Community Brag Posts

Farmhouse Table with Industrial Hardware

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/17/2021 - 11:26

My hubby and I used the tressle table plans to make this awesome table. We changed it up, adding the turnbuckles like a Pottery Barn table that we wanted. I think this turned out way better!

We used yellow pine for the lower portion and poplar for the top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)

Comments

Farm house bench LOVE IT!!

Submitted by Suzie Ake on Wed, 02/13/2013 - 10:43

I have hunted for the perfect dining room bench for my large family but they were either to poorly crafted to withstand my crew, to small, or to pricey. Then I found this site showed the farm house bench to my husband and he said, "Hey I can build that!" and build it he did. He changed a few things here and there but the overall finished bench is AMAZING, and I LOVE IT!!! Thanks Ana!

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

Camp Loft Bed

Submitted by dadto3kids on Thu, 12/18/2014 - 20:51

I had a friend who needed a bed for two energetic boys for a small bedroom.  I saw these plans and thought this would be perfect for them.  They absolutely loved it and now have plenty of room for their toys in their bedroom. 

Estimated Cost
about $50 for screws stain and polyurethane. I already had all the wood otherwise I would presume it would cost another $50-$75.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

milyron

Tue, 05/19/2015 - 11:00

Hi, This bed is awesome. I have few question and would appreciate if you could help me.
Did you use any connector bolts to be able to take it apart easily?
How did you connect the slats of the platform to the frame? with PH screws?
would appreciate any details you can give me.
Thanks
Mily:-)

Thanks for providing the plans!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/20/2017 - 17:45

Used the plans with minor modifications, many thanks for a great design!

Estimated Cost
$55.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut topped with classic Gray.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse FYI bed frame

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/20/2021 - 11:25

We are mediocre novice in the handy area. I more so than he, but together we wanted to tackle this project.
The directions were great and the pictures helped with some of the minor confusion. Great plan and solid beautiful bed frame.
The total cost was around $175. Wood is a bit expensive in our area...
the stain we chose was a semitransparent gray wash. I thought it was going to be a true stain but it was more a paint quality but in the end the wood grain showed through and we just used one coat! Went on thick

This was my boyfriend and my first major construction project and tackling it together we were a little intimidated ... never used a kreg jig but had purchased one a few years ago and never used it. Haha well you def want to have it. Watched a iTunes video and it Was easy and we faired well.
Only one argument that taught us both a few things and ended up giving us the desire to make more furniture together.
Thank you Ana white

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
175
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Val spar gray wash semi transparent stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tapered Crate

Submitted by dmcarwin on Sat, 02/16/2013 - 08:06

I was so excited when I saw the plan for this! I love making crates out of wood. It was quick and easy and I already had a cedar fence post! It was less than 30 minutes start to finish! For more pictures check out my blog post. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
Free!
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
It was naturally finished for me!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

sarahwilley2

Sat, 02/16/2013 - 10:45

Great job! This looks awesome. I can't wait to make some of these babies!

Changing Table / Dresser

Submitted by Ben W on Mon, 12/22/2014 - 09:09

I wanted to build a dresser & changing table combination for our son, who is due in January. I liked the Fillman (Pottery Barn's Fillmore) dresser plan, but also wanted to incorporate some ideas from Pottery Barn's Larkin Hi-Lo Changing table ($1100 - yikes!), namely the side cabinet, so I made a few modifications.

The side cabinet has a pullout shelf to accomodate a diaper pail or hamper. The changing table topper is removable so that this can continue to be used as a dresser when we no longer need the changing table.

I have built a few pieces from or inspired by Ana's site before, but none have been as rewarding as this!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams ProClassic Enamel (semi-gloss) in Snowbound.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Linda7

Mon, 12/22/2014 - 10:26

Beautiful build. Your modifications make this table very versatile, and I noticed that your spacing all around the drawers and door is so even. This should become a family heirloom.

Easy, cheap garage shelving

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/23/2017 - 20:12

I used 1x3 box pine instead of 2x4's for the bits that things sit on, and everything fits perfectly.

Originally I was planning on a 3.6m long x 0.6m deep X 1.8m high shelf.  At the lumberyard I found out that 2x4's came in 6m lengths as standard, so I adjusted this to 1.5m high instead, which worked out fine as I think 1.8m would have been a bit tall to get heavy things on top of.  Luckily for me my power points and light switches were just under this, which I didn't think about at the time!

Originally I was going to try and cut grooves for the 'rungs' of the ladder frames to slot into, hence the insets at the bottoms of the legs.  I think that the glue-and-screw construction will be plenty strong enough, though.

This took me about 4 hours to put together, and cost about NZD$170 all up, which is about USD$120.

I've got the bug.  Making things is awesome.

Estimated Cost
USD$120
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adjustable Bed Farmhouse King Bed

Submitted by Mjtkgundy on Fri, 01/22/2021 - 19:59

We bought our adjustable bed and needed something to make it look better. I loved this bed and modified it to fit our needs. It was easy to build and really made such a difference in our room!

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Flat white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

first try :)

Submitted by booksgirl on Sun, 02/17/2013 - 16:30

This took me an afternoon because I have never used a compound mitre saw before so I was teaching myself through trial & error.
It was really fun to try and I will definitly be making more!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

mega coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/26/2017 - 13:42

milled a bunch of cedar with the intention of building adirondack chairs, but we got chickens instead :)

Estimated Cost
$50 in hardware milled all the wood
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
just going to let it weather naturally
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mudroom Locker System

Submitted by halfnfun on Tue, 02/19/2013 - 14:53

I duplicated this plan from Ann White's Smiling Mudroom Plan. My space was not as deep and was longer than the original plans, so we modified the plans to fit our space. . I liked the idea of a thicker seat that another person used, so we incorporated that. Materials cost us about $200 to make it. Thank you for the inspiration. I love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted white and stained seat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Linda7

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 16:36

This is a beautiful, yet practical build. The empty space pictured is just begging to be filled. I especially like the wall color and the trim just above the seats that is repeated with the coat hangers. Great work - love it!

Modified Beach Cottage Dresser

Submitted by diyduo on Sun, 12/28/2014 - 15:38

This is a modified version of Patrick's beach cottage dresser with a shelf at the bottom instead of a fourth drawer. The dresser was painted with Americana Decor chalky paint and distressed with Americana Decor wax. Thanks for this excellent plan, Ana and Patrick! 

Estimated Cost
Under $100.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Americana Decor Chalky Paint, 2 containers of 'Primitive' and 1 container of 'Treasure'
Americana Decor Creme Wax, Deep Brown
Americana Decor Soft Touch Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Patio sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/27/2017 - 12:22

This was exactly what I was looking for! I was able to make a sectional that fit our 4-season patio perfectly, and saved thousands of $$ in the process. 

 

Cushion details

Fullerton Outdoor Deep Seating Cushion Set - Threshold - http://www.target.com/p/fullerton-outdoor-deep-seating-cushion-set-threshold/-/A-52019240

Watch for sales on patio furniture, we were able to save 35% on the cushions (30% off sale + 5% Target REDCard discount)

 

Estimated Cost(s):

  • Lumber = $200
  • Cushions = $500
  • Screws, stain, miscellaneous supplies = $100
  • Total = $800

Finish Used:

  • Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
  • Minwax English Chestnut Oil-Based Stain
  • Minway Fast Drying Polyurethane
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Potting table

Submitted by OlgaB on Tue, 02/02/2021 - 17:15

Potting table, was easy to build, very strong and stable because of the size of the wood used. It's a big table -- an entire dog fits inside :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Ready Seal, Burnt Hickory
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White Admin

Wed, 02/03/2021 - 10:32

I love your comment about an entire dog fitting inside, get that dog a work belt, lol! What a wonderful project, love the woodsy setting for your photo! Great job:)

Adirondack Loftbed Cabin Playhouse

From the club house plans. I did go ahead kreg jig all the panels on the front and back walls.

All the art work in the sign and on the steps i used a dremel and dug out and painted everything.

Came out beautiful.

Made so was easy to transports in parts to get up and down stairs in 8 pieces.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax gel stain (toffee), and polyeurethene
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Workbench console

Submitted by lincey23 on Wed, 12/31/2014 - 08:27

We built this after getting a new tv. We love it.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
we used standard pine so it probably cost with stain around $90 to build. Took longer to stain and sand than anything.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
oak stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4x4 Truss Harvest Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/29/2017 - 10:28

I began with the plans for the 4x4 truss table and modified the plans to include notched joints to make the table stronger. Finished the 4x4 pine base with paint to match our dining chairs and finished the 2x10 top with 1 coat of dark walnut stain and 5 coats of verathane. Added hardware under the legs to level the table. This was my very first woodworking project and everyone says how well it turned out! Next is a headboard and then maybe a dresser. Thanks for these awesome resources!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/09/2021 - 14:53

This rustic bench is perfect for our remodeled bathroom. It is made from post oak lumber harvested from my property and milled myself using a friend’s sawmill. No stain, just polyurethane.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Helper Tower

Submitted by fmiddleton on Sun, 02/24/2013 - 19:01

My first woodworking project since building a mug tree in school (I was about 12). This project started in the holiday break after I received a Kreg Jig as a gift, and this seemed like a good first project to tackle. We have a little boy about 20 months old who LOVES to help out, needed something more sturdy than standing on a chair, and this fit the bill perfectly.

I modified the design very slightly to ensure that the tower fits neatly under our kitchen island so that it stows mostly out of the way. That necessitated removing one of the "levels", and altering the dimensions somewhat to keep it proportional.

The biggest challenge of all was painting at the end! Made the mistake of using a spray can first, which made the wood fuzzy. So, sanded it all again, added primer (originally it was black), and then a couple of layers of white semi-gloss/enamel. Need to improve my painting technique to avoid brush marks in the future.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-gloss / enamel paint. Tried a rattle can to start, but the finish was terrible - sanded it down, primed the whole thing, and then a couple of coats of white semi-gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project