Community Brag Posts

Work Bench

I'm new at this so I started with the work bench. SUPER easy. I built it by myself. Bought the wood around 8 AM and was DONE by 11. Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
not sure... a few 2x4's
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My First woodworking Project!

Submitted by minhnguyen on Mon, 06/08/2015 - 11:39

I really wanted to build something for our first home so 3 months after moving in (and 7-8 months pregnant) I started on our dining table. To fit our dining room, the measurements were modified to have a 7ft-table, with the bench just long enough to slide all the way under the table. The legs are made of 4x4s of Douglas Fir and everything else is pine. I also removed the stretchers underneath because I wanted to be able to have chairs on the ends. The table seats 8 people very comfortably. It took me a little longer than anticipated, since I couldn't do any of the lifting until my husband came home, and he stained it with 2 coats of Rustoleum Weathered Grey stain and 2 coats of poly (with my light sanding in between each coat).

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Weathered Grey Stain
Minwax Fast-Drying Semi-Gloss Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse table

This is a simple design that any can build. The only thing I added was the wooden nut and bolt on the bottom strecher. This allows the table to be taken apart.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Armoire

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 15:20

For Christmas made this to hold all her kitchen appliances. Still waiting to get it painted. Very close to being finished. As my second project that I have attempted, I found it quicker as I learned how to use some of the tools I acquired from the first project I did in May. Thanks for great ideas.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Vintage Step Stool

I was in need of a good footstool for my nursery rocker, and after not finding anything on Craigslist or in consignment shops, decided to build my own! I'm glad I chose this footstool, since it helps me reach the top of the closet in the nursery, and will also be useful when my little girl will need a boost to brush her teeth and wash her hands. I love the way it turned out, it's such a unique, adorable plan!

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
one thin coat of gloss white, weathered crackle medium, one thin coat of watered-down gloss red from the oops section. Sanded and sealed with 2 coats poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Benchright Dining Room table

Submitted by rdk529 on Wed, 06/26/2013 - 15:28

My daughter and I built this table from African Mahogany. We modified the Anna White Benchright Farm table to meet our size requirements. It was our first attempt at building a table. We took our time. We think it looks great.

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Helmsman spar urethane clear satin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

rdk529

Sat, 06/29/2013 - 08:13

Thank you, we live in the Chicagoland area. We purchased the wood from Owl Lumber. Owl Lumber has an excellent selection of hardwood. The wood comes in a variety of dimensional lumber sizes. The table top we made has several different widths, 1x5, 1x6 and 1x7.

rdk529

Sat, 06/29/2013 - 08:20

Thank you, we live in the Chicagoland area. We purchased the wood from Owl Lumber. Owl Lumber has a variety of hardwoods in dimensional sizes.

CoreyOrvold

Wed, 07/10/2013 - 14:22

Hello,

We love the look of your table. Can you let us know the size of the bolts you used for the table top? Also where you found them would be super! Thanks!

$235 Weatherly Pergola

This is the first time I've ever taken on a project of this scale. The pergola is 12 x 11, and I was able to get it all done for $235 by having Lowe's price match a lumber yard in the next town over. I skipped out on the fancy base covers because I'll eventually make those pretty with limestone stacking rock - and because the lumber for those alone would cost about $121.
Once the treated lumber seasons, I'll stain it a darker color.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$235
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Split Farhouse Table

Submitted by jgaedke on Wed, 01/03/2018 - 14:04

We have a smaller house and wanted a dining table as well as a table behind our couch.  So, we got the best of both worlds with this minor customization.  I simply split the two legs and tabletop in half, added additional feet, and built two supporting braces instead of one.  For an added touch, I welded tubes to steel angle iron to make a hinge-style locking mechanism with steel pins.  This locks both halves together (when using as a full table) and adds a little rustic black metal to the overall look.

 

For the tabletop, I cut the sides off the lumber to get the square look.  I then bent one tooth in my tablesaw and quickly cut the face of the lumber to give it a rough sawn look.  I then belt sanded it all to smooth out the really rough spots.  Then I shou sugi ban (burned) the top to burn off the splinters and make the grain really pop.  I added a little stain to smooth out the light spots.  Lastly, I put about 64oz of epoxy and lightly sanded with 0000 steelwool after it set. 

 

Please excuse the floor trim or lack therof.  I just installed the new floor and decided our table was the higher priority.  :P

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Hall Tree and House Number Plantr

Submitted by tpsully225 on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 17:52

Hi Ana, I recently made two of your posts. First, the 2”x4” hall tree and then the house number planter. We found some unique hooks at Hobby Lobby for the hall tree. This is great to keep the kids’ backpacks off of the floor. On the house number planter I stained it with Antique Beige, but is more gray than beige. I then put 3 coats of spar urethane on it to protect from the TX sun.

Comments

Lego Art Desk

Submitted by woodwc on Mon, 05/02/2011 - 21:10

We built this activity/lego/art desk. We added a Lego base plate under one side of the table top and a paper roll to the side. We also built two little benches that fit right under the desk. These pull out and hold two kids on each side.

Estimated Cost
50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Shoe Shrine Turned Plans Storage

I looked high and low for something to store the plans at my office. Everything was outrageously expensive. Then I came across this plan and it is perfect. I did make some modifications though. Took 4-hours to build (not counting the wood cutting, I had that done at Home Depot). Then it took another 4-hours to stain it. Overall, I am really excited to give it to my boss when she gets back from vacation (it's a surprise).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
latte colored minwax wood stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor sink

I made this sink from a sink that I saw on here one time and can't find now. Just improvised didn't follow a plan. I have it in my garage and plan to stain it and add some touchs soon.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Tbd
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Got R Done!

Submitted by rfcalloway on Sat, 01/06/2018 - 16:13

Thanks for the plan and the inspiration to do the job, it turned out great! Luckily, I didn't put the new bedding on yet, as the little ones needed some wrestling time.

Thanks!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer and paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse table with Leaves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/27/2021 - 06:02

I built this farmhouse table with leaves for my daughter. I wanted a farmhouse look but with a modern twist, and I also wanted breadboard ends that would pull out so she could insert leaves on each end to increase the size of the table for company. I used the plans for concept, and actually used the updated farmhouse table plans with pocket holes but couldn't find the plan link again for this post but made several modifications to achieve what I wanted. I planed all the lumber down to a true 1 inch for the top and also the trim to reduce the weight and chunky feel. I planed 4 x 4 untreated lumber for the legs to 2 1/2 inches and then tapered the bottoms as well to reduce weight and chunkiness and create a more modern feel. I built actual channels on the base for the extension bars which attach to the breadboard ends and I attached table aligners to the table, breadboard ends and the leaves so things would stay straight and even. I also glued together 2 x 4 and 2 x 3 pieces that had been planed down to a true 1 inch for the skirting and treated them as one piece when attaching to the legs so I didn't have so many screws going into the legs. I painted the base black with furniture paint and then put 2 coats of polyurethane over that and stained the top gray, then used a and 'wash' of watered down black paint over that and then 5 coats of polyurethane on the top. The table is 36 x 48 without the leaves and extends to 70 inches when both leaves are in place. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.

Comments

Cubby Bench and Storage Shelf w/ Hooks

Submitted by vpihoney on Thu, 05/05/2011 - 10:56

This was my first build! I first stumbled upon plans for the cubby bench while Googling storage options =)

I combined plans from the Perfect Cubby Bench and Entryway Storage Shelf with Coat Hooks. I made slight changes to the dimensions; most of them were intentional. Both are only 36" which is perfect for my small space which doubles as the back-door entryway and laundry room. It manages the abundance of clutter created by a two kids and my husband.

I have shopped and shopped for the perfect entryway solution for this small space. Never have I found one until I came across the plans on this website.

Thank you, Ana! You've given me an excuse to start building...I had all the tools...just needed the motivation =) Now I have a ton of plans to get me started!

From a stay-at-home mom only one year into the job, I have discovered a new sense of personal enjoyment! The crafting, cooking, etc. is great and all, but this is my kinda thing!

Estimated Cost
$60-70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Flint Smoke, Eggshell finish, by Home Depot. I used a primer first.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Texas Style Home Bar

Submitted by Jann Antos on Mon, 07/01/2013 - 21:50

This is our Texas Style Home Bar.

It is build out of 2x4s, 1x6s. The Base is 1,50m x 0,50m. The Top is 1,50m x 0,60m. It was build as a Tribute to the State of Texas where we lived the last 3.5 Years. The Base is made of 2x4s and some Edge Glued Boards. The Posts are also 2x4 and i routed a notch in there to fit the Boards. Problem was to rip the 45 Degree Boards so they fit the middel part. The Sides a Red with a White Stripe to look like a Barn Door. Top is made of Edge Glued Board. I made "Texas" Out of old License Plates and filled the Top with Epoxy Ressin Glaze Table Top. Was quite some work. I used Espresso Stain for the Dark Parts and White Wash for the other Parts. I also used China Red Stain for the Sides. The Dark and Red Parts are covert with shellack. All other with Polyurethane. The Top looks fantastc, and i had some old Beer Towels accomondate it. Most Problem where to made it with no plan. I sketched up what we wanted and start building from that. Difficult and Nerv wrecking. Had good help from my Family. I put casters to made it move better. The Glas Holder are made from T Molds. Bottle Holder are from scratch Material. Some decorate items are still missing but for now the Beer tastes Perfect from this Bar.

To be honest - this was my Second Big Project after the Farmhouse Table..

Thanks for commends!

Jann

Estimated Cost
500$
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Espeesso, White Wash, China Red. Shellac, Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

twin farmhouse storage bed

Submitted by DIYMomof4 on Tue, 01/09/2018 - 11:40

My daughter loves her new bed!  The plans were easy to follow and didn't take very long to build.  It took me about 2 weeks to finish.  I suggest measuring your mattress first and adjusting dimensions accordingly.  My daughter's mattress is a bit longer than usual, so I added about an inch to the length.  I added drawers to one side and left one side as open cubbies.  I also added a 2x4 base below the storage boxes for support.  Ana has plans for this in one of her kitchen cabinet plans.  I'm so glad I did, as I've already found 3 kids hiding on the cubby side, and one of them is 14!  I didn't run the 2x4 base all the way to the head/footboard, so it wouldn't show.  This changes the height where the storage boxes attach by 1/2 an inch.  The bed may suprise you at how high the mattress sits, but I think that is normal with a storage bed.  My daughter loves sleeping up high.  Thank you so much for this wonderful plan!  I love Ana's website and have learned so much!

Estimated Cost
$350-includes wood, paint, new comforter/sheets, hardware, and wall stickers
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Marque satin in the plain white you get off the shelf. I primed it first, but this probably wasn't necessary.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Jelly cupboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/27/2021 - 19:11

Made from Ana White `s plan. Thanks for the help.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Modified Version Of Tryde Coffee Table

Submitted by ddietz12 on Mon, 05/09/2011 - 09:45

This is my first project attempt from Ana's plans. I had to modify it greatly to fit my space accordingly. The room where it made its home only has a love seat and a recliner. The space also isn't that deep, so i made the table aprox 45" x 19" x 18" high. I also built a completely different top to this table as well. I felt this fit our personal style a little bit better. So being that this was my first project, it was a little more challenging due to all the measurements had to be changed. I wish that I could have just folloed Ana's plans to the tee, would have been a little easier. So after I assembled the basic frame, i assembled the top using pocket hole screws, glue and clamps. I used three coats of stain, with sanding between coats, two coats of clear Satin laqcuer and finished it off with a paste wax. Buffed the table with a cheesecloth and microfiber towel and then introduced my living space with a new, handmade table. My next builds should go a little quicker because I will follow the building plans exactly as they show. I hope you all like the table and look forward to hearing your comments on them, good or bad. Any suggestions to help me along the way would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking time out of your day to read this and again, I hope you enjoyed my first real, finished furniture piece.

Dennis

Check out all pics from this project in my Google Web Album by clicking on the blog link

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around $150.00. That included materials and some new tools(sander, clamps, pocket hole jig)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
2 coats of Dark Oak stain, 2 coats of clear satin lacquer and wood paste wax for finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

bar stool

Submitted by Kris60 on Fri, 07/05/2013 - 18:12

Our Vintage bar stools that are not complete yet.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
n/a
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tall trellis from coat tree plans

Submitted by bar1812 on Thu, 06/25/2015 - 18:38

I could not find a big enough, awesome enough trellis in stores, so I built my own out of cull lumber [the stuff on super-clearance no one else wants] for about $12 and a left-over post pocket. Thanks for the inspiration!!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
ebony stain and spar varnish to hold up to the elements
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments