Community Brag Posts

Storage Shelf with Coat Hooks

Submitted by kalabarge on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 14:01

Thought I posted this last year, but I guess it didn't take ... and now I can't remember all of the details!  But anyway, I do know that this was the first project I made from Ana's book (a smaller version of Project #1), and a year later, I am still really pleased with it.  The shelves and hooks come in so handy, and the top provides another little surface to decorate!  I also made some wooden boxes for the shelves out of scrap pieces, as Ana did in the photo in the book, and stained them the same color as our floors.  Added our initials, too.  The whole thing is nice and sturdy, and fits right in at our house -- like we've always had this on the wall.  Thanks for the ideas, Ana!

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

Outdoor Playhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/03/2024 - 09:05

I had just retired and wanted to make a playhouse for my 2 year old grand-daughter. I always wanted one as a kid and wanted to build one for my kids but never found the time.
This was made mostly out of scrap wood that couldn’t be used to build a house and I was lucky enough to get permission to take whatever I needed. Learned a lot doing it. Thanks to my boyfriend for letting me borrow his nailer.

Cindy

Dream Dollhouse

Submitted by mercocet on Tue, 09/18/2012 - 15:44

We enlisted help from my brother-in-law to build the dollhouse for our daughter last Christmas. He also painted the floors, stairs, and roof. I spent many nights after the kids were in bed "wallpapering" the walls with various scrapbook paper.

I love this house and it's something that will last for many years. Even better, both of our daughters love it and so do their friends.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood wax and paint and modge podge
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Potting Bench for Father's Day

Submitted by GretchenM on Wed, 07/16/2014 - 09:49

I started with the potting bench by Between Naps. I made it longer and taller (for my dad). There is a tool holder along one side and I added a sink, for washing the veggies newly harvested from our garden. We ran the water from our house faucet and will blow out water for winter. All that's left is running a pipe from the drain to leach out across the perimeter of the garden. Most of the lumber was given to me (pressure treated even). And I bought the sink from a junk guy for $50. My dad was so impressed and I think it may be my best present project ever. I can't believe I made that! Oh yeah, the end caps have solar lights, nighttime gardening! Ya never know!

Estimated Cost
175
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None. Get this where you want it before screwing shelf and counter boards or putting in sink; it's really heavy.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

jvos

Thu, 07/17/2014 - 12:05

That is awesome! I want a sink for my garden (and a cooktop for outdoor canning) so I am very jealous. :)

Rustic Dining Table - In love with my table!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/23/2016 - 05:46

I had shown this plan earlier on to my bf, telling it I really like it and it would be so much cheaper to make our future rustic dining table on our own instead of buying it. He seemed reluctant.... And then, 2 months later, I come back from my parent's house in the evening to find that he has built me my rustic dining table just as I had wished! 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Saman Cognac and Sesame + Saman hybrid varnish in Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Our Modern Adirondacks

Submitted by Gail Ogden on Sun, 07/19/2020 - 16:06

This was our first project, hubby and I. We are thrilled with how they turned out. Thank you Anna!!!

Estimated Cost
$100 for both
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Cocktail of equal parts polyurethane, linseed oil and mineral spirits.

My Tryde table

Submitted by mpgrote on Thu, 09/20/2012 - 06:48

My first carpentry effort; thanks Ana for the great plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modified Barnwood Frames

I modified Ana's plans to fit the triptych art I created. I used a combination of this plan and her Wall Frames plan from her book. She wan't kidding when she said these frames were versatile. I plan on applying the same concept to a leaning wall mirror.
For a step by step tutorial on the modifications to this plan as well as how to create the triptych art, visit the blog http://thepursuitofhandyness.com/diy-triptych-art-custom-frames/

Estimated Cost
$5 per frame
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex Paint & Oil Based Primer
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farm Style Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/26/2016 - 07:14

My boyfriend and I made this farm style table based on plans from Ana's site. We LOVE it. We wanted it to appear rustic with natural woods tones so we used Special Walnut Stain, Poly, and Light Brown Briwax. Even though it looks raw, its silky smooth to the touch. 

Thanks for posting these plans! We already on to our next project. We have the wood purchased for the rustic coffee table and console table, and I have my eye on the farmhouse bed frame and a set of night stand tables. 

Kate

Estimated Cost
$100 for the wood. We had all the tools already.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Special Walnut, Poly Gloss, and Lt. Brown Briwax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Privacy Planters with Solar Lights

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/09/2024 - 08:16

I needed a frugal solution to get a bit of privacy in our backyard. I didn’t want to dig post holes and all the premade solutions I found and liked were at least double the cost of this project. I used pretreated lumber which isn’t recommended for veggies/plants, but I knew I wasn’t going to plant veggies so I lined them with plastic and landscape fabric and made sure to add drainage holes. To reduce the amount of soil I needed in each I added some cutoffs of a tree my friend cut down in their yard. The whole thing came together in less than a day! The easy to follow free plans can be found @anawhitediy -highly recommend! (Thank you!!!) Very easy to follow and the shopping list and cut list were super helpful!

Jesi 🖤

Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday

Toy box for grandson

Submitted by conjewel on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 10:58

My grandson needed a toy box and we really liked this plan. We changed the dimensions a little, made it taller and a bit wider. My husband built the box and did the basic painting. I made the cushion for the top. When the cushion is removed (it Velcros to the top) there is a hand painted matchbox car town and roads. I painted places my grandson knows, like his house, grandparents houses, mom's and dad's work, McDonalds, wal-mart and general places like airport, gas station, fire house, etc. We used stay tension support hinges to make sure it was safe for our little one, yes they are expensive, but they are my grandson's fingers. Everyone loves it. The vehicle in the center(black) matches their car. I put pictures of my son-in-law, daughter, Broxton, and their dog, Briggs in the windows. And decorated it with my son-in-law's favorite team "the bears".

Estimated Cost
With special hinges $150-$175
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint and clear coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ash tv stand

I took plans from the Rhyan console table and just added a couple extra cabinets. This was a tough project but it came out great. I bought the wood at a local mill and all the hardware is from Home Depot

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax ebony stain which was then sanded down. Sealed with 2 coats spar eurythane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse style coffee table

Submitted by rakruger45 on Wed, 07/22/2020 - 18:26

I finished this coffee table for my cousin’s living room. This was a really fun build and i was actually able to complete it with wood I had left over from other projects. The only money I had to spend on this one was for the paint she wanted that would match her other furniture. I love this website and the plans provided make it easy to get projects done.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Doghouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/15/2024 - 13:33

I'm going to build a second one but it looks like both dogs are enjoying this one I was even able to get them to get in it together when it wasn't too hot :-)

This is my first project from your website and it was really interesting I ended up modifying the plans a little. For the modifications the back panel was pre-drilled and attached with bolts and t-nuts to allow me to easily remove when the weather starts to get cold and put in insulation... Order clean it. It's a very good size dog house and I really enjoyed this project! Thank you so much for your contributions to those that have never actually worked on anything like this before.

Cathleen

 

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Eclectic (Not Really) Bookshelf

Submitted by reyncloud on Thu, 09/27/2012 - 01:37

I was looking for a neat bookshelf for my craft room. I found this plan and loved it! I like that I can always add smaller shelves for more eclectic-ness when I'm ready. I'll readily admit that this is pretty basic in comparison to the author's creation, but it works in the room and it works with the other furniture that I already have.

I really like that this is a huge bookcase..that's exactly what I was looking for to house fabric (I'm a quilter) and all my books. Looking forward to filling it!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a clear Satin Varathane Water-Based Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Corona Coffee Table

Submitted by daisy1235 on Tue, 07/22/2014 - 15:09

My husband really wanted our sectional couch, but we had the hardest time finding a coffee table that worked with it. I went back to the store that we bought it at to see what they suggested, and they showed me a $700 that I fell in love with. Since I was not spending $700 on it, I did some research. Found these plans that were almost my dream coffee table, the only difference was the wood border around the outside. So my husband and I modified the plans a little and got to work! We made it the exact dimensions of the coffee table I wanted and are absolutely in love with our final product!

Estimated Cost
Around $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum, dark walnut - 1 coat
Rostoleum, matte finish - 2 coats on bottom, 3 coats on top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mudroom

Submitted by Taa-daa on Tue, 11/01/2016 - 13:22

My front closet was transformed into a mudroom. Hidden storage is a genious idea. Thank you Ana!!! It wasn't easy though.

Estimated Cost
a bit less than 150$
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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