Community Brag Posts

Fancy Hall Tree

Submitted by pde00311 on Tue, 06/03/2014 - 08:57

The fancy tree hall fits perfectly across from the coat closet in our entry-way. For the most part, I followed Ana's plans except for the trim and molding. First, instead of using crown molding at the top, I used scrap wood to cut out decorative patterns with my jigsaw. I also cut some decorative crown molding and nailed it to the edges of the bench. Finally, I covered up exposed edges of plywood on the bottom cubbies with cheap molding. I followed the plans to install base molding at the bottom.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial stain with 3 coats of Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/05/2016 - 15:12

Farmhouse table and benches

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
early American 230 stain with semi-gloss white paint and clear semi-gloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Simple Outhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/18/2020 - 13:45

We used the plans from the Simple Outhouse to make a space to hold our porta potty. The door is a repurposed barn door and I think it looks amazing! These plans were perfect for us as we were able to build it in panels and reassemble on our property by the lake. Some screened windows to allow for ventilation and light were the finishing touches. Thanks Anna for the simple to follow plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 Canadian
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used pressure treated wood for the base and deck. For inside, we repurposed some scraps of composite decking. Painted with exterior latex "driftwood".

My Big Green Modern Porch Swing

Submitted by cbroughton on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 17:16

This is my version of the Large Modern Porch Swing. I did a couple of things different. I wanted a nice finish so I cut everything to length then did 3 coats of high gloss exterior paint. It feels pretty indestructible and I know it's covering all the surfaces well.

Since I painted everything ahead of time and I liked the finish I thought about the screws and nails and was able to assemble it using only screws and having none of them visible. I pocket drilled most of them, although without a jig so they're actually toenailed. The seat slats are screwed down with angle brackets underneath and the back slats screwed from the back side. That way there is no need for finishing nails or wood filler.

Other than that's it's pretty much to plan. The structure we have may have been for a swing at some point so I had a pipe to attach to. To be extra safe I doubled up the rope and used a pedigree cow hitch. It's very sturdy and if and one line breaks there is another piece as a backup.

I'm really happy with how it turned out. Out of all the porch swings I've seen this one best suits our style and taste.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150 for materials, hardware and paint
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
High Gloss Exterior Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

cbroughton

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 23:46

We're not exactly sure what it is it's hanging from, it was here when we got the place. I don't have a picture but it's just 2 6.5' pipes cemented into the ground and one 7' pipe joined to them at the top with elbows. It's probably overkill, I think you'd be OK with a well built wooden structure but it's what I had available.

Hoosierdoc

Mon, 04/27/2020 - 08:58

I am not a fan of those attachment point. I made the same swing and used those attachment points. When my son was sitting on the back and the dog jumped up it flipped over backwards. I moved the back attachment hook a few inches from the bottom of the back piece and it's much more stable.

Wood and Leather Sling Chair

Submitted by efmolly on Fri, 06/06/2014 - 10:55

Despite how it looks, this chair was actually pretty cheap and easy to build. The one caveat is that it really needs to be built from hardwood. The minimalist design of this chair requires the strength of solid hardwood. I don't think pine would cut it.

I started by building my angled legs. My chair is nice and lounge-y. If you don't like the relaxed, lounger style, you may want a slightly more shallow angle to your back. The total length of the back is 33". I wanted the leg portion to be 4" tall, so I first cut 2, 33" lengths. Then, measured 4", and cut at a 10-degree angle. I inverted the 2 pieces, and attached them together with glue, pocket holes, and screws.

Once I had my angled legs, I put together my back frame, front frame, and finally joined them together with the armrests and side supports. I used wood glue and countersunk, 3" screws at each joint.

To create the sling, I took two, 52" leather belts, and strung 19" wide slats, 1" apart. I attached the slats to the leather using a pop rivet gun. For this size chair, I used 17, 1.5" wide slats to create the sling. I then attached the sling to the frame using carriage bolts and nuts.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I primed the frame with black primer. Then sprayed a coat of Oil Rubbed Bronze by Rustoleum, Next, I layered a coat of metallic silver and distressed to allow some of the darker paint to show through. I sealed the whole thing with 3 coats of satin polyacrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

X rustic End table

Submitted by Joep_erez on Wed, 09/07/2016 - 01:01

Heres the X Rustic End table I made with Annas plans. I used 1x6's instead of 2x6's and added a middle shelve. Hope u like...

Estimated Cost
40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Espresso/ polyurithane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Greenhouse

I went from a 6 x 8 Harbor Freight Greenhouse to this one 10 x 12. I added a few windows...

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Garden Shed

Submitted by Deborah on Sat, 08/18/2012 - 23:01

I have been dreaming about building so many things featured on this website, and I finally buckled down and built something. I figured that an outside garden shed would be a bit more forgiving than a project requiring a bit more precision, and from the picture, you can see that it's not perfect! I'm still working on trimming the shingles and I still have to stain/seal it. I've got to admit, when I first picked up the wood for the project at the store, I wondered what I had gotten myself into. But I just jumped in, and here it is.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Plan to stain it with some sort of deck stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Changing Table

Submitted by velazquez3 on Mon, 06/09/2014 - 06:42

After building the Emerson console for our living room, and seeing how Ana modified the plans for a changing table, I decided to do the same. Although I eliminated one of the doors to make it fit our room a little better and also cut down on plywood costs, I'm VERY happy with how this turned out.

I also decided to use shaker style drawers and a shaker style cabinet door to give it a slightly more polished or modern look. Our baby is due in July and these drawers are already full of diapers and clothes!

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kilz primer on the bare wood, followed by Valspar Ultimate paint in Ultra White, and finally protected with Minwax water based polyurethane to prevent the white from yellowing. Lots of sanding to smooth out the painted surfaces and get rid of any runs/brush strokes/lap marks.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

velazquez3

Wed, 06/11/2014 - 12:28

Thank you for the kind words! I visit all of your sites daily so I appreciate the feedback

Leaning bathroom shelf

Submitted by Jill Marie on Fri, 09/09/2016 - 13:30

I saw this plan and immediately decided to make it!  My mom had been telling me for a while I needed a shelf in the bathroom she uses while visiting. She was coming the next day so decided I needed to hustle to surprise her. I left the lumber store at 8pm and finished painting the assembled shelves by 11pm. The next morning I moved shelves to the bathroom and when she arrived later that day she was so surprised!  She loved it! Thank you so much for the idea! 

Estimated Cost
$11 for lumber (I purchased 2 pieces 1-1x6 @ 8ft and 1-1x10 @ 8ft and cut to size). I already had nails, wood glue, and paint (you could purchase a sample size for $3 @Lowes and have enough for this project ).
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Scenic view colored paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Planter Boxes

Submitted by rendall28 on Mon, 06/22/2020 - 16:26

I followed the plan exactly including the suggestion of the fence paint (2 coats). This was a very easy build. It took much longer to paint than it did to build. These boxes are the perfect accent on our new patio/firepit.

Estimated Cost
$10/box for the wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Fence Stain (white) 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Laundry Sorter

I was tired of having my laundry piled on my garage floor. These plans were the perfect solution. It fits great in the small space I had next to my washer. And it was so easy. I was able to do it all by myself. My husband just had to catch the plywood for me when I ripped it. I was able to find the baskets on the plans at Target and used left over paint from my sons' playroom. My laundry is now always sorted, making it much easier and faster to clean.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Water based paint in eggshell finish. Since this was going to be in the garage I just used leftover paint. If it would have been used anywhere else, I would have used a semi-gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wine Cabinet - Made from jelly cupboard\pie safe plan

We used the plans from the jelly cabinet \pie safe and added a wine rack at the bottom and wine glass rack that the top! I love it! I get so many compliments on it.

Estimated Cost
$150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I wanted it to look rustic\antique so I used spray paint and regular paint. It was my first time doing something like this. I was pretty much just experimenting and it turned out perfect.. We are building one for my Mom next, I wait to see how it turns out!!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cute corner desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/11/2016 - 07:55

This 2x2 desk base was the perfect size for our 6' exchange student. He needed plenty of room width and length wise. We went with stain in Kona. More time was spent staining then building.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
It is the base for a corner desk
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Papa’s Treehouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 02:53

Have 3 granddaughters; 3, 2 and 6 months, so far 😉 Saw your treehouse video and made a modified version of your triangle platform using the trees I had available. Kinda went over the top a bit, but give you all the credit. Repurposed mostly old deck PT wood and rough hewn beams from neighbors.
Thanks!
Bill Magyar
Duluth GA

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
PT Wood patina and tea/vinegar aging solution on new.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Standing Console for Teaching

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/10/2024 - 07:48

I am a teacher and constantly bending over lower desks and I did not have a table to teach off of in the front of the room. So, I built one with Ana’s ideas of a console table with two shelves. I found a link to Kreg from her site and here was this table. I changed the height and width to give proper support of my back (counter hight) and a width that would hold a teacher book. I liked the A-Frame loom and had not built anything like this before, so I learned. I burned the wood for a fun mix of light and dark wood tones. My dad gave me some router bits and I used one to curve the edges of the top, ropy under frame, and shelves. That way all edges are curved for myself and students. I finished it with a coat of poly and a light sanding in between. Thank you Ana for the skills, confidence, and now a love for creating something useful and fun! My students and parents were shocked !! Plus it adds so much warmth to the classroom. Blessings, Jennifer

Outdoor Umbrella Stand

This was such and easy project. It went together in a few hours. The hardest (and most time consuming) part was finishing it. I detailed the build process on my blog if you'd like more info.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Craft Room Cupboards

My wife was wanting to get some cupboards and a hutch for her craft room that we were setting up. I looked to buy something but it was very hard to find anything the right size and combination. I was looking at different plans and I came across your site and was inspired to have a go myself. I used the plans for Patrick's Jelly Cupboard and also the Schoolhouse hutch.
I had to change some of it to get the right fit. It took a fair while to complete but I now have a very happy wife

Estimated Cost
$800 au
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Enamel Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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