted // Gals Shoppe collection and Gifted for Gals Pinterest Board.
Plans
This Free DIY Furniture Plan to Build a Twin Sized Low Loft Bunk with Rolling Desk and Shelf is a a fabulous addition to our most popular collection of all time! Built with closed ends, a ladder and of course the rolling desk, this version can be made in whole or in part by adding on to any of our other Low Loft Bunk plans.
The other amazing plans in this collection are below!
- 3 – 4×4 at 8’
- 3 – 2×6 at 8’
- 7 – 1×4 at 8’
- 9 – 2×4 at 8’
- 3 – 1×2 at 8’
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 4’x8’
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 2’x4’
- 4 – 4×4 at 52” – Legs
- 2 – 2×6 at 78-1/2” – Lower Front and Back Bed Rails
- 2 – 1×4 at 78-1/2” – Front and Back Cleats
- 2 – 2×4 at 78-1/2” – Back Desk Rails
- 2 – 2×6 at 41-1/2” – Lower Side Bed Rails
- 2 – 2×4 at 41-1/2” – Side Desk Rails
- 2 – 2×4 at 78-1/2” – Upper Back Bed Rails
- 2 – 2×4 at 57” – Upper Front Bed Rails
- 1 – 2×4 at 21” – Vertical Front Guard Rail
- 11 – 1×4 at 38-1/2” – Slats
- 2 – 2×4 at 41-1/2” – Upper Side Bed Rails
- 2 – 3/4” plywood at 12”x41-1/2” – Side Panels
- 2 – 2×4 at 53” – Ladder Rails
- 4 – 2×4 at 16-1/2 – Ladder Rungs
- 2 – 3/4” plywood at 12”x20-1/2” – Bookcase Top and Bookcase Shelf
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 12-3/4”x20-1/2” – Bookcase Bottom
- 2 – 3/4” plywood at 12-3/4”x25-3/4” – Bookcase Sides
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 20-1/2”x25” – Bookcase Back
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 3”x22” – Desk Stop
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 24”x38-3/4” – Desk Top
- 6 – 1×2 at 41-1/2” – Desk Rail Tops, Sides, and Bottoms
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 Legs to size and attach the Cleat to the Lower Back Bed Rail using 2″ Screws. To attach the Rail to the Legs you will arrange the 4 pieces as shown in the diagram below, making sure to leave 1 1/2″ on either side of the Rails to allow for the Lower Side Bed Rails later, and clamp together making sure everything is completely square before you proceed. Once square and aligned as needed, you will use a 7/16″ Drill Bit and drill through all 3 pieces on each side, creating 2 holes on either side for the bolts. Fasten with your Carriage Bolts and tighten. Repeat steps for Lower Front Bed Rail.
Attach the Back Desk Rail to the Back Legs. Use 3″ Screws to attach to the Legs.
Set the Kreg for 1-1/2” material and drill holes in the ends of the Side Desk Rails and Lower Side Bed Rails. Attach the Lower Side Bed Rails and Side Desk Rails to the Legs as shown with 2-1/2” pocket screws.
Attach the Front Vertical Guard Rail, use 2″ Screws. Then fasten the Upper Front Bed Rails to it with 2” wood screws and to the Left or Right Front Leg (depending on ladder location) with 3” screws.
Next, attach the Upper Back Bed Rails. Use 3″ Screws to attach the Rails to the Legs.
Lay your Slats approximately 4″ apart. Be sure the 2 on the outside edges are flush in both corners. Screw down using 1-1/4″ Screws.
Set the Kreg for 1-1/2” material and drill holes in the ends of each Upper Side Bed Rails. Attach the Upper Side Bed Rails to the Legs with 2-1/2” pocket screws.
Next, assemble the Panels. Set the Kreg jig for 3/4” material and drill holes on each of the four sides of the Panel. The Panels will sit 3/4” back from the Legs and Rails on the outside of the Bed, and flush with the Legs and Rails on the inside of the Bed.
Create the Ladder. I give approximate dimensions for the height below, but the important aspect to focus on is the angle you will cut the top and bottom. The top of the ladder rails will be at a 75°angle and the bottom of the rails will be a 15°angle where the boards will rest on the ground. Attach the rungs at approximately 8″ apart (this will depend on the age of your kiddo, the smaller and younger, the closer together these should be, you need to consider how easy it will be for them to climb down) and parallel to the ground. Use 3″ Screws to fasten the rungs to the rails and to fasten the rails to the Leg and Front Guard Rail.
Assemble the Bookcase as shown. Set the Kreg jig for 3/4” material and drill pocket holes in the ends of the Bookcase Top, Bookcase Shelf, and Bookcase Bottom. In addition, drill pocket holes in the backside of the Bookcase Top and Bookcase Shelf. Assemble with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws. The Bookcase Top and Bookcase Shelf will be set back 3/4” from the back edge of the Bookcase Sides.
Attach the Bookcase Back to the Bookcase as shown. Set the Kreg jig for 3/4” material and drill pocket holes in the side and bottom of the Bookcase back. Assemble with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws.
Assemble the Desk Stop and Desk Top as shown with glue and 1-1/4” wood screws. The Desk Top will overlap the front and sides of the Bookcase by 1”.
Attach the furniture castors as shown. In this diagram, we used 2” casters that measured 3” in total height. If using another caster with a different height measurement, make up the difference in the Bookcase Sides and Bookcase Back.
Assemble the pieces for the Desk Rails as shown. First, attach the left side Desk Rail, place the Retractable Desk (lining up the Desk Top inside the Desk Rail), and then attach the right side Desk Rail. Attach to the Lower Front Bed Rail and Lower Back Bed Rail with glue and 1-1/4” wood screws (drill pilot holes before using the screws to avoid wood splitting). Apply a coat of paste wax to the inside of the Desk Guides (after paint, stain, or topcoat) to help it slide smoothly.
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
Shopping
For all of the girls on your list this year… a few of my favorite handmade gifts that I would love to receive (hint, hint to the mister in my house). Many of the items in my shoppe are made by independent makers all over the world, so if you are a last minute shopper then you can simply shop local from the makers in your area. Cool, right?
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13
I have rounded up dozens of gorgeous goods in my Shoppe that are perfect for the Gals you need to buy for, whether family or friends there is something special for everyone and this list is just the tip of the iceberg babes! For an expanded list of gifted perfection, check out my Gifted for Gals pinterest board. All items are perfect for your most special gal all year round and will help me keep track of what I would love to buy for my fam and friends as well! Yahoo.
Psst… Great.ly is gifting two lucky shoppers their entire order EVERY day through the 16th! So go forth and shop small business and get your girls something handmade and fabulous!
If you are shopping for the boys, check out My Gift Guide for the Guys, my Gifted // Guys Shoppe collection and Gifted for Guys Pinterest Board
Plans
For your little ballerina, an adorable doll sized ballerina bar so your babe and her favorite 18 inch doll can have dance class together. This free plan for an easy to build doll ballerina bar is sure to please this holiday season. As part of our ongoing Handmade Holiday series, this project joins a well rounded group of adorable gifts you can make yourself!
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!
- 1 – 1×2 at 4’
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 2’x2′
- 1 – 3/8” dowel at 12”
- 2 – 1×2 at 12-1/2” – Mirror Sides
- 1 – 1×2 at 9” – Mirror Bottom
- 1 – 3/4” plywood at 3”x12” – Mirror Top
- 2 – 3/4” plywood at 2”x8-1/2” – Mirror Stands
- 2 – 1×2 at 2” – Bar Holders
- 1 – 3/8” dowel at 9-3/4”– Bar
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 Mirror Sides and Mirror Bottom. Set the Kreg jig for 3/4” material and drill pocket holes in the top ends of the Sides and in each end of the Bottom. Place the screws so that a 1/4” rabbeting bit run along the inside of the Mirror will avoid them (see Step 5). Assemble as shown with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws.
Cut the piece for the Mirror Top. From each top corner, draw a 1-1/2” radius circle 3” radius circle. Next, measure and mark a 1-1/2” line from the top and side edges. Using your jigsaw, cut out the shape in the diagram. Attach to the Mirror Sides with glue and 1-1/4” pocket screws.
Cut the pieces for the Mirror Stands. Measure, mark and cut a 1” triangle on each top corner as shown. Using your jigsaw, cut out the shape in the diagram. Attach to the bottom of the Mirror Sides with glue and 1-1/4” wood screws.
Cut the pieces for the Bar Holders. Connect each corner with a line to find the center as shown. Drill a 1/2” radius circle on the center of the “x,” approximately 1/4” deep.
Next, measure, mark, and cut a 1/2” triangle on the bottom corner of the Bar Holder as shown. Using your jigsaw, cut out the shape in the diagram.
Attach one of the Bar Holders to a Mirror Side with glue and 1-1/4” wood screws, screwed in from the back of the Mirror Side. The Bar Holder will be positioned 1/2” from the Mirror Side outer edge and 6-3/4” from the bottom of the Mirror Side as shown.
Cut the piece for the Bar. The Bar will be 9-3/4” long – each end of the Bar dowel will extend into the 1/2” hole drilled into the Bar Holders. Position the second Bar Holder, similar to the first.
Set router bit depth to cut a ¼” rabbet. Cut the rabbet on the inner back of the frame to allow for the mirror. Use a chisel and hammer to square the corners. Adhere the mirror using mirror adhesive or a tab framing gun. The mirror frame can be attached to the vanity with pocket screws through the side frame as well as metal mending plates.
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 / Shopping
I’m back after a crazy busy weekend to share the story of how four pieces of art transformed two rooms and made one gal a very happy girl. If you’re just joining me on this adventure, you can read all about this project here and here. I partnered with my bff’s at domino magazine and Minted to curate a collection of pieces from their new exclusive collection of art and to transform a wall in my home that needs a little love. Well, there are no shortage of lonely walls in this crazy house, but I chose to focus on two in particular that have been a work in progress for far too long.
It wasn’t easy choosing from this gorgeous group of prints, but there were several that seemed like they would fit right into the mix I already had and would feel like they had been there all along, only better!
I am also super duper excited to tell you about the amazing prize one of you might win… but first, let’s get back to the gorgeous things that happened here this past weekend!
Let us begin in the Living Room, shall we?
My living room wall began like this… I only showed you a small portion of this wall because the remainder is very vast and was very lonely and sparse feeling.
And then it all came together to look like this! Yahoo… I added two gorgeous prints, Inner Light from Kristi Kohut and Sand from Melissa Douglas, and they gave this wall a more modern and youthful look and certainly brought the happy to this space!
I made you guys a little animated view so you can see the pieces come together. From start to finish this space now feels full and complete with art that is unique and special. But of course I didn’t stop here….
Gazing upon this temporary gallery wall bummed me out every single day so I decided to take on the enormous wall I began in my Master Bedroom several months back, and gave this space a bit of special as well.
The transformation here is pretty significant, especially in person. I added Marbled Wake by SylvieCeres Designs and Organism 1b by VeryMarta and they make me smile every time I head upstairs. It feels pretty special to have these pieces in this space.
The animated version of this cute puzzle is so fun. You guys, it feels so grownup to have real art by real artists on my walls. Everytime I complete a project like this I have that moment of ‘why didn’t I do this earlier’ and I hope that some of you experience this feeling too… So join me in a challenge of your own and get on that lonely little wall you have ignored for far to long! To make it that much more fun, we will be giving one of you lucky folks some art to make a gorgeous gallery wall of your own! Share your adventure with us using the hashtag #dmhappywalls and be sure to tag @thedesignconfidential @dominomag and @minted on instagram as you share your journey toward cute walls.
In honor of the new collection, I’m hosting a $500 giveaway with domino and Minted! Just hop over to check out the 75 new pieces and then comment on this post with an art piece you might choose, should you win. Then click here to enter the sweepstakes. Good luck!
Design / Home / Shopping / Studio
Squeal… It's finally here! I mentioned here that I was partnering with Domino Magazine and Minted for a fun little weekend wall challenge. To recap, it is all about tackling that lingering empty wall space that you have been staring at for far too long… or at least that is what this is about for me, and I have quite a few of them. Sometimes these things are easier to do in good company and with a group of people who are cheering you on, am I right? Sort of like a support group than spans the interwebs, if you will.
So join me while I take the bull by the horns and whip these walls of mine into shape with some of the gorgeous new pieces from the Domino + Minted collection. The fab thing about this artwork is that it is made by indie artists, and chosen by the community to be sold in limited edition runs. That makes each piece pretty darn special in my book.
Studio / TDC
This partnership and giveaway are sponsored by The Home Depot, Yahoo. All crazy talk and thoughts are my own.
It looks like some of you are definitely on Santa’s Good List this year, because at the end of this story, one of you is going to win a $500 gift card to The Home Depot, yahoo!
I had the pleasure of hosting November’s #DIHWorkshop at the Elk Grove store,one of Sacramento’s local Home Depot locations, and it was a glorious!
We cut, we drilled, we seriously nailed it and there even was hot chocolate and cookies… my fave. We had a packed house, filled with guys and gals alike, and an eager group of folks who wanted to soak up the power tool and lighted marquee sign building knowledge and it was fabulous! Truly…
There was swag for all, in cute bags, galore.
You must head to your nearest workshop this month to see what is in store.
We gave our introductions – that is me on the left – then we got straight into our project! Our fearless leader David, that is him on the right… just in case you couldn’t tell, walked us through the general project steps and I could tell that our amazing group was equal parts excited and a bit nervous about getting to use power tools! Truthfully, this is my favorite thing because I have found that I love to watch people come to the realization that they can actually do this sort of thing. Power tools are empowering, that is just the heart of the matter.
David brilliantly printed out his drawing of the measurements for the letters J, O, and Y. With this he showed us how to use a T-Square to recreate the letters on our plywood. It sounds trivial perhaps, but trust me when I say that it is a detail that is easily overlooked and has the potential to cause a bit of a headache if not addressed. The letters are larger than a standard sheet of paper, so unless you scale them down you aren’t able to print and cut out a template. Drawing them out is the best solution and he made this step easy!
Then onto the real deal… It was time for everyone to get to try out the jig saw. I could tell this was initially the part folks were nervous about, but they got to see just how easy it is. They also got a few tips from me about how to maintain control of the saw and use it to their greatest advantage. For any of you who have used a jig saw, you already know how they can shake your head loose if you don’t maintain pressure throughout your cuts.
We were shown how to make the pilot hole for cutting out the inside of the O, such good stuff!
We talked trimmings of a woodsy variety and our group got to use one of my favorite tools of all time- the Ryobi Cordless Airstrike Nail Gun – to nail on the perimeter trim that frames out the marquee sign. That thing is addicting. I could see it start to take hold of each of the people who gave it a whirl. You just don’t want to stop. In fact, you might find yourself looking for reasons to use it and when all else fails… making them up entirely! The letters were nailed in place and everyone was seeing things really come together at this point.
While our letters had already been drilled for light placement, so they could be painted inside the holes ahead of time, your version at home will likely get holes after they are secured. If you prefer to drill through the letters in advance, then paint them fully, then once they are secured to the back board you can drill carefully through your premade holes to create a hole in the same spot through the back plywood sheet.
Just look at that gorgeous sawdust. Sawdust smells like progress and productivity, don’t you think?
When you are ready to string your lights, you will likely have to remove the globe portion so you can fit the lights in and through your holes. When you put the globe portion back on, it will help hold the lights in place so do this as you go along! You can use a little epoxy to secure the base of the lights to the hole so that they don’t move around. If you prefer to have your string of lights be less permanent, you can of course simply pull things nice and tight on the backside and use a staple gun to carefully secure it. Yahoo, that is all she wrote… except there were some awesome prizes including our group project and another identical sign and some gift cards as well! Yay! So many winners… and now you boys and girls have a chance to win a huge holiday prize of $500 to The Home Depot! The entry form should show below, if it doesn’t, simply refresh. I provided a great many methods for entry so that no one feels left out! Do them all, or do just one, regardless I wish you all the very best luck!
PRIZE // $500 Gift Card to The Home Depot
WINNER // One winner will be drawn at random from the Rafflecopter entries below. It’s all very civilized and technical, you know?
GIVEAWAY // This giveaway ends at midnight on December 10, 2014 and the winner will be notified via email later that morning. Make sure the email you use to sign in to Rafflecopter or Disqus (for comments) is valid and regularly checked! It would be sad to miss out on your prize!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
// Make this year a how-to holiday. The Home Depot is the destination for the tools and supplies to deck your halls without the hassle.
// The Home Depot can share the skills and confidence to be a first class do-it-yourselfer. In-store workshops are a great way to get step-by-step instructions and hands-on experience learning to do simple décor and easy home improvements.
// Do-It-Herself (DIH) Workshops are held monthly at all The Home Depot store locations and empower women to take their home improvement project plans from dreams to done.
// Clear your calendar and grab your girlfriends the third Thursday of each month for The Home Depot’s DIH Workshop. This interactive, hands-on workshop is a great opportunity to fine tune your DIY skills and pick up tips and advice from the pros for all of your home improvement projects.
This partnership and giveaway are sponsored by The Home Depot, Yahoo. All crazy talk and thoughts are my own. The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me for their DIH Workshop program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. The Home Depot believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
Plans
This DIY Fire Station Play Set is the perfect spot for all of the superhero and action figures to hang out while your imaginative children stage a very intricate rescue mission to save the whole world! Or maybe it would make a fabulous open frame dollhouse with a little customization, either way this Free Toy Plan to Build a Fire Station Play Set slash Dollhouse is a great gift to make for your special little ones this Holiday. This project is part of our TDC Handmade Holiday series, feel free to browse the other project plans to see what else you might make for your babes this year! I will be adding to it frequently, so check back often!
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!
- 1 – 1/4” sheet of plywood at 2’ x 2′
- 1 – 1/2” sheet of plywood at 4’ x 4′
- 1 – 1×2 at 8’
- 1 – 1/2” dowel at 18”-24”
- 2 – 1/2” plywood at 16” x 16” – Roof and First Floor
- 4 – 1×2 at 15” – Posts
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 14-1/2” x 16” – Second Floor
- 2 – 1/2” plywood at 14-1/2” x 7-1/4” – First and Second Floor Walls
- 2 – 1/2” plywood at 3-1/4” x 7” – Doors
- 7 – 3/4” plywood at 1”x2-1/4” – Steps
- 2 – 1/4” plywood at 1”x9-9/32– Stair Sides
- 1 – 1/2” dowel at 15” – Fire Pole
- 2 – 1/2” plywood at 2-1/2” x 3-1/2” – Chimney Sides
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 3” x 3-1/2” – Chimney Front
- 1 – 1/2” plywood at 4” x 4” – Chimney Top
- 2 – 1/4” plywood at 1” x 16-1/4” – Trim Sides
- 1 – 1/4” plywood at 1” x 16” – Trim Back
- 1 – 1/4” plywood at 1” x 4” – Trim Front
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 out the Roof, First Floor, and Posts. Attach as shown with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails. Attach edge banding to the sides of the plywood if desired.
Cut out the Second Floor as shown. To create interior cutouts, you can drill a small pilot hole (slightly larger than the size of your jigsaw blade) in the corner of the cutout if needed. Then, simply insert your jigsaw blade, and begin cutting out the shape. Attach as shown with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails. Attach edge banding to the sides of the plywood if desired.
Cut out the First and Second Floor Walls as shown. Assemble as shown with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails. Attach edge banding to the sides of the plywood if desired.
Next, cut out the Doors. Attach edge banding to the sides of the plywood if desired. There should be a 1/8” gap on all sides of the doors, and a 1/4” between the two Doors – this is to allow room for the hinges and for opening the Doors. Attach very small hinges to the Doors and adjacent wall as shown.
Cut out the pieces for the Steps and Stair Sides. The best way to create the Steps will be to rip 3/4” plywood (or a 1×2) into a 1” wide strip approximately 17” in length. From this 1” strip, cut 7 pieces 2-1/4” in length. For the Stair Sides, rip a piece of 1/4” plywood into a 1” width approximately 10” in length (repeat twice, once for each Stair Side). Lay the Stair Side flat and stack the Steps on the Stair Side as shown. Make a vertical mark where the Step meets the Stair Sides and cut these portions off (we do this so we don’t have to fuss with those crazy 32nds of an inch measurements). Assemble as shown with glue and 1/2” brad nails (nailed from the outside of the Stair Sides into the Steps).
Next, cut out the piece for the Fire Pole. Place as shown (same measurements for placement on top as noted on bottom) and secure with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails.
Cut the pieces for the Chimney Sides, Front, and Top. Attach edge banding to the sides of the plywood if desired. Place as shown and secure with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails.
Cut the pieces for the Trim Sides and Back. Attach as shown with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails.
Cut the piece for the Trim Front (mark and cut out with jigsaw). Attach as shown with glue and 1-1/4” brad nails. Make a cool Fire Station logo or use the child’s name on the Front Trim!
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!
Shopping
Happy Cyber Monday and first day of December my friends! I hope those of you in the US had a wonderful Thanksgiving and stuffed yourselves silly! Did you head out into the hustle and bustle on Black Friday or do you prefer to shop from the safety of your own computer? I am definitely not a crowd loving kind of gal so in true form I have shopped my fingers to the bone with all of the amazing deals out there! This year I am focusing more on handmade and specialty gifts rather than what I am typically forced to do for my video game and Lego loving kiddos. I am thinking many of you are feeling the same need to keep things centered this year and prefer to shop small, so I have rounded up a few of my handmade faves for the boys. Head on over to shop the entirety of my handmade gift guide for the guys and I am working on a Pinterest board filled with both handmade and specialty retail gifts alike. If you are looking for some exciting and unique gifts for the guys in your life, be sure to pop on over and check things out. I will be adding to it all week so check back often to see what I have rounded up! Yahoo…
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