Community Brag Posts

Lovin the seating!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/29/2022 - 10:56

Had no problem following the easy directions. I am eager to build more projects in the future. Thanks for being here Ana. We really love looking out over the bay in our chairs.

Comments

Rustic Bench turned into an Entry Table!

Submitted by cclemons on Fri, 08/30/2013 - 11:49

I loved the look of the Rustic X Bench but wanted to modify to be an entry table. I took the exact plans, but made it longer and taller. The X bracing didn't match up exactly, but I like it with the separation. The stain is a Minwax Espresso finish. I added adjustable glides to the bottom so I could adjust if needed. It was an excellent first project and it fits in our home PERFECT! Thanks Ana for the inspiration to create, build and be a mommy at the same time :)

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Stain - Espresso Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Modified Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by PamC03 on Sun, 10/18/2015 - 22:28

As a beginner at woodwork, this table was pretty easy to make. The instructions were easy to follow. I modified the table by adding 2x6 planks on the bottom and changing up the "X" design. The angles are tricky to get right, but i used scrap wood until i got the perfect angles then used my 2x2's for the final cuts. I also changed the finished dimensions of the table to fit in the room I was making it for, so this table was quite a bit wider than the original. It took me about a day and a half/two days to fully build and then I finished slowly over the rest of the week by staining and using a satin poly finish (I gave the top 4 coats so it took a little longer than normal). I'm so happy with the finished table I've already bought the wood to make another smaller one!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70 for wood and hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Early American w/ Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Audrey Wright

Thu, 10/22/2015 - 05:02

For a beginner, you'd done a great job. I'm a beginner too and I can hardly do this in two days.. 

Outdoor Daybed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/08/2022 - 21:06

What a great project!! My private outdoor space is amazing. Thanks Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Vintage Style Step Stool - Distressed

Submitted by Radcrafter on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 09:58

I love this stool. I used the plan as is, except for creating the angles similar to those shown on the stool photos in the plan. If you follow the plans directly, your stool will be standing completely straight vs the slight angle shown in the photos. If you are not comfortable with cutting angles, I would definitely stick with the plan. I had to play around with mine until I finally got everything right.

The time allotted is more due to waiting for paint to dry versus actual build time. The stool goes together quickly, but sanding & drying time do eat up the hours.

Thank you Ana for the great plans! I have more of these planned for the future, so cute & they'll make great gifts!

Estimated Cost
$10-20
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
To create this distressed finish...one coat primer, one coat dark brown (oops paint sample, so I don't know actual name), then random thin layers of poly to keep next coat of paint from sticking in those areas, one coat teal (also oops paint sample), glaze in a dark brown & then clear poly on top. You sand in-between all paint layers & then do a final sanding to create distressed look before applying glaze or poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 02/10/2012 - 08:12

This looks great. I really like the stool with the angled legs. What angle did you use?

Rustic X Console

Submitted by Jfox1128 on Sun, 09/01/2013 - 22:08

Followed Ana's plan w/ minor measurement changes to fit my needs but the Rustic X Console came together pretty good. First we were going with a blue stain but once we got the stain oh the wood it was just to much so we opted for a lighter paint and finished off with a light lacquer.

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

Dresser

Submitted by Neil B on Sun, 12/02/2018 - 21:54

Adapted plans to suit me

Your and your husband's videos are easy to

follow and well explained for the beginner thanks.

Definite confidence building to Finish 

Thanks 

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

Farmhouse Toy Box

Submitted by frmoody on Thu, 08/18/2022 - 15:01

My second build from Ana's toy box plan. I had my son use his CNC machine to carve boy's name into the front. Depth of the letters is about 0.25". Looks really good.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Tool box and Cleaning Caddy

Submitted by moemoore on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 00:48

I saw Ana's plans for a toolbox and thought that's great! Then I saw another members adaption for a cleaning caddy and I knew I had to build both!

I build on my lanai (porch) in Hawaii, so my work area is fairly small. It was easy to build these at the same time, and I made plenty use of my Kreg jig!

Estimated Cost
under $20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I had some really ugly "pumpkin" orange that the previous owners had painted the front door with. While cleaning out paint, I combined it with some white and off-white paint, getting a nice creamy color. I used that (2-3 coats) after priming the piece. I then used some mis-tinted brown paint for the trim. Finished with 2-3 coats of a poly finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sgilly

Thu, 08/11/2011 - 15:02

Your work space may be small, but I think I'd take your view any day! Just beautiful. And, the tool box and caddy are really nice, too!

Crown Ledge

I really fell in love with this crown ledge and had to do it. Of course I did it to fit the length I needed and I also added a decorative piece of trim at the bottom to give it a more finished look.

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

Comments

spiceylg

Wed, 09/04/2013 - 04:43

Looks so nice and love the converted bench. We just made one ourselves and I'm in the process of painting it.

play kitchen

Submitted by DIYMomof4 on Tue, 12/25/2018 - 10:05

I made this for my 5 year old daughter for Christmas.  I really like how beautiful and sturdy this play kitchen is.  I added 4 inches to the height so it would be the right size for my daughter.  I also made all the sections equal in width.  This made it simpler for cutting the shelves.  The faucet is made from various pvc pipes and spray painted with Rustoleum silver.  All the knobs are able to be turned, and the faucet can swivel.  For the oven shelf, I used a cooling rack.  Thank you so much for this wonderful plan!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I didn't keep track, but I would guess at least $200. The paint was a big cost, but I have a lot left over.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Ultra - Ceylon Cream, Shimmering Pool, and Radiant Rose
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIYMomof4

Mon, 12/31/2018 - 16:04

Thank you!  I LOVE your website and all of your plans!  I've learned so much from you and you've given me the confidence to take on any diy project!  

DIYMomof4

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:43

Thank you!  I LOVE your website and all of your plans!  You have given me the knowledge and confidence to tackle any diy project!

Farmhouse Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/31/2022 - 16:20

Just finished this last night! My very first piece of furniture! I'm so proud of myself! Thank you so much for these plans!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Another Doll Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by n8ur9irl on Fri, 08/12/2011 - 06:16

I made this for my Granddaughters 6th Birthday. My husband and I just finished a tree house for the Grand kids and we had lots of scraps left! Very easy to make and the only thing that took time was waiting for the paint to dry.

Estimated Cost
9.00 for the bedding, 0.00 for the bed ( I had wood scraps from a treehouse we made)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White enamel, for durability.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Oxidized Wood Silverware Caddy

This was the very first thing I've tackled. It's something I've always wanted to do, but haven't taken the time. A new house that we've moved into has a barn beam mantle above the fireplace (which we love!), so we wanted to incorporate wood that would compliment it. We used knotty pine and tried out the oxidized wood treatment to get the desired color and sealed it with a spray Varathane. Because of that treatment, it took an extra day for all of the drying time from start to finish. I also plan to stencil on the side "Give Thanks", but haven't found a good spot to get a stencil yet.

I am such a fan of these great designs and styles, I will be making many more things. Next on my list, the Oxidized wood X pattern side tables and coffee table! Thank you, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15, but have wood and other things left over
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oxidized wood using The Friendly Home's how-to-step-by-step instructions, then sealed with a spray varathane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse bed queen headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/28/2018 - 09:32

I used Ana’s plans to make my queen sized headboard. I used 1x8’s for the verticals and changed the framing a bit to only have one piece of wood on top. I also left out the 2 extra board on the back to save some cost. I glued and nail gunned each vertical piece to the top and bottom 1x4. I attached the assembled center to the 2 posts with pocket screws and small L corner brackets for stability. I also adjusted the height of my project to come to approximately 64 inches tall and the bottom of the inner picture portion, where the mattress reaches the headboard, to just hit the top of that 1x4 so we never have missing objects that have fallen behind the bed. I did use the green pressure treated lumber for the 4x4’s and they stained just fine. I also added a farmhouse style X through the center. I ripped my top 2x6 on both sides to be approximately 5 inches wide, so the rounded edge of the worn lumber is now square. I stained this in minwax dark walnut then went over with a second color coat of minwax classic grey. My apartment isn’t big enough for the sides and foot board but someday if we move, I’ll be able to complete the entire bed set.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60 in lumber high estimate
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
1st coat minwax dark walnut. 2nd coat minwax classic grey.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Simple Outdoor Sink

Submitted by kmatt55 on Sun, 08/14/2011 - 16:46

I finally completed the last piece to my customized simple two-toned outdoor collection...an outdoor kitchen sink!!! It still needs a couple of touch ups... but more on that later. This is by far my favorite and easiest project to date. We plan on using this as a grill caddie/garden station. This will eventually go onto a 24x12 deck up against our kitchen window (The indoor and outdoor sink will be against each others backs). I decided to go with the Sturdy Workbench plans for the base mainly because of the weight. We wanted something that's going to be difficult to move since it will be hooked up to outdoor plumbing. I used treated 2x4's for the base, cedar 1x4's for the top. I bought the bar sink for about $70. I also used a Kreg Jig to screw in the cedar slats from underneath so the screws won't be visible from the top. FYI - Wait a couple of weeks before you paint soaking wet treated wood. The green chemical from the 2x4 is starting to leak through my white paint. I'll have to go and prime/paint it again when it finally dries. Other than that, it came out 10 times better than I could ever imagine.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120 ($70 for sink and hardware)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson's Water Sealer, semi-gloss exterior white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Vegasboiz

Sun, 09/29/2013 - 08:16

I love the sink table a lot. I have been looking for one for a long time. Can you tell me what is the length, width, and height for this table. Thank you very much. Jimmy