Community Brag Posts

First Project

Submitted by ryneregan on Sun, 11/27/2016 - 13:48

First try at building something.  Start up cost in tools is not reflected in the estimated cost.  Learned a couple of valuable lessons in cut accuracy and order of work.  For us, we will buy/cut/sand/paint/assemble.  Dont let Home Depot cut your plywood.  They did a terrible job.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Furniture Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Camp Loft Bed

Submitted by AbbaZabba on Sun, 08/16/2020 - 10:58

I added 6 inches to the height so the kid's large doll house could fit under it, and added some curtains under it to be like a fort.

Finish Used
Latex paint

Easy and utilitarian!

Submitted by Galvi5 on Sat, 10/27/2012 - 15:42

An easy afternoon project. Thanks Ana White! The painting was more laborious than the building, by far.

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

$157 Custom Farmhouse Table with Bolted Plank Top - Restoration Hardware Inspired with Salvage Grey Wash Finish

My family needed a new outdoor dining table so my husband and I made this DIY Restoration Hardware Inspired Farmhouse table with Salvage Grey Wash Finish! I combined two popular RH table styles, the rectangular X-base Table and the Brickmaker’s Table, to come up with this distinctive innovative design: an X-base bottom with an industrial bolted plank table top! This will blow your mind....this table cost us only $157.00 to make, just a small fraction of the the RH $4690.00 price tag for their tables! We started with Ana White's Farmhouse Table plans, added inset lag bolts to the planked top and then gave our table a customized salvage grey wash finish to add a touch of gorgeous grey to a dark walnut base layer. We've had many fun dinners on our large farmhouse table with family and friends! See my blog post for all of the steps and materials!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$157.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Customized Salvage Grey Wash Finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Corner cubby unit

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/01/2016 - 13:00

My daughter asked of I could make cubbies for three grandchildren, and the single unit on this site seemed perfect. After I made the first two we could see that there was not a good way to fit three into the designated space, so I decided to make a corner unit and bolt them together. They love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I spent about $300.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
black enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse L Desk

Submitted by kellyd77 on Mon, 08/17/2020 - 09:02

Put a twist on the farmhouse desk plans

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Jewelry wall cabinet

Submitted by lbadger on Thu, 11/01/2012 - 07:46

Another huge THANK YOU to Ana for her amazingly timely posts! My daughters attend a pre-school that hosts an auction fund raiser every year. Last year I made Ana’s kids storage bench and filled it with fun craft items. This year I saw Ana’s jewelry wall cabinet and knew it had to be done! We have some amazing local artists so I purchased a beautiful pair of glass drop earrings to hang on the front of the cabinet. I think it turned out great (if I do say so myself!) Thanks again Ana! And by the way, distressing wood is an awesome project for little helping hands!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$8 (for the hinges)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Favorite distressed aged wood finish:
1. Give boards, hammer, keys, other sharp metal objects to my kids and let em at it
2. Brush with a strong black brewed tea (for the tannins), let dry
3. Soak steel wool in white vinegar overnight, brush over tea (chemical reaction grays wood)
3. Annie Sloan clear wax, dark wax as desired, another coat of clear
A beautiful soft aged finish!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Tables

I stained the top with american walnut and used chalk paint on the bottoms.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut and chalk paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My version "Michaela's Kitchen Island"

Submitted by Lorri Dee on Sun, 12/04/2016 - 20:38

Built from discount 70% off lumber from Home Depot. I planed and cut down to size with a Ridged planer and table saw, then screwed together with kreg pocket screws. Since I will be kneading bread on it, I used a natural coffee stain and then butcher block finish..

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Coffee stain with butcher block mineral oil and bee's wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse bench

Once I made the farmhouse table, I had to make the bench to go with it! It compliments the table very well. Easy to build only took a couple hours from start to finish. I also used the kreg pocket hole jig on this project as well so no screw holes could been seen. Thank you Ana for the plans!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White satin paint, white wash for the seat over the stain, weathered gray stain, fast drying polyurethane 3 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

RH knockoff triple cabinet sideboard

Submitted by Beth H. on Sat, 11/03/2012 - 17:20

After seeing Ana's plans and how Jen Woodhouse at "House of Wood" finished it, I wanted one too! Ana's plan are very thorough and Jen's blog showed a very detailed version of how she completed it. I made a few changes, such as the pull down drawer front to conceal the DVR player and I inset the top rather than have an overhang.
It was quite a bit of work but totally worth it! The piece turned out beautiful.
Thanks Ana!!!! Beth.
Makemeprettyagain.blogspot.com for complete details

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
wood and hardware....$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Deft-satin water based finish. 4 coats on top and 1-2 on the rest.
Varathane gray and ebony mixture for the stain. See blog for application tips.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

itzann

Sun, 11/04/2012 - 05:28

Love this. Looks like a lot of work, but what a nice functional piece of furniture! I have always loved that style of drawer pull.
-Ann

Baby changer

Submitted by Melosman on Thu, 08/21/2014 - 05:59

My first build.using these plans I had to convert to u.k. Sizes and alter slightly but it turned out really well
Built for upcoming event.

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

Comments

Loft bed with stairs

This project was so fun to make. When we have a bigger room, we will put a slide on the other end. My son loves his bed!!

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Used homemade chalk paint with antique wax sealer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Tall planter box

Submitted by project101 on Sun, 08/23/2020 - 08:43

I did this this spring in preparation for my summer garden flowers
My neighbor found this>50 year old barn wood and thought I could use it.
Furring strips were from a garage pile
used stock of nails
paints extra
cost almost nothing
enjoyed my time with this

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
less than 5 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
cape cod red outdoor paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wood Can Organizer

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/15/2024 - 11:57

I love all the free plans. I built this one last year based off one of the plans. Edited to add space length and width, with an end for taller cans. by Chasity Abbott on Facebook

Built from Plan(s)

Barnwood Frames

Submitted by moosmani on Mon, 11/05/2012 - 18:34

I can't believe I made these two picture frames thanks to wonderfully simple plans! We bought a painting in Italy 16 years ago and I was never able to find a ready-made frame beause of the unusual dimensions and I didn't want to pay for a large custom frame. Now I have one! The smaller frame accommodates an 8x10. Both frames are made out of the $0.89 furring strips at Home Depot.

Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Benchwright Living Room Collection

Submitted by hoosierary on Sun, 08/24/2014 - 19:09

We liked the look of the PB Benchwright living room collection but wanted to make a few modifications. The side table tops were cut a little larger and not perfectly round as we wanted to have a small flat surface on each side. We also wanted to have the same look among all pieces so rather than angle the legs on the side tables, we cornered it so it matched the other pieces. Table tops are 2x6 Douglas Fir boards that we added a 'V' groove in each of the seams and sides.

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain on top, sanded down after 1st coat and Rustoleum satin polyurethene. Slate Gray satin finish on bases with one coat of primer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Wed, 08/27/2014 - 14:21

What a marvelous build! Absolutely love your finish colors and the coordinated details on each piece. You did an awesome job!

Greenhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/12/2016 - 15:37

Enjoyed building this for my wife for Christmas

Estimated Cost
$800
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Galvanized Roofing and Vinyl Panels
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

L shaped farmhouse desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/25/2020 - 17:22

I modified this plan for the short leg to only be 37.5" and the long leg is 60" to fit my space. The bottom is painted white pine, and the top is poplar stained with Minwax Honey and 2 light coats of poly. I also cut a 45* angle in the top to make sitting in the corner a bit more comfortable.

Project was completed in one week (including finish drying time) for about $100.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint, Minwax Honey, Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate