Community Brag Posts

Amazing Beginner Project!

Submitted by ccrites on Mon, 07/20/2020 - 07:00

What a great 'Beginner' project. Little mistakes or imperfections only add to its charm! This was a real confidence booster for me. I am so delighted with the results! I had most of the wood leftover from when our fence was built, so I only needed to pay for the screws, stain and hardware which made the whole project cost less than $50!

Work Bench

Submitted by MonetB56 on Sun, 09/23/2012 - 10:13

I figured the first thing I should make was a bench to work on :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Did not finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

T's play kitchen

Submitted by Abby721 on Sat, 07/19/2014 - 21:38

I built this play kitchen for my daughter's second birthday during my newborn son's short naps or often with him strapped to me in his baby carrier. I spent more money on higher quality wood to save myself time and effort sanding the wood down. I splurged on a drinking faucet as it was the perfect size and a mini version of my real kitchen faucet. I used magnets on the fridge doors and oven door and a simple ribbon to prevent the oven door from opening too wide. I have built a few things befor-shelves, table, baby gate but consider myself a beginner who is still learning a lot about woodworking.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dutch Boy Hawaiian Sky Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified loft beds

Submitted by Sb1212 on Wed, 10/26/2016 - 21:53

I built these beds for my son and daughter. They picked out their paint color and fabric for the curtains. I apologize for the picture being side ways. It uploaded up that way for some reason. 

Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rhyan Console Table

Submitted by Roman on Tue, 09/25/2012 - 14:00

I just wanted to thank Lady Goats for the idea for this project. I got the plans from http://ana-white.com/2011/12/plans/rhyan-console-table and made some modifications. I wanted to use the table as an entry table, so I made it taller and longer to fit the space I had for it. I still have to poly it and will post more pics as it comes along.

As far as cost, I used 1x6 instead of 1x12 to reduce the cost for the project. I think at the most it came out to 90 (including stain, poly, screws, brushes).

And yes, I built it in the living room of my small apartment.

Thanks again!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$90
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Lady Goats

Tue, 09/25/2012 - 15:15

I immediately though of the rhyan console when I saw this, but wondered if there was another plan out there! Looks great (but don't thank ME! Ana did the plans!!).

Beyond impressed with the mods! And the fact that you built it in your living room!

Mini Farmhouse bedside table.

Submitted by mottern81 on Mon, 07/21/2014 - 20:38

Built this table for my daughter's nursery. She is going to be here next month so I'm trying to make sure her room is perfect for her.
This table was easy to build. I've been doing woodwork for about a year now so if I can do it you can do it, just make sure you have all the tools for the job :-)

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar paint and primer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Great plans

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/30/2016 - 17:31

These plans are easy to build. Built it in about a day. It was around $100 plus paint. 

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pallet book holder

Very simple, very easy book holder. Come to find out, it makes a great wine bottle holder as well. The picture alone can suffice as the plans. Enjoy!!!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Adam_Scheetz

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 12:19

This particular one is made of 1x4's (4) and 2x4's (2). The notches in the 2x4's were already there. Attach one 1x4 on the front and three evenly spaced on the back. And Done! Add stencils for creativity!

Step Stool

Submitted by s_barr on Thu, 07/24/2014 - 08:54

I needed a step stool for my son to be able to reach the bathroom sink to brush teeth and wash hands. This plan was exactly what I was looking for. As I do with all first time projects, I built this out of inexpensive pine. It is very sturdy, and holds me without a problem. I routed the edges of the treads, and used 1x3 material for the braces as opposed to the 1x2 called for in the plan. The plan was easy to follow and the cutting list worked perfectly. The most challenging part was creating the curves with the jig saw, but truly wasn't bad at all.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
As I am contemplating switching out our carpeted stairway to hardwood, I wanted to play with the white and stained look. I used semi gloss Valspar paint, and Minwax English Chestnut stain. I also applied 3 coats of polyurethane to provide added protection from water.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Night Stands

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 11/03/2016 - 08:17

I finished these night stands this past spring. I followed the Kentwood night stand plan from Ana-White, but made a few design changes. I decided to arc the doors to give the tables a little more character. The material I chose was 3/4" pine. The table bases are finished off with 3 coats of Sherwin Williams paint, and the tops are walnut stained with 3 coats of poly. The contrast between the base and the top came out great, the stands look beautiful in our bedroom and offer lots of storage.  

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint, Walnut stain and poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

X chair copy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/25/2020 - 10:32

I saw these chairs online at a cost of $5,580 each . I thought they were very nice, but way too expensive. Using the online photo and dimensions I was able to more or less figure out the way it was made. The tool required are a mitre saw, table saw, kreg pocket hole jig, drill and palm sander. The chairs were then burned with a torch to waterproof them and bring up the grain in the wood. 3 coats of spar varnish cut with mineral spirits were applied to finish the project. The cost was about $130 Canadian each including the cushion, around 2% of the chair seen online.

Estimated Cost
130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
First shou sugi ban (Japanese wood burning technique) the wood and then 3 coats or spar varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

cubby seats

These are the cubby seats featured on Shanty 2 Chic's site along with Pottery Barn inspired Trestle table. This was a lot of fun to make because it was the first project I did using my hand saw. I normally have the wood cut at home depot. But now I can do it on my own!! you can check them out on my blog: goldhoopstochickencoops.blogspot.com

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum aqua and lemon grass
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Gaby Kitchen Island

Submitted by DWL on Sun, 07/27/2014 - 17:15

I used Ana's Gaby Kitchen Island plans and shortened the island to fit our small kitchen. I did not have reclaimed wood, so I used a vinegar and steel wool solution to transform the fir and pine into a completely unexpected look. For the top, I trimmed the edges of the 2 x 6s with my table saw to get a smoother top surface, then routered the edges with a 1/2 inch round over bit (thanks Steve Ramsey). I used white pine down the middle to make up for the edges I removed which looks like a cool custom stripe. (I also used the white pine for the side supports so hopefully there's some cohesion.)

Thank you Ana for the inspiration and great project! Can't wait for the next one :)

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Vinegar and Steel Wool Solution for color; Min Wax Finishing Paste.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mirror cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/07/2016 - 11:01

This was my first ever time building anything, even though I've wanted to for a really long time! It was great! I love this website. Wish I had a nailgun at the time I did this project, but I did get one after I realized how much I love carpentry. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$75(including the lights)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Patio table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/27/2020 - 21:37

Modified some measurements and squared the legs. Also added LED lights under it for night mood setting.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Used Stain + Sealer from Behr brand. Color is called Pewter.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse diningroom table

Submitted by Kell39047 on Sun, 10/07/2012 - 13:45

I loved the plans for this table. My husband and I spent about 5 hours making it yesterday. The plans and instructions are well planned and easy to use.
I've made a few projects from Ana's website, it's always so easy to understand and such beautiful projects.

Estimated Cost
$75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax (Dark walnut) One coat only.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Kell (not verified)

Sun, 11/18/2012 - 20:08

Thank you so much. We love this table. I'm still looking for two special chairs for the ends.
We are currently almost done building the farmhouse queen bed.

The Cottage Little Yellow Table

This is my first project using Ana's site. The step by step plans made is really easy. I enjoyed it so much. Can't wait for my next make!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Medium shine wood pint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Double Chair Bench

Built from plans from diyPETE.com.

One day project (another day for poly)

 

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Finish penetrating stain: Gunstock 231 (2 coats), Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane. (3-4 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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