Community Brag Posts

Tall Parson's Barstools

Submitted by bulcaoma on Mon, 11/07/2011 - 13:27

I have been searching for great barstools for years. So I was so excited when I saw Ana's Parson's Chair plans. I adjusted Ana's plan to create the height and dimensions of a barstool. I used more 2x2s for legs and rungs. The angle was changed to 5 degrees for legs and 10 degrees for seat back (Rather than remember geometry formulas, I found an online triangle angle calculator to get accurate leg lengths). I also have a hate-hate (not love hate) relationship with my sewing machine, so I chose to upholster with a staple gun and found tips for this at youtube. To take the guesswork out of the finishing I also found tips and techniques for that on youtube--namely that General Finishes gel stain is the way to go. The dry time on the finish is why I considered this a weeklong project, but this could easily be finished within a day. Thanks again Ana--thanks to you we have great barstools at such a fraction of the cost.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
One coat Zissner seal coat, 3 coats General Finishes Java Gel Stain, 3 coats General Finishes Arm-R-Seal.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Tarra (not verified)

Fri, 03/02/2012 - 19:22

Would you mind sharing the measurements for your version? We are in need of 24" barstools/chairs for a counter height table that was given to us, and cannot seem to find DIY instructions for what we are needing, anywhere! We'd REALLY appreciate it!

20 Sec Tidy Up Coffee Table

Submitted by vdregz on Fri, 10/25/2013 - 17:19

This project should have only taken me a few hours, but with a little one to take care of, I managed to make it take forever!
Super simple plan to follow - absolutely love how it turned out!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rolling Crate Side Table

I made a simple rolling crate, and put it on its sides. Attached casters on the bottom. I used my scrap 2x4's for the top. Boom! A beautiful rolling side table with storage.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black base finish with glossy spray paint. Top is stained in a few different hues. See blog post linked in this post to find more information.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dresser

Submitted by Nick72 on Sat, 05/11/2019 - 07:54

Dresser created for my parents.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
chalk paint and furniture wax
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Kindergarten Bookcase

Submitted by MikeB on Tue, 11/15/2011 - 10:49

Here is my first attempt at this bookshelf. Don't own a pocket hole jig, so I used screws(1 x4 shelves) and brads(Molding) through side boards. Gotta invest in the Kreg jig for future projects. I used a jigsaw with a guide to cut the back panel. I cut it a little outside the line and sanded it flush with the sides. (no table saw, either)...

For the fronts, I used molding. I found out that the pre-painted molding, doesn't like to hold paint. Took several coats of the Hunter green to cover sufficiently for the base coat. Time estimate was given for construction and sanding. Thanks for the awesome design Ana. My wife's Kindergarten class should really enjoy this in the classroom along with the Kinder-nook.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
less then 30 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Hunter green Latex as the base coat. Pure white latex, dry brushed after about an hour dry time after last base coat was applied. Finally, a Polyurethane finish to seal. This was my first attempt at dry brushing. It is very easy, just make sure that you blot your brush really good prior to brushing on.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sofa table

This was the first project I had ever built through Ana White. A great table.

Estimated Cost
Approximately $50. I only had to purchase the wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Not sure of the color of stain I used as I built this years ago. It was most likely an ebony or early American color.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Electric Fireplace Surround

Slowly replacing all of the furniture in my home with things that I build. I used pallets for the structure, maple flooring for the facing, some scrap from shutter doors for the doors, 1×2 for the trim and adhesive tiles from the local ReStore for the top and around the fireplace insert. Perfectly fits a 65" tv. 

Estimated Cost
Less than $25 + the insert that I took from a particle board surround purchased from Menards several years ago.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax, variety of stains, Minwax polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Apothecary Media Console

I know we've all seen this piece done a lot, but I knew I had to have it as soon as I saw it. I finally got around to making mine. I altered the plans slightly to allow for 4 doors. I also omitted the upper portion of the backing to allow for easy access to component wires. The piece fits perfectly in my space.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
High gloss Behr White Paint and walnut stain with high gloss finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Wed, 11/30/2011 - 13:29

That turned out great! It looks fantastic!

Guest (not verified)

Thu, 12/01/2011 - 10:23

That's gorgeous!

4 x 4 Truss Beam Table

Submitted by Wilson1022 on Tue, 10/29/2013 - 11:43

We recently built a new home, which left us with a lot of empty rooms and not enough furniture to fill them. Loving the look of pottery barn and restoration hardware, we started looking around for ideas. This truss beam table is exactly what we had envisioned for our modern farmhouse dining room. Mike (my hubs) did the building, which took only about 4-5 hours total. Then I did the finishing, which is what took the bulk of the time. We are super happy with our table and it is finished just in time for the upcoming holidays!! Thanks Ana White and Shabby 2 Chic for the inspiration and free plan!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I started out by applying Minwax pre-stain wood conditioner, to ensure that I got a nice even finish. I then applied one coat of Minwax weathered oak stain. This stain is very sheer, and I wanted something warmer and darker, so I applied a coat of Minwax special walnut with a paintbrush. I let it sit for about 8 minutes and then wiped it off. Then to warm up the color and add some depth, I used a rag to apply a light coat of dark walnut, which I pretty much wiped right off with a clean,dry cloth. Then I finished it all with a coat of wipe on poly!!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Altered 8 seater table

Submitted by Spayton821 on Sat, 01/16/2016 - 08:58

I fell in love with the truss beam table, but realized that it would be too small for our family of 7. With a little altering and using ideas from the pub/counter table, my husband and I were able to complete this lovely square table!! It stands about 36 inches high and is about 60 inches across. I am in love!

Estimated Cost
About $300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Weathered grey stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Firepit Table

firepit within a table....great fun!

Estimated Cost
£270
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
fireproof paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mug Tree Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/21/2023 - 12:05

I followed Ana's plans for this Mug Tree stand! I absolutely adore it! Great plans and cute stand.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Storage for my Classroom

I am a teacher and my school is a brand new school leasing out an old school building for us to use. The classrooms were completely empty and I needed storage solutions. I didn't have cubbies for the kids to put their belongings in, nor did I have any storage for my own supplies and things for the kids/classroom. So I decided to build "lockers" for them with the additional storage, plus some bookcases to store supplies on. One of my fellow teachers loved them so much, she asked me to build her some - so I did. My classroom has the BLACK "lockers" and bookcases, the Honey colored are my fellow teacher's bookcases.

Estimated Cost
about $350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
black glossy paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Sun, 12/04/2011 - 02:27

These are great! You have some very fortunate students to have such a gifted and generous teacher!

sgilly02 (not verified)

Tue, 12/06/2011 - 21:55

I'm surprised the district hasn't hired you to create storage for all the classrooms! These are really nice. What lucky kids - and coworkers.

Guest (not verified)

Sat, 03/24/2012 - 06:59

Hi, was the $350 price tag for just this main piece pictured or for everything including all the lockers? I'd love dimensions on this main storage piece! Are there plans anywhere?! Thanks!

In reply to by Guest (not verified)

marlaandwilliam

Fri, 08/01/2014 - 15:39

the $350 cost was for everything in the pictures. the plans I used are linked - the main storage is just 2 of the bookcases stacked one on top of the other.

Oudoor sofa and coffee table

Thank you thank Ana for this awesome plan. It took me a week to transform the ruff cedar into beautiful 2x4. We use the kreg jig everywhere we could so the holes would be hidden, and black deck screws, and I couldn't wait for the cushions to share :) we added the extra pieces at the back and armrests. We used 12 boards 2x4x8 and no waste as we changed the measurements of 24" instead of 25.5 and height at 11" for the seat. One regret I used Thompson water sealer... we live in Florida and I am planning on leaving it outdoor.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Thomson water sealer clear
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ssbme7

Sun, 06/05/2016 - 18:07

I love love love this! What size are your cushions? Did you buy them or make them?

In reply to by Ssbme7

Lila Archer

Thu, 06/09/2016 - 18:32

I made them ;) bought the foam on Amazon 72x24x6 (I wished I bought 5 inches high instead) and the fabric I found in a discount fabric store , sumbrella fabric for $12.00 a yard!!! And cut all the cushion seats 24x24 and the back pillows I copied the pottery barn lumbar pillow size, I believe it was 26x18 razor age . 

In reply to by Ssbme7

Lila Archer

Thu, 06/09/2016 - 18:34

I made them ;) bought the foam on Amazon 72x24x6 (I wished I bought 5 inches high instead) and the fabric I found in a discount fabric store , sumbrella fabric for $12.00 a yard!!! And cut all the cushion seats 24x24 and the back pillows I copied the pottery barn lumbar pillow size, I believe it was 26x18 razor age . 

In reply to by Ssbme7

Lila Archer

Thu, 06/09/2016 - 18:41

I made them ;) bought the foam on Amazon 72x24x6 (I wished I bought 5 inches high instead) and the fabric I found in a discount fabric store , sumbrella fabric for $12.00 a yard!!! And cut all the cushion seats 24x24 and the back pillows I copied the pottery barn lumbar pillow size, I believe it was 26x18 razor age . 

Lila Archer

Thu, 06/09/2016 - 18:37

I made them ;) bought the foam on Amazon 72x24x6 (I wished I bought 5 inches high instead) and the fabric I found in a discount fabric store , sumbrella fabric for $12.00 a yard!!! And cut all the cushion seats 24x24 and the back pillows I copied the pottery barn lumbar pillow size, I believe it was 26x18 razor age . 

Farmhouse platform bed. 1st furniture build.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/25/2023 - 13:34

My husband thought I was joking when I suggested I could build this bed instead of purchasing one. Was my first time building furniture but won't be the last.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Distressed Barnwood Frames

Submitted by cdswhite on Sun, 12/11/2011 - 19:56

My bigger version of the barnwood frames. They are about 35x31 inches. I used a nail gun for the first time and it sure did make this go faster! I found it was best to build the inside square first and then I cute each piece of the outside square as I went to the fit was as "perfect" as possible.

Estimated Cost
$11 for two (had all materials but the furring strips and black spray paint)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Black spray paint, two coats of Behr Swiss Coffee, sanded and one coat of water-based poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

coffee table

This coffee table is huge. will be finishing once I build the console table, the last piece of the rustic x furniture I have to build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
will be using Minwax dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Media Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/20/2016 - 22:00

Being a stay at home mom I am on a budget. Finding a cabinet that fit our price and style was near impossible, until I found these plans. I was looking for a piece that could function as a media stand but also had enough space hide my kids toys. This plan fit the bill perfect. I modified it slightly to suite our needs by adding additional drawers in the center and making the doors full height on either side. This was surprisingly easy to build and I plan to make another in the future.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Body of cabinet was painted was a latex ultra white paint and top was several layers of antiqued walnut wood stain that was sanded in between coats till I got the desired look I was looking for. I ended by sealing the cabinet with three coats of polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments