Community Brag Posts

Altered Apothecary Media Console

Submitted by vlilly on Sat, 04/12/2014 - 08:34

I had the wood to make this for about 2 weeks. Started on Tuesday and finished Thursday evening! I wanted the look to be different from the Apothecary look so I made the doors a little different!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained all wood with Rustoleum "Carrington" stain, then painted over the bottom part with Rustoleum "Heirloom White" Spray paint. Distressed through the white so the dark stain could peek through.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jeanniemn

Mon, 04/14/2014 - 17:16

I love this! I just finished putting the frame together but wasn't loving the original door look. Can you tell me how you did the beadboard doors? And what hinges? Thanks!

vlilly

Sat, 04/19/2014 - 08:02

Sure! I just bought a 4'x8' sheet of beadboard from Lowes. I have about half left over. They sometimes have half sheets but didn't when I went. I had them to rough cut it into 20" strips to fit in my car. It came white but I painted over it with Rustoleum Heirloom White spray paint. I bought 2 12ft boards for the frames, I think they were 1/2"x2".. only around $8 per piece and they are stocked vertically at lowes near the beadboard (at the store near me at least!) I cut the beadboard at home and then cut the frame board to fit. I used glue and a brad nailer with 5/8" nails to attach them to the beadboard. My doors had to overlap the plywood since I had the extra shelf that was flush with the rest of the cabinet.. I couldn't inset my doors like she did at Shanty-2-Chic. I bought the same hinges she used, the brand is Liberty and I found them at Home Depot. $5 something for a 2 pack. They are awesome! The doors aren't heavy duty but we didn't need them to be. You could always add a layer of MDF or Lauan if you wanted them to be more sturdy!

I hope this helps.. I'll be glad to answer more questions!

jeanniemn

Thu, 05/01/2014 - 18:28

Thanks!! We are almost done but are stumped by the hinges (I bought the Liberty ones too). Any tips on those? I think we are just over-thinking it, it can't be that hard!!

jeanniemn

Thu, 05/01/2014 - 18:42

Thanks!! We are almost done but are stumped by the hinges (I bought the Liberty ones too). Any tips on those? I think we are just over-thinking it, it can't be that hard!!

pde00311

Fri, 05/02/2014 - 06:53

...has completely stumped me before, and buying the wrong type has halted one of my first projects. Make sure you pick the right hinge for how you want your doors to align. From my experience, HD sells mostly "overlay" and "3/8 offset" hinges, with a small selection of "inset" hinges. These links are to a different hinge manufacturers, but the little pictures/explanations have helped me figure out what type of hinge I need to buy:

http://www.rockler.com/how-to/understanding-hinges

http://www.menards.com/main/store/20090519001/items/media/Millwork/Belw…

(and vlilly, I love the distressed finish on the console above).

Family friendly table

I made this table in one weekend by myself. The plans were very simple. I made the benches to go along with it, at the same time. My family has enjoyed many meals so far at this table. I used Danish wood oil in black walnut and a couple coats of polycyclic. I made it a few months ago, and it is super sturdy. So happy with how it turned out- thanks Ana for a great plan

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black walnut danish wood oil

Ultimate Shoe Cabinet

Submitted by CherylMack on Sun, 06/24/2012 - 21:34

This was our very first project made from the plan Shoe Shrine Shelves submitted by Anna White with a few variations. The middle, short cabinet was made from left over pieces using the same dimensions as the taller shelves. The width was determined using the mirror dimensions. The mirror was my husbands genius idea! It was an old mirror just sitting around in our garage, he sanded it down, primed with Kilz and painted Antique White to match. He also suggested the trim stripes on the front (painted Pure Black for contrast) to give the cabinet some unique character! This piece can really be designed many different ways to suit your specific needs. I LOVE it and can't wait for our next project! Thanks so very much Anna!!!

Estimated Cost
$450-500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique White (overall)
Pure Black (accent pieces)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

shanemoma

Thu, 06/28/2012 - 16:14

Wow...this is totally amazing. This is definitely going on my list of projects!! Great job.

truss shelf/bookcase

Submitted by mritek77 on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 22:34

This was a pretty simple project as long as you make accurate cuts. Making accurately angled cut allows for tight joint also love the pocket screws. I did add a top brace for stability, seemed a little unstable without them. I pocket screwed them on from the backside, so they can't be seen from front. Than went with a two tone paint/stain.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Alex's Toy Storage

Submitted by bobrombach on Tue, 07/12/2016 - 08:55

Super fun, and easy, to build this toy storage bin from Ana's plan. I took your advice, Ana, and made the top rail a little taller than a 1x4 and it's working great! I also used a prefinished (white) wainscotting panel for the back. I really like the way that turned out.

I bought the prefinished (white) letters at Hobby Lobby. 

This bin is a fun, and functional, addition to our home.

