Community Brag Posts

Kitchen cabinets in Newfoundland and Labrador

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/14/2017 - 16:03

Used plans from your site to build these, great experience, anybody could do this! The cheapest quote I got for these was 6500 cdn. All this including the router bits, stains, materials (pine) and hardware cost less than 1000, the countertop was a juniper tree my grandfather planted when I was a kid.

Estimated Cost
1000
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Daybed with Storage Trundle Drawer (Modified)

Submitted by Honeyb65 on Sat, 09/26/2020 - 10:05

Great plans for a really useful storage daybed! I modified the plans to include a slat back and rustic x sides, as well as changing the Trundle drawers to a single drawer to fit my exercise equipment. I finished the daybed with stain and chalk paint in old white and Paris Grey distressed for the perfect shabby chic look!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane stain in Dark Walnut, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White, color wash over the white with Paris Grey and then sanded for the white and some of the stain to show through.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Side Street Bunk Beds - Modified Ladder

Submitted by vpihoney on Mon, 12/24/2012 - 05:35

I followed the plans for the Side Street Bunk Beds and added the ladder and guard rail from the Simple Bunk Bed plans. I modified the angle on the ladder so that it wasn't as steep of an angle as called for in the plans. I'm not sure the length for the ladder stated in the plans was correct anyhow as mine came up too short, leading me to modify my angles and not completely scrap my boards. I don't recall the angles I used at the moment. This was a "side" project that I completed this Fall in between the normal duties of mom and being in 3rd trimester of pregnancy! Not a hard build, but a heavy one! I used 1/4" lag bolts for the rails so we could easily disassemble it.

Sanding proved to be a big task. I thought I had skimped a little on this task, but once we applied our paints, it all smoothed out just fine. We distressed it, so it has a slightly rugged look, yet a shiny, satin finish. I didn't focus too much attention in painting the slats and inside rails (one coat of white plus one clear top coat). We sanded down the rails that are exposed to the bottom bunk, and slacked on the ones closest to the floor.

The beds are gorgeous! The picture doesn't do it justice. Well worth the effort and savings as opposed to buying a $1500 bed. Plus, my girls got to see mommy create something practical! When they are old enough, they can help!

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Distressed with General Finishes water-based milk paint: Baby Blue as base color with Snow White on top. Finished it off with 3 clear top coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Doll Pram

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2017 - 20:17

This was such a fun project and my daughter loves her baby carriage. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Barn door Console

Submitted by Steve1980 on Sat, 10/03/2020 - 07:22

My first project, I built it out of rough cut lumber that I cut on my parents portable sawmill. Took me three weekends to build, turned out pretty good, but I would change how I did a few things.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150-$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Burned all the wood with a hand held torch
Varathane triple thick
Varathane grey stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Riley's AG doll bed

Submitted by getcz on Tue, 10/07/2014 - 08:23

This is one of three doll beds I made for my nieces and their AG dolls.

Estimated Cost
wood - $0 scrap on hand
paint - $0 leftover on hand
fabric - $4.00 for satin animal prints
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Toy
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Linda7

Tue, 10/07/2014 - 10:05

Very cute beds! And the comforters are adorable. (I have enjoyed building baby doll beds and high chairs for the granddaughter and great nieces. They're older and now and have the AG dolls, so need to get busy on this bed for them.) 

Fancy "X" Dining Table Build

Took me about 2.5 weeks to finish this project (working on it mainly on the weekends when I had some time)! This build was modified to fit our dining space I made the table a little wider at 44" and a little longer at almost 11'!! This was my first furniture build and I am very happy how it turned out! I look forward to building more projects! Please pay no mind that as soon as it came in the house it was being used to fold laundry LOL!! This is the beginning of a new life for my dining room!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250 with material and finishing.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American Stain on the Top
SW "Reflecting Pool" Paint for base with Early American stain to "age" it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Hall Tree - just the right size!

Submitted by laurawelsh on Tue, 10/06/2020 - 15:53

Using Ana's Rustic X Hall tree - I modified the size to fit this small space in the cottage in my backyard. It was impossible to find something to fit this space -- and this is one of my first indoor projects; I am a beginner. It was so much fun building! I used pine from a big box store mostly but opted for Bead board for the backing to achieve a farmhouse type look. My daughter lives in the cottage and loves it!! Thanks Ana for the sweet plans!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White Chalk Paint; Espresso Stain for the seat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My first try!

Submitted by Chris Huds on Sat, 12/29/2012 - 08:13

Here is my fist whack at this bed for my son. I am starting the one for my daughter as well, but am modifying the design to have storage stairs.

Estimated Cost
$225
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Golden Pecan stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Easy Ledge Shelves For Bathroom

This took only two hours!  I couldn't believe how easy it was.  I used cabinet grade plywood from another project and left over paint.  The shelves are actually six inches rather than four inches and they feel very sturdy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10?
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint from Lowes. Bleached Slate iirc.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse King size bed with taller foot board

Submitted by cktrimble on Sun, 01/22/2017 - 19:34

We ended up making the foot board about 12 inches taller as we prefer a taller foot board.  We opted to make this platform bed as you'll see in the photos.  It turned out great and was fairly simple due to the DIY plans provided here and all the friendly posts by others with their hurdles, etc.  This is an amazing site, THANK YOU Ana!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer then black paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mud Room in the Kitchen

This winter brought gloves, snow boots and snow pants spread throughout my kitchen. This mama was going insane. Storage before was one hook per child at their height and 4 hooks for mom and dad with a pile of coats and shoes at the bottom. It took me about 3 days to complete while the kids were on Christmas break, which is pretty amazing :) This project was pretty easy once I got the hang of the Kreg Jig. The only issue I ran into was our corner wall is not square which gave me a gigantic headache.

Thank you Ana for these plans!
From a mama who is a little less insane, Tonya in Kansas

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
primed with Kilz and painted 2 coats of semi-gloss with Behr Sorcerer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

A Toolcart for my tools

Submitted by Saladin on Wed, 10/15/2014 - 08:25

I am a hobby woodworker having a PhD in computer science; quite the combination I wonder. To my advantage, before start working I usually build the project in software like Google Sketchup etc. This gives me the precise picture and dimensions of the different components of project.

I usually work in my backyard of house which is used for variety of purposes. I so happens that whenever I was working, I used to go inside the house each time to fetch the tool I forgot. Big trouble!

To rid myself of this problem, I built me a toolcart to my liking. It has cabinets, drawers and of course shelves. It also serves me a second table to put my tools on during working. Alas, I do not have the amazing kreg jig so it took me more time than usual to build this. Anyhow feel free to comment.

 

Estimated Cost
$ 40-50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

abwd2c

Wed, 10/15/2014 - 09:08

Could you upload the google sketchup for this.  Very interested in your plans, especially your layout on the drawers and locking mechanism.  

Coffee Table <3

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/24/2017 - 19:34

This was my husbands first real piece. He changed the dimensions to fit our area better. It turned out fantastic and I am in love!! 

Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Texas Bench

Submitted by MrG915 on Thu, 10/15/2020 - 18:09

Saw this was done by modifying the Woven Back Bench so I decided to give it a go. Added center 2x4 for support under the 1x4 slats. To make this bench modified the woven back bench shopping list to the following.

2-2x4 Studs
3-2x2x8
2-1x4x8
1-1x2x8
1-1x3x8
1-1x16x6 edge glue board.

Cut list was modified:

4-2x2 @ 16”
3-2x4@16”
2-2x4@37”
3-2x2@37”
2-1x3@19 1/4”
1-1x16@32”

All other instructions were followed from the woven back bench.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Mahogany Timber Oil transparent
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My photo gallery wall!

Submitted by katejensen on Tue, 01/01/2013 - 18:00

I did 4 shelves spaced 18 inches and made with 12ft long pieces cut in half. The total for my project was $26. I already had the stain and tools on hand.

Estimated Cost
$26
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Doll Bed and Nightstand

Submitted by Tiarra on Sun, 10/19/2014 - 11:39

I had so much fun with this! I followed the plans exactly and made up the nightstand as I went along.

 

 

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Made my own chalk paint with a sample size of parchment by Behr mixed with calcium carbonate, sealed with water based poly. Stain is Kona.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

JoanneS

Sun, 10/19/2014 - 15:25

Oh, this is super cute!  Love the stained trim and that little nightstand is darling!

Modern desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/27/2017 - 20:09

I have used 1/2 inch thick plywood, 2x3 instead of 2x2, and 1x3. I don't have any miter saw or table saw. I used hand saw (comes with miter box) and circular saw to cut all the materials. It isn't perfect but I like it.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tidy Up End Tables

Submitted by miki0225 on Thu, 01/03/2013 - 04:07

This was my first ever building project and I love it! I made 2 for my living room and have since made a few more things. Thanks Ana for an amazing website!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray paint and polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Beachy Cupboard

This is my second project.  I sanded, primed, painted, sanded to distress the paint, then stained the whole thing just long enough for the stain to soak in to the sanded spots (5 minutes or less), then wiped it off. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100-150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Finished with hand rubbed finishing wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pottery barn dresser and media stand

Submitted by roguejeda on Tue, 01/31/2017 - 20:12

Pottery barn inspired tv media center and matching dresser.

Estimated Cost
450.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate