Community Brag Posts

Coffee Bar Sideboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/28/2023 - 05:48

I made this coffee bar from your plans making modifications to fit our space .It came out beautiful, I have made numerous pieces of furniture from your plans but this is my favorite . They plans are super easy to follow and modify to my needs .
Thank you Ana and keep up the good work!!

Comments

Shadowbox Shelving Unit

Submitted by kpcrash on Sat, 12/31/2011 - 18:35

This project is all about using a Kreg Jig. My daughter asked for some shadowboxes to go around her chalkboard. 1 piece of 3/4" plywood and a few 1x2's later - here it is. It's really just an 8' x 2' box with the window panes inside - super simple, but does require a compact drill. Mounted to the wall using a ledger board underneath, then, pocket holes in the top shelf to join it to the studs. Quite sturdy. One day I'll learn Sketch-Up well enough to make this into a plan.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Classic Cherry Stain, Shellac clear. The wood was sanded to 400 grit, then stained via cloth. Shellac sprayed on via Preval as the air compressor was on strike.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Kitchen Island

Submitted by katie0910 on Tue, 11/19/2013 - 07:18

This was my second solo project. I built it for my mom's kitchen to replace her old kitchen table. I absolutely love how it turned out. It is big and functional. Come see how I built it on my blog.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
approx $600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Paint+Primer in Deep Twilight Blue
Valspar Antiquing Glaze
Minwax Polycrylic Spray
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by brookita12 on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 20:27

I looked ALL OVER for a bedside table that met my demands and my budget. It did not exsist. I found the Farmhouse Bedside Table and fell in love with it! It was definately a more tricky build, and my husband and I learned ALOT about what we know and what we don't know about tools, wood, angles, measurements, etc. But it was a fun project to do together and I just LOVE how it turned out! We definately surprised ourselves on this one! Only about $35, not too shabby! Only piece of advice would be to measure and cut as you go- some of the measurements didn't work out for us (not sure why...) but we were glad we didn't cut them ahead of time! We measured everypiece and double checked it. But we are new to work working, so cut at your own risk :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint: Lowe's Valspar "Du Jour" White
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jigganancy

Fri, 01/06/2012 - 10:58

I made the bedside table and love your modern (without being overly modern) look! great job,

Laundry Basket Dresser with picture top

This is my take on the Laundry basket dresser. I started with the idea based on many photos I found on this site, but made some updates/improvements (well they are improvements in my mind anyway). Please view the last picture that has text for explanations of the "features" of my design.

I did some quick drawings in Sketchup, and then did some work in the workshop. I don't have exacting plans on the exact measurements, but you'd probably need to tweak for the size basket you plan to use.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Oak is finished with polyurethane. Everything else is painted with the color "guacamole" which is a sage-like color.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Jake's Beach Cabin Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/07/2016 - 08:18

I built this for my son's beach room.  We stained the roof to match his dresser and built him a ladder as well.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
High Gloss white and Colonial Maple stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Stepping Stool

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/28/2019 - 04:49

I love the ease of your plans.

Comments

Trestle Desk with 2x6 laminated top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/07/2023 - 16:31

Started with simple small trestle desk idea. Decided to edge glue the top. Finished with poly and paste wax. Didn’t turn out too bad for the first project.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Dresser

Submitted by elainefour on Fri, 01/06/2012 - 09:33

I needed some furniture for the entryway and made this dresser. All it needs now is a few accessories! Thanks Ana.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a light cherry stain and topcoated with a matte black paint. I lightly distressed the edges to have the stain show through.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 01/06/2012 - 12:00

I love this. I would love to build this, but modify it to be more narrow. I am afraid to do both. I don't have the confidence yet to modify or tackle drawers. Yikes. Going to have to bit the bullet one of these days!

Jelly Cabinet / Pie Safe

Submitted by Ctarbell03 on Sat, 11/23/2013 - 16:28

My mom as always wanted a jelly cabinet and there's one for sale at a local antique barn so when I saw the plans I knew exactly what I could get her for Christmas. The plan measurement's were a little off so I ran it through Google sketch-up to get the exact cuts I'd need and to play around a little with the plans. I used chicken wire for the doors and they came out better than expected. For a finishing touch, my mom loves black bears and moose, so I decided to include them in the final design. I went with free drawing them on contact paper and cutting them out and using them as a stencil, I love how they look. Overall it was a fun project. I just need to distress it a little and seal it with poly and it should be better well done.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Just wanted to paint this piece, will be doing some sanding to distress it and then seal it with a coat or two of poly to protect the finish. The back pieces I stained first then drew the moose, bear and trees on contact paper then stuck them to the wood and painted it, let it dry, peeled off the contact paper and it came out better than I hopped.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Scrap Wood Barstools

Submitted by BERobinson on Tue, 02/09/2016 - 07:33

Wife wanted me to throw out all the scrap wood I had lying around. Instead I made some killer barstools. Fun look.

Estimated Cost
FREE SCRAPS
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Ebony stain on the chair border and legs, various paint colors from previous projects on other pieces
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bookshelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/15/2019 - 18:35

This was my first project in about 10+ years, so it's not perfect. Thanks to my oldest son who bought me a compound miter saw for Mother's Day and a few of my hubby's tools. My son's and I completed this project over the weekend. Looking forward to our next team project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Provincial stain

Lockers for Mudroom

This was a much faster build than we anticipated, thanks to easy to work with MDF and pre-finished bead-board backing. Had all the wood pre-ordered on line from Lowe's made pick up super easy - and then they did all the cuts for us!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White high gloss paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Margaret Kubiszyn (not verified)

Sun, 01/08/2012 - 15:12

Looks great! I have a goofy question -- can you specify the cuts you want made when you order online, or do you get it at the store, take it back to the saw and have them cut it then?

In reply to by Margaret Kubiszyn (not verified)

molliepayne

Sun, 01/08/2012 - 17:07

No, you have to go back to the cutting area and do those. I wouldn't want to trust them to do them just right, though. I like to watch and help measure if need be. There's nothing worse than having your cuts off by a 1/4 inch or more!

Sam - builder (not verified)

Sun, 01/08/2012 - 17:08

I don't think that you can specify cuts in your online order, just the boards. But we picked it up with a sheet of paper specifying how each board should be cut.

Margaret Kubiszyn (not verified)

Sun, 01/08/2012 - 18:01

Now that you said that, I totally agree about wanting to watch the guy cut. Usually they are pretty good, but I have run into a couple of not-so-smart ones also!

Nightstand

Nightstands are expensive. I don't have money. So, I thought I would build one. I kept this one rustic looking by not filling the holes but I did sand quite a bit. Just not enough to remove the printing on the boards, I think it looks good when it's got finish on it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
15.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot Aged Leather stain ± sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Farmhouse bed with Kentwood night stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/12/2016 - 10:03

I modified the queen size bed to a full and adjusted the dimensions of the bed accordingly. I used solid oak for the headboard posts and top boards. I used oak beadboard to match the Kentwood night stand I previosly made.

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Watco Danish Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Kid 4x4 Truss Farm Table

A friend asked for a kid sized farmhouse table and I knew immediately what plans I wanted to modify! The 4x4 truss table is my favorite go to table because it is extremely solid, easy to build and looks so nice! I know this table will hold up to the wear and tear of 4 kids for years! I also modified the 2x4 truss benches to match. They are the same style but not as chunky as the 4x4 truss bench plans. 

 

Dimensions for table are 24”h x 24”w x 48”L

benches 16”h x 13.5”w x 33”L

Estimated Cost
$82 for table and two benches
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Ebony stain for the top and 2 coats of poly. Behr paint and primer for base and benches- just white off the shelf
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Double laudry table

I combined the features I liked from both of these. I was able to snag some wood table tops at auction ($5.00 ea) that I painted to look like stone.

Comments

Doll Crib

I did it! Using your plans I made the doll crib. I had to improvise on the drawer as the drawer in the plans was to tall to go under the bed and I had already put it together before checking. Oh well. I also made the mattress, reversible blanket and 2 pillows for the bed. As this was my first woodworking project I am so proud of how well it turned out. Thank you Ana for this site. It is amazing and I am HOOKED.

Estimated Cost
under $50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint, and "homemade" Pink. (Red and white mixed)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Faux Fireplace

Submitted by tammterry on Sat, 11/30/2013 - 09:53

After looking online for something to make a fireplace to hang my kids stockings, I came across Anna's! WOW her instructions and plans seemed very simple to follow and so I did. I made minor adjustments based on what I had on hand but I followed her plans to the t. Thank you Anna, you inspired me!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Some cream paint and glaze, then poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Bed and Night Tables

Submitted by frmoody on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 18:44

A friend of mine wanted a new queen bed in a rustic, weather grey look. I have built many projects from Ana's site and decided on the Farmhouse Bed. The plans were perfect and building the bed didn't take me long. The time consuming part was the finish. I really wanted an old, weather wood look so the entire bed and night tables were first stained with a dark Kona stain. Once this dried I applied two coats of a watered down (50:50) light grey paint. The thinner paint made it easier to sand. Once this was completely dry I used a medium grit sanding sponge and selectively sanded everything. This took a while. Once complete I carefully cleaned all pieces and then applied three coat of semi-gloss varathane. The bed is incredibly solid with the 2 x 4 slats and will last a few generations. As always great plans from Ana.

Estimated Cost
$300 for materials
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Kona, Beauti-Tone Designer Satin "My Favourite Sweater", Varathane Diamond Finish Water Based Interior Semi-gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments