Community Brag Posts

Built in dining bench

Submitted by aahmad79 on Sun, 10/13/2019 - 09:14

I used the mudroom bench plans and modified them slightly to account for the wider space and air registers underneath. Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Cedar Garden Bed

I made this garden bed in one evening. I love it! I bought 6 6' cedar fence pickets and two cedar 1x2s. I don't have a table saw, and they wouldn't rip a fence picket for me at the store, so I had to buy the cedar 1x2's but the project was still very affordable. I wanted it a little wider than the original plan, so I just cut the 6' pickets in half for the sides.
It is 6' x 3' and I didn't bother to cut the dogears off. You probably wouldn't even be able to tell they are there. I didn't trim the top out because that would add on about $6, and I like it just the way it is.
Now, lets see if I can actually grow some plants in it!!
I'm a beginner, and this project was really easy.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Lisa P (not verified)

Tue, 04/03/2012 - 08:08

This is exactly how I was going to modify Ana's plans as well. Have you started growing anything yet? Looks great!

Tara Kirkland

Tue, 04/17/2012 - 20:55

Yes, I've started "trying" to grow a few things. I don't usually have much luck, but maybe.... just MAYBE this will be the year!! :)

Lindyer0523 (not verified)

Mon, 04/23/2012 - 07:13

What would you have used for the top trim?

Rustic Planked Wood Sideboard

Check out my blog post for more on building this giant, hardworking piece! It took me about 45 hours to build it from start to finish (I work slowly) and cost about $400 in materials.

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
General Finishes water-based stain, milk paint, glaze, and Staples Crystal Clear bowling alley wax. More details on my blog post.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Icepickman

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 07:21

hey, great build, i'm going to attempt a similar project. i could not get to your blog post?

Main closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/27/2019 - 19:23

10 ft closet that had a lot of space but little organization. First attempt at building anything. Built the bench first in four different sections then attached together. Closet already had two long 10 ft boards so just added vertical dividers to match the cubbies for each person. Added shelving on sides using the concepts of making the original bench. Our baseboards have tile that was installed up to it so I didn’t attempt to remove them but notched out the backs of the wood to fit around. On the side left about 6 inches and installed the rod front to back using C hooks to hang things from them. Will be adding lots more hooks on the sides as well. Used a couple different plans but ended up making changes along the way based on my skill level and what I thought would work best for the family.

Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Painted sections are Sherwin Williams Olympus white and stained shelves are classic oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2 Person Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/14/2023 - 12:45

Made 2 of these for my coffee shop in Puerto Rico. Easy instructions. Thank you!

 

Javiel Cardona

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

My Storage Sofa!

Submitted by cr2 on Sun, 03/04/2012 - 18:35

This project was lots of fun. Made it for a college apartment- it is perfect.

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

Cabin Bed Bunk Beds

Submitted by cpedraza on Wed, 10/30/2019 - 20:26

Fell in love with Cabin Bed by Jen Woodhouse but really needed bunk beds for my grand kids. So I modified the plans just a little. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Weathered Gray Premium Fast Dry Interior Wood Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Porch Planters

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/24/2023 - 13:40

This build was a lot of fun! Thanks ANA!

David Marks

Comments

Breakfast Nook

Submitted by BERobinson on Thu, 03/31/2016 - 11:54

U-shaped breakfast nook custom built for client.

For the bones - I just laid the 2x4's out like studs all the way around.  Odd corner in back R, 106 degrees, made for some fun mitreing on molding and plywood.

For the decorative finish, used single-piece paneling, not the wainscoting sheet-panels, to give a fuller look.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax ebony stain on wood planking, and semi-gloss white on seat and molding.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4x4 Truss Beam Table and Benches

Submitted by MakinDust on Sat, 01/18/2014 - 08:36

Table and benches were made to plan, except I shortened the overall length and added another 2x10 to the top to give it some additional width. The benches were also shortened slightly so the legs of the benches slide between the legs of the table; which allows the benches to be pushed further under the table when not in use. Avoid my rookie furniture making mistake and go to a specialty lumber store that sells wood that is already aged (dry). Most everything you find at the big box stores will still be wet and shrink/warp on you if not completely dry first.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
MinWax English Chestnut Stain and 3 coats of MinWax Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

MakinDust

Tue, 05/20/2014 - 16:23

Appreciate the compliments. Sorry for the delayed response, but the final dimensions turned out 72" x 46". Let me know if you have any other questions.

Corner Cupboard, Corner Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/15/2016 - 21:33

I saw the plans on Ana White website and and used them to put this together. I changed it slightly to fit my needs. I made this for my in-laws and it was a lot of fun to do. Hardest part was using blue tape on stain and paint.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
125$ includes four cans of Rustoleum White Satin primer and paint from Home Depot, hardware, and lumber. Measure twice Cut once and all will be well.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Min wax Red Oak
Min wax satin poly
Rust oleum White Satin Paint and Primer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My own weathered corner hutch :)

This was my first project. It took me a weekend to build and prime. Since I chose to use a crackle finish, waiting time between coats extended the total time to one full week. My husband and I were supposed to make this hutch together, but I became obsessed and did most of it alone! I adjusted the size a bit to make it larger, so I could fit big pieces on shelves and in cabinets. Thanks for the plan Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Weathered Crackle Finish done as follows:
1. Killz2 latex primer (highly recommended)
2. Valspar interior satin finish, "Frontier Road" (this is the color that shows in the cracks)
3. Valspar weathered crackle glaze (a suggested substitute that costs less is Elmer's glue)
4. Valspar interior flat finish, "Churchill Hotel Lace" (must be a flat paint, this is the dominant color of your piece)
5. Valspar clear protector (also highly recommended to protect the finish you worked very hard to create, when you paint the same piece of furniture 5 times in one week your sanity will agree!)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

JoanneS

Fri, 04/13/2012 - 14:47

Wow, this is sooo beautiful! The finish is just awesome. My Hubby hates to paint, and he saw this multi-step finish and said you must have the patience of a saint! :) Congrats on such a stunning first project!

kmsdance (not verified)

Mon, 10/01/2012 - 23:33

Very Nice! What did you do to make it "bigger"...did you make it deeper or wider? Just curious, because I would like to try and make a bigger version as well. Did you still cut the shelves on each side at a 45 degree angle? Thanks!

Long Modern TV Console with Pallet Wood

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/17/2020 - 14:18

This project was a Christmas present for my girlfriend. I modified these plans a little bit to put the open shelf in the middle and used the pallet wood for this instead of it being white. The pallet wood was such a pain to cut up in to usable strips but after cutting them down, gluing them up, and sanding them down (for ages) I couldn't be more pleased with how they turned out. I used Watco Danish in medium walnut for the finish and I think it brought out the imperfections in the wood beautifully. I just used some pre-made legs from Amazon instead of the base out of laziness.

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Watco Danish Oil in medium walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Table

Since I am in the middle of a divorce, my ex- took my dining room furniture. I decided instead of buying something new, or getting a hand me down, I would build a new table. The wood top was made of 3 wood planks from my sister in laws hardwood flooring leftovers. It was sooo fun to make this. The stain was a mix of Minwax Providence and Ebony 3 to 1 mix appx. I did not add the bottom wood piece, as I did not think it needed it, it is plenty strong without it. I am working on the bench and chairs now. This has been by far my most fulfilling project ever. Enjoy!

Estimated Cost
$100 for stain, trim, poly etc. I had a lot of the wood, not the breadboards
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coat mix of Minwax Providence and Ebony (3 parts to one part)
4 coats Polysealant

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

brookifer86

Tue, 04/24/2012 - 09:55

I think you came up with a great solution to your dining room problem. As a victim of the "ex furniture snatch" myself, I also decided to build my own instead of buying. It was quite the confidence boost! Love the table with the wider boards. I also didn't use a stretcher for my Farmhouse Table, and it's held up perfectly for over a year now.

KellyJo1180

Thu, 09/27/2012 - 08:38

I am looking to do the same design with the larger boards in the middle. What size are the boards running vertically on the ends? 1 x 6?

justjack5454

Fri, 12/12/2014 - 13:59

I love the table you built thanksgiving day my table went
awol, so I need to get going on your design. P. S. I'm lipstick, sawdust, n wheelchair.

4x4 Maple Truss table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/09/2016 - 09:05

Made from large milled maple rough cut Lumber

Estimated Cost
$500.00
Finish Used
Minwax Stain / Polyurithane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Hall table

Submitted by jcar on Sat, 05/14/2016 - 03:38

This was a great first project.  Thanks for the plans and the inspiration.
I needed to make a hall table so made a narrower version, and had to alter the dimensions to suit the metric system and readily available materials at Bunnings (Australia), and also made the upper and lower sections identical in height.  It ended up about 300mm deep because the shortest drawer runners I could find were 250mm. These are full extension Hafele side rails, opening 100% to make the most of the narrow depth.
The drawer fronts are from a single piece of reclaimed Oregon Pine sourced locally and then stained with various strengths of Victorian Antique Wood Dye from eBay.  The stain is natural/non-chemical and made from walnut husks - just dilute with water to the desired shade and worked well on this timber.
Thanks Ana and thanks Jamison!
 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Great Toy Box Plans

Submitted by dkakridge on Sun, 03/01/2020 - 18:55

So proud of how this turned out.  Plans were so easy to follow.  Thanks for such a wonderful site. 

David Akridge

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum painters touch white gloss, Kilz Primer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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