Community Brag Posts

Read the Contract before Signing

Submitted by Jake on Sat, 11/03/2012 - 19:11

The wonderful wife wanted a corner cupboard so I built the one you see in the pictures. Before I go further I would like to warn anyone attempting this project to please follow the instructions in the plan. I didn't and built the frame first but quickly discovered that it is the back and shelves that determine the final dimensions of the frame. I got lucky and the fit was ok. Here are a few things that I did:

1. I filled in the rough joints made by the plywood sides meeting the front frame and back by gluing in 1/4" round dowels. Looks pretty good.

2. With help from Habitat for Humanity ReStore I found the 1/2" thick stone to fill the void made by the door frames. Looks pretty good I must say.

3. I have a trademark called a "Conversation Starter" in many of my projects. Another name is called a mistake or oversight. Look closely and you will see that I grouted in one of the four stone sections upside down and the center jewel is out of place.

4. I could not find decent hardware locally so I went to Kennedy Hardware in Zionsville, Indiana and found the black cast iron hinges and clasp.

5. I did not read the contract with my wife and discovered that I now must repaint the entire dining room to match the corner cupboard. Read before Signing.

Building the cupboard was a fun project that will test all of your abilities and patience. Just remember follow the instructions and keep it square and level in all dimensions.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I think I spent close to $200 because the hardware was $30 and the stone for the doors was $24 and I bought the higher grade pine for the cupboard and door frames.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Three coats of Behr Pearl White (it contains primer) with lots of sanding pre-paint and light sanding between the first two coats. I found that using the foam brush for the last coat keeps the brush marks to a minimum.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Juanita_r

Sat, 11/03/2012 - 23:53

I love it, looks great. I'm sure you wife is very happy with her new piece of furniture (& getting the room painted). Remember ... happy wife, happy life ;)

Jake

Mon, 11/19/2012 - 17:33

Juanita I need for you to explain to me the female mind. We have only been married for 45 years and I still do not understand. The corner cupboard became paint the dining room. I did that. Next the floor needed upgraded so I am almost finished laying a new oak floor. As I neared the end I have been informed that the wallpaper needs to be changed. So the $150 corner cupboard has become the $1000 room makeover. I should have seen it coming!

Jamaunzie

Sat, 04/13/2013 - 13:39

Well Jake first let me say very nice job. My wife had mention wanting a Corner Cabinet for one of the bed rooms and pointed this one out. ( I was unable to keep her off this site after I finished the hutch ) I was looking at it and then read what all you had to do afterwards LOL. So I am going to get it in writting that I get to build my workbench for the shop, after this build. Again Nice Work

Our Farmhouse Bed - Queen

Submitted by kalbr2 on Thu, 08/21/2014 - 06:30

This project was super easy to follow the instructions. We did have to rip a couple of the boards for the paneling on the back to make everything fit together with no gaps but it turned out beautiful!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toy Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/10/2016 - 04:45

I wanted a bright and fun toy box to give to my nieces for Christmas because they are so bright and fun.  I opted for fun little ball feet instead of continuing the sides down.  Thanks for the great plans! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Variation on the outdoor sofa

Submitted by AzSandrat on Sun, 08/23/2020 - 08:47

Being older, my wife and I wanted the deck sofa with an angled back, so... here it is, stained in a dark walnut. We bought the cushions cheap ($120 for all) at Home Goods.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Spar Urethane with a dark walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Carnival Birthday Party Ticket Booth

Submitted by Gingerista on Mon, 11/05/2012 - 23:25

I was planning a carnival birthday party for my 4 year old son and just *had* to have a ticket booth. The Library from Grace's Town was perfect! The ticket booth doubled as a photo booth later in the day. It was my first time building anything and it was fairly easy for a first-timer although I will admit getting a little bit of help from my brother-in-law and father. :-)

Estimated Cost
Less than $50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer with Candy Apple Red paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Truss End Table

Submitted by DMax2010 on Wed, 08/27/2014 - 06:03

Loved this project, it gave me a chance to work on angled cuts. For the finish I used Minwax Express Color in Walnut.

Estimated Cost
Not sure, I used what I had already..
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Express in Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modular Doll House

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/12/2016 - 19:56

This was a quick fun project that took less than 6 hours. I wanted a doll house that was gender neutral and this is perfect, I love that my son and daughter can plan together or separate the pieces and play separately. 1 piece of advice, spend a little extra on plywood, sanding was the most time consuming part of this project and I am still a little nervous about my kids getting splinters. 

Estimated Cost
$70.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Double Trash Bin

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/26/2020 - 08:32

This was based on the "Small Kitchen Island" Plans but needed to put 2 - 33 Gal Trash cans in. I used Select Square edged Pine. The depth remained the same as the plans but the width changed dramatically (52" wide). I also increased the height to match the other furniture (3' High). I added 4 - 1 X 2's to the top of the cabinet to secure the top.

Estimated Cost
$350-$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The bottom was paint that matched the other furniture, the top is an Classic Oak Poly/Stain - 3 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

king storage bed

Submitted by salpal1 on Sat, 11/10/2012 - 17:21

this project is our first ever try at furniture building. It took us two years to finish! Not because it was hard (although it is a bit fussy) but because we had a medical set back of a year, and we only work on this project on weekends.
We used a cheap table saw, and have learned our lesson, none of the cuts were really straight. We have since bought an expensive good one, and so think our next projects will go faster, more easily.

We modified the finish details on the drawers to put beadoard faces on things.

We will be designing a headboard to match, and I will be glad to share photos of that when it is complete (give us another couple of years!)

Anyway - the bed is verysturdy, and the drawer capacity is HUGE. we have had it in our room for 8 hours so far, and we love it. Can't wait to go to bed tonight - but not untilI fill those drawers. :-)

Estimated Cost
$200
Finish Used
glossy paint - Benjamin Moore, color is lily white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My very first project!

Submitted by gfranq on Fri, 08/29/2014 - 14:59

Everyone keeps asking me if this was from a kit and I am proud to say "No I did it all by myself from start to finish"!

Estimated Cost
60$
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Ultra Exterior Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Didn't go by the plans but off the main idea...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/16/2016 - 14:29

Made a barn door TV stand from some donor cabinets!

Estimated Cost
$350 USD
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Watco Oil, Natural and "old white" chalk paint + wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Custom Knife Drawer Insert

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/26/2024 - 09:18

I made the in drawer knife block following Ana’s plan but tweaking for my needs and drawer size. I love it. It was easy to make and I’m a total beginner.

Karen

Built from Plan(s)

Flip Top Storage Bench

Submitted by TheBramFam on Mon, 11/12/2012 - 18:30

As soon as I opened Ana's new book I fell in love with the bench on page 33. When I met her in Chicago she said she was going to draft a new set of plans, and of course she didn't let me down! I followed her plans to a T! The size was perfect for my "mudroom" and this was technically my first project since I insisted on not having my husband's help. It was also my first time going to the hardware store and purchasing the wood...I think that part will take some getting used to!

After I had it built I decided that I wanted to make everyone in my family a "cubby" inside the storage area. I just used some scrap 1x3's and glued them into place. I then stained it with Minwax Dark Walnut stain and then used oil based poly (3 coats). The entire family loves the new bench and my toddlers LOVE their "cubbies". Thank you again Ana!

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut Stain & Minwax oil based Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Tue, 11/13/2012 - 05:34

Terrific job. I especially liked the divided interior. You should be proud.

Jackie Bramel (not verified)

Tue, 11/13/2012 - 10:22

Thank you so much!!!! It's still surreal that I made something so beautiful!

dmcarwin

Tue, 01/29/2013 - 18:42

I love that you added cubbies! You did a fantastic job all around! I have been wanting to make this bench too, and here I am AGAIN looking at the plans....Thanks for sharing!

Tardis bench

Submitted by Jaime04285 on Sun, 08/31/2014 - 22:46

I used the woven back bench plans to make this doctor who tardis inspired bench. It will be a memorial bench for a young girl who recently passed in our community. She loved doctor who as do I so I changed the back a bit to represent the Tardis windows and of course painted it tardis blue. I will also give it two coats of polycyclic.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35 including paint and not including some wood I already had on hand.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White

Tue, 09/02/2014 - 12:16

Thank you for sharing and for your thoughtfulness to your community and the young girl.

Modified Mimi's faux mantle

Submitted by brayroux on Tue, 12/20/2016 - 10:09

Added deeper sides to the project so I could fit an electric fireplace into it

Estimated Cost
$175 for the fireplace
$350 in wood and finish supplies
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar furniture paint in Mark Twain Ombra Gray
Valspar Antiquing Glaze
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

B-Hive's Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by B-hive on Tue, 09/01/2020 - 12:34

This is our first project using one of Ana's plans. We made one modification adding stability to the top of the structure, but otherwise stayed pretty true to what was described.

Next up is the matching end table!

For the full story of our piece, please visit our website.

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Structure is painted in an eggshell black interior paint.

Top is in a clear Danish finishing oil and wipe-on polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Adirondack Set

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/27/2024 - 14:59

My 1st attempt at the adirondack chair. 2nd one (right) I made 2 inches wider. I also threw together a little table.

FUN BUILD
I have plenty of orders for more.

Craig Blasi

Modified console table

I'd been looking for a similar table for months but couldn't find one that I liked and that would fit at the bottom of my stairs. I found this pattern and changed the dimensions by removing just one of the top boards so that the final depth is 10.5" deep rather than 14". It's exactly what I wanted and get to brag about it!

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