Community Brag Posts

I have been building things from recycled fencing we acquire from our business for a while, but this is the first large table I have made. I used recycled backing rails and pickets to make the Farmhouse table from Ana's plans. I shortened the length of the table but otherwise pretty much stuck to the plans. I did use different wood for the top then Ana had, I used old white painted backing rails that are basically 2x4's for the base of the table and I used old gray weathered pickets for the table top. It isn't perfect and my notch's could have been more presice, but I am still happy with the outcome.

I followed the original plans, mostly.  I mitered the corners on the trim and 1x2s, and I used a 1x2 just under the top instead of closing the back since I went with a dark stain (General Finishes Gel Stain- Java, Deft spray poly satin).  This is one of my first projects, and I got to play with a block plane, gel stain, pocket-hole plugs, moulding, table saw, and my nail gun for the first time.  I was especially pleased how well this matched the dark cabinets in the room.  Man, stain is a pain.  I may make everything in raw cedar from now on. 

 All handbuilt kids table it comes in different colors. It's also good for the kids to eat outside when you're having your barbecues for the summer. 

I modified Ana's plans just a bit.

8ft long by 3 1/2ft wide. Used 2X lumber instead of 1X in hopes of reducing the chance for warping over time.

I also went w/ 4X4's for the legs.

Cost was a bit more for redwood here in the Bay Area of California.

This was a relatively easy project that my husband and I worked on together. We couldn't stomach the cost of buying two stables (hold one horse each) from Target for $80 for our twins' doll horses, but this price and project is perfect. The instructions were amazingly on-point and only appeared to miss the 1x1 cross-bar piece for the doors. Very minor for an amazing, free pattern. 

My homemade mother's day gift for my mother in law. She likes to sit in her living room looking out the big picture window at the birds eating at her birdfeeders. It's also a favorite passtime of my son who spends time there occasionally. What better gift than this! I wanted to do something a little less simple than the single "house" so I made the main one smaller, and then added two more houses to make bird townhouses.

My husband and I were on the search for a dining room table.  We loved the look of Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware but did not want to spend the money for it.  Then we came across the plans for this table.  We had already used Ana's plans for a Restoration Hardware coffee table that we loved, so figured we'd give this table a shot.  These pictures don't do this table enough justice.  My husband and I LOVE the plans and everything about this table!  It has so much detail and character as you would see from expensive stores. To top it off, we got it complete just in time for having our family over on Easter.  Thank you Ana for sharing this gorgeous plans! 

- Amber and Dave

The plans were very easy and the chair came together nicely and quickly.  I used all 2x4's instead of 2x4's + 2x6's and alternated 1x2's for dimension. My husband is a pretty big and tall guy and he really liked how the chair felt sitting in it. Very roomy for even him. I could've gotten this done in about an hour, except where I live it was about 110 degree dry heat so I had to take a lot of water breaks. But overall, I love the chair!!!

I just wanted you to see what a great Mother's Day gift your planter made. It was a great project for a 4 year old grandson!!!

Thanks, Ana

This was my second Anna project! I changed this one up quite a bit (size and style) so it would fit the area were I wanted to use it. I just love how it turned out!

The tiles were left over from my kitchen backsplash. They are inset so that they are practically flush with the wood on the top. 

Total cost: ~ $150.00 for the bar and 3 bar stools. 

We built the one arm sectional but 8 ft cedar was all we could buy. So with the scraps left over we built the coffee table to match. Couldn't be happier with it. 

This entire project was built with 3/4 MDF plywood. The lid is 3/4 MDF with sides routed for rounded edge for professional appearance. Inside the box are two friction hinges ( one on right and one one left) to support the lid.

On the bottom of toybox are four casters with mounting plates that attach to bottom. Two of the wheels have locks while 2 are 360 degree motion.

The paint is Signature Series and primer used is Kills high hiding low odor.

The letters on the front are 4 inch letters purchased from BIGLOTS. Holes were countersunk into the letters, screwed to front of toybox, and filled with wood filler.

I couldn't be happier with how this project turned out.

Just finished this table and am very pleased with how it came out. My original intention was for it to match the gray finish of the one posted with the plans, which it originally did. However, after applying several coats of polyurethane, it changed the color to bring out much more of the brown and now having very little gray. I was also originally planning on adding the hardware on the corners and legs, but decided that because of the way the finish turned out, it would detract more from the appearance than it would add. Just a tip for anyone who is going to try and use the same finishing treatment as the one in the original plan with the vinegar and steel wool. I made the mixture and let it sit in a mason jar, waiting for some visual change to occur to the solution so as to match the picture on the website. After letting it sit for about a week and a half, and not seeing any change and only having what appeared to be clear vinegar still in the jar, I decided to try it out on some scrap wood. It worked just fine. So I guess my point is that you shouldnt be surprised if the solution doesnt appear any different, just open the jar up and try it out.