Community Brag Posts

Do not test the seating until all table is comlete (humor at my expense)

Fun build. Thanks Ana. I made the mistake of installing one set of seat boards and testing the strength. I weigh over 300lbs. No harm no foul but you can probably figure out the rest. On my backside soon after.

Looking forward to building my next 2 without this mishap.

Jim

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
behr stain mentioned in plans and spar urethane poly exterior by minwax

Comments

Apothecary Console

Submitted by bhanabh on Sat, 03/30/2013 - 21:09

My Apothecary Console

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Latex Paint for MDF , color - antique white, cherry colored wood Stain and gloss for pine.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Thanks Sausha!

This was very easy to do. The hardest part was creating the miter edges for the trim and having them line up nicely. I would consider the trim a must, I just felt it made the project look finished. I had a difficult time finding *cute* baskets to fit underneath... It measures 10" and will fit a standard laundry basket but I was going for a different look. I picked these up on sale at office max, not exactly what they were intended for but they work great and keep the laundry room nice and tidy. Happy building!!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded and primed and used an espresso paint to finish. I don't have the exact paint color but it was Behr custom in satin enamel. It would be easy to find at home depot. It's on the end cap :)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Truss beam table and benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/11/2017 - 10:39

We added Ana's truss beam base to an already-existing table top that we had DIY'd years ago (our very first project!). We made the benches per her plans as well and now we all just love it! The whole thing is big, sturdy and beautiful. The only thing we didn't do were those two pretty beams that come down in the center - my hubby liked how simple it looked without it :) Loved this project! (And love how my three kids crawl all over it! Memories!)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Dark Walnut stain and then a weather proofing varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bella's Backyard

Submitted by ebuffy99 on Tue, 04/02/2013 - 14:48

My first project ever was the red picnic table about a year ago and have built many more as housewarming/kid's bday gifts. This Christmas, instead of buying my daughter more toys, I decided to build her a playhouse. Not only was it a very special gift for her but also freed up space in my house being able to put her play kitchen, table, and other toys in it. The small changes we made were the size of the deck to better fit our available space and the shutters (made out of scrap 1x2s and hinged to close with a hook and eye). We put down 3/4" treated plywood as the base and then used 1 box of vinyl plank flooring that looks like wood to hold up to the Texas humidity. I eventually want to make accordion-like shutters for the front window but have up a bug curtain (used for regular size doorways and closes together with magnets) that I cut in half to fit. We have bad mosquitoes here in Texas! I also added a wireless doorbell.

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

spiceylg

Wed, 04/03/2013 - 04:58

You did an amazing job! Lucky little girl. Looks so cozy inside and out!

Seasonal And Holiday

Lily-Mae's Dresser

Submitted by Charles R on Sat, 02/14/2015 - 20:02

Made from pine wood painted white as my girlfriend wanted ;)

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200 - 240
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Primer + semi-gloss white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Fancy Farmhouse Headboard with Modified Trim

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/14/2017 - 17:02

Fancy Farmhouse Headboard with Modified Trim. There was a lot of trial and error as this was my first ever project, but now I'm hooked! We only needed a headboard to attach to our King platform frame. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Made chalk paint using Extra White by Sherman Williams.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kitchen cabinet project using ShelfHelp

I had an area in my kitchen I wanted to add cabinets to and get rid of the open shelves. I built the lower cabinet from the Tilt Out Garbage Cabinet plans with my own modifications. I ordered the upper cabinet carcass from ShelfHelp, to create a cabinet to showcase my vintage dinnerware I inherited from my Mom. The cabinet went together great! I built a vertical plate rack and another free standing rack for the interior of the cabinet. Added a beadboard back and salvaged antique cabinet doors. Now the back corner is a functional area of the kitchen and fits in perfectly with the original 1937 cabinets. I can't say enough good things about ShelfHelp! Great quality, hassle free ordering, fast shipping and a reasonable price. I will definitely be using Shelf Help again!

Estimated Cost
$500 counting the antique doors
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Upper cabinet: Benjamin Moore paint Mountain Peak White in semi gloss. Cabinet interior and lower cabinet: Clark & Kensington Garden Gnome in semi gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Miter Saw Cart named Dolley

I made the miter saw cart today. It took me about 2.5 hrs, but I was going slow and taking lots of breaks.

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

Comments

Tailgate Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/17/2017 - 18:02

I used the plans for the outdoor sofa and just changed the measurements to fit the tailgate back. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Espresso
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

test project

Submitted by FarmgirlTO on Sun, 04/07/2013 - 14:40

First project and very happy with outcome! Little trouble with top trim not lining up with the top piece of mdf, but it give them a rustic look so it's not a big problem. Now that my husband sees that it is possible to build good furniture in our tiny apartment, I can begin planning my next project!
P.s.- Homedepot guy says thank you for handy cut list and mdf chart!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Greenhouse

 I took the greenhouse plans off the website and built this awesome addition to my back yard

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My pretty turquois bench

Submitted by ltjjones on Mon, 05/22/2017 - 17:01

Made this for a fund raiser auction.  Highest bid of the event.   :)

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray painted
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

An updated bathroom vanity

Submitted by mhayden on Mon, 04/08/2013 - 14:06

This was a part of my recent bathroom remodel (new floor tile, shower tile, toilet, and vanity). The plans came out of looking at my favorite home sites, which for this were Ana White and Remodelaholic, and realizing that the vanities in my price were were cheap and not that cheap.

The vanity build itself didn't take that long but had to be done is small segments due to lack of one giant clump of time. Total wood cost was around $60, plus $5 for the gloss polyurethane, $60 for the sink (clearance) and $100 for the faucet. More importantly, the vanity fits the space that I had in the efficient bathroom.

Estimated Cost
$225 (vanity, sink bowl, and faucet)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White Painted Sides, Ebony stain top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sideboard to Match Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Smokeydog on Thu, 02/26/2015 - 09:26

My niece asked that I build  a sideboard to match her farmhouse table.  It was a good learning experience for me.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
350 to 375.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut stain and satin finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Calmly

Thu, 02/26/2015 - 17:29

You did an excellent job on this. And tell you niece I like her decor

ScottyG

Thu, 02/26/2015 - 18:43

The piece came out fantastic, Smokey! ヅ

I like the finish too... Excellent!

Michael K

Fri, 02/27/2015 - 04:34

Your project came out great! Hope to build one myself sooner than later. Awesome!

First woodworking project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/25/2017 - 18:35

I decided to build a table large enough to fit me and all the kids. Looking forward to decorating it around Christmas time.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Had to adjust the width to fit better / but I did it!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/13/2021 - 13:09

I had to adjust the width to fit my much wider "Seat".
:P...Also that rear angle was a struggle...Otherwise plans were spot on!
Thanks Ana.

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Not decided Yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

A Different Kind of Chunky

Submitted by TxDork76 on Fri, 04/12/2013 - 21:11

This was my first woodworking project.

The inspiration for the project came from the "Dark Mahogany Chase Chunky" headboard from World Market. At $300 (at the time) it was out of my price range. But after looking at it for a while, I decided I could do it myself.

I used and modified several of Ana White's headboard plans to come up with the final (rough) idea.

I used 3 2x3 boards for the frame, a 3/4" thick piece of plywood for the body (which I had cut at the hardware store) and a 1x2 to top the plywood. I was just going to paint the whole thing but I found these bamboo placemats and decided to incorporate them into the project. At $1 each why not? I used 3/4"x1/2" S4S Moulding for the grid.

the cost of materials was about $66 but I had enough plywood left over for another headboard.

Estimated Cost
About $55
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Painter's Finish 2x in dark walnut satin finish. Semi-gloss spray poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

dinifam

Sat, 04/13/2013 - 10:07

Oh my goodness I so love this!!!!! Do you have more detailed directions/plans???? I want to make it!!

In reply to by dinifam

TxDork76

Mon, 04/22/2013 - 16:11

I really took a lot of ideas from different headboard plans from Ana's site and from what I could figure out about the headboard from World Market.

I used 1x3's at 48" for the sides and a 1x3 at 52" for the cross rail attached with glue and 2 2-1/2" PH screws (1 1/2" PHs) on each side. I also used a 1x2 at 52" to "cap" the plywood using just brad nails and glue

I had the 3/4" plywood cut to 52"x30" at the hardware store. The plywood started at 13.5" up from the bottom. It's attached to the side rails with 7 1-1/4" PH screws (3/4" PHs) per side.

The placemats I found were 18"x13" so 4 fit across just fine. I've also found other vinyl placemats w/ awesome designs that could work.

I used 3/4"x1/2" S4S Moulding to basically just cover the seems though I think any kind of small moulding could work. I used brad nails to attach them (next time I may do it from behind so there are no nail holes to fill).

Here's a picture of another headboard I'm making w/ a similar design but with a larger gap so the side rails are at 52" instead of 48". http://i.imgur.com/nGH369f.jpg http://i.imgur.com/N8ARznD.jpg

I'm painting this one as well. I think if I were going to stain it, I'd opt for a nice birch or oak plywood instead and do the wood conditioner first so the stain goes on a bit more even.

Modified version of the Rustic X small rolling kitchen island

Submitted by esaintpi on Sun, 03/01/2015 - 20:20

When I showed this kitchen island plan to my wife, she said she wanted it, but with a vertical drawer on the side...  Me, I wanted to modify the drawers and shelf to use the full width of the kitchen island.

I had to modify the plans a little bit more because it's built 100% from maple. Since my maple lumber is 1"1/8 thick after planning, I could not get exactly the 2x4 size obiviously.

The sides (behind the X), and the top are boards that I glued together (laminated).

The drawers have X "signs" to copy the X design on the sides of the kitchen island.  First I made a frame around the panel, and then added a X inside.  It may seems rough to get the right angle for the X, but I found a trick!  I measured the angle with a rope from side to side of the panel.  I set the mitter saw to this angle and never touched it again.  To make the opposite angle (center of the X), I cut a scrap of wood with this angle, reverse this piece of wood and cut the X decoration while holding it side by side with the piece of scrap wood. 

Another little modification:  the drawers have full extension sliders for smooth operation..

thanks for the plans :-)

Eric, Quebec, Canada

 

 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments