Community Brag Posts

Pedestal Table Herringbone Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/22/2017 - 10:38

Herringbone Table

Thanks for the wonderful plans! This is my 2nd Ana White build (traditional turned leg, pottery barn desk). I used the legs from this build and then leveraged some tips from another blog for the herringbone top using 2 sheets of MDF as a base (http://www.southernrevivals.com/2014/06/tile-top-herringbone-table-make…). My herringbone table took some planning, as it is over 13' long. Now all of my family can eat together when we get together!

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Provincial Stain (4 coats) and Semi Gloss Poly, both by Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Hybrid Farmhouse / Trestle Table, bench, chairs

I spent a lot of time looking at photos that my wife tagged on pinterest, most from builders who frequent Ana's site.  I learned a lot just from looking.

I stole particular ideas from Ana, Tommie and Ellie, and another site that I can't find right now, but they really did the trestle / farmhouse hybrid idea first and I just modified their idea a bit.  If anyone has seen their site, please remind me so I can give credit where it is due!

I didn't really use a plan other than having a general idea of what I wanted the size of the table to be.  I believe it came out to about 102" x 44"

I built 6 chairs and the bench.

All is built out of construction grade lumber, and gets lots of compliments.

 

The table came together in a solid weekend, the bench took a couple of evenings, and the chairs...those chairs took forever to cut out, shape, assemble, and finish.

Estimated Cost
About $400, including purchasing a couple of jigs, but I had a lot of stuff "laying around"
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax English Chestnut and about 8 coats of satin lacquer. Steel wool between coats and finished with carnuba wax and buffed out.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 18:15

Wow these are so great! Beautifully built, and your finish looks flawless! You have a dining room that will last for generations! Love it!

kkmerrett

Tue, 03/07/2023 - 12:47

Truly an inspiration for when we are to the point of building our table. Thank you for sharing.

Our Daughter's Playhouse

Submitted by jhedlund on Fri, 03/22/2013 - 06:17

We built this in early 2013. We ended up turning the house 90 degrees on the deck, because the slide worked best off the backside of the deck due to the various heights around the deck. The sloped back yard caused some challenges, but in the end it's a very sturdy deck with the cross beams attached. Thanks for posting these plans online for us, our 3 daughters are loving the playhouse and swingset! Here are some more pics of the project: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11031534@N00/sets/72157633009259873/

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

sgilly

Fri, 03/22/2013 - 15:07

Of course your girls love it - it's fantastic! Great job.

Robinwood

Fri, 03/22/2013 - 16:39

Love this - my grandson's back yard is too small to build something like this; which is why we had to settle for his loft bed airport/clubhouse.

slug

Thu, 06/27/2013 - 05:24

I'm planning on building two A-Frames and no playhouse, so my questions are focused there.

Did you do any modifications to swing portion of the plans?
Is it sturdy enough for an adult to swing on as well?
It looks like you put the posts in the ground, did you cement them in too?
How high off the ground is the bottom of the support beam for the swing?
Is there any issue side-to-side swaying?

Seasonal And Holiday

Floating Shelves

Submitted by mharrison on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 19:35

I needed some extra space for towels & misc items for my bathroom. So I replaced our over the toilet vanity for these floating shelves, and it was perfect for extra towels and what not. Ana you're the best!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Brown Velvet Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Leslie Is Ready

Sat, 03/21/2015 - 18:39

Great job! I saw floating shelves used in a water closet on another site, and thought it was a great idea. I definitely plan to do this in my Master Bath!

Shoe Bench

Submitted by jkp3897 on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 16:22

I saw the shoe dresser plans and liked the idea of getting the shoes out of sight! Then I decided to modify that plan and turn it into a bench that you could sit on while putting on your shoes! So this is what I came up with using a 2x12 for the top and 2x6's for the legs. The drawer part is pretty much the same as in the shoe dresser plans. It's 4 feet long and 19 inches high. It's already been in use and we love it! With 4 kids, the number of shoes can add up quickly! I have a second bench sanded and ready for assembly!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyurethane - 3 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Sister's Table

This was the second table I built - it was much improved on my first and was for my sister as a Christmas present. It has 4x4 legs that I notched out with a circular saw for the legs and a spruce top. I modified the length down to 6' for her house but added extensions on the end that make the table up to 9' long when fully extended.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut with Polyurethane and a epoxy coating on the top to seal all the cracks, as sister has two little kids.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Patrick’s Router Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/18/2020 - 14:44

As a beginner woodworker I was searching for a router table project and came across this one. I constructed it entirely out of birch plywood. I will admit is was a challenge for me as I had never done drawers before. The biggest challenge was the small drawer for bit storage. I used a Rockler table top and it worked perfect. Overall I’m pleased with the way it turned out and have already used it in several projects

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Linseed Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic Dining Table - In love with my table!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/23/2016 - 05:46

I had shown this plan earlier on to my bf, telling it I really like it and it would be so much cheaper to make our future rustic dining table on our own instead of buying it. He seemed reluctant.... And then, 2 months later, I come back from my parent's house in the evening to find that he has built me my rustic dining table just as I had wished! 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Saman Cognac and Sesame + Saman hybrid varnish in Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

2x4 Outdoor Chairs and Side Table

I built the 2 chairs and side table using Ana's plans. Wood in the UK is perhaps not as cheap and ubiquitous, so I managed to get hold of some rough siberian larch to build them. After what seemed like a lot of sanding I started cutting. I've used stainless steel screws and have used a plug cutter on a mahogany board I had to plug the screw holes. I really liked the contrast and neatness that this has given the project. I also used some rubber feet to raise it off the ground and try and reduce any water damage. The side table is reduced in size from the 2 foot version in the plans, this was easy enough once I'd worked out the impact on all of the other measurements. My wife has commented that I should have used less wood in my next project as they are very heavy, they certainly aren't going anywhere! My wife did produce the lovely grey cushions that you see in the pictures.

Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Used a wood preserver followed by a coat of stain to obtain the light finish seen
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIY SLIDING BARN DOOR

To date this has been my favorite and fullfilling DIY project!! Skills were learned, $$ was saved and it looks fabulous!!!   It wasnt easy but it wasn't impossible.  April WIlkerson provides a detailed tutorial on her website along with a fantastic youtube video on her channell. I hope this inspires someone else to take on this challenge!!  If you have any any questions please feel free to ask me!!  Enjoy.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut, Minwax gray, ragged white followed with a satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Essential Wood Outdoor Chair Frame for Standard Chair Cushion

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/05/2022 - 14:11

Beginner here and I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I played with the angle of the back and finally perfected it on chair three and four. I put the last bottom slat a little closer to the front to create more of a back angle. I also added a third back support position of the bottom slats are essential for comfort so you’re not sitting on a slat. My cushions need to be a bit thicker because you can definitely feel it. Overall, I enjoyed this project. Longest part was making all the cuts, and then painting because I use the sprayer and had to clean it. Thanks Anna!

Comments

dress up station

Ive made a couple of these dress up stations now, for presents for my daughters friends. I plan to make her one next!
Plenty of room for storing all their fancy dress items :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
wallpaper and paint, rubber lace lining for the shelves, wooden ball feet, decals, mirror, name, hooks
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Double Wide Cedar Fence Picket Storage Shed

Submitted by moosmani on Mon, 11/11/2013 - 03:12

I read and studied every comment and brag post about this shed. I must have read the plans a hundred times before I got up the courage to tackle it. It’s a very attractive and affordable shed design. I thought a double wide version would be perfect for our long, narrow side yard, and it is! I mostly stuck to the plans except for a few things. I made it 10” taller overall so there would be plenty of head clearance under the doorway. That was a very easy modification. I used 2x4s for the walls instead of 2x2s because we have high winds in our area. That modification was a little bit more challenging, but I planned it out and it worked! Also I used 2x6s for the headers instead of 2x4s. I also added 2x4s at the thresholds because I couldn’t image making it stay square without them. I basically made two sheds joined by a common wall in the center. I did not increase the depth, mostly because I was afraid to mess with the angles and how that would change the pitch of the roof. Joining two sheds together meant that I didn’t have to put the exterior pickets on the middle wall. But it also meant that I had to build 4 doors. Yuck. They were difficult to get lined up and level, but I was amazed it actually worked and that all the doors operate properly and smoothly. I was questioning the wisdom of my decision to do 4 doors while I was in the thick of it, but now that all the work is done, I love that I can open all 4 doors and have easy access to absolutely everything in the shed. Very convenient! I told my dad I was building a shed and he recommend that I add cross braces. It seemed sturdy enough without them but it certainly can’t hurt. My dad knows everything about building and I know nothing, so I took his recommendation. If I were to do this again, I would overlap the cedar pickets by 1” instead of ½”. My pickets were not quite wide enough. I could swear they shrunk after I applied the stain/uv protection. I used liquid nails along each lap but it didn’t hold. Where the glue DID hold tight, the wood split lengthwise. Anyway, for whatever reason, gaps appeared and I spent a fortune on clear silicon applied on the interior walls to make it water tight. I had to keep going back for “just one more tube.” So with hind sight I would have been better off just buying a few more pickets and increasing the overlap. Another thing I might do is make it deeper. I decided against it initially because I was worried that increasing the depth would make it flimsy. Now I don’t think that would be a problem. This shed is sturdy. I can’t say thank you enough. Great plans and a great website! I am completely hooked.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

moosmani

Mon, 11/11/2013 - 14:56

I kept every receipt from caulking gun to stains and brushes. I just now added it up and it came to (cringe) just under $900. But I have lots of left overs for another shed and it's still a huge bargain. Other sheds that are similar to this plan are much smaller and start at $1,999 and up! I think it was well worth it to have a sturdy bargain shed that's also beautiful.

t0mpr1c3

Sat, 01/22/2022 - 23:01

It looks great with the stain. I think your Dad's advice was good. Also I like that the heavier timbers add rigidity to the frame.

Seasonal And Holiday

Bookcase

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/21/2019 - 05:07

Bougth some furniture but no bookcase . So I started to make it myself; first time ever I worked with wood.
I used the plans of Channing bookcase but modified them a bit.
It fits completely with the other furniture: same color and structure , but most important, 5 times cheaper.
Thanks Ana White

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
70 €
Finish Used
old white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/04/2016 - 06:29

I modified the plans slightly, reducing the overall seating depth by 1.5" so I could use 8' lumber with minimal waste, and make 2 cushions out of one 54" width of fabric. I also tweaked the design to make a chaise lounge on one side. I used bargain priced sunbrella fabric (has a few imperfections) and recycled soda bottle fill for the cushions to keep cost lower. Building the wooden part was quick and easy (took an afternoon including two trips to the store), but this was my first sewing project so the total project time reflects my learning curve making and stuffing cushions.

Estimated Cost
Just under $300 total.

The lumber cost was less than $100. It was my first sewing project, so I was surprised that the cushion stuffing was the most expensive element of the whole project. If you can find cheap pillows, the plans are easily modified to fit their dimensions.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
behr weatherproofing solid color, slate.

A narrow roller was a life saver in getting between all of the boards on the seat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

marylowry

Wed, 04/06/2016 - 06:34

This looks really great! You have inspired me to stop procrastinating and get started on our outdoor sectional. Every time I think about doing it the building part seems fun but, I'm overwhelmed by the task/cost of the cushions. I'm interested in learning more about the fill you used. Where did you find it and what was the approximate cost? Thanks and great work!

sheinerbock

Wed, 04/06/2016 - 11:02

This came out amazing!! I just finished my very first project using plans on here and have the bug to keep building more!!! An outdoor sectional is next on my list!! Great job it looks fantastic.

Gregbpsu

Wed, 06/29/2016 - 20:25

Whoops - sorry about that. This looks amazing, and the detail on the fabric is quite fantastic. I have been wanting to replace some old furniture that is falling apart, and this would really be a wonderful addition to the outdoor space. Kudos on the great work. 

Plate Rack adds much needed storage

Submitted by tayljerr on Sat, 05/07/2016 - 20:48

I came across the plans for the pate rack and realized it would be a perfect fit in my dining room. My house is just shy of its 100th birthday and I have been tackling renovation one room at a time. I have been trying to find new ways to use all of the materials that have been removed or replaced during my renovation. I was able to use the damaged shiplap and warped baseboards from my first room's renovation and create a plate rack shown.

 

 

Thank you for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Used primer and "Swiss Coffee" white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Counter Stools

Submitted by wbengle77 on Wed, 09/23/2020 - 09:09

This was a pretty strait forward project, the only change i made was the wood used. I did not use the 2x2 furring strips i opted for the upgraded Select Pine Boards. So it changed from 3 bucks to 12 a board. I also used metal nylon feet.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
depends on wood and finish
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used an antiquing wax, then I used butcher block oil and wax to finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Balustrade Coffee Table

Submitted by SKrampl on Sun, 11/09/2014 - 11:01

This was a frist time project for myself. I'm always trying to prove to myself and my husband I can take these new projects on, and found this plan to be very easy to follow. I used the modified plans from "House of Wood" as the more square-ish version of the table, becuase those dimesnions were more suitable for the space I was trying to fill. 

This table is quite large, and that is what drew me to it. I loved the solid-ness of it. It almost seems indestructible (something that is handy with 3 young ones running around)

Can't wait to start another project! :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I found a local wood worker who was able to make the Balusters for me. I was grateful to find a local guy, using local wood, as I do my best to support local businesses.
For the lumbar/Hardware/mini Kreg jig it cost me: $115
For the 4 custom Balusters: $100
Stain/Poly/sand paper: $50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I chose not to pre-treat my wood before staining as I was trying to achieve the rustic look. I knew it would make it appear less uniform in colour, but thats something I felt would add to this tables character. I used the Varathane Tuscan wood stain. I did about 2 coats of stain. I applied with a lint free rag, and just wiped the stain on in thin coats. For the finish I used the Wipe-on Poly from Minwax. I applied 4 coats of the poly. In between Poly coats, I sanded with the 600 grit sandpaper, which made the wood feel buttery soft! I'm glad I didn't skimp on that part.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Drop Leaf Kitchen Island

Submitted by Boab on Wed, 03/01/2017 - 19:01

When I recently moved into a space with a kitchen and living room attached, I quickly realized that I wouldn't have room for a full size dinner table. I had seen extendable kitchen tables but none fit the bill, I was looking for something more compact. I also liked the idea of a bar / island with storage underneath, and I had noticed some had a drop leaf on 1 side which would be useful – but why not have 2 leafs for more dining space? When I decided to build my own table to fit these requirements it was difficult to find any plans out there, especially with drop leafs. Through lots of experimenting and research I finally built what I had envisioned: a kitchen island / bar with cart storage and two folding table leafs which expand to about 31/2 feet squared of eating / drinking area. I went through this trial and error process so you don’t have to, find more pictures and instructions here: http://bacheloronabudget.com/diy-drop-leaf-kitchen-island-cart/

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
-Minwax Special Walnut Stain
-Minwax Wipe-on Poly
-White Paint (I used Rust-oleum Linen White)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Console

Made a bit shorter to fit our decorative arch and opted for more different hardware.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustic Oak Stain with a wax finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

3 Tier Planter

Submitted by ranlim on Thu, 05/18/2017 - 21:24

Love this planter. Used quality pine. Perfect size for the balcony! I use it for fresh herbs... i have have other people wanting one too!

Estimated Cost
17
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Special walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner