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Love these chairs!

Submitted by melfreich on Mon, 01/04/2016 - 11:15

I took the plans from DIY and followed them to the "T"...more or less. I'm making 4 more of these for family and friends and will try the Kreg Jig to install the seat bottom and back rests.

Built from Plan(s)
DIY Double Chair Bench with Table - By DIY Pete
Estimated Cost
$95 in materials
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Matte Spray Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Baby Nova's Changing Table

My son and his girlfriend are expecting baby Nova in May.  He asked that I build her a changing table or a toy box.  I picked the the table.

The drawer setup in the plans is not clear, however I used 14" drawer slides.  I mounted a small 1x2 on each side and in the middle to mount the drawer slides to.  To accomodate the drawer slides, I had to reduce the width of the drawers by approximately 1/4 inch.  I waited until the I was ready to install the drawers so could fit check them prior to final cut and drawer slide installation.

As for the Baskets underneath - they are Elfa baskets from the Container Store.  They are mounted in with slide out trays.

Blog Link
Baby Nova's Changing Table
Built from Plan(s)
Baby Changing Table with Drawers and Topper
Estimated Cost
$400 - the Elfa baskets were 1/2 the cost.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Signature Latex Semi-Gloss Ultra White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Table by hubby, kids and I

Submitted by nicoletims on Fri, 10/28/2011 - 05:03

We used Ana's farmhouse table plans. Everyone compliments us on it; even thought that we purchased it at Restoration Hardware.

Built from Plan(s)
Farmhouse Table - No Pocket Holes Plan
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

[email protected]

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 06:20

I like the table, but how do you attach the breadboard ends to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood? How did you flatten such a large tabletop with all those knots? Did you use a super-industrial flatbed sander or did you just use hand planes?

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 10:36

Gorgeous table!

It turned out really nice. I have some of the same questions as above (for all types of projects large expanses of joined up wood).

Does wood expansion and contraction cause any problems with wood attached with the Kreg Jig?

How do you get things smooth when joining up several pieces of wood? Are you using a belt sander? Just letting things end up where they may? Hand planes?

A big industrial planer is out for us. We don't have the room and I don't have the expertise. I'm hoping the planing/sanding is simple and easy, since I am way new to all this!

I'm not sure, but I *think* there is going to be a Kreg Jig and some wood coming my way for my birthday next month! I am so excited I could just scream (but I'll still act surprised LOL).

OK, sorry to just go crazy with a long post here. Your table looks wonderful! You guys did a great job!

claydowling

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 18:48

There are no wood movement problems along the long pieces, Those will expand and contract together. You can get problems with the cross piece on the ends.

As far as leveling the pieces, it's generally not done with this kind of furniture. But if you decided that it did need to be level, hand planes are the only good solution. I just did a table top, and it was moderately strenuous, but it didn't kill me, and it's very nice now.

If you want to learn how to do it, there are good books and videos on hand tools that discuss it. I grabbed Hand Tool Essentials as well as looking at a couple of good online videos from Chris Schwarz.

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 19:38

Hey Clay,

Thanks for the information. I will go do some research to see what I can learn about hand planing for when the project demands it. I'll also go look for some Chris Schwarz vids, too.

I appreciate the input!

nicoletims

Sun, 10/30/2011 - 13:52

Thank you for the kudos!

To answer some of the questions - there is a small gap at each end where the breadboards are attached that should allow for some expanding and contracting. As for finishing the top, we did not use a planer, just a palm sander. We were going for the rustic look, so the small imperfections give it some of that character we were trying for. After sanding we just put a couple coats of poly - the color of the natural wood with poly perfectly matched the chairs we had, which made it easy!

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Sun, 10/30/2011 - 14:54

Thanks, Nicole!

Your table really turned out beautifully. I love a bit of a rustic/cottage-y vibe, so I'm glad to hear that a palm sander did the trick. I'm not too intimidated by a palm sander, so that's another bonus.

You guys did a great job!

Jake

Tue, 06/19/2012 - 20:01

I was recently diagnosed with Vibration Induced White Finger (yes it is a real malady) caused by over use of vibrating tools. I think the culprit was the palm sander. If you are concerned choose a rotating sander that has vibration control. I got one for Father's Day and it is great. I have not had any problems sanding surfaces down to smooth and level with 60 grit paper even with knots. Then I just go to 100 grit and then 150 grit and the surface is great.

TommyHawk

Fri, 12/20/2013 - 07:20

First of all, this looks great! I am going to attempt to build one. Two questions at least for now....
1) How long is your table? Unless you have narrow chairs, I don't see how 4 chairs would fit comfortably on the sides.

2) Where did you get your chairs? They also look great with the table.

Again, Great Job!!

TC

First build modified pedestal bench

We wanted a bench to go with our new table, but couldn't find one we liked, so we decided to make this our first project. Finished it with paint and an over glaze to match the finish on the chairs. Couldn't be happier with the results!

Built from Plan(s)
Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Bench
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint with an over glaze, sealed with poly acrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Industrial Barn Breakfast Table

Submitted by Colindidit on Wed, 01/06/2016 - 07:04

This is a table and bench set I made for a couple of friends who moved into a new home and needed a place to eat and study. I incorporated some scrap iron, piping with purchased lumber. In addition to beating the lumbar with chains, old tools, chisels, etc. I used a vinegar and steel wool mixture to create the distressed appearnce and sealed it with natural color danish oil. The vinegar also helps create a nice rest patina to the metal which I sealed with a clear spray enamel.

Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Vinegar and steel wool mixture. Danish oil.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Church pew

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 06:34

First time using jigsaw, think it turned out pretty good! What a fun project to build!

Comments

Console Bookshelf

Submitted by jlamorey on Fri, 11/04/2011 - 12:10

A bookshelf to help with the everyday clutter in our kitchen.

Blog Link
Completed project!
Built from Plan(s)
Library Console Table
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Used MinWax Ebony stain and rub on poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Claudia

Sat, 11/05/2011 - 12:07

Glad to see someone build this plan--have been considering it, but wanted to see a finished photo. Thanks!

wpaul

Sun, 05/26/2013 - 11:04

The plan shows a total width of 39" but that's a bit too much for me (I'm mostly just wanting to store reference books next to my desk and don't need that much space). I like the proportions on your build, can you say how wide it is? (I'm assuming it's not 39", unless you have some massive countertops!)

Thanks.

Long version of flip top storage bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/07/2016 - 10:46

We are loving the way this turned out. I made it 5.5 feet long, split the top and added a divider support bar in the middle inside the top storage area. It feels super sturdy (has had our twin toddlers climbing and banging all over it without a problem!) and is getting a ton of use. Winter gear in the top, and shoes/boots in the bottom. As my first big wood-working project, it was relatively easy thanks to the instructions. Having the wood pre-cut at Lowes saved me needing the tools, but the pieces were not exact. I also found that this cost us more in materials than was listed, maybe because I bought the higher-grade pine, and we made a longer bench. I

Built from Plan(s)
Pine Board Flip Top Storage Bench
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Base: Minwax stain in Jacobean, with clear furniture wax on top
Top: Homemade chalk paint in Valspar Posh Red, with clear furniture wax on top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bench!

Submitted by kcav1706 on Thu, 05/02/2019 - 06:24

I used Ana's website and found the plans for this awesome and adorable bench! I placed it on my front porch at my house and it really brings a feeling of "home" to the outside! The best part about it is that I only used six 2x4s and the cost was under $18! (If I would have read the first direction about cutting the long pieces first then I could have avoided going back to Home Depot for an additional 2x4 lol) Also- if you have never done a miter cut before that has to be a precise length, make sure to cut the board longer than what the plan says and then cut the angles. I made the mistake of making a cross cut at 13" and then making the 45° angle, causing it to be too short. 

 

Built from Plan(s)
2x4 Truss Style Farm Bench
Estimated Cost
$18
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Helmsman indoor/outdoor clear mini-gloss.
I first sanded everything, stained it with Minwax "Jacobean" color, sanded it again (220 grit) then used the protective finish. I sanded it lightly once more and then reapplied another coat of the finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sliding Pet/Baby Gate

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/27/2023 - 20:13

We desperately needed a gate to keep our pets from accessing the rooms, with carpet, in our new home. We originally thought about building a full barn door but, the security system was in the way and it wouldn’t have allowed the light to pass through to our dark entryway anyway. We definitely wanted to steer away from the “barn door looking” gate we did at our last home and wanted to try something more timeless with the sprayed, black caning. We have a very eclectic style. Very vintage industrial, MCM, with pops of RH glam and a touch of BOHO. Sounds confusing but, I needed this gate to take the pressure off of trends we didn’t quite fit in and be easy to use for my teenager. The gate leads to her bed/bath and the guest rooms. The mechanism is not my design but, it’s brilliant, especially for the industrial element to our home. Took me close to 4 days from start to finish. Lost my Kreg jig in our move and was so thankful to a stranger-neighbor that willingly let me borrow his on the curiosity of what exactly I was building. NGL, it felt pretty good when he said how impressed he was with the build. 💞

Built from Plan(s)
DIY Baby Gate - Feature by PBJ Stories
DIY Dog Gate

Comments

Entryway Locker System

I fell head over heals in love with Ana's Smiling Mudroom Project... but alas I have no mudroom in my home and no available closet to transform. *Sad Face* I do however have exactly the depth of a 1x10 between my front door and entryway wall. *Happy Face*

I modified her plans to fit a more narrow profile... (much more narrow) and also shortened it to about half the width.
I couldn't be happier with the finished product and I'm happy to share the modified plans with any of you who also lack a mudroom or any sort of entryway organization whatsoever!

Modified Mudroom Plans for an Entryway Locker System can be found here! Yay

Blog Link
The Design Confidential
Built from Plan(s)
Smiling Mudroom
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Zinc by Martha Stewart for Home Depot in Eggshell
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

margjack

Mon, 11/14/2011 - 05:37

It looks amazing! I love the shelves on the bottom for the smaller baskets. I'm still working up the courage to build this one!

Vegetable Bin Cupboard

My husband's and my first Ana White build. Made it for my mom for Mother's Day 2015. She loved it and I absolutely loved how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Vegetable Bin Cupboard
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Writing Desk

I built this as a Mother’s Day present. There were a few hiccups (i.e. the cut list doesn’t include the drawer face which I didn’t know while shopping), but the plans were great and most of the project went smoothly. 

Built from Plan(s)
Simple Writing Desk with Drawer
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wood Tilt-Out Trash Bins

Submitted by kendaves on Mon, 11/21/2011 - 15:38

These two trash bins were very easy and fun to make. Plans were very easy to use and made the project very easy to build.

Built from Plan(s)
Wood Tilt Out Trash or Recycling Cabinet
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Tue, 11/22/2011 - 07:26

This came out really beautiful! I'm thinking of building two like this for our hampers which we keep in our bedroom. We really don't have another place to put them and this is so much nicer looking! Of course, I'd have to modify it so the clothes can breathe. Certainly worth looking into...

Melissa G (not verified)

Fri, 02/24/2012 - 08:31

Seeing these 2 sitting side by side gave me an idea for our trash & recyclables. My husband & I want to make one of these for our trash, but now I am thinking it would reduce the clutter from the recyclables. Thanks for posting. They look great!

Jeff Giuliani (not verified)

Sat, 12/15/2012 - 10:54

This was a great project. Very easy to follow...until I got to the door. There are no instructions for the door and no link to a video. Now I have to try and "wing it" which I think is going to make my trash bin, which is a christmas present for my wife, look like trash. I only have this weekend to do this but maybe someone else will be saved by adding the directions for the door. otherwise, thanks for the great step by step.

murph447

Tue, 11/11/2014 - 13:31

The bins look great!  When you installed the beadboard did you just simply fasten it to the back of your door frame or did you cut grooves in your frame (on a table saw) and insert the beadboard?

BABY/DOG GATE

Well with a new addition to family it was time to start baby proofing the house. With some help from the wife we decided to build a dual purpose door to keep babies out and dogs in. After looking all over the internet this is what we found. I hope you like it. sorry about the photo being so dark..

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
antique white paint and kona stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse King bed headboard, frame and platform

I followed most of the farmhouse plans for the headboard and footboard.  Adjustments were made for the size of our mattress being 80x77 here in Canada.  Also the primary reason for building a bed was to get away from boxsprings as I am am just too sensitive with previous back injuries to they 'not so flat' feel.  Because of this I somewhat designed a slat system based on our mattress' guidelines for maximum gap between slats.  I framed a simple setup just 3/4" below the side rails so the slats would be flush with it.  Also our floor is not flat (yikes) so the side rail is not the same measurement from end to end it is instead done using a level (out 1/4" over about 7 feet).

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Farmhouse Bed - Standard King Size
Estimated Cost
Cost was actually near $500 here in Canada. Lumber in about $240 and I did not have any wasteful cuts. I did not have all of the screws, brad nails, glue and so on so the greater cost was paint plus hardware which was a shock. I do have plenty left over for future projects though. Still happy though as the bed would be far more new and I know its not made form mdf with a veneer. A week in and very happy still with everything.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We ended up painting primarily because of the Cedar/Spruce contrast. The Cedar was primed then 2 coats of white. The Spruce was all done in 2 coats of white with about 8 hours between coats. We definitely cheated construction and started 4 hours after the last coat, which I wouldn't advise even though we didn't have issues. It was a risk because of a time crunch.

Behr No 7900 Alkyd Satin Enamel
Kilz Premium Primer/Sealer and stain blocker for the cedar
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

I love my new bed! Thanks Ana!

Submitted by elisabet3 on Wed, 11/30/2011 - 19:38

While doing some renovations on our house we gave our kids the largest bedrooms while my husband and I took the smallest. We desperately needed extra storage in the Master bedroom since not even a dresser would fit. The Queen Sized Storage Bed plans were the perfect solution and the bed looks gorgeous! More details on my blog...

Blog Link
Lots more pictures and details on my blog!
Built from Plan(s)
Classic Storage Bed (Queen)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

engineer2mommaof2

Fri, 12/02/2011 - 08:26

WOW, we've been trying to find the time to complete these same plans and seeing your results make me want to put it on the top of our list. Your bed is BEAUTIFUL!!!!

But the hanging lights next to your bed and your flooring also add to the beauty. Would you mind sharing where you got these two items? Thanks!

elisabet3

Fri, 12/02/2011 - 13:28

engineer2mommaof2: Thanks for your kind words about our bed. We love it too! The lights are mercury glass pendants from Pottery Barn. Our hardwood floors are red oak that were original to our home (built in 1939). A couple months ago we sanded them down and stained them a dark walnut. The dark color is gorgeous...but pretty hard to keep clean with young kids around since they show every speck of dirt. Good luck on making your bed. Go for it! You won't regret it!

learning tower

Submitted by clamoss on Wed, 10/30/2013 - 23:02

Thanks for the plans. I'm a novice at best, but this was an easy, well designed project. Our boy is going to get a ton of mileage out of this!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Quilt Rack

Submitted by mtairymd on Sun, 01/17/2016 - 11:04

Build Instructions: http://www.instructables.com/id/Quilt-Rack/

This is a nice little project that can be made in an afternoon. The simple design allows for easy construction with only a few basic tools. All joints are interference fit with glue added for extra strength.

Blog Link
Build Instructions
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Optional
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project