Community Brag Posts

Planked Platform Bed Frame

Submitted by fresh5150 on Wed, 11/02/2016 - 17:27

I love this bed and it was really easy to build! 

Estimated Cost
All I paid for was the molding around the head board which was around $24. All other wood is recycled
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax classic gray stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dining Room Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/25/2020 - 04:50

My husband and I built this together as a celebration of our 9th anniversary. We had a lot of fun learning a new skill. Thank you for posting these plans for beginners like us!

Built from Plan(s)

Rustic Farmhouse Table

This is the very first thing I've ever built! I would never have thought it could be so easy! Thanks so much Ana - your my hero!!!

Estimated Cost
$125.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax - English Walnut
8 coat of Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Tommy Bookcase

This was my first project and I hit quite a few bumps along the way but I am super happy with how it turned out! I rounded the edges with a sander but otherwise went just followed the instructions exactly.

Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
semi gloss paint with primer 2 coats. Nothing else.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Luxury chickens

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/07/2016 - 04:52

THRILLED with how this turned out. Functional and cute!

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

My first cabinet build

Submitted by lawson4450 on Sat, 10/06/2012 - 18:31

I always wanted to try building something and wanted to actually build some cabinets for the dining room to use basically for china and a buffet. I found the plans on here and went to town. I made the smaller cabinet first just to see if i can make it and well it worked fine. So I took the plan and made a second cabinet but made it slightly bigger because I decided to place the cabinets together and put them in our kitchen. It was also an anniversary present for the wife since we cant redo the kitchen and we need some more counter space I made these to fit under a window and replace a set of metal shelves. The doors I just made them no real plan just tried something and it worked. So happy wife, happy wife and I had a good time. As a firefighter/emt this is a nice get away from the stresses of my life and as long as the wife is happy then she will let me continue to work on this stuff. Thanks Ana for the plans I have a few more planned for the future.

Estimated Cost
less then $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I learned the hard way no spray paint lol I tried to use paint in primer in one but then switched to spray primer and gloss whit paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Restoration Hardware Inspired

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/09/2016 - 18:59

I was in the process of making the fancy farmhouse x dining table to spec based on the plans provided. Then I came across a restoration Hardware table that had a similar base but a concrete top and decided to mimic the concrete top with plywood. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150-200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Driftwood stain with The Home Depot's Behr Ultra Premium Plus interior Matte Broadway color.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Camp Loft Bed

Submitted by Aisha on Mon, 10/08/2012 - 18:39

I decided to make the camp loft bed into a bunk bed for the kids. The room is really small so I had to make it toddler length (about 62") and the stairs are only about 13.5" wide. It turned out great and the kids love it!

Estimated Cost
$150 for wood and hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
2 coats of Ipswich pine and one coat of a poly/stain mix in provincial.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

The Farmhouse Toddler Bed

Submitted by jputz2014 on Fri, 08/01/2014 - 05:46

This bed was picked out by my daughter. Built straight from the plans and she loves it. Now if I can get her to pick a color.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinshed. Daughter cant pick a color.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Matt’s Cedar Planters

Submitted by Laffer12 on Sun, 08/02/2020 - 18:11

As a beginner this was a pretty fun and easy project. I did use wood screws to hold the edges together since the fence boards are typically curved and brad nails didn’t seem to hold on my first try. Ultimately I really enjoyed the results!

Built from Plan(s)

Rooftop Patio Sectional

I was in love with the West Elm slat collection but knew I could never afford it let alone live in a spot that would have the outdoor space for it. Luckily as fate would have it, I stumbled across the perfect townhouse with a huge rooftop patio in downtown Vancouver last year right at the same time I discovered Ana White - with no experience in this kind of project, but a love for DIY and alot of determination I'm proud to say I finally finished my dream patio set, and it looks even better than I could have imagined! Thanks Ana :)

Estimated Cost
Under $500 including cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Wine Cabinet

Submitted by jmp1518 on Mon, 08/04/2014 - 15:01

One day I was considering buying a wine cabinet for a friend. However, once I did a little bit of research, I found that the cabinets that were reasonably priced, were made of low grade material. That is when I took to the internet and immediately searched Ana's site. I have been on the site in the past and hadn't made anything yet. Once, I found the plan on here to make it, I grabbed a little bit of graph paper and worked it to the proportions I needed and added a few extras. It took me a while to finish the project as I only had weekends and occasionally weeknights to work on it. Also, the staining and finishing obviously took some time.

P.S. This project allowed me to use a Kreg Jig for the first time. I can't believe that I haven't used one before and have since built a few other projects using it.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Pre-stain Wood Conditioner,
2 coats Minwax Wood Finish Ebony 2718,
2 coats Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish Semi-gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Lady Goats

Wed, 08/20/2014 - 20:31

your friend must've been thrilled! Amazing build and finish!

P.s. Will you be my friend? ;-)

Farmhouse Table

We love this table. It's great for big meals, board games, and family gatherings. I enjoyed the work and finished result. Learned a lot. Thanks for the plans!

Estimated Cost
$200+
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Chalk paint base and Red Chestnut stain for the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Planter steps

These steps turned out great!!! My in-laws were using some busted up pallets as a front porch so I knocked these out in a few hours. The blue stain looks really good and matches the other blue on various out-buildings. Very easy project and the plans available were spot on. Thanks Ana!!

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Seasonal And Holiday

Mudroom Bliss

I adapted the Braden Bench plan to make it more of a built-in feature of our mudroom. It's added wonderful organization to our busiest room.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint & Primer in one
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Garden table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/08/2020 - 21:44

This was an amazing first project for us. Thank you for the plans and the step by step instructions

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

T's Rustic X End Table

Thank you Hilary for the wonderful design and thank you Anna for the plans. I tend to spend my fall and winter months on woodworking and sewing so this is my first project for the season. We had some left over 2.4's and I saw this table and thought, what a good way to use some of that leftover lumber. I didn't really know where I was going to put the table but once it was finished it made itself a home in our spare bedroom. I then saw a battery operated candle lantern that had the "X" pattern and I thought that would go perfectly with the table. Well, that then led me into another project. I wanted to do something different with the lantern instead sitting in on the table top so with some of the leftover wood from the table shelf, I made a post to hang the lantern from. I also used Anna's technique of distressing the edges with Minwax stain marker. It added just enough detail, what a great use of the stain marker.

The end table was my first project of the rustic "X" family. The second was the "X" console which also sits in the spare room. I'm now working on the Farmhouse Bed and am thinking of incorporating the some "X's" maybe on the headboard and also incorporate the hardware onto the headboard/footboard corners. It's not a traditional set that you would find in a bedroom, but it's a guest room and we don't really feel we need a dresser of drawers for our visitors so this works perfectly. It fits right into our decor and is very welcoming.

I love the stain that Hilary used, thank you for the advise. I have a jar of vinegar and steel wool sitting now. Can't wait to try that stain!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Minwax water based pre-conditioner, followed by two coats Minwax water based white wash pickled stain, followed by two coats Minwax water based satin poly.

For the hardware I used 4" L-brackets and 1-1/2" bolts sprayed with Rustoleum Hammer spray paint. I like the larger head on the bolts but could only find them in 1-1/2 lengh. I wasn't sure if these would be too long and collide with the screws from the pocket holes, so to be on the safe side, my husband cut the bolt threads down to make it a shorter bolt, then I pre-drilled and screwed the cut bolt in.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:18

Beautiful build and the little lamp post is adorable, too! Very creative!