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

Creating an island in a DIY kitchen

We used the basic kitchen cabinet plan and my kreg jig for the first time to create a couple of the cabinets and the island in the kitchen. The plans were an inspiration that did not quit. We added the lit up open cabinets above and then framed them all the way to the cathedral ceiling. 

Estimated Cost
$250 for all the wood
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Carrington for stain and White Mocha Behr Alkyd paint for the cabinets
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

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

Little Boy's Platform Bed (w/ a twist)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/12/2016 - 07:05

So, I ended up altering the plans to fit a light.  The light was originally an outdoor, hard-wired light, which I fitted with a cord and added a pull chain to.  The legs were also changed...I doubled the width in order to have a more square appearance (2 2x4's planed and glued together).

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean Stain
Minwax Fast Drying Poly (Satin Finish)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Angle Chair

Hello Ana, I decided to modernize your project a little ...
This is 3DS MAX ... ;)
Thank you for your work ...
Regards, Serge...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Rustic Computer desk with Shou Sugi Ban and Epoxy Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/14/2023 - 14:16

I slightly modified the Rustic X Desk plan to make my L shaped computer desk with a monitor platform! The desk surface is Shou Sugi Ban with an epoxy finish. All made from stock lumber and a lot of pocket hole screws. Thanks for posting your plan Ana to give me the idea! Construct for around $200.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

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

Wagon for Birthday Boy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/16/2016 - 03:15

I made this for my grandson's 2 nd birthday. I followed the plans to a T. It did cost quite a bit more than was stated, the wheels alone were $60 but should last a lifetime!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax honey stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Patio renovation

Submitted by Tia P on Wed, 05/29/2019 - 19:25

Built these pieces in one day.  I made the chair first and decided to modify plans to do the loveseats for lounging.  The stain is Honey by Minwax and used an outdoor polyurethane.  The seat cushions are 24x24 from Wal-Mart and I waited for a sale at At Home Store for the rest of the cushions. 

Estimated Cost
Just benches were about $100. Total amount of cushions were probably 3x that.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Honey stain with outdoor polyurethan
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Action Figure playset

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/19/2016 - 11:03

Action figure playset built from firehouse playset plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30 Canadian
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Coffee Table [Beginner/Under $40]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/25/2023 - 03:46

Than you Ana, My first time ever that I have made anything - my coffee table taking pride of place. Looking forward to making my next project from your plans.

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

Great Hall Tree Plan!

Our first major furniture build so the great plan really helped out. Positive feedback from everyone who sees it. We ended up building the "3-drawer open shelf simple entry console" next and modified the design to match this hall tree. We couldn't find baskets that we liked so made the custom crates for storage. On the entry console we built drawers with the crate design on the front.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$340
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Min wax aged oak gel stain with tung oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adirondack Stool or End Table

Submitted by Clang on Wed, 06/19/2019 - 19:45

I love making this table, my take on the Patriotic theme. Sanding and Painting always add time, this is a fairly easy project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Latex Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dining Room Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/04/2023 - 06:31

This table was made out of Pecan. The legs are pine. I think the basic plan was from Ana-White.com but I am not sure.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Adirondack Chairs

This took me 2 solid weekends of work - one weekend to measure, cut, sand, prime, and paint both chairs and another to assemble and finish them. I had a small amount of trouble (wood split) with 2'' deck screws on the seat slats and ended up using 1.25'' screws there, which seem to have fastened the pieces adequately. The stringers were the most challenging part, but they don't have to be precise, as long as they are the same size. These are very good plans; I built these two chairs as a gift for my parents. I hope they'll get years and years of use at the cottage 'Up North' in Michigan. Thanks!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Exterior primer/sealer, exterior flat white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entry Table

This way our first project! It took about two hours to complete the table and an additional two hours for sanding and staining. My husband and I had a great time making it and are already planning our next project.

Estimated Cost
$85.00 with stain
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
We used pine to make the table and Minwax dark walnut stain. One coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments