Community Brag Posts

Porch Planter Steps

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/27/2023 - 12:23

I love how sturdy and beautiful these planter steps turned out! They were easy to build and work perfectly with the new deck/front porch I built this summer. I only needed one step and I used the same 1x material for the top of the step as I did the deck. I just added a couple more supports for the 1x material, as it isn't as sturdy as 2x6's. Thank you so much for the wonderful plan!

Combo of Farmhouse Bed with Farmhouse Storage Bed

Submitted by jeniroosen on Mon, 01/27/2014 - 21:39

I meshed the Farmhouse Bed with the Farmhouse Storage Bed with Storage Drawers and this is the final product. Let me know if you have any questions. I learned along the way.

A few things I modified -

I knocked off the corners of the 1x8's used in the footboard and headboard as I wasn't a fan with how they butted up straight. I liked the rounded edges of the routered boards instead.

I cove routered the tops of 2x6's and loved how they turned out

When I handed my cutlist to the kid at the big orange store, he pulled OSB instead of plywood for the storage cabinets. I realized it halfway through the cutting as I was shopping for other things and didn't have the heart to tell him halfway through the job. I had to edge band (first time) the edges and the OSB soaked up a lot of primer.

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Glidden Antique White
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Folding Work Table First Project!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/12/2023 - 09:52

This is my very first project. I have no other tools yet besides the drill, so I had to make all the cuts with the hand saw, but it worked out well :) As I am in Europe, the imperial metrics mean nothing to me. The wood they sell here is of different sizes. That is overall not an issue, although I had a tough time calculating the holes for the legs. Luckily, only one error hole, and all came out level on the first try. No waste of wood! I also had a good helper.
Thank you, Ana

Ventsi

3 Square Picnic Tables!

I built 3 of the square picnic tables, as we have a large extended family. I enjoyed the project and the results. I did end up adding a cross brace and some metal clips, they added a little more strength for the table when it was full of people.

Thank you for sharing your plans.

Rick

Built from Plan(s)

Little Girl Dress Up Caddy

This project took about a week of commitment because of the multiple coats of paint. Otherwise, it was a very quick build, built in one day, but quite tedious sanding. I wish I could have sanded before I built it because the corners were very difficult to get around on the inside. I drew the crown on very thin Plywood that I had laying around from a night table I built and cut it out with a jigsaw.

Estimated Cost
Under $100 with stencils, paint, light, stick on mirror ($10 from Amazon) and jewels for the crown
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Pantone Cabaret, Disney Shimmering Glitter Specialty Finish on the crown, and satin polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Slipcovered Bench

Submitted by Linda7 on Tue, 02/11/2014 - 16:55

My mother needed a bench in her small entryway. She had definite dimensions in mind and we looked everywhere. None fit the bill. Then I saw these plans and we went from there. She had leftover fabric from recovering her dining room chairs, and I had the plywood. She wanted the Queen Anne legs to go with her traditional furniture; we put felt floor protectors on the bottom of the feet of the legs, which helps keep the bench from moving so easily on the tile floor. The plans were easy to follow, including the tutorial on how to sew the slipcover. The bench worked out just like she had hoped. Thanks Ana, for the great plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60.00; about $40 for the legs, foam, and finish
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshades in walnut; two or three coats. This acts more like paint, but you can re-coat in just an hour or so. I then used minwax poly in satin three coats for protection.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Restoration Hardware Inspired table

Submitted by EstebanM on Fri, 05/20/2016 - 10:31

Needed a classy table...

Purchased the chairs separetely. Sanded the legs from black paint back to wood, and stained them to match the table.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Weathered Oak with a satin seal
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Platform inspired bed frame

Submitted by KL728MX on Sun, 02/23/2014 - 15:01

I had searched for a nice bed frame for the longest time. I wanted something that would last and the prices in furniture stores or antique shops were crazy. I found the plans for the platform bed/headboard and modified them a little. I used 2x12's for the frame and set my 2x6's down inside for my box spring. 2x6's for the headboard and trimmed it the same way as in the plans. I love it. Thanks for the plans Ana.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
125
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust oleum dark walnut. I didn't put polyurethane on it so it would have an older look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jmar2038

Fri, 05/30/2014 - 18:40

Love your inspired bed! What size mattress is your frame for? I am looking to make a frame just like yours for a queen size bed. Do you have your measurements or are they pretty similar to the original post? Complete beginner here, any help is much appreciated!!

Door spice rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 18:02

love Ana!  We moved from the city to a late 1800's Victorian farm house with no closets, no basement, no storage!  This was a great Woodshop 101 project for my husband and me, and gave us extra space in the kitchen. Can't wait to do another Ana project. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
A mix of paint and water-base poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

King Size Platform Bed

Submitted by hawaiitara on Sun, 06/03/2012 - 20:09

After building my daughter's beds and some outdoor day beds, I finally got around to building a bed for my husband and I. I altered the plans to a king size bed. I added a second 2x4 in the middle for support and around the inside edges as I used the box springs to make the bed taller. Using the kreg jig really made this project so easy. I also used 1x8's instead of 2x8's because I couldn't find those in Hawaii anywhere, except pressure treated wood. It still turned out great.
Thanks for the wonderful plans!

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used cabot stain in antique walnut with a cabot satin poly over it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Katie Saldivar (not verified)

Mon, 06/25/2012 - 19:40

I LOVE this bed! I'm asking my husband to build it and I was wondering if you could email me the dimensions for the plans of a king size Chestwick Platform bed? I'm pretty sure he could figure them out on his own, but I'd love to make it easier for him :) Love your work!

Larryshandywife

Wed, 08/22/2012 - 23:04

Whats the point of sharing projects with people when they dont leave the dimensions????............How stupid!!!

sgilly

Thu, 08/23/2012 - 08:25

For sharing. It's beautiful, and how smart you are to work from existing plans but be able to figure out the dimensions you need for your own bed!

DIY Media Console

Several months ago, my sister approached me with the request of helping her build a media console for her home.   We left off the doors and drawers in favor of having open shelves.  We worked on this project over the course of several weekends and my sister is very happy with the final result!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean, ECOS Paints WoodShield Satin Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Barstools

Submitted by lazyLiz on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 21:22

A 30" tall bar stools inspired by the plan simplest stool.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$ 40- $60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
valspar white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Handygirl

Sat, 07/07/2012 - 18:47

I love these stools! I love the curve in the top. Are yours square on top or rectangle?
Also, what size of board is the top (seat)?

Rusty Cottage

Fri, 07/20/2012 - 05:32

I like your design. Finally made an account and will be making matching ones. Thanks for the inspiration. If the better half doesn't like the first one I will have a new stool for my workbench

MrsPowers

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 20:27

Hi! You're stools came out wonderful. I was wondering how you got the seat to be curved that way.
Thanks!

Taylor Console

Submitted by raybotelho on Fri, 04/04/2014 - 14:57

I love this plan and had already built one a few months ago. It is an easy project to tackle ;) I did change things up a bit. Will be building another one soon :) Thank you so much for sharing the plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain followed by white dry brushing on the base.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Matching Stools for Kids

This was my second project from Ana White, and overall it was successful. I used a miter saw for the cuts (struggled with the bevel because my 12 inch saw isn't a slider, a kreg jig to attach everything (struggled to attach the 1x3s to the legs due to the angle of the dril and tight space), but everything eventually was held solidly together and it's really very sturdy. My husband is about 160 and he was able to jump on it with absolutely no give. 

 

The paint is just small samples we had on hand from home depot to coordinate with other projects in the kids' rooms, and I handpainted the letters. I finished it with a double coat of polycrylic. 

Estimated Cost
$20 total for two stools.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
paint and polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entry Way Bench

Built this plan and it came out amazing. I used a sheet of siding for the back to really bring out some grains!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Matte white bher paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Dining Room Table and Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/22/2016 - 13:26

This was my first ever DIY project as I wouldnt consider myself a handy man, but I had alot of fun making this table and bench. I modified the design as I wasn't confident in making the necessary cuts for the X but I added a long support underneath the table top so that the top wouldn't sag (hopefully!).  Since completing the table, I've grown more comfortable with my carpentry "skills" and all I want to do on the weekends is build things! I'm sure I'm driving my wife insane!

It took me a lot longer as I had a couple weekends where I could only work on the table and bench for an hour or two but you can definitely do it in a weekend.

 

Thanks Ana! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Miniwax Expresso Polyshades
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Beer Wall for Wedding

My cousin recently got married and wanted a beer wall at her wedding. I quickly searched Ana's site for the perfect plan and chose the Tall Panel Headboard for my starting point. With a few modifications it became a beer wall in no time at all. I love how Ana's plans can be easily modified to make a totally different project.

No fancy wood was used here. Just regular wood from the big box store. A jockey box was attached to the back side of the wall. It worked awesome!

Since I discovered this site in January, I've made close to 30 items from her plans. I'm ridiculously addicted and not just with Ana's site but also with her blog friends. For Valentine's Day I asked for a Air Strike gun and got it. It was better than jewelry and chocolates! I'm well on my way to collecting my own tools and learning how to save money by making it myself. Oh, and I can't even begin to tell you how impressed everyone is with my finished products.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
roughly $200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar paint from Lowes
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Poker Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 12:50

Start from scratch and completed my first Poker Table.

Conrad White St. George’s, Newfoundland

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