Community Brag Posts

Petite Planters for the Potager

Submitted by JoA on Mon, 08/19/2013 - 06:23

After building a large planter from Ana's plans and my salvaged fence wood I thought 2 smaller planters for the entrance to our kitchen garden would be nice. The complete instructions are on my blog, Let's Face the Music. Jo

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$12 each
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Exterior Semi-gloss in Bunker Hill Green over exterior primer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Doll bed

I made this dolls bed with my daughter, and she really enjoyed it :-) Had to do some adjustments from Inch to centimenters before I started. Thank you for a great site!

Estimated Cost
NOK 300,- (included fabrics)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tweaked 6 cube Cubby and Bookshelf

Submitted by Ryan57ford on Sun, 09/09/2018 - 07:56

I used the 6 Cubby plans and just started tweaking.  First was the plan to just do 12 cubbies, then decided to just put in adjustable shelves for aethetic purposes and not having it look too "Boxy"  After that decided it would look better with doors too.

 

as for the shelf on top, I used the cubby bookshelf plans and just made it wider to match the width of the doors and then decided to also make it adjustable shelving as well.  (used the kreg shelf pin system.)

 

Overall turned out pretty good. I am making a even bigger one for my other room.

Estimated Cost
$250ish
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Living Room Set

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/04/2022 - 12:31

Just finished this set up. All Poplar and Birch Ply.

Comments

Doll House Book Shelf

Submitted by msemishko on Sat, 07/16/2011 - 18:28

We're having a baby girl, and this was the perfect project for me. For my first project, I am pretty pleased with it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$97
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

camp loft bed

Submitted by Kat-Lynn on Tue, 08/20/2013 - 07:54

I decided to make this bed when my little girl decided that she didn't want a little girl bed (toddler size) and wanted a big girl bed. Because of the size of her room and the fact I wanted her to be able to move the bed to a different wall if she wanted to in the future I added a front ladder rather than on the end. I also added 6 inches extra clearance under the mattress and 2 inches to the side railing height so she could have a pillow top mattress in the future.

As you can see in the second picture I was up there with Hannah so I know it can easily handle the weight.

In Ana's description it talked about the kids playing by themselves and not wanting to come out of the room. Well it's the truth. Hannah has been in there the majority of the time since we finished it yesterday afternoon. The first words out of her mouth this morning were "Momma thank you for making my new bed." Made all the work so worth it!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted. I only did one coat, without primer, so you can still see some of the wood grain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Santa Fe Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/16/2022 - 16:35

We visit Santa Fe and surrounding areas every summer.
I love all the hacienda furniture but wasn't willing to pay designer prices for the good stuff or deal with transporting it home. I took pictures all over the place, narrowed down the design features, and made my own.
Check out my 4 part video series of the construction on my youtube channel (link below).
You can even see me play some guitar at the end of part 4.

Comments

Nursery Shelves

Submitted by crisaphi on Fri, 07/22/2011 - 14:24

I used Ana's plans to build floating shelves and the ledge shelves for my nursery.

Estimated Cost
$50-75 for both
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
High gloss white
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 07/24/2011 - 09:03

It looks great! Also, where did you find the vintage reading week posters? I'd LOVE to know! Thanks!

Square Farmhouse Table

Submitted by blawson972 on Wed, 08/21/2013 - 14:50

This was my first project! We just bought a house and have no furniture except a mattress on the floor! But soon, we will have a home full of custom built furniture :)

I modified this plan quite a bit so it would fit in my space better. My husband really wanted a square table, so I came up with this one based on the farmhouse table. I changed the table top pieces to 2x10’s simply because I like how they look. It took me quite a while because I wanted the top to be super smooth with minimal gaps between the boards, so I ran the boards through a planer quite a few times until they were perfectly flat. Also, since it is square and smaller, we didn’t need the support beam along the middle.

I really wanted chairs that matched the table, so I ordered chairs that were unfinished and stained them to match the table. This took FOREVER and they were a little expensive, but they turned out great! We also got 2 barstools that match.

Like any other project, the finishing took the longest. I sanded for what felt like 20 years, then stained and poly’d for another 10. I am pretty happy with it considering it was my first try!

