Community Brag Posts

2x4 Outdoor Sectional and Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 17:56

I followed the instructions on the Ana White website, and followed a few of the commenters ideas to reduce the size slightly to minimize the wood costs. I used pocket holes wherever I could to try and reduce the amount of visible screw heads. The cushions were purchased at Big Lots and the cedar was purchased at the big home improvement store. My 5 year old and I worked on this and are so proud of how it turned out.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Teak Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

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

Another great Loft bed

Submitted by mijohnst on Thu, 01/12/2012 - 08:30

This is another one if your popular loft bed houses. Thanks very much for the plans! I changed a few things, but not as dramatic as others have done. Was a fun project and my daughter actually helped. One spur of the moment idea was to allow her to paint a mural on the backside so that in few years when she out grows it we'll be able to look back and remember how we built it together.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White and blue paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Sat, 01/14/2012 - 10:34

You guys did a great job - very cute! I also love the idea of a hidden mural that you get to revisit in the future. So cool!

Worktable +Peg Board and Light

Submitted by jphysc on Sun, 12/01/2013 - 18:31

This workbench was really easy to make and is, in fact, very sturdy. I modified it slightly, taking inspiration from (I think) the first brag picture on this and added a pegboard, work light and top shelf, which in my opinion drastically improves the overall functionality. The plans call for 9 2x4s but in order to get the result as-is, you only need six. PS- I'm not sure why the pictures are coming out sideways, but I don't see a rotate button!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
64 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

HouseHomemade.us

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/16/2016 - 04:09

We had a great time making this desk! I was so thankful for the inspiration and now I have a new favorite spot in our home.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Fit for a queen!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 20:57

I made this beautiful, queen size, farmhouse style bed for my friend’s daughter. It was her sweet 16 gift. I used Ana’s plans and it turned out even better than I imagined it ever could.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ana White

Tue, 11/05/2019 - 10:40

Thank you so much for entering this project in our October 2019 brag post contest.  We are so excited to let you know this entry was randomly selected for a $100 gift card!  

Look out for an email from us shortly.

Thanks! Ana

Enclosed Garden Raised Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/31/2023 - 14:33

My husband and boys made a beautiful enclosed raised bed using your plans. It was modified to include exterior raised beds for flowers.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Ten Dollar Ledges (which were free - sort of)

Submitted by lcf on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 22:18

Thanks for a great plan! I've been procrastinating in posting, since I have plans to start blogging and wanted to link. Unfortunately, my blog remains a pipe dream as I still can't come up with a name.

The two long ledges were the ones I made (smaller ones are ancient.) These have helped me a great deal in my efforts to pull together/put my own stamp on the most awkwardly laid out and chopped up house imaginable! The 'in your face effect' created by my piling nearly every photo I own on them should be temporary - wall space will open up as other rooms get done. I do think they soften up the gigantic television (Ok, stop laughing. It was worse before.).

While the Ten Dollar Ledges were the inspiration for these, I didn't follow the instructions, since I have lots of leftover plywood and buying lumber when you live in the country and drive a VW Bug is not much fun. I'm very pleased with both the shelves and the garage space their creation opened up. There was a tradeoff, though, as it took me far longer than the hour or two each would have took had I used dimensional lumber. Four inch rip cuts are a pain! (especially since I was a bit too perfectionistic.) But I'm very happy with the results. Thanks again!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
very little (always have screws on hand and used paint I had)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black semigloss spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

patricia klein (not verified)

Sat, 01/21/2012 - 16:20

Hi - I am SO EXCITED - just made a $10 ledge! I have been wanting a photo/art ledge for a long time and actually purchased one from Pottery Barn which I returned. I hated the finish on it an found it very difficult to hang, not to mention that it was expensive! I had some idea how I might make one but wasn't sure, so went on line looking for instructions. So glad I found yours - it was really easy and looks great. The best part is that you can make it whatever size and finish that you want. Now i have to get busy making art to fill it! Thank you so much for your great ideas - i see quite alot of others on your site that I just might try.

Cedar Fence

Submitted by jvos on Wed, 12/04/2013 - 06:04

I've needed a new fence for years but was intimidated by setting posts. I decided this year to hire someone to set the posts and then build the fence myself. Then I saw a brag post on here where the person used Oz-Posts. After researching it, I decided this was the way to go. It was simple and fast! We obviously need to cut the tops off the posts yet!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$900 - 70 feet of fence
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

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

Rustic X Tall Bookshelves

Submitted by frmoody on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 09:23

A friend wanted these bookshelves to match the Farmhouse X Desk but she wanted them narrow so they would fit in a small office. This was a very challenging and at times frustrating build getting everything to fit and getting the X's correct but in the end they turned out very well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The wood was painted with a white cabinet paint and the shelves were stained with Varathane Kona.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Workbench Console Project

This was a fun and relatively easy project. Thanks Ana for all you do!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Bombay Mahoghany (3 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

viola

Tue, 01/24/2012 - 09:49

This is great. You did wonderful for a first project. I could see this as a kitchen island...Thank you for sharing...

X Console Table stained in Early American

X Console table made slightly larger then the plan specs. Also added a backing with some holes since the customer is going to be using this as an entertainment center.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American, Satin Polyurethane, Finish Paste
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

dbizzle

Wed, 12/11/2013 - 12:11

I'm a huge fan of using a false back on the bottom storage areas to hide cords - just leave a small gap at the bottom to drop those cords through and you don't have visible holes showing the wall behind.

mnorton

Sun, 01/25/2015 - 06:55

Hi could you please post the measurements you used to build this. I'm wanting to build as an entertainment center as well. Thanks!

American Girl upholstered arm chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/21/2016 - 13:47

I used the pattern and instructions on how to re-size from http://1inchminisbykris.blogspot.com.es/2013/01/chair-upholstering-tutt…. I then built the base using 1x1 and part of a wood closet rod I had left over and drawer bottom material from Home Depot.  I know those descriptions are not super informative but it's just materials I had around the house.  Once the base was built I used Ana's instructions from the doll mattress tutorial to sew the bottom and back cushions.  Unfortunately, I don't have pictures from the build but I intend to make her a couch when I have time so hopefully I can add some pictures of that to give an idea of what the frame looks like.

Estimated Cost
~$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cheveron Headboard Full size storage bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 19:34

This project was fun but at the same time difficult. Taking king size plans and adapting down to full size posed a challenge but i worked through ot and turned out a fantastic piece of furniture! I have never attempted this size project before but i am glad i did it. I literally put blood sweat and tears into this. Nothing says great project like a trip to the emergency room!

Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

8x12 Shed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/13/2023 - 03:26

My new garden shed built from your premium plans! I'm 62, never built a shed before, and worked mostly alone. My sons helped with some of the wall and roof sheathing. In the end, I did everything except for the shingling. I painted it to match my house main color and trim.

The video is very helpful - I watched it several times. My major change to the plans was using Simpson Strong Ties and hurricane ties to secure the rafters to the ridge pole and the top plates. Otherwise, I used all other methods. I recommend cutting the front wall sheathing before cutting the panels for the doors. I do not have a trim saw and thought my standard circular saw was too heavy for me to make the cuts like Jacob did.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Kid Table & Stools

My wife and I did this table and stools for our son’s class art project. We did something similar last year and they auction the items off in a fund raiser in March. More details and information on the blog – www.atouchofarkansas.com.

Estimated Cost
$100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Extra paint we had from other projects, so the estimated cost includes buying paint, but if you have some already, obviously you can take that off the total costs.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Console Table

Submitted by pdxbrit on Wed, 12/11/2013 - 10:57

Modified slightly for increased height, slightly larger gap between shelves and more underneath clearance (for Roomba Vacuum).

Very easy to make, used Google Sketchup to calculate new angles for X's based on the modified size of the console.

Most time consuming part was repeated sanding and final poly-whey coats.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 - Not including Kreg Jig & Screws.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Finished with Tea, Oxidizing Solution (Steel Wool & Vinegar) and three coats of Poly-Whey. Looks fantastic, and I'm hooked. Farmhouse Bedside tables next on the list!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4 year old so LOVES his bed!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/22/2016 - 22:58

These plans where so easy for my hubby to follow and put together. My son's room is small and even though it's a big bulky bed he has all that floor space to play now!! 

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
We used a diy chalk paint to finish it off. Mix 1/3 cup plaster of Paris with 1/3 cup of water and 1 cup of acrylic paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate