Community Brag Posts

Entryway shelf

Submitted by solomonson on Fri, 07/06/2012 - 14:13

I built this ages ago but never got around to posting. This was my first build to replace a coat tree that my baby was using to pull himself up with. Hanging it up was more difficult than building it! The amount of storage on this thing is amazing.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Valspar black spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

loft bed for 18" doll

Submitted by mollyb on Tue, 04/22/2014 - 21:46

My daughter had asked about American Girl doll beds two summers ago. She looked at several plans on this site and chose this one.

A huge thanks to my neighbor who lent me his compound miter saw.

My 9 yr. old son and 10.5 yr. old daughter helped with pocket holes and screws. The were also helpful in determining next steps when I got "stuck".

Started this project last summer. By fall, when life got crazy, stopped the project. Finished details this spring.

Note: Chair was a garage sale find and repainted.

I'm a recovering perfectionist. If I wasn't so particular, I probably could have finished this in a weekend, but it took me much longer.

I attached photos of the finished bed and before painting. I'm very visual...hoping the photos will help someone else.

I have a few more photos. If anyone needs to see more views, please feel free to contact me.

Hoping to build more projects before my neighbor needs his saw back!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
sanded, primed, behr interior semi-gloss (color: daylight lilac).

(Thank you Little Stuf for the plans)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cubbies Caddy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/23/2016 - 13:42

Just a fun tool caddy for the sports lover (Cubs or other teams) out there.  It has a beer opener on the side so you honestly don't have to move when cracking open a cold one.  Be it soda or beer that doesn't require you to twist it off.  

Estimated Cost
10 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Garage Shelves attached to walls on 2x3

Submitted by WoodON on Thu, 05/14/2020 - 13:12

We used this idea to renovate the garage, painted it and then we decided to go with different dimensions and make a dedicated place to put the BBQ inside.
We used the basic structure idea and modified it to create more shelves with different sizes, heights and widths to match our needs.

We used 2x3 mostly and for smaller shelves items like spray cans, paints and lighter stuff, 2x2's

We screwed pocket holes likes (without pocket) for the crossings, spaced at 3 for each 8 feet and for the base we used OSB 0.25 inches, then nailed or screwed the base to make it more solid.

Estimated Cost
60$
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Storage for totes, tools and house items
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Piano bench

Submitted by JoshC on Sat, 07/07/2012 - 16:53

I used the farm house bench plans and added hinges for my own little twist. This was my first attempt at making furnature and I happy with the result. Thanks Ana.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse table

Submitted by gough4it on Thu, 04/24/2014 - 14:04

Loved the Farmhouse table project. I took it a step easier. A local door builder had clearance doors for a cheap cost. I found the door I wanted (42"x96"), cut off about a foot length wise, refinished the top and then added a modified farmhouse table apron and legs to it. Then used the distressed finish I found here on Ana-white.com to finish it with. I used a red paint and a dark walnut stain. All together it took about 4 hours of actual time. Though there was a overnight wait period after paint and another one after stain before I finished putting it together.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used the finish steps found here: http://ana-white.com/2011/08/reclaimed-wood-patchwork-multi-color
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kitchen Cart

We needed a little extra workspace and storage in our kitchen, so I put this together for the wife. She wanted a smooth surface and wanted it to look a little less "clunky", so I modifed the plans from More Like Home a bit. It works great in our kitchen and it was fun to make.

 

Plans at: http://www.morelikehome.net/2012/10/day-3-build-kitchen-cart-with-2x4s.html

 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Red Oak stain with three coast of satin finish on top. Gloss white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids Adirondack Chair

Submitted by lexington. on Mon, 07/09/2012 - 19:39

This is the perfect sized chair for little ones. I didn't understand how to cut the stringers so I asked someone, other then that it was so simple to build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
8$
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Easy Kitchen Island/ Bathroom vanity

I've moved into a new "builder grade" house recently which, to me, translates to a litany of rooms to renovate, redecorate and reinvigorate! I try, like so many of you , to keep the costs down as much as possible on things by doing much of the work myself. So when shopping around for vanities, I was sorely disappointed to see a general lack of pizzazz in my price range. I was going for a "spa-retreat" look, with cool colors and rich wood tones. Then I saw Ana's plans for the "easy kitchen Island" and I new it was perfect! I scaled the whole project down to fit my 30" space. I kept the lumber sizes the same because it work better for me mathematically vs say, swapping out the counter 2x6's for 2x4's. If you are interested in using this plan (for whichever purpose) here are a few pointers that I picked up along the way that may be useful to you;

I finished the project prior to final assembly in three parts; the counter, the base, and the individual 1x2's that were destined to be shelving. I am extremely impatient with finishing, so I knew I would mess it up if I had to be all dainty around the slats, etc.

I also made a few extra slats so I could choose the best looking ones (and procrastinate the spacing decision).

I usually find whatever is around to use as a spacer, but in this case, nothing worked, so I wound up cutting a bunch of them out of scrap 1x2. I then was able to positing many of them at once (limited only by the number of clamps I had handy) and then flip the whole thing to screw them in place. I predrilled/countersunk because Kreg screws are expensive and hard to come by where I live.

That's all I can think of for now, hit me with questions if you have any! Cheers!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50-75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Conditioner
Rustoleum Dark Walnut stain (one coat)
Minwax Spar Urethane (3 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

NimbleShopper

Wed, 04/30/2014 - 09:59

Very nice job. I have been thinking about doing something similar in our bathroom, so it is nice to see how a project like this can be done beautifully.

Smaller Version finished in colonial

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/28/2016 - 09:19

I modified the table to be a little smaller for a space. it came out beautifully. Love this build as it allows for a very large yet stable table that allows for seating on the ends as well. 

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

Matching nightstands

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/19/2020 - 19:38

I had to rip the 2x2s for the legs and trim since they only had furring strips at the store. This messed up the rest of the measurements but ended up looking good in my opinion.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
early american (minwax) and then a satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Birthday Seesaw

I decided to build this for my kids while they were at camp for a week this summer. It was easy and very inexpensive. They love it!

Estimated Cost
$30 (including paint)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar 12 Oz. Everglade Glen Satin Spray Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Planters

I loved this project! First time I got to use my kreg jig!! Which I would recommend to any builder. Took me a few hours. Not sure how I'm going to finish them yet!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20 for both. I had some scraps left over from previous projects
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Haven't decided on Minwax walnut stain, or a yellow paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Coffee Table/ Rustic table

Submitted by KathaKon on Mon, 08/01/2016 - 08:08

That was my first real handmade project after just reading and following Ana Whites story and her diy projects for a while.

I´m coming from Germany and it took quite a while to "translate" all the lumber measurements to the german equivalents, since we don´t have the same ones. So I just took the similar lumber sizes I could find in a hardware store (Baumarkt), all in all 23 € for pine lumber plus wheel casters for 30 € each, which was the most expensive part of the project. I modified the size of the table as well and am very proud to present you my first project: my very first industrial coffee table for the home office.

I made the stain myself, by the way!

Here is the summary:

- one layer of black strong coffee (3 table spoons + 500 ml hotwater)

- 2-3 layers of steel + vinegar solution (sanding a bit inbeween)

- 2-3 layers of spar varnish (sanding a bit inbetween)

 

Hope you like it;) and thanks a lot to Ana White for being so creative and delivering loads of beautiful diy projects for woodwork lovers all over the world!

 

Looking forward to my next project!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
aprox 160 €
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
stain + spar varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cedar Planter-Canadian Tropical

Submitted by NBMOM4 on Sat, 05/23/2020 - 04:58

My first ever building projects. I just wanted some nice planters, then i tweaked to make it bigger and made a herb garden one. I've always been creative and handy but never really got into working with wood. I am so happy to have come across your site as i now have a garage full of wood.. THANK YOU!

PS I have had several neighbours comment on how awesome these look!

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)

Comments

mamasue72

Tue, 07/04/2023 - 07:08

I was just looking at making it bigger! Love the small but love the big version too. Looks like you have room for one more box😊 well done! Love the color!

Kentwood Vanity

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/31/2024 - 08:19

I used the plans for the Kentwood Nightstand to make a Bathroom cabinet to hold the Vessel Sink. I made it taller and wider and used a Butcher block top treated with Tung oil and Spar Varnish.
I also changed the doors to 1/4" Overlay double doors with a Sash latch. Much nicer, and sturdier than what you can buy and less than $100- in materials (Excluding the Sink and Faucet) And of course, it's wood, not pressboard.
It came out great and I am not a very experienced wood worker!

Judy H in Idaho

Farmhouse table

My 19 year old son made this for me in an afternoon. I did the finishing and used an oil based outdoor stain. I would try a different finish next time. One coat did not seem enough, and two coast were tacky. I love the finished table though. We will use it outside on our patio. I am considering having my son build another using better wood for the kitchen.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Superdeck- Exotic Hardwood Stain, Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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