Community Brag Posts

Gray Farmhouse Console Table

Submitted by boneill on Mon, 08/17/2020 - 18:56

Happy Fall Y’all. Love the Gray / White Farmhouse Colors. I can share the plans I modified for this build if anyone wants to build their own .

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Gray Stain, White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

dheald

Sun, 09/06/2020 - 07:05

Hello! This looks great and it’s exactly what I’m looking for in an alternative build. Would you be willing to share the plans with me?

Thanks!

Seasonal And Holiday

Easy DIY Workbench on Wheels

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/09/2020 - 13:26

I needed a workbench and Ana's easy plans were perfect for what I needed. I have a small one-car garage that I do my projects out of. The garage also provides storage for bikes, kayaks, gardening tools, etc. I customized the dimensions a little, making the bench only 30" deep to better fit the space available, and to add wheels to be able to roll the bench out into the driveway if needed. The lower shelf provides some good storage for me as well.

Estimated Cost
$90
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Christmas Tree Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/21/2020 - 08:50

This is my first time using some of the power tools that this required, however, it came out SO CUTE! I put one together and someone bought it raw. I put one together as the video showed, and then did one out of old fence pickets that were cleaned up and planed by a neighbor. They both came out beautiful. We used knobs that we had in the shop and offset them a little to be whimsical.
Vasiliki

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$8-12
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Entry way to home, by the front door.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Corner Cupboard Hutch

Submitted by necdice on Tue, 10/27/2020 - 08:53

Thanks to Ana for the custom corner cupboard hutch plans! This project turned out great using Red Oak boards and an ebony stain. My customer loved it!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Ebony with a couple coats of poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Fancy + Mimi's Hall Trees

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/05/2017 - 13:28

Took the fancy hall tree bottom and added Mimi's hutch to the top. Added a little bead board to the bench and top edges to cover up the plywood, and voila! My wife's Christmas gift. 

Estimated Cost
$250-300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White paint and polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern TV console table

Submitted by Anzura on Mon, 11/02/2020 - 16:58

This console table was a pretty easy build and looks great. We had the lumber store rip the boards to the size we needed. We used solid maple boards instead of plywood. We mitered the corners to avoid seeing end grain. Followed the plans pretty close. Used 6" hairpin legs from Amazon painted antique bronze to match handles. Very pleased!

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr water based early American
Lots of prestain conditioner
Wax top coat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Wooden chaise lounges

Submitted by CarolinaL on Wed, 11/11/2020 - 13:44

I didn't realize how expensive pool loungers were. Thank goodness for Ana White! I modified the size to 73 inches long and 22 inches wide so they would be a good fit for the cushions I got from lowes. Something to take into account is that the 2x4 won't be able to rest on the back legs when you use the 2x6 on the sides. There is no way to get it in. I didn't realize until I had built them but I just cut two pieces of 2x4 at 3 1/2 inches and placed it on top so I can rest the back all the way down. Love the end result!

Estimated Cost
$160 including stain and screws.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial
Waterbased sealer-- will redo next time with oil based.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

First Piece of Furniture Ever

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/13/2020 - 20:51

So, my skills have been as a cobbler, handy kind of guy for decades. Rough shelving for shop/garage basement storage etc... I've always done all my home maintenance and repairs so I'm familiar with a lot of stuff in and around the house. However I've never attempted a finished piece of furniture before. As always, I love the build and hate the finishing process.

My daughter had a pretty new mattress that she loved which was 13 inches thick and her celling is the standard 8 feet. Consider these kind of things before you build this design. We did and the plans were altered a little bit. We'll be building the bookcase later and either buying or building a desk as well. She can set up in bed with several inches above her head and there will be plenty of room over her head in a standard height office/computer chair underneath. All I basically did was; add a few inches to the height of the legs and uprights for the guard rail (4" I think), increased the head, foot, back and guard rail top planks from 1X4s to 1X6s. Which changed the dimensions of some of the spacers too. She isn't sure she wants the top rails on it but I think I'll put them on later.

We made our own bunkie board for firmer support, which also raised the thickness about 1/4" over just slats.

Details: Ladder fits tight between the leg and the guard rail. Glad I got those dimensions right. We'll be using Velcro to fasten the ladder to the bed (it's that tight, it'll be fine and she's 14yrs old). This way we can take it off easier to clean, move etc. Glue and screw everything you can except the long boards that will allow it to be broken down. Glue them and you'll never get it apart without breaking it. I used Titebond III on everything else with lots of clamps along the way.
On the front and back of the ladder treads I simply smeared some filler in the joints to smooth them out. You can see the result in the pictures. There is one closeup of the finish so you can see how it turned out doing it the way I did. If you want is smoother then a 220 sandpaper finish is what was called for on the clear finish, which I didn't do.
I also said it was a weekend project 10-20hrs. Had I bought better wood and did an easier finish it would have been. My learning experiences/errors made it longer than that for me.

Lessons Learned:
1. Buy better wood! If you want a better finish buy better wood. By the time I was finished filling, sanding, filling again, sanding some more... I used almost a whole quart of filler to make knotty pine smooth. Just buy smooth wood, I'm tellin ya! Hours of work and dry time. Again, if you want a good finish, then you need to shellac knotty pine so the resin from the knots doesn't bleed through. Better wood might have added 5-10% to the materials cost but saved several hours and would have looked even better that what I achieved. Better wood and you could cut the shellac ($15 per quart) if you didn't want the two tone distressing.

2. Check the actual board dimensions. For outer facing pieces I bought some better wood with no knots (radiata pine). These were for the outside pieces on the legs. They were just a bit wider than the common boards that were sandwiched between them... more sanding and filling to get a nice square smooth finish. It also made clamping and gluing them together harder before the filling and sanding could even begin. See number 1 above. lol

Anyhow, I'm not afraid of building furniture anymore and my daughter loves it. OH, yes now we have to repaint her room and accessorize for the ocean cabin look. More projects with my daughter. YAY!!!!

Thanks Ana

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400-500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
In order of operation: Wood putty for knots and filling in marks. 120 grit sanding each coat. B-I-N Shellac-Based White Interior Primer and Sealer, for sealing knots and prepping for even paint application. Light sanding again with 120 grit. Behr Designer Collection Chalk Decorative Paint (color: ocean boulevard). 220 sanding thru to wood in some places for distressed look. One thick coat of Varathane Triple Thick Polyurethane (clear matte). The matte did preserve the chalk look while making it smooth and easy to clean. I didn't sand after the Varathane though it called for light sanding with 220 grit between each coat (if you use more than one) and a light sanding after the final coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sewing Table

Submitted by lexaroo on Sat, 12/19/2020 - 11:08

I used the sewing table plans from Ana's sie to make a sewing table for my mother-in-law's birthday. She loves it. the plans worked great. I did upgrade the legs with some Locking table leg extensions from Amazon. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06VTJZHS6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_tit… I also used pocket holes instead of just screws. If I made another one I would use a thicker piece of lumbar for the legs maybe a 2"X 2" instead of the 1"X 3" I'd used.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
General finishes Java Gel or Expresso
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Walnut Console Table and Matching End Table

tryde console table with a twist... Added shelf above and below. Created a smaller version for a matching side table. Double layered top with staggered wood pattern. I receive compliments every time someone new comes over. Solid piece of furniture. Looks very expensive. 

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Dining Table

Submitted by Jen Edgley on Thu, 02/07/2013 - 05:32

This was the first attempt at building furniture for my husband and me...and we're thrilled with how it turned out! We had a table from Crate and Barrel that was not holding up at all (I convinced them to take it back after 1 year) and wanted to try to build our own. We used Ana's Farmhouse Dining Table original plan, and only shortened it to 64", but followed the rest exactly. We looked into getting oak or a more expensive wood for the table, but save your money and get the pine! After the polyurethane, it's harder and more durable than our C&B table!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
After building the table, I sanded it really well. I then applied wood conditioner, and Minwax "Sunbleached" oil-based stain for a greyish finish. The top of the table has one coat, the rest two (I liked how one coat allows the wood color to show through with the grain, among the grey of the stain). I sanded after the staining, then did two coats of satin polyurethane (sanding in between coats). I'm so happy with the color!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jelly Cupboard Armoire

Submitted by Fallmark18 on Fri, 12/12/2014 - 11:23

This is my first solo and most ambitious project. I only had some help with getting the doors hung. I combined my long-time love of machine embroidery and my new found love of woodworking to create the doors on this project and really make it something special. I'm going to be using this piece in place of a chest of drawers in my bedroom.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Cabernet and several coats of Rustoleum Interior Ultimate Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Fri, 12/12/2014 - 13:21

What an awesome project! Love the finish, and the design on the doors. How did you do the door panels? They're lovely!

Fallmark18

Fri, 12/12/2014 - 14:53

Thanks so much for the compliment! The door panels are made of replacement storm door screen. I used my embroidery/sewing machine to embroider the design onto the screen.

Fallmark18

Tue, 12/16/2014 - 09:25

I'm so glad people like it. Everything I know about building I've learned from your site!

First Build - Junior Camp Loft Bed

Submitted by stamhow on Mon, 01/05/2015 - 09:40

We had a blast building this bed for our daughter.  It was our first build and I think it turned out perfect!   Thank you Ana White for the inspiration and fantastic directions to get us through!  Now onto the next project!

Amy

Estimated Cost
We bought a combo miter saw too, so without that cost, paint and all, I would say around $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

A lot of work but worth it!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/10/2017 - 18:09

A few things that would be helpful - power tools! Nail gun, drill and table/miter saw would all be helpful. I also would stain the pieces beforehand and touch up after. But overall, SO pleased with the final result.

Estimated Cost
$100 for 2 single loungers.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Grandkids LOVE IT!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/18/2017 - 05:31

Simple to build, took longer to paint it than it did to build it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
65 dollars (45 was paint).
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
primed with Kilz, painted with Glidden. Harley symbols were hand painted.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First Extra Long King Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/26/2021 - 19:06

I ran across your website and decided to build my first ever extra long king size bed. I followed the plans of the farmhouse king size bed. Instead of using the square 4x4 post I used porch post and cut them down to size plus I stretched the bed to 88 inches long. My wife is super happy I did because we saved a bunch of money doing so and got a more durable bed.

Estimated Cost
250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr gray paint and minwax polyurethane finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic Cabin Bunk Bed

Submitted by Sticks1983 on Sun, 03/17/2013 - 13:19

This took me and my father a few weekends to complete simply because that is all the time I had to work on it (was the weekends). We put a lot of effort into it and made sure everything was neat and safe. We modified the original plan a bit to give some more boy feel to this bed, and we added window bars to keep my children from climbing out of them. You know boys! We also added a window on the far side of the top bunk. We should have added one to the bottom too since it is so dark, but he likes it anyway! If you want to see some step by step photos, you can go to http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151477424866465.1073741825.5…

P.S. The estimated cost was for the bed only, not the mattresses or stain

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$365
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varthane (stain and polyurethane mix) Water-Based "Early American"
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Balin Console With Some Changes

We made this table from the original Balin Console table plans, but faced out the drawer fronts with some mitered trim and added some drawer stops inside to keep the drawers from falling out when pulled all the way.

The drawers were made with a cabinet grade plywood along with the sides and bottom of the table. We used 1x8s on the console top to get that nice wood look, where all corners and ends would be showing, but for the sides and bottom of the table, since the edges were all trimed out, the plywood worked out nicely. 

The legs seemed plenty sturdy without the extra trim, so we skipped that to get a more simple look.

Drawer handles were found at our local Home Depot.

For the finish, we stained (with Minwax ebony) the edges where we wanted distressing, then wiped on vaseline along edges and painted over in Behr Swiss Coffee (white) in matte. After drying we took sandpaper to the edges to show the dark stain through. Because we used matte paint, after everything was finished, we waxed with a clear wax and buffed for a nice shine and a smooth texture.

 

Pin For Later! 

Balin Console With Some Changes

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125 for plywood, wood pieces and knobs. We already had paint and stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax ebony stain, vaseline where you want distressing, then paint Behr (matte) Swiss Coffee on top. Sand all surfaces to distress and smooth, then wax with clear wax to add shine.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

How to Build a DIY Garden Arbor with a Bench

Submitted by thediyplan on Fri, 06/18/2021 - 14:34

My brother-in-law planted a small grape plant in his backyard and wanted a trellis structure behind it for the grapes to climb on. He asked me to design and build it in the corner of his garden. After going through some designs, we decided to go with a corner arbor. When the project was complete, I created PDF plans on how to build a DIY Corner Arbor with a Bench that includes a trellis for the grapes to grow on.

See my website for additional pictures and how I've built it, TheDIYPlan.com

Estimated Cost
$850
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kitchen Island Trolley

Submitted by naomi on Fri, 06/23/2017 - 08:26

Kitchen Island Trolley.

Base was made from recycled timber and the top was made with new pine.

The rails were made from curtain rails. 

One end has wheels for easy moving.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk Paint and Wipe on Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments