Community Brag Posts

Mailbox Base

Submitted by TxDork76 on Wed, 11/14/2018 - 20:27

my mailbox was hit by a vehicle so I decided I wanted to do something creative/different but also didn't want to spend much money as it may just get taken out again in the future :)

this is a good project to get kids to help you with

instead of cutting into the concrete easement, I installed 2 post bases & locked them with sleeve anchors.  They're sturdy enough but will give if hit again.  drilling the holes for the sleeve anchors was the hardest part of the project.

I used a left over 4x4x8 for the posts, scrap 1x4s, 1x2s up the sides (1/2" gap between boards), and a 2x4 scrap to attach the mailbox.  I eyeballed the width between posts using the mailbox itself. I left over stain from another project (almost bought a quart of oops paint at HD)

I figure the total cost would have been about $100

It's a super easy project that took about 4hrs. I've already had a couple of neighbors come by to take measurements to try something similar.

FYI: USPS guildlines for installing a curbside mailbox: https://www.usps.com/manage/mailboxes.htm

Estimated Cost
$75-$100 depending on materials/tools on hand.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
valspar semi-transparent stain & sealer in "Pinebark"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

2x4 Modern Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/12/2022 - 09:48

These chairs were a perfect addition to the front porch and so comfy!

Comments

Cat Condo

Submitted by Me-go-Eco on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 10:20

Built my sister a cat condo before she moved so she could take it with her to her new house. Made out of carpet remnants, and scrap wood, so it was FREE! hahaha. I like free! Don't you?

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Factory Cart

This was my first furniture piece. I was very please with the way it turned out. The step by step instructions are so easy to follow. Anyone can do this!

I stenciled on the design then sanded to make it look worn.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used an oil based stain (I don't remember the color). I always use a rag to apply stain. I used several coats of water based polyurethane to finish this piece. I also use a rag to apply the poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

a place for my plants

Submitted by maggiekat on Sun, 10/25/2015 - 09:00

Winter is approaching, and my plants needed a place to live indoors. I built two of these console tables to fit in the space at the  head of the stairs.

The base layer of the tops is plywood, because I had a half-sheet left over from another project. These went together really quickly with my Ryobi Airstrike nailer

Estimated Cost
about $25, plus scrap wood and paint/stain
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Ultra "Paradise Landscape"
Minwax Polyshades "Espresso"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Wood Storage Sofa

Submitted by M@cher1e on Sat, 12/08/2018 - 01:17

Great Project!! I am currently working on it, love the challenge. I am using pallets to build will upload the finished looks.

Love it!

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

Wine gift carrier

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/22/2022 - 14:01

Easy and fun project that took part of a day. I made so my wife can give to friends she will be staying with on a girl's trip.
I used Provincial stain on wood I had on hand. I bought handles and it was done.

Comments

Barnwood frame as a vanity mirror

Submitted by Lady Goats on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 10:59

I was watching the DIY network while my neighbor was over one day, and got a hair up my butt to take the builder grade mirror down from my hall bath. I had just gotten a $50 Lowe's gift card for my birthday, so I decided to do a mini bathroom makeover. I had NO plans and no clue what I wanted in there, but the mirror was down so I needed to get GOIN!

I saw the plan for the Barnwood Frame and altered it to use 1x3s as well as 1x2s, and (obviously) made it bigger. I also built a medicine cabinet from 1x6s.

The biggest issue with this whole thing was cutting the mirror to size. I had never done anything like this, so my medicine cabinet mirror is about 1/8" too small for the frame (hid that by using DUCT TAPE on the inside!).

I still plan on building a vanity and changing out the sink in there, but that has to wait until I have the motivation to redo the floors!

Yeah, me and motivation aren't very close...

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I DON'T REMEMBER! But this paint color is so sexy, I DEFINITELY have to find it!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffee Table

I have been looking for a big enough rustic coffee table for us, and oh boy those cost a lot of money!
My friend told me about ana-white.com website and when I found this Tryde coffee table, I was so happy!
It took me about hour to cut (with help of my husband) and put this coffee table together and then during next weekend I sanded and stained it.

We are having our full house under renovation and it was so nice to have clear plans to follow and get this done without hassle.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I had some left overs from my other projects but I think this cost around 30$
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
WINWAX dark walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified X end tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/26/2018 - 09:37

I modified the plans for a smaller size and used pallet wood as well as 2x4s and 2x6s ( scraps I had from earlier projects)

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dining Room Buffet Cabinet

Submitted by kdins31 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:26

I scoured the web unsuccessfully for months trying to find a cabinet big enough to store everything we needed to store. I wanted something huge and bright and simple, and so I decided to just build away. It's 8'4" long, 18" deep and 36" tall. Topped with a slab of Giallo Napoleon granite and painted a nice plain white. Took me only a few nights to build and paint, thanks to my power nailer and power paint sprayer. Thanks to a great deal on a remnant granite slab, this was just about $400 total start to finish. I winged the entire plan and didn't really use any plans in particular, though I have gathered many great ideas and tips from this site.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$450-500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin white, nothing special!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

shanestric

Sat, 08/13/2011 - 14:51

Wow - looks great! You would think it was done by a pro! You should be very proud of your finished product.

pallet desk from tiny house table plans

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/29/2018 - 15:25

made from tiny table table plans & pallet wood.

Estimated Cost
$5 for stain, poly & hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Tryde Coffee Table

Submitted by jaustin613 on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 10:44

You'd think it'd be easier to find a great coffee table but it's not! After looking for several weeks I finally told my wife that I could build us a table cheaper (even accounting for tools) than what we would pay, not to mention we were spending weekends looking for something that doesn't exist.

This table is STURDY - with all the nails and glue in it, it's not going anywhere. I would recommend this to anyone who thinks they'd like it, fairly straight forward directions but there's lots of sanding involved. This is the first thing I've ever built and I think it turned out great.

You can do this just as easily!

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

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by brelausto on Mon, 09/09/2013 - 06:58

Used 1 x 4 cedar boards for the legs and backs and 1 x 6 cedar deck boards that were left over from when we built the deck it is sitting on. Built 6 armless units and one corner unit. Total the sectional is 10' x 6' with two 2'x2' ottomans. As everyone else states, the cushions were the most expensive part of the project. We purchased these 8 Sunbrella cushion sets from Home Depot for about $600. After cutting all of the pieces it really did not take that long to assemble the units. I ended up building a little "support bridge" that I rested the unit on so I could attach the back legs since the front legs are attached first. This way I knew the legs would end up level without having to measure, attach the back legs and hope that the legs would end up level. With the front legs resting on the ground and the rest of the unit supported by the "bridge" I could set the back legs in place, resting solidly on the ground and attach the legs to the seat, with no measuring needed.

Estimated Cost
Wood = less than $200, cushions = varies depending on your desires.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Triple Bunk Bed

I took the “classic bunk bed” plans and changed them to accommodate my 3 girls. I have 9 ft ceilings so I just stretched the traditional plans out to allow the 3rd bunk to be added. It turned out nice and my girls enjoy it. I also built a matching toy box that is visible in one of the pictures. Please excuse my messy shop. I built this with my 40 year old shopsmith and a kreg jig. Thank you for the plan.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 +-
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Golden oak stain and lots of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic sideboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/01/2019 - 08:01

This project was a lot of fun to build. I always learn something along the way. The sideboard filled the one wall in our kitchen, taking the place of a bench and a drop zone for miscellaneous stuff. Now we can keep those things out of view with proper storage spaces. 

I routed a channel into the front and side pieces of the drawers so that I could slide the 1/4 plywood bottom in. I then screwed the bottom to the back piece which I ripped down to size. This way if I need to change out the drawer bottom I can just unscrew it from the back and replace it if needed.

i also chose to finish the back up a bit more in case we decided to ever move it off a wall in the future.

Thanks for the great plans Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax pre-stain conditioner followed by two coats of Minwax Scarlet stain. I chose not to wipe the stain and let it just dry between coats. I then put a coat of polyurethane over the stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor Sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/23/2022 - 15:56

After we built our deck we needed furniture...so I headed to see what projects Ana White had. These benches were so easy and quick to build and look great on our deck!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Kitchen Helper

Submitted by 67GTOenvy on Fri, 08/19/2011 - 10:12

The kitchen helper tower was a fast and easy build, the modification of 16 hinges to allow the tower to fold flat was actually the most time consuming part of the build. I added clear skateboard grip tape to the platform floor. I found the hinges and griptape on ebay and most of the wood was scrap leftover from other projects.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
"Classic Red" spray paint & spray laquer for the tower frame, I stamped flowers & bugs on the platform under the griptape & clear laquered the bare sides & underside.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 02/27/2012 - 08:52

First off, your website is awesome and I love how you give such great directions. However, on everything I pull up all this information is on it. On this one it is not, can you help me? I really want to build this for my daughter.

Thanks so much.

Stacey

Amy Patterson

Mon, 11/30/2015 - 16:48

How did you build it so it can be folded up?.  Would you explain it or post a picture?

Cortona Buffet - Pottery Barn

Submitted by Nathan1342 on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 07:40

I really like all the furniture at Pottery Barn but hate paying the high prices. I saw their Cortona Buffet on day and decided it would make a great addition to my dining room. I started out by making a simple frame out of oak, put a bottom in it and built the sides. The drawers were inset drawers and i wanted 1/16 of an inch clearance on all sides so I made some simple drawer slides out of wood. You can kind of see them on the last picture. They worked great! Drawers fit perfectly and didn't have to spend extra on drawer slides. The top is 1inch thick oak that I distressed with a variety of tools to try and achieve the same weathered look as the real deal. The only thing I wasn't able to keep the same was the bottom trim. I went to ever custom molding and trim place in town and no one had anything like it. So I settled for a little less ornate piece but I think it came out well. The hardest part of the entire process was making the tiny trim pieces that fit on the door and on the sides. I had to make my own scratch stock and scratch them out of a piece of oak. If you've never had any experience with scratch stock (I didn't) Google it and try it out. You can make some pretty nice custom trim pieces by hand. All in all it was a nice build, now the wife just needs to decorate it!

Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Dark Walnut, Minwax Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Wed, 09/11/2013 - 18:14

This is what I call WOW factor! It is a spectacular build! The way you did the drawers is intriguing. I've seen some wood slides in Rockler, did you build your in that style? The finish and craftsmanship are just awesome. Now I'm off to google 'scratch stock'. Thanks for sharing this wonderful build!

In reply to by JoanneS

Nathan1342

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 08:13

Thanks you for the kind words! They are the same idea as the Rockler slides just not with a tapered slide. I built a simple wooden stop to keep the drawers from falling out since the slide wasn't tapered. I think if I had to do it again i'd taper the slides for a little better fit. Thanks again!

tracysmith

Sat, 09/14/2013 - 23:30

I don't mean to sound condescending or anything, but YOU MADE that? That looks like something that was bought not built. I hope that doesn't sound badly, it really is a compliment! It's amazing! I love it! Fantastic quality looking piece, excellent color!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!