Community Brag Posts

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

Cedar Planter Outdoor Speakers

Submitted by Hoosierdoc on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 10:53

We just put in a pool and I needed something to hide a pair of outdoor speakers. I used Klipsh AW-525 speakers.

Basically I raised the bottom of the planter enough to fit the speaker under and had to add a few framing pieces to secure the speaker mount to. The mount attaches to a vertical board and the weight rests on a horizontal board. The wiring comes up from below.

The front panel uses vinyl mesh from Sailrite.com to hide the speaker but allow sound out. Imm planning to hang it with magnets if it doesn't distort sound too much.

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

Comments

Basement Sofa Table Bar

Submitted by advanlente on Sat, 03/28/2020 - 12:04

My husband and I had been looking at many different stores to try and find a bar table for behind our new couch in our basement. We wanted something that people could eat and drink at when we entertained and/or be able to sit at and play video games. I should have known we were better off to build our own rather than look in a store. It was only $30 in lumber and took 3 hours to build. And another project in the books!

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)

Comments

megs502

Fri, 04/03/2020 - 11:03

do you have the plans for this? i've been looking and looking for what i needed and this is it!!

mferrara

Sat, 04/04/2020 - 05:39

Hi - exactly what I've been searching for....do you have plans available? Please and thank you!

beckaroo

Tue, 06/02/2020 - 23:04

Hello,
I would also love to see the plans for this sofa bar table.
Thank you
Becky

Coffee Table

Submitted by wahome on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 13:34

I was initially very intimidated by these plans due to the drawers, but I have a great, handy dad who offered to help with the drawers. The wood is all recycled, most of it my dad has been hauling around for nearly 40 years and finally had it all milled this past year. With the offer of free wood, I couldn't say no! The plans worked great. It took a very long time as I have limited hours to work on and my dad is a sanding nut! I am more into rustic, worn look and my dad more fine wood working...so I had to keep assuring him it was just fine like that, and move on already.

Estimated Cost
I had free wood, so in addition to that, maybe $20
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Espresso stain and oil rubbed with Teak oil.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

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

DIY Rustic Console

I had a friend make a request for a console table.  We came up with this design to fit her space and needs.  It was a pretty easy build.

Estimated Cost
$150-200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
ECOS Paints Woodshield - Pine Needles; ECOS Paints Woodshield - Satin Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Barn Door Entertainment Console

Submitted by scubbis on Fri, 04/17/2020 - 10:03

I used the plans from the "Grandy Barn Door Console" for the basic layout, and then altered them to accommodate an electric fireplace insert in between two cupboards, and an open shelf across the top to put in the stereo receiver. The tv is actually mounted to the wall over the top rather than sitting on the console. Overall, I love how it came out. It's exactly what we wanted!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Middle School Class Builds Picnic Tables for School Grounds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/18/2023 - 12:59

Ana,

Thanks so much for your octagon picnic tables plans. I teach a Life Skills Class at Russell Christian Academy for middle school. This class of 18 students completed the build of 4 of these tables (with a little assistance from me) and are now being used as an outside dining area for all grades K-12. It was a great experience for the kids and I have received many positive comments about these tables.

Thanks again…

 

Dewayne Knight of Meridian, Mississippi

Comments

Simple Outdoor Dining Table

Submitted by AlexaWoods on Thu, 05/31/2012 - 08:20

This table was made with Cedar but the base was pressure treated wood. The legs were Cedar 4x4s and very sturdy. I used a mix of designs and altered each to fit my needs. Getting the lumber from a lumber yard vs. big box cut my costs in half. Used stainless steel finish screws, Kreg Weather Treated Screws, and Deck Screws.

Estimated Cost
170
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

BMullett

Sun, 03/17/2013 - 16:23

I love this! I'm planning on starting this project once the weather warms up and I was wondering if you could tell me how you attached the legs to the table top without visible bolts.

Dinosaur Patchwork Dresser for Baby's Room

We wanted a bright and colorful dresser for the baby's room, and one that would match the Will Ruocco dinosaur prints that we purchased for the walls (http://etsy.me/PJ1yOs). This project spread out over many weekends but we were very happy with the results. We choose to go with legs instead of wheels, and made them tall enough that the Roomba would have clearance to get under. For the design, we used a combination of the plans here and a similar plan from The Design Confidential website.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ben Moore Advance in semi gloss, plus a coat of wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adirondack chairs

Submitted by bz_g on Sun, 06/19/2016 - 11:13

These chairs were really fun to build. This was my first project and they turned out great. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
~$35 per chair
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson's Water Seal Deck & House Oil Stain Semi-Transparent in Sierra Brown
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic x coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/18/2020 - 16:51

Loved building it. Took me and my husband a couple hours to build. Originally wanted to do the lift top but by the time we were ready to do that realized the front sides weren’t wide enough to do hideaway. Wish I could have made it a little smaller but I’m in love with it. Looking to do more projects during quarantine.

Estimated Cost
110
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Map gas and Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Small Cedar Shed

Submitted by Texjan on Sun, 06/03/2012 - 14:12

I saw the plans for this and I had to have it. It was the first project that my husband and I completed together. I think we did a pretty good job. It just needs handles and it will be complete. If we can do this in the hot Texas heat then anyone can do it. I'm proud of us!

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

Comments

Side Street Bunk Bed

Submitted by wotto on Sat, 03/22/2014 - 16:10

This one will be around for a while... heavy as sin, but solid.
Used 11 2x2 removable slats per level spaced 5 1/2" apart by 2x2s.
Added a 44" ladder and back rail and front rail with 30 degree miter cut on 2x4s.

Next time, would have sanded & stained the headboard/footboard 2x6s on the ends before screwing them to 2x4s. Didn't have a sander that could get between the 1/2" gap and the hand sanding from position can be tough. Overall, very pleased with the result.

Kids love it! First of many projects I will be doing from this website.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum Kona
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Larger Farmhouse Table w/ Removable Legs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/22/2016 - 11:41

Used Ana White's Husky Farmhouse Table plans/instructions and then made some of my own modifications to make the legs removable and expand the dimensions a bit. Turned out pretty good! This was my first project :)

Estimated Cost
~600 dollars. Had to buy some tools.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Min Wax Stain, water based
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Daybed with storage

Submitted by Jewls1385 on Mon, 04/20/2020 - 05:50

Such a fun project and my niece was so excited for her new “big girl bed”

Finish Used
Dark walnut stain satin Polyurethane

Comments

Microwave/Coffee Cupbaord

Submitted by Booooozle on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 19:39

This one I can’t take complete credit for, the base shelving unit was left behind in our basement & was just beyond belief disgusting. I cleaned it up stripped it apart, stained it & put new hardware on it. The house is older & whoever “modernized” just didn’t do a spectacular job & place the cupboards in an odd way instead of utilizing the space properly. Anyway as I’ve mentioned in other projects, this is another odd corner, actually it’s not so odd because it’s supposed to be where the the fridge goes according to our landlord but it’s sized for a really small fridge & our big monster double door twice the size of this cubby, it is now in the mudroom which isn’t too inconvenient because it’s right off the kitchen & because we shut the vents in there to keep the heating cost lower in the winter the fridge doesn’t have to work too hard to keep cold. Anyway I wanted to utilize this space & found that the shelf fit perfect next to the garbage can that was there so I just made a top to fit the space & then we now have a microwave stand/coffee prep area.

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

New England Channing Desk

my very first project! i surprised myself on how AWESOME this desk came out! although im not a huge fan of the finish i selected but i can live with it. i also used oak plywood (which i will never used again), poplar and i also used cedar planking for the backing and drawer base. i learned a lot from this project, mostly what not to do for the future, like use plywood.

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