Community Brag Posts

DIY Cornhole Board

I built a pair of cornhole boards following a tutorial on This Old House.  I used the Glidden Paint Team Colors line to get the a quart of blue and orange paint in the official Auburn colors.  I used my Silhouette Portrait machine to create stencils for the AU logo, Auburn tiger logo and "War Eagle" text.

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Glidden Paint from the Team Colors Collection
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse table

Submitted by verymom on Sat, 09/29/2018 - 13:43

We adjusted the plans so this table top measures 84" x 48". Our chairs were also a little taller than normal, so we raised the legs to make sure the height of the table would be comfortable with the chairs. 

I've lost all the math we did, so I'm sorry I can't help you make these adjustments. We made this table a couple years ago.

We used 4x4s for the legs and I'm really glad we did. A previous Ana White table we made, we used thinner legs and the poor thing squeaked like crazy. This table is much sturdier. We also used thicker pieces for the top which also adds to the stability. 

A friend helped us plane the table top and fit it all together. It's just pine though, so we have had some warping, but it isn't bad. 

We bought a kreg drill to make the assembly smoother. Love that thing!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint with built in primer on the legs. I didn't bother urethaning and so far it has held up well. Table top I used a dark Minwax stain (I think Jacobean) with a urethane sealer. Wipes up great and is holding up well to kids.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Love how this turned out!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/12/2022 - 06:20

Thanks for the plans! We have a small backyard and I wanted something that we’d actually enjoy looking at. I skipped the planter box and will likely put some potted plants up there instead. All I need is a matching metal cap for the roof peak, and of course chickens!

Comments

Cameron Wall Storage Unit

I used Ana's plans to build a Cameron Wall unit for my new nursery. I used 3/4" MDF and 1 1/4" brad nails with lots of Gorilla Wood Glue to assemble. I also used bead board on the doors. Great storage! You can read more at http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2011/07/furniture-for-the-new-nursery.html

Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of Valspar Premium satin black paint, 1 coat of Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bed n nightstand

Found the headboard directions on here... Messed w dementions for footboard n connect it w a 2x12 w three lag bolts each comer. Night stand was constructed the same but on a smaller scale

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Clear gloss lacquer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dining room buffet

Submitted by jwillo on Tue, 09/29/2015 - 19:49

This was my husband's and my second furniture build, and the first with doors! We went ahead and followed the dimensions in the instructions, and even with wood that was 3.5, we still had doors that were a little short. I figure it adds character. Hinges were a little difficult for us, as we are new to woodworking DIY projects, but I'm very happy with the final project. Edge banding, magnetic clasps, and stain throughout really makes it look like a nice, finished piece. Thanks, Ana!

A side note on timing, for us this was a long weekend project that took us in to the next week. For others, I am sure it could go much quicker. That time also included finishing.

Estimated Cost
$200, not counting the new nail gun we purchased. :-)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax English Chestnut--one coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farm table.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/14/2018 - 13:38

Built this 8' farm table after watching your video. Its my first piece of furniture. 

Estimated Cost
$200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Milled red oak.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic Barnwood Picture Frames

Submitted by kmatt55 on Mon, 07/25/2011 - 18:49

Thanks to Ana's plans I was able to build this in a couple of hours. It's not necessary, but a miter saw makes this project a cinch. I used one coat of Minwax Mahogany for the stain and distressed the wood with various sharp edged tools from my garage. I used a large Lowes moving box ($1.50) to cut the backing to 18"x24" and spray glued it to the print. I didn't use glass partly because its expensive and I was a little lazy. As you can see in the pictures below I just stapled the back to the frame. Even without the glass, I think it came out pretty well. Another project completed to go in the mountain house....

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Mahogany
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Weatherly Sectional

We had extra space in the backyard and I always wanted somewhere cozy to sit. Of course, the 'conversation' sets you find in stores were out of our price range so we turned to Ana!!

The whole project took a long weekend to complete - including shopping, cutting, sanding and putting it together. The cushions took a bit longer because they were custom made.

The project was much easier than I expected and the result is fantastic (in my opinion, of course!). I can't believe we actually built a piece of furniture!!

Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$350 plus cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet - am considering let it grey naturally.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 16:03

Beautiful build. Love, love, love the two tables and lantern. Totally staged so pretty. And those cushions! Gorgeous!!! Will you please share where you got the fabric for the throw pillows and the names if you know them?

$25 2x4 Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/21/2018 - 15:39

Our small entryway was in need of some sort of bench or coat rack. Since the space is on the smaller side, I was looking for plans that were simple and would not overwhelm the area of the house.  When I came searching for plans on Ana White’s website, these plans were JUST posted! It was meant to be! This was my second build ever. Very simple and straight forward. I used Special Walnut for the stain and a satin polyurethane for the top coat.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Special Walnut & satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Chaise Lounge

I built this chaise lounge for my daughter from your plans. She will paint it tomorrow. Thanks!!!

Comments

Cabin Media Center

Submitted by tracysmith on Fri, 07/29/2011 - 16:07

Beautiful media center, couldn't resist building it for our living room! Thanks Ana for such awesome plans!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Glidden deep blue paint with a polycrylic finish in satin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kristen

Mon, 02/06/2012 - 10:39

I love getting a good chunk of a project made out of scraps. I have yet to get an entire project made out of them, but I'm hopeful :)

I think I'm going to hire you for finish work--love this blue color!

tracysmith

Tue, 02/07/2012 - 00:23

Ha.. funny thing about that color... I'm really starting to hate it. I actually have that piece for sale right now. It was always going to be a temporary piece because I really want to build something to surround our gas fireplace and then have a flat screen above the fireplace.

I also learned a LOT when painting this piece and now I think I have painting furniture down to a science. ;-)

Thanks again for the compliment!

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 03/27/2012 - 20:08

Personally I love the color, you did an amazing job both in building it and painting it, beautiful work!

In reply to by Guest (not verified)

tracysmith

Tue, 03/27/2012 - 23:29

I appreciate your compliment! I've actually been trying to sell this piece because I want to build something new, but no takers. I'm thinking it's because of the color, but until we do sell, we will certainly enjoy it! Thanks again!

Washer/Dryer Pedastal

Submitted by abbieaston on Sun, 08/25/2013 - 17:56

Our home improvement store didn't have non-pressure treated 4x4s so we screwed 2 2x4s together to make the posts. We chose not to put quarter round around the posts, but instead added baseboards to the front and side to finish it off. We're really happy with how it turned out.

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

Console to vanity

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/28/2018 - 07:54

This vanity is an amalgamation of a few ideas I found online. I used the Reclaimed Wood Console Table as a guide to pull it all together. All three drawers are functional. The plumbing falls directly between the center and right drawer, and the drawers are mounted on bottom center glides.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
semigloss white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Built to the right size

Submitted by tugnut1 on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 06:20

When the neighbors came over and looked at this, they thought it came from pottery barn. I knew it reminded me of something, but I couldn't put my finger on it. This picture is about 2 years after I made it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
black paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First Time Build

Submitted by ckdesigns on Tue, 08/27/2013 - 19:31

This was my first large project. Built it in one very long day and then finished over a few weeks. Instead of 2x4's for legs I opted for a 4x4 post with a bolt running through. I didn't really want to figure out the square washer so I just went with standard round. I spray painted all of the hardware silver with Rust-Oleum Universal Hammered Spray paint to coordinate with the Tolix like chairs I purchased from Restoration Hardware.

Estimated Cost
$87 for wood + $32 for stain and brushes = $119
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The finish was the most difficult part of the project for me. I used Minwax and kept altering the color because I wanted it dark but not too dark.
-Started with Minwax Pre-stain Wood Conditioner
-1st coat Minwax: Early ;American
-2nd & 3rd coat Minwax Dark Walnut
-4th layer Minwax PolyShades: Royal Walnut
-5th and final layer Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Medickep

Wed, 08/28/2013 - 20:11

Great work, that really looks good. I love the finish! Did you need all of the different coats? Or did you just decide you wanted darker after each one?

momofour09

Mon, 09/02/2013 - 07:12

I was wondering the same thing as Medickep, were all of the coats necessary or was it just the way you wanted it finished? I do like the end results though.

ckdesigns

Tue, 09/03/2013 - 09:03

The multiple coats wasn't intentional. I just couldn't get the right look so kept on going with the colors. I'd say the finish portion of the project was the most difficult for me. I am happy with out it turned out and cannot wait to build something again!

Simple Stool

Made with Western Red Cedar 1x6 fence boards and 2x4. Finished with General Finishes Arm R Seal. 

Thank you Anna. 

 

Estimated Cost
Less than $15
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Wood Conditioner
Varthane Natural Oil Finish -1 coat
General Finishes Arm R Seal 3 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Doll House

Submitted by samueldodd on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 08:10

I made this with oak plywood and used a straight edge and paper knife to score it to look like planks and a chisel to vary board lengths and stained it. This is the first house I made like this. I made second house like this after a house fire destroyed the first one. My people were well pleased with both of them. I will put lights in the next one.

Estimated Cost
$75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Squared2 Dining Table

I'm not sure that anyone would want to build this table, but I attached my plans made in PowerPoint here.

We have a 600 square foot apartment. We enter through our kitchen, so we wanted a dining table that did not take up much space visually or physically. The Squared2 Dining Chairs inspired the creation of our Squared2 Dining Table. We appreciate having it.

To cut down on cost, we purchased 1/8" plexiglass and cut to fit our table top.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None, yet. :) May leave natural, but suggestions welcome!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Fri, 08/30/2013 - 09:14

Yvonne, your table is fabulous! It goes so beautifully with the chairs and the rest of your kitchen design elements. You did a wonderful job! :)

yurra-bazain

Fri, 08/30/2013 - 17:50

Mahalo, Joanne! We ate our celebratory dinner on it last night, and I was relieved it felt sturdy. There is something about having dinner at a dining table with the people you love that just makes me thankful!