Community Brag Posts

Patio Swing

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2016 - 11:41

Quick build for the garden swing.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished, we are still waiting for some sun in Portland.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bed and night stands from plans on this site

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/20/2019 - 18:02

Bed and night stands build with plans from Ana White. Both projects were finished using age accelerator and weathered gray stain. Time and coat estimations include both night stands and the full sized bed.

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Age accelerator and weathered gray stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Bench

I LOVE how this bench turned out. I made it for my sister and her very large family. She paired it with an very old table that was found in the family "barn" and some chairs that she had purchased separate.
I have to say that I ADORE your site and plans!!! You are my hero.....and I want to build literally EVERYTHING on here!! Thanks SO Much :-)

Estimated Cost
90.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Bottom was painted black, and a classic gel stain applied to the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Faux Mantel with "Fire"

Submitted by Nikki4558 on Mon, 12/30/2013 - 08:46

I was tired of not having a place to hang the Christmas stockings. With no fireplace and no mantel in our 1960's ranch home, I decided to build one myself! It turned out to be one of the easiest projects I've done.

I had Home Depot cut all of the wood for me, so once I got home, I just had to nail it together. The actual building of the mantel took about an hour. Including the sanding, caulking, and painting, it took about four hours total. I also added a piece of faux brick paneling to the back of the mantel.

I made a "fire" using some river rocks and small limbs. I placed them in a circle and added string lights for the "fire" effect.

For more pictures, check out http://deepestoceanblue.com/diy-mantel-and-fake-fire/

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Once finished, I filled all of the nail holes, caulked the seams, and sanded the entire piece. Then I finished it with two coats of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Pure White.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

The original built by Soulful Haven

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/13/2016 - 04:40

We love Ana White plans. One of our customers wanted the end tables and coffee table and a similar tv stand but to fit in a corner. I took the Rustic X concept and started creating! My Friend RogueEngineer liked it so much that he reverse designed it and made plans. Such talent out there in the DIY world!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

12ft farmhouse bench

I was asked to surprise someone with a 12 ft. bench. After searching and searching I found a plan I really liked, but I felt it just wasn’t enough. I modified the plans to give it a little more of a farmhouse look. I also had to double the size of the original plans.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded with 220 grit sandpaper. I then added a coat of pre-stain. After letting it dry, I stained it with English Chestnut from Minwax, and I finished it by putting on a glossy coat of polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Storage Locker

My husband built this from your storage locker plans only complaint was the 1 1/4 screws werent long enough we had to go up to 1 1/2" but after that sucess! we decided to antique paint it, Im so in love with this peice, honest opinions accepted lol i know we each have our own style and im open to tips!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
2 different Valspar(lowes) paints and topped with a mocha glaze from them as well
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mrzhammond (not verified)

Sun, 03/11/2012 - 13:44

first i sanded it so it would have a nice adhesion. I did a "ruff coat" of brown paint, i mean ruff! lol i painted on where it would have certainly needed 2/3 coats to fully cover, but made it was enough to make the dark brown i wanted, after that dried i again ruff painted a green (salamander to be exact) coat ,(you could still see the brown) i took the orbital sander and 220 grit sand paper to age the locker, i literally resanded the whole thing and worked it a littler harder where i have the "damaged" places. the best part is you really cant mess up!,after i finished the sanding i cleaned it so i was able to put a glaze on it to "age" the paint i bought mocha transparent glaze by valspar it was about $16 but only used 1/2 - 2/3 of the jar......another project stash of leftovers:). I glazed in sections With the glaze i brushed it on the whole side and before i moved on to the next piece i wiped it to prevent it becoming to "finished", on the insides i brushed the glaze on two pieces (say one wall and the bench of that locker) and wiped the first on then the other part and then moved on. Overall i was looking to make a piece that you would find at grandmas old farm house we are super happy with the out come honestly the pictures arent as good as it came out! Good luck and happy building:)

Rustic X Coffee and End Tables

I used some flashings from Lee Valley to make these rustic tables really pop. The corners and the big brad nails really make them pop! These are also STURDY pieces of furniture as the Monster Husband has stood on them both without a wobble.

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I mixed Minwax Ebony, Dark Walnut and a lot of a white stain together and did 2 coats of that. The legs also got two coats of white milk paint which I sanded down between coats. I put 2 coats of polyacrylic on both pieces to finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

cristywisty

Wed, 09/23/2015 - 09:07

I know this post was awhile ago, but I am looking to create somthing similar.  Where were you able to find a white oil based stain?  I have called all of my local hardware stores and they all carry just water base?  Did you put the dark mix stains on then, go over with white water base stain?  Any clarification or assistance would be great!  Thanks.

Mudroom Shoe Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/28/2019 - 17:52

Loved your shoe bench so much that I’ve made two now for friends. Each one is a bit more custom depending on the length of their hallway and size of their family! I’ve also modified the bench as well to make storage for mitts and toques. Such a great functional plan!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut stain with clear top coats and leftover white trim/door paint from a previous renovation project.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor Sectional with Corner Table and Umbrella

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/12/2023 - 15:06

Originally, we were going to build the 2x4 outdoor sofa and the one arm version, but we didn’t like how far away the corner seat was from the fire pit, so we switched gears and built a second two arm sofa, and using skills we learned building from some of your other plans, we custom designed the corner table to attach the sofas and hold an umbrella.

outdooroutdoor

Built from Plan(s)

Playroom Couch

took the simple outdoor couch and brought it in.

Estimated Cost
$30 plus those blasted cushions....
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
just white.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Jen Joseph (not verified)

Sat, 03/10/2012 - 12:37

I'm also glad I'm not the only one. Its perfect for our kids when they drop stuff, it'll fall on the floor instead of the abyss with regular couches. Having a bit of a time finding easy bench cushion slipcover instructions to complete this though. I have 4" foam cut to fit but not sure if I should back it with ply, add batten on the top, etc. Any suggestions?

Double kitchen island with butcher block top

Submitted by bhoppy on Wed, 01/01/2014 - 11:58

I started on the project when I went home for Thanksgiving and finished up the drawers when I was home for Christmas. I live about 7 hours from my family. I took a few tools with me (kreg jig and drill) but borrowed a circular saw and miter saw for all the cuts. It was difficult working on it because it was fairly cold and my dad only has a carport. Which is why it took longer. My step-mom says she wants to paint it maybe with some milk paint. She also did not want the center shelf as she wanted a place for taller items.

The butcher block top was $299. It comes from lumber liquidators in 25" by 96". My dad had about 2 feet cut off the length. Ikea also sells butcher block tops for roughly half the price I think, but they were out of stock in both Atlanta and Charlotte.

I also made the small kitchen island before and this one went much more smoothly. Having the extra set of hands was awesome and made for a wonderful memory as I built it with my father:-)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
None yet
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ana White

Thu, 08/15/2019 - 12:14

This is amazing Stephanie!!!!  I can't believe I didn't see this sooner.  

We are going to feature your photo with the plans - thank you so much for sharing a brag post!  Hope you are well!

Queen Farmhouse Bed With Matching Side Tables

I have Starting loveing these little projects! however i am slowing finding out i need more tools! Anyway This bed is a slight variation from the plans mentioned. Instead of Verticle Slats for the head board and foot board i chose to do them horizontally. For 1 Reason only, to save some money. IT did not same much maybe $30 but for someone who is ona really tight budget it worked out great. I also added in a full frame around the middle slats.  I started with the side tables and that turned into makin a matching bed Frame. The side table were striaght forward and i had left over pull handles from buliting my Printers Console Cabinet. Over all the project was straight forawrd simple and fun! I amlost could wait to get it in the house! it was like watchin paint dry hahaha. Anyway i had fun with this one and i think it turned out great!

Estimated Cost
Total Cost rang in at about $250 for side table and Bed frame

Paint/Stain Etc- $60
Lumber- $150
Misc- $40
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark OAK
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

16ft x 5ft farm table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/29/2019 - 18:43

This table was created using a variety of plans. It can seat up to 20 people comfortably. The table top was built with 5 pieces of 2x12. The legs were a combination of 4x4 posts and 2x6s. 2 coats of Minwax Weathered Gray was the stain and then 3 coats of varathane semi-gloss finish. We sanded between each coat of poly.

Estimated Cost
435.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane semi gloss poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

DIY Raised Garden Planter on Casters

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/15/2023 - 09:47

I saw your raised garden box and decided to make it for my wife so she could garden on our deck due to medical problems. She absolutely loved it.

The only thing I did different was I added casters to the legs so it can be moved easily on the deck.

Thank you very much for the idea and plans. We really enjoy them.
 

John Sterzick

Clip Art Rail

I wanted something to help balance the large-scale prints on my gigantic living room wall. Ana's clip art rail was the perfect solution, and makes it so easy to switch out photos! I used binder clips instead of laundry pins, securing them with a washer and screw. Not bad for five bucks!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax polyshades stain in walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Play vanity

Submitted by Theresa W on Thu, 01/02/2014 - 12:11

I wanted a little desk/vanity for my nearly 4 year old daughter so she could have easy access to her jewelry and hair ties. The dimensions of this were perfect. She has so many necklaces that I put together a $10 ledge with some hooks to hang many of them. The vanity was an easy build, the stool was much more difficult.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White latex semi-gloss enamel
Sassy Violet semi-gloss latex
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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