I turned this builder-grade beige plywood palace into a custom closet kingdom fit for a Queen. The Secret Sauce for this stain grade glow-up? Color Series Oil-Based Stain.
I used ALL of my favorite Minwax products to bring this project (and this crown) to life. From wood prep to final finish, using tools designed to work together takes the pain out of stain. Less guessing, more impressing. š
My confidence peaked when the Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner prepped my panels so well that I only needed to use ONE QUART of Minwax Color Series Oil-Based Semi-Transparent Wood Stain for the entire closet! It brushes on 5x thicker, dries 2x faster, and comes in 240+ rich colors that brush on with satisfying precision.
I knew I sealed the keys to the Queendom with Minwax Polycrylic MAX Crystal Clear Protection in Clear Satin to refine the final feel of my surfaces with a subtle sheen that feels like butter to the touch.
I used to be a Plywood Princess. But with Minwax at hand, I am DIY royalty.
Every town has a DIY Queen or King. With Minwax, yours could be you. š
Special thanks to the DIY Queen of New Jersey, Sam Raimondi,
Morris & Taylor
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TV Host Classic Heirloom Quality Furniture & Goods
10/02/2025
Hey! If youāre new here, Iām Rachel Builds, ice cream lover, animal lover and tool lover. When I met my boyfriend, I told him it would be cheaper to date a woman who loves shoes, handbags and jewelry combined. He didnāt listen. Itās not my fault that Iām addicted to power tools, itās my Dadās fault. He was the carpenter who let me watch him remodel our house. He also ālet meā play in big piles of the pink fluff pile in the backyard after he told me not to. āItās fIBeRgLaSs iNsULAtIOn. Donāt touch it.ā (What can go wrong said 6 year old me as I played ācotton candy storeā until my hands were itchy and swollen š©). Turns out, my Dad is also responsible for letting me learn tough lessons that made me the resilient carpenter (and mother of 4, provider, partner, self taught business startup expert, makeup artist, jewelry designer, professional baker, retail store owner and student of life) that Iām proud of.
When Iām not wearing tank tops, I wear my heart on my sleeve fearlessly, thanks to my incredibly close relationship with my grandparents, for whom I still cry about when I tell stories about them. I care deeply about peopleās experiences, for animals, and for family. I also care deeply about ice cream, beer and trucker hats, and occasionally all three at the same time. If you send them to me, I will feature them on my page. (Shameless plug).
These days carpentry has lead me to public speaking , charitable work with , and countless clients for almost 10 years. My parents passers away 5 weeks apart from one another before my first tv hosting show on premiered in 2021, followed by several more with and . I still canāt believe I get to keep learning and making mistakes on TV! š
In 2025, the Palisades Fire took everything on our ranch, BUT the house that my amazing partner bought only 5 months prior. We share not just a home together, but a story in the making, filled with all the projects this little lady has always dreamed of getting her hands into. I look forward to sharing my projects, plans and perspective with you! Keep building! ā¤ļø
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