Community Brag Posts

My Modern Outdoor Patio Collection

Submitted by hannahclou on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 12:43

It's summertime and I wanted to be able to sit on my screened in porch with my husband with a cold drink and enjoy the nice weather. But...we had a less than cheery porch and not to mention no porch furniture. So, I started a mission to bring a little excitement to our porch and give us an outdoor area to entertain and enjoy! With some bright-colored paint, my carpenter's square, and a little patience okay..a lot of patience, I think I nailed it! I made 2 accent/ottoman tables, 2 outdoor lounge chairs, an outdoor lounge love seat, and the Hudson Outdoor table. I also bought 4 cushions on sale at Walmart in colors that match my bright patio set perfectly!

I modified the outdoor lounge chair in to a love seat by doubling the dimensions of the: back tie-in, seat frame supports, front and back aprons, seat back supports and seat back bottom support, using a 1x4 back tie-in instead of the 1x2, adding an extra seat frame support in between the front outside and inner support, and used 10 back boards and seat boards instead of 5.

I think now I'll go back to the porch and enjoy the afternoon with a nice cool iced green tea and finally get to relax on a porch with furniture on it!

Estimated Cost
$80 wood + $ 40 paint + $ 60 cushions = $ 180 patio set!
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Apple Red and Sun Yellow and a Rustoleum Clear Gloss sealant
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Display Cabinet

This is similar to a display cabinet I found online. I got the dimensions and created my own version. We added a under cabinet light to the top to give it a little bit of an elegant look. We changed it up from the original one by adding beadboard to the back and the door inserts. The shelving on the top and bottom are adjustable for different sized display items.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
This is sprayed with latex paint and antiqued with briwax light brown color.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Balustrade Coffe Table in Driftwood Gray

Restoration Hardware inspired balustrade coffee table.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Driftwood gray (weathered gray, whitewash, ebony)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

In reply to by Ana White Admin

Wilsonorahem

Mon, 01/02/2017 - 15:31

Thanks!  I've made a dozen of these over the last few years for friends and paying customers.  One major modification that I've made is to use tongue and groove instead of pocket holes.  I also use a sliding breadboard end to allow for wood movement.  If not, you get cracking and separation during the various seasons.  I can try to take photos to include in the plans during my next build if you're interested.   

j9keller

Tue, 10/27/2015 - 15:52

I love the stain. Could you give details on how you got the looK? Thanks!

In reply to by j9keller

Wilsonorahem

Mon, 01/02/2017 - 15:33

Sorry for the delay.  I never got notifications for these comments.   I use minwax gray first.  Then I whitewash using whatever white paint I have laying around mixed with water.  Finally, I dry brush with minwax ebony here and there to add depth. 

melissafontes

Thu, 09/15/2016 - 11:42

Could you please tell us how you did your stain?  I have a table ready to stain and would love to achieve this color.

Our new Christmas Tree

Submitted by skyzen on Sat, 12/08/2018 - 10:42

Thanks for the Tree Shaped Wall Shelf plans. I modified the dimensions to match my space on the wall and used 1x2 to make the frame. This replaced our traditional Christmas Tree this year and looks great on the wall. Thanks a lot.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Leaning wall shelf

Submitted by Lady Goats on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 11:05

This was one of those projects that you just don't want to start because you don't have time to finish it, kinda thing... And I still started it. UGH! haha. I had 2 days before I was going to leave for Vegas, and the first of the 2 days was half over already... But I still managed to get it finished, painted and IN before I left! I threw random stuff from throughout my house on it, and still haven't decorated it how I'd like to... But I will! Eventually...

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Gloss White by Olympic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Work bench made from old junk

I built this work table from some old junk that was going to be thrown away - a church pew, a wooden box light fixture and some plywood that was in my parents' garage. I didn't follow any specific plan, I just had an idea of what it needed to look like from some work bench plans I saw on Ana-White.com. It cost me nothing to build it. I even re-used the old steel screws from the church pew. It's not very pretty to look at, but it is sturdy and it will be a great space for me to store my tools and work on future projects. Thanks Ana White for your awesome website and for inspiring me! I never would have thought I could take some old junk and figure out how to built something like this. It's an awesome feeling!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Braden Entry Way Drawer Bench Hutch Remix

Submitted by Nomareel on Thu, 10/29/2015 - 07:21

I took the plans and modified it for my family needs.  We have bigger items such as instruments and such so we took out the divider.  My wife really wanted doors, so we watched a few youtube videos on how to make shaker style doors.  Took me a little over 2 months to finish the whole thing. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Gel Java Wood Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Shim Queen and Side Tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/26/2018 - 19:07

I used a six inch reveal of the shims on the head and foot board.  I used a nail on the hidden shim end and glued the thick or visible end to avoid having holes.  It was completed a year ago and is holding up very well.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax PolyShades Antique Walnut topped with three coats of Minwax Polyurethane Clear Satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mid century modern coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/03/2022 - 15:01

Mid-century modern alder and wenge wood coffee table. Dove tail corners, router grooved drawer.

Comments

Hot Wheels Wall Tracks wall

The Hot Wheels Wall Tracks are designed to stick to your wall, but ours kept falling off. My husband hates putting extra holes in the wall, so what to do? Build your own wall!
I just used 2x2s as side supports, kreg jigged 3 leftover 1x16 pieces of plywood from another project (if I were to do it over again, I would use one piece of plywood to make a smoother surface) as the wall, and screwed the 2x2s onto scrap 2x4s as the base. I added some 'L' angle pieces as supports at the bottom where the 2x2 join the 2x4s to ensure that that the sides would not start to lean over time... The overall size is about 5 feet across and about 4.5 feet high - I wanted something big enough to fit our wall track pieces on, but not too big...
We painted the wall with chalkboard paint, so we can draw on the background as desired, then mounted the various wall track components on using screws. Voila - wall tracks without messing up your wall. And, the wall is easily movable too.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
chalkboard paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Secretary/Storage cabinet

Submitted by Kirch3333 on Mon, 11/02/2015 - 05:39

Inspired by the Tall Secretary with mail slots but with my own twist/needs incorporated in it. Finished with pure white satin paint.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Pure white Behr satin enamel paint, finished with Varathane Matte Soft Touch Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Air Plant Holder

Submitted by mtairymd on Sat, 12/29/2018 - 16:27

My daughter recently started collecting succulents and Tillandsias (air plants). Honestly, I had never heard of air plants but as the name implies, they grow without the need for soil. They can be purchased at your local nursery or garden center and online.

Anyway, she wanted a way to display them. Online, you will find various options for containers with the most common selection being glass terrariums. I wanted to make something a little different. Also, it's an excuse to use my scrap wood.

More Info/Build Instructions: https://www.instructables.com/id/Air-Plant-Holders/

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Danish Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fire Pit Upgrade

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/08/2022 - 07:37

These chairs were soooooo easy to build and are stunning in any light. The stark white makes them look like we spent a fortune on a new set but we're smarter than that lol. Thanks for the plans and continued home improvement inspo Ana!!!!

Comments

"Cull" Lumber from a big box store= cheap 2x4's for convertable picnic table

Submitted by MrQuinn on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 14:10

I found out what the rack in the drive up area of my local Lowes was!
I often see piles of wood and sheets or plywood and such sitting there, but I never paid it much mind-turns out its a clearance rack of sorts they call it the "cull" rack, because they are culling the items from inventory that may be cut, chipped marked etc.
So I was at the store buying something for my Bocce Court and saw this pile of 16ft 2x4's and saw they were only $20 and there was 8 of them- so I picked em up for a "future project".
Needless to say they weren't the truest boards but they worked well enough for something like this. I had to buy a 2x6 to attach the top to because 2x4's aren't wide enough to give proper clearance as the plans showed(and I really didn't want to reinvent the wheel on this) so i bit the bullet and bought a $3 2"x6"x8'
Now if you notice I used all 2x4's for this instead of 2x6 so I adjusted the top to 14 1/8 to accommodate 4 2x4 pieces separated by spacers I use when installing wood floors. I made no change to the seat dimensions, but there is 4- 2x4's vice 3- 2x6's.
Great plan- perfect for more seating on my weekly bocce nights and they hold in excess of 600 lbs easily for those concerned about load limits.
(Note for those curious, that is my Bocce court in the background, it is 10'x60' and built with pressure treated 4x6's and 2x4's and a whole bunch of DG and crushed oyster shells.)

Estimated Cost
$36
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none-I very rarely finish my wood projects-I will probably spray with a sealant to slow the elements since they will stay outside.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sgilly

Thu, 02/23/2012 - 11:14

I plan to build several of these for my daughter's family. They stand around a fire most nights in the spring. Those nights often end up with roasted hot dog dinners with the friends who have dropped by. The dual purpose of these would be perfect!

Industrial closet.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/01/2019 - 08:50

I really had a great time building this closet. It was my first time building anything. I had to use one 36 inch pipe and one 30 to make it fit my wall the way I wanted. Thanks for posting the plans online!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$220
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table

Submitted by Me-go-Eco on Fri, 08/19/2011 - 10:42

Built this coffee table as a housewarming present for my buddy who got me hooked on woodworking as a hobby! Made from reclaimed wood.

You want to see more? Check out my blog and follow me.

http://me-go-eco.blogspot.com

my twitter is: me_go_eco

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, RECLAIM! Thanks!

Estimated Cost
$10 thrownout wood and leftovers from old projects from Re-use Hawaii.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My coat rack

Submitted by atenney446 on Wed, 09/11/2013 - 17:41

Thank you for such a simple set of plans for such a useful and practical piece of furniture. I enjoyed making this.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi gloss enamel paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/04/2019 - 15:34

I absolutely love how this turned out! Thank you for plans! I was able to use aquired tools and wood from each of my grandparents Who have passed which makes it that Much more special to me

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique white chalk paint and Kona stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Brookstone queen headboard

We had an old heavy sleigh bed with headboard and footboard. It overwhelmed the room. We bought a basic metal bed frame. I made this headboard from Ana's plans, and my wife painted it. We really like this so much better.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

My first project- we are loving our new bookcases

Submitted by MatiaP on Sun, 08/21/2011 - 22:33

This was my very first project. I had been on the hunt for two bookcases to put on either side of our fireplace. This plan was just right, but shorter than our space so I modified the plan and made the bookcases longer. I used the kreg jig every place I could find. Thanks so much Ana for your website. Finally we are furnishing our new house without breaking the bank. I never would have thought that I could build furniture, just the way we want it, all by myself. It's a wonderful feeling and I'm addicted.

Estimated Cost
$60 per bookcase
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project