Thanks again for the great resources, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Gloss paint and high gloss acrylic finish. Tip - don't apply finish in high humidity! Yuck... took forever to dry.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cake table for wedding.

Submitted by sherrik on Wed, 05/06/2020 - 21:23

I had seen this and contemplated making it several times. When my daughter got engaged and we planned an on farm wedding, I knew this would be the perfect cake table. My niece helped me with the build. The stain and milk paint finish on the legs worked perfectly and crackled and chipped as desired. Only thing I didn’t like was the the silicone to fill the cracks didn’t last well. Boards were picked out of the pile at Menards. It still looks great two years later and my daughter bought a bigger house so she now has room for it in her dining area.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Table base was gel stain with 2 coats milk paint over the top of stain

Tabletop was liquid stain followed by three coats poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bathroom Storage Wall Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/31/2023 - 13:35

Martina Bath Wall Storage
I proudly made this for my wife for Christmas 🎅🏻. She has been asking for something above the toilet. I enjoyed making the curved pieces on the sides. With the left over coping, I added a piece below the shelf. The most challenging part was squaring everything up. This was my first project like this so I definitely learned a lot along the way. Picking stains is an art upon itself.

Rob Shannon

Rustic Head Board

My wife wanted to get a new rustic style head board in the Pottery Barn style. Thanks to your site and plans I saved around $800. My wife even made a comparison picture with my head board and two from Pottery Barn. This was my fist major project and ever since I built this, people just come to me with ideas of things to build. Now she wants a matching foot board. I love your site and it's the first place I look anytime I have a project in mind.

Estimated Cost
$80 - $100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique walnut stain with a semi gloss polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Debi_G (not verified)

Sun, 07/01/2012 - 06:37

Looks great! The comparison picture is fantastic. I made this headboard last summer and we love it too.

Inspired by the Homemaker

Submitted by mariog2912 on Thu, 04/17/2014 - 05:33

I was inspired to try woodworking after seeing plans for this toybox. After that, my imagination is running wild with projects. I've added a few other pics of projects that I've finished. Thanks, Ana. Just wanted you to know that you continue to inspire!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
MinWax Golden Stain, 4 coats of water-based Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

rosejr

Thu, 06/12/2014 - 08:13

Looks great. What type of wood did you use for the top? Project panel per the plan? I am getting ready to build this toy box and would like to stain mine, but have concerns about staining project panel.

$18 Star Shaped Clothes Drying Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/15/2016 - 19:54

Make a beautiful star shaped clothes drying rack that magically expands, using very simple tools and materials! Detailed tutorial and free building plans.

Estimated Cost
$18
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Poolside Hightop Deck Chair

I have used so many of Ana's plans, I decided to design my own chair! I wanted a high top patio style chair that the back was angled and had a footrest. This is perfect for my outdoor patio. I think I need to update the plan already to include a cup holder! Appreciate any feedback or comments.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Custom Step Stool

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/03/2024 - 08:40

I’m going to make a step stool for the son of good friends in Florida. The design I liked had dovetail joints, which I’ve never cut before. So I made this stool for my wife as a prototype. Walnut sides with Cherry for the steps. 12.5” front to back, 14” tall, and just about a foot side to side.

Mark Johnson

A-Frame Chicken Coop (with modifications)

Submitted by anniejw17 on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 18:39

We followed the plans for the A-frame chicken coop very closely, and then modified it a bit at the end.

1. Trim was added to two doors on each side, as suggested. They are secured with latches at the top, more to keep them from falling open than to keep critters from getting in. We used 2x4x10's instead of 2x4x8's on the middle horizontal rail, giving us foot-long handles on each side. My husband and I are able to move the coop about 15 feet at a time, which is pretty good considering it is STURDY!

2. We used 1/2" galvanized hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, as suggested by one commenter (and lots of others in blogland).

3. I cut 1/4" plywood to fit the loft space and coated it with vinyl stick-on tile. This should make it easier to clean. We didn't screw down the plywood, so if we have to, we can remove it to hose it off/scrub it.

4. I cut a triangle of plywood to make an egg door at the end of the roost. It hinges at the bottom (with a 2x4 ripped into a 1x4 to cover the hardware cloth and provide a mounting spot for hinges) and latches at the top. I plan to use cotter pins or something to secure the latch. There is also a piece of untreated 1x4 held in place with tabs at the egg door to prevent bedding from falling out once it's converted to the nesting box (I'm planning to get pullets, not ready to lay yet, so they won't even have a tempting nest box)

5. There was no bottom door in the plans (to allow free-ranging), so I cut a piece of 2x4 to make a triangle against the bottom (same size as the egg door). It folds out (just like the egg door) and will allow the chickens easy access to the yard. We do have hawks in our neighborhood so free time will always be supervised. We also have a dog (who I coaxed into the coop for the main picture, haha!) who will need supervising. She's been around chickens before but you never know what will make her turn on them!

6. There was also no roost in the plans (although if you look at Ana's coop, there is a 2x4 across the middle of the side walls). I had a leftover closet rod, so I mounted that in the covered section parallel to the ladder. The ladder was shifted to the side. For the ladder, I just used a piece of cedar fencing and cut 2 48" dowels into 4 pieces each, and secured those with screws from the underside. I hope my chickens will be able to get up the ladder!

7. I also made a tube feeder from PVC and a dog bowl, and am working on a nipple waterer. Will update post when those are finished!

Now I just have to get some hens! I've been searching craigslist and can't wait!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished except for plywood floor (vinyl stick-on tile) and plywood doors (white exterior acrylic paint)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Awesome entryway bench!

Submitted by FongerB on Fri, 04/18/2014 - 20:45

My second project ever (was feeling brave taking on drawers)!!
I made 2 drawers from the plan and intend on building an upright attachment.
The bench is VERY sturdy and the drawer space is incredible. I managed to fit almost all my sporting gear in one and my board games in the other.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore High Gloss Wood Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Loft Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/18/2016 - 10:33

I took the junior hight bed and made it 75 inches tall (floor to top of bed). I also reduced the side measurements by 3 1/2 inches so that it fit an IKEA twin mattress and added some 1x2 boards on the front for looks and support of the safety rail. I used a slatted base of 1x4 boards. These adjustments were to make the bed fit our room and mattress. I didn't do the platform stairs as we had no space for it. I added height so that I can walk under the bed and so that I could put a nursery under. Our space is a tiny 8x9 foot bedroom. I plan on making this a bunk bed as the baby grows. The big sister is in love with her new bed. Thanks for the plans ANA!! Oh, and the color I chose for the bed is Theresa's Green by farrow and ball. Color can be matched in both Lowes and home depot. Total cost for me was $82 for everything.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint, Theresa's Green by Farrow & Ball
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our garden enclosure!

We decided that we wanted a raised garden and found the plans here on Ana's site that we really liked. The plans were really easy to follow and it only took about a day and half for our kids and myself to build for my wife. Only issue I had was the door... that is getting it square but I figured it our later after looking at it long enough. The two 2 x 4's the door sits in between were not level. So I have got to adjust them and the door in the coming days to correct it. Other than that we absolutely love it! Thank you for providing the plans to all these projects. This is the second thing that I have made from this site. I will be making another post later on regarding the other project! I might add I have never done anything like this ever and honestly I think it turned out great :-)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

woodworking bench

Submitted by jcengel on Thu, 07/05/2012 - 21:17

Used the sturdy work bench plans for the base. The base is 60" x 20". The top is 6'x2'. I wanted 2" overhang all around to accomodate clamping. I used 3/4" oak plywood for the benchtop. It's stacked as follows, oak plywood, 3/4" mdf x 2, oak plywood for a massive 3" thick top. I used pocket holes to join the legs and on a few of the other joints including to attach the top. The benchtop layers are screwed together with 2.5" wood screws with countersinks for the heads. I would have put a full shelf in but that's the piece of wood I had so I used it. I bought the 7" undermount woodworkers vise online for around $70. It's mounted with 2.5" lag screws and washers. I did not use exact 2x4's for the base, I used the standard 2x4's (which are actually 1.5" by 3.5"). The bench is pretty sturdy as is but with the massive top/vise and not using standard 2x4's it is not as solid as I would like. It's fine for now but eventually I going to install some threaded rods through the legs length and width to pull it together rock solid. I put some tung oil on the top and later i'll put some wax paste over that. I'm going to seal the edges with shellac or maybe just leave as is. Eventually put some bench dog holes in the top for my vise. I did this all with a cordless drill/bits, kreg jig, circular saw with homemade fence, rulers, squares, random orbit sander etc. Took about two weeks time, working mostly on weekends. The bench alone is around $130, all bought from a "big box" store. Be ready to spend more $$ on tools if you don't have them. This is my 2nd project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
tung oil
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

modified garden farmhouse table

Submitted by JennyInGex on Tue, 04/22/2014 - 03:24

I put an ad in a local classifieds for free wood. Got some heavy oak beams I had local carpenter saw to make the leg posts. The top boards are construction scaffolding boards. All will be sanded and stained some more, top boards sanded and varnished, bottom boards and posts stained and some holes filled w epoxy and it is good to go.
This was a really fun project. We stood on top of the boards to make them bend down when screwing them in from the top as well as bottom, as the middle board is cracked and bent. I love the table as it is now but it will look even better when the boards are even more worn and grey from the elements. Thank you Ana White!!!!!!!! we can't wait for a book of yours' to come out for a European audience, as we Europeans have a hell of a hard time to convert the measurements! This means we improvise a lot. The tables in your book help, but the local wood we buy in many different countries and stores.. have different measurements!!!!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We don't have minwax here so it is a French company called Liberon I think
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

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