Community Brag Posts

Rustic X Kitchen Island with 4x4 Legs

Submitted by Rich2727 on Fri, 06/20/2014 - 10:52

In order to make this island a little beafier I used 4x4 wood for the X as well as the the top and bottom braces. Top is made up of glued up 1x3 maple wood. It looked really good raw, but decided to stain it to give a more uniform look. I bought the rustic handles and the bottle opener on Amazon.com. I used lag bolts and washers for the finishing accents...similar to the pottery barn island. Painted them with Rustoleum oil bronzed paint and then dabbed it with a paper towel to give it a rougher finish to it and then sprayed the casters as well. This was a fun project and are getting a lot of use out of it. Thanks goes to Anna for the plans and inspiration for this island. Rich

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Mriddle

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 11:44

i keep debating if i should do this, you did a great job. i like the 4x4 sides.

Susan Hubbard

Sun, 06/22/2014 - 08:25

Rich, I love the changes you made with the 4x4's. You made a gorgeous piece of furniture! Can you share with me where/how you attached the drawer/shelf sides? I'd like to follow how you made this, but can't tell from the pictures. On the original they look inset from the 2x4's, but your space is taken up by 4x4's. Would you mind sharing??? Thanks!

Rich2727

Mon, 06/23/2014 - 16:36

So, I ripped the 4x4 cross pieces down by 1/2" so that the side panels would rest inside the rectangle and flush with the 4x4 frame and up against the X.

Did that make sense?

Susan Hubbard

Mon, 06/23/2014 - 18:28

That's what I thought, but I wanted to make sure. I'm going to make one similar to yours :)

Susan Hubbard

Mon, 06/23/2014 - 18:28

That's what I thought, but I wanted to make sure. I'm going to make one similar to yours :)

Beautiful steps

Directions worked like a charm, thank you, Ana for what you do!

Comments

small pantry

Submitted by Kyafata on Sun, 08/16/2020 - 16:39

A quick pantry idea using 4 - 1x12x6'. 2 for sides 2 cut into 24" shelves. Start with basic box and then fill in shelves where you need them. Used 4" 2x4 scraps for feet. Put together with screws and nails will eventually add back panels to keep it square.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
painted with semi-gloss , went in kitchen
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sewing cart/table

Submitted by luxonagel on Mon, 08/17/2020 - 09:08

Love this plan! I used locking hinges instead of legs because it will overlap a bed in our guest room when in use. The hinges are rated for 250lbs and have held both of my sewing machines with no issues. I placed the middle shelf to fit my machines on the lower and standard fabric storage cubes on the upper. A metal adhesive measuring tape was added to the edge for convenience. This table will also be used as a buffet for family/group gatherings.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin-Williams Duration in Snowbound (7004)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Akroezen

Wed, 12/02/2020 - 09:09

Hi! I need my sewing cart to be used without legs as well and have search everywhere for an appropriate hinge. Could you share with me what type & size you used? Did you change the sizes of the top to accommodate at all? Thanks!

Entry shelf modified to a bathroom shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/15/2017 - 19:10

This was so fun, used contact paper on the back plywood and it turned out really well.

Estimated Cost
Less than $75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White satin paint from behr
I sanded between coats and used a fine bristle brush.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Lumber Scrap wood portable Cart

Submitted by Kingspiper on Fri, 03/31/2017 - 13:03

Cut-off lumber cart on heavy duty 3 inch locking swivel casters.  Used 3/4 copper pipe and 3/4 plywood with a couple of pine wood scraps.  Keeps things neat and clean. :)

Estimated Cost
125.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain and plain walnut oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kitty Outhouse

My first Ana White project. Built Ana’s awesome small cedar shed as an outhouse for our many cats. The have access to it from inside the house. Great way to keep litter boxes and the mess out of the house. It is stand alone, and attached to the house, in front of a bedroom window. There are two ‘entrances’ as well as two, one-way, escape hatches, if a cat in the outhouse is interrupted by another cat (I.e. a male cat comes in and the female feels trapped) they can exit to the outside (one way so no critters can come inside!). Ana has easy to build plans, great site! I plan on making the square table just posted today for my newly refurbished deck. Keep in mind, my estimated costs and time reflect a LOT of additional features on the inside. The shed itself, very easy, simple, inexpensive. Very little waste with Ana’s projects as well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
No finish, at least not yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic X Desk

Submitted by LelandM on Tue, 04/23/2013 - 14:34

I found the Fancy X Desk plan and loved it. I shortened the length to 4 feet and added a little monitor stand on top so I could put stuff under my monitor and not have to sacrifice desk space.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used minwax Kona stain for the bottom. For the desk top I used Primer and Satin paint sample that I found for $3 at Lowes. The sample was plenty to paint the whole top and I still have half of the jar left over.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Baby Cradle

Made this from typical dimensions of other cradle plans online and designed it off the cuff. Years ago, my dad made a cradle for me. I thought this would be a fun project to make for friends and family for their new little bundles of joy. The bottom is braced with the idea that older children will probably be playing in it. It was tested up to 65 lbs. All for approximately $60 with the mattress. Hopefully the recipients like it as much as we enjoyed building it. 

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Light Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Twin Platform Bed with Hairpin Legs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 17:40

I used untreated 2” x 6” boards, mitered the corners and stained with Minwax Early American.
The 14” golden hairpin legs are from Amazon however, after I built the bed, I realized the mattress on the trundle was getting caught on the angles of the legs so I’ve ordered straight legs as replacements. It should take care of the issue. Lesson learned! 🤣 Overall, I built it myself, it’s very sturdy and she loves it! Thanks Anna for the plans!!!

Comments

Rustic Burned table

Submitted by Malka on Wed, 09/13/2017 - 00:59

Used the plans for the Rustic X coffee table as a starting point. Left out the X's as they don't appeal to me. Took a butane torch and burned the base and tabletop before staining, and stained the table in alternating stains to give it a really unique appearance. Stains used were Rustoleum Summer Oak, and Minwax Early American, finished with Minwax Semigloss Poly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$85
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Summer Oak, Minwax Early American, Minwax Fastdry Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bike Storage

Submitted by vendo on Wed, 10/13/2021 - 10:10

I live in a smaller rental with limited garage space, so I needed a place for my kids bikes. This is what I came up with. It required minimal screw holes in the treated fence posts and I attached a rail system(rubbermaid fasttrak) for the bikes to hang from. I used Ana's easy shelves plan for the upright supports and then just added some corrugated roofing and cedar fence pickets (which I had on hand) to finish off the top.

Dining Room Buffet Cabinet

Submitted by kdins31 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:26

I scoured the web unsuccessfully for months trying to find a cabinet big enough to store everything we needed to store. I wanted something huge and bright and simple, and so I decided to just build away. It's 8'4" long, 18" deep and 36" tall. Topped with a slab of Giallo Napoleon granite and painted a nice plain white. Took me only a few nights to build and paint, thanks to my power nailer and power paint sprayer. Thanks to a great deal on a remnant granite slab, this was just about $400 total start to finish. I winged the entire plan and didn't really use any plans in particular, though I have gathered many great ideas and tips from this site.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$450-500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin white, nothing special!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

shanestric

Sat, 08/13/2011 - 14:51

Wow - looks great! You would think it was done by a pro! You should be very proud of your finished product.

Kitchen Helper

Submitted by 67GTOenvy on Fri, 08/19/2011 - 10:12

The kitchen helper tower was a fast and easy build, the modification of 16 hinges to allow the tower to fold flat was actually the most time consuming part of the build. I added clear skateboard grip tape to the platform floor. I found the hinges and griptape on ebay and most of the wood was scrap leftover from other projects.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
"Classic Red" spray paint & spray laquer for the tower frame, I stamped flowers & bugs on the platform under the griptape & clear laquered the bare sides & underside.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 02/27/2012 - 08:52

First off, your website is awesome and I love how you give such great directions. However, on everything I pull up all this information is on it. On this one it is not, can you help me? I really want to build this for my daughter.

Thanks so much.

Stacey

Amy Patterson

Mon, 11/30/2015 - 16:48

How did you build it so it can be folded up?.  Would you explain it or post a picture?

Laundry Room Cabinets

We are getting ready to list our house and the laundry room was the last room in the house that hadn't been renovated. I used the momplex cabinets as an inspiration and made a 6 cubby cabinet, small cabinet with drawer and door, laundry pedestal, and sink cabinet. The cabinets are made of MDF and face with pine and pine doors. The countertop is made of 2x6's.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I sprayed the cabinets using a graco truespray with a high gloss white paint
The countertop was stained with Minwax Jacobean
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Mud Room Closet Organizer

Submitted by mmadden20 on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 18:41

Combined the Extra Wide Shoe Bench and the Braden Entryway Hutch plans and added some customization to make the perfect mud room closet organizer! I modified the measurements to fit the width of the inside of the closet. Each kid has a ‘locker’ with hooks, a storage cubbie above and hidden storage below. The bottom of each locker has a removable lid that hides winter boots or off season gear behind the shoe shelf. So nice to have out of sight storage for items we only need for part of the year! 

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint (Dover White) and stain (Minwax Dark Walnut)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

L-Shape Outdoor Bench

Submitted by ShannonG on Mon, 07/24/2023 - 13:21

Modified to make an L shaped bench . Absolutely love it! Thank you!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments