Community Brag Posts

Best Chairs Ever!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/09/2020 - 18:16

I made these modern Adirondack chairs for our business in Anchorage. GREAT and easy to build design by Ana - we upgraded the arms to tapered 2x6 and they're awesome!

Drop Zone/mudroom

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/09/2021 - 07:10

I used ShelfHelpNow which I LOVED! Got it delivered at the start of a snowstorm! Would never have made it then if I had to go get the wood myself!
Got so many compliments and requests
To build this.
Thank you for your easy plans and wonderful ideas!
In hindsight I would have either connected the two units or separated them more. I’m more a wing it/see how it goes type of builder for myself rather than a planner. 🤣
Diane

Estimated Cost
600 for carcass
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Putting it together took a couple hours. Painting and waiting for things to dry took a lot longer!
Hopefully this will free up some room in my house for more utilitarian closet/pantry.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Breakfast nook with storage

Submitted by nahoy08 on Mon, 03/09/2020 - 08:12

Modified the benches a little to be opened without removing a cushion. Cushions to come. We made our own paneling for the back and reused the original trim. Table to come. 
Idea and plans from another brag Breakfast nook. 

Estimated Cost
275
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Variety of stains all with a light clear coat on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Outdoor Chair - High Back Adirondack

Modified with a high back and modern adirondack arms.

The base of the chair is built exactly to the plan except that the arms are done in a modern adirondack style.

The back was made independently to fit inside the base and then attached to the plan base.

Very comfortable but very heavy chair even without the modified back.

Not stained yet obviously.

Cushions are hard to find I think I would make it slightly smaller next time and maybe even find the cushions first and alter the plan to fit.

Estimated Cost
$45 Can
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

modified bench swing

Luv your site. Took your bench swing plan and modified it a bit (shortened depth) and then created a small pergola to hang it from. Just need to stain/poly to finish it off. Thanks for your plan and website it is very inspiring.

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

Potting Bench with Sink

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/19/2024 - 10:48

I used the basic 2x4 potting bench and made it a bit wider to have room for the sink. Had to make slight modifications -- put a 2x4 in the back to help support the half shelf on top. Found the sink at the restore for $15 have have been waiting to do this. Ana's plan was easy to follow and modify for my needs. Spent 88$ on lumber, nails, 15$ for the sink, plus about 40 $ for additional hardware for the sink. This sets beside my deck. I love it. Now I can was my hands outside and can't wait to rinse my veggies off when they produce.

Susan Chewning

Built-in Bookshelves

Submitted by seeca13 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 13:34

I built this project in 6 separate pieces before installing it in our home. I pulled the baseboard and attached it to the wall to give it a built-in feel.  For the majority of the project, I used 3/4" plywood with the exception if 1/4" plywood for the back of the shelves as well as the centers of the cabinet doors.  For the trim, I used select pine boards.  I had to work around an airconditioning vent that was in the floor.  I was able to divert it to run out the bottom of the bookcase. 

This build is loosely based on the Willy Bookcase.  I actually found another brag post on the Willy Bookcase that was immensely helpful in constructing my project.  I'm so grateful for the brag boards!  Instead of fixing all of the shelves like the Willy, I used a Kreg shelf pin jig to make the shelves adjustable.  The shelf that lines up with the TV is fixed for stability. 

The estimate below covers all of the wood, paint, screws, hardware, etc.  For fun, I'm including an in progress photo to illustrate the process.  Thanks for looking!

Also, a note - this is a relatively easy project, however, I listed it as "intermediate" because of the cabinet doors.  They definitely made it more complicated!

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams paint custom matched to trim.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Potting Bench/Stand

Submitted by MikeO on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 09:58

Built this for my girlfriend's birthday present. Added a 1x4 backsplash and a 2x6 for the top shelf to give a little more shelf room instead of the 2x4 called for in the plan. Stained with Varathane "Vintage Aqua" color and then 3 coats of Helmsman Spar Urethane for outdoor durability. Set the whole thing on caster wheels (not pictured) so she can move around the deck as needed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Vintage Aqua
Helmsman Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

Shoe dresser

Submitted by RoseOfShaz on Thu, 07/04/2013 - 15:26

I didn't build this shoe dresser because I particularly needed one, but it looked so lovely that I couldn't resist.

- I modified the plans by building 3 bins instead of 2 so it could hold more shoes.
- I decided against the dowel stick and opted for hinges instead, which were surprisingly not too difficult to assemble. I found that I didn't even need the magnets after installing the hinges as the doors stay closed.
- I used 7" chains on both sides of each bin instead of a belt to make it extra sturdy.
- I added two back legs.

Et voila! This is the end result. I'm very pleased.

PS. Those flopping bins are a pain when you're trying to build!! An extra pair of hands is definitely recommended.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150 (with extra bin)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut (can't remember the exact name of the stain, but it's the one Shanty 2 Chic always uses!)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

SoCaliforniaMel

Fri, 07/05/2013 - 22:49

Pretty :) Good Job. Now if I only had the space for one thats 10 rows high :P I like the stain color too. Shanty 2 Chic always uses Rust-o-leum. I think its called dark walnut. Dont quote me though. I love the stain and spray paint combo colors they use.
~Melody

Charcuterie Board

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/28/2022 - 15:27

Made a this for my step-daughter and her husband for Christmas. Love your projects, and am learning to do everything on my own which is so empowering thank you for sharing and encouraging all us girls we can do it!

Comments

2x4 Outdoor Sectional and Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 17:56

I followed the instructions on the Ana White website, and followed a few of the commenters ideas to reduce the size slightly to minimize the wood costs. I used pocket holes wherever I could to try and reduce the amount of visible screw heads. The cushions were purchased at Big Lots and the cedar was purchased at the big home improvement store. My 5 year old and I worked on this and are so proud of how it turned out.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Teak Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

8x12 Shed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/13/2023 - 03:26

My new garden shed built from your premium plans! I'm 62, never built a shed before, and worked mostly alone. My sons helped with some of the wall and roof sheathing. In the end, I did everything except for the shingling. I painted it to match my house main color and trim.

The video is very helpful - I watched it several times. My major change to the plans was using Simpson Strong Ties and hurricane ties to secure the rafters to the ridge pole and the top plates. Otherwise, I used all other methods. I recommend cutting the front wall sheathing before cutting the panels for the doors. I do not have a trim saw and thought my standard circular saw was too heavy for me to make the cuts like Jacob did.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

DIY Laundry Basket Organizer

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/19/2024 - 10:58

This was a modification to an Ana White design and another brag.
Designed on sketchup. It holds 4 laundry baskets sideways. Because I wanted it to be counter height I have a 6 inch shelf.
3/4 reconditioned plywood for the base assembled using Kreg pocket screws.
The top is a low cost pine 11.5 wide.
I jointed them using a 14 inch hand plane. First time for that. Cut the top to 22 inches wide.
Prestain conditioner. Minwax dark walnut stain and 6 coats of minwax poly wipe on.
Attached using Kreg screws.

Randy Eby

Built from Plan(s)

Wall mounted can organizer

Added a backing of thin plywood to prevent the cans marking up the walls. I knew how many types of canned goods I wanted this to fit and adjusted the width to meet our needs. Love how this is going to save space in the pantry and with just a glance I can see what we have on hand.
Thanks Ana for another great plan!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $150.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Chair Build with Loveseat Modification

Submitted by Joshh81 on Sat, 09/02/2017 - 12:26

Built the 2 chairs according to the plans, and then modified it for a bench that's 48" (our cushions are 23.5 x 23.5). Worked really well!

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

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Bookshelf Hidden Doors Over Closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/23/2017 - 10:13

Hidden door bookshelves hide a furnace closet.  Built by Kraig Faulkner

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

charkue

Thu, 09/17/2020 - 08:01

I'm currently working on a basement renovation project. I'm probably going to incorporate a feature like this for my mechanicals, too.

One important safety note for anyone who wants to do this: It's recommended that your furnace be a minimum of 30" away from any combustible materials. That includes walls and partitions. The image of this project displayed is right next to the furnace, which is not a good idea.

My incredible chicken coop and run!

This was my first attempt at building anything....ever. It was so incredibly fun and I certainly learned a lot. My 8 little chickens are loving their new home and I can't wait to build my next project!

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

Comments

GreenLaLa

Wed, 06/19/2013 - 11:51

Hello! Could you repost the picture / info on your chicken run? I keep getting "page not available" and I've been trying for days :O) I think I want to build that chicken shed (too big for 3 hens?? It's just so cute!) and a run like that to go with it! Thanks! Have a great day!

GreenLaLa

Wed, 06/19/2013 - 11:51

Hello! Could you repost the picture / info on your chicken run? I keep getting "page not available" and I've been trying for days :O) I think I want to build that chicken shed (too big for 3 hens?? It's just so cute!) and a run like that to go with it! Thanks! Have a great day!

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