Community Brag Posts
My entry way bench in Hickory
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The Shelf Help app helped me customize this to my space, the plans were excellent. Thank you!
Comments
Sat, 10/23/2021 - 17:14
Thank you for sharing!
We are so happy you tried out Shelf Help! It looks amazing~
Our bathroom step stool
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I looked everywhere for a two-step wooden step stool and just could not find one. The ones the kids were using to try and reach the sink to wash their hands, just wasn't cutting it. I have tons of scraps (from many other Ana projects), so I thought I would make my own little stool.
The building part was pretty straight forward and I'm glad to have a stool that doesn't wobble. I sanded all the edges down so it looked worn. I decided to experiment with the finish as I have a big cabinet that I'm getting ready to finish and I don't want to experiment on that one. :) I recently downloaded the recommended "Creating Your Masterpiece" by Shaunna West (see the ad to the right of this post) and was inspired to try something out of my comfort zone.
So, for the finish, I first used Miniwax Hickory gel stain. After that was dry, I used the Behr paint I had leftover from my bathroom walls and dry brushed it on. I had never done this technique before, so I started on the underside of the stool. I'm glad I did because I got much better at the dry brushing as I went on. It is definitely a tough technique to use in corners and where the wood meets at a 90 degree angle. That's why it looks so much better on the treads and flat side of the stool. After the paint dried (about 10-20 minutes), I took a medium to finer grit sanding block and sanded in a circular motion. I even had little hands helping (note picture). Finally, I used the Miniwax Paste Finishing Wax. I was unsure that I was using it correctly as it goes on very thin and it was hard to see where I applied it. After letting that dry for about 15 minutes, I buffed it out with a clean cloth. I could really see it start to shine up (just like a car wax). I love the feel of the wax and I hope it holds up over time. I do realize that I will need to re-coat on the stool treads, but that's fine with me.
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Square Fancy X Farmhouse Picnic Table and Benches
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When we resurfaced our deck last year we had to remove the built-in benches due to code regulations, so I knew I would get to make new benches this year. We wanted them to be a flexible size so we could rearrange the deck easily for eating, entertaining, enjoying the sun and the shade. Based on the size and shape of our deck, a square table for 6-8 people was going to be the best option.
After looking at a couple design plans, I decided to combine a few plans to get exactly what we wanted. To get a mid-sized square table I used the leg structure of the Fancy X Table with the construction method and the stability from 2x6s of the Square Pedestal Table. The top is joined from seven 45.5" lengths of 2x6 and two lengths of 2x4s. It ends up being 52.5" square. It is snug for eight people, but comfortable for six. We didn't end up using the skirt boards so there would be more knee room. The base is mounted on the diagonal for the same reason.
For the benches, I used the supports from the Fancy X Benches, with the bordered top from the Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Bench, since it would match the table top better. The benches are 48" long, and only two supports were used for each, inset 5" from the end of each bench. Likewise, I used a single stretch of 2x4s for the seats rather than seam them in two parts like the 106" long original plans. I did add an extra 2x2 support board under the seat platform to keep the 2x4s even over time. Overall, I made five benches - four for around the table and one for next to the BBQ. They are blue so they provide some color against the brown deck and green tree tops that surround the deck.
For both the table and the benches, I pre-stained the surfaces that make up the inside of the Xs. It made it easier to get good coverage there.
I also made a quick flip-down BBQ prep station, on similar lines to the Flip-down Wall Art Desk out of two 5/4x6 and two 5/4x4 cedar boards. The shelves are on adjustable pegs.
The costs broke down - with all hardware, screws, putty, sandpaper, stain, etc. - as: $90 for BBQ station (lots of hardware), $200 for 5 benches, and $155 for the table. I did a lot of sanding and filling to get the rough 2x4s smooth. In the end, there was about 50 hours in the benches, and 20 in the table. The BBQ station was less than a day, including mounting.
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Comments
Thu, 09/24/2015 - 14:14
Nice! Did you use 2x4s or
Nice! Did you use 2x4s or 2x6s for the X braces on the pedastle? I was thinking about a similar variation, but I wasn't sure if 2x4s would be sturdy enough?
Mon, 08/19/2019 - 22:39
Sorry, I haven't logged in…
Sorry, I haven't logged in in ages and didn't see a note. The table has 2x6 braces. I hope yours turned out well!
Harvest Table DIY
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Submitted by Valeria Green -
My husband built this table and bench for my son and his wife. He is presently building another by request for a young couple.
Comments
Tiny Home:)
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After watching your tiny home builds we decided to build our own. It's almost complete:)
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Comments
Sat, 11/06/2021 - 17:46
Amazing Tiny House!
That looks beautiful, we'd love to see the inside when it's all done!
James & Libby's Library
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My first project! It turned out pretty well, although I had some trouble hammering the nails in straight! It cost me a little more because I used fir instead of pine - there weren't any straight pine boards. I also used a 1x3 for the bottom, becuase it's along James' bed and I didn't want him banging his head if they stuck out too much. Perfect for his Thomas trains!
The wall I wanted them on is a little less than 8', so I cut 18" off both and now have two more little shelves to go somewhere, yay!
Planter Box with Finials
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It didn't take me long at all to make these. I enjoyed making them and all my neighbors love them. They have a nice amount of space. I actually had to make mine smaller than the instructions. I had most of the wood on hand.
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Rocking Moses Basket Stand
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This was one of those "Labor of Love" projects. I was nervous about the rockers but the hardest part about them was getting the ends rounded perfectly. I didn't scribe the legs, instead I cut and assembled both sides and then laid them up against my rocker 1x4s. I marked where the legs met the rockers and then cut the rockers leaving the areas where the legs met at full width. Made it much easier. I also rough cut the rockers and used my orbital sander to bring the wood down to my pencil lines. I had the rockers clamped together for the entire sanding/cutting process. I love the silky smooth finish of the milk paint and hope my nephew and his wife love the finished cradle as much as I do. Thanks for a wonderful project Ana!!
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Comments
Thu, 05/14/2015 - 13:20
Great gift!
This will be such a wonderful-thoughtful gift for your nephew! The best gifts are those that are made (with love)! :)
2x4 Rustic Outdoor Bench
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Submitted by Carla Santiago on Facebook -
We did a bench, I got your plans off Pinterest. We just put a slight slant to the back and we love it. Thanks for the great plans.
Small Dog Bed
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My mom really wanted me to build her a bed for her dog and was coming to visit in a week, so I jumped on the project immediately. (Although it is for her pup, mine is modeling the bed:-).) I took the Farmhouse Doll Bed plan and used that as a base for a modified version. I went to Joanns and grabbed a standard 15"x17" piece of 2" medium density foam for about $5 and built around it. Instead of using the 1x3s for the headboard, I used 9 1x2s to even out the space. This was also my first time ever sewing, so that was probably the most time consuming part of the project! (That's what took it over the edge from being an "hour or two project" to an "afternoon project".) I also modified the plans for Ana's Outdoor Cushions to fit the smaller piece of foam. (I fell in love with the dog fabric from Tonic Living, so I HAD to make my own!) I finished it off with 2 coats of spray paint.
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Child Size Beach Chair
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This project goes together very easily. Had my adult son come by and make it for his daughter.
Did make one adjustment ... the supporting bar on the small frame ... the one that determines the opening angle ... at 6" the chair was too open ... at 6 1/2" it was more comfortable for the little ones. We used glue and air-gun brads for joining ... once dry I was able to sit in the chair without collapse!
Colorful Sandbox with Benches
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I needed a sandbox for my little guy and came across these plans about a year ago. Needing some basic woodworking tools I put it off for a bit until I got a circular saw for Christmas. Come May I figured it was a good time to get this done.
The plan was easy to follow, and it went together quickly. The only time consuming part was waiting for the paint to dry. Since this was going to be outdoors I wanted to make sure it got treated in some way. I saw similar colors from another brag post and decided to roll with that. I also added landscape fabric to the bottom to prevent weeds from growing in.
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Chunky Media cabinet
This was loosely based on one of the media cabinets on this site. I built it to fit this spot exactly and used many of the same design elements as in the Leighton media Suite I built several years ago. One thing I want to mention I did with this design that is a FABULOUS idea in all media units. Inset the back of your lower section. I hate not being able to run the top of my "counter" flush with the wall because the back of my unit or bookcase is running into all the plugs in the outlet. I left a little larger of an overhang than I normally wood to clear the baseboards and I inset the backing of this peice about and inch inward to leave lots of room for all the chords to just hang there but be hidden. They are much more accessible and now the top of my unit is flush to the wall.
My version of the $10 ledge shelf
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I built these shelves and wasn't pleased with the finished look. We went back and added a small piece of crown molding. It made the difference I was looking for.
Super-Cool Pencil Holder
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Isn't this the coolest pencil holder EVER?! Hubby made this from a landscape timber with the drill press. Love how you can see through the holes in the bottom!
He used a hole saw attachment on the drill press, after cutting the block of wood down with the miter saw. This one is the prototype, from scrap wood. I'm thinking this would be absolutely gorgeous in Cedar! This received a quick sanding and 2 coats of clear water based poly.
As soon as he teaches me how he did this, I'm going to post the plan for 'Dan's Super-Cool Pencil Holder!' Thanks Honey! :)
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Comments
Thu, 06/04/2015 - 10:46
Really cool! Now to find a
Really cool! Now to find a big thick hunk of wood...
Thu, 06/04/2015 - 15:10
Thank you!
Thanks! I'm looking forward to trying this on my own too. Hubby came up with another technique that I think will be easier for me - using a 2" forstner bit and a regular drill. Hopefully I'll get to experiment with that this weekend, and I'll be sure to post process pictures. :)
Bench
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I needed a place for my kids to put their shoes so I shrunk the plan for the X Console and made it fit my entry way. I love it!
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Christmas Tree Shelf
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After watching Ana's video I decided to try to build the Christmas tree shelf this year in time for the season. It worked out alright. The build is straight forward. Doesn't take long and it's a fun seasonal project. Now I just have to figure out what to put on it.
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Comments
Our first build
Actually built this last Summer, but just now getting around to posting it up. Made it with Cypress, if I remember correctly, which is cheaper than Teak or other woods, but it's hard to stain because of the natural oils, and tends to flake a bit. Didn't come out too badly, though, if I do say so myself. Here's my little girl helping to show it off.
"Barnwood" Head Board
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This my version of the Farmhouse Bed.
http://ana-white.com/2010/03/farmhouse-bed-calif-king
A friend of mine wanted just a headboard and so I set out looking for a style that would compliment his home.
My lumber stash is primarily made up of reclaimed pallets and salvaged 2x4 lumber.
The only thing I had to buy was the 10' 4x4 post that I used for the legs.
I used star drive, self tapping, deck screws to assemble this beast. As the style is rustic I didn't bother trying to hide any of the holes.
Once assembled I sanded it twice and then "pickled" it to get that "barnwood" look.
The vinegar used in the pickling process should kill any microbes for those who would be concerned about using reclaimed lumber in a residential setting.
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