Community Brag Posts

Wood Closet Shelving

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/13/2022 - 09:01

My closet system is four separate units that I butted up together and attached to the wall with a "decorative" 2x4 railing around the entirety of the closet. The main unit looks the closest to the real design but is 8 feet long and 8 feet tall to avoid extra cutting of boards. The smaller unit only has one area for hanging up clothes and is around 5 feet long which is just the length of the wall. I also built a unit for holding sheets and towels and another for my wife's shoes.

The plans are really easy to follow but I would suggest a few things:
-Do stain and boards before cutting; this would have been a nightmare otherwise.
-If you use the metal clothing rods (if I could go back in time I would have used wooden dowels) make sure that you put those in before you attach any boards between the support structures. I ended up having a 35 inch gap instead of a 36 inch gap and it killed my momentum.
-I made mine 8 feet tall because it was less to cut and then re-stain; time wise it probably was a scratch cause I had to build it in place and at the end it was very tight to work in the space.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

DIY Modern Rustic Outdoor Chair

Submitted by susanshamp on Fri, 07/10/2015 - 15:07

I made this outdoor chair by looking at a variety of plans and designs from Restoration Hardware and other stores. Check out more info on the project on my blog link. Thanks for looking!

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

Comments

Murphy Bed

Submitted by Newfey on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 14:59

This is a Murphy Bed that I made for my daughter Alicia for their getaway home at Canadian Lakes, MI. Due to limited space i had to make it horizontal instead of the normal way of being vertical. It really comes in handy and takes up very little space.

Finish Used
Red paint mixed with Baking Soda
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 15:17

Looks great! Love the color and the trims you used. Where did you find your hinge hardware? PS- How did you like the baking soda paint? I've tried ASCP which was good but very pricey, and last time made my own with some plaster of paris. Your finish is lovely.

Newfey

Sat, 07/20/2013 - 18:47

I bought the spring hardware on line. I can't take the credit for the paint as my daughter did that part. She loves the way that the baking soda and paint covers everything and it is a whole lot less expensive than buying the commercial stuff.

My new locker cabinet

I found the plans for a locker type cabinet that I really liked. Not only did I like it but I knew it would go perfect by our front door.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Spolitte

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 04:20

Your lockers came out beautifully. I am very impressed with the distressed look of your paint here. Would you be willing to share how this is done? Also... the hooks you chose to use are unique... I have not seen anything like that at our local hardware store. Thanks! ;-)

Class/School Auction Projects

Submitted by jendon on Tue, 05/03/2022 - 15:32

This year my 2nd-3rd class built the Modern Park bench for the school auction. They sanded, stained, and set the screw for the seat and back.
I also made two Adirondack chairs with matching stain.
Both projects had two coats of poly and really shined. They were a hit at the auction and the kids and families really appreciated the experience and final products.
Thank you Ana for making plans simple to follow and new skills learned each time.
Blessings,
Jennifer

Comments

jendon

Mon, 05/16/2022 - 18:33

My students really enjoyed it and many picked up a tool for the first time. I like planting seeds in their heart and mind for the future!! Blessings, Jennifer

jendon

Mon, 05/16/2022 - 18:33

My students really enjoyed it and many picked up a tool for the first time. I like planting seeds in their heart and mind for the future!! Blessings, Jennifer

Monika

Sun, 03/31/2024 - 14:30

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Planked Wood Bedside tables

Submitted by JMG on Wed, 07/06/2022 - 19:26

My son moved out and needed bedside tables. I have been hounding him to learn how to build and this was the first project he did! He was super proud of himself and how they turned out. Not bad for a first build! #mompride

Comments

First Build - Redwood Adirondack Chairs

Love the results of my first building project.....a pair of redwood adirondack chairs. Angled cuts were a great way for a beginner to learn to use the miter saw.

Estimated Cost
$75 for redwood per chair
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Discovered a non-toxic, non-flammable, water-based, environmentally friendly product called Seal-Once. Quick and easy two coat application in natural clear to protect wood outdoors for up to 10 years. Soaked right into redwood without leaving a shiny finish or residue.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Sat, 09/07/2013 - 19:59

Love these gorgeous redwood chairs! The color and grain on that wood is awesome, and the clear coat is perfect for it. You did a great job on this build! I popped over to your blog and I enjoyed your post on this build very much. Well done!

Seasonal And Holiday

Garage / Basement Shelving + Bonus Wine/Liquor Under Stairs Storage

Submitted by MJC2DIY on Wed, 10/12/2022 - 21:35

Using the guidelines for the “BEST DIY Garage Shelves (Attached to Walls), I added this to our unfinished basement area for additional storage. I plan to replicate it in our actual garage as well and build the freestanding shelves also!

As a bonus, I used this plan as inspiration and built directly beside it, which is an unused space under stairs, a wine/liquor storage shelving replacing the plywood with cut 2x4s for added weight capacity/stability.

Couldn’t have been easier!

Comments

MJC2DIY

Wed, 10/19/2022 - 09:14

Thank you!! I am so thankful for Ana White and team! These projects are helping me build a lot of confidence to continue endeavoring more challenging projects each step of the way :-)

Floating Bunk Beds and Desk

This little girls room needed a little happy birthday!  I planked the wall with birch veneer, made simple box frames for the beds and desk, and attached them to walls with heavy duty cable.  Then my friend added her designer touch, and made it cozy and  girl CHIC!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Double Double Loungers

Submitted by Gimbler on Tue, 10/04/2011 - 15:10

I had an idea in my head of what I wanted for deck seating/lounging in my mind but just couldn't seem to get to the "nitty gritty" of creating workable plans. Then, while googling through images of double loungers I stumbled onto Ana's site. Wow! I felt like a fish that had just found the water! With the detailed plans generously provided for a double lounger I was able to create my "vision" with just slight modifications. The loungers are actually two chairs and two ottomans that fit together or come apart depending on how much "togetherness" the situation calls for. And best of all - almost all the materials were left overs and cut pieces from another deck and fencing project. For cushions (not in this photo) I used two inexpensive "Hide A Mats" folding beds from Costco that I covered with waterproof duck fabric. I can't thank you enough, Ana, for taking the time to share your talent so freely. I'm truly grateful. As is Jake, the Redbone Coonhound, who insisted on being in the photo!

Estimated Cost
About $150 for hardware and cushions - lumber was scrap and leftovers from another project.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic semi transparent deck stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Gimbler

Tue, 10/11/2011 - 06:34

We really enjoyed these over the summer - and if Buck is anything like Jake I'm sure he'll take advantage of any available "creature comforts". :o)

Board & Batten Banquette

My family needed a seating area for our tiny kitchen and a built-in banquette solved our spatial design problem perfectly! I basically built it like a short and wide freestanding wall with a board & batten design and plywood top for seating. More details on my website post...

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
board & batten with latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

$15 Cedar Lemonade Stand!

My kid-o's love to sell lemonade. So, we made a trip to the local hardware store. Because I am terrified to use my husbands electric saw, any wood we purchased would have to be cut with a hack saw and a miter box. And since the stand is to be stored in the backyard, we opted to build it from cedar. We ended up purchasing 8 fence pickets for about $15 total. This was also to be a great way for my kids to apply the some of the knowledge they have picked up this year, our first year of homeschooling. My children, ages 7 and 9, measured all of the boards that needed to be cut. It turned out GREAT! We already had some extra boards, spray paint and screws on hand; so, the grand total was $15.00 for the entire project!

Built from Plan(s)

X Base Farmhouse Table and Benches

modeled after the Restoration Hardware Salvage Wood X Base Table which at this 8' table listed for $3395 just for the table. LOL

Used the Fancy x farm table plans and used all 4 x 4 on table, and followed plans for benches with 2x4

Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
First stained with special walnut let dry, and then coated with weather grey, poly finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rocket book case

Submitted by SF Guy on Sun, 02/05/2012 - 19:44

Easy beginner project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I like the comment about using the free samples of paint. I read it a little late.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Super Cheap and Simple Cedar Raised Garden

Submitted by cdswhite on Tue, 04/17/2012 - 18:21

We made a very simple raised cedar bed for fairly cheap considering the size and inspired by Ana's plans although it's a much larger and simpler design. The box is 8x4 feet, made of cedar kregged together and the wood only cost $12. My simple tip to save money on wood, specifically for a project where the wood quality is not super important, is to ask the store to mark down the "meh" pieces. Lots more pictures and info on my blog.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$12
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Perfect playhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/02/2016 - 06:37

Perfect little playhouse my husband built for our girls.   It took about a week to build by himself, but worth every minute.   He did a wonderful job.   Such a good daddy!

Estimated Cost
1400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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