Community Brag Posts

Wood and Leather Sling Chair

Submitted by efmolly on Fri, 06/06/2014 - 10:55

Despite how it looks, this chair was actually pretty cheap and easy to build. The one caveat is that it really needs to be built from hardwood. The minimalist design of this chair requires the strength of solid hardwood. I don't think pine would cut it.

I started by building my angled legs. My chair is nice and lounge-y. If you don't like the relaxed, lounger style, you may want a slightly more shallow angle to your back. The total length of the back is 33". I wanted the leg portion to be 4" tall, so I first cut 2, 33" lengths. Then, measured 4", and cut at a 10-degree angle. I inverted the 2 pieces, and attached them together with glue, pocket holes, and screws.

Once I had my angled legs, I put together my back frame, front frame, and finally joined them together with the armrests and side supports. I used wood glue and countersunk, 3" screws at each joint.

To create the sling, I took two, 52" leather belts, and strung 19" wide slats, 1" apart. I attached the slats to the leather using a pop rivet gun. For this size chair, I used 17, 1.5" wide slats to create the sling. I then attached the sling to the frame using carriage bolts and nuts.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I primed the frame with black primer. Then sprayed a coat of Oil Rubbed Bronze by Rustoleum, Next, I layered a coat of metallic silver and distressed to allow some of the darker paint to show through. I sealed the whole thing with 3 coats of satin polyacrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

X rustic End table

Submitted by Joep_erez on Wed, 09/07/2016 - 01:01

Heres the X Rustic End table I made with Annas plans. I used 1x6's instead of 2x6's and added a middle shelve. Hope u like...

Estimated Cost
40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Espresso/ polyurithane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Greenhouse

I went from a 6 x 8 Harbor Freight Greenhouse to this one 10 x 12. I added a few windows...

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Changing Table

Submitted by velazquez3 on Mon, 06/09/2014 - 06:42

After building the Emerson console for our living room, and seeing how Ana modified the plans for a changing table, I decided to do the same. Although I eliminated one of the doors to make it fit our room a little better and also cut down on plywood costs, I'm VERY happy with how this turned out.

I also decided to use shaker style drawers and a shaker style cabinet door to give it a slightly more polished or modern look. Our baby is due in July and these drawers are already full of diapers and clothes!

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kilz primer on the bare wood, followed by Valspar Ultimate paint in Ultra White, and finally protected with Minwax water based polyurethane to prevent the white from yellowing. Lots of sanding to smooth out the painted surfaces and get rid of any runs/brush strokes/lap marks.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

velazquez3

Wed, 06/11/2014 - 12:28

Thank you for the kind words! I visit all of your sites daily so I appreciate the feedback

Leaning bathroom shelf

Submitted by Jill Marie on Fri, 09/09/2016 - 13:30

I saw this plan and immediately decided to make it!  My mom had been telling me for a while I needed a shelf in the bathroom she uses while visiting. She was coming the next day so decided I needed to hustle to surprise her. I left the lumber store at 8pm and finished painting the assembled shelves by 11pm. The next morning I moved shelves to the bathroom and when she arrived later that day she was so surprised!  She loved it! Thank you so much for the idea! 

Estimated Cost
$11 for lumber (I purchased 2 pieces 1-1x6 @ 8ft and 1-1x10 @ 8ft and cut to size). I already had nails, wood glue, and paint (you could purchase a sample size for $3 @Lowes and have enough for this project ).
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Scenic view colored paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Planter Boxes

Submitted by rendall28 on Mon, 06/22/2020 - 16:26

I followed the plan exactly including the suggestion of the fence paint (2 coats). This was a very easy build. It took much longer to paint than it did to build. These boxes are the perfect accent on our new patio/firepit.

Estimated Cost
$10/box for the wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Fence Stain (white) 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Wine Cabinet - Made from jelly cupboard\pie safe plan

We used the plans from the jelly cabinet \pie safe and added a wine rack at the bottom and wine glass rack that the top! I love it! I get so many compliments on it.

Estimated Cost
$150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I wanted it to look rustic\antique so I used spray paint and regular paint. It was my first time doing something like this. I was pretty much just experimenting and it turned out perfect.. We are building one for my Mom next, I wait to see how it turns out!!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cute corner desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/11/2016 - 07:55

This 2x2 desk base was the perfect size for our 6' exchange student. He needed plenty of room width and length wise. We went with stain in Kona. More time was spent staining then building.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
It is the base for a corner desk
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Papa’s Treehouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/25/2020 - 02:53

Have 3 granddaughters; 3, 2 and 6 months, so far 😉 Saw your treehouse video and made a modified version of your triangle platform using the trees I had available. Kinda went over the top a bit, but give you all the credit. Repurposed mostly old deck PT wood and rough hewn beams from neighbors.
Thanks!
Bill Magyar
Duluth GA

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
PT Wood patina and tea/vinegar aging solution on new.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Standing Console for Teaching

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/10/2024 - 07:48

I am a teacher and constantly bending over lower desks and I did not have a table to teach off of in the front of the room. So, I built one with Ana’s ideas of a console table with two shelves. I found a link to Kreg from her site and here was this table. I changed the height and width to give proper support of my back (counter hight) and a width that would hold a teacher book. I liked the A-Frame loom and had not built anything like this before, so I learned. I burned the wood for a fun mix of light and dark wood tones. My dad gave me some router bits and I used one to curve the edges of the top, ropy under frame, and shelves. That way all edges are curved for myself and students. I finished it with a coat of poly and a light sanding in between. Thank you Ana for the skills, confidence, and now a love for creating something useful and fun! My students and parents were shocked !! Plus it adds so much warmth to the classroom. Blessings, Jennifer

Outdoor Umbrella Stand

This was such and easy project. It went together in a few hours. The hardest (and most time consuming) part was finishing it. I detailed the build process on my blog if you'd like more info.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Craft Room Cupboards

My wife was wanting to get some cupboards and a hutch for her craft room that we were setting up. I looked to buy something but it was very hard to find anything the right size and combination. I was looking at different plans and I came across your site and was inspired to have a go myself. I used the plans for Patrick's Jelly Cupboard and also the Schoolhouse hutch.
I had to change some of it to get the right fit. It took a fair while to complete but I now have a very happy wife

Estimated Cost
$800 au
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Enamel Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Our Leaning Wall Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/13/2016 - 14:59

I followed your plans, with the exception of the computer desk. I mede it just a bit deeper, 1.5" or so. If I were to do this again, I think I'd go a little deeper still, maybe.  Anyway, great design.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

4 Drawer Entry Way Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/15/2024 - 10:49

I had an empty space next to my stair case and desparately needed a place for my kids to hand their back packs and put their shoes that wasn't all over the place! I adjusted Ana's plans for 4 drawers since there are 4 of us and added board and batten. I also was placing the bench over an outlet which I didn't want to lose so I got an extension piece and cut a space out for it on top with a jig saw. Love the way it came out!

Built from Plan(s)

Reclaimed-Wood Headboard, Queen Size

You can't tell in the pictures but the frame where the bolts are supposed to be barely touch the legs on the headboard. I have a standard queen bed on a standard queen frame, but it's just a bit too wide to bolt the frame to the headboard. I also had to take about 8 inches off the original plans because of the window the bed is under. Measure, measure, measure.

Get straight wood. The straighter, the better.

I used standard finishing nails and liquid nails glue to hold it. I didn't need to break out the Kreg Jig as the original plan stated.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I made my own finish using steel wool in vinegar. This is what took the most time.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Nightstand shelves

Wanted new nightstand but also wanted so shelving for pictures and stuff. Saw a picture on here and google images and decided to make it my own.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
paint is Rust-oleum Chalked (linen white). Had this from pervious project.
Stain is Minwax semi-transparent Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Garden Enclosure with Raised Beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/20/2024 - 07:39

I finished my first project. Although there are some cosmetic errors, I think overall it’s amazing. We had a lot of wood left behind by the builder of our log home. So, I was able to use a lot of that. I made some adjustments to the height of the boxes to help the back!

Michelle M - Jefferson, NC

Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday

Modified Hailey Platform Bed

Submitted by amjoear on Mon, 08/27/2012 - 16:54

Our first building project and couldn't be happier with the outcome!

My husband and I were in the market for a new bed frame, but nothing in the shops were what we were looking for. We discussed making it. I came across these plans (http://ana-white.com/2012/01/plans/hailey-platform-bed) and off we went! The headboard was something we "designed" on our own (we did not work off any plans). We wanted something simple and functional.
We started from scratch .... had to buy tools, wood conditioner, stain, etc. But unbelievably thrilled with the outcome (and cost)
It is a very sturdy and heavy bed, something that is great for use, but may cause some issues when we move .... ;)

I did not include the time needed to dry, only the time it took to get items/measure/cut/build/assemble.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Approx. $300 (includes all tools needed, wood, stain, etc.)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Premium Wood Stain
*conditioned, stained, top coat (glossy), once over with sandpaper (220 very fine with handheld sanding block), second application of top coat
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Hallway Table

Submitted by DawnB on Sun, 06/22/2014 - 22:51

Turns out this plan was made for this random spot in our hallway! I used leftover butcher block for the top.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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