Community Brag Posts

Wooden Lantern Tree

I wanted a tree feature in my living room, but I also needed a lighting source. I saw this coat tree and decided that I would make it into a lantern tree with some hand-built, simple wood lanterns. The result is an inexpensive standing "lamp" of sorts, using scrap wood and 2x2s. I have plans for adding a punch of color to the tree, but for now, I love the clean lines and the unique simplicity of this piece of solid wood furniture.

Estimated Cost
$3.70 using scrap wood, under $10 otherwise
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Semi-Gloss White (straight off shelf)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Window Pane-style Collage

Submitted by kaufmanj90 on Fri, 01/09/2015 - 16:26

I've been seeing a lot of window panes turned photo frame and really liked the look. We didn't have any extra panes around but I did have a bunch of scrap pieces of 3/4 inch plywood so I decided to make my own!

Estimated Cost
Wood was free, scraps I had laying around.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Minwax's Early American stain first. Then I blotched on some Vaseline to help with with distressing later. I followed up with 2 coats of an Antique White paint I had leftover from another project. After the paint dried I hit it with 220 grit sandpaper.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

X-Bar Coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/11/2017 - 08:11

We built our coffee table to match our farmhouse entry table! I love the tutorials from Ana White! We made changes to the bottom shelf and used 2x2 slats instead of the 1x12 pieces. Also changed the dimensions so it measures about 56x34 (kept the height the same). It complements our living room perfectly! I can't wait to built end tables next! 

Estimated Cost
$87
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan old white for base. Top and "x" white wash, then stained with Briarsmoke. Clear wax coat after then finished with a coat of matte polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Katie’s King Size Farmhouse Bed

I built this with the Ana White king size farmhouse bed plans. All pine boards from Home Depot.
Finished with Dixie Belle’s Silk Mineral Paint in Deep Sea, and Voodoo Gel Stain in Tobacco Road, with a satin clear coat.
I used Zibra paint brushes to apply the paint.
We’re in love with how it turned out! Complete transformation from our old queen bed on a cheap metal platform.

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dixie Belle Silk Paint in Deep Sea
Dixie Belle Voodoo Gel Stain in Tobacco Road
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

head and footboards from 140 year old doors ''queen''

i was able to rescue a few doors out of a roughly 140 year old house.  so the idea of a head and footboard came to mind.   the headboard is oak was the front door, and the footboard is pine from bedroom.  these were not taken apart just sanded cut to length and finished.   now everyone around me wants a pair.

 

Estimated Cost
i already had sand paper and polyurethane so i would estimate if buying those supplies $30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Don't forget the food

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/14/2017 - 18:12

I really didn't want to need to feed/water the chickens too much, but at the same time only having four didn't really necessitate a massive system. I found this video for a feeder (https://youtu.be/pzW4YytXYaQ ), and then bought some sideways chicken nipples off of amazon and <~$20 later it was done. I've since gone in and made the street elbows for the feeder a little longer than he recommends, which has made them truly zero waste. 

Also, a couple of good wheels from Tractor Supply (https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/titan-casters-4-in-rigid-poly…) on the one side and some handles on the other and boom, chicken tractor. 

Finally, I noticed one person that had extended the rungs on the ramp out... my chickens love that and are on them almost all the time. Lastly, I put a quick 1x2 at the top of the ramp to keep the chips from spilling when I move it, but they really like roosting there, now.

 

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

Garden Shed

Submitted by Gerez on Tue, 03/16/2021 - 11:52

I´ve made my garden shed based on the plans of the Small cedar shed adapted to my needed dimensions and to metric measures.
SOverall dimensions are: 2,20 m T x 1,80 m W x 0,80 m D
It was my first ever frame structure this type and size.
Thank you very much!.

Greetings from Argentina
Regards
Ben

Estimated Cost
85 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sinthetic semi-gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

First attempt!

Submitted by jdiddy on Sun, 03/10/2013 - 14:27

First attempt at anything like this, so this website was a great find and very inspiring!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kentwood Bookcase

A great plan that was so easy to follow!  My hubby and I had a great time building this, even though it took us about a year from start to finish, actual work time on this project was not huge.  The Kreg jig was brilliant and made everything so easy.  

Estimated Cost
I would put the estimated cost at around $400 AUD. Looking back at the project I'm sure we could have cut costs by buying recycled timber.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dulux Whisper White Semi-Gloss
Dulux Colour matched Turqoise Low Sheen
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farm Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/18/2017 - 09:08

We started building farm tables just recently and used the great plans from the Ana White site along with all the helpful other brag posts.  The main construction of the table was based on the plans from here: www.ana-white.com/2012/11/plans/farmhouse-table-updated-pocket-hole-plans along with some other modifications made along the way.  The table turned out great and just wanted to give thanks for the plans and this community.  

We built more than just the picture uploaded if you want to see more versions/sizez you can check them out here: http://backyardcedarsevents.com/gallery/

Thanks for the great DIY website - the projects and plans here are great for everything!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern craft table inspired desk

Submitted by Pdkennelly on Sat, 03/20/2021 - 18:30

Your craft table was the kicking off point for this desk. Pine cabinets, plywood drawers, maple top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I already had the materials, the paint was about $50
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Pro Classic White paint & Minwax wipe on poly for the maple top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Star Closet

Submitted by cawagner on Tue, 03/12/2013 - 12:39

My husband made two of these star closets for our girls and all of their American Girl Doll clothes and accessories. He added a drawer to the bottom so that they could fold pants, shorts, and swim suits and keep them there. He also built three small boxes to hold the smaller accessories, like shoes, hair bows, and hats. It turned out beautiful!

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

Comments

62" Turned Leg Vanity

Submitted by gwphoto on Tue, 01/20/2015 - 12:21

First time visitor. I recently built this modified 48" Turned Leg Vanity for my wife.

We expanded it to a 62" double sink with drawers in the middle and opening below the sinks.

Thanks for the great site Anna.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

brittanyj

Wed, 01/21/2015 - 08:06

This looks great! Will be making a similar one soon. Well done!

lkbuckley13

Wed, 06/10/2015 - 09:35

This looks great! I am going to work on one very similar and use this sink http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Ceramic-Impressions™-61-rectangular-double-bowl-vanity-top-bathroom-sink,-single-faucet-hole/productDetail/Styles-of-Bathroom-Sinks/1006992.htm?categoryId=651428&skuId=1006846&hash=id%3Dfilters%26chk-183%3D183%26startIndex%3D20%26scrollTop%3D411

Did you save your plans for this size vanity?

Shuzog

Fri, 10/23/2015 - 09:55

Gwphoto, do you have plans for this project that you would share? Have been wanting to modify this 48" vanity just as you did. Thanks so much!

Simple Outhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/20/2017 - 12:26

I had my nephew build this outhouse for our new 70 acre lot - no neighbours in sight so I had him put in an acrylic window (with a view).  I left off the deck and had him put the boards tight together so 'critters' didn't get in as easily. I made a sign for above the door - 'Waste Management' for a touch of humour.  The plans were easy to follow and I love it.  Thanks, Ana.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Approx. $300 for material and $250 for my nephew's labour.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Free Standing Closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/28/2021 - 09:13

thank you so much for these plans! We cut the original design in half, so it would fit the space- we used pine so the boards were a little warped but eventually everything screwed down into place and now it really does free stand and its all level! We may add a crossbeam at the back for extra stability. Stained with Ipswitch Pine by Verathane , 2 layers with sanding between, basic piping from the hardware store. Well under $200 total!

5.5 feet tall, 6 feet wide, 2 feet deep

Thanks again, your plans were thorough and easy to follow.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Laquer - semi gloss
2 coats, sand in between
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Puppet Stage

Submitted by jaime19861 on Thu, 03/14/2013 - 15:39

I changed the this plan to make it into a puppet stage for my niece's birthday.

I added a curtain rod and made some curtains to fit. I put two shelves in the back, but I put dowels in along the shelves so she could put her puppets on them for easy storage. I used a piece of a sheet of wainscotting for the front of the bottom.

I also put chalkboard paint at the top to allow her to write the name of puppet show that she is performing.

I was able to use some scraps that I had around for quite a bit of it, so it was pretty inexpensive.

The pictures are not great and I wish I would've taken pictures of the back before I gave it as a gift, but the kids are having lots of fun with it. I'll have to take some better pictures the next time I visit.

Estimated Cost
around $25, but I was able to use scraps that I had and paint that I already had.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabinet paint, chalkboard paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/22/2017 - 17:38

Hi all,

Joining a large group who have already done this coffee table.  Hope you like it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
110 inlc stain
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered wood oxidizer by varathane, Deft aerosol satin laquer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Tumbling blocks Cassidy Queen bed

Submitted by Kimiark on Fri, 04/02/2021 - 17:01

This required lots of tiny parallelograms. It was great fun to make!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The finish is Natural and a bit of Golden Oak mixed.

Comments

Kentwood bookcase - upsized

I made the original plan higher and wider, and added an extra shelf. Very pleased with the outcome!

Estimated Cost
AUD $200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Water-based stain (Walnut) & water-based satin varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments