Community Brag Posts

Basement Storage from 2x4s!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/02/2019 - 15:12

I am so happy with how this shelving unit turned out! I adapted Ana's plans to the size of our closet space - the shelves are actually 33" deep. One side of the wall is studs, which is how I secured the unit. Now we can put away all of our Christmas decorations! 

 

This might be my proudest build to date...crazy since it's just a closet shelving unit :D

 

 

 

 

Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
no finish needed.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White

Fri, 01/04/2019 - 13:32

This is perfect for your space!  I know how that is, sometimes a simple project can be the best!  Thank you so much for sharing a photo and using our plans.  We appreciate you! Ana

Doll Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by spiceylg on Sun, 08/21/2011 - 12:42

One of my first projects and first attempt at sewing since 7th grade!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
It's been a while since I completed this but I first primed and then spray painted the finish. I believe it was called Heirloom White. I use lengthier guestimated times to include sanding, painting and drying times.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple, Cheap and Easy Console Table

Submitted by REASMOM on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 17:37

I used Ana's plans for the Simple, Cheap and Easy Console Table and modified it. I used 1x4 boards for the top of my table and added a bottom shelf using 1x3s. The top is stained with Minwax Early American and the bottom of the table has 2 coats of red paint and a chocolate glaze. I lightly sanded some areas of the table (it was my first time distressing a piece of furniture so I didn't want to overdo it) and then I used a chocolate glaze to get a distressed look. I finished it with 3 coats of Polyurethane.

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

Farmhouse Table with Reclaimed Lumber Top

We found this beautifully chippy lumber on the side of the road and snagged it knowing it would make a perfect table top someday.  When I decided to build a table for our back patio makeover, I knew exactly what I had to make the top out of.  

This was my very first build and the pocket hole plans made it so much easier than I thought it would be!  I built the top first then modified the cut list dimensions based on the top.  I also flipped the ends around so the braces would show on the inside instead of the outside.  

I seriously can't get enough of the top, it's so pretty and I don't have to worry about it at all since it's already wonderfully rustic.  The table fits six chairs perfectly.  We are looking forward to having many evenings around this table with family and friends!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
On the base, I applied two coats of Sherwin-Williams' SuperDeck solid stain in "Caribou" then sealed it with Minwax Spar Urethane clear satin with a sprayer.

For the top, I sealed the underside with Thompson's Water Seal clear waterproofer, and have plans to seal the top with Miss Mustard Seed's Tough Coat Sealer (http://missmustardseed.com/2015/09/cleaning-sealing-chipping-antique-pieces/)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Easy plan

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/06/2019 - 10:58

Easy plan to build. Used scrap 3/4" maple plywood for lower shelf instead of 1x12. Finished top with Minwax Gel Stain in Coffee color and top coat with Minwax matte poly. Painted bottom with primer and 2 coats of SW ProClassic in Soji White. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mini wax Gel Stain and SW Proclassic
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Small Kentwood Bookshelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/09/2022 - 15:15

Made from pine with Special Walnut for the stain. I didn't need a tall bookshelf, so I modified a little. Thank you Ana!

Comments

Spa Bench

Submitted by jont on Tue, 08/23/2011 - 20:16

First project. Followed the plans exactly. Since it was my first project I used furring strips to save money. It still ended up costing me a bit for some extra tools (counter sink drill bits, wood filler, sanding paper). Used a cream color water based paint for the base coat followed by a very light coat of bright blue on top. I sanded it to the desired distressed look I wanted then sealed it with a clear coat.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Corner TV Stand

Submitted by mtr146 on Mon, 09/16/2013 - 12:57

edited the plans a little bit because the original plans were too tall. my cabinet is only 36 inches high. I did the inlet doors but if I had to do it over again i would ABSOLUTELY do overlay doors to cover up any imperfections in the opening. this project is a little bulky to move around and therefore get the shelves level, at least it was for me.

Also, I cut the back two inch strips to fit more snuggly. I ripped one piece at a 45 so it fit more flush against the other 1X2 on the back. This cut around the back of the shelves better in my opinion but isn't necessary.

I chose to do a similar paint treatment. i sprayed on a nice dark grey with my wagner 590 sprayer and then did a white wash with a big 4inch brush and just brushing on liberally (and mostly dry)

GREAT Project and fits the space very well. THANK YOU!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
BEHR Dark Ask with a white wash of just 50/50 water and white satin paint I had laying around. I sprayed the Dark ASH on everywhere, but then did the white wash on the outside portion (not the inside shelves)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Crib for baby Marcus

A new crib for a new baby. The foot and head board can be attached with the side rails to put together a full sized bed. In theory,  this should be the only bed they need for their little dude with just  a few additions (new footboard). 

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Min wax classic oak and tung oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Handmade by Tessa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/10/2019 - 18:22

Reclaimed wood headboard. Cost: $100. Time: 4 hours. 

Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modified Cube Bookshelf

Submitted by liquidzoo on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 11:24

After building one 6 Cube Bookshelf (http://ana-white.com/2010/07/well-i-did-promise-you-i-would-work-on.html) so my wife would have somewhere to store toys for the kids, I decided to modify the plan to use in our bedroom.

I chose to put doors on it, and learned quite a bit. Rather than 6 standard cubes, I went with a single divider on each shelf. The back and the doors are both made from some Bead Board trim packages that I found for about $12 at my local big-box.

I added a 16" wide board on the top to create the look I wanted.

I also want to note that when you're working alone, some right-angle clamps are lifesavers! Makes it a lot easier to keep square and hold things together while you drill and screw everything together.

I chose some hardware that came close to what we already had in our bedroom. The hinges took me 4 different trips to get right (first was wrong type (did not want self-closing), second was wrong depth, third was wrong color).

Overall I'm very happy with it and so is my wife. We replaced a piece of furniture that was twice as wide and it's amazing how nice it is to not have to walk around it when walking through our bedroom.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Top, door panels and back were stained using a satin cherry finish. Trim and main body was painted using an enamel black paint (1 coat is all it took with the enamel paint, Glidden Onyx Black using a Behr Enamel base)

After everything was dry and prior to assembly everything received 2 coats of Satin polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Storage/Coffee Table

Submitted by bvescovi on Wed, 09/18/2013 - 09:57

I am redesigning my family, which is really the children's playroom. I have decided to change it to a beach theme. I saw the project on this site and knew immediately it would be a perfect fit as a storage/coffee table. Within 5 minutes of me completing the box, my three year old started filling it up with toys.

I have to admit it is slightly tall for a coffee table, so I'm debating cutting off the legs. It would be easy enough to do without taking the entire project apart and it would make it the perfect height.

I did have to plan my build around my work schedule and the kids, so I did what Ana suggested and built a panel a day. I cut all the wood one day, then built a panel a day. The last day, I started putting the pieces together, put the bottom boards in and made the top.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
So far I have not finished the project. I haven't decided if I want to leave it and just Poly it or stain it with either sunbleached or weathered stain. It is a beach theme so either color stain would be great.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Re-purposed Piano Coffee Table

I inherited the guts of a piano, and just had to make them into something funtional.  I am a musician, and these piano hammers were great inspiration for my next build.  I made a box out of 2x8s, braced them with 4x4's (which also added height) and attached some metal 2 1/2 in casters.  I set the hammers inside the box, and topped it off with plexiglass.  A functional work of art to be enjoyed for generations!  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Essential Wood Outdoor Chair Frame for Standard Chair Cushion

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/05/2022 - 14:11

Beginner here and I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I played with the angle of the back and finally perfected it on chair three and four. I put the last bottom slat a little closer to the front to create more of a back angle. I also added a third back support position of the bottom slats are essential for comfort so you’re not sitting on a slat. My cushions need to be a bit thicker because you can definitely feel it. Overall, I enjoyed this project. Longest part was making all the cuts, and then painting because I use the sprayer and had to clean it. Thanks Anna!

Comments

Numbered cubbies

Submitted by Kimberly W on Tue, 08/30/2011 - 09:49

I was so excited when I saw the plans for this and knew I had to make it. I love the way the wood looks with the numbers stained. It only took a couple of hours to get it exactly as I wanted. My kids love that they now have a place for all their crayons and school supplies.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

double pedestal table

Submitted by Binda B on Fri, 09/20/2013 - 09:26

I think the hardest part of making this table was making it square. I think a tutorial video would be very beneficial. Took me a while to make due to life priorities, but it is finally done! Kids have already taken it over! My favorite part is letting them draw on it and make it theirs. Will be fun in the future to look back. We also wrote the date on it. I do think clamping is a must. I didn't do that at first and ended up taking the top apart and redueing it with clamps and glue.

I didn't want cracks that food could get into, and those 2x4's are rounded. So I ran those boards through a table saw to make sure they are flush with the 1x6's.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150.00 for everything. the 1x6's were a higher quality pine. the rest was the cheaper pine.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Wood conditioner, american walnut by rustoleum, 4 coats of minwax semi gloss polyurethane. LOTS of sanding was done on the top of this table. Including steel wool.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Truss 4x4 Dining Table

Submitted by SiaTanner on Fri, 11/27/2015 - 11:25

I somewhat followed the general context of the plans for the bottom, but I added bracing and general durability changes to the plans. As the original builder did not take thought into the event of moving/ un- assembling, warping, expansion or durability. I used kiln douglas fir  (4x4, and 2x4) and kiln dried pine bread board tops. All bracing joints were predrilled and then screwed in with 4.5 or 2 inch screws, as a kreg jig joint should not have stress- I want this table to withstand someone leaning or in the instance sitting on the tabe to be safe- a 1/2-1.5 kreg screw would not work. I also changed the bread board to a 1x10- as most of the 2x10 at the stores were warped or chemically treated. Underneath we added bracing with an additional 2 2x4 beams, with cross beams in the middle to prevent sress. We opted not to have breadboards, as I did not want to mortise or tenon joint the ends. We followed close to the plans- but inforced stronger bracing to withstand weight applied to the table and easy dissasembly. :)

My cost was a little higher - but I did not want chemically treated pieces or warping. There was additional cost in 4.5 inch screws, and brackets but under 50 dollars. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Wood: 197
Brackets: 32
Screws: 12 (Already has 2inch)
Bluing Agent: 5 (already had)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sand 120 grit, then 260. Vinegar wash to 'condition' the wood for absorption to prevent spotting/bleeding. 50/50 Mixture of Dark Walnut and Special Walnut. Hardware was Zinc Coated- sanded and vinegar washed- final coat was bluing.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Aged turquoise

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/19/2019 - 09:09

Aged rustic turquoise 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
To be auctioned
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cabin Bed

Submitted by coskam14 on Fri, 11/18/2022 - 17:29

Cabin Bed for toddler. Alternate take on the Jen Woodhouse bed. Built to fit the space

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Book Nook Tent

I loved this plan as soon as I saw it. The only modification I made was I used a 4x16 8oz drop cloth up on over the center instead of curtains or fabric and painted the wood with orange gloss spray paint. The kids love it. I think we may make come doors and ties to make it cozier but they love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Multi-Purpose Paint Spray in Real Orange
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Anna Lawrence (not verified)

Mon, 09/05/2011 - 13:05

I think I am in love with the look of the drop cloth and spray paint. :)

What a fabulous replacement for the curtains... I know at our HD or L a huge cloth is $8 or $9 bucks, so that's a really economical choice.

Guest (not verified)

Wed, 09/28/2011 - 13:44

I love your tent! I am thinking of making one but want to get an idea of the area it will take up. Can you tell me how much space (l, w, h) it takes when assembled? Thanks!

CraigCaggiano (not verified)

Sat, 02/11/2012 - 08:21

If you want to make one to sell let me know!