Community Brag Posts

Walnut Console Table and Matching End Table

tryde console table with a twist... Added shelf above and below. Created a smaller version for a matching side table. Double layered top with staggered wood pattern. I receive compliments every time someone new comes over. Solid piece of furniture. Looks very expensive. 

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Valentine's gift for my wife

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/07/2017 - 22:09

My first woodworking project with the new miter saw my wife got me for Christmas. She was very happy with the results, and we're now receiving order requests :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$130.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Oxidizer using tea and steel wool/vinegar solution. Sealed with wax paste.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Potting benches

Submitted by chubbley on Sun, 12/27/2020 - 11:30

Two potting benches, one made from reclaimed wood and one from sawn timber. I was amazed how fabulous they turned out. Was really pleased with the end result

Classicly Stained Nesting Tables

Submitted by jwwilson24 on Sun, 02/03/2013 - 07:40

Working off of Ana's easy and classicly styled nesting table plan, we decided to go with a stain finish to match the furniture in our formal living room. Building the tables was quite easy and fast. The time was in the waiting for the stain to dry and be ready to apply multiple coats as needed. Staining obviously takes much longer to complete, but well worth the wait.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
65
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax Gel Stain - Cherrywood Base Coats and a Light Mahogany Top Coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Sideboard

We used the basic design of the salsa console and moved the drawers and doors to a design that we preferred for hiding our junk.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Several layers of stain until we got the look right
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Mimi's Faux Mantle

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/10/2017 - 04:40

Built this using the Anna White's "MIMI'S FAUX MANTLE" but instead of using crown molding I elected to use STONE TILES in a neutral tone and finished the surround and mantle in white giving the piece a nice soft appeal.  The building plans were easy to follow and took about 2 days to complete the whole process not to mention how reasonable the cost was.  I already had the tiles and adhesive from a left over bathroom mirror frame.

Estimated Cost
Cost was more than reasonable. I already had the tiles ,adhesive, and paint. Total cost was approximately $66.00.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Behr White Semi-Gloss Enamel paint from purchased from Home Depot (I had the paint from a previous project). Use any tile of your choice since these were left over tiles I had on hand. When tiling use an appropriate tile for the space and glue with tile adhesive. I let mine sit overnight and grouted it the next day using a sanded grout in Bone (purchased from Home Depot) #832.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Media Stand for My Mom

Submitted by bluesboy5 on Mon, 02/04/2013 - 11:24

Tv Stand for My mother for Christmas. Couldn't find untreated 4x4s so i used cedar. Found now after the project was done that Menards has untreated 4x4's, even Red Oak.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Pecan
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor bar grill surround with 2 post pergola

I wanted to build an L shaped outdoor bar with a 2 post pergola over the grill.  I couldn't find any plans online that would fit the space I had, so I decided to build it myself with custom dimensions.  The top bar is approx. 7'3" across, and 15" wide, while the distance from the right edge (next to the house) to the end of the bar is approx. 9'1".  

I framed it with PT lumber and the 2 pergola posts are sitting on top of the pavers and supported internally within some of the framing studs.  Since the pavers sit on top of concrete, I didn't feel the need to dig up the existing pavers and achor them in the ground.  

I used hardiboard for the exterior and tiled the lower section of the bar.

For the actual high bar top, I wanted to do something unique, and found a 900 year old scrap slab of Cypress at a local lumber yard.  One side was smooth, but underneath was gouged out from different saw cuts and very uneven.  I screwed a piece of 3/4" PT plywood underneath and trimmed it with 1-1/2" Cypress.  I stained the whole thing with a dark honey colored stain and put a generous amount of poly on it once it was dry.  There are a few cracks and nicks on it, but once it was stained, it looked awesome.  

Estimated Cost
I lost track after a while, but I would say $600-700.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax honey colored stain for the bar top. Minwax provincial stain for the pergola and minwax dark walnut stain for the oak trim.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Barbie doll house

Submitted by Betherrama on Sat, 01/02/2021 - 20:39

I made this dollhouse for my daughters birthday and made all of the furniture from scrap wood.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Dining Table

Submitted by Jen Edgley on Thu, 02/07/2013 - 05:32

This was the first attempt at building furniture for my husband and me...and we're thrilled with how it turned out! We had a table from Crate and Barrel that was not holding up at all (I convinced them to take it back after 1 year) and wanted to try to build our own. We used Ana's Farmhouse Dining Table original plan, and only shortened it to 64", but followed the rest exactly. We looked into getting oak or a more expensive wood for the table, but save your money and get the pine! After the polyurethane, it's harder and more durable than our C&B table!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
After building the table, I sanded it really well. I then applied wood conditioner, and Minwax "Sunbleached" oil-based stain for a greyish finish. The top of the table has one coat, the rest two (I liked how one coat allows the wood color to show through with the grain, among the grey of the stain). I sanded after the staining, then did two coats of satin polyurethane (sanding in between coats). I'm so happy with the color!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jelly Cupboard Armoire

Submitted by Fallmark18 on Fri, 12/12/2014 - 11:23

This is my first solo and most ambitious project. I only had some help with getting the doors hung. I combined my long-time love of machine embroidery and my new found love of woodworking to create the doors on this project and really make it something special. I'm going to be using this piece in place of a chest of drawers in my bedroom.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Cabernet and several coats of Rustoleum Interior Ultimate Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Fri, 12/12/2014 - 13:21

What an awesome project! Love the finish, and the design on the doors. How did you do the door panels? They're lovely!

Fallmark18

Fri, 12/12/2014 - 14:53

Thanks so much for the compliment! The door panels are made of replacement storm door screen. I used my embroidery/sewing machine to embroider the design onto the screen.

Fallmark18

Tue, 12/16/2014 - 09:25

I'm so glad people like it. Everything I know about building I've learned from your site!

Deck chair Build

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/13/2017 - 20:14

Dear Ana, 

I built this Deck chair as per the plans on your site. Super easy for amatuer beginners like me. Enjoyed making it. Thank a lot!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Yellow wood stain with Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Front porch planters

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/07/2021 - 20:21

Followed your plan but added extra 1 x 2 trim to the sides, feet made from 1 × 3 and 1x 3 trim around the top

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35 per planter
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Cedar Naturaltone Behr Waterproofing Wood Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Simple Changing Table

Submitted by mamahowell on Sat, 02/09/2013 - 06:50

I built this changing table for my friend's new baby. I had to stain all the individual pieces and assemble it at her house. It wouldn't fit assembled in my vehicle! :)

I also built her a stepstool as well.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshade Golden Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mudroom Bench Built-In

I wanted to revamp my mudroom and need some storage so I built a bench and designed it as a built-in.

 

Please check out my DIY blog:

http://www.woodworkingfourdummies.com/blog/2nd-post

 

thanks,

Ian

Estimated Cost
$150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White semi-gloss paint with a water based polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wiccan Altar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/16/2017 - 18:12

I took the plan from this and rather than have a two tone with paint, I stained the entire thing and used my wood burner to burn a pentacle in the top. My wife loves her altar.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Ana White inspired Wine Rack

Submitted by JameyD on Wed, 01/13/2021 - 10:24

I created this wine rack from an Ana White wine floor cabinet.

Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Golden Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Queen bed frame combo Farmhouse/Brookstone with Pecan/Expresso stain

Submitted by ejricemsw on Mon, 02/11/2013 - 16:38

This was a blast. Thanks so much for the plans Ana, as well as for all the comments after the plans, which help a lot too. I did a combo, and it worked wonderfully! I made a little more work for myself than I needed to, but for a first project, I feel proud of myself...and can't wait for my next project.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Pecan and Expresso Minwax double process
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

lissa91

Mon, 10/24/2016 - 12:31

I know this was a few years ago now but where are the plans for this, i love this bed and would like to make one for myself. thanks!

Ashley Makes: Clothesline Picture Frame

This was a quick weekend project.  I built two:  one for myself and another for a sister.  I really like this frame.  It's a neat way of displaying photos.  

You can check out my blog for more build details.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum's Early American with 2 coats of Minwax Poly Spray
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modern Toy Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/19/2017 - 14:32

I had a wonderful time making this toy box and learning new techniques. Having access to a table saw really made this project turn out awesome. I was able to get 1/4" shims made that allowed for easy, precise offsets. The family just loved it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
ProClassic white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate