Community Brag Posts

Modern Outdoor Chairs with Backrest Modification

Submitted by GBev44 on Tue, 06/02/2020 - 08:16

My first crack at building outdoor furniture. I built two of the Modern Outdoor Chairs built with 2 x 4 and 2 x 6. The first one was a little rough, but the second one was much better. In order to accommodate the higher cushions and make the chairs more comfortable, I added piece 2 x 6 secured to a 2 x 2 to make a partial backrest.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Trash with Lift-up Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/26/2024 - 10:31

Replacing a trash bin for a friend whose cats could not get into. At the last minute I thought a little hiding area on top would give them some storage for bags and things. Had to go one size down on the Rubbermaid to allow for clearance when tilting open. They love it, the cats hate it.

Liberty Wall Art

Submitted by Malwina on Thu, 05/22/2014 - 11:52

I had a lot of leftover pieces of wood from other projects and really wanted to use them. I have been wanting to build the Liberty Wall Art for a while so I finally got to it. I already had a 2x2 piece of a 1/4 inch plywood so I made my piece smaller, fitting my plywood. Obviously, since my piece was smaller I cut and played with the pieces until it looked good to me and this is how it turned out. I glued everything to the board first and then nailed it from the back because my husband didn't want to see the nails. Also, he didn't want me to distress it so I went with his wishes. I think it would have looked nice distressed but oh well, still looks nice. With my husband being in the military, I really wanted this piece and now it's featured in our dining room! Thanks for the idea Anna! As always your plans are great. We have already build several items from your plans and I can't wait to post these brags!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
free! already had everything
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
used leftover paint from other projects and then put a layer of policrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My fire pit bench.

Submitted by Mandy D on Sun, 08/21/2016 - 16:59

This was my first furniture build & it was very easy. I had to have a second pair of hands to help hold the ends up but other than that I did it by myself. Thank you Ana for making this build so simple.  

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Standing Desk

Submitted by shellyward on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 18:59

During the 2020 quarantine I started working from home and had to take up an office in my grandsons room. I wanted to leave enough space for him when he comes over so I needed it to be more narrows than most but with plenty of space for multiple monitors as well as workspace. I got ideas from many plans here but ultimately designed my own with a little inspiration from multiple plans. I included a pullout for the keyboard as well as 2 additional pullout shelves for added workspace.

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint and poly on MDF, stain and poly on plywood
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Double Outdoor Chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/02/2024 - 11:16

I make these double benches with storage in the middle… very sturdy and comfortable…. Will last a long time….

Stewart Larocque

Laundry closet makeover

Laundry closet makeover. I was tired of having only the one wire shelf to store laundry supplies. So I added a cabinet, hanging rod, and counter-top over the washer/dryer for folding clothes. Also, behind the curtain on the left is a built-in garbage can for lit. Recovered small ironing board in same fabric as curtain and hung it up so save space.

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

BRISTOL OUTDOOR LOUNGE CHAIR

I followed Ana's plans to build the Bristol Outdoor Lounge Chair. I used White Oak for the chair. The plan was pretty easy to follow and i enjoyed the project. I am excited to build a second chair as well as other items that i will find of interest on her website.

James

Estimated Cost
$220 including cushions bought at Lowe's
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used General Finishes Exterior 450
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rolling Cart - pallet recovered wood

Submitted by jgrunwaldt on Thu, 08/25/2016 - 19:36

Rolling bar cart made entirely from recovered pallet wood.

Based on original Ana White's plan, I've just added a side pocket and rails on the lower shelf to prevent sliding of items placed on it. 

Later on I made another one for a friend who attached a hanger plate and a magnetic knife holder.

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

NightTable - Finished with Chalked Paint

This is my first Ana White project, made for my daughter who just moved out on her own. Fun project.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalked Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Storage Step Stool - First Build!

Submitted by red98dawg on Thu, 08/02/2012 - 11:50

We moved my 3 year old son into his big boy room with a queen bed; it was a little tall for him so it was difficult for him to get in the bed so I set out to find a step stool. They were between $60-$80 and there was no way I was going to spend that kind of cash…..so that is how I found Ana’s site!
I built this with no problem and even got to know my jig saw a bit better.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax - Jacobean, 2 coats
Minwax - Fast-Drying Polyurethane, 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Garden Bench!!

Submitted by Nathan1342 on Mon, 08/06/2012 - 12:09

I built this for my wife for an anniversary present. She had wanted a garden bench for some time but the ones that she wanted were between $500-$700 which is ridiculous for this type of bench. So, I did a search on here for garden benches but there weren't really any plans for them and the few brag plans were not really the type of bench I was looking for. I printed off a few pictures of benches that I liked and got to work. The front and back legs a 2x6 and a 1x6 glued together and then cut to be straight. I wanted something thicker then just a plain old 2x6. If I had to do this again though, I would have just glued 3 1X6's together. The reason being, is that 1x6's usually do not have a rounded edge and a 2X6 does. So needless to say when you glue them together you have a nice little gap on either side. Without a table saw to take this off, its pretty difficult to get a straight cut. But I ended up getting it right after sweating for a few hours in the garage. The bench stands 36 inches high, 48inches wide and about 18 inches deep. The seat height is right at 18in also.

In the unfinished pictures I actually had the depth being 24 inches. After sitting on it though it was just way to deep. So I pulled it apart, made the adjustments and its now much more comfortable to sit in.

If anyone has any questions or wants more details feel free to drop me a line!

Thanks!

Estimated Cost
85
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil based acrylic paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Torwart13

Tue, 06/16/2015 - 11:25

So legs are about 2 1/4" square? Are the seat supports 2x4's? Back cross pieces 2x4? Slats 1x4"?

smz1919

Wed, 06/17/2015 - 12:39

how did you get the curve on the back legs?

In reply to by smz1919

Nathan1342

Fri, 06/19/2015 - 13:34

I glued a 2x6 and a 1x6 together to get the thickness. Now that i have a table saw and a jointer this entire process would have been much easier but after getting it to look like one solid piece i just outlined the slant i wanted and cut it using a jig saw.

smz1919

Fri, 06/19/2015 - 20:17

So the back slats are just glued in place right? I wonder if it would be easier to use a biscuit joiner or not

Mikeyw221

Sun, 10/23/2016 - 17:46

on the back legs how high up did you go before you started cutting the angle? and was it around 15 degrees fromt he edge?

SawdustMaker21

Wed, 05/26/2021 - 08:32

Hi Nathan
Love the look of the bench. Would you have a list of material requirements. I intend to make a bench like this and would like to know the measurements of the top back spar (the shaped one).
Here in the Uk our timber yards do not always supply the same cuts as the US so I need to have some idea of the pieces I need
Many thanks

Modern outdoor Sectional

This project is straight forward and lots of fun. Next time I plan to stain opposed to paint due the amount of time painting takes.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Exterior Chocolate
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 05/30/2014 - 11:37

This came out really nice. Love the colors and cushions. Can you share the source of pricing of the cushions please?

Pursuit of Handyness

Fri, 05/30/2014 - 20:23

I like how the color contrasts with the cushions and the throw pillows add a nice punch of color and fun. I also would like to know the source of the cushions. The cushions seem to always be the budget breaker.

Tammylinskey

Wed, 08/06/2014 - 14:44

My apologies for replying so late!!! I didn't realize I received a comment or two!! Thank you for you for the lovely comments I truly appreciate it. As far the cushions, I purchased the fabric, batting, etc at Joan's Fabric at 50% off and sewed myself. Before this project I had never sewed before so please have faith in yourself because if I can do it anyone can do it!!!!! Tammy Linskey

Tammylinskey

Wed, 08/06/2014 - 14:44

My apologies for replying so late!!! I didn't realize I received a comment or two!! Thank you for you for the lovely comments I truly appreciate it. As far the cushions, I purchased the fabric, batting, etc at Joan's Fabric at 50% off and sewed myself. Before this project I had never sewed before so please have faith in yourself because if I can do it anyone can do it!!!!! Tammy Linskey

Seasonal And Holiday

Ladder Desk and Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/30/2016 - 18:50

Had a great time putting this together for my teenage daughter's room. Took me about 4 hours to cut and assemble (I only have a circular saw, would have been SO much faster with a miter saw). Then sanded and painted the next day. Under $50 for the wood. What a deal! Love this plan!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Custom Toybox

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/18/2024 - 10:16

My husband and I built this toy box for our grandson from the farmhouse toy box pond you had on your site. We adjusted the size from what was in the plans, but it turned out really nice!

Built from Plan(s)

Loft Bed

Seen the plan on another site....cannot for the life of me remember which one.....but I made my own out of the one I seen online. Sorry pictures are not that great!!! But my daughter loves it!!!!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded well filling in large holes with wood filler....covered bolt holes with the sticky mirrors that my daughter picked out......Paint is White semi gloss...3 coats!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Nail polish cabinet

So another super awesome project from miss Ana. I dont have a lot of jewelry, but I make up for it with nail polish. I made a few minor adjustments and viola and wicked cabinet to hold all of my piggy painters!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
20$
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
espresso/classic grey. Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

balloongal247

Tue, 06/24/2014 - 10:55

Did you use 1x3s for the shelves and doors, and 1x4s for the rest? I've been needing a nail polish shelving unit, so I may copy you. :)

Gas pump

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/04/2016 - 14:52

My husband made this for our Grandson last Christmas. He loved it!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by hgordon on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 09:18

Modern Adirondack chairs with added cup holder holes. Will be adding cup holder inserts as well.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane “Early American” stain
Cabot clear wood protector
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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