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My Adirondack build

This build was so simple and fun to make. Just like Ana stated in her video, it really only took me an hour to build. I plan to do many more projects that I find on Ana's website. This project still has a little bit more work to do like staining and sealing but will finish that on another day real soon.

Comments

Rustic 7 Drawer Dresser

This was our second dresser build, but the hardest. I don't know why we had so much trouble with the tracks but we did. We cheaped out and bought the cheapets option and then decided to wrap them out and by the more expensive option - which would of saved us so much time in the first place.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
300.00 CA
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
This dresser was stained in Early American ( one coat ) and then varnished with Matte Varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIY Brew Station

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/30/2023 - 14:38

I used your workbench plan to build my Brew Bench. I changed the measurements to fit my space and used a butcher block for the countertop. Very sturdy and pretty easy project. Took one day to build.

Scott R

Comments

Easy to Build Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/17/2023 - 13:40

Easy to build workbench. I added an extra 2 1/2 inches (width) to the top plywood cut. This gave me a 1 1/4" lip to the front and back sides. I wanted to be able to clamp on all sides of the bench. Also added casters since I wanted to use this as an outdoor table for entertaining if needed and to simply have mobility with the bench. So far I love it!

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.

Bed made to order - Twin XL

Submitted by kjoslyn78 on Sun, 12/22/2019 - 10:40

My daughter has a twin XL bed, which we had been unable to find a frame for since getting it. After 2 years of her mattress and box springs on the floor, this plan came out and a plan was hatched to get it made. The biggest change we needed to do different from the twin plans was to make the side rails and the side rail cleats 5" longer to accommodate the XL length. We also added a middle support to keep the side from bowing out, and the cleats are at the bottom of the siderails, as we are using a boxpsring and mattress. 

Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I dont remember what we finished with, but the kid spilled half the can in the grass :)Photo is after sanding, and before finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

amymarie02

Mon, 03/28/2022 - 09:47

Hi do you have the measurements and what to buy for this bed frame? We also have a twin xl mattess and cannot find a frame anywhere

Garden Bench on a diet

This bench was perfect for our front porch, but after I bought all the lumber I realized how big and substantial it would be. So, I slimmed it down and swapped out the following: seat slats 1x2, posts and supports 2x2, arms 1x3, backrest 1x6, aprons 2x3. Looks great and feels like a better fit for our porch. Enjoying the afternoon sun in style now, thanks!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson's Water Seal
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

momejojo

Wed, 05/01/2013 - 09:31

I would like to make the bench on a diet since my front porch is smaller aswell. Are the cuts the same as original plans?

4x4 Truss Table

Submitted by BojackH on Mon, 05/02/2016 - 20:08

We needed a sturdy table but didn't want to spend a fortune buying one so decided to take a stab at building one.  Our space isn't too large but also wanted the ability to expand the table with leaves if we have a large crowd.  I built leaves by cutting notches in the horizontal leg 4x4 and then sliding in/out with 2x2's attached (see pic).

I will say it makes life a whole lot easier learning how to use Sketchup or some other design software.  That way you can visualize what it will look like, cuts you need to make especially if you will be deviating from the original post design and don't want to do math in your head (like me).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$200 for wood
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used the vinegar/ steel wool solution and then 6 coats of Minewax semi gloss polyurethene. Before applying polyurethene, I used a blow torch on the corners to make some neat burn marks.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Basement Sofa Table Bar

Submitted by advanlente on Sat, 03/28/2020 - 12:04

My husband and I had been looking at many different stores to try and find a bar table for behind our new couch in our basement. We wanted something that people could eat and drink at when we entertained and/or be able to sit at and play video games. I should have known we were better off to build our own rather than look in a store. It was only $30 in lumber and took 3 hours to build. And another project in the books!

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)

Comments

megs502

Fri, 04/03/2020 - 11:03

do you have the plans for this? i've been looking and looking for what i needed and this is it!!

mferrara

Sat, 04/04/2020 - 05:39

Hi - exactly what I've been searching for....do you have plans available? Please and thank you!

beckaroo

Tue, 06/02/2020 - 23:04

Hello,
I would also love to see the plans for this sofa bar table.
Thank you
Becky

Barn Door Entertainment Console

Submitted by scubbis on Fri, 04/17/2020 - 10:03

I used the plans from the "Grandy Barn Door Console" for the basic layout, and then altered them to accommodate an electric fireplace insert in between two cupboards, and an open shelf across the top to put in the stereo receiver. The tv is actually mounted to the wall over the top rather than sitting on the console. Overall, I love how it came out. It's exactly what we wanted!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Shoe Dresser / Dog Walk supply Storage

Submitted by adamderkey on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 12:00

We needed some storage by the back door for shoes and dog accessories so it would be easier for us to take our dogs out for walks. I saw the plan for the shoe dresser and thought it would be great since we would be storing shoes in it. I made it narrower to fit our space and also made it deeper. The cost was mostly in the hardware.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray paint and spray polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

$35 (55) Chaise Lounge

Submitted by melbooker on Thu, 06/28/2012 - 10:32

This cost me $55 for wood (pine), nails, and bolts. Additional $7 in paint. It's very sturdy and very comfy with a lounge chair cushion (Walmart had a great price--cheaper than I would have spent to make one myself). This will also serve as bench seating for my deck (I love multi-use furniture). Thanks Brook and Ana for this great plan!

Estimated Cost
$65 ($100 with cushion)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer with white exterior flat paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mimiprin

Fri, 05/20/2016 - 11:32

I have my lounge completed except for the slots. It looks great and I am very happy with the results. But, in looking at your finished photos, I notice the 2 X 4 in the horizontal slot is not seated into the space completely. And, melbooker's photo shows the board sitting on top of the rail. So, I'm a bit confused about cutting in the slots. Any advice would be very helpful! Thanks

Great Garage Shelving

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/15/2016 - 10:55

My husband and I built these shelves in our garage this past weekend.  This is one of our first diy projects and we are very happy with how it turned out.  The shelves are 30" deep, around 8 feet tall and 12 feet long.  This was also our first time using the Kreg jig, which we loved!

Estimated Cost
~$150 dollars. We added extra cleats and used thicker plywood (5/8" thick) because our shelves were deeper than original plans.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Floor to Ceiling Canned Food Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/19/2024 - 13:56

Loved these plans. Top unit was built exactly to specs. Bottom unit was built to accommodate one column of cans. I have also built one for my sis-in-law and will be building one more for this pantry. Love this project!

Leah

Built from Plan(s)

Cedar Planters made from Reclaimed Fence Pickets

I built Ana's under $20 cedar planters for free. Or, almost free! I had to buy some more wood glue, but I had some of the wood on hand and took some from a friend's pile of old fence wood. It took me about five hours to build both planters from start to finish. See the blog link below for more info.

 

Pin For Later!

Cedar Planters made from Reclaimed Fence Pickets

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oxidized the new cedar 2x4s with steel wool/vinegar (http://thefriendlyhome.blogspot.com/2012/07/how-to-oxidize-wood.html). Other than that, no finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Beautiful Outdoor chairs and Ottoman from 2x4s and 2x6s (and a 2x2)

The chairs were my first project ever and they came out great! I even made the ottoman/side table because the chairs looked so good. Ana, your plans were fantastic and easy for a beginner. I learned so much from this first project and I'm already working on another project from your site! The cushions were definitely the most expensive part of the chair.

Estimated Cost
$40-$50/chair (without cushions) including screws, wood and stain
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr semi-transparent stain and sealer (Chocolate) as noted in Ana's project plans.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Industrial Style Coffee Table w/ Bottom Shelf

Submitted by danandbeth on Wed, 12/28/2016 - 08:36

Our first project!

 

We used the "Industrial Style Coffee Table as seen on DIY Network" plans and simply added a bottom shelf. This required an extra 2x2 bracer (same cut as top bracer) and 8 more 1x4s, cut slightly smaller than the top 1x4s in order to have them sit flush with the bottom 2x2s. The table is all pine.

 

We spaced the bottom shelf boards roughly a half inch apart (give or take - it's "rustic"!) and screwed in from the bottom just like the top boards. 

 

On the top shelf, we used 3 coats of Minwax Natural stain, and followed up with 3 coats of Minwax Satin Poly. We sanded these after attaching to the frame in order to achieve a level surface. We started with 80 grit, then 120, then 150. We then used 220 in between coats of poly. The result is a smooth, but not store-bought smooth surface, which we think works well.

 

We didn't spend as much time on the bottom shelf since they'll be mostly storing items, giving them just a quick 150 sand prior to 2 coats of stain and 2 coats of poly. Finally, we nailed in some plastic feet to keep it about a half inch off the floor.

 

All in all, being our first project, and going beyond what the original plans called for, it took us a few weeks to complete, working on it mostly on weekends and here and there in the evenings after work. We love the finished project and it works really well in our living room!

 

-Dan and Beth

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Natural Stain (Minwax)
Satin Poly (Minwax)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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