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Concrete Dining Table

I built this dining table with a concrete top and a base using the Rekourt Dining Table plans.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut, one coat with an additional coat of white wall paint mixed with water and rubbed on/blended in followed by 3 coats of Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Twin Fancy Storage Bed

I built my girls' beds using two of Ana's plans. I used all whitewood boards for the construction. It took a few hours to build both beds and I love the result! I used my brad nailer and gorilla glue for both the headboard and bed base. I also used drywall screws (my fav) to attach the bottom bed pieces. You can see more details at http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2011/01/beds-finished-well-almost.html !

Estimated Cost
Under $100 for each bed
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Two coats of custom cream color you can find in my blog post above. I use Whizz 4" rollers on almost all furniture painting... LOVE.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modge Podge black and white photos onto the headboard

Submitted by TanyaBell on Sat, 08/17/2013 - 06:57

I chose to modify one of your headboards by only doing step 1-4.

We made a queen headboard and I wanted it slightly taller than the plans suggested so I added 12". I used 3/4" MDF as the back cut 60" w x 48" H, 1x4s for the sides and top and a 1x3 for the bottom. I glued and nail gunned each piece to the edge letting the sides extend down for the legs of the headboard.

I filled the nail gun holes with wood filler. The piece was primed, then painted with 2 coats of color, and then the photos were Modge Podged onto the interior of the headboard touching and overlapping. As my daughter gets older we can add more photos or I can make a fabric insert to go over the photos. She loves it and I'm happy we could do something different.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint is Valspar Gypsy Rouge 1010-9 in semi-gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

yurra-bazain

Sat, 08/17/2013 - 16:23

I love how you made your daughter's headboard personalized. No one else in the entire world will have a headboard like hers! :) That's amazing! And the color coordination is great. =D

Small raised planter stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/10/2022 - 17:04

Plan to use as a cooler :) adjusted dimensions to fit a bigger planter box and added some decorative details. It came out great!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Outdoor Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/16/2022 - 17:45

Brightly Painted chairs are popular here. I made two unpainted chairs in an afternoon. I would paint the pieces before putting them together if I made them again. Very comfortable!

Comments

First Time Build

Submitted by ckdesigns on Tue, 08/27/2013 - 19:31

This was my first large project. Built it in one very long day and then finished over a few weeks. Instead of 2x4's for legs I opted for a 4x4 post with a bolt running through. I didn't really want to figure out the square washer so I just went with standard round. I spray painted all of the hardware silver with Rust-Oleum Universal Hammered Spray paint to coordinate with the Tolix like chairs I purchased from Restoration Hardware.

Estimated Cost
$87 for wood + $32 for stain and brushes = $119
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The finish was the most difficult part of the project for me. I used Minwax and kept altering the color because I wanted it dark but not too dark.
-Started with Minwax Pre-stain Wood Conditioner
-1st coat Minwax: Early ;American
-2nd & 3rd coat Minwax Dark Walnut
-4th layer Minwax PolyShades: Royal Walnut
-5th and final layer Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Medickep

Wed, 08/28/2013 - 20:11

Great work, that really looks good. I love the finish! Did you need all of the different coats? Or did you just decide you wanted darker after each one?

momofour09

Mon, 09/02/2013 - 07:12

I was wondering the same thing as Medickep, were all of the coats necessary or was it just the way you wanted it finished? I do like the end results though.

ckdesigns

Tue, 09/03/2013 - 09:03

The multiple coats wasn't intentional. I just couldn't get the right look so kept on going with the colors. I'd say the finish portion of the project was the most difficult for me. I am happy with out it turned out and cannot wait to build something again!

Adirondak Chair and Stools

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/14/2022 - 21:00

Plans were super easy to follow. I finished the chairs by using the Shou Sugi Ban technique. I burned the chairs and stools completely, than wire brushed them. I repeated the process a second time. I finished by adding a coat of poly which I believe gave the chairs a little more depth. They are so comfortable and plans were perfect. Thank you Ana!

Rustic X Kitchen Island - Double

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/14/2019 - 01:54

I followed the plans except for the top, I used a 2x12, 2x4 and 2x12 pocket holes together.

 

Burnt the wood with a torch and stained over.

Thanks for the plans!

 

Questions? [email protected]

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax provincial and topcoat polyurethane and mineral spirits 75/25 mix
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Turquoise Chaise Lounger

Using this plan I built my lounger with some changes, mainly adding lawn mower wheels to one end. The cushions I made have a mesh bottom to let the cushions dry faster, and zippers so they can be removed and machine washed. More details on what I used and many more photos on my blog.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
oil based primer, 2 coats exterior latex paint: Glidden Swan White in semi-gloss, Minwax Outdoor polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 09/20/2011 - 12:49

I love the idea of the mesh! It would work as a great bench when you need more seating too. I think it'd be nice with huge wooden wheels also.

Entryway Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 04:01

I modified the plans for the farmhouse hall tree to build this for our entryway. The farmhouse hall tree was a perfect base plan for this project! We went from a mess of jammed in jackets and piles of shoes to a clean and organized entrance! Thank you so much for providing the original plans! We love this!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Charging Nightstands

Submitted by SaraLodise on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 12:45

This was such an awesome plan for us. We have two phones, two kindles, a tablet, a laptop, lamp dimmers and heated mattress pad controls. Needless to say the wires got a little out of control. The plans were super quick and easy, and it was no hassle to make two of them. I used the same stain combo Ana used on her's but I finished with Miniwax Polycrylic for extra protection against wet water glasses, early morning coffee spills and dog slobber. I love the rustic earthy tone the stains make. Dresser set soon to come! P.S. the center pieces on the doors are left over oak scraps I had in 1/2" thick. Thus, they stained a bit more red than the pine boards. I was worried about the contrast but I really like the way it turned out.

Estimated Cost
$60 per nightstand (Inner shelf, ply backing & door centers were left over scrap, also got the door latches free with a PB coupon)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Prestain -> 1 coat Miniwax oil-based in Weathered Oak -> 1 coat Miniwax oil-based in Special Walnut -> 2 coats of Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

TeriA

Thu, 10/03/2013 - 14:46

Why do you tease? That latch is no longer available!

But seriously, beautiful night stands.

Snowflake shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/24/2015 - 10:08

I just loved this shelf that I made 10 of them for family for Christmas! We made the original size but decided to size it down by a third. :)

Estimated Cost
less than $20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mattea's Doll House

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/27/2015 - 14:06

Built this off another plan

Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Media console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/26/2019 - 15:40

Built this from the exact plans given. Very easy to build and learned a lot. Built whenever I had time after work 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ebony stain with satin spray lacquer. Bear premium ultra pure white matte
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Solar Outhouse - By Deb

Your outhouse design was modified for a snowmobile club project as the building needs to be towed across a lake to a site next to a warming shelter.  An LED light with a timer switch and solar battery charger were installed to provide light in a remote area of Lake of the Woods.

A steel hitch and skids with hyfax were added to the design.

Thank you for providing a design that allowed us to make modifications for winter outdoor recreation accommodations.

Built from Plan(s)

Modified Sand Box with Lid

Submitted by Lady Goats on Tue, 10/18/2011 - 10:24

When I saw someone post this sand box request on Ana's facebook page, it was like the sand box of my dreams! Our backyard is a work-in-progress, and we're constantly in different areas, so I knew that I would need a much smaller, transportable size. When the back yard is finished, I'll definitely build the full-sized sand box... But until then, I've got this 2' x 2' box, some sand in an IKEA bag, and a happy little toddler, who cries every time I try to close this to get photos. :-)

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I haven't finished this yet. I'll probably put a coat of wipe-on poly on it until I figure out what I want to do with it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Andy O (not verified)

Wed, 10/19/2011 - 08:45

Awesome sandbox, may have to try this in the spring. I am home on maternity leave (in Canada where we get a year) and luckily managed to score one of those happy, content babies who don't need a lot of my time... so I am bored to tears and looking for projects. I found Ana's site which lead me to your sandbox and the picture of your gorgeous little girl crying when the sand box was closed; that made me laugh so much I had to comment; too cute!!
You and Ana look like the Charlie's Angels of DIY! Thanks for the pictures, inspiring.

In reply to by Andy O (not verified)

Lady Goats

Thu, 10/20/2011 - 14:08

Your comment about the Charlie's Angels of DIY TOTALLY cracked me up! I LOVE THAT! Wouldn't really say that I'd make the cut, though... But thanks!!! :-)

I'm SO jealous of a year maternity leave. My baby was also VERY undemanding, and I built my first project when she was 5 weeks old. Yay, go us!!! :-) I'd love to see this if you do build it! What other projects are you planning?

Reclaimed Wood Farmhouse Vanity

Using the Farmhouse Vanity plans as a guide, I built this enclosed farmhouse vanity out of a neighbor's old cedar fence and topped it with leathered granite and a ReStore sink. The finished vanity is amazing! For more, check out my blog.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None! That's the beauty of reclaimed wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by rjgold on Fri, 05/10/2019 - 11:17

While mine is not as good as some of these projects I am pretty proud of it.   

I came some 12"x1"x18' (Actual size) redwood planks that were removed from the roof of a building here in town, built in 1876.  Essentially these were milled over 125 years ago.   You can still see the the blade marks.   I did not want to shorten the planks too much so I built this table, just made two frames.  I used rough redwood 2x4 and 2x6  for the frame.  I made it a little taller.

Its the highlight of the back yard, we have dinners out there regularly now

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40 (I did not have to buy the top planks)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
thompsons wood sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Barn Door Pantry Build

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/18/2023 - 14:54

Using the Barn Door Pantry plan, I partially built this in my shop then took it apart and transported it to my son's house where we reconstructed it. This is a massive project and I recommend that you have enough room (and help) to build it and move it. The door is built with 1/2 inch plywood, framed with 1 by 4's with bead board inserts.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Our new farm table for our new pergola!

Our dear friends built us a pergola over the summer and I wanted a big outdoor farm table to go underneath but had no interest in spending thousands on one already made. So, thanks to Ana White, I found the directions to making this 'anthropologie knock-off' for under $200! We made ours 10' long by @46" wide. And I included support boards on the underside of the table top for additional support and to try to address the fact that one of the boards us a little warped. It's not nearly as beautiful as our pergola and still needs to be stained/treated, but I can't wait for next spring and summer when we can hang and laze around out here! I'm so proud of us. Thanks Ana!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Outdoor table for backyard
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project