Community Brag Posts

Mimi's Hall Tree

Submitted by Erik on Fri, 02/24/2012 - 06:33

This is my first ever build (so be gentle). My fiance has always wanted a Hall Tree and her birthday was comming up so I posted a request for a Hall Tree and that afternoon there was a post from Ana with Mimi's Hall Tree, so I figured that was a sign I HAD TO BUILD IT! So I took the lists went to the local Home Depot and bought all the wood, plus a Jig Saw, Kreg Jig, Sliding Compound Miter Saw, Circular Saw, Clamps.... a few weeks later just in time for her birthday this is what I had. I have to admit its flawed but we love it!

I can't thank Ana and company for turning me on to my new hobby and I am looking forward to my next build!

PS I will be putting the hooks on tonight, I will post more photos when the hooks are on and there is stuff on the Hall Tree

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

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 02/24/2012 - 06:38

The stain is minwax mahogany.

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 02/24/2012 - 09:18

I BET YOUR FIANCE LOVED IT...GOOD JOB KEEP BUILDING!

Fancy X farmhouse table and bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/30/2019 - 21:34

These plans were a lot of fun, easy to follow and I love all the layers!! I changed the direction of the bracing under the table and used a thicker beam along the floor. For the bench I decided to use only two legs so I did them in a thicker look to match the table.

Estimated Cost
$170 lumber/stain/clear
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
2:1 ratio minwax dark walnut and weathered oak. I let it dry then sanded in areas and added a coat of weathered oak.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Box Frame Console with Bottom Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/24/2023 - 13:46

Entry Way Table with Slatted Bottom!

by Missy J Zee on Facebook

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Dresser With Open Bottom Shelf

Submitted by stacynabby on Fri, 01/10/2014 - 22:15

I needed a dresser to match the two farmhouse sidetables I built for the room and this design fit the bill. I really had to take the time to figure out where to place the pocket holes. Finishing is my least favorite part of the process, but I'm glad to have really taken my time. This was a really challenging project and I'm so pleased with the end product. By far, my favorite build yet!

Estimated Cost
$225 - $250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot Fruitwood stain and four coats of polyurethane satin finish. Last sanding was with 600 grit.
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.

DIY Wood Patio Set

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/15/2023 - 08:46

We were in need of a nice patio set and just couldn’t find the right fit until we came across some 2x4 plans and thought “that seems simple enough”. Took some planning for the right dimensions but I swear my husband can build anything. It turned out beautifully. He made a table, a sofa and a chair….burned them with a torch is certain areas then put polyurethane on them. Thanks for looking.

Lanette

4x4 TRUSS BEAM TABLE

Submitted by largashell on Fri, 01/24/2020 - 07:52

I built this as a craft table for my family. I altered the plans to make the table larger to fit a specific space in our craft room. The table was easy to build and turned out great!

Thanks for the plans

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Craft table for the family
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Room Divider Wall with Built-in Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 15:23

Modified the wall divider closet plan into a wall to serve as an extra bedroom in my basement. The inner wall was subsequently painted.

Grace LeBlanc

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Bay Window Drawer Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/23/2023 - 09:22

This is inspired by mud room bench with drawer. Apparently I had to make quite some modifications as this is for a bay window bench with trapezoid shape instead of a rectangular. In the middle are 2 drawers, at both ends are corner cabinets. Ana's design worked beautifully as the foundation of my project.

Built from Plan(s)

Modern media console - walnut slab

Submitted by jvtoomey on Sat, 03/14/2020 - 14:02

Built mainly from the Modern Media Console plan, modified in a few ways.  Aside from the obvious part being the walnut slab on top, I modified the doors to be inset hinges for looks, and it’s slightly longer than the original plans.  The other main modification was using the base from the Emersen Console or Buffet plan with the addition of the adjustable height leveling legs. 

Estimated Cost
750
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stained with American walnut to bring the hue of the walnut and maple to be similar, then finished with a light coating of clear satin polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Walk-in Pantry Shelving

Submitted by Greystone1 on Sat, 11/18/2023 - 12:39

Built new shelving in our 6' x 6' pantry using red oak plywood shelving and 2" x 2" red oak corner shelf supports and red oak 1" x 2" trim. Used plans modified from Ana White site.

Pat Edwards, Ashland City, TN 

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Office Desk

This was my first project. I followed the plans exactly! I LOVE it! It is a perfect desk that I will be using to work through this remote teaching I'm having to do. Thank you for the plans. Next up-Rustic X Console!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood Conditioner, Stain, Polyurethane Top Coat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My First Project: Farmhouse Table

Submitted by jtundra05 on Fri, 05/08/2020 - 20:51

Hafa Adai everyone. This is my first real woodworking project. I followed the plans for the Truss Farmhouse Table almost exactly as written. One thing I felt it needed was more support for the 10" breadboard ends. I added spare pieces of 4x4 cut to 5" with an 80 degree angle at one end to each corner of the tabletop base. This made the breadboard ends feel very secure and well supported.

Since I didn't have a table saw to rip the tabletop panels for clean edges, I used wood putty (not wood filler) to fill in the gaps from the 2x10 panels after I secured them together. Tip: I saw someone use ratchet straps to hold the table top tightly together when securing with screws in the absence of long clamps. Worked great.

The only thing I would do different is choose a wood without the treated staple marks for the table top. But since its an outdoor table its not too bad a look. Overall, it was a great learning experience and a very fun project to build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used Varathane Worn Navy stain for the table top; 2 coats, then used Varathane oil based (semi-gloss) spar urethane to clear coat both tabletop and base. Also 2 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Boys Bunk Bed

Submitted by Colby032 on Fri, 04/18/2014 - 11:08

This was my first building project, made possible by finding this wonderful website. The beds were made from the Classic Bunk Beds plan. Several months later I added a slide made out of melamine board and 2x3s - very sturdy and somewhat overbuilt to compensate for not using any plans for the slide).

I used Minwax polyshades for the finish - my first time finishing wood, and let's just charitably say that I learned a few lessons in doing so.

The steps are a repurposed solid pine Ikea Trofast unit - it worked very well for the kids (4 and 2 when the bed was built). However, it wasn't a great choice for getting my wife and I up to the top bunk - one of the top panels eventually broke... leading to a big bruise for my wife and strict instructions that I quickly build a new, more solid staircase option - to be shown in a future brag post.

All in all, I am very thankful for this website and its plentiful plans - more brag posts to come!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax polyshades (don't remember which shade)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Red Oak Truss Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/14/2024 - 19:03

Used red oak lumber with ash grey rubio monocoat. The tabletop is 90"x40" and I made the base 64" long in order to place a chair at each end of the table.

Ashely Shook

 

Built from Plan(s)

House Number Planter from Cedar Fence Picket

Submitted by Juvlyne on Mon, 05/18/2020 - 07:30

Used Ana’s plans for this just made one modification, which was adding wire to the bottom so the plant can drain out. I also stained the fence picket before putting it together. The numbers were the most expensive part of this project they were ~$18. https://ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/house-numbers-vertical-plant…

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Oil based wood stain grey & Krylon Matte clear coat spray
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sofa

Submitted by DIY4Love on Mon, 04/28/2014 - 06:08

After looking at sofas in magazines and fliers, I decided I wanted to build one. For the quality (or lack of) at the price we could even dream of, it just didn't make sense to purchase one if I could build it. There are still a few little adjustments I may make as time goes on, but overall, I'm happy with the way it turned out! The pillows I made definitely added the finishing touch it needed!

It's a full 8 foot sofa designed with plenty of space underneath for storage! My plan was to build two wooden boxes on casters for the kids to use as toy boxes, but I think plastic totes will work just as well and much lighter and easier to clean! I drew up the dimensions and plans to fit what we wanted and went from there. The frame was the easiest part; took about a day. The cover and cushions on the other hand were quite a challenge. The sewing involved in this project was HUGE; took a little more than a week just for that. The pillows took an evening.

Thanks for checking out the project! Whatever you have in your heart, you can do!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I started using Canvas Drop-cloth for my upholstery projects after seeing a project that Ana did. That's what I used for this project; costing about $.54/yard instead of $7/yard (on sale) from a fabric store. I used about 90 yards of fabric total.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

mom of 4

Mon, 04/28/2014 - 09:07

I've sewn canvas drop cloth covers for an already made sofa, and you are absolutely right. It takes forever and it takes a TON of fabric! I am very impressed you built the sofa frame. How comfortable is it? What was your total cost including the foam, fabric, wood, everything?

DIY4Love

Tue, 04/29/2014 - 12:44

My total cost was about $400. I think it's pretty comfortable, though I do need to adjust the seat cushion a bit. It's stuffed harder on one end than the other. As for the foam, I used a memory foam mattress topper (4 inch) from Walmart (about $150) and then used poly-fil to give it some shape and extra cushion. If you've ever shopped for foam, you'll know the high-density stuff is RIDICULOUS! Hope that helps!

Rustic coffee table (simple version)

Corner accents are on order, but I'm happy with the thing as is. Went with colonial maple instead of golden oak and wow the thing pops. Put together was pretty easy for a beginner. I do recommend predrilling some of the edge/angle holes - the pressure treated wood can be unforgiving.

Great plan! Great table! Thanks!!

Lumber was $37. Screwes, glue, stain, etc cost extra, but those add up in your garage overtime - so, sunk costs. All in all, I spent about $60 and finished the project in less than 4 hours.

Estimated Cost
37
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Varathane-1-qt-Colonial-Maple-Premium-Fast-Dry-Interior-Wood-Stain-266261/203332270
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Outdoor Chairs with Backrest Modification

Submitted by GBev44 on Tue, 06/02/2020 - 08:16

My first crack at building outdoor furniture. I built two of the Modern Outdoor Chairs built with 2 x 4 and 2 x 6. The first one was a little rough, but the second one was much better. In order to accommodate the higher cushions and make the chairs more comfortable, I added piece 2 x 6 secured to a 2 x 2 to make a partial backrest.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
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