Estimated Cost
$75.00 - table only
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used Minwax Dark Walnut oil based stain for everything and finished with 2-3 coats of Minwax polyurethane in satin. I really didn’t want the table to be so shiny, but oh well! Looking back, I probably would have used polycrylic. It doesn’t protect as well, but it is much less shiny!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

blawson972

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 11:21

I ordered them from a manufacturer in California called Maywood Shops, LLC. The chairs weren’t that expensive themselves because they are a wholesaler, but I had to pay around $175.00 to ship them!! After that, they were comparable to store-bought chairs.

Channing Coffee Bar

Submitted by dbarndt on Thu, 10/01/2015 - 12:11

The Channing Snack Cabinet was the perfect fit for a coffee bar in our little kitchen/dining room. We modified the plan slightly by adding two inches to the height, and putting two drawers in behind a pair of barn doors made from plans by Shanty 2 Chic. The top drawer holds k cups, coasters, etc, and the bottom two drawers hold coffee cups, extra water bottles, and tea.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
The wood alone was $100, and we used some wood and mdf left over from another project.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
First we stained the cabinet with Minwax dark walnut, and sealed it with Shellac to prevent it from bleeding through the chalk paint. Then used white and yellow chalk paint (Americana Decor Delicate) and distressed with sandpaper for a vintage look. Then it was sealed with Annie Sloan clear wax. The drawer pull and knobs were a splurge from Anthropologie.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bed and night stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/15/2018 - 06:33

Great plans!  We love the end results!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Another Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/25/2022 - 02:54

My first coffee table and I'm happy with the results. I certainly learned alot about woodworking which was part of the goal. More details on my blog: http://jdfinley.com/a-table-with-coffee/ Thanks for the neat designs Ana!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Ana's Workbench Console.. Adjusted to a media console.

Submitted by kareylynn on Tue, 07/26/2011 - 14:54

What started as Ana's workbench console for my dining room ended up as a media console for my living room. I shortened the width by 10 inches, and then I added a shelf for our DVR and Wii console. I made a few mistakes, but I'm not talking about those. ;)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provencial stain with a light coat of Semi-Gloss poly. I haven't filled the screw holes yet, but I'm looking into the plug-making drill bit???
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

arnitalynch247

Wed, 04/08/2015 - 13:26

I see a lot of things I'd like to make but can't find any of the plans. So frustrated.

Lounger

This was my 2nd wood working project. I found it was nice to have a 2nd set of hands to line up the top boards and put on the hinges. I did use a piano hinge for the back like another poster mentioned. It is smaller (not as thick) and helps keep the boards all even on the end when the back is lowered.

I really like the look of this lounger. I was worried that the boards on the edges would need more support, but they seem sturdy enough. If I notice them sagging later or starting to move, I will put some braces underneath.

Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Maximum Stain + Sealant - Cedar Natural Tone
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor deck furniture

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/22/2018 - 09:04

Thanks Ana for the great, easy plans!

Note: I used an exterior deck paint to paint this furniture. Although it has a rough texture, it doesn't bother us because of the cushions. Very easy to spray off, and has been through two seasons with no chipping or discoloration. Yay for less refinishing time and effort!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Outdoor deck paint from Home Depot
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

rustic bench

Submitted by jimmyball on Sun, 07/31/2011 - 07:43

I made a few small changes to the plans. used 3x3's for the legs, and 1x3 slats for the top (instead of solid 1x12). used 1x3 for the aprons and the base and made them 2 inches shorter to account for the 3x3 legs. I used pocket hole screws for everything.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
about 45 dollars. the oak was expensive (especially the 3x3's).
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mini Coffee Table

This little table is built entirely from scraps! My husband and I needed a table near the porch swing to set our coffee on and put our feet up at the end of the day, and it had to be small because we don't have a lot of space on the patio. It didn't cost a penny to build, and it's just the right size!
More details about how I built it can be found on the link.

Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Two coats of Minwax stain in Early American followed by two coats of Varathane Diamond Coat clear finish in Satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Dining Room Table and Bench

Submitted by dpero on Sat, 10/10/2015 - 18:46

This table is massive with the top being 96" x 42" and 2" thick and sitting 31" high.  The table can be done in a weekend and the bench was assembled the same way as the table out of scraps and was finished in about 4 hrs.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$700
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Cherry for the tops and white paint with faux glaze for the distressed aprons and legs.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

High chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/28/2018 - 21:34

Thanks so much for the plans. Built it for my visiting nephew. Had a hard time with wood splitting, definitely predrill once you have the pocket holes lined up. I finished with food grade mineral oil, may go over it with beeswax.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Mineral oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner