Community Brag Posts

Land of nod knock-off bankable bookcase

Submitted by Chef Sowa on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 18:43

My third project from the Ana-white.com site. Our daughter's books and toys were outgrowing the toy box and small magazine rack we were using, saw this plan, no brainier. It led me the the land of nod website, to see the real deal, and I liked the version with the closed top better, so I modified the plans to fit my needs. Added some trim and oak veneer for the edges, a little stain, and waa laa... Found some boxes at lowe's, perfect fit. We'll move it into her room after I build a new media console for the living room

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax poly shades antique walnut satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Six cube shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/20/2016 - 12:06

Really fun project. My dividers were a little off, but for kiddo storage- it's not too shabby. Bins were on sale at target. Because I trimmed the whole case out in 1x2s- 11x11 was the size I needed. The labels were extra, but totally worth the cost in my opinion. Loved this project and love the organization it brings!

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

Kids Modern Picnic Table

Submitted by abbpim on Mon, 04/16/2012 - 09:52

This is my very first wood working project! I know its not perfect and I learned from my mistakes. I found a miter saw at a garage sale and after three hours of plugging it in and unplugging it, I finally worked up the courage to make it make a noise! Then I eventually worked up the courage to cut wood lol! I'm pretty proud of myself for building something and I am going to continue practicing until I can make really cool stuff!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar, Quart Size, LA218, Fuchsia, Duramax, Exterior Semigloss, Base 4 214-4.75, 113-31.75, 105-3.63, 115-2Y7

I used 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Outdoor sofa and coffee table

Submitted by 14ermom on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 14:27

We LOVE our new patio set!  Total cost of 2 sofas, coffee table and cushions: $530

Cushions B&G Retro Diamonds Deep Seat cushion set purchased from Walmart.

Thanks for sharing the plans!  

Estimated Cost
175 wood & screws
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Elite - American Chestnut - semi-transparent
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Jigsaw Puzzle Table!

I was super inspired by the "iTable" which I am also going to build... but combined the idea with an idea I saw in a fancy home decorating magazine (a jigsaw puzzle stool).... took a lot of fiddling to come up with a 'universal puzzle piece' but in the end it worked out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Polyurethane stain, spray satin varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 05/25/2012 - 05:49

That is so cool! Beautiful job. Looks like those curves too lotsa patience, something I seriously lack. Thanx for sharing.

Sue_McL

Fri, 05/25/2012 - 09:09

Would love to have the template for the universal piece... I have to make one of these!!!

FANTASTIC job....

Mariah Papaya

Sat, 05/26/2012 - 06:29

Yes, it took ALOT of fiddling to get a universal puzzle piece template made up -- I was sorta copying one I found (google "Vector Puzzle") but had no way to blow it up so huge. Even after I cut them out, I ended up doing a lot of sanding to make the joints work, but it was fun! If you want, Sue, you could mail me an envelope and I'll trace one for ya!

$2.00 Scrap Lap Desk

This was a really quick and easy build. I built it with two bucks and two hours with some scrap wood I had laying around. The only thing I bought was a package of 2 standard hinges ($2). Also, I deviated from the plan a little by not including the lower storage compartments (didn't want it to get too heavy), making the legs 4" shorter (so it's more comfortable to use in bed), and not building the storage dividers under the flip-top lid. Check out more info by clicking my blog link!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$2.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
A quick sanding and a coat of Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Dark Walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Small Table Plant Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/23/2024 - 10:19

This is a revised kids table plan. I needed a plant stand. It is 36 inches tall and the top is made from 1 × 4's. The top is about 11 x 14. What did I learn from this?. The top is so small it was hard getting the kreg dill bit in to screw in the Kreg screws. I should have thought of that. Also learned that you dont get a tight fit if you have to take out the screws. 2nd time they dont grab and hold as tight. Overall I'm happy the way it turned out. But lots of room to improve.

Barb Runquist

Modern Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by hgordon on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 09:18

Modern Adirondack chairs with added cup holder holes. Will be adding cup holder inserts as well.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane “Early American” stain
Cabot clear wood protector
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Easy small space side table

Submitted by Dedavies3 on Mon, 07/07/2014 - 17:57

This was my first project. It was relatively easy but I did make some mistakes that are now design features

Estimated Cost
Reclaimed wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax English chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rocking Chair

Submitted by PPTG on Mon, 08/31/2020 - 12:11

Getting ready for retirement, so I thought I needed a rocking chair.
No plans, just built what looked and felt right.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

David King

Thu, 03/18/2021 - 01:27

Lovely chair. Nice proportions. Would like to copy it. Have you got any plans, sketches, or dimensions to share?

jlxvnwk

Fri, 02/10/2023 - 13:10

Love this rocking chair! Do you have any dimensions or plans. I would live to take this project on. Thank you.

Not So $10 Ledges

About 2 years ago when we were redoing our kitchen, I made these ledge shelves inspired by Ana White's $10 Ledges.  I originally wanted to use them as storage for spices and our olive oil, but once our vent hood was installed, there just wasn't room for them, at least not as I had originally intended.  Since mine are made of yellow pine (harder wood) and I used a 1 x 6 for my platform instead of a 1 x 4, my ledges cost more than $10.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan's chalk paint with 2 coats of poly, sanding between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Toddler Trundle Bed

Submitted by melfosson on Thu, 10/02/2014 - 13:34

I used and existing toddler bed frame and repurposed it as a trundle bed so we could add a 3rd bed into our kids small bedroom.  You can easily make the bed frame too.

Check out my blog post with steps on how to turn a toddler bed into a trundle.  Great space saver and it's much easier to pull out from under the bed on the carpet (and easier than a full size trundle).

http://www.tools4moms.com/2012/07/diy-toddler-trundle.html

Estimated Cost
$0-30
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy X Desk

I created this desk using the Fancy X Desk plans, but I used a project panel for top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Finish Used
Kelly Moore Pure White Semi Gloss
Sherwin Williams Weathered Teak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor Sofa - Front Porch

Submitted by mclaudeg3 on Fri, 11/06/2020 - 16:47

This project was quite easy and did not require many tools. The plan allowed me to adjust the measurements easily so it could fit in that space. I used regular 2x4’s and treated the wood with Mountain Ash colour in a semi-transparent stain from Sherwin Williams, I just love the colour! I build 2 - 2 seaters exactly the same. The one side has no arm, as I wanted it to look like a lounge chair. I love to sit in the corner and stretch my legs 😊. I bought the cushion covers from IKEA, and got good quality foam.

Estimated Cost
Wood ~$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of semi-transparent Mountain Ash stain from Sherwin Williams.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Williams Sonoma Inspired Chicken Coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/10/2020 - 18:46

We took some creative liberties on the Williams Sonoma inspired coop posted here. Because we don’t get a whole ton of sun in our backyard, we eliminated the herb garden planter and instead built a longer run. We also made the coop a bit wider to accommodate for the inevitable chicken math. And, you’ll notice the vent both shaped differently and is a bit higher. This was to increase air flow, avoid the dreaded draft, and to lend a more Scandinavian vibe. We also decided to place the chicken exit on the outside wall to allow for more living space under the coop itself. The project took about a month to complete, dedicated to only working weekends. And, it was very much over budget! Who knew wood is so expensive?! But overall, the outcome was even better than I expected. The chickens love it and I don’t mind looking at it!

P.S. this was a pretty advanced project. The fractions alone had me yelling “uncle!” Thankfully my husband is pretty handy, and my father-in-law (career in the construction industry) had a few pointers, so they took the lead in executing. I chose the paint colors and suggested the deviations from the original blue print. ;-)

Estimated Cost
$1000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Iron Ore in matte
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

racbino

Wed, 11/18/2020 - 12:55

Thank you! Yes, I suppose everyone is wanting wood for home improvement projects now that we're not leaving the house! Also, I didn't mean to post a picture of my son and his friends. Am I able to delete?

joshwilson28

Thu, 01/14/2021 - 07:43

does this roof have the same angle as the 'Small Chicken Coop with Plans'? It seems to be 'less steep'. Wanting to start this project next weekend and trying to get my mind wrapped around everything!. Thanks.

Seasonal And Holiday

End Tables

Submitted by bozarthm1 on Sun, 11/15/2020 - 16:22

Built these two end tables from Ana's nightstand plans. Modified to add a shelf and drawers. I used stair treads to make the tops which give a nice thickness and strength. The shelves are cedar fence pickets. Shelf and tops are stained Jacobean with a semi gloss poly finish. Had to watch Ana's videos several times to get the build right, but spent much more time on the finish than the build. Added electric extension/usb outlet. Really happy with the project. THANKS Ana!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Jacobean stain, semi gloss poly, white primer and paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

bozarthm1

Sun, 11/15/2020 - 16:28

Project for my son. End tables with one and 2 drawers. Shelf and tops stained with poly, frames and drawer primed and painted. Tops made from Stair treads. they are 12" edge glued so just had to trim down and glue together. comes with one bullnose, rounded off the other sides with a 1/2inch roundover router bit.

X-DESK

Submitted by Jasonhash on Sun, 02/19/2017 - 07:39

Made from your Fancy X-desk plans. Dark Walnut & clear gloss polyacrylic Miniwax finishes.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Lumber $18
Plywood $13
Glue, nails, & screws $3
Stain $8
Poly $6.50
$50+/- all day
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Dark Walnut
Mini wax polyacrylic gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Two-tone Large Cube Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/21/2017 - 09:43

Large cube shelf made to fit 13" cubes or milk crates, for my two and a half year old son. For the larger cubes, I added 2" to the measurements for each cube, so 6" to the horizontal and 4" to the vertical measurements. Total shelf measures 46.5" wide by 35" high by 13.5" deep.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Body: white latex primer, two parts paint to one part water.
Trim: special walnut stain
Everything: Minwax Paste Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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