Community Brag Posts

Smaller Version of Grandy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/09/2016 - 19:11

The original size of the unit was too big for our needs so we cut down the size of the unit to 72" long and 30" high. Used patio rollers for the doors.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used English Chestnut for the stain and the paint is called La Fonda Midnight using Valspar paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

ctufano

Mon, 07/18/2016 - 15:28

Hey love your unit! What did you do for the doors? We are doing similar in cutting the height to 30"

Not sure what to do the doors out of. What was your base material? Kind of trim?

Mothersday Planter

Thanks for these plans! I was able to complete this planter in one afternoon.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

2x4 Truss bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/07/2023 - 14:52

We've been eyeballing this plan since it was first posted. We tend to accumulate extra 2x4s from other projects. Great easy build, was able to knock it out in a morning. The finish is a custom blend.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Dining table ready for Thanksgiving!

Submitted by jimboski93 on Mon, 11/21/2011 - 08:01

I looked at the Tryde coffee table and some of the brag posts and used that as my inspiration for my dining table. Other than that, it isn't too similar to any specific project plan, but borrowed aspects from several.

I spent about $70 on wood - douglas fir - and completed the entire project for under $150.

The legs are four 2x8 boards. I wanted to do something a bit different, a bit modern, and I think this achieved the goal.

This was my first staining project. Next I am going to build some matching chairs.

Full rundown: http://our-big-house.blogspot.com/2011/11/project-dining-table.html

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshades - Mission Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Wed, 11/23/2011 - 08:19

I really like the way you did the legs. I may use that idea myself. You did a great job!

Daffodil Yellow Potting Bench

Submitted by CathyS on Sun, 10/27/2013 - 18:53

I'm so happy to have found your site! I've been wanting a potting bench for a while. Today the Hubs and I built this one in Daffodil Yellow! It is only partially painted, but I already love it! The hubs wants to build a modified one for his heavy electronics equipment. Thanks a Bunch!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Daffodil Yellow paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sliding Door console with Cedar pickets

Submitted by KathrynK13 on Tue, 01/12/2016 - 18:46

My first big build and I love it! I followed the plans in concept but changed the materials. My frame is still 2x3, but all the trim and siding is cedar fence pickets. I love these! They need a lot of finish work (sanding for days!), but the look is so rustic and real.

I also came up with a great way to get the sliding door look for only $9 in materials. The other tutorials I found online would have been $60+ and I just didn't want to spend that much. Make sure to check out my tutorial for the sliding door hardware.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $100 with some scraps that will be used on the second matching piece
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
DIY distressed finish. Stained cedar pickets with Early American then did a quick painting with basic white I had on hand. Lightly sanded to reveal a bit of wood grain and distress.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2x4 potting bench

Submitted by DD56 on Wed, 05/22/2019 - 09:44

Great little starter project.  Only took a couple hours to construct.

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

My Modern Farmhouse Table

Submitted by samsam06 on Wed, 11/30/2011 - 16:20

Started on Saturday Afternoon around 5pm and finished building on Sunday, sanding on Monday, stain and poly on Tuesday and we ate Thanksgiving Dinner on it on Thursday. All that is left is the wood putty! Not perfect but VERY happy with it :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Providence Stain & Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table with Extensions

This was my first build and I learned A LOT and watched A LOT of youtube diy videos. The main take-away from this project is not to build in the freezing cold if the finished project is for inside. I finished this project in below freezing temperatures and I noticed that the wood expanded (increasing slightly the gap between the finished boards on the top) when it was brought inside.

I built this from the original farmhouse table plans with no kreg jig although I did buy and use a pocket kreg jig to make the extensions. The main modifications were using 4x4s such as were used in the Country Living magazine spread that inspired this build and also making modifications to allow the addition of 15" extensions at each end of the table's bread boards.

My first challenge was figuring out how to build with the 4x4 legs instead of the 2 2x4s screwed together. In order to accomplish this i had to use a chisel to create the corner lip that the table top frame would sit on. I added photos of this so I hope it will help someone. Chiseling these 4 corners (one on each post) only took an hour or two and was so worth it for the look of the 4x4s. Just measure carefully and work carefully with a sharp chisel. I actually removed half the wood by sawing off the corner at a 45 degree angle. Remember when cutting your boards for the table ends that a 4x4 has different dimensions than 2 2x4s screwed together. Compensate for this in your cuts.

Another challenge was hiding the screws on the table legs and table top. I was leaving the finish natural so didn't want to use wood fill. I accomplished this by getting a countersink bit and then buying wooden dowels the same diameter. For these screw holes, after finishing screwing, I put a dab of wood glue in the countersink hole, inserted the dowel as far as it would go, used a fine hand saw to cut off the dowel flush with the table and then used a hammer to make sure the dowel was in tight and flush.

I had trouble figuring out how to attach the table top frame to the table legs with the long screws from the plans so I included a picture of this step. Its really easy but I was not able to use three screws as the plan calls for. I used two instead and it has been very solid. I used the long screws as proscribed.

Finally, I wanted to build extensions (2 2x8 boards kreg jigged together) so I could increase seating up to a max. of 12 persons, so I needed to cut out 2x2 gaps on the table ends. I also included a picture of these in place. To make room for the 2 2x2s that extend under the bread boards and table top to brace the extensions, I left out one of the 2x2 cross beams at each end of the underside of the table (the boards that the table top boards screw into).

I hope this is helpful to you!

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Vinegar and Steel Wool Solution (soak steel wool for 24 hours in vinegar and be sure to test on a sample) to "age" the wood. Tung oil over this sealed the stain/wood. over this I applied a wax finish. First I used Briwax Liming Wax to enhance the gray finish and leave a slight white wash patina. This finish was enhanced because I had steel brushed with the grain to remove some soft wood so the liming wax would enhance the grain. I finished the project with clear briwax. We have been using this as our everyday table since February and there are no stains or problems with this finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

dyemond47

Mon, 02/10/2014 - 11:55

Great job on the table! I love...I had visions of this table before I saw it. I wanted to use the 4x4's for the legs as well, the same finish. I am concerned now about the 4x4's because I am an amateur and I think that may throw too many wrenches into my plan. I started with the bench, finished in 3 hours I have patted myself on the back. Plotting on a Kreg jig right now.

epweigel92

Sun, 07/24/2016 - 09:57

Love the look of this table! Just to make sure I'm following correctly, the extensions are ones you can add and remove, not fixed? Do you have a pic of how they slide in or out?

Coastal Kentwood Bed

This bed was built based on the Kentwood bed plans. The are a few adjustments to the size, and slats were used instead of the vertical trim pieces. The 54 slats were cut from 2- 50 count bundles of 48" lath boards. The side rails were re-purposed from an old King size waterbed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
DIY Chalk paint using Behr's Silver Polish. Finished with a clear wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

GardenQueen

Tue, 01/19/2016 - 05:21

This bed looks terrific! Love the overlapping slats and the coastal vibe.

My wife and I built an outdoor bench!

Submitted by AKMan279 on Sun, 06/02/2019 - 20:42

Ana sent us the plans for this bench and it worked out great!

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

We love our mini bedside tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/21/2023 - 16:27

The sublime beauty of the natural wood grain upstages my (considerably) modest skill but we are very happy with our nightstands. Thanks so much for the plans! Rendered in Walnut with Tung Oil finish. Slight modification in dimensions and drawer facing.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Kitchen Table

Well, this is my second project and was built to replace the first one I did about 2 years ago.

Two summers ago I built the Modern Farm Table and, quite frankly, screwed it up. I rushed that job, not taking the time to be selective about my lumber and forgetting to heed the old axiom of "measure twice, cut once". In short, the table turned out 27" wide and the the table-top surface was as uneven as a highway's rumble strips. Yeah. I know. A sad showing on my part.

This project was a different story. I took my time; and by time I mean it took about 10 hours total, including 3 trips to Home Depot to buy things that I didn't take into consideration (like mineral spirits for brush clean up after polyurethane).

Anyway, this table is a mix between a regular Tryde Table and the Benchwright Table. I liked the thick, heavy look of the Benchwright Table's top, but did not want to sacrifice the ends' leg space by including the trestle.

So, this is pretty much a Tryde Table, with the faux-thick top of the Benchwright and 4" x 4" legs. I used Select Appearance Pine for the top boards. I did this more to ensure I got straight edges than for the surface finish quality. But I like the end result.

Dimensions: 74 1/4"L X 38.5"W X 30"H

Lumber: 4" X 4" legs, S4S 1" pine boards top, 2" X 4" aprons.

Finish: Red Mahogany

Cost: $160

Total time: 10 hours.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Red Mahogany
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

mikejillnelson

Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:28

You should be proud of yourself for not only doing a wonderful job on this table but for trying again! I love Ana's site because it allows each of us to begin small and build (no pun intended) bigger and more complicated as we learn!

Built-In Desk

Hi there! I made a built-in desk for our long rectangular living room using a granite top on 4 cabinets... modified from a simple base cabinet plan. It was a blast to build & my family really enjoys it! :D

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Princess Dress-Up Closet

Submitted by pde00311 on Tue, 01/19/2016 - 14:45

With my 3 1/2 year old girl who is really in a princess dress-up phase (and a 1 year old girl who likes to tag/crawl along), my Christmas present to them was a big hit. I first bought the two mirrors at IKEA and then modified the design around them, with added cubbies and shelves for princess shoes and tiaras, as well as a secret jewelry compartment. I built the decorative crown with different pieces of scrap wood. In all honesty, the modifications made it a little back-heavy and wobbly, so I ended up attaching it to the wall in the basement (which was probably a good idea anyway).

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Glamorous paint and off-white paint with coats of polycrylic; Mirrors and Motion Sensor overhead light bought at IKEA
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Little Kids picnic table

Submitted by SoCalMom on Wed, 06/12/2019 - 13:02

Built this in a few hours. Was a fun build and was all from wood I had sitting around. My daughter requested purple and I happened to have some oops purple I picked up at Home Depot for 50 cents so it was a very affordable project that the girls love! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Purple Behr oops paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simplified barn door console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/27/2023 - 09:05

Another project my high school shop class is building from an Ana White plan. The top is maple that has been stained black and then poly.

Comments

New Bedroom For Jonathan

My son is 10 year old and I decided to change his room. His bedroom is very small so I built a full size bed whith storage. I hung up bookholders on the wall too.
Wee are very happy how it turned out.
Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
200 euros
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
white gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Tue, 12/13/2011 - 05:27

That is a wonderful room! You did a great job and your son must be thrilled!

carnini

Sun, 01/22/2012 - 18:24

I like the cubbies under the bed instead of drawers, seems much easier and better for a non adults bed.

bhoppy

Wed, 02/15/2012 - 09:34

How beautiful! I love the bed and shelves! I bet your son is so thrilled!

Farmhouse table

Submitted by TCrilly on Tue, 11/05/2013 - 17:28

We originally re-sized these plans smaller to make a worktable for my office. Once that was built and we realized that we actually could make a table, we decided to make the full sized version. It turned out beautifully! A couple of clients have actually asked if they could pay us to make them one! Thank you, Ana, for the plans. :-)

Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot walnut with semi-gloss poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic planked wood sideboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2016 - 03:49

This is my first attempt a making furniture. I enjoyed the process.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $250. I used Annie Sloan paint and wax. They are expensive but very good finishing products for this type of work.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan chalk paint - olive green (2 coats) and clear wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

MollyE

Thu, 04/15/2021 - 09:30

Unable to open the pdf for this plan, can someone fix this or provide new link? Thank you!!