Community Brag Posts

Wood Closet Shelving

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/13/2022 - 09:01

My closet system is four separate units that I butted up together and attached to the wall with a "decorative" 2x4 railing around the entirety of the closet. The main unit looks the closest to the real design but is 8 feet long and 8 feet tall to avoid extra cutting of boards. The smaller unit only has one area for hanging up clothes and is around 5 feet long which is just the length of the wall. I also built a unit for holding sheets and towels and another for my wife's shoes.

The plans are really easy to follow but I would suggest a few things:
-Do stain and boards before cutting; this would have been a nightmare otherwise.
-If you use the metal clothing rods (if I could go back in time I would have used wooden dowels) make sure that you put those in before you attach any boards between the support structures. I ended up having a 35 inch gap instead of a 36 inch gap and it killed my momentum.
-I made mine 8 feet tall because it was less to cut and then re-stain; time wise it probably was a scratch cause I had to build it in place and at the end it was very tight to work in the space.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Workshop Now in Session!

Submitted by Ahlinn3 on Thu, 01/25/2018 - 18:46

Easy instructions and simple design. One cart houses table saw, and the other I plan to make a router table. I did make a slight modification in design by adding T-nuts and 5/16” bolts for feet. (My shop floor is crowned). I also used 3/4” melamine white panels for table tops. Difficult to work with but cheaper and has a smooth surface. (Be careful using for structural parts due to glue not impregnating through melamine) 

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Shaker Style Cabinet Redo for Laundry Room Renovation

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/28/2022 - 19:02

This was my first time being involved in a renovation. At our last house, my husband (who works in trim carpentry) did all the work to my decor instructions. This time I wanted to be involved and do the work alongside him. Using Ana White's instructions we were able to reface our laundry room cabinet to be the shaker style cabinet that I love. Keeping with a modern theme, we painted it black. I've included the before and after photos of the cabinet as well as the cabinet in context to the entire laundry room that was renovated. It came out awesome. Thankful for all of her helpful posts.

Comments

Benchmark Media Console

Our version of the Benchmark Media console. We shortened the width to accommodate our space, and decided to do 4 doors instead of two. Had some trouble with them not being square, might redo the doors if we get around to building the matching bookcases, but it's not something I can't live with for now. Used General Finishes light brown dye stain, followed by GF shaker maple water based stain, GF Pitch black glaze, and Endurovar satin.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250 (not quite sure, but think the wood was around $150, plus screws, hinges, hardware and finishing supplies)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes light brown dye stain, Shaker Maple, Pitch Black glaze, Endurovar satin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Convertible benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 13:43

We love these benches! We actually just leave one of them in bench form and the other in table form for everyday use.

Comments

New Chicken nesting appartments under construction

Submitted by DrSnuggles on Sat, 07/18/2015 - 18:56

Quick and fun Saturday working on building these cool new nesting boxes for my friends farm. Yes, the alterior motiv is that I keep getting free eggs LOL guilty!!!

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Maybe $10 and used a bunch of scrap wood.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Twin Bed With Drawers

I built this twin bed with drawers for my daughter and I LOVE all the storage the drawers provide.  I slightly modified the plans it was based off of--you can find more info and see details from the build on my blog House Becoming Home.

Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Kitchen Counter Height Table

Submitted by Sue Hill on Mon, 04/09/2018 - 15:53

This counter height farmhouse table fit my space perfectly. I made it narrower than Ana's table but the same length, 48" x 27".  Instead of a 3/4" plywood top, I joined five 5/4" x 6 pine boards for the top. The stools fit exactly under the table when I want to use it as a workspace. I can also use both sides of the table if I pull it out. 

Estimated Cost
Hard to say since I had been saving the cedar posts for a few years, so I didn't have to purchase them.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I primed and painted the legs & table.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids' Desks

Submitted by docfin02 on Mon, 09/14/2015 - 18:52

Simple design, very practical, and the kids love them

Estimated Cost
$100 for two desks
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
polyurethane on desktop
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Table

This is my very first woodworking project (except for a Paper Towel Holder in High school over twenty years ago).I have always wanted a long farmhouse table, so when I saw the plans,I was excited to try building my own. Thanks so much Ana for making this doable! 

Estimated Cost
Under $200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut #224 and Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor Sectional and Cocktail Ottoman

Submitted by Annacakes on Mon, 10/05/2015 - 11:48

I made a few changes to Ana's plans to basically work with my cushions.  I found cushions on clearance at Ballard's Backroom.  I had to adjust the size of the sofas in order to fit the cushions.  I also adjusted the height of the sofa, as I found it to be a little higher than I would have liked.  The project took a while to complete, but it wasn't due to difficulty.  This was an easy project for a novice like myself.  I just primed every piece of wood with exterior primer and then painted the whole thing with 2 coats of exterior paint.  It was the drying time that added to the total project time.

I also made a cocktail ottoman out of a lounge chair cushion that I purchased at Ballard's.  Basically, the ottoman is a rectangular box built to the size of the cushion.  I added feet purchased at Home Depot just to make it look a little less box-like.  I applied a couple of coats of primer as well as the exterior paint to every piece.  

Estimated Cost
Not sure really, but I know it was a lot cheaper than the sectionals at the outdoor patio store down the street.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Binz Exterior Primer
Behr Ultra Exterior Paint in Satin Finish - Espresso Beans
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Planked Wood Bedside tables

Submitted by JMG on Wed, 07/06/2022 - 19:26

My son moved out and needed bedside tables. I have been hounding him to learn how to build and this was the first project he did! He was super proud of himself and how they turned out. Not bad for a first build! #mompride

Comments

Camp Loft Bed with Stairs

Submitted by Vc1700 on Mon, 10/19/2015 - 12:02

I wanted to create a loft bed for my daughter so that she could have space underneath to play since her room is small. This was the perfect solution! I went ahead and added a stair rail so she could feel a little safer coming down the stairs (she is 4 yrs old). She loves her princess bed and what's best she wants to sleep in it instead of with mommy and daddy! This was my first wood working project. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Baby Doll Crib and High Chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/25/2018 - 20:06

Love getting to watch my daughter play with stuff that i made her.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by teeninyg on Sun, 08/21/2011 - 13:30

This was our first project from the website. I fell in love with the concept and love the finished product. My husband and I worked on it for a full weekend, and now we have a table that the whole family can sit at. The plans were easy to follow and came together nicely.

We also decided to do the Simple Stackable Outdoor Chairs. They are large and comfortable. I did adjust the seat board length to 19 1/2 to give it a little over hang. One down and 4 more to go.

Estimated Cost
$200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Since we didn't get furniture grade wood we have to do a lot of sanding. Then we used 2 coats of an oak stain and 2 coats of polyurethane to seal it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Finns-Dad

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 03:37

Great job. Both the table and the chair look really good. I am curious how the chairs hold up. Are they sturdy? Anything you would change or do differently? Thanks.

Farmhouse Writing Desk with Turned Legs

Submitted by kwildman on Mon, 01/07/2019 - 08:53

I modified the Small Old English Style Farmhouse Dining Table plan to build a writing desk.   I used five 1x6 boards for the top for a width of 27.5 inches.   I made my desk 56 inches in length.  I put the drawer on the long side like a pencil drawer.   I did use the legs that Ana recommended in the plan.   I love how it turned out.  I used dark walnut danish oil and dark wax for the finish.  

Estimated Cost
225
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Watco dark walnut danish oil and Minwax dark paste wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kwildman

Fri, 10/04/2019 - 21:46

Thank you!  I used Watco Danish oil and I used Minwax dark wax.  I've tried alot of different wax brands and I always come back to Minwax.  It dries the hardest in my opinion.

Platform Bed with Shoe Trundle

Submitted by vendo on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 08:08

We had some bulky items that needed to be stored. So I came up with dimensions for a low platform bed so the bows could slide under. I decided to build a faux drawer to conceal the bulky items and added shoe storage into the faux trundle drawer. Of course I used one of Ana's plans for the basic idea and modified from there! 

bed with trundle storage bed

bed legs

bed frame 2x4

inside bed frame

bed support