Community Brag Posts

Liquor Cabinet from Benchmark Storage/Media Unit

Hallelujah!! Finally, somewhere to store all our alcohol-related necessities :) We adapted Ana's Benchmark Storage Unit to work as a liquor cabinet. We kept the basic design the same, but added some stemware storage across the top (a feature we loved in a Crate and Barrel liquor cabinet that was $$$$$) and some decorative molding to bulk it up a little bit. We lovvvvvve it! Thanks Ana!

PS: everyone please check out our blog for more details on this and other projects!

http://strawbridgestuff.com

Estimated Cost
$100 (using paint and supplies on hand)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White semi-gloss paint followed by a thin coat of Minwax stain (Ebony) wiped off immediately after applying (more details on our blog)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

$15 Cedar Lemonade Stand!

My kid-o's love to sell lemonade. So, we made a trip to the local hardware store. Because I am terrified to use my husbands electric saw, any wood we purchased would have to be cut with a hack saw and a miter box. And since the stand is to be stored in the backyard, we opted to build it from cedar. We ended up purchasing 8 fence pickets for about $15 total. This was also to be a great way for my kids to apply the some of the knowledge they have picked up this year, our first year of homeschooling. My children, ages 7 and 9, measured all of the boards that needed to be cut. It turned out GREAT! We already had some extra boards, spray paint and screws on hand; so, the grand total was $15.00 for the entire project!

Built from Plan(s)

Tryde Console Table

Submitted by Lee8717 on Mon, 01/09/2012 - 17:54

Tryde Console Table. First project undertaken. Decided to make a bottom shelf. Used 4 1x4s and notched the middle two to fit around legs. Being that is was out first project, we had a few problems with keeping everything square and level but with a few minor tweeks it ended up looking really good.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi gloss black. Before painting took sander and sanded the sharp corners off all boards making them rounded and distressed looking. After painting two coats, took 220 grit sandpaper to the edges to take off some paint to expose the wood underneath.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Fancy X table

Submitted by skippyjon on Wed, 11/27/2013 - 20:28

We are a foster family which means we have a large family. The Mrs. wanted a large table to fit 8-10 people, so off to ana-white.com i went.
Plans were perfect! Made one long 96" bench and two 42" benches from the same plans. I changed it up a bit by adding a perpendicular plank on the ends and trimmed it with 1x2's for look and strength. 2 coats of stain and 2 coats of polyurethane. Just in time for the holidays! Thank you again for the plans, this is the third thing I have built.

Estimated Cost
$300 total.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Console table

Submitted by lazyLiz on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 09:23

This is my first DIY furniture project inspired by Martha Inspired Craft Space Table posted by Ry. I built it for my combination of console table and craft space. I will be using the shelves in the middle to put my wicker baskets(that is why it was not nicely stained:-)) for quicker access of some of my craft stuff. Thanks for the plan!

Estimated Cost
$45.00
Finish Used
Red Mahogany stain and satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Lady Goats

Sun, 01/15/2012 - 15:21

The plan that you linked to was actually posted by Ry at The Design Confidential! I'm sure she would LOVE it if you would hop on over to her site and post a brag blog there!

Great Job!

In reply to by lazyLiz

Lady Goats

Sun, 01/15/2012 - 18:21

Leave it here! I'm sure everyone here would LOVE to see this (it's amazing!). AND the plans were posted here. I just know that Ry loves to see, too! :-)

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 03/26/2012 - 15:11

Could you please post the modifications/measurements you made to this plan? I love your changes and would love to make something similar for my foyer.

lazyLiz

Sun, 04/01/2012 - 11:13

Console measures 43" long X 13-1/2"depth X 33" tall. The decorative sides were made from 1/4" x 1-1/2" x 8' Stain Grade Pine Lattice I got from lowes.

Rustic X Kitchen Island - DONE!

I had always wanted a kitchen island and saw this project. Seeing that the plans were well written I decided to tackle it. In addition I made a few small modifications to enhance the style of the island. These included using 4x4's on the corners and a IKEA butcher block top. The top allows for a larger surface area to work with and more space to sit under. The stools in the picture are from World Market and they were the perfect pair for the island. The island is great for family gatherings or just sitting with your morning coffee. I had family over for Thanksgiving and received lots of compliments. Thank you Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar white latex paint from Lowes on the bottom and Minwax Mission Oak stain on the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

MaryMurray

Tue, 12/03/2013 - 17:43

I love how this looks. This is actually next on my list of projects, thanks for the inspiration!

Jcalloc

Thu, 03/05/2015 - 08:13

May I ask what kind of wood you used for this project?

Outdoor sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 04:17

Made the outdoor sectional. The coffee table was made out of left over pieces!

Estimated Cost
$260
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used a semi transparent stain applied with brush. We would recommend a hand sprayer instead.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor sectional with drop cloth canvas rollouts

Submitted by dubtodd on Thu, 06/08/2023 - 21:09

Slight mod, table added from wood picnic table that the sectional replaced.

Comments

Letters to Santa Bin

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/02/2023 - 11:17

 Ana, you're the BEST!! Thank you so much for sharing these plans. This was a very simple build ... my problem was trying to decide how to paint and decorate it. There's a lady in our little town that cut out the letters for me. I think it turned out so cute. I'm working on a Christmas collection for our church auction next April and thought it would be fun to have Christmas in April :-). Thanks again Ana!!!

Built from Plan(s)

Swing set

Submitted by lazyLiz on Wed, 02/29/2012 - 10:21

I've finished my swing but my porch don't have enough clearance so I built A frame stand for it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
mahogany latex based exterior primer and paint in one
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ashley Doucakis

Fri, 04/19/2013 - 15:37

I love the idea of adding the A-frame considering that where i live there are no real trees to hang it on and building a porch where one doesn't already exist is a pain in the butt! Lol. How wide do you think we could go before it starts compromising the frames integrity? And how much weight can it hold?

Spare Bed Frame

I "doctored" the plans for the reclaimed wood look headboard to using 4x4's for legs and created a footboard of the same style. I then make the siderails for my bedframe by laminating a 2x8 to a 2x6 to completely encase the box frame. I was able to put my boxframe inside by screwing and gluing 2x2's along the inside of the frame. This is a STURDY bed frame!

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Ebony stain (2 coats) with polyacrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dr. Seuss Bookshelf

This was a Baby Gift for my sister and her little boy, Xander who was born just a couple weeks ago. I wanted to do something special that would last for my sweet nephew. She found a bookshelf similar to this on cool-rooms.com and we decided to try to make our own version. I've posted about it on my blog if you're interested in the process.

Estimated Cost
$100 (my costs are higher due to where I live)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of red semi gloss and 2 coats of white on the shelves. Then after I had to make repairs after shipment I sanded it all and had to apply two more coats of red paint in a flat finish and sprayed 2 coats of a clear top coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Jenny94w

Mon, 02/19/2018 - 06:41

I would like instructions but it will no let me? 

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 03/18/2012 - 19:22

Clever cute creative. Cant stop looking at it. I love it. Thank you so much for posting.

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 03/18/2012 - 19:52

Thank you so much for posting .You did a beautiful job. Your a good sister and a Terrific aunt.

Legomamaof4

Sun, 03/18/2012 - 23:30

I love how you have taken a typical shelf and gave it a spark that is SO ONE of a KIND! WOW! This gives me ideas! There is just not enough time in the day thought.

Thank you for sharing your Awesome creativity. Your Family is SO lucky to have someone as talented as you! Keep up the good JOB!!!

Again AMAZING!!!

LaylasMOM

Thu, 06/07/2012 - 20:38

i love this design and cannot wait to make a pink one for my little girl!

zookeeperjay

Mon, 09/03/2012 - 08:59

I have long thought I wanted cartoon furniture for my kids. Haha. . I'm so inspired! Thanks I have to go get building!

Sheryl (not verified)

Sat, 01/05/2013 - 11:02

Love this ... My son is having his first child and would love to make this . Do you have anymore pics of it . And does anyone have any other patterns ?

Bench with A Frame Ends

Submitted by AndyH on Tue, 03/29/2016 - 17:54

Bench made with A frame ends. 5 feet long, 17 inches high and 14.5 inches wide.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Kona and three coats of satin protector.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cubby Storage Bench - First Project!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/11/2023 - 11:33

This was our first attempt at making furniture and even though the difficulty rating was ‘intermediate’, the detailed instructions made the process less complicated. Our version of Anna White Essential Entryway Bench turned out better than we expected! Once it was built, I stained it grey, painted it white, then distressed it to make it look antique. I added a custom made foam cushion to the top and, voila!

TammyA

 

Built from Plan(s)

Farmhouse Chairs

I found a picture of this style of chairs, and I really wanted to make them for my table. I created my own plans and adjusted them until they were perfect. I’ve since made several sets of chairs for other people including this set of 6. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
After sanding down the chairs, I apply a coat of Preston by minwax. To get the color I wipe on the stain gunstock by winwax. After letting it dry for about an hour, I then wipe on a coat of espresso stain. For the finish, I apply coats of a gloss polyurethane by Minwax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic X Hall Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/02/2020 - 06:28

My wife got some gift cards for Christmas. Instead of going and buying stuff for herself, she handed them to me and said that she wanted a Hall Bench/Mudroom bench and she wanted me to build it. We've got several of the Rustic X furniture pieces in our home already and she wanted it to match, so this was the natural fit. This was a great project and addition to some of our home decor. I had to shrink it down to fit our space, but that was easy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
<$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams primer and paint

Countertop Produce Storage Bin

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/25/2023 - 09:20

My 16-year-old son is home every other day for school with an on-line course he is taking. We started working on projects we both wanted to learn from cooking to woodworking projects. This is the very first project we made. We are both very proud and pleased with the simple directions, minimal tools required, and beautiful results. We used an early American stain and lacquer finish. We have received many compliments on it. Thank you for giving us something to build our relationship and home with.

Elizabeth

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Scrap nesting box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/28/2016 - 12:05

We built our nesting box from scrap wood we had from an old barn we tore down and other scraps from previous projects. The dimensions were modified based on the width of the wood we had on hand. It's not very pretty, but it was free to make and will be inside a chicken coop. Our chicks are scared of it right now, but they are only 8 weeks old and not laying yet. I'm sure they will like it when they get used to it. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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