Community Brag Posts

Printmaker Sideboard

I purchased the Restoration Hardware Printmaker Sideboard but unfortunately we had issues with the delivered product so returned it. We then came across your plans online and my husband decided to build it for me instead. Our sideboard is all simple pine from Lowes, basic drawer slides and antique brass handles from Lee Valley. My husband adjusted Anna's plans and created 12 drawers more like the Restoration Hardware piece as we really like drawers for storage. We built it over about 5 weekends. It was a very ambitious project for our first but my husband was truly the brains and Braun of the process.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Light sanding (wanted a rough finish), 80 grit then 120 grit, only enough to smooth splinters etc.
1 coat Old Masters Provincial Gel Stain applied with sponge brush
Saman Dead Flat Clearcoat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

dmcarwin

Mon, 07/15/2013 - 10:45

I am super impressed!! Way to go! I have always love this piece!

MWarder

Wed, 10/02/2013 - 14:43

LOVE LOVE LOVE this console! You did an amazing job! I'm going to have my husband help build us something similar. Wondering what size antique brass handles you used? Thanks:)

Outdoor furniture

Submitted by bsf072 on Wed, 07/15/2015 - 09:36

I built this set of furniture and tables over two full days and spent another whole day on the finish.  Thanks for your inspiration and plans to get this project from a list to something we can enjoy.  Cushions (Sunbrella) were purchased at clearance from Restoration Hardware (not shown) last year.  The plans were changed slightly for the cushions and choice of lumber dimensions utilized (4x4 cedar instead of 2x2).  That's a heck of a lot of pocket screws--the mounted jig is required for this much work.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Cabot solid color acrylic decking stain, generously applied by brush.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rolling Side Table

Submitted by Bradnag on Sat, 02/03/2018 - 13:04

I had a bunch of scrap 3/4" MDF, so I used that instead of wood. The result is still as sturdy but a bit heavier than if I'd have used pine, which has added to the table's stability. I added a cup holder, but otherwise kept to the base instructions with no extra mods. I put an extra thick layer of polycrylic on the top surface, to protect the MDF from absorbing any spills. This was just a test run, so I didn't bother filling any of the visable pocket holes. Given how cheap and easy this was to build, I imagine I'll end up making 2-3 more.

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Dutch Boy primer+paint, Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Planked headboard

I love how the stain turned out on this one. Super simple project!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained it dark walnut and then sealed it with three coats of matte polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

yurra-bazain

Wed, 07/17/2013 - 09:56

I just clicked over to your blog, Autumn. I wanted to comment on your "Never ever" post, as I never thought I'd be building furniture and blogging about it, either. I live in Hawai'i as well, although I was born and raised here. =D I've added you to my bloglovin' list to keep track of your posts. Malama pono!

Ash Trestle Table with benches

Submitted by Bbova on Sat, 07/18/2015 - 19:40

The Ash for this table was sitting at a friends house out in a field for years. There were several 8/4 x 8' boards with various widths laying in the dirt. After many hours of planning and sanding I brought the Ash back to life. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Mix of Min Wax stains applied 3 light coats with a Waterbased poly (matte finish).
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Kentwood Bookshelf

I had a few days a week to work on this project.  I needed to modify them by the following:

Size was 92" H x 47" W x 14" D.  I had two football helmet cases to place on these shelves and they had big cases above the standards shelf size.  The top of the case did not overlap the project.  I cut it to size.  I used Cherry Stain and did not varnish it.  I am not a fan.  One thing I would change is the wood.  I would have paid double for the premium select wood so that I know it is cut straight. 

This was my first project and it didn't turn out bad.  I never used the Kreg, but I think I became a pro after this one.  I would recommend going out and buying all the size pocket screws and have them on hand.  Also, buy the vises that you will need.  Trust me, they will come in handy.  I hate having to drive back to the store for things I should have had. 

Overall, I paid about 240 for the wood.  Since I only had the Kreg and no screws, I ended up shelling out a lot of money for the big buckets of screws and vises.  Total for the both came out to about 350, from wood stack to finish.  I would have paid more for one smaller piece at a store. 

Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cherry Stain. Did not use any finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/14/2022 - 10:09

Built this exactly from your plans. Used aged barrel for stain. I love it!!!!

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by camilton on Thu, 07/18/2013 - 12:07

First attempt at a project and I have to say I am pretty proud! It may not be perfect but I think the imperfections give it some character. I used a dark walnut stain and finished with poly two coats.

Estimated Cost
125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Planked Wood Look Headboard

Submitted by JackAttack on Tue, 07/21/2015 - 15:47

Really great and easy plans to follow. The only thing I would do different is replace all the 1x3's with 1x4's.

Estimated Cost
Under $100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Entryway bench

Entirely made of reclaimed wood.  Sanded with 220 on a random orbital and applied two coats of polycrylic finish

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Polycrylic clear matte
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Toy Storage Bin Box

Tried to find a toy box for my Granddaughters 1st birthday. Ana White has the best plans so far. My Grandaughter’s room is wildlife themed, so I customized it for her room. Used semi-transparent white Minwax and added stenciling with acrylic paint before I added 2 topcoats of clear coat. In less than 10 minutes they filled it up, and so far, she seems to love it.

Comments

Hooray for the $10 ledge!

Submitted by kaleidiehl on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 20:05

This project was so EASY and it is just what I wanted over the entertainment area. We had some So excited that it came out so well and looks great! Thank you for such easy to follow instructions!

Estimated Cost
$8 (had some supplies on hand)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint Brand: Ace Hardware
Color: Ace of Spades
Finish: Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Fort Bed

Submitted by CaseyM27 on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 12:57

We're in a rental and the rooms are a good size, but on the small side of good sized. Thought this would be perfect to give my 4 year old a little extra play space. I added three extra 2x2s to the guardrail, it was a bit short for my liking. Other than that, stuck to the plans. It seemed when putting together the ladder that we were missing a piece and couldn't figure where it was in the plans, but I just ran to the store so we could keep the ball rolling. We love it!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Black gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Dining Table SC

Submitted by bhoward7 on Fri, 02/23/2018 - 08:28

It took me a good 6 months to finish this since I started before summer, but it got too hot here in SC very fast. So I just finished it in January this year. It turned out great! Longest part was the finish work since many days it was too cold to put Poly on it. The actual building of the table went quick.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial
Minwax Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bed+ entertainment center

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/07/2022 - 13:02

This is your storage bed and entertainment o r media center flipped upside down. I am self taught thanks to you. Thank you for making it easy to do and follow!

Comments

Music Stand for RoRo

Submitted by drkellie on Sat, 06/04/2011 - 12:32

My husband's a music teacher and I had to build him this for our fifth wedding anniversary! I was looking and thinking about what to get him for a long time...then, I looked up what the "traditional" gift is for the 5 year mark. Wahoo, wood! Since I started dabbling into making things after discovering Ana's site last Fall, I thought, well no problem! Ha! Well, I had 2 evenings to build this thing with 2 toddlers helping me :-). I used the base of the stand from the plan for the Coat Tree. Then, I designed the top using the letters "R" & "R" for RoRo (what I call my Hubby). The top was cut using a jigsaw. Everything else, either a mitre or circular saw. The hardest part was affixing the top to the stand. Argh! Angles, drilling, messing up, argh! Somehow, it's put together and holding up, lol! Might I mention that when I first started building things, my hubby's first request was for a music stand. Well, there you go RoRo! Happy Anniversary!

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
rich cherry stain after sanding and using steel wool for smoothing out after the stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Traditional Toddler Bed with a few changes

Submitted by GhostLake on Mon, 07/22/2013 - 10:26

This was basically my first ever wood working project. It didn't turn out perfect but I had fun doing it and my daughter likes it too! It isn't done yet, still need to figure out the color of paint I'm going to use.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~35 for lumber, Kreg jig, screws, paint additional
Finish Used
Not finished yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bookcase

Submitted by paul42 on Mon, 02/26/2018 - 21:30

Took about a week working an hour or 2 a day, but for my first woodworking project I think it turned out pretty well!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwood gunstock
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project