Community Brag Posts

Five Board Wedding Guest Book Bench

To contribute to an upcoming family wedding, the mother of the groom asked me if I could build the couple a guest book bench like the one we had at our wedding. We only had a few days to build, so instead of using the same Rustic Bench plan I chose Ana’s 5 Board Bench. I had some spare 1×3′s so I decided to add a shelf to the bottom for added stability. It turned out to be a really cute bench! The little details were fun to add. For the art on the top, i traced their last name and wedding date in Cecilia font onto printer paper straight from my computer screen since my printer is out of ink. I taped it in place on the bench, then traced over it with an empty mechanical pencil which indented the outline on the wood. I filled it in with a silver metallic Elmer’s Painters paint pen. The guests used a fine tipped paint pen to sign it at the reception. A bench is so much more fun than a plain old book! Now they have something to display and use in their new home together!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Three coats of white semi-gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toddler Farmhouse Bed in Red

Built this in the summer for my son's birthday, so I don't remember exact details or costs, but it was my first build, ever. It took a few hours to build the bed. Many more to sand, prime and prime. Then I glazed the cracks with an antique glaze, valspar brand I think, for a more rustic look. Sanding and finishing was about a week while waiting for coats to dry properly.

Estimated Cost
Less than $100, probably was well under that. I think wood was less then $50 even.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Red gloss spray paint because they were out of satin, wasn't a fan of the gloss, still am not. Valspar antique glaze
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Dream Kitchen

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/03/2016 - 16:47

We are building out kitchen cabinets using Ana White's plans.  Our kitchen was a galley kitche.  It has taken us about nine months, but it is so worth it.  We used prefinished maple for our cabinets and these corner shelves are made with plywood and then stained them.

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Classic Gray Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Home Decor

Submitted by Malka on Sat, 02/01/2020 - 15:13

Used a Milescraft Circle Guide to cut the circle, then stained in Minwax Honey and used a Silhouette Cameo for the vinyl wording. 

Estimated Cost
20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Honey stain
Minwax Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Countertop Produce Storage Bin

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/25/2023 - 09:20

My 16-year-old son is home every other day for school with an on-line course he is taking. We started working on projects we both wanted to learn from cooking to woodworking projects. This is the very first project we made. We are both very proud and pleased with the simple directions, minimal tools required, and beautiful results. We used an early American stain and lacquer finish. We have received many compliments on it. Thank you for giving us something to build our relationship and home with.

Elizabeth

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Outdoor table

This is my first completed project. I repurposed an old four poster bed frame. I used the posts for the legs (they are a bit skinny). I spent about 10 dollars on the slats. Everything else was from my garage. A pocket hole jig and an orbital sander would have made this a lot easier. Sorry about the photo rotation. I can't seem to change that!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Water based stain and polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

We have loved this thing!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/08/2016 - 08:52

Really enjoyed building and using this "Little Helper Tower" so our two kiddos could join us doing kitchen work and play. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kitchen island built from your plans

Submitted by shaysite on Fri, 02/07/2020 - 05:57

Just about finished with the kitchen island. I got a surprisingly good Home Depot to match the look of the milk paint on the pie safe that I have with a dead flat latex paint for not much money. Had some leftover burnt umber age effect glaze. 

I finished the top with a couple coats of Epoxy resin for a nice glasslike finish and added some wrought iron hardware and an oak towel rack. Last thing to do is put furniture wax on the exposed white pine areas. Then I’ll try to figure out how to move it into the kitchen without sustaining any serious injuries, such as a hernia...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Latex paint with burnt umber glaze and epoxy resin for the top.

Outdoor Table with Concrete Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/02/2023 - 10:25

Fancy X Farmhouse Table in stained cedar with concrete table top. Concrete top made using 4’x8’ melamine coated MDF boards for form, reinforced with welded wire fabric, standard Quikrete concrete mix.

MDeMotte

Built from Plan(s)

Coffee Table-bigger

Submitted by sgilly on Fri, 04/27/2012 - 19:56

I made this for a friend who just didn't want to spend upwards of $600-1000 for a large 42"x42" coffee table. Hmmmm... I wonder why?
I'd seen Ana's plan for the turned leg table and thought I could make something nice that would be more in their price range.
I always tell the people I build for that they'll have something pretty and functional - unless or until they decide to add it to their burn pile. So far, there haven't been any fires.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$123 for lumber and finishing materials
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax. First I used Bombay mahogany, wiped that off, then I applied two coats of espresso. When dry, I sanded lightly with flattened brown paper bag. Then I applied 4 light coats of polyurethane, semi-gloss. Then finished that with finish paste wax, rubbed on and buffed off. (I did let it dry recommended time between all coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Truss Shelves for Boy's Room

We needed storage for my son's room, and this project provided the perfect shelves for all those legos.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Wood Stain in American Walnut, Rustoleum Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Smith Media Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/31/2019 - 09:08

We recently moved into a new home and needed extra space to store some of our "stuff". I've built several of Anna White's designs and looked here to find one that would suit us.  This plan was relatively simple to follow.  I did alter the plans a bit to fit our needs (mainly making the center console piece wider and the sides a bit thinner). The crown molding was by far the hardest thing for me to master.  

Estimated Cost
Around $300-400.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

x-console with bar stools

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/14/2020 - 15:10

This sofa table (x-console) was built with pine and stained with expresso. we made two bar stools from "home made modern" so kids could use lap tops and socialize with us when we were watching TV.

We have since modified this project to have 3 drawers and a central games storage with hinged door That hardware was salvaged from an old desk we were turning into firewood..

Win Win

Repurposed Lathe Storage Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/03/2023 - 08:12

While using lathe it is helpful to have tools at hand. In general my lathe tools have custom racks/holders on wall but it is a nice adjunct to have the little table on wheels that stores underneath the lathe —at my side! 

All parts are recycled wood from scrap box or dumpster!

 

Dining table

Submitted by lazyLiz on Sun, 04/29/2012 - 13:00

Measured 3'6"W X 8'L X 30"Tall, seats 6 to 8. Built it entirely from red oak. I built and upholstered these 8 chairs to go with this table. All the wood I used on all of these dining room furniture you see on this photo came from trees damaged or felled by the April 27 tornado outbreak near where we live.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
red oak with drops of ebony finished with clear poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dani K (not verified)

Wed, 10/03/2012 - 17:31

I'd love to have the plans for the chairs you made as well. I WANT this in my dining room! Beautiful!!!

Dani K (not verified)

Wed, 10/03/2012 - 17:33

I'd really like the plans for the chairs that you built to go with this table. I WANT this in my dining room and plan to convince my husband to build it for me. Beautiful!

Rustic Bookcase

Submitted by kristyzed on Sat, 02/15/2014 - 10:35

I wanted to build a piece for my living room that I could add onto later with other matching pieces. This was perfect since it has the matching coffee table, side table, and console table. It was my first time making angle cuts, and not tricky like I thought it would be. This is a very solid piece and fits in nicely with my decor.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained with Minwax's Espresso stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

dbraa

Mon, 04/13/2015 - 18:24

Knotty Pine 2x boards aren't available here. Could you provide more specifics about what you used for each type of board?

Modern Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/12/2016 - 21:07

I lile the modern lines of this bench and it is easy to build. The longest part is waiting for the glue to cure.

Clair

woodpaintcreate.com

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Waiting to decide
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tv console

Hand made tv console that is distressed white! 
Handmade custom pieces made to order! Check us out 

Facebook Marney Marie 

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)