Community Brag Posts

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/12/2016 - 14:24

We were inspired when we saw Ana's Outdoor Sectional on Pinterest and after checking out the site we decided to build ours using the modified plans with 2 x 4s as it was much more cost effective. It was a really fun weekend project for my husband and I and not difficult at all. 

Double Kayak Rack

Submitted by JamieLynn on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 09:44

I couldn't find a plan for this but found a picture of what I was looking for. It's a little too big but works. Took about 3 hours to make. Used mostly scrap wood.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kiddie Chairs

These chairs were easy to build, although I modified Ana's plans a little bit. I opted for solid wood 2x2s for the legs (I wanted it to be sturdier), and a solid seat instead of a slatted one. I notched out the back of the seat so it would fit flush against the back legs. Because of my modifications, my chair was just a couple bucks more.

Also, I was so excited to find solid wood balusters for the chair legs - they're not only better quality, but cheaper than furring strips!

Check out my blog link for a complete play-by-play!

Estimated Cost
$7.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed with Zinsser 3-in-1 Primer, then painted with Red Valspar Paint found in the "Oops" section of Lowes. Three coats of Rustoleum Satin Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

DIY Stuffed Animal Zoo Tower

This is my second stuffed animal zoo tower.  This time around I used cheap 2x2 furring strips.  Not the best pick of lumber, but it gets the job done well. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Watco Danish Oil (Medium Walnut)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

COVID 19 end of year home school project success

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/31/2020 - 07:10

Great build. Hubbie extended to couch one seat and added legs for additional support. We painted after assembly and the x’s were a PITA to paint. Love the end result. Now to pick coffee table plans!

Estimated Cost
300 not including cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Caviar exterior paint and spray poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Seesaw

Submitted by embleier on Tue, 07/24/2012 - 11:12

I made this Seesaw for my 4 year old's birthday present! It was SUPER easy...and she LOVES it!

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cottage Loft bed playhouse with stairs, lights and desk

Submitted by kadnetop on Fri, 08/19/2016 - 10:18

We took the loft bed plans and modified a bit for our daughters bed. We made it a little taller including the doorway. Instead of a ladder we did a set of carpeted stairs with entry to the underneath space through a door on the inside and added a light for a 'secret' hideout. Everything else were just some added features. We built flower boxes and added foam blocks with silk flowers. For the gable we used bead board. For the shutter we used small wood strips and the horizontal pieces are just the free paint sticks from lowes cut down. We then added wired in lights hooked up to her light switch. (she loves this part) Then he built a fold down desk that can be opened or closed for when they want to play in there. The school supplies we used the rod and tin buckets from Ikea kitchen area. Over it took about 6 weeks to do everything between watching the kids and working. Cost for materials and the extras came to a little over $600. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$600-$700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White color= Behr -Polished Pearl (we matched it to annie sloans Old White)
Green trim color- Valspar- green trellis
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Adirondack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/01/2020 - 14:55

Lots of room for improvement but I'm pretty excited for my first time following plans.

Thanks, I love your videos and have learned a lot.

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

Bathroom shelf with hooks

This was inspired by your Flat Wall Bookshelf and made using a piece of 1x6, a piece of 1x4, and a smidge of recycled paint. We added towel hooks to the ends (the same ones that kept pulling out of the wall), and mounted the whole thing to studs in the bathroom. Thanks for the plans!

Estimated Cost
$0.10 out of pocket
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Unknown pale green Martha Stewart paint from a recycling center. Cost: $0.50 for the quart.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

modular locker with old shutter

Submitted by KendraRyan on Wed, 05/21/2014 - 14:20

This was my first project! I used the plans for the modular locker, but used an old shutter for the door instead. Next, I think i'm going to try to connect 5 or so in a row for an entryway, all with different shutter doors :)

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

John Deere Toy Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/21/2016 - 11:37

I built this toy box for my nephew, who is into Tractors, using the plan provided by Ana. I made some modifications to the lid mostly, other than that the differences are cosmetic. I thought the plan was super simple and easy to use!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Machine Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

manna18

Sat, 01/04/2020 - 02:30

wow, this is very useful and looking awesome too .I will make one something like this

King Size Platform Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/01/2024 - 07:33

followed your instructions for the "Essential Platform Bed Frame" -- made this as a king. 2x6's for all legs/center supports with mitered corners for a simple added style. only suggestion/modification is the the #of slats you suggested (10) is way too few, I ended up using 15 or more

Also, used the circle-corners instead of mitering because all our doorframes in the house have that type of corner, and then I wouldn't have to "match" the leaf design where the mitered corners meet

Thanks for your guide!

Jake in Spokane

Built from Plan(s)

Washer/Dryer Storage Pedestal

Submitted by jsquires3 on Mon, 07/30/2012 - 10:12

After I built my work bench I was ready to get started with my first real projets from the site. My wife requested that I make this pedestal first so that she could get a little more organized. I would say total there was about 8 hours of cutting and building and then another hour of painting. I did make one modification to this project and that was to add extra trim to the bottom and top of this pedestal. With everything included (wood, trim, paint, screws) this probably costs me right around $115. Much less than two of the standard medal pedestals that don't add much as far as aesthetics to the laundry room.

Estimated Cost
$115
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Leftover blue/green paint from my son's room, white vinyl letter appliques
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table

Im sure this wont be the only one of these I make! Thanks for the awesome plans!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Grandly TV stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/25/2016 - 06:09

I used replacement screen door wheels and 1" by 1/4" Aluminum bar to make the hardware. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyshade American Chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Western Saloon doors

Submitted by tracysmith on Thu, 08/02/2012 - 00:44

I built these doors for a very good friend of mine who actually helped me get started turning my new love for building (after finding Ana's site) into a way for our family to make some extra money.

It took me a little while to wrap my brain around building something without using my Kreg Jig. I used a router table set up with some raised panels bits and put the whole thing together with glue and nails! Wonderful experience!

For the finish, I used a vinegar solution to give the cedar wood an old barn look. I think the final result turned out great and the final step was a clear coat sprayed on out of a rattle can.

Estimated Cost
Lumber cost was about $80
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Vinegar solution and a clear coat put on.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

birdsandsoap

Thu, 08/02/2012 - 10:51

These turned out great! I haven't seen this style of door in forever! They used to be really popular, I remember my Aunt and Uncle having these in the entry to their kitchen. They were the coolest thing ever when I was a kid! Maybe they are a making a comeback?
I'm really impressed with your routing skills, that's a task I have yet to tackle, but I've got the bits laying around waiting.

Nice job!

tracysmith

Thu, 08/02/2012 - 21:10

Thanks a bunch! My friend is replacing an old set of louvered doors that went into her laundry room. Her family are farmers and rodeo people so the western decor really fits in their house. Great western stuff there. They made a chandelier out of a wagon wheel! Really cool!

This was my first attempt at routing so I really appreciate your compliment! It's really simple if you can get the basics of it. I'm sure you'll do just fine when you get to that point. If I can do it, anyone can do it! Thanks again!!

laneal1987

Mon, 01/23/2017 - 09:32

I really want to try and build this for a closet.  Are there any instructions for this?  This is the first door of this style that I have come across that I absolutely love.

First Buffet

Submitted by Samdr33 on Tue, 05/27/2014 - 12:52

I took the plans from the Fancy X Console table and made all but the end "X's". I painted the legs and trim with a vanilla white, and stained the top and shelves with a golden pecan. Turned out great and looked amazing in the house of the woman I made it for......AKA my mother.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
HGTV Vanilla White paint
Minwax Golden Pecan stain
Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X coffee and end tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/28/2016 - 12:04

I really appreciated the build article.  I customized the sizes and used plywood for the bottom shelves.  I oxidized but painted with milk paint then sanded to distress.  I also only painted one coat to still see some grain.  I top coated with water based poly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Milk paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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