Community Brag Posts

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.

 

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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

DIY Pottery Barn Inspired Table

I cannot believe how easy and inexpensive it was to get the Pottery Barn look for SO MUCH less!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax stain in Special Walnut and Minwax exterior finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

'X' Entryway Table

Submitted by danicarby on Sat, 09/24/2016 - 14:32

This table is built out of only 2x4's - that's 5 boards for about $15!  It was pretty easy and took half a day.  If the fancy angles are too hard to cut safely I recommend doing 45-degree angles!  I'm happy to have a nice entryway - first time my whole life! :)

I've created a post on my project blog wth instructions & pictures for anyone to make their own.

Rustic console table

Estimated Cost
$15 for Lumber
Additional for Screws and Wood Finish
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Conditioner, Minwax Dark Walnut Stain then lasly, Paste Wax (Dark Brown).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

danicarby

Tue, 09/27/2016 - 12:16

Thank you Ana!  You made my day!  It was such a treat to see it posted on your Facebook page!  I told my husband that NOW that "I am famous" (haha) that I should be able to get the jointer & planer I've been begging him to let me buy!  I'm thinking maybe a direct message from  you would be just the trick! :)

Richard6959

Wed, 01/29/2020 - 13:54

What angle were the leg cuts? More than 50* because my saw wont go that far. Please let me know. 

Simple Wine Hutch

Made from Pine and great for Wine! A couple lengths of pine, some bead board, and coastal accent paint and ...Boooom! Show it off to all your friends and family.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Coastal Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

rustic x coffee table

Submitted by RyanK on Fri, 06/27/2014 - 14:14

I modified the rustic x coffee table plans. I did not need a coffee table, but I loved the looks of this plan. I actually needed a TV stand for our basement, so I made this instead. I kept all of the dimensions the same except I made it 4" taller. I also took out the side "x's".
I used regular pine boards from Lowes. I bought a Kreg Jig, Kreg clamp and screws to get started, so my initial cost was pretty high just gathering all my supplies, as this was my first build.I wanted a rustic, worn look, so I chipped the wood, made fake cracks, etc.
I used Minwax Walnut Gel stain, and then went along the edges, over the cracks and knots with an Ebony stain. 2 coats of satin poly.
Can't believe how well it turned out. Next project is going to be the matching end table. Don't laugh at the size of the tv, it is all we have for the basement. We will be planning on getting an 55" for it and the kids to enjoy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax "Walnut" Get stain with Minwax Satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Scrap wood storage bed.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/27/2016 - 03:32

This bed is perfect for my small house. I used plywood for the drawers and made the 10" deep. I also burnt the wood paneling instead of using a dark stain. I'm so happy with how it turned out!

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

Modern Farmhouse Coffee Table

Submitted by rodtinsl on Mon, 07/06/2020 - 18:33

Really enjoyed this build. My wife and I love this table.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Briarsmoke

Reclaimed Wood Tidy Up end table

Submitted by baskelding on Mon, 09/03/2012 - 09:24

I was given old reclaimed wood from a house built in the 40's or 50's. Old rough cut pine 1x12's. I cut the wood to size to match the plans, however, I did have to modify the plans due to the actual true dimensions of the wood. After assembly, I appled 2 coats of shellac to the entire table. It may need a few more coats, but not wanting a glossy finish, I left it alone. Splinters were and are an issue, and the shellac did help to hold down the splinters.

Not having the 2x2 legs required glueing the 1x's together and glueing a veneer to the sides. If i had the legs the project would have taken less time.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Shellac - 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

brookifer86

Sat, 09/08/2012 - 14:30

I love what you did with this, and that you used salvaged wood. The legs would totally fool me, I'd never know that they were pieced together!

Haley platform bed/reclaimed wood headboard/rustic x leg table

i made this king size head board using Ana's website and for the bed frame i used Shanty 2 Chic's website. i just had to convert the measurements to king size when cutting the boards. thats a rustic x leg end table next to the bed, i built using Ana's website also.

Estimated Cost
$100-$120
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
watco danish oil dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse table and benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/03/2016 - 07:51

Built this for my Daughters Birthday!!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Gel stain oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

X Coffee Table

This was the best piece I have made so far, I had some trouble getting the angles right with the x's but in the end it worked out great and everyone can't believe its just plain old wood! Keep up the great work!

Moving on to the end tables!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$55
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I had a great time "experimenting" with the distressed finish too. I recommend testing it on scrap boards first! I finished it with a coat of polyurethene and in the end the color looked fine but it did change it from what it was before the coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Chrisv1041

Thu, 07/02/2015 - 15:10

How did you stain it and distress it? Did you use the gray paint and water on top of the stain to give it that look?

X-Side Table

Submitted by wthalin on Thu, 07/03/2014 - 07:48

This was my first project from Ana's site and I have to say I was quite pleased how it turned out. This is a very sturdy/heavy duty end table that I am sure will last a very long time. I made mine essentially straight from the plans except changed the X's a little bit to compensate for my limited miter saw.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Steel wool in vinegar as an oxidation stain finished with Vermont Natural Satin PolyWhey.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Industrial Master Closet

Submitted by dkarinen on Wed, 10/05/2016 - 19:22

Our master closet had been empty for a long time due to "analysis paralysis", couldn't decide what to do... until I saw this plan. My husband was gone for a week and I was able to surprise him with an almost finished closet when he got home! I stuck with closet rods instead of galvanized pipes because I knew that would be his preference. I love it! Now to build something for all our shoes...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane dark walnut stain, varathane dark walnut stain + poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Mini Bedside Table

The hardest part of this project was definitely finding straight 2x2’s at Lowe’s! This was my first drawer too, but after a little headache getting it square I couldn’t be happier with it! It goes perfectly with our Farmhouse/Barndoor Headboard. I can’t say enough good about this site ♥️

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Armoire

This was the nursery armoire design we used. My husband modified it slightly. Beautiful isn't it.

Estimated Cost
$150-$175
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
paint color is valspar cabin red, with antique glaze over it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Spa bench

Submitted by Joagirard on Fri, 07/04/2014 - 20:50

I had left over wood from previus projects and needed an entry bench. The closest i made my plan inspired by the spa bench.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
20$
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of dark walnut varathane wood stain applied with an old t-shirt. Followed by 2 coats of varathane satin professional finish. I sanded between the finised coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

andimat

Tue, 03/06/2018 - 19:18

This is exactly how I was hoping to modify this!  What did you use for the sides?  Is the top 2 x 6?  Thank you in advance!

andimat

Tue, 03/06/2018 - 19:20

This is exactly what I wanted to do!  What did you use for the sides?  Is the top 2 x 6s?  

diy Oversized Chair

As I finished the basement, my thoughts turned to the upstairs furniture. We bought a sectional when we moved into our house 2 years ago from Art Van. We paid $2000 for it and it lasted about 3 years. We finally got rid of it after 5 years, but the frame was broke and the cushions were terrible!!

 

I looked around and couldn't find anything I thought was superior quality that didn't cost an arm and a leg. Quite frankly, this is expensive even to make but I'm up for the challenge.  

Estimated Cost
Frame cost was $120
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

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.

Farmhouse table

Submitted by kathiibeth on Mon, 09/10/2012 - 06:34

This is my take on the farmhouse table featured here on this site. The cut list was modified since I used reclaimed pallet material for my table base. I also used 2x12's for the top since I wanted mine a little bigger then the one on here. I took the extra time and effort to also add breadboard ends just to add the finishing touch to the top. The finish I used was simply whitewash for the base, the top was a combination of oxidation, black wash, white wash and distressing with misc. tools from the garage. We had fun (my husband helped)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
white wash for base, distressing then black wash and white wash for top. Because I wanted the top to look like it matched the base (mixing wood types adds a challenge) we took time to really distress the top using multiple tools: like a belt sander, chains, planers, and hammers and really added character. After this I oxidized with the vinegar and steel wool mixture and let that dry. Then I went back and used a very diluted black wash to really darken the wood. After that dried I did a white wash and lightly added white to acheive the look I wanted. After that dried I sanded to distress some more and love the results. Practice on scrap material to see what you like most.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Wolvesey

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 14:11

What a beautiful table. I would love to make one but can you please tell me how you attached the end panels of wood at right angles to the others and then how you attached the table top to the bases as I see no signs of nails or screws? Many thanks