Community Brag Posts

Square Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/04/2023 - 14:52

I used the picnic table plans with a minor modification for the top and seats. I used flooring for trailers that were rejects. I made this for my wife for her birthday and she loved it.
 

Alan Welch

Built from Plan(s)

Rugged Outdoor Table

Submitted by cdrum89 on Thu, 03/06/2014 - 06:05

Ok I decided to construct my very first project - a small outdoor table that would look a bit ancient mostly because the need for it in my house has been screaming since I could remember. I would selfish to say that I did it alone but I got a bit of help from my hussy. I'm happy that the kids love it and all struggle to have lunch on it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Coated with a transparent paint/thinner as I wanted to keep it a bit raw.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Shanty 2 Chic Cabinet

This is my first furniture build!!! I needed a narrow cabinet (from the wall) and found the plans on your site from Shanty2Chic. I LOVE this cabinet and I LOVE the Shanty girls along with you Ana! I finally put the doors on after I found the handles at a restoration store. I needed to make something 42.5" wide to fit under the mirror so I adjusted the length & height measurements of the original cabinet. This cabinet is 42.5W x 43H x 13D.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less than $100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
This cabinet was primed then painted with a Martha Stewart color called Spud (Glidden, satin finish) then I put a few coats of Polycrylic over the paint. I lightly sanded between the polycrylic coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Benchmark Storage Tower

Submitted by katefago on Fri, 03/14/2014 - 20:00

I was given an old window that was going into the trash from an old house in Key West that was being remodeled and decided I wanted to use the window as a door on a cabinet. These plans were very thorough and easy to follow. I modified the measurements to fit the window and am really happy with how it turned out. I added some trim to the top and bottom and used beadboard for the back to fancy it up a bit. I painted it in Sea Mist by Behr and distressed it by hand. This is my first post on this site. Thanks, Ana, for making this possible for me!

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted Sea Mist by Behr and distressed for an aged look, followed by two coats of polyurethane in Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ledges for two Kids

This was my first project after buying a miter saw. I used 2 inch screws to secure the back to the ledge, then nails (I think 2 inch?) to secure the front lip to the ledge. I then covered the nail holes with wood filler, painted with a white glossy paint that I had on hand for my house's trim, and secured into the wall with anchors and screws. 

 

It was a fairly easy project and I used the cheapest wood found at home depot (each ledge literally cost less than a dollar for the wood). It did take me several hours but considering it was my first project, it was pretty fast. I'm sure someone with more experience could knock these out in 1-2 hours! It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to build something else. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$8
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Off the shelf white interior glossy paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

I HEART Ana White Outdoor Chaise

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/24/2016 - 19:57

THANK YOU ANA FOR ALL THE GREAT PLANS!!

 

I am in southern california (mild weather) so i just used pine and coated them with urethane. 

Estimated Cost
$60 each
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Flip top desk

Submitted by queenofdiy on Thu, 05/01/2014 - 13:04

I loved the style of this desk but needed it to be quite a bit smaller. I reduced the measurements down from 48 inches wide to 28 inches wide. This required only 4 foot long 1x12. I added just one 15 inch wide faux drawer on the front. This was incredibly easy to build. It took me longer to paint and stain the timber than it did to build it.

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

Farmhouse console table

I have never so much has touched a saw before, but got a wild hair to build something. This is my very first attempt. I didn’t put the X on it, but I did the rest. There are soooo many flaws and I’ve since made several other pieces. But I wanted to post this to show that if you put your mind to it, you can do anything! I’m in love with this piece. Thank you so much for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)

Vanity Flair

Submitted by cbeach1717 on Sat, 07/21/2012 - 14:43

This small vanity is having a huge impact in our powder room! We were thrilled to remove the builder's grade prefabricated vanity and replace it with this custom built table finished in multiple layers of homemade chalk paint and that will soon house a vessel sink.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood stain, chalk paint, wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

OutDoor dining table

My wife and I were looking for a larger table for our deck and after searching and seeing that everything out there was 300 dollars and up for something decent I decided I would try building something. This table was perfect for our needs and looked easy enough for me to put together. The most time consuming part was staining all of the boards as I went but it was totally worth it in the end. I also deviated from using screws and used my nail gun along with some glue to put the top frame together and the slats on but I did use some 2inch deckmate screws to attach the legs. One problem I did run into was I was about half a board short on the slats which wasn't a big deal just ripped one on the table saw, not sure if I miss measured or what but either way. We love our table and will entertain around it for years to come.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around 80 Dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a Behr deck stain that was solid the color is called Russett and I did with a 3inch brush.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our twin elevated gardens

Here's our planters, and they're our first carpentry projects! We found that there were cost efficiencies when building 2 units. We also opted for nut and bolt attachments for the legs instead of making pocket holes…mainly because I don't have the guides for making pocket holes. Seems to work fine, although I do still need to get a saw that I can cut off the excess bolt length on the inside (see pics). Perhaps next time I should trust my measurements and buy the correct bolt length. Ended up costing about $250. Slightly more than the cost of ready-to-build planters at home depot, but those weren't elevated and not nearly as heavy duty or as large. Well worth the investment of both time and money, and a great starter project for beginners. Good luck to you all! -Don and Staci

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Only a light red stain on the exterior as we didn't want the chemicals to invade our vegetables. Ended up with a very nice orange hue when the red stain combined with the pine's natural yellow coloring.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Seasonal And Holiday

My First Ana Project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/18/2020 - 09:41

Had some leftover lumber from a friend's deck rebuild and decided to make a love seat for our deck. Modified the 2x4 Outdoor Sofa plans slightly to make it a little smaller but essentially built directly from your plans. My wife loves it! Only downside is we have to fight the dog for room. Thanks! I'll be using your plans again!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$12 for screws, $90 for cushions, lumber was free.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Tryde Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/24/2020 - 17:31

Thank you Ana for a great design. I was looking for a gift idea for my Dad on Father's Day and your design was perfect for what I wanted to make. My Dad really loved it! My name is Nathan and kinda new at builders with wood. You see, I am a brain tumor survivor of 20 years and I lost most of my vision from it. For the longest time I was told that I couldn't do this or that. Note, I am very careful and take safety seriously. Your ideas and designs have helped me a great deal with developing confidence with my newly learned skills and I wanted to thank you for that. Also, your designs are reaching people out there and they're bringing joy to a lot of people. Keep up the great work and I look forward to your next inspiration.

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Baby Grand Piano and clear gloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sand Box

We adjusted the plan and created a 4x7 sand box with toy box and canopy. We are in love with the way this has turned out!

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Chick Brooding Cabinet for Quail

My family has started raising quail recently and I built their first home while they were still in the incubator. I have never done any wood work before, so this turned out much nicer than I expected! I followed the suggestion of having the brooder part on the top instead of the bottom and omitted the extra shelf. Two 5-gallon buckets fit nicely below the chicks. Since the quail are so small when they hatch, I used 1/4 inch hardware cloth for the "floor" but it wasn't long before that was too small so we had to change it to 1/2 inch. I am going to make a tray with each size of hardware cloth on it to make it easier to change out for next time, because they really do need both sizes.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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