Community Brag Posts

PB Teen-Inspired Ladder Shelf

Submitted by katie0910 on Thu, 07/03/2014 - 09:03

I saw this Ladder Shelf in the PB Teen catalog months ago and knew it would be an easy knockoff project. It took maybe 20 minutes to build the ladder, and then I painted it using a paint sprayer. All-in-all, it only took a few hours to build (minus the glue dry time). And I was able to build it for 1/3 the price of the original! Check out my blog for the instructions on how I built it. http://addicted2diy.com/2014/07/01/pb-teen-inspired-ladder-shelf/

Estimated Cost
$85
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr enamel paint in Red Delicious
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Texas Flag Adirondack Chair

Submitted by pacificslu on Thu, 10/06/2016 - 06:37

Built from scrap lumber during my deployment with the US Navy to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa, and brought home to Texas on my return Sept 2016. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Since I used reclaimed wood from construction projects around the base, the cost of the project was almost zero. Paint, screws, and some clear-coat. That's about it.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray paint and clear-coat. Now that I'm home, I plan to sand it and apply a coat of polyurethane to protect it from the weather.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rainbow Sand & Water Table

I'm new to woodworking, and this was so much fun to make! Pocket holes make it sturdy, and I spent plenty of time on sanding so no slivers for little ones. The plastic containers just barely fit so be sure to not undercut anything in the plan.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20 in wood, $15 in containers, $4 each color of spray paint, white paint/screws/wood glue I had on hand
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White primer paint and spray paint for the shelf boards
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Essential Laundry Room Organization

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/17/2024 - 08:46

We built this bench using Ana's Entryway Bench Plans. We modified it by adding adjustable shelves for additional shoe storage. We added the back with hooks for coats and backpacks. We’ve made this small space feel so much bigger by adding storage and utilizing the space that is in the room. We can’t wait to finish this project.

Built from Plan(s)

Headboard Bench build

Submitted by Smiley2459 on Thu, 09/06/2012 - 20:26

This bench was made from the Garden Bench build plan. It includes 2x4s, 1x3s, 1x4s, 2x2s, and an old head board for the back. It has been finished by sanding and spray painting.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50-$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Primer and Rustoleum Leaf Green spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 09/07/2012 - 04:39

I've been wanting to make a bench out of a headboard and possibly the footboard, too. Looks great!

tommirhea

Sat, 09/08/2012 - 07:27

I love this! It is sooo sweet. Now I'm going to keep my eye out for an old headboard. I like the color as well.

Big Kid Picnic Table

Submitted by bp1108 on Sat, 07/05/2014 - 09:27

Started my summer project to build outdoor furniture.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35 for wood, $10 for redwood stain
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Redwood Oil-Latex Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Teal King Farmhouse bed

Submitted by abbrater on Mon, 10/10/2016 - 13:36

I added six inches to all vertical measurements for the headboard and footboard to make this bed a little taller.  

This bed was easy to build – this was my 5th woodworking project ever.  It is however a BIG project in terms of size…I can carry the footboard by myself, but the headboard is a different story!  I used Jamison’s (from rogueengenieer.com) technique for attaching side rails.  My bed came out a little bit wide even though I sized down the width measurements to fit a king sized mattress used in the traditional orientation ( 76 inches wide by 80 inches long.)  Had I attached the rails on the insides of the 4/4 posts it would have been perfect, but I wanted to be able to break the bed down easily in case we move.  (We have a history of being semi-nomadic!)  I purchased the rail hardware off of amazon.  I also ended up using pocket holes to attach a 1x6 to the end of my top support board to keep the box springs from sliding up. 

 I LOVED the color of the feature bed on the California King Farm House plans, so I tried my best to match that.  I used a home right max sprayer for the primer, paint and polycrylic.  I hand applied the brown glaze with a sponge brush and wiped most of it away with old t-shirt rags.    I absolutely love the bed – it is super heavy and very sturdy!  Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
approx $250 including paint and hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
2 coats kilz 2 primer.(sprayed on), 4 coats Caribe from Behr (home depot) (sprayed), glazed with rustoleum decorative glaze in java brown. 2 Coats of satin polycrylic (sprayed)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor Loveseat

Submitted by lehmanna36 on Fri, 07/10/2020 - 08:24

Sorry for the first sideways picture. Not sure why it did that, but it won't let me remove it now. Thanks for giving such detailed plans (https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/modern-outdoor-loveseat-…)! So happy with the end result! I wanted to use cedar to make it a bit more weather resistant so I swapped out the 2 in boards for 1 in boards to save some money. Still extremely sturdy, so if you want to go that route I highly recommend it.

Finish Used
Olympia Transparent Outdoor Sealant

Olivia's Cute Kitchen

Submitted by azbilger on Mon, 09/10/2012 - 18:37

After spending what seemed like forever on Pinterest, drooling over all the adorable DIY play kitchens, I decided to build this one. The plans were so easy to follow and a guy at Lowe's did all the cutting for me, which was a huge time saver. I literally had it actually built in just a few hours with the help of my mom. Then I was able to primer, add two coats of paint, and accessorize over the next few days. I LOVE the results!! And I was so inspired by the one I originally saw online that I even made my own ruffled sink skirt!!! The fabric was leftovers from the handmade crib bedding set that my mom had made for my daughter. So everything coordinates perfectly!! I am in love....I think I even love it more than she does at this point because she is only 23 months old!! :) Hope she'll enjoy it for years to come!

***Update - Just added "burners" to her stove so now it looks complete!!***

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Just over $200 because we went a little overboard on the special touches.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Quintin79

Mon, 09/10/2012 - 22:04

Very cute!! What little girl won't love something like this! My oldest son would have loved this. He is 6 now so maybe his little brother may want something like this built.

Cottage Oars

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/13/2016 - 11:52

I actually made 2 sets of these oars as wall decor for our cottage.  This is the second set - I love them!  The kids chose the numbers which are completely random :)

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
1st - stained with Minwax Dark Walnut
2nd - stained with Minwax Classic Grey
3rd - wiped on Minwax White wash pickling
4th - 1 Coat Minwax Water based oil modified polyurethane to seal
5th - Painters tape & stencil for the details with white acrylic craft paint from Michaels
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modern Outdoor Chairs

These were so easy to build and look amazing! The only challenge was finding cushions. Finally found the 25x25 cushions at Lowe’s.

Estimated Cost
$60 each
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
First coat SW New Ebony Stain
second coat Varathane Briarsmoke
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bed King Size

Submitted by CCNew on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 14:40

This was my gift to my husband for our 23rd Wedding Anniversary. I decided to build it on Friday and had it built the following Friday (but not stained). I was able to work on it a few hours each night.

This is my very first attempt at building anything bigger than a tole-painting project and I'm thrilled with the results.

If you have ANY skills at all, this is NOT a difficult project but it IS a heavy one!

I refused to let my husband know what I was building so I was on my own moving things around. It tipped over on me twice and I had the bruises to prove it.

I searched and searched and found a great price ($13 + shipping) on the side-rail hardware at http://www.woodcraft.com/product/2003981/9364/hafele-nomortise-bed-rail….

We like traditional looking furniture but wanted a touch of a modern feel. So I stained the inside panel with one coat of black stain and then we went over it with a thin coat of the oak stain that we used on the rest of the bed.

We opted to use the standard metal bed frame that goes with our box spring and mattress set. So it basically just sits inside the head & foot boards and side-rails. Eventually we will be adding the box of drawers or baskets underneath and then putting the cleats and cross supports instead of the metal bed frame.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

craft table

Submitted by djdaho on Thu, 07/10/2014 - 12:25

I had been trying to figure out what kind of craft desk/table i was going to put in my craft room. I ran across ana white's modern craft table and knew it was the one.
My husband was kind enough to help me through the process and we completed it in about 2.5 days.
we live in AZ so it is pretty darn hot right now to be out in the garage making it, but we got it done! We tweaked a few things like height and we didn't use the risers.
It is our first build so it was a bit challenging and we learned some things along the way. But having the Kreg Jig definitely helped with putting it together.
we no sooner go it in the room and the cats claimed it as theirs!!
I haven't set it up w/ baskets yet, but will be doing that in the next few weeks.
Thank you Ana for the FREE plans, i will be checking out the site for more plans that we can get building!
Deb Rhoads

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ben Moore simply white, semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Love it!

Submitted by mkscalf on Mon, 10/17/2016 - 18:14

We love the final product, but can't say this is a beginner project! The plans aren't detailed enough for that. For instance, the only instructions on the stairs was "they are easy! just 45 degree angles" but we had to work through some strategy with them. It also didn't say how to attach the cleats just "we also attached the cleats in this step". What size screws? how many? We learned our lesson when the cleats and bedding came crashing down b/c we used 1.5 inch screws. Problem solved with 2.5 inch screws... but we sure are glad it was a soft landing.... And now I can't say I fully trust the design after watching my husband and two kids break it. However, it is sturdy enough for our 3 year old for certain! I'm glad we made it and over-all it was worth it and a great project and learning experience. Just wish the plans were made with more detail for true beginners! 

Estimated Cost
wood $100 or so. Additional supplies (screws, sand paper, stain, poly, brushes, etc was another 60-75 for us)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
We sanded, stained with Early American color... I don't know the brand. Finish with semi-gloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

One Piece Play Kitchen

Used the one piece kitchen made by Rebecca (good instructions, thanks!) with some changes and additions. Fun project, took much longer than I had anticipated. Can't wait until my new granddaughter is old enough to play with it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Linen Closet Shelves

Submitted by SaraLodise on Sun, 07/13/2014 - 20:01

The linen closet was in desperate need of better shelving and organization. I made these shelves out of one 3/4" plywood 4'x8' and two 1/2" plywood 2'x4' project boards.

Estimated Cost
$83 in plywood
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of Miniwax Special Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Back