Community Brag Posts

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by cbijl on Sat, 06/08/2013 - 21:25

I could not find ready made cushions for this project so I purchased outdoor fabric in the green and 2" high density foam at Fabricland which we doubled to make 4" thick cushions. The throw pillows I bought at Walmart. I will probably buy more foam and fabric and make cushions for the back as well. I find the throw pillows aren't quite large enough to protect your back from the wood.

Estimated Cost
$500.00 including wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish yet, with pressure treated wood you are supposed to wait a season before finishing.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Magazine rack

Submitted by kwhitt on Tue, 05/12/2015 - 08:05

This is my first project, just to see if I could actually build something. I used some wood and paint we had lying around the garage, since I didn't want to put money into something I might screw up! This turned out to be pretty easy, despite the wood being a little warped from sitting in the garage for years. It's not perfect, but now I have a place to store my husband's golf magazines that were cluttering up the bathroom -- and the courage to try something bigger!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Bathroom Vanity 2 Ways, Hammered Copper or Wave Sink

Custom Bathroom Vanity in traditional furniture styling. Designed two ways, one with a hand hammered copper sink and matching hardware, the other with a Kohler Wave sink with black aged hardware. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ultra White Paint, Special Walnut Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Free Barn Beam Ledge

Submitted by AlexWS on Tue, 03/29/2011 - 14:43

Well, my Kreg Jig arrived today so I had to play with it. However, I only had about an hour and a half before my friend came over to watch the hockey game. Having just put the drink station in I decided a shelf for mugs next to it was needed.

I know the barn beam doesn't really call for any Kreg joints, but I found a way.

There's no way I'm going to stain it with a patina like this. I just took the sander to it briefly because the top and bottom pieces were so rough cut they were fuzzy. The front and back are oak and have become quite smooth.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Mother nature.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Patio Loveseat

Submitted by saroge3 on Mon, 06/10/2013 - 00:34

i was having a BBQ for my boyfriend's 27th birthday and we didn't have anything to sit on outside other than those fold up chairs that you take to tailgates. We went to look at buying some furniture from Lowes and we were pretty shocked at the prices. Since I had my mind set on having something other than a lawn chair for people to sit on when they came over, I figured I would give this blog a once over to see what it had. I am so glad that I did! I was able to make this loveseat in three days, and it is bigger, more comfortable, sturdier, and $500 cheaper than the same piece of furniture that I had picked out at Lowes. ( I realize this project could totally be done faster but I am a full time student along with a full time job,,, I did what I could. Plus a storm rolled through and knocked my power out ) I love my new patio bench and can't wait to build the matching chairs and perhaps a small table.

Estimated Cost
With cushions....$200ish
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modified Easy Bench

Submitted by wkilmer23 on Sat, 04/02/2011 - 08:03

Sorry for the poor photo.  I will take a better one when I find my camera.  We made this bench for our little shih tzu but it soon became a bench for everyone to test out.  If I had to repeat this project, I would probably keep the legs from the original plan.  These store bought legs don't seem sturdy enough.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
My wife bought the fabric at Jo-Jos and the legs are from big blue.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cabin dresser with shelf

Submitted by Budd0413 on Tue, 06/11/2013 - 13:54

I liked this dresser. I modified the plan to suit my needs and added some features to bring it up to my tastes. I dovetailed the drawers and used Blum soft close 18" under mount slides. The drawers were costly and time consuming but I am very happy with the form and function. I added some height and depth.

I also used some different construction methods. I built the legs first then three individual face frames that were attached individually, instead of adding one piece at a time.

This was a great project, I wish I haven't painted it but using brown maple is really best suited for paint.

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Black enamel, lacquer on inside of drawers.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Barn Greenhouse on the Penninsula!

Submitted by klatz on Fri, 05/15/2015 - 09:08

Super easy to follow and build! We went with treated lumber from Home Depot and have around $1500 into the project. Will be looking at adding an automatic fan and thermostat next year. Benches on one side for starters and a raised bed on the other side.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$1500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

MartiB8

Fri, 06/12/2020 - 11:00

What a fabulous job! I love the red door for a pop of color. And the thermometer is a brilliant idea. I'm modifying this plan to better fit my yard. Thanks for sharing!

Farm Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/15/2021 - 14:06

Anna made it easy to build. I did change a few things to fit my dining room but I think it turned out great.

Thanks Anna

Shawn Roleson

Comments

Apothecary Cabinet

Submitted by Cassie1686 on Mon, 04/04/2011 - 11:32

My first project.  Thanks, Ana!  I'm already addicted!

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Moss Green spray paint by Rustoleum. Minwax Walnut gel on top. I also wiped some of the stain around the edges of paint to distress it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

rustic-x coffee and side tables

Submitted by Gomer on Fri, 06/14/2013 - 06:56

Based on the original rustic-x-coffee-table. Modified the length, width and height dimensions to fit our needs. To accommodate our desired widths, we mixed 2x4 and 2x6 boards. Followed the theme for a side table as well.

The cross braces used 1/2 depth mirrored dados in each full brace instead of 1 full and 2 cut pieces (this was done using a series of partial depth cuts with a sliding-compound miter...I don't own a table saw...yet).

Finishing was done using steel wool + vinegar, followed by satin poly. We wanted to have more protection and a little more "warmth" than a wax coat. Two coats of poly thinned by 1:1 mineral spirits was used to keep coats light with minimal build up. A light sanding to bring down grain-lift was done after the first coat. This allowed some of the fine wood texture to come through that would be lost with a typical 3-4 full strength poly coats.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pottery Barn headboard with barn wood finish

Submitted by Abentley10 on Tue, 05/19/2015 - 02:31

Pottery Barn inspired headboard was created by using a modified version of the Reclaimed Wood headboard. I turned the planks vertical and cut them 32" long. I added a piece of rope ceiling trim. For the finish, I spray painted the whole piece black. After it was dry, I dry brushed cream paint on top. I finished it off with polyurethane.

Estimated Cost
Around $50. I used wood from the 70% off rack at Home Depot.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Barn wood faux finish. Rustoleum black spray paint, cream latex paint, spray polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

RenoRustic

Tue, 05/19/2015 - 09:04

I was thinking of running planks vertically for the Reclaimed Headboard too but ended up doing a different headboard all together at the last minute. I really like how yours turned out. Great job on the cost too. I don't think I've ever seen a 70% off rack at Home Depot. Now I want to run up there real quick to find it!

Abentley10

Fri, 05/22/2015 - 22:23

Thank you. Home Depot usually has a cart in the lumber aisles with stacks of wood with minor imperfections. We have scored big when they included the specialty wood.

Tree Shelf

Submitted by Alaskagirl on Tue, 12/12/2017 - 22:59

We moved about 18 months ago to a house without a fireplace after having one for almost 7 years. When The Christmas dilemma of where to hang the stockings came up last year, we used an Ana White plan and built a super amazing faux fireplace. After the holidays we decided we'd install it in our bedroom instead of storing it away all year....AND we ended up liking it there so much, that's where it stayed and a bookshelf took its spot in the living room. This Christmas when the stocking question was raised I looked online for ideas and, wouldn't you know it, Ana White to the rescue again!! We are completely in love with our new Christmas shelf. Also as a bonus, we now know how to use a miter saw, which I'm sure will open up all kinds of new project possibilities!

Happy Holidays!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered gray stain with a bit of teal paint mixed in followed by a clear varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Crib Mattress Sofa Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/24/2021 - 14:15

I used Ana's outdoor sofa plans to customize this sofa for a playhouse. I left the separate railing piece detached so the kiddos could push the two pieces together to form a bed for sleepovers!

Comments

King Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by poleya on Thu, 04/07/2011 - 19:26

My first big build (modified to turn the 'right' way), after the kids table and chair set. It's not perfect, but its awesome! And mega sturdy. I even managed to use the Kreg Jig to attach the side rails to the end posts for extra sturdiness.
Advice: Get straight boards the first time. Yikes.
Project took a month all told, mostly due to the little angel sitting on the bed.
Now I've got a so many ideas swimming in my head. Built-ins in every room!

Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$250 (Wood and more wood, sand paper, expensive paint, and more wood)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Hi-Gloss Black. A quart was not quite enough, but maybe I shouldn't have painted the invisible parts too. Also shouldn't have listened to the sales guy that I didn't need primer. Primer = cheap. Benjamin = expensive.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mini-Mudroom hutch

Submitted by Ken Kelly on Sat, 06/15/2013 - 22:26

A simple mudroom hutch for my small entry way. Come on in take of your shoes, hang up your coat, and put away your hat. Make yourself tahome. This was inspired by the Yellow mudroom hutch I found on this site.

Estimated Cost
80.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mixed stain Minwax black and red. Mix to the shade you like and allow plenty of dry time.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Turned leg table made in India

I loved working on this project and my sincerest thanks to Ana and Elisha for this design. The picture is missing one drawer handle, because, erm, I lost it. I didn't want to wait to find it before posing this brag :).

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My amazing husband surprised me

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/07/2021 - 10:14

My amazing husband surprised me with this awesome headboard for my birthday!❤️ ❤️

Comments

Balin Console Table

Submitted by kaytrishjr on Mon, 04/11/2011 - 04:30

Well, I finally decided to tackle this project!  I still need to finish the bottom of the legs and sand some of the fillings, but I had to bring it in rthe light so that I could see it better. Building the actual console was pretty easy, it was the drawers that gave me fits. This is my third project with drawers so I'm determined get the hang of building them. It took a while to finish because I stained it, then didn't like the way the stain turned out, and decided to go ahead and paint it black.  

Thanks Ana for your plans and inspiration.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Black with satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate