Community Brag Posts

DIY Barn Door and Hardware for around $80!

I really wanted to put a barn door in my husband's home office, but have you looked at the prices of the kits?  No way was I going to spend that for a door.  So I decided to fabricate it myself.  For the rail hardware- I used a 72" steel rod, copper pipe fittings, and lag screws.  For the door hardware, I used 12"ish, long pieces of steel, pulleys, and carriage bolts.

The door itself is made from plywood siding, 1 x 4's, 1 x 6's, and 1 x 3's.  The entire door and hardware cost around $80 to make myself.  It's functional and looks amazing!  The entire tutorial is up on my blog!

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Bed

I built this bed as a modified farmhouse bed. I chose to have a solid wood headboard instead of having a slotted look as it fit better in the decor of our home. I purchased a bed rail kit from Rockler so that I could remove the rails without removing any screws. (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5783) It was a relatively easy project considering my skill set was very low when starting! http://www.lifewithfingerprints.com/2010/09/labor-of-love.html

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a satin black paint finish with a polyacrylic coating.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Three story doll house

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/06/2019 - 13:53

I built this American girl doll house for my daughter. I wanted to give her something to keep her youth alive! 

Estimated Cost
$150-200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Light grey paint for all the walls and ceiling. Classic grey stain by Minwax for the floors. I also added baseboards to all the rooms with some small trim I found in the window trim section at Home Depot.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Tessa2009

Sun, 01/06/2019 - 21:46

Thanks Ana! This is her momma that built it for her. I wanted to tackle something on my own and challenge myself. Your plans were amazing to work with. Thanks for taking the time to make these plans so easy to understand and follow. She is very happy with the doll house! Happy New Year! -Abbey

Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/10/2022 - 07:15

Thank you so much for sharing your plans!! You are so generous! This is my first attempt at building furniture!

Check out my TikTok at - https://www.tiktok.com/@floridagirl092/video/7152573909735427370?is_fro…

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

4X4 Truss Table and Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/09/2019 - 14:46

My daughter moved into her first apartment and asked me to make her a dining room table. I used the plans found on Ana's website and made a slight modifcations. I used 5/4" pine boards to build the tops and regular douglas fir 4x4s and 2x4s for the bases. All screws are hidden exept the lag bolts I painted black and used to bolt the end trusses to the center truss which gives it kind of a industrial type accent. Thanks to Ana White and Shanty 2 CHIC for the great plans. My daughter loved the table and bench and she is going to find chair for the other side of the table. 

Estimated Cost
Approximately $275 for the table, bench and misc stain, screw, sandpaper etc.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Stain and Poly Mission Oak in Satin. Two coats on the bases and three coats on the tops. Used a pre stain conditioner prior to applying the Stain and Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Dining chairs for X based pedestal table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/06/2023 - 10:15

I made the 4 chairs to complete the dining suite. The table was made from the X based pedestal table plan.

The timber was all cut from 200mm x 50mm pine sleepers and finished with Cabots clear finish.

Comments

Truss table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/11/2016 - 19:14

Fun build 4hrs to complete. 

 

One of of the cuts is off  says long to short it's long to long. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Miter saw cart modified

I have enjoyed my miter saw cart for years. My sweet hubby gifted me with a table saw but I was nervous to use it without support for large pieces of wood and needed better storage. So... I modified my cart by adding a back leaf and making the shelf adjustable with two sets of cleats for the height of both saws.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Discounted paint from the oops cart at Home depot.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Back Yard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/15/2023 - 08:32

This is my homemade backyard inspired by plans from Ana. Used Ana's previous post to build all pieces. Stained in Mission Oak and bought pillows from Lowe's. Succulents from a local nursery.

Coffee Table
2 piece lounge
2 chairs
Ice chest
Planter Box

Comments

Narrow Console Table

This past weekend I build Ana's Narrow Console table. I went Saturday evening to pick up the boards and cut them. I completed the whole project late Sunday afternoon. I don't have a nailer so in-between the project I switched to self-tapping screws and it became even quicker because using the ol' fashioned hammer and nails was difficult and time consuming.  Cutting the angles was a first for me, and it is not bad at all! I was very intimidated first but so glad I took that first step! Also, I just watched her video countless times to ensure I was doing it correctly, and that helped the most ;).  It is very lightweight and I did not need any assistance in carrying the table. I truly, truly believe anyone can do this!

Estimated Cost
$40 with the paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
After sanding I used one coat of Glidden Flat + Primer "Crushed Silk"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Stable for Nativity Scene

Submitted by arkep on Fri, 12/06/2013 - 18:51

I had been thinking about making something to go with the nativity scene that I made a few years ago, and was so excited to see the plans for this stable this morning. It's less historically accurate, but much easier to build than a cave. =) I had cedar fence picket scraps laying around, so this project didn't cost me anything extra.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0--made from scraps
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none--just sanded
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modified 4x4 Truss Beam Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/03/2019 - 05:26

Build the 4x4 Truss Beam Table base with the Fancy X Farmhouse Table top shortened to 7' (84") for my wife's birthday! We love how it looks and can not wait to build the matching benches! Also, this is my first time attempting a building project and Ana-White Plan. The plans are very easy to follow and execute!!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane - Kona and Clear Poly
Sherwin Williams - Cotton White
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entryway Bench

Submitted by kristilmay on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 13:16

I picked this bench because our entryway isn't very big and this was small enough that I didn't have to make any alterations to the size.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint- Filtered Shade (Valspar)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

kristilmay

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 09:00

Thanks for the compliment on our floors!! My husband and I just installed them a few months ago. I love them but I'm always a little embarrassed to say this, because I'm a bit of a wood snob, but it's laminate. Kensington Manor 12mm Imperial Teak Handscraped, from Lumber Liquidator. We bought it when it was on sale for $1.99 a square foot. Can't beat that!

kristilmay

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 09:00

Thanks for the compliment on our floors!! My husband and I just installed them a few months ago. I love them but I'm always a little embarrassed to say this, because I'm a bit of a wood snob, but it's laminate. Kensington Manor 12mm Imperial Teak Handscraped, from Lumber Liquidator. We bought it when it was on sale for $1.99 a square foot. Can't beat that!

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 02/03/2012 - 20:09

This is beautiful! where did you get your baskets?

Easy Kitchen Island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/29/2023 - 09:21

Easy Kitchen Island. This was my first big woodworking project so I bought the top and recycled some old wood. I learnt a lot, it took me about 20hrs to complete including painting and staining. I found the plans easy to follow and I’m super happy with the results.

Anji B

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

DIY Farmhouse TV Console

This was the second piece of furniture that my husband and I ever made. We had built a coffee table that had a lift up top so that we could eat dinner on the couch and store all of our board games. Once we tackled that, I thought we could conquer the world (even though the table was pretty basic). So when my now-husband was about to move into his first apartment without a roommate and I saw it as an opportunity to decorate my own place (even though I wasn’t living there). Luckily,he agreed it was time to get rid of his tiny Ikea TV stand that was probably 2ft off the ground and not a great height for a TV, and agreed to build this awesome TV console with me. To this day, it’s still my favorite piece of furniture in our house.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
500
Finish Used
dark walnut

Comments

Porch Planter Steps

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/27/2023 - 12:23

I love how sturdy and beautiful these planter steps turned out! They were easy to build and work perfectly with the new deck/front porch I built this summer. I only needed one step and I used the same 1x material for the top of the step as I did the deck. I just added a couple more supports for the 1x material, as it isn't as sturdy as 2x6's. Thank you so much for the wonderful plan!

media unit

Custom size media unit using a combination of Ana's plans.

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
1. Prime Zinsser Cover Stain
2. Two coats BM high gloss enamel white
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Handygirl

Thu, 04/19/2012 - 21:56

Hey! Looks GREAT!!! I was curious how you made your doors. Did you attach thin plywood to the back, or slide it into the frame as an insert?

Joy Flake (not verified)

Tue, 12/04/2012 - 12:38

I was wondering how you attached the bookshelf unit to the base unit on the side cabinets?
Thank you!

Benchwright Farmhouse table and bench

I started this Table and bench because, we have a one year old and we had a bar height table. Something a little shorter was needed, so I picked the Benchwright plans since they were most like our style. I used all white wood from Lowes and some pine 2x4's. Since the original plans made the table a little too large for our house I shortened the length on the table and bench by 15". This was the largest project I have done so far, but the plans are so easy to use, that the major time spent for me was getting the wood, and sanding and staining. I submitted the last picture here, because I originally picked out a Rust-oleum Sunbleached stain, or so it said. As you can see from the photo it just made everything grey, and was not the look I or my wife were looking for. I recommend very carefully picking a stain color out and testing it on similar wood before using it on your finished project. I spent two hours after this mistake sanding off the stain, and since it was grey it still shows through a lighter color. In the end we are both happy with the final product, and you don't learn until you try and mess-up a few times. I really had a lot of fun with this project, and can't wait for the next thing to build.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax-Ipswich Pine 221(two coats on table)(One coat on bench), Minwax-Bombay Mahogany Satin 380 (one coat left on for 15 mins on cross members)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Britterz (not verified)

Wed, 04/18/2012 - 11:43

Wow! Your table looks spectacular! Great job! I especially love that bench. I would like to build a bench to go with my benchright table. How did you do it?

dklunde

Wed, 05/30/2012 - 11:25

I dont see any screws on the ends of the planks into the top of the table.
Did you only screw up from the bottom? Did you do that on the plank ends
also?

Thank you for the in process photos too. It really helps alot. Also helps to
see that everything doesnt have to match up perfect seam-wise. I get too used
to manufactured stuff...and forget how beautiful hand made items can be
simply because of their imperfections in the woods.

In reply to by dklunde

Kevin.Leach

Wed, 06/06/2012 - 19:59

I used finish nails from the top into the structure, and then used wood filler to
Fill in the holes. The ends are only held on by the two bolts on the ends.

I appreciate the handmade quality of real wood furniture as well. Even when small mistakes are made here and there, the end result is something to be proud of.

dklunde

Wed, 05/30/2012 - 11:26

Sorry...just thought of another question.... Did you glue in between your planks?

In reply to by dklunde

Kevin.Leach

Wed, 06/06/2012 - 20:10

I did glue between the planks and underneath, I figured anything to keep the boards closer together and fill in the gaps would help.

Outdoor Table with Concrete Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/02/2023 - 10:25

Fancy X Farmhouse Table in stained cedar with concrete table top. Concrete top made using 4’x8’ melamine coated MDF boards for form, reinforced with welded wire fabric, standard Quikrete concrete mix.

MDeMotte

Built from Plan(s)

DIY Home Coffee Station

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 11/02/2023 - 08:14

Had a bunch of scrap wood from other projects and random pieces we found in our barn after we moved into our new house so decided to make a new coffee bar to use it up. Modified the Potting Bench plans and pretty happy with how it turned out!

Nate B

Built from Plan(s)
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