Community Brag Posts

Full size Daybed (Hailey hybrid)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/02/2017 - 08:44

 This is a hybrid between the Hailey daybed and the Hailey platform bed. My son is in love with this bed! Used aluminum diamond plate for the headboard. 

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum primer, black paint (3 coats) and clear finish. Aluminum diamond plate headboard. Lots of sanding. Used sponge roller for smooth finish. Cut diamond plate into three sections because I found a 2'x4' piece on Amazon for $22. One that spanned the length of the headboard (73") was $100!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse table, bench, and 2x4 chairs

Submitted by palgier15 on Sat, 02/20/2021 - 08:51

Started with building the table for our ever expanding family. We priced out a new table and chairs at the price of $3700 and was able to build the table, bench and 5 chairs for $400. The table is perfect for our big family and very solid. The bench and chairs went together fairly easily. I adapted 1 of the chairs for my son who has to have arms to keep him safe. Great for any family.
2x4 chairs are from morelikehome.net day 4 build

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Gel Stain Provincial
Varathane Polyurethane Semi-Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our first picnic table

We built our first DIY project together using the plans for the simple outdoor dining table. It was so much fun we are on to more projects.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic colored stain and sealer in Wedgewood
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First Build - Junior Camp Loft Bed

Submitted by stamhow on Mon, 01/05/2015 - 09:40

We had a blast building this bed for our daughter.  It was our first build and I think it turned out perfect!   Thank you Ana White for the inspiration and fantastic directions to get us through!  Now onto the next project!

Amy

Estimated Cost
We bought a combo miter saw too, so without that cost, paint and all, I would say around $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modified for double hanging

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/04/2017 - 14:50

I used 8 ft precut boards for shelves and modified the design so there was enough room for two racks on each side. In addition I screwed 1x4 to the studs to secure the shelving to the wall.  I have a 5 year old climber so it was best to be proactive and secure it. It was easy project took about 4 hours to complete.  I plan to paint the vertical boards a medium gray and stain the shelves a dark coffee color. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Anna's Bedside tables

Made these for my niece as a wedding gift. These were one of the first of many of these I have made.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Rustic X Console

Submitted by Dee015 on Fri, 03/01/2013 - 17:56

Always been interested in wood working and found this site that is incredibly easy to follow with awesome plans - Thanks Ana.

This was my first project and overall the wood cost about $50 with left overs. I used framing wood SPF and the friendly workers at Home Depot explained all about wood and finding wood that isn't shaped at odd angles or bent.

I bought a Mitre saw 10 inch blade for $99.

I bought the Kreg Jig for $99.

Gel Stain costs $25 for a large can (I used on another project).

To my amazement a box of screws costs $30 but you get a few hundred.

So some of the the things to watch for - for any newbies like me out there:

If you buy a very powerful drill careful not to push really hard or you find your screw goes through 2 inches of solid wood and you are left with a gaping hole.... resulting in you starting over again...

If you don't set your kreg jig to clamp down on your wood, with the wood being level at the base of the kreg jig, the wood raises slightly. This results in your drilled hole to go deeper and screws to pop out the face of your project... nice surprises when you are sanding.

Estimated Cost
First project - summary.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Gel stain

Varathane finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Jamaunzie

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 14:38

Your work looks great as I was reading about your adventure I couldn’t help but chuckle and node my head yep.
Welcome to the wonderful world of woodworking land of the bold, adventurous, self confident, and satisfied people

Lawnmower Shed

Submitted by PipesTX on Wed, 01/07/2015 - 06:19

Modified the design to allow me to roll lawnmower directly in the end. Fun project.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

16" Cedar Patio Planter

Submitted by prelude on Fri, 03/05/2021 - 04:33

I created these 16" cedar patio planters using Ana's plans. I bought four 6' cedar pickets from Lowe's for $1.98 each or under $8 for the lot. I used the extra picket to cut our my 1x2s and 1x3s so the whole construction is made of cedar including the pieces to hold a potted plant. I used Behr's clear and cedar finish to complete the job in under 1 hour. Thanks Ana for the motivation.

Estimated Cost
$8
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr's clear and cedar exterior finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

charlie's scooter

Submitted by aplexis on Mon, 03/04/2013 - 16:13

fun project for begginers, I made this one for my grandauther she's just a year and a half old and she loves it. This was a good chritsmas gift...

Estimated Cost
$20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Flared Leg Coffee Table

Submitted by DangerDad on Fri, 01/09/2015 - 11:58

For some time I've wanted to build a sturdy coffee table for our family room.  I've also been experimenting with and bulidng lots of furniture for the kids rooms with low cost, paint grade, maple veneer plywood.  I love the ease of working with this material and results have been great.  I never thought that raw edged plywood furniture would have a place outside of the kid's bedrooms until I saw this slab of bamboo counter top at our local big box store and I got the idea for this piece.  Although I still would'nt consider this "fine furniture", I think it turned out pretty cool.  The design is my own, and it's the first time I've tried flaring legs in two directions which was real easy to do with a bandsaw.  I have the plan drawn up in sketchup if anyone is interested.

Estimated Cost
$120 for the bamboo slab (with some left over for an end table)
Less than 1/2 a sheet of plywood at $50/sheet.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American on the top
Minwax Satin finish poly (3 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Fri, 01/09/2015 - 13:33

What a cool project! Love the bamboo top! To do your table legs, did you glue the plywood pieces into a block and then cut with the band saw? Beautiful job!

A lot of work but worth it!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/10/2017 - 18:09

A few things that would be helpful - power tools! Nail gun, drill and table/miter saw would all be helpful. I also would stain the pieces beforehand and touch up after. But overall, SO pleased with the final result.

Estimated Cost
$100 for 2 single loungers.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

coffee table

Submitted by alice on Wed, 03/10/2021 - 03:31

This is my first ever woodworking project and I'm really pleased with how it looks! Thank you for the plans, they were really clear and the video was the perfect guide for someone like me who had never done this before. Assembly took a couple of weekends I think. I had to predrill holes and I found the cuts for the x a bit difficult to do so had to try a couple of times. But definitely doable and very satisfying to have built something!

Big ur farm table

I love the table thanks using a miter saw made it quick and easy took me about 4 hours to build. Thanks

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Red oak and walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kentwood Bed

My son used to have a flimsy headboard and frame that drove me crazy so I decided to build him a bed from these plans. I couldn't be happier with his bed. I used pocket holes and everything has been holding up quite nicely. Love these plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Apply 2 coats of Miss Mustard Seed's Typewriter milk paint mixed one part paint to one part water. Sand with a fine grit sanding sponge then seal with Miss Mustard Seed's Hemp Oil. Wipe off any excess oil.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Wood Easter Basket Bunny Shaped Trug

Submitted by Hardware on Fri, 04/14/2017 - 12:32

Check it out on iamhardware.com ! Thanks Ana for the plans!

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

Comments

overbeckdaren@…

Sun, 03/08/2020 - 20:58

This is  great starter project for the diyer I want to personally thank you ana for this plan I'm a modest wood worker and sell my stuff for profit I will say these were a big hit in my area with selling 50+ baskets which is the most I've built of one thing in all my 7 years of woodworking these are the cutest little baskets thanks again

Brookstone Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/15/2021 - 12:06

Made for the spare room. Followed plan except for the top where I used a premade edge glued board.

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Special Walnut stain

Farmhouse Kitchen Table

My husband and I recently bought our first home right outside of Austin, Texas. One of my favorite features of the house were the beautiful bay windows in the kitchen. I wanted to have a table that accented the windows and created a centerpiece in the kitchen. I stumbled upon this blog, found the Farmhouse Table, and decided I was going to build this table! With the help of my dad, I was able to complete my first wood-working project, and I couldn't be more thrilled with the way it turned out!

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

Comments

Nelson55

Sat, 10/19/2013 - 10:44

I was wondering if this table was white? I cant tell by the lighting, but I was looking to make this table for myself stained white. Yours is the first I've seen that looks white, if so could you tell me the color of the stain? Thanks the table is beautiful!

Rustic Kitchen Island DIY

Submitted by kstruthers on Fri, 01/16/2015 - 07:57

Modified the plan in order to use 12 inch drawer slides and to fit the 1X24x48 project panel found at Lowes. The 2 inch swivel casters and drawer hardware were found at Home Depot.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150-$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Plus Ultra in snowfall with Minwax dark walnut stain for top. Sealed with General Finishes High Performance topcoat in flat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Grandkids LOVE IT!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/18/2017 - 05:31

Simple to build, took longer to paint it than it did to build it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
65 dollars (45 was paint).
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
primed with Kilz, painted with Glidden. Harley symbols were hand painted.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic x console table

Submitted by Markb25 on Fri, 03/19/2021 - 14:39

Based on the rustic x console plans with a few small changes to cater to the space available.

Built entirely from 2x4 with the exception of the X's which are 2x2; I choose to use half-lap joints to make these, ordinarily I'd have these a lot neater but chose to leave them visable to add the the rustic feel.

For the finish I've oxidised the wood with a steel wool and white vinegar solution and then applied a light grey wash over the top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White vinegar and still wool solution, grey wash and rustolium clear wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner