Community Brag Posts

Ikea inspired outdoor storage bench and panel

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/04/2016 - 20:22

This project is based on the outdoor storage bench at morelikehome.net, which was based on an Ikea outdoor storage unit.  I used 100 year old lath that I recycled from a remodeling project.  The lid of the bench lifts off, it will eventually hide the timer for a drip irrigation.

Estimated Cost
less than $30, really just the cost of glue. I used recycled lath thus no cost for the wood. I found some old drawer pulls in the garage, and put a patina on them.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Preserva, Redwood color, purchased at Home Depot
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tall Pallet Entryway Table

Combination of the Farmhouse table (http://ana-white.com/2009/12/plans-farmhouse-table-knock-off-of.html) and the simple, cheap, easy console table (http://ana-white.com/2009/11/plan-simple-cheap-and-easy-console.html).

I wanted it taller so that I could make rolling crates to push underneath and might add a shelf later on to maximize storage potential. I kept the lengths of the pallets except for the side supports which I just cut in half, I wish I had cut a little more off the side supports making it so that I didn't waste as much pallet wood cutting the wood for the table top but I love it nonetheless and I have bonfire wood for our next get together. Right now I'm enjoying it since it's my first Ana-White project.

I used two free pallets I scored on a yard sale group on Facebook, lots of sanding, and I had the paint (one coat to keep it rustic) and screws on hand so it was a free project. I only received one splinter (should of been wearing gloves) and added an embellishment with chalk board paint (stating the year that my husband and I met since he just left on deployment). It took me 5 hours (I told you it was a lot of sanding) over the weekend. Fun project, can't wait to get started on the next one :)

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a combination of latex paints, colors: sunflower yellow and brownie brown, with a little paint thinner and brushed it on.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Flat Book Shelf How-to

Our home is small, about 1600 sq/ft, so I am on a mission to create as much out of the way storage as possible. It feels like a loosing battle, but I suppose with 2 young children most mothers feel like this with or without more square footage. You might wonder why I don't buy furniture to solve my problems? My answer to that question is that most of the furniture out there is too expensive, it doesn't fit the space available, and just doesn't suit all of our needs. Most importantly, I know that I can make it myself, build it better, and use quality materials. No particle board here, thank you.

So, my storage solution for my boys books was inspired by the Ana Whites Flat Wall Book Shelves (http://ana-white.com/2010/04/plans-wall-book-racks-easy-and-inexpensive…). I wanted to maximize my storage and make a good use of space in our already cramped home.

Please visit my blog for a complete DIY on my version if you are interested.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Reddish oops paint from Lowes and 2 clear coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sideboard/Hutch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/05/2016 - 19:38

Only our second wood working project (after the x console table) and it was a success! Next time, we would do the doors differently as we made them with 1x 3's and 1/4'' plywood and we had to cut the shelves down about 1/4" so they doors would shut flush. Next time we would do the 1/3's as a frame and surface mount the frame then put the 1/4" ply wood on behind it. Absolutely loved how it turned out though!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tryed Side Table- Pallet Redux

Submitted by haystacks2 on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 17:38

Made these side tables for our master bedroom using the wood from 3 wooden pallets. The pallets took about 45 minutes each to disassemble and the plank sizing required us to ripped the boards to 3 different uniform widths.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jaclyn Lieneck (not verified)

Fri, 09/14/2012 - 15:06

Do you have a blog? I commented on someone's blog and they sent me to this site, but now I cannot find their blog!!

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by diychica on Fri, 06/06/2014 - 16:40

I used 2x12 instead of 2x4 for the base and four 2x6 instead of six for the seating area. So this modified version is higher and narrower compare to the original plan.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Redwood transparent stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/21/2020 - 18:14

My first project and it was so much fun to build! I had no problems cutting the wood and getting it sanded and ready to go. I made a mistake putting it together and didn't realize it till several steps later. Luckily it was easy enough to unscrew it and go back and fix it. I was brave on the gray/light walnut colors I chose but I like how it turned out. Glad I tackled something easy for my first project. Now I'm happily looking forward to my next one. Thanks for the great plans!

Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain is one part Golden Oak and one part Dark Walnut
Gray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pallet Wood Planters

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/01/2024 - 09:40

Did them for a friend that owns a bakery.
I don't have access to new lumber unfortunately.
The bulk of what I make is pallet. That's why there are four instead of 3 slats.
Same plan though. Pretty easy to follow.
I did add some handles to make it easier to move
since they will be brought in and out daily.

Yun

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by FatBobK2 on Sun, 08/19/2012 - 05:54

I changed the design a little, using 4x4's for the legs, eliminating the side X's, and tried to save a little money by cutting the top 2x6's so that I could use the same board for both the top and bottom shelf, so i didn't have to buy the 2x12's recommended in the plans for the bottom shelf.

I used Rustoleum Sunbleached for the finish, then covered in 2 coats of brown wax, let it dry for a day, then removed some wax with Motsenbockers Paint and Varnish remover, which is Biodegradable and low VOC. I think this really gave the wood the look of old reclaimed barn wood.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Sunbleach, and Brown Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jutka (not verified)

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 20:36

I looooove how this turned out. I am straight up stealing this. Keep my flings crossed that mine turns out as well as yours did!

amycourts

Sat, 08/03/2013 - 09:25

LOVE what you did here. I was wondering if I could do the same thing - use 2x6s for top & shelf! That'll make it a little easier to narrow it as well. And I'm ditching the X's also. They just don't appeal... so you know, just write up new plans for what you did, eh? :) Great job!

amycourts

Sat, 08/03/2013 - 09:26

LOVE what you did here. I was wondering if I could do the same thing - use 2x6s for top & shelf! That'll make it a little easier to narrow it as well. And I'm ditching the X's also. They just don't appeal... so you know, just write up new plans for what you did, eh? :) Great job!

amycourts

Sat, 08/03/2013 - 09:26

LOVE what you did here. I was wondering if I could do the same thing - use 2x6s for top & shelf! That'll make it a little easier to narrow it as well. And I'm ditching the X's also. They just don't appeal... so you know, just write up new plans for what you did, eh? :) Great job!

amycourts

Sat, 08/03/2013 - 09:33

sorry for the extra comments. One other thing - For the bottom shelf: It looks like you used 2x4s to attach to the 4x4 legs; is that right? What did the dimensions of your table end up being? And, if you don't mind my asking, what *would* they be, if you eliminated one of the top 2x6s? Thanks!!

Djun Finney

Sat, 03/28/2015 - 13:22

Hi Bob, your table looks awesome, what did you do for the base support under your top and bottom pieces? Thanks !

Octagon Table Finished!

Submitted by kkwong5 on Mon, 06/09/2014 - 08:43

Finished building this table with the plan provided by Ana White! Worked out great. I stained it in a with a transparent deck stain in natural sequoia. Happy to help if anyone has any questions!

Tips: Definitely cut as you go. If you get the angles are off in the center when all the long pieces connect is it makes each top piece larger or smaller.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Dog Crate + End Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/09/2016 - 16:33

One thing led to another, and we got a rescue dog – Arthur. The good little guy finds the apartment too big to stay alone when we are not around, and it is a recommended practice to have a dog crate so that the dog has a confined space of its own.  The options to buy were hopeless, and the cheapest ones were just made of metal wire. They look horrible inside the house and it looks like a prison cell. There are nicer wooden ones, but they cost few hundreds of dollars. So, I put my DIY hat on, and thought of building one for our new buddy!

 

Material Used:

  • 1 sheet of 4ft x 8ft, ½ inch thick Plywood
  • 3 lengths of 1.5 inch x 1.5 inch x 8ft lumber
  • Small pack of ¾ inch wood screws
  • Small pack of 1.5 inch wood screws
  • 8 90 degree metal framing angles
  • ½ qt latex based wood primer
  • 1 qt wood paint
  • 2 Brass hinges – 270 degree
  • 1 lock
  • 1.5” brush and 6” roller

Refer my blog post for all step by step instructions and optimal material usage.

 

 

Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The finish can really improve from what you see in the pictures. ideally the edges should be sanded more and then white wood primer and wood paint work for the 'walls' and door. For the top surface we used a satin stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor seating made with thrown away cushions

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/22/2020 - 18:01

Someone on my street had thrown out 2 couches. The cushions were in perfect condition. So I built chairs and fit the cushions! I built a matching coffee table to fit a glass I had. To finish the space, I added a table to have my morning breakfast.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor Wood Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/07/2024 - 18:18

Love Ana’s 2x4 patio loveseat sofa sectional, it was easy to follow. I have made 3 sets for my close neighbors.

Todd Ellis

Built from Plan(s)

Modified Rustic X Coffee Table

Plans are from the Rustic X Coffee Table. Since my miter saw only can make miter cuts up to 55 degrees it was too tough to make exact 60 degree cuts. My wife and I decided to put columns on the sides of the table instead of X's. I think the table looks really good without anything on the sides as well. Also, we added some addition table top supports with two, 2x2s, placed horizontally across table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less than $80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut color wood stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jlynchtx

Fri, 01/05/2018 - 23:05

The table looks great. I am thinking of building one soon myself. I noticed you built this quite a long time ago. Have you had any problems with the table warping or splitting? Did it hold up well over time? Thanks!

Work bench

I was inspired by this workbench post to create a workbench, especially since I needed one! I painted it with exterior paint and added wheels. I also added extra wood around the bottom to make it sturdier.

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

First Leaning Bookshelf Project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/11/2016 - 17:15

This was my first attempt at the leaning bookshelf project.  I decided upon a modern-contemporary look by using white laminated 1x4s and opted for dark wood staining to give the shelves contrast.  It was my first time using a compound miter saw, as well as intensive wood sanding and staining.  I struggled with cutting the white support beams into the directed 5 degrees, and just made my best guess with a hand saw (however, I will try to improve upon this for our next set, since the additional cost of a second bookshelf is only about $50.)

 

I also learned about the trick of a 5-point shelf leveling (one for each corner, and the center point) in order to get a truly level shelf.  Creating the jig in order to space out the distance between each shelf is a really good idea to help implement all of the setup.  

Overall, I really enjoyed this project and wanted to thank Ana for her inspiration and plan details.  

I look forward to reporting yet another success on our second bookshelf (and following writing desk) soon!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Initial equipment cost: Approximately $600 (to be used in other projects.) Actual hardware costs: Approximately $150.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax walnut stain, with semi-gloss clear sealant. Instead of doing the small cross-cuts as described in Ana's plans, I opted for a slightly rounded / beveled edge on all of the shelves, in order to give me a very soft and touchable feel. It was definitely extra sanding, but I believe it was worth it!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mini Media Stand

Submitted by Aisha on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 18:53

The minute I saw this mini media stand I knew that I would have to make it for our playroom. I tweaked the measurements slightly since my wood sizes were slightly different from Ana. This was a pretty easy build for me and I would consider myself a beginner.

Estimated Cost
$100 for wood and hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Two coats of Varathane's Ipswich Pine and two coats of semi gloss poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Joni

Fri, 08/24/2012 - 07:19

I can't believe that this plan only came out 2 weeks ago, and you have already created and posted this! It is awesome, and your stain/finish looks amazing. I love your modifications, and your stain & cabinet handle choices.

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