Community Brag Posts

Our Rustic End Table

This was our first furniture project together. It was not as simple as we thought it would be, but we are very pleased with how it came out. We are planning on making the sofa table to match next!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jbayer80

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 14:46

Nice work!

Can I ask where you got the hardware for the edges? I plan on building this too once the time is right.

Court_Jared

Sat, 03/09/2013 - 09:52

Erik is exactly right...we just bought silver metal brackets and spray painted them black (it took two coats to cover them completely).

Kerplunk Game for Outdoors

Submitted by thediyplan on Thu, 03/18/2021 - 13:54

Here’s another fun game to play for all ages, especially for kids. It’s called a Kerplunk Game. The original Kerplunk game is small, made from plastic, and is mainly for indoor use. But to make it more interesting and to encourage kids to spend more time outdoors, I’ve built a Giant DIY Kerplunk Game with a wire mesh screen. This is a great backyard game for any occasion or a party.

See my website for additional pictures and how I've built it, TheDIYPlan.com

Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic X TV Console modified to 42" Dry Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/22/2017 - 08:34

My wonderful husband and father built this dry bar for me using the Rustice X TV console plans.  They modified plans to so it is 42" tall, 6-1/2' long, and shelving is wider and centered.  I love it.  Thank you for sharing your plans.

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and polyurethane finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Potting Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/11/2021 - 13:47

I slightly modified the project to suit my wife's request. One key note: Make sure the main frame pieces mirror each other. I missed that and had two identical pieces outlined in Step 1, versus where the inside aprons actually face each other to allow for the top and bottom rails to be secured to the frame.
Thompson's Clear stain protects the wood; one coat after cutting the pieces and a second one for good measure after assembly.

Estimated Cost
$50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

West Elm Inspired Upholstered Outdoor Sofa

My husband and I built this modern upholstered outdoor sofa for our back porch. As it was going outdoors we used treated lumber, a painters drop cloth (dyed with Rit dye), and coated deck screws. We are so proud of the way it came out! Please see my blog for more details on the build.

Estimated Cost
$300-350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

2x4's Deak

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/28/2017 - 19:36

I did an epoxy coating which took a few coats as I learned the hard way how to use it but I love the look!!  Did a custom gray and brown stain mix after sanding, weathering and conditioning the boards.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Epoxy topcoat and Rustoleum glossy white spray paint with primer for the bottom. Classic Gray & Kona stains mixed. Beat the top boards with nails, hammer, poked at it etc to make it look old. Sanded twice and conditioned. Painted the top with a cheap white paint then sanded lightly and stained.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

First build - started with a simple chair

Submitted by bsohl214 on Fri, 06/18/2021 - 05:19

Decided to start doing woodworking as a pandemic hobby. Given what happened with wood prices, I could have picked a. better time to start making sawdust. Quite happy with the outcome.

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

Comments

Console Table

Submitted by wangbw on Sun, 06/11/2017 - 15:32

Quick and easy to follow plans.  Only issue I ran into was that my miter saw only cuts up to a 50° angle.  I set up a jig to hold the 2x2 perpendicular to the saw and set the miter to 30°.  Viola, easy 60° angles!  Pic attached for reference.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Little Cottage Loft Bed - Revised :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/20/2017 - 08:05

My 2 grand girls wanted a cottage bunk bed.  Not wanting to disappoint, I took the plans from the cottage loft bed and modified them, adding a lower bunk.  I also added the steps, with storage on the side instead of the ladder, and made a drawer for the front step for the little one.

I made the wreath from Pom-Poms purchased from Jo-Ann's and battery operated string lights.  

I opted for a cedar shake roof, which was purchased from Home Depot, then painted.

Needless to say, they love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Maple T & G - left over from remodeling project
Additional wood and hardware - $275
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Painted using One of Pottery Barn's grays from Sherwin Williams
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Modern Loveseat and Couch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/26/2021 - 12:00

We were looking for outdoor furniture big enough for our whole family and friends but everything we looked at was over $5000 and really not well made. Ana to the rescue.
We built 2 loveseats and created a couch by doubling the dimensions.
We built the whole thing out of redwood so total wood was about $1000
The cushions were from Overstock and Lowes, approx $300.
There was a too much wiggle room with the cushions so we made a built-in frame to hold them in place. If we built another I would have cut the width down slightly.
We placed a 4X4 and another 2X4 on top of the back to provide more support.
All in all, love the way it turned out.

Seasonal And Holiday

Counter-Height Stool

Submitted by eralben on Tue, 03/24/2015 - 11:31

I made these stools to use with my counter-height dining table.  The only modification I made to the original plans were I did not use the diagonal support and I used 2x6s to make the seat for the stool.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Red Mahogany Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Stairs Landing Built-in Bench, Cabinet and Bookshelves

Submitted by anb80 on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 12:20

I designed and built this for our stairs landing.  I'm loving all the storage!    I used a patterned contact paper on the back of the bookshelves.

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

These ledges transformed an entire wall!

For Mother's Day this year, I decided to completely redo what we call our "front room" for my wife. Before the weekend, it was unorganized, colorless, and boring. We decided to start the project with new paint, which my wife picked out. I got some old windows from a thrift store, and we decided the ledges would flank one of those windows and we'd basically transform the entire wall.

The ledges were a blast to build (my wife even helped a bit!) and we're super happy with the way they came out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We just painted the ledges with a flat black. Nothing fancy at all!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Girl's Bedroom Makeover

Submitted by Anneke on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 21:38

First of all...I need to talk to my photographer sister (kaylajphoto.com) and learn how to take better photos! Our two girl's 3 and 5 share a room and I could not finish these beds fast enough!

They are higher because we have yet to build trundle or storage for underneath. I also made the little chair (just kind of winged it and modified as I went), and shelving that is by the footboard.

With a repurposed side table, new curtains, and a chandelier, I couldn't be happier with the end result! My next task is a cute vertical chalkboard piece above the table. :-)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300+ for everything
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Shaved edges of vertical wood panels before building!

1. Sanded and primed white

2. Medium Brown spray paint as a base coat

3. 2-3 coats of Heirloom White Spray paint

4. Distress with sand paper

5. Valspar mocha glaze (dry for 3-4 days)

6. Valspar opal pearlescent glaze (cure for 1 week)

7. 3 coats of lacquer clear gloss spray paint.

Bought hardware for the rails from www.Rockler.com for $12.99 and SO worth it!

Galvanized Steel Bed Rail Fasteners
NOW $13.59 @http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=11



Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Antique workbench console bar

Submitted by aem4v2000 on Fri, 04/24/2015 - 18:14

This project was much easier than I originally anticipated. Even cutting the legs at angles and sanding them down to appear curved was easier than I expected.  I also used early american stain by Minwax. I used only one coat though and in hindsight might have done two to make it a bit darker. I used Minwax clear paste wax (two coats) to achieve a low sheen and protective layer. I was able to find a toilet paper holder similar to the one Ana used at one of my local big box stores. I wasn't able to find anything else I liked better. 

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
less than $100 including the stain and towel bar holder
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American stain (one coat) and Minwax clear paste wax (two coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

outdoor sofa from reclaimed wood

Using Ana's plan as a guide, I built two of these sofas to fit an outdoor cushion I already had. I used wood from our old deck -- a great way to re-use and save money, too!

Estimated Cost
$110/sofa (lumber was free)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None, although eventually I will probably seal it with outdoor PolyWhey by Vermont Natural Coatings.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Charging Station

Submitted by Bradnag on Wed, 09/13/2017 - 05:20

I used the charging station plans as my first attempt at building something using pocket holes, and also my first real attempt at building any piece of furniture from scratch. I stuck pretty much to Ana's plans except for not cutting the front footer (I didn't own a jigsaw at the time) and using panes of frosted glass as the center of the doors.

 

As a piece of furniture it gets used every day, but it has been most invaluable to me as a learning experience. I've built many pieces of furniture in the time since I made the charging station, growing my skills each time. But this project was where I started, so it always feels a little extra special to me.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Premium Fast Dry Wood Stain, weathered gray
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Calico Critter house

Submitted by bobaina on Sun, 05/10/2015 - 12:21

My husband and I made this for our daughters' calico critters, which they received for Christmas. We wanted a house with few walls, so that all 3 girls could play simultaneously. We used Ana's dream dollhouse plan, but scaled it down to half the size. We also modified it slightly to fit what we needed.

This is just the perfect size for smaller toys like Littlest Pet Shop or other 3 to 4" tall toys.

This was our first build together and so it took us a while to do. For someone with a bit more experience, who also has all their materials and tools ready, this could be finished in 1 day or a weekend.

Estimated Cost
Aproximately $30 for the pine. This is for Canadian lumber. It may be less in the USA.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We used clear poly urethane for varnish. We painted the roof shingles (jumbo craft sticks) with acrylic craft paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

bobaina

Sun, 05/10/2015 - 13:06

Ana's roof shingles, which are cut scalloped strips, are a better way of doing the roof. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to fix each craft stick 'shingle' to the roof, and manage to keep each line straight. For a beginner, it's not easy. My advice is try Ana's method or you could also just make the roof from 2 solid pieces.

bobaina

Tue, 05/12/2015 - 03:17

thank you for this plan Ana. My girls love their critter house. It's getting lots of use and I'm determined to build more stuff for my girls. I'm so tired of spending money on flimsy plastic junk!

nrc261

Wed, 10/07/2015 - 14:07

This was the plan I was going to use for the Critter's line at Target. I didn't want to buy the plastic houses that they sale so decided to try and build one. How did you scale the dimension? Just by half all the way around? I am a confident beginner so I am not sure how to scale down dimensions. 

DIY Rustic Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/23/2017 - 10:09

Built by Wndy D Keever-Keefe

"This was my very first build ever. Totally inspired by Ana White, I happened upon her site one day about 4 years ago and have since built lots of her plans."

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Adirondack Chair

Submitted by Sylka on Mon, 11/08/2021 - 15:39

What a great project! Simple and relatively easy. Very stylish chair!

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday