Community Brag Posts

julia nightstand

Submitted by jjsarkinen on Wed, 01/23/2013 - 13:55

Nice plan to do. Used an off white paint and antiqued it with stain pen.

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

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by jesskb on Tue, 11/18/2014 - 14:37

This was my first build and I'm really happy with how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used the oxidation technique and finished with 5 coats of satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Custom built kitchen

Submitted by DIYMomof4 on Thu, 02/23/2017 - 11:30

With our old kitchen crumbling to pieces, I decided to build a new kitchen.  I followed several of Ana's cabinet plans to build the entire kitchen(more than I could list at the bottom).  I was able to customize the cabinet sizes in order to maximize my kitchen space.  I made the doors myself, so I didn't need to worry about standard sizing.  It took me about a year from demolition to completion.  I had to buy a few new tools, all the wood, appliances, the floor, and countertop, and still spent around $5,000.  I learned so much from this project and we all love our new kitchen!  Thank you Ana for all of your wonderful plans!     

Estimated Cost
under $5,000 - including a table saw, hardware, appliances, flooring,
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Target Coatings golden chestnut stain and waterborne alkyd varnish semi-gloss. You can order this online.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First project!

Submitted by Cindycir on Thu, 01/24/2013 - 18:40

I still can't believe how great this turned out and looks just like Pottery Barn's! It was our first project but we are now tackling bookcases for our family room... I can't wait to post again!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Restoration Hardware Industrial Wagon

Submitted by allchrome on Thu, 11/20/2014 - 18:31

What new Mom wouldn't want this for a baby shower gift!!! Easy build

Estimated Cost
$65.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American stain on the body, ebony stain on the side slats, red satin paint on the handle and name plate.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Farmhouse with end extensions

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/25/2017 - 13:29

This farmhouse table I built is 40x84 and has 9" extensions on each end for a total of 102."  I opted to go with 2x4 extensions instead of 2x2s for a durable look and feel!

Estimated Cost
Roughly $150 for lumber and finishing materials.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American stain. Semi gloss polyurethane 3 coats sanded to 240 between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4x4 Truss Bench

Submitted by Eddie A on Fri, 12/11/2020 - 16:25

This was my first bench build and I’m happy with the way it turned out! I adjusted the plans to account for wood movement of the table top using mortise and tenon joinery and draw board pins on the bread board ends. Also edge glued the table top boards and used z-clips to attach the bench top.

Built from Plan(s)

Rustic X Console

Submitted by nteichert on Sat, 01/26/2013 - 14:08

I finally talked my husband into helping me whip this thing up. It didn't take very long to put it together, but it did take a long time for me to figure out a finish I would like. I used the steel wool/vinegar and black tea stain, but it ended up too dark, nearly black. So I sanded and sanded and applied a wood stain on top of it. It looks great!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less than 100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Massive Craft Table with storage cubbies

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/28/2017 - 06:13

I am a Block Printer and Screenprinter, as well as indulging in other projects. I needed a fairly large table that would allow me to print fabric yardage fairly easily, as well as be able to layout the fabric to cut. I decided to build this table that I had seen on a couple of different sites. There was not much instruction on either site, but it was fairly easy, and I was able to figure it out pretty easily.

I wrote a more detailed blog post on my blog with details as well as what I learned while building this table.  

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan Wax on the top, Latex Paint on the legs.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified desk into makeup vanity

Submitted by jlfreck23 on Mon, 12/14/2020 - 19:22

I built this for my adult daughter’s Christmas present. I modified the plan to have three drawers instead of the cubby. I also tapered the bottom of the legs. I added a back piece to hold a mirror. I also added door knobs to the back for necklaces.

The top and the back board are both 4 boards glued and clamped together. I finished the edges of the top, drawer fronts, and the back board with an ogee router bit.

Estimated Cost
$140 (lumber is expensive right now)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mahogany stain on the top and drawer faces. It is a golden oak stain for the base. Finished with a satin polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Ugly Furnace Panel~ Chalkboard Cover

We have a 2′x4′ metal furnace cover that takes up a big portion of our dining room wall. To say it is an eye sore would be an understatement! We both love chalkboards, so I decided to make a cover out of chalkboard. Since it still needs to function as a furnace I made a cutout where the vent is. I covered that portion with a tin sheet. It looks so much better!

Learn how to make your own chalkboard paint in any color!

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
DIY Chalkboard paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Console from Ana

Submitted by Mads103 on Wed, 11/26/2014 - 14:11

We started this project on a Sunday and finished Tuesday. We did make the legs taller to fit under our tv, so we also needed to adjust the front and back 2x4 support to be a little taller.

other than that, we followed the plans. I stained the top with Rustoleyum Dark Walnut and the bottom is spray painted, painted and distressed using the Shanty 2 Chic ideas. 

LOVE this table! It was exactly what I wanted! Now, to find 2 small lamps to sit on either side. :) 

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150 with paint and stain
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleyum Dark Walnut wood stain, Pantone String paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

6 drawer dresser

Made this dresser for my newest Grand daughter. Turned out pretty nice. A few mistakes for sure!!! But I am proud and its functional. Worked on it off and on for a month.

Estimated Cost
About 400$
Finish Used
Polyshades grey (pain in the butt to use)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Love this coop!

Submitted by ladybug7 on Sun, 11/30/2014 - 06:03

The plans are so easy to follow! They are a great jumping off point for customizing the coop for your own needs! We added a run door, ladder support, insulated floor and wall, removable window, and a loft door. The girls LOVE it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
After modifications, $250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mario inspired cabin bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/06/2017 - 09:11

Thank you for all the diagrams on this website, this project could not have been completed without these.  The entire project took a month worth of weekends.  I used 2 sheets of 3/4" Birch plywood, 2x12x10 Southern Yellow Pine (rip to 4" strips), and 1x8x10 Ponderosa Pine for the roof and slats.  Our 3 year old loves the bed and could not wait to use it.  All month he has been asking about his new room, normally he does not like change but he loved this bed.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Marquee paint. 4 Quarts; 2 for the main color, 1 for the roof, and 1 for the plywood.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

The Adirondack "mini"

Submitted by prelude on Thu, 12/24/2020 - 10:40

I've made numerous modern Adirondack Chairs using Ana White's design. The most often asked question is "does it come in different sizes." So I scaled the chair by 80%. The "mini" is perfect for children up to the age of 10 or as lawn decoration. Email me at [email protected] for a copy of the "mini" step-by-step plans.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Variety of stains and paints
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Reclaimed Wood Farm Table

This was made from reclaimed wood from various building around the DC area.

Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Teak Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments