Community Brag Posts

X Console Table / Coffee Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/16/2019 - 16:26

Needed a new coffee bar to fit a specific area. Changed the plans to fit my needs and this is the result. Spent a few hours a day over two weekends, probably 8-10 hours in all (paint/stain/poly included)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Wood Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/21/2023 - 09:48

My son needed more shelves/storage in his room. Modified this a bit shorter in length and with to fit better in his space. Easy to build and love how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)

Jelly Cupboard

Submitted by emilyr on Mon, 04/02/2012 - 18:15

Ever since I saw this cupboard, I wanted it. So when I got a free day I jumped at the chance to build it. I love it! The only problem is trying to figure out where I want to put it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30-40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Porter's Prussian Blue and black spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

tommyc325

Thu, 02/19/2015 - 19:11

Hi Ana - I dont mean any disrespect but how do you figure this project costs $30-40. I bought just the boards no hardware or plywood and its cost me $60. Pine #2.

Please let me know your thoughts and where you buy your wood from.

Bander

Fri, 02/20/2015 - 12:00

The cost estimate is from emilyr, posted almost three years ago. Lumber prices fluctuate, but $30-40 is still quite low. I estimate about $100 to buy the lumber (pine) on the shopping list from Ana's plan at current prices in my area.

Brookstone storage bed

Submitted by ajordan on Sat, 01/18/2014 - 16:48

This is the first project I have done; we used a couple of different plans to make this bed. I had to change dimensions to make this into a full size bed. Overall I am very happy with the way it all came together. We made this for our 8 year old daughter and now I'm working on a vanity! I used the twin headboard plan made taller and wider for a full, I made a footboard to match and the storage bins bellow are from the modified farmhouse queen made a little smaller to fit a full.

Estimated Cost
$250 with the lights
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Red mahogany first coat, min wax sun bleached second coat and then I used Martha Stewart bronze metallic paint. I watered down the paint to make a wash then I put it on and wiped it off like I did the stain which gave it a little brown color and shimmer!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

fancy x farmhouse table-first timer!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/10/2016 - 22:31

These wood plans were great! Easy to follow and an awesome first project for my hubby and I to build together. Only hitch for us was by choosing to make the longer bench we didn't check the placement of the feet before attaching it. When we were done we weren't able to push the benches under the table so we had to redo that step.

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used two coats of minxwax red oak 215 stain and 3 coats of minwax semi gloss polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Square Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/26/2023 - 12:32

V2 of my Fijian Kauri 6 seater table.
Urethaned the tops and weatherboard paint on frame for the elements.

Comments

Play kitchen for Christmas

Submitted by vacookie on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 18:18

I never built anything before this. I really wanted a sturdy wooden kitchen for my son for Christmas but they were sooo expensive. Then I found this plan and decided to give it a try. And I did it! All by myself with no real experience (seriously, I had to buy a drill for the project). It isn't perfect but my son doesn't know (or care) and I had fun doing it. Note that as we have it placed across the threshold from carpet to tile floor, I currently have a board underneath to level it. I modified to put a door on the sink since I don't sew and thought the curtain might look a bit feminine on my son's kitchen.

Estimated Cost
hard to say since I had lots of start up costs, maybe $130? could do for more or less
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I believe the green paint is "Olivine".
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mudroom lockers and shoe storage

Submitted by tommybo76 on Mon, 01/20/2014 - 19:04

My wife requested this project as a Christmas present. Since we have a door in the middle of the room, I decided to build 2 identical hutches with storage areas for all 4 of us. I used 3/4 plywood that was cut to 2'x4' sheets at the store to make transport and further cutting on my table saw manageable. I connected the main pieces by using the kreg jig. After attaching the bead board to the back with screws and nails, the hutch was very sturdy. We had trouble finding baskets to fit the squares which I designed to fit a 12" square basket that we already had in the house. It proved very difficult to find that size so we went with a slightly smaller basket (I wish we would have researched this ahead of time). The color scheme came from another brag on Ana's site.

After completing the hutches, Patti mentioned that someday she'd like to take the washer and dryer off the pedestals and add a table across the top of them to fold clothes...so before putting away the tools I decided that was the "someday" LOL. I stained the tabletop to match the hutch and painted the 2x4 legs white. I then added a 1 inch dowel to hang clothes and a shelf above the dowel. Of course, the new room would not have been complete without new paint! I plan on building a cabinet for the laundry sink with a pullout drawer for recyclables in the near future.

It's fantastic to have a spot for all our coats, shoes and hats/gloves. It makes it easier getting two young boys out the door for school when you know exactly where their items are stored and makes the room look so organized compared to before. Thanks to all for your inspirational posts/brags!!

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ebony stain, polyurethane, white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Corner nursery book shelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/13/2016 - 17:53

Gallery ledge book shelves in the nursery

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tall Rustic X Bookshelves

I followed the Rustic X Tall Bookshelf plan to make a set of bookshelves for my husband for Christmas! It was my second ever woodworking project. The plan was really easy to follow and so fun to make! I ended up using an additional shelf piece on the very top for a more modern spin on it. I also bought a pocket hole jig to use on this project. I'm happy with how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75 per shelf
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax English Chesnut Wood Finish and Paste Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Step Stool

we made two of step stools for two little girls for Christmas! we personalized them. we drill some wholes so, it'd be easy for the girls to carry around.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2x single lounger Simple Modern collection

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/17/2016 - 11:53

Thank you for a very clear tutorial. Only challenge was the hinges but managed OK. I changed the position of the legs and chose some bit thicker tree and rounded the bottoms to make it more steady and easier to move around.

Estimated Cost
600 DKK (90 dollars) its a bit more expensive in Europe
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None, will let nature take over. Will wash it once in a while
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Folding workbench

Submitted by mellyc_fl on Mon, 12/30/2019 - 17:42

We do not have a garage yet, so this size works great to push out of the way when not being used and pull out for a workbench and also to extend the table top for the saw.  The plans were easy to follow and easy to modify.  I added a base made of 2x4’s to make it sturdier since it will be moved across a deck vs a level floor.  I also added some boards behind the shelf to keep things from falling out the back and adjusted the height to match the table saw top.   Next up will be a router table stand to replace the camping footlocker. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Twin Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by lauralaine on Tue, 04/10/2012 - 12:31

My handy Dad built this for my daughter using the awesome Plan as a base. Made a couple minor modifications (raised it up so more space under the bed; added brackets so the siderails can easily be removed; etc). Turned out perfectly!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250 (CDN)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of primer and two coats white semi-gloss paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

TV Hutch for Existing Dresser

I bought a campaign dresser off of CL that I wanted to use as a TV stand, but it was too short. I searched Ana's plans for "Hutch" and figured out how she builds hutches, and made a simple hutch for the dresser. That's my favorite part about Ana's site...I'm gaining knowledge and experience to be able to build whatever I want!! I used 1 x 10 boards for the body of the hutch, 3/4" plywood for the back, and a 1 x 2 for the trim.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat primer and then Sherwin Williams Duration latex in "Envy"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sweet pea bunk beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/18/2016 - 22:49

Sweet pea bunk beds

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Purple Doll Pram

Submitted by DIYMomof4 on Mon, 01/06/2020 - 06:08

I made this for a friends daughter.  I attached the wheels with 3/8" aluminum rods, washers, and axle caps.  It can be tricky to get the rods the exact length you need, but it allows the wheels to roll very well.  The wheels were cut with a 5" hole saw and then sanded smooth.  For sanding, I attached each wheel to my drill and spun them over sand paper.  This allowed the wheels to maintain their circular shape.   

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Ultra grape hyacinth, ceylon cream, and a varathane water based poly for the wheels
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Arbor Press Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/08/2023 - 09:35

Needed a small workbench to fit in a tight space, but still wanted something sturdy as it supports a 1-ton arbor press. Your plans were so helpful!

 

Comments

Dress-Up Storage

This was my first woodworking project, so I kept it simple. The one modification I made was to square the edges at the top, rather than rounding them out, as I just prefer clean lines. I used some leftover paint (Behr Foxgloves) and added a few vinyl wall decals that match the decal on the main wall of the play area. A few buckets on top store her jewelry and accessories.

I didn't add casters because we have rather thick carpet in the basement, but won't rule it out for the future.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint (Behr Foxgloves)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Back