Community Brag Posts

Perfect Cubby Bench - My Take on it.

We saw this cubby bench and thought it could work for us... but there's 5 of us.

So we redrew the plans to add two more cubbies.

I also like the idea of being able to hide everything, so we put doors on.

The issue I had was cutting 1x12 material with the chop saw. Cutting with the circular saw (even with a guide) can sometimes leave you with an "almost" square edge. Even with a 12" saw you can not make the cuts on a 1x12. You need a sliding saw for that.

One option is to cut the boards over sized by 1/4 in and then use the table saw to get a square edge with the miter gauge or rip fence.

I only worried about this due to putting doors on the cubbies. It's your using baskets you don't have to be so exact.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax water based stain and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Shelves for a Shed

Submitted by mtairymd on Sat, 06/18/2016 - 13:30

Build Instructions:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Shelves-for-a-Shed/

I looked at purchasing brackets but I couldn’t get the exact size and the price seemed high for something so simple – plus I had a few excess 2×4s from the last job. Mainly, I wanted to utilize the area in the upper portion of the shed while keeping the floor clear for yard/garden equipment. There are multiple variations of this style bracket online. I took a little different approach by utilizing the existing part of the shed (top plate) for support. I don’t know the load capacity but I’m quite sure it will handle any of the items (tarps, paint cans, etc.) I plan to place on the shelf.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Rustic X-Side Kitchen Island

Submitted by cassiet717 on Sat, 03/22/2014 - 05:53

I’ve been hoarding my scraps for the past six months or so hoping to build this as soon as possible. I paid roughly $34 for it!
Everything but the 1”x8” drawer face and the project panel top came from my scrap pile. My aunt and uncle’s renovation dumpster provided the missing 2”x4”s. There are nail holes, dings, and some general bruising, but who says that’s a bad thing?
I omitted the piece of trim beneath the drawer to allow more room for storage on my shelf. I absolutely love my island, and as usual Ana's plans were flawless!
You can see details on how I built and finished on my blog here: http://lovelyweeds.blogspot.com/2014/02/island-paradise.htmlit
Thanks for taking a look!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympia latex paint, Minwax Special Walnut stain, Minwax Finish Wax (body), Polyurethane (project panel top)
You can see tips for recreating my finish here: http://www.lovelyweeds.com/2014/03/island-paradise-part-2.html
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Thank you for making my first furniture DIY project so easy!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/22/2016 - 10:07

I've been looking for a way to hide my ugly garbage can in my kitchen for a while now.  I figured it would cost way too much to buy something like this and was so excited to find Ana's plans online.  This was my first furniture attempt ever.  The plans provided made the entire process so easy.  I used some leftover beadboard for the door and some odds and ends we had laying around for the hardware to keep the costs down.  

Estimated Cost
about $30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
The cabinet was first painted with Americana Decor chalk paint in Vintage then topped with Americana Decor chalk paint in Everlasting and distressed with my random orbit sander. The bead board in the door was painted with some leftover Annie Sloan Chateau Grey. To protect the finish I topped it with Annie Sloan clear wax (3 coats on the top).
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Upholstery Bench

This is my second build and i really like it. I used pine and Waverly Cross Section Green to cover the foam. The plan is realy easy to follow and i used killer B method for the upholstery part. http://ana-white.com/2011/03/upholstered-bench. With two kiddos, it took me a couple of weeks to finish it but its a day project if your have more time than me! The only problem i had was to find high density foam. I finally find it at an upholstery shop but it cost me more for the foam then for the rest of the project. I used varathan oil base stain in light wallnut. I will finish it with a coat of vanish soon. Sorry for my bad english, my first language is french! Genevieve alias MadameG

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
120$ (85$ for foam only!)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pam the Goatherd

Wed, 06/06/2012 - 09:32

Genevieve, I always enjoy your posts. Your English is good - better than some people who grew up speaking it here in the US!
I have a daughter named Genevieve. Her father thought Genevieve Bujold was beautiful and wanted to name his little girl for her.

Changing table

Submitted by Aerohawk on Tue, 04/01/2014 - 20:25

This was my first project so I stuck mostly to the original plan. The only change I made was to make the width 16 1/2 instead of 15 1/2 to fit the pad. I was going for a driftwood finish to match the crib we got.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Very light gray minwax stain followed by two coats of satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wainscoated Hallway Upgrade

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/04/2023 - 08:41

We moved into our new home. The hallway looked dark and gloomy. I decided wainscot the hallway. I brought 2x6 and 2x8 for hallway. Started installing on the wall and framed out the wall after completing the wainscot still didn’t look to my satisfaction. I then changed the carpet and installed laminate flooring. Everyone who comes to our home loves the look.

 

Caitlyn's Reading retreat

This was not built using one of Ana's plans. I have a book of 2X4 projects that my daughter gave me and actually got me started woodworking. This beauty was one of the projects. It was easy to build and easy to put together but not easy to paint. The lattice was the cheapest she could buy and was "furry". I tried sanding which took forever but it was still a mess to paint. I am including the link to the plans: http://woodtools.nov.ru/projects2/WoodPlan/lattice-bower.pdf
If you build this be sure and sand and paint before putting together-it's so much easier.

It looks amazing in her backyard and she is loving it.

Estimated Cost
$150-$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used 2X4s and lattice. If you can afford the better lattice-do it! We just painted it with an exterior flat paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

fancy x barn house table and benches

Well this is a project I made from plans from this site and we love it ! Is my first peace of furniture I've ever made and I think it was Farley easy my wife saw the pictures and ask me if I would make it & I was like I'll try and it turned out beautiful everyone who's seen it love it very sturdy actually it was completed right on time for thanksgiving day. I want to thank Anna and whoever posted those plans we love our big table and matching benches : )

Estimated Cost
about $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax pre-stain conditioner and minwax wood finish dark walnut 2716
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Garden Work Bench

Submitted by mrsberg on Sat, 04/25/2020 - 11:53

This was my first building project and I needed help with the assembly. Also, I used an oil based polyurethane that changed the beautiful blue color to a dingy yellow. So after it was assembled, I sanded it down, giving it a rustic look, and sprayed two coats of Rust-oleum over the entire bench. We also added an extra shelf.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Wood water based stain, oil based polyurethane, sanding, Rust-oleum

Chloe's Purple Playhouse Bed

Saw this plan and knew I had to make it. This is her first BIG GIRL bed. Her reaction made it all worth it, "Daddy I am going to sleep in this bed FOREVER!" We stuck with the hinged storage under the first two steps but turned the space under the top step into a little closet for her dress up stuff. We also strung rope lights in the playhouse section for added fun lighting.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Olympic Interior Latex Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

AnneP (not verified)

Fri, 11/23/2012 - 22:19

I'm going to build this for my granddaughter. She will absolutely love it. I'm having trouble figuring out the exact steps - which I need before I venture on this project. Trying to find accurate step by step plans for the stairs on the right side -- and all the walls too.
THANKS

Plywood farm plank floor

Submitted by ooupla2 on Sun, 04/06/2014 - 10:20

I was inspired by Ana to DIY and save a lot of money. I bought $17 plywood which was the cheap stuff. Lots of knots and rough. I sanded the plywood and cut it into 8 inch planks. I rounded the edges and stained it one time. I nailed it directly to the subfloor and used liquid nails as a second bonding agent. After the floor was nailed in I re stained it and applied 9 coats of flooring poly. It turned out so good im doing the entire 1400 sq feet upstairs of my home! I plan on making many of Ana's furniture projects to fill the rooms once its all complete!

Estimated Cost
$1.25 sq foot
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane diamond floor finish. semi gloss applied with Varathane Water Borne Applicator, reapply after 2 hours
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pallet Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/03/2016 - 08:55

All of the wood is recycled from pallets. The hardware is also recycled from old kitchen cabinets. All sides of the cabinet are paneled with planks of pallet wood. The plans were awesome to follow! After a certain point though, I had to go rogue because I was using different wood. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
maybe $25 because I had to add to our supply of stain & shelac to finish
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Zar oil-based Rosewood
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adirondack Chair, Fountain and Bench

Ana, I want to say how inspirational you have been to me over some years. I think my first project found on your website was a chicken coop. More recently I have built the large garage workbench system with 2 rollout workbench/storage units (still in progress). In the past few weeks I have built the Adirondack chairs. The Adirondack chairs spurred me to continue building a “park like” setting in my small backyard. This includes a park bench (to match the Adirondack chairs), a park style grill, and a water fall. The waterfall is fairly simple (now that I have done it once - ha).

Ken Moody - Babcock Ranch, Florida

Seasonal And Holiday

Tryde Coffee Table

My first project! Luci looks like a demon.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean stain and polycrylic by Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Counter Stools

Submitted by bencorless on Tue, 04/08/2014 - 15:08

I slightly modified the plans to give them more of a "Saddleback" style. I used a 2x10 for the seat, then belt sanded for an hour to give it the concave shape.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toddler Captains Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/05/2016 - 19:36

My wife wanted a dresser and a bed for our two year old foster daughter on her second birthday.  Since half the dresser drawers are not useful for a toddler I considered a Captain's Bed or Mate's bed but couldn't find one.  I modified the Traditional Wood Toddler Bed plan adding drawers underneath and painted it white.   My little girl loves it.   It turned out nice enough that my oldest daughter asked me to make another for my grandson since his convertible bed will be converted back to a crib with a new granddaughter on the way.  Her only request was to color it Espresso Brown.  I have included the picture.  Thank You for the ideas.   God Bless You and your faimily

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Black Primer and Espresso Brown Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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