Community Brag Posts

Modern Patio Furniture- My Take

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 18:32

This was my very first build project! Ana White you are AWESOME. Each plan was so easy to follow. I added the headrest based on a version I found in the brag posts. It really does ensure that the back cushions stay in place!!!! Love it!!!!

Estimated Cost
$800
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I stained it several times with Behr outdoor stain for decking because I wanted a deep red look to match the cushions
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

goose71

Sat, 08/15/2020 - 19:22

Thanks. These have been the best alternate plans yet. I was looking for a headrest option as well, wasn't sure they looked as good, but this interpretations is beautiful. i will be copying it for my furniture.

Small kitchen island with slide out double trash cans

This was a mommy do during work furlough. Wasn't too hard. I have minimal experience with saws, but with hubby help, we got it done. Some of the instructions didn't make sense, but but we were able to figure them out or change them to work. I used bead board on the front and sides that we added over the existing sides. I used a manufactured butcher block that had to be cut down. Looks great and now my trashcans don't walk around the kitchen when the dogs play. The downside, the dog bowls slide under the island. If you have to cut down butcher block, make sure you have the proper blade.

Estimated Cost
$200.00 because of the manufactured butcher block.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black cabinet paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Garden Enclosure

This was a fun project.  The plans are written so that many of the boards don't need to be cut.  It's made from cedar that (thank goodness) was on sale.  I made the raised beds twice as deep as was called for in the plans because I wanted to minimize bending while I garden.  That added to the cost of the lumber and the soil.  I also like the way it looks.

 

I found it helpful to measure and cut the boards as I went.  This was crucial for fitting the door.  The most difficult part for us was working with the hardware cloth and trying to make it as smooth as possible.

 

It has been effective keeping deer and rabbits out of the garden.  Things that can fly in are another issue.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
>$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

Loft Bed w/desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/29/2020 - 09:05

Our daughter has been asking us to build her a bed for months now. When eLearning became a reality for our household, we knew it was time to get to work. We usually do two to three big DIY projects a year, and have built from many of Ana White's plans. We often refer our the time together DIYing as "couples therapy".

We used Ana's plans for the Loft Bed and included the tall bookcase and desk system, with a few of our own modifiations and personal touches, such as:
- elimated the plywood backing on the bottom shelves of the tall bookcase
- only used one (1) bookshelf for desk system
- used toungue and groove paneling for back of small bookshelf, adding it to the sides as well
- made the desktop 19" wide
- added a framed magnet board
- added a sliding keyboard tray

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Desktop: Minwax Ebony stain
Everything Else: Zinsser 123 primer & Valspar Cabinet & Furniture Enamel (Snowbound Semigloss)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White Admin

Mon, 09/07/2020 - 20:33

This is so cool, I'm sure it's a dream come true for your lucky girl!

Building is our couples therapy, sounds like a t-shirt in the making:)

Easiest $35 DIY Desk

This DIY desk provides workspace for two people. A portion of the desk is for my oldest son during homeschooling and the other portion is for my husband while he continues to work from home. Cost : $35 Difference in length, width and height will result in a change in price.

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pallet Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/09/2017 - 19:23

Adirondack chairs made from reclaimed pallets. 

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Disassemble pallets and choose your best boards, cut to size per plan and rough sand. Assemble per plan. Stain with minwax ebony, sand again, stain with minwax chestnut. Finish 2 coats exterior poly urethane satin finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic x hall tree

Submitted by Takoravi on Mon, 10/05/2020 - 08:50

first furniture build from scratch. A few minor differences. I decided to distress by staining entire piece with minwax espresso stain, then painting over with white chalk paint and sanding through. Decided to leave bench and to molding stained for effect. Love the piece and so does my wife.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Indoor Playground Set

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/10/2017 - 11:56

This playroom set was inspired by the plans you posted.  I was forced to make some significant modifications due to the fact that our bonus/playroom has angled ceilings.  We have a rock climbing wall, ladder, crawl tunnel with windows, trapeze bar, monkey bars, miniature baskeball goal and a slide.  My boys are 6, 3 and 19 months and they love it!  Thanks for the inspiration.

 

Jim and Caroline Sparrow

Estimated Cost
$1250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Paint on bottom and Minwax Stain on top
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Piper's Dining

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/14/2017 - 08:09

This was just the right table design for our history home built in 1880! Love the plans and easy to build!

Estimated Cost
Table- $95 without Kreg Jig cost($20) or screws
Bench- $24- screws
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Wood primer first on all surfaces,SW Rustic gray, minwax mahogony low lights and satin minwax poly finish(5 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My first DIY project!

Submitted by Celeste808 on Sun, 05/05/2013 - 10:30

Finally Completed!!! Thank you rainy Saturday! So I wanted a new entertainment center of sorts... couldn't find one that was just what I wanted..... so why not just build what I want! Just DIY it. ;)

I used the faux fireplace plan and modified it to have attached shelves on the sides. I also added an extra strip at the top of the fireplace opening so I could mount an LED bar light.

I used 1/4 plywood to make a tile base, penny tile, and 1/2 quarter round to finish out around the entire bottom.

Total project cost was less than $200 including the tile and light!

Best part is the whole thing is movable!

Thanks Anna White for such an awesome plan to start with!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
MDF & plywood
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spkramer

Wed, 07/03/2013 - 10:24

This whole unit is great. My wife LOVES it, which means I will be building it! Did you purchase the two shelf units or build them yourself? Did you use a pattern or plan? Thanks!

Alisonwunderland

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 13:09

This is amazing! Exactly what I'm looking for! Did you change the depth of the mantel to make sure the shelves would be deep enough to hold things?

Celeste808

Sat, 08/03/2013 - 18:25

I did make the depth of the fireplace deeper so I could have room for the halves on the side. I just sketched out the dimensions I wanted the side shelves and built them along the same lines as the fireplace. Wasn't hard to figure out and just made it to fit the size I needed. The inset of the fireplace does not go all the way back to the wall either, that way the power strip can fit on the floor behind it. Glad you like it and thanks for the compliments!

EAnne

Wed, 07/23/2014 - 14:54

Hi Celeste 808, What a wonderful faux fireplace WITH the bookcases, especially. I'm hoping I can try this in our space challenged bedroom. Did you by any change reply to the chap who asked if you had some kind of dimensions or plans you could pass along to us? I would love to see if we can make it work in the space we have available.
Thanks again for the inspiration,
e

jrybolt26

Mon, 10/28/2013 - 18:25

I absolutely love what you did with this. I am going to have my fiance help me make this for our house. If you still have the dimensions and details of how you built the whole unit I would greatly appreciate it if you could post it.

mommyof2cuties

Sun, 04/13/2014 - 13:00

This is gorgeous & I can't believe it's your 1st project. I would love to build this too. Did you use any particular plans for the side units? If you have any tips or information to share, that would be great! I've actually been trying to make up my own plans using Sketch Up, but that's not working too good, lol. Again, great job & thank you.
Lynda

emswave

Sun, 02/08/2015 - 12:31

I'm dying to know the dimensions you added to the width. Also, the dimensions of the book shelf. I have been trying to draw up plans for the last week and I'm stuck with trying to figure it out by looking at your pictures.

PLEASE HELP!

Thanks!!

mrittgers1

Mon, 07/27/2015 - 09:15

Do you have the blue print of how you built the mantel and side book shelves? I am wanting to go buy supplies to build this tonight!!!

 

Thank you!

Desk rustic x

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 03:26

To simplify and elevate the design I chose a pre made butcher block top. It turned out beautiful!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Paper Roll Dispenser

Submitted by vendo on Wed, 11/17/2021 - 10:44

This took me about 20 minutes! I love the look of it and that it can just be left out when the kids aren't doing art. A great little item to add to keep the kids busy and inspired. I made a couple of mods from the plan. I used glue and nails instead of pocket holes and I did that bottom board flat instead of on it's side. I also used a little bigger dowel, and bought two rolls of paper on Amazon for $14.I'm giving this to my daughter for her birthday with some fun art supplies, so I think it's a great gift idea for any occasion for those crafty people out there!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Monika

Tue, 04/02/2024 - 06:09

Sometimes, when working with papers, you might need to convert file formats, right? So, I recently came across this website https://pdfflex.com/webp-to-png It's super handy for converting. It's been a real time-saver for me, especially when I need to tweak documents for printing or sharing. I'd desided to share in case it helps someone else out there too!

Rustic Modern Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/29/2021 - 02:48

I made this slightly smaller version of Ana’s Hall Tree to fit smaller spaces. I added beadboard to the back to put an added farmhouse touch. Finished in Golden Oak and white.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Man Cave Chair from Reclaimed Wood

Submitted by JoanneS on Sat, 07/25/2015 - 13:06

Man cave chair for my Hubby, made entirely from reclaimed/scrap wood.  This took a long weekend to build (includes time to rip down the reclaimed wood, and a couple of tries to get the padded arm rests right). 

This build uses the Simple White Outdoor Chair plan, adjusted to fit smaller cushions and use my scrap/reclaimed wood. 

The seat cushion is covered with marine vinyl, and the back cushion is covered with fabric from a curtain already on hand.  The covers are done in a simple box style.  The seat cushion closes with ties at the back, and the back cushion has an envelope back.  

The end result is a sturdy, comfortable chair that’s not too heavy, and is decked out with colors from Hubby’s favorite football team.  I’m very pleased to say that Hubby likes his new chair!

Estimated Cost
Cost: $75 for cushion materials (high density foam and vinyl). Everything else was reclaimed or already on hand.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Finish: 2 coats gloss black (Valspar Ultra paint + primer). The bottom surfaces of the legs are covered with some adhesive backed felt for easy sliding.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple bench from pallets

I had some left over wood from pallets and I really liked the look of the simple outdoor bench. One pallet was made out of some type of red colored wood and I decided the slats for the seat would look good in the red colored wood. The rest of the bench was from a lighter colored pallet. I used nails and glue to attach the seat slats so that my daughter could help. She loves to help, but does not like my drill even if she has hearing protection. See more at http://www.makeitlovely.com

Estimated Cost
Free
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American wood stain (1 coat)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Moose Head

Submitted by Newfey on Wed, 08/07/2013 - 17:37

This is a wall ornament I made for my daughter for their get away home on the golf course at Canadian Lakes, MI. "No animals were hurt in the mounting of this moose head" The only thing to suffer was a few pieces of scrap wood that I had laying around.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax stain and spar varnish. Just something that I had lawing around
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Newfey

Fri, 08/09/2013 - 08:24

My daughter say a small one on a shelf in a little restaurant in Stanwood, MI and told me that she would like one, only larger. That was as large Asia could make it wit the scrap wood that I had laying around.

Newfey

Fri, 08/09/2013 - 08:29

My daughter say a small one on a shelf in a little restaurant in Stanwood, MI and told me that she would like one, only larger. That was as large as I could make it with the scrap wood that I had laying around.

Project "Garage Organization"

Submitted by tnjyoung on Thu, 12/31/2015 - 06:57

I saw the "Easy DIY Garage Workbench" plans and got motivated for a little garage organization.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments