Community Brag Posts

Thanks for the plans!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/12/2016 - 18:29

Ana, thanks for the plans! I modified mine to have more of a roof to give my son more play space and added a toybox at the "back" of the boat. Still need to pick up sand but has turned out great so far! I think it will be the starting point for a full playset.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
225$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Outdoor oil-based enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic hall tree with alterations

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/19/2020 - 11:36

A few alterations I made to your original design plans:
1. I went with 1/2” plywood and bead board for the back. This gave it a little more stability and a complimentary design element to match other pieces I’ve built.
2. I used 2x3’s instead of 2x2’s since the selection was much better at the lumber store.
3. For the bench top I used a black walnut slab cut to size finished with a danish oil and satin poly top coat.
4. Instead of the X, I enclosed the sides and used a pair of parallel 2x3’s backed with poplar boards cut to size.

Thanks! I hope you enjoy.
Chad Cote

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Watco walnut danish oil
General Finishes satin top coat
General Finishes Antique White milk paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Laundry Dresser foling area and hanging shelf

Submitted by sandrabees on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 13:15

more details on my blog. I built 2 of the laundry dressers. adjusted the placement of my baskets due to restrictions in the overall height of my unit (I have a ironing board cabinet built into 1 wall that I still wanted to be able to open and use :) I used MDF, but it was a bear to work with and next time I would spend the extra $$ on birch. i painte the bottom in a semi gloss. and plan to add the doors (which will have a beadboard backing) they will be painted white with a dark walnut glaze. The top and shelf /brackets are all done in a distressed finish with ebony and mahogany stain mixed then 2 coats of poly very sturdy even filled!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white semi gloss paint, (will be glazing with dark walnut as well),
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sherice

Tue, 07/15/2014 - 20:27

Very cool rendition of the original plans. I like the folding area, awesome job!

thewife

Fri, 06/26/2015 - 00:00

I have been wanting to make the laundry basket dresser but am holding off because we are moving. What color did you us on the walls, I love it.

Bathroom Vanity

Submitted by boxermum on Sun, 07/29/2012 - 18:18

We purchased an unloved Victorian Farmhouse in 2008 and have been working on it ever since. The latest project is the main bathroom. It started out really small and dark. Like most rooms in the house we had to gut the room and start from scratch and like most projects the cost was much more than we anticipated. We had to come up with some creative ways to get what we wanted on a shoestring budget. Part of that creativity involved building our own bathroom vanity. I knew I wanted marble to compliment the marble floor we installed. I took to Craigslist and found a marble slab for 75 bucks. Then we scoured for plans and made modifications that would work with our ideas and dimensions. We still need to install the vessel sink and the wall-mount faucet to complete the vanity, but we are really happy with what we've created, and I don't think we could have found exactly what we were looking for anyway. I'm so grateful for this site and for the support everyone here offers!

We created the legs out of 3 - 1x3's that we glued and clamped together. We decided on a slat bottom shelf to help with any moisture issues that might happen in a bathroom. The drawers were probably the trickiest part of the build, but my husband says even those were not overly challenging. We just primed and painted to match the custom beadboard my husband also created in the garage. He also replicated and created period moldings for around the windows and doors. Finally, we built a custom built-in medicine cabinet that I will be posting in another brag post.

The bathroom really turned out better than I could have imagined and it was all built using materials from Home Depot - no special orders here!

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We topped the vanity with Cararra white marble, primed with Kilz and painted Behr's Silk Pillow in Satin finish. The chrome hardware is from the Martha Stewart line found at Home Depot.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Garden Enclosure

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/04/2024 - 09:33

This is our riff on your plans. Two seasons in and not a single animal has breached our fortress.

 

Jan Perrone Greco on Facebook

Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday

2x4 Outdoor Sectional with Matching Ottomans, Chairs & Table

Submitted by cqueiruga on Fri, 06/12/2020 - 21:01

We were looking for outdoor furniture for our deck, and for the size and amount we needed it would have cost us at least $2000. We really like the idea of having an outdoor sectional that we can also use for dining, and we had trouble finding a set we liked. We found Ana's plans for the 2x4 Outdoor Sectional, and i loved the look. After seeing what others have done with the plans, I thought I would be able to modify it to get everything we needed for much less cost than buying a set.

We ended up extending the size of the 2x4 outdoor sofa by one 24" section, for a total length of 96". I then used the same design to make two outdoor chairs, just reduced the length to 24". I modified the 2x4 outdoor coffee table plans to create two ottoman's that can be moved around to make the seating more lounge style Finally, I modified the coffee table plans to make a 5 foot outdoor dining table. All in all, it took about a week and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out!

Estimated Cost
$800 ($200 for wood, $600 for cushions)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Semi-Transparent Antique Oak Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jwood4

Mon, 08/02/2021 - 09:44

Looks amazing! What method did you use (pocket holes, dowels, deck screws, etc) to join the visible portions like the arms?

My Greenhouse

I went from a 6 x 8 Harbor Freight Greenhouse to this one 10 x 12. I added a few windows...

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Tea Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/06/2024 - 13:14

Two projects that I recently built for my wife and my daughter. My wife wanted a tea bar and a beach vibe, my daughter wanted an outdoor couch so it is made out of cedar. They both loved them.

Todd Springer

Built from Plan(s)

modern park bench

Submitted by debinmi on Sun, 09/28/2014 - 11:50

Spent an hour or so an evening after work to make this bench .  Also made the umbrella stand but haven't drilled the hole for the umbrella yet so it' s still in the garage.  Love the bench, it's long & deep enough to lay down upon.  Made the arms from a 2x6 and rounded the front w/ a jig saw, made the other end the same size as the 2x4, and made them longer than the plan. Pretty simple, did use pocket holes in places. First major build & 1st brag.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Pittsburg exterior stain in Oxford Brown
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Seasonal And Holiday

Tilt Out Trash Bin

This was my first project using an Ana White plan....Modified it a bit...quite happy with how it came out...it was very low cost to make and a lot of fun.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Stain....Spring Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple 2x4 Potting Bench - Modified

I was intrigued by Ana’s Simple 2x4 Potting Bench. The project seemed simple enough and it would be used as a means to clean up clutter in the garage. My main focus was to make it semi-portable and weather resistant. Instead of using 2x4’s for the corner posts, I used 4x4’s to accommodate casters. I also shorted the length of the posts by 4 inches to compensate for the height of the casters. To provide extra rigidity I did a dado for the 2x4’s that connect the front and rear legs. In retrospect, I wish that I did not dado the legs because it made it more difficult to attach some of the shelf planks. I painted the frame green and left the shelves and backboards clear for beautiful contrast. My wife is ecstatic with the result.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Environ Green paint for the frame and Minwax Polycrylic for the poplar shelves and backboards.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Mudroom Bench with Hutch

Submitted by calliher on Sun, 09/12/2021 - 18:45

This is my laundry room and it is about 12x10. It looked so bare with only the washer and dryer. So I thought making this a mudroom also. I live in the mountains and have snow 3 to 4 months a year. This will be perfect. I purchased an IKEA cabinet built it in and added the Ana White plans with two bays.

Comments

Lounge Chair

Modified the arm rest and the back to my liking. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

gmhurley

Tue, 06/23/2020 - 08:59

Hi, are plans available for this modified chair design? I like that the seat pan appears to be flat and the Adirondack style to the back slate.

Kitchen Island Trolley

Submitted by naomi on Fri, 06/23/2017 - 08:29

Base was made from recycled timber and the top was made with new pine.

The rails were made from curtain rails. 

One end has wheels for easy moving.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Enamel Paint and Brown Japan Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

sis2795

Wed, 07/31/2019 - 16:58

I don’t understand the cost for this. The wood is going to cost significantly more than $20. Am I an idiot and don’t know where to get the wood from??? How does that equal out to $20?

In reply to by sis2795

naomi

Sun, 08/11/2019 - 22:41

Hi,

All of the base was made from free pallet Wood and the timber top was one line length of new timber which cost about $8 and the wheels I had in the shed and the curtain rail was a couple of dollars from Bunnings. The paint and stain I already had.

I hope this helps. 😀

Sideboard and floating shelves

Submitted by knollgf on Tue, 12/05/2017 - 20:35

My wife wanted a piece for our dining room. This was a easy weekend project. I had to modify the size to fit my space. I decided to use red oak for the top. It was more expensive but is a much harder wood with a nicer finish. I made the hardware myself from aluminum flat bar. 

Estimated Cost
$200-$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Flat white base
Espresso top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

My first Easy Build Headboard, King Size

Submitted by andreak on Thu, 05/12/2011 - 16:15

This was my first project and it come out beautifully. I did learn a valuable lesson - if you are going to build something in the basement, make sure it fits up the stairs. Not sure if you can tell from the picture but this ended up 6 inches shorter than the plans. Can wait to find my next project!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax Wood Finish Red Mahogany 25 - Minwax Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ana White Greenhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/06/2022 - 12:41

We built the first one about 8 years ago, and then the wind flipped it over and scattered it all over the back part of the property. I then dug footings and anchored the second one down; I was able to save the Dutch Door I made for the first one. Thanks for the plans!!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Adirondack Chairs with Table

Submitted by stevez8420 on Sat, 08/08/2015 - 13:24

I was inspired by DIY Pete's Double bench seat but wanted more of the traditional adirondack look, so I kind of combined 3 plans together to get this! For my first attempt at these chairs with a few of my own tweaks I think it turned out pretty darn well. Changing the legs to extend out the back and curve out the front posed small challenge and then mounting the chair backs at a comfortable angle. There are some imperfections that probably only I would notice but I can correct it for next time. This photo was taken just after staining when I noticed that I missed sanding some wood filler on the front of the seat. Building these chairs only took about 6.5 hours before the finishing process but the next time would go faster. I am currently in the process of adding a protective varnish to give it a semi-gloss finish. All together it cost me under $100 CDN or $80 USD.

Estimated Cost
$70-80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax - Gunstock with a semi gloss varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Easy Peasy Garage Shelves

Submitted by NickInHB on Mon, 09/07/2015 - 13:12

This was such an easy project to complete although it did take some time to measure and cut all the boards.  I could only transport 2x4s at 8' so after cutting the height to 6' for the braces I used the extra 2' for the shelf width.  The extra width really helped with some of my storage totes.  I made the first section at 5' in length to handle the heavier totes, and the second section I used the full 8' board with a brace in the middle.  I wish my garage was a little deeper to handle 16' of shelves as it would have saved me a good bit of time.  I'm also glad I have an extra ryobi battery to charge while I assemble.  Gotta love how fast those things charge.  Can't wait to try another one of your plans.

Estimated Cost
Around $130 from the Depot. 2x4 at 8' $2.73 a piece and two boxes of screws.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

alipettaway

Sun, 05/31/2020 - 22:32

Awesome job!! I’m wondering if plywood can be used for shelving instead of more 2x4s like on the non free standing garage shelves?

Craft and Homework Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/18/2022 - 13:31

I used the plans for the modern craft table for this build and I had some curly cherry laying around begging to be use so I used that for the top.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments