Community Brag Posts

Our first DIY a beautiful Farmhouse Table

Submitted by SaraLouise on Fri, 07/25/2014 - 08:21

Our first DIY project and although we were a little nervous getting started I couldn''t be happier with how it turned out! It's exactly like all the tables I loved in stores and magazines and the plan made it so easy! It's hard to believe we did it ourselves. To anyone who is nervous about getting started don't be! I recommend you read the whole plan start to finish before you start and the brag posts are awesome for trouble shooting.

A few recommendations I have would be to sand down condition and put a single coat of stain on before building. I found it difficult to get stain in the cracks between the table top boards. I would also cut the notches out on the base of the table based on the size of the board not the measurements on the plan to make sure you get a snug fit. We have a few gaps which I can live with but would change if we do it again. I also learned the hard way DO NOT use wood filler. Even if it says it's stainable it's all lies! Mix together wood glue and saw dust. The wood filler did not absorb stain so we had to sand down the entire table top again and start over.

Overall the plan was easy to follow and produced a beautiful table that I can't wait to entertain with!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Combination stain of Minwax American Walnut and Minwax Special Oak no finish yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

ehays216

Mon, 07/28/2014 - 06:38

Beautiful table, I love the way your finish mixture came out and want to try that on my next project! Thanks for sharing the details!

Sliding Door Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/05/2016 - 06:21

My wife and I had a great time building this sliding door console. Most of the vertical pieces (doors included) were build with pallet wood.  Horizontal pieces and frame were build from wood from local hardware stores. Sliding hardware was constructed with aluminum and pulley wheels. Unlike Ana White's original plans, we decided to isolate each cabinet section of the console.  The far left and right areas are separated into two, whereas the middle sections are split into three. Using a Kreg Jig was exceptionall helpful. Please visit  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/263319909442699999 if you have any questions.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Grandkids built Cedar Planter

Submitted by atlayank on Sun, 07/26/2020 - 18:22

Two of my grandsons built this cedar planter after I did the cutting of the wood. They did all the measuring and put it together very nicely!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rolling Lumber Cart

Submitted by rc5woods on Sun, 06/30/2024 - 12:26

Built this wood storage for my garage! So much nicer than getting wood off the floor! Finished it in one day!
My only suggestion is don’t cut the four tie in pieces until you have the rest finished! Two of mine were too short. Thanks Ana, you have given this retired teacher a new purpose!

Rustic Table

Submitted by worrow on Thu, 10/04/2012 - 19:51

I wanted to make a table for our daughters birthday to put a spread of food on.
I went out in search for pallets and threw a quick sketch together and brought it to life.

Currently it is my computer table, but only for the next week then on to it's purpose.

Start to finish took 3 days

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
jacobean stain and polyurethane satin finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jamielynntaylor06

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 10:17

How many coats of the Polyurethane did you use? I just finished with my first build. I have painted, stained, and put 2 coats of the Polyurethane on it. The table is still very ruff and it just overall doesnt feel finished. Im not sure what I should do...

In reply to by jamielynntaylor06

worrow

Wed, 06/05/2013 - 18:35

So I forgot I had my account. My advice might be a little late but we used 3 coats on that table. We normally go through the grits prior to starting the staining process. 150...220...300 after every coat do a very light hand sanding till it is smooth but try and avoid putting too much pressure. Then give it a wipe down with a damp cloth and let dry before applying next coat. 3 is a good amount of coats for something indoors like this one. Again so sorry I did not get back sooner. I use pinterest more for putting up my project images.

Oak hall tree

Submitted by sparkyht55 on Mon, 07/28/2014 - 16:37

This was the first furniture project I have ever done. My wife seen this at Pier 1, of course it was all particle board and pine and "cheap feeling" but not cheap in price. She showed me the one on here and of course I was up for it. The deal was, I make it she paints it and of course I need a miter saw. Probably would not make this my first project because it was a bit challenging. Getting the long cuts square with a circular saw proved challenging and getting the squares on the back square was tough. With it being oak I learned that oak is not forgiving, especially without a nail gun. The pocket hole jig and their application are great and easy though. It did take me a while due to time constraints and the price to build may be off because I really didn't count as I bought things. All in all, I use this piece of furniture everyday. It is the first thing you see when you walk in the house and I am very proud of it, as is my wife. She did a great job with the finish and the glaze really gives it a nice look. The hooks are cast iron that we got at an antique store. This is the only picture I took, no in-process pics.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Not sure, maybe 200 bucks
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr ultra Pacific Sea Teal with Rust-oleum decorative glaze, and Weathered Oak Stain with Polyurethane finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sparkyht55

Mon, 07/28/2014 - 16:39

Hooks were not on in picture. I used 4, 2 on top for coats, 2 on second horizontal down for backpacks.

Tower in the Czech Republic

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/07/2016 - 21:32

I built it twice for my son and nephew, both love it and use it every day.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Table & Bench

Submitted by frmoody on Tue, 07/28/2020 - 17:22

I've built tables from this plan several times. This one was a little different in terms of the colour wanted. I also beefed up the support in the table frame itself.

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane "Worn Navy" mixed with some "Espresso" to darken it up. Then followed up with three coats of satin varathane. Table support was first painted a diluted black and then two coats of a diluted white were applied with light sanding in between coats to reveal some of the dark.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Craft Organization Cabinet

Submitted by moemoore on Mon, 10/08/2012 - 03:59

I have been needing to create more storage, while organizing my craft/spare bedroom. I had a piece of pegboard, and got some inspiration while pouring over Pinterest.

I decided to venture out and try something really new to me - routing. Bear in mind I only have a Dremel with the cheap router attachment - not the routing table thing. I'm happy to say it came out great! I have more pictures i'll upload soon of the actual routing. I did craft up a jig of sorts to keep my routing line (or whatever its called) straight. I did run into some math errors, which resulting in me having to cut things down a couple times. But now I know how things work when piecing together routed frames.

I had 2 pieces of 1x12x36. To keep the routing lines as even as possible, I did the the routing before I cut the pieces.

I used my Kreg Jig to join the sides. I assembled by attaching the 2 sides and the bottom. Then slide the pegboard in, and attached the top piece. Then since my routing line was a bit wider that the pegboard, I used caulk in the back to fill it in, keeping the pegboard nice and tight.

I plan to add doors to the cabinet at a later date. Right now it definitely fills my needs!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

An easy and special first birthday gift

Submitted by Eatrunplay on Wed, 07/30/2014 - 18:30

It was friends son's first birthday and had no idea what a could get a couple that didn't like gifts, or many toys for that matter. I search the site and stumbled upon this great addition to any little boys room, an airplane shelf! So it took me about 2 hours to make it with taking break for things to dry, and I didn't follow the exact directions just because I didn't have all of the items, in fact it was all from scraps I had around the house and the front round piece was actually the top of a peanut butter jar painted.

Estimated Cost
10.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
basic glidden primer+paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

X-less console

Submitted by edsopko on Sun, 11/13/2016 - 12:11

Used the plans for teh x-table, but left out the Xes and opted for 2x4 pieces on each side to fill the gap. Went "fancy" and made it two tone for added interest. Have developed my "signature look" of staining over paint for the base.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax espresso stain, and Glidden oil based furniture paint in antique white
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

I made Adirondack chairs!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/01/2020 - 12:39

Hi from Pittsburgh! I’ve always wanted to make stuff from your site, and I finally did it — I made Ana’s favorite Adirondack chairs and man, are they comfortable! I made them out of cedar 2x4s and cedar shelving pieces for the slats. Very comfy and I hope they last a long time. Awesome instructions, Ana— I’ve directed my neighbor to your site bc he wanted to make some, too!

Estimated Cost
$80/ chair
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Chairs by fire pit
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Queen size farmhouse bed

Submitted by ltodd on Wed, 10/10/2012 - 19:10

I made the farmhouse bed and I love how it turned out.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

SZahn (not verified)

Thu, 10/11/2012 - 13:37

That looks wonderful!! I love the finish!!! I would love to see a few more pictures as this is one beautiful build. What color paint did you use? Keep up the excellent work, your providing inspiration!

SZahn (not verified)

Thu, 10/11/2012 - 13:37

That looks wonderful!! I love the finish!!! I would love to see a few more pictures as this is one beautiful build. What color paint did you use? Keep up the excellent work, your providing inspiration!

ltodd

Sun, 10/14/2012 - 19:20

Thank you. I used Rust-Oleum flat black oil enamel. I have not actually attached it to the bed frame yet. When I do, I will add some more photos.

Our Toy Box

Submitted by djsaffer19 on Sun, 08/03/2014 - 19:54

Toy box for our kids that someday will become a blanket box or something else around the house. Customized with the S for our last name. Use a piano hinge and folding lid support on one side. Made another for our friends with the West Virginia logo.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Provincial minwax stain, rustoleum spray paint for the S, and polycrylic clear coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

bzhayes

Thu, 04/16/2015 - 08:37

Hello, I just built this same trunk and it turned out great. However, I had a hard time finding a set of soft stay support hinges for the inside. Did you install any and if you did could you tell me what kind (brand) and also a picture of how your hinges look on the back of the trunk and when it is open. That would be great. I went to the original site and asked but they don't respond.

Laundry Basket Tower

Submitted by KeithT on Wed, 11/16/2016 - 08:32

I built this for our laundry sorting needs using the Brook 4 tall and lengthwise plan. I modified the plan to take the baskets width wise, added a little more distance between baskets, and added guide rails above each basket (except the top one) to allow them to be partial pulled out without flipping out. I also beveled and slightly rounded the front of the guide rails just for looks. I think it turned out pretty good for my first woodworking project.
 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pardon Tower Desk

Built this desk for my wife a couple months back. Love how it turned out, plans were a huge help as I am new to woodworking.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut, Minwax One Coat Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dress Up Station

I came across your plans Ana for this dress up Station. My Daughters 2nd birthday was this month and I thought this would be a perfect gift. Your plans were so easy to follow and it came out perfect...she loved it! I'll definitely be back for more do-it-yourself projects from you.

Thanks so much for the inspiration!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray on Primer and 2 coats of Spray Paint (Apple Green)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toddler Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Faithvalle on Tue, 08/05/2014 - 19:09

I gotta be honest, I'm kind in love with the farmhouse collection and when i saw this little bed i knew i had to build it for my 2years old and he loves it. It is so perfect for him, not too big and not too small. The bed was very easy to build, affordable and very strong ( trust me, my son makes me lay down there with him sometimes so he can go to sleep) . I changed the plans for a 28" wide crib mattress after reading all the comments, but it was really easy to do. I'm very happy how it came out.
Thank you Ana for sharing all the amazing plans with us and i'm looking forward to start building more furniture soon, my to-do-list is just getting longer and longer lol.
Thank You Ana XOXOXO

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

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