Community Brag Posts

Two-tone open wardrobe

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/08/2017 - 08:06

I couldn't find any wardrobe that I was really happy with - and then I stumbled upon Ana's design, and I loved it! I went for two different colors (white for the supports and rosewood for the shelves) to give it more presence. Dimensions are 60" wide X 22" deep x 86" tall 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General finishes rosewood stain (for dark wood, it gives a red hue) and whitewash.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modern Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by frmoody on Mon, 05/03/2021 - 17:35

This was a nice simple build. The only problem where I live (near Edmonton, Alberta) is that the price of lumber has gone crazy. I think it is the same everywhere. 2 x 4's are running about $8.50 (CAD) each. I can see myself building a few more of these as the neighbours like them. Chose to go with a funky magenta colour to add some colour to the backyard. Very comfortable to sit in but I think I will add some cushions. I should have taken Ana's advice and painted the boards (especially back and seat) first. Once assembled I had to go in with a small brush to get the sides.

Estimated Cost
$40 each
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior semi gloss paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Tryde Coffee Table

Had a lot of fun completing this project. I was assisted by my fiance and her little brother.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80 or less
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Red Mahogany.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Cedar Kitchen Island

The original plans were altered to measure 6 feet long to fit the space. The top is all cedar which I had planned to keep unfinished and oil each month. Well, that was the plan until I found that it was very hard to clean with kids eating on it and because the 2x4 boards were screwed down, they allowed a lot of food, water to seep through.  Some of the boards began splitting and warped considerably.  Then I discovered the pocket hole jig!!  I took the top off, gave a good sand to them and attached all with pocket hole screws which tightened them up so much that I needed to add an extra 2x4 to adequately cover the top of the island. I also added a breadboard to the end to give it that finished look.  To fill in the grooves I used wood filler with a dark pigment, and gave it a really good sanding after it dried. I then applied Varathane in 4 coats to the top after using steel wool in between coats.  Gives it a lovely natural cedar patina and keeps the breadcrumbs out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Special Walnut stain from Minwax on everything except for top and drawer fronts. Varathane Diamond Water based Wood Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/11/2017 - 03:35

Needed new nightstands for our new house....these worked out perfectly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50 dollars.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Gray primer spray paint sanded away and 2 coats of water based poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Simple 2x4 Potting Bench - Modified

I was intrigued by Ana’s Simple 2x4 Potting Bench. The project seemed simple enough and it would be used as a means to clean up clutter in the garage. My main focus was to make it semi-portable and weather resistant. Instead of using 2x4’s for the corner posts, I used 4x4’s to accommodate casters. I also shorted the length of the posts by 4 inches to compensate for the height of the casters. To provide extra rigidity I did a dado for the 2x4’s that connect the front and rear legs. In retrospect, I wish that I did not dado the legs because it made it more difficult to attach some of the shelf planks. I painted the frame green and left the shelves and backboards clear for beautiful contrast. My wife is ecstatic with the result.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Environ Green paint for the frame and Minwax Polycrylic for the poplar shelves and backboards.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

X desk with drawer

Submitted by RoseOfShaz on Tue, 04/02/2013 - 10:59

This was my very first project (yay!). I finally got over my fear of power tools and my husband bought me a jigsaw for my birthday. (Yes, I built this whole thing with a jigsaw! Clearly I was clueless about power tools back then! :) But even a jigsaw was pretty intimidating at that stage!)

Ok... so in hindsight it was a really bad idea to start on a project marked as "intermediate" for my first project, but I was so in love with this desk that I just HAD to have it. The drawer made it really tricky, but I figured no one has to know if it has its little quirks. :)

I saw a similar version of this desk on Pottery Barn's website, which retailed for a whopping $700! Thank you Ana for giving us the gift of amazing furniture for a fraction of the price!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70 (probably about $50 if you already have some nails, screws, etc lying around)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Jacobean wood stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My version of the Wooden Snowflake

Submitted by mlpluess on Sat, 02/14/2015 - 19:47

Bought a bundle of lath just to see how it would work.  Cut great and took the stain perfectly.  Since the snowflakes are going up against a pale green house, I kept them dark so they would stand out.  Made five and have a ton of lath left over.  Made them 33" wide.  Great plan, thanks!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25 but have a bunch of wood left over
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mother's Day Gift

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/14/2017 - 15:18

Great project. I didn't have all the tools and/or skills to make some things exact or perfect, but I am very happy with the finished project and more importantly the wife loves it! Thanks so much for sharing. I still need to add x, but I ran out of time. 

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

Basic Outdoor set

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/22/2021 - 15:05

I used the Outdoor Set plans to start with the sofa, but I didn't like the height of the back. I adjusted it with pallet boards and copied the curved shape of our Adirondack chairs. The bench was made entirely from upcycled wood, including pallets and landscape ties. All the cushions were made with fabric (waterproof) shower curtains. The most expensive part was the 4" foam for the cushions. I used Varathane Diamond Wood Finish, so it will all last for a really long time.

Estimated Cost
$400 Canadian
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Outdoor Diamond Finish Satin - water based
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse King

Submitted by dl85 on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 20:41

Went together nicely. I had to use cedar 4x4s for the posts -they were kind of pricey compared to the pine.

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Acrylic - high gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Nursetogo

Tue, 03/01/2016 - 12:52

Hello I just finished building the bed, and was wondering if you could give me the dementions for yours? Did you use 1x3, or 1x4's, also how did you attach by the headboard. Thank you so much.

 

Balin Console With Some Changes

We made this table from the original Balin Console table plans, but faced out the drawer fronts with some mitered trim and added some drawer stops inside to keep the drawers from falling out when pulled all the way.

The drawers were made with a cabinet grade plywood along with the sides and bottom of the table. We used 1x8s on the console top to get that nice wood look, where all corners and ends would be showing, but for the sides and bottom of the table, since the edges were all trimed out, the plywood worked out nicely. 

The legs seemed plenty sturdy without the extra trim, so we skipped that to get a more simple look.

Drawer handles were found at our local Home Depot.

For the finish, we stained (with Minwax ebony) the edges where we wanted distressing, then wiped on vaseline along edges and painted over in Behr Swiss Coffee (white) in matte. After drying we took sandpaper to the edges to show the dark stain through. Because we used matte paint, after everything was finished, we waxed with a clear wax and buffed for a nice shine and a smooth texture.

 

Pin For Later! 

Balin Console With Some Changes

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125 for plywood, wood pieces and knobs. We already had paint and stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax ebony stain, vaseline where you want distressing, then paint Behr (matte) Swiss Coffee on top. Sand all surfaces to distress and smooth, then wax with clear wax to add shine.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Beautiful planters!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/17/2017 - 17:32

I made 2 for my bare front patio

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$38 for 2
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My first toddler bed!

Rather than buy a cheap toddler bed from a chain retailer I decided to build my own. Ana's plans were amazing! I changed just few things to fit our needs. My son loves it and so do I.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut w/ Semi gloss Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Camp bunk beds for Toddlers

Submitted by Boomommy on Sat, 02/21/2015 - 21:02

Made this cute little bed for my three year old Granddaughter....she absolutely loves it!!!

 

Estimated Cost
free....used pallet wood!
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White flat paint, with polycrylic gloss finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

VERSION OF ANA'S INDUSTRIAL CLOSETS

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/22/2017 - 16:44

This is a version of Ana's industrial closets used in a new house. Everyone that has seen it thought it was cool. I used 2x4 for uprights and shelf supports. Shelves are 1x4 and the rods are big box store closet rods.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
AMBER SHELLAC
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor sofa

Submitted by Julisib on Sun, 06/06/2021 - 06:39

Thanks a lot for the free plans. We enjoy out new deck !

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Sturdy Work Bench

Submitted by lbaker on Mon, 04/08/2013 - 13:15

Wanted to make a table for my knife making projects. Often watch tutorials online so I built a frame to house 2 computer monitors and attached a spare laptop to the underside of table. Dimensions are pretty close to original plan, little taller (with the obvious height for back 2x4's. Sheet of plexiglass over monitors. Added baseboard trim to create "pool" for tabletop, adding a bottlecap epoxy top later.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

NEW Balustrade Coffee Table

Submitted by jhavinga on Wed, 02/25/2015 - 22:21

Here is the latest Table I have made. I cant get enough of this table design, the rustic bold feel blending with curved lines is awesome.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
With reclaimed wood it was more than basic SPF at HD.
legs were $200 shipped to my door in Canada.
Wood was $125. Found from a local torn down barn! Very cool wood.
Stain/screws/glue $30.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
My favourite combo! played with different levels of Weathered Oak and Special Walnut for each piece of wood so the whole table would flow together.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Patio sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/25/2017 - 18:21

Patio sectional 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Tinted weather proof stain

Made my own cushions - was the longest part of project (I'm not great on a sewing machine... better with a drill haha) Actual cutting wood, building and weather proofing done in a few days
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate