Community Brag Posts

Dining / Gaming Table

Submitted by bette9182 on Mon, 04/25/2016 - 13:18

My wife and I were looking for a new dining table, the one we had was a bar height which worked well for our daughters high chair, but she was going to be transitioning to a booster seat . We shopped around and had sticker shock at the cost of a dining room set. We enjoy playing board games and I had been looking into possible buying a board gaming table, but those more expensive and some had long lead times as well. I tossed out the idea that I could make our table and my wife agreed but gave me a deadline. I had built a few smaller pieces before but nothing like this. I based my plans off the farmhouse table for the top and used store bought legs. The top needed to be sturdy since it is not attached to the base, I did add blocking on the back so the top doesn’t move around and it is heavy enough that it doesn’t flip up if you lean on it. I moved the typical supports down to the bottom of the side rails and added a ¾” piece of MDF that I had for the gaming top. We used spray adhesive to attach some batting and used blue suede for the gaming surface since we are fans of Doctor Who. I added handles to the top on the inside to help when it is moved off the table for gaming. I built the bench too and made it so we could slide it under the table to save on space when we did not need it. The other chairs are hand me downs and Salvation Army finds that we spray painted. The only addition that I have to make is to build some sort of cup holders.

Estimated Cost
$150 - 200 with all the chairs and fabric.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Grandy Barn Door Console Modified

Submitted by Allan_F on Wed, 01/15/2020 - 19:30

Changed the width, added shelf dividers.  Used three six inch wide boards for shelves (actual width is 5 1/2 inches each) 16 1/2 total, perfect for the project.  Used poplar.  Mini barn door kit from Amazon.  Put a strip of felt with adhesive on the lower back side of the door and on the front inside of the U bracket guide to prevent scratching.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Custom Horse Handle Teeter Totter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/13/2023 - 09:28

This is the Seesaw I made for our Granddaughters, plans were easy to follow and the girls love it.

sawhorseworkshop

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

X Bench with out the "X"

Submitted by Angel Rose on Tue, 04/17/2012 - 19:50

This was my first big project from Ana's site. I had so much fun building it, I didn't quite get the "X" right, so I left it off. Hope it doesn't hurt the strength. I made it for a friend of mine as a wedding present. I can't wait to give it to her.

My family was so struck by what I was able to accomplish!

Can't wait to make one for my home!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted the bottom with some oops paint from one of our favorite box stores. Stained the top with two coats of stain and a coat of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Five Dollar Shelves

My wife wanted some low profile shelves for pictures on the wall so I decided to throw these together.

I made the "Ten Dollar Ledges" (http://ana-white.com/2010/10/plans/ten-dollar-ledges) from here for our son's room, but my wife did not like how big they were. I decided to make these out of 1/2 inch wood instead of 1 inch.

I bought 1/2" thick common boards. The bottom is a 1/2" x 4" board and the back is a 1/2" x 2" board. The front lip I made by cutting a 2" board in half so I could make 2 lip pieces out of one 1/2" x 2" board. The boards were just clamped and glued together. Use plently of glue and clamp them down on a flat surface. Wait about 30 minutes and then scrape off any dripping wood glue. The trick is to let it dry a little bit so that is scrapes off easily without getting glue all over.

I finished it with Dark Walnut stain and one coat of water based clear coat.

I simply drilled 3 holes in the back and screwed them into wall anchors.

Estimated Cost
$5 each
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut stain with water based Miniwax clear coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Castle Loft Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/28/2016 - 06:30

Modified plans to make a full size bed.

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

DIY Laundry Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 14:56

Our laundry renovation with the cabinet loosely based on the Ana's kitchen cabinet plan. I used 7mm red oak plywood for the door and side panels with some with Baluster hardwood for the doors frame. 

The benchtop was all cut from my usual 200mm x 50mm pine landscaping sleepers.

Mark

Comments

Adirondack Chairs - Phoenix AZ

Submitted by mdoromal on Mon, 02/03/2014 - 09:14

Easy weekend project for chairs that I hope will last a decade. I used Painters Touch Gloss Navy Blue paint and primer. I put alot of paint to help withstand the Arizona summer sun. One change I made to the plans were as follows:

When I attached the back support, I initially used one screw on each side so that the support could swivel. This way, I could swivel the support to be flush with the back of the chair.

Going to try the outdoor loveseat next.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painter's Touch primer and Painter's Touch Navy Blue Gloss. About $8 a quart.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sliding Door Console

Submitted by carriesty on Mon, 05/02/2016 - 09:05

Distressed Sliding Door Console.

I absolutely enjoyed making this console. It's different and a conversation starter in our home. After figuring out how to make the hardware (pulling my hair out for a moment), I was off and running. I wanted to make my piece look old with character and charm. I searched for reclaimed wood and finally  found thick pieces of wood that were perfect for my top. After sanding for hours (literally hours!!), it was smooth and ready for a stain. I distressed the cabinet base after applying a teal paint. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 - mainly because of the wood top.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore - Teal ~
Stain - Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Arch Nightstand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/27/2020 - 14:06

I built a pair of these nightstands to go with the Farmhouse Headboard that I made from plans elsewhere on this site.
I used tongue and groove bead board for the tops and drawer fronts.
Decent 2 x 2's are hard to find so I ripped down 2 x 4's for the legs on my table saw.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60 per nightstand
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Honey Oak Stain
Water based polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Full/Twin Simple Bunk Beds

This is a Twin over Full Simple Bunk Bed for my girls who share a room. The bottom bunk leaves plenty of room for even adults to sit down without hitting their heads. We mounted Large decorative flowers on the railing to match the room just in case my daughter woke up in the middle of the night and decided to look over the edge. We were nervous she'd hit the ceiling fan and it's too hot in South Texas not to have ceiling fans. The flowers work perfectly in that area and she loves it. We pretty much followed the plans found here: http://ana-white.com/2011/01/plans/twin-over-full-simple-bunk-bed-plans. We have not added a ladder yet, but are thinking about it. On a side note, the girls like to mount blankets and cover the bottom bunk to create their "own" personal space/fort and it's pretty cool. Special note: Untreated wood for this project was hard to find. Only one of the local home improvement stores had it and it wasn't from a large chain.

Estimated Cost
300-400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Karli (not verified)

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 17:12

Hi! Your beds turned out darling. Is your total cost guesstimate including mattresses or just cost of building? Thanks!
Karli

Boys Headboard

Submitted by fanofana on Thu, 02/06/2014 - 14:47

My son didn't have a headboard for his bed and was jealous that his little sister did (we made her the Farmhouse bed when she learned to climb out of her crib). So, finally we made him a bed, too! We used the plans for the reclaimed wood headboard but made the panel taller so we could put the custom sticker on. We also chose not to add the 2 X 4 on top, as we liked this look better with the taller panel. I love the final look!

Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a Colonial walnut stain to finish the headboard.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Our new garden beds. Thank you!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/04/2016 - 07:00

I'm only moderately handy and these were fun and pretty easy.

Learned a lot and got better as I went along.

I found ways to make it as cheap as possible, probably did all three projects for 150 bucks.

Estimated Cost
Around $150
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King Headboard w/ Charger and Lighting

Submitted by Malka on Sat, 02/01/2020 - 15:21

I designed this headboard on the back of a napkin, after we couldn't find one at a box store that met our needs. I used Douglas fir 2x10 for the headboard/shelves and Pine T&G for the backing. My fiance etched a mountain range into an unframed mirror, which I then framed from the scrap fir wood, and stained to match. Also attached an LED Lightbar above the mirror, Dimmer switch LEDs on each bookshelf, and a recessed USB/Plug port. This wasn't the cheapest project with the electrical accessories added, but we now have a custom wooden headboard with bookshelves, lighting and chargers that will last us years and be far beyond anything we could have bought at a big box store for the same cost. 

Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Honey
Minwax Semi-Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Ridge Media Console

Submitted by TLinskey on Mon, 02/10/2014 - 06:02

While working on this project I thought it was extremely challenging but in the end I changed my opinion and was extremely happy I took on and completed the challenge. One rule I stand by is if you start something you finish it. I learned how to use a router, jigsaw, and learn even more how clamps can be our bff's!!!!! My advice is to take this project on, go slow and if you need it ask for help! Good luck!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut, Minwax Weathered Oak, Ragged White and Helmsman Spa Urthemane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Behind sofa table/bar/work desk

Needed custom size table that is versatile. Daughter can do homework, act as bar table, and work area. Chairs repainted and reupholstered. Screwed in multiple plug outlet to the side. First of many projects. Learned how to use Kreg Jig.

Estimated Cost
$60-$80
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr in intergalactic flat finish, then coated with polyurethane, table top white gloss then sprayed crystal clear enamel by Rustoleum.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Storage Bed with Drawers and Rustic Planked Headboard with Lights

Submitted by jjmaldon on Sat, 02/08/2020 - 10:22

Base is classic storage king and the headboard was custom made to fit the size of the room. Enjoyed this project and the extra storage the drawers are providing. Thanks for the sharing the design plan; worked perfectly. 

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

DIY Nursery Closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/02/2023 - 10:46

This project is based on the floating closet tower build. This is the first time I’ve attempted a renovation project of this size, and I feel satisfied with the results. I did not purchase my boards from shelf help, I cut mine from a sheet and a half of plywood. Thank you for providing your plans for free. They are very helpful for beginners like me!!

Charity P

Magazine file turned shelf

Submitted by kari on Sat, 04/28/2012 - 10:20

A long time ago I saw a picture of an old magazine file turned on it's side and used as a shelf. I loved it. And it had a curve that I loved too. After waiting over a year for vintage magazine file to fall into my lap, I decided it was time for me to take action.

I have it attached in the corner by my son's bed. It is a perfect little spot to hold his glasses, water, pills, and of course Darth Vader.

A few changes I made-
After cutting the side panels I drew a curve on them. It was 12 inches tall, and I started the curve up 4 inches from the front. I used painters tape to hold the 2 side pieces together and cut them on my scroll saw, you could also use a jig saw.

The old one in the picture had a whole on the front, so I added one too.

Because I planned to turn this on it's side, I attached the front and back to the bottom first. Then attached the sides. That way the sides rest on the back and front for a little support. I had to adjust the width on all sides for that.

It was super quick and super easy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
all scraps - so free for me
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
some blue oops paint I had
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

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