Community Brag Posts

Caro's AG Doll Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by margjack on Fri, 11/04/2011 - 08:57

Third AG doll bed for my nieces - they are so much fun to make! I loved how the green turned out - I want to paint everything in the house this color!

Estimated Cost
$30 (includes paint & fabric)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum gloss spray paint in "Fern" (found at Lowes)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Small rustic x kitchen island

Submitted by jkassel78 on Wed, 10/23/2013 - 14:30

This was my first furniture build. I learned a lot and can't wait to build furniture for the rest of the house! I used off the shelf lumber for this and with all the supplies I needed it ended up costing around a hundred to build. I used a water based light stain to match the rest of my kitchen. (Desert Sand by Minwax). Thank you for the plans! :)

Estimated Cost
85-100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax water based wood conditioner, Minwax water based stain in desert sand, Polycrylic sealer. Sanded in between coats with 220 grit.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Long version of flip top storage bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/07/2016 - 10:46

We are loving the way this turned out. I made it 5.5 feet long, split the top and added a divider support bar in the middle inside the top storage area. It feels super sturdy (has had our twin toddlers climbing and banging all over it without a problem!) and is getting a ton of use. Winter gear in the top, and shoes/boots in the bottom. As my first big wood-working project, it was relatively easy thanks to the instructions. Having the wood pre-cut at Lowes saved me needing the tools, but the pieces were not exact. I also found that this cost us more in materials than was listed, maybe because I bought the higher-grade pine, and we made a longer bench. I

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Base: Minwax stain in Jacobean, with clear furniture wax on top
Top: Homemade chalk paint in Valspar Posh Red, with clear furniture wax on top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse dining table

Submitted by StevenP on Thu, 05/02/2019 - 11:08

My Wife has been after me to build her table. I am not an expert builder and finally gave in. I think it turned out great!!!!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
stain and clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic open bathroom vanity

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/01/2023 - 13:22

The plumbing underneath was a bit wonky, so we needed something that was open on the side against the wall and could be built in place around the plumbing. Added a few shelves to hide said plumbing.

Comments

DIY Red Storage Sofa

Submitted by TracAttack on Mon, 11/07/2011 - 23:11

Thanks Ana White for the blue print to an awesome storage sofa. I used the similar dimensions except mine is a bit shorter in width (60 inches wide). Now I just need to find awesome pillows to go with it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Erika (not verified)

Sat, 12/24/2011 - 18:57

How much did it cost you to build this?

Cynthia l. (not verified)

Sat, 12/08/2012 - 05:41

How has the sofa held up? I want to make one, and also would like to know how much it cost to make.

Built In Shelf

Submitted by ndetermann on Sat, 10/26/2013 - 00:04

My brother and I just re-did his entire upstairs bathroom. We gutted it re-did some walls and he asked me to build some shelving because it was a small space. I framed off a wall and this is what I came up with is what you see. (it's big 37.5' 'L x 33' ' W x 21'' D) I shouldn't here him complain about not enough shelf space on this one...

Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax walnut/semi gloss poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Vegetable Bin Cupboard

My husband's and my first Ana White build. Made it for my mom for Mother's Day 2015. She loved it and I absolutely loved how it turned out!

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

Comments

Rustic Farm Potting Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/10/2023 - 06:24

I built this 10’ long potting bench to fit into a 12’ barn stall. It fills the need to have a work surface plus room for storage on top and underneath. The hooks provide a place to hang my many hand tools and my Bluetooth speaker.

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

My First DIY Farmhouse Table

Submitted by gablack83 on Fri, 05/24/2019 - 06:36

This is my first (but not last) large DIY project. My wife wanted a farmhouse style table but not the price that went with it. So while she took the LO out of town, I surprised her with this and she loved it. It's not as hard as it seem, but as a beginner, a lesson that I learned was to always cut the boards yourself to make sure the measurements are correct. Don't let a big brand named store cut your wood because, well, just because. I had to recut a few boards myself because of their lack of correct measuring. Other than that, this was fun.

Estimated Cost
$70 for wood
$100 for tools
$30 for paint and polyurethane
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mantle

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/17/2023 - 14:14

The second one was before. It was the very first project I ever did all by myself. It only took me a couple of months to get the nerve to go to the store and buy everything. Then I cut and did everything on my own. 😬 I am so stinkin proud of myself.

Comments

Quilt Rack

Submitted by mtairymd on Sun, 01/17/2016 - 11:04

Build Instructions: http://www.instructables.com/id/Quilt-Rack/

This is a nice little project that can be made in an afternoon. The simple design allows for easy construction with only a few basic tools. All joints are interference fit with glue added for extra strength.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Optional
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Awesome Adirondack chairs!

Submitted by Naboo on Mon, 06/03/2019 - 07:45

Thanks for sharing. Added a smal table to match!

Estimated Cost
$125 a chair for cedar
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Raised Wood Planters by Urban Wood Solutions

Planters build by Urban Wood Solutions

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

Small Rolling Kitchen Island Rustic X

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/19/2016 - 15:43

This was my husband's first furniture build and he really enjoyed it. The whole project took about three or four hours to build. He changed the top to a plank style with Douglas fir pine planks which I then beat up with a hammer and a screwdriver to look old. The top was then stained with five layers of Minwax Ipswich Pine and sealed with two coats of satin polyurethane. The base of the island was chalk painted, then distressed. I then took the Minwax furniture stain and wiped it on over the chalk paint and immediately wiped it off to age it and darken the chalk paint. I then sealed it with Rustoleum Chalked Matte Clear. We love our new kitchen island and it really fits in with our little cottage!

Estimated Cost
$75-$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk paint, Minwax Ipswich Pine
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner