Community Brag Posts

King size farmhouse bed

Submitted by Jeepers on Sun, 11/03/2013 - 19:25

Used cedar for the planks in the headboard and footboard

Added some common trim pieces like the rope

Built the frame as described in the Queen plans - found that a standard metal ammo can on its side is the perfect height to set up the side panels at the corners.
Used 2x4 studs for the cross slats, but set them on their side to give some added height.

Used minwax Walnut stain - really looks nice on the cedar - just one coat for the cedar

Waxed top of the footboard

Stained a small footstool using Walnut.

Kingsize version is a monster - very solid, no movement or creaking

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Wipes - Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Grandy Sliding Door Console

This was my favorite project I have made so far! And was a challenge to get the hardware just so. But I highly recommended giving it a try!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Custom blue paint, with early american stain to age paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Dresser with changing table top for nursery

Submitted by mjolgren on Thu, 06/13/2019 - 06:44

I used the Kendal extra wide dresser plans which were super easy to follow for this project. I wanted to add some of my own touches so I made the drawers with box joints, my first attempt at this. I also changed the drawer fronts and added my own scalloping at the bottom. The changing table frame on the top of the dresser was also added which is removable once we are out of diaper changing! I am using half moon aged brass pulls for the drawers once delivered. Overall I am happy with the way this turned out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400-500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Flat white furniture paint, sanded and coated with water based poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sweet Pea Bunk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/27/2023 - 10:54

This was fun project! Changed up a couple of things, but am very proud of myself. I can't wait to see what my Grandkids think :)

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Easiest Chalkboard Shelf from Scraps

Submitted by carbogast on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 18:20

Chalkboard

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalkboard paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Mail bin

Submitted by Brad Wills on Tue, 11/05/2013 - 19:47

I liked the pb mail bin, but wanted to build the entire piece. Learning experience, measure twice. File folders will not fit, as the inside measurement is to small. Still turned out cool.

Estimated Cost
25.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane ash stain and light blue flat behr paint. Varathane poly to finish 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

A Work in progress

Submitted by 914934 on Thu, 01/21/2016 - 10:10

We haven't had a chance to hang the first bed but had to make it functional asap. So, we gave it temporary legs on the front and attached it to the wall in the back. We are thinking of replacing the desk and making a smaller toddler sized version there for one of our little guys as well.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed with kilz, painted with Wet Sand (leftover paint from walls)
We've got a lot of little ones with crayons around here. We've got to have something washable!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Outdoor Chair & Love Seat

Submitted by Wilsjac1 on Wed, 06/26/2019 - 13:59

After building the first chair I decided I did not like the sizing, it felt like the arms were to low and the back cushion really did not have any support so I modified the chairs a bit and rebuilt the chair and also made a matching loveseat. 

I also decided to reverse the arms so the 2×6’s are on the outside instead of the inside, Originally I did this by mistake but I decided to keep it that way because it helped hold my cushion in place and I like it better that way. But most people I have asked say they prefer the arms the original way that Ana-White had them though.

I ended up making the legs 3" inches longer to raise the height. 

I made the side slats and the armrests 3" shorter to reduce the depth to make my cushions fit better

For the love seat the only thing I had to change was I made the back slats the front slats and the seat slats 48" and I added in a 2x4 for support under the seat slats that attached from the front slat to the back slats.

Overall I love the way they came out very sturdy and we use them everyday! 

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded all of the 2x4's and 2x6's with 80 grit & 220 grit, I then used minwax primer before applying the stain, I used the color "Honey"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse potting bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/06/2023 - 23:12

Had so much fun building this project for my moms birthday present.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Scrap wood shelves

Submitted by chelseawa on Sat, 12/17/2011 - 17:16

The kids and I worked together to make these shelves from wood I dug up in the scrap pile. I had to be creative to come up with enough wood of the right dimensions, some of the 1x4's started life as 1x6's and the front pieces are baseboard moulding. I didn't use a back piece because it seemed sturdy enough as is. I used removable velcro type hanging strips to attach them to the wall.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic Benchright Table and Bench

modified plans a bit from on the website. Went with 4 x 4 legs, matching bench. hardware I found the turnbuckles at home depot 3/8 - 16, and picked up the left handed and right handed rods and nuts at grainger.

Estimated Cost
450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut and Minwax paste wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple bench for outdoor patio or deck

Submitted by ScottG on Sat, 01/23/2016 - 23:44

Built two simple deck benches from plans found on this site.

Estimated Cost
About $40 for each bench. That includes the price of the wood and stains used.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Used Minwax water-based stain for the gray color and Minwax oil-based stains for the other colors. Will add a couple of coats of outdoor urathane once benches are moved outdoors. Base for the bench was built first using the 2x3 studs. Once that was complete, I built a frame using the 1x4 pine and then cut the pieces for inside of the frame to correct length. Then stained all of the pieces. The pieces are joined to the frame using pocket holes and the frame with pieces attached is joined to the base also using pocket holes. In this way, no screw holes are showing on top surface.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic open vanity

I decided to take on the third bathroom renovation all by myself. No help from the husband. I knew that I wanted a rustic open faced vanity - so I modified some plans that I found here on Ana's site. I used the basic design of the Farmhouse Vanity and added in the spa splatting for the bottom shelf so I could add baskets to hold extra tp and towels, etc.

This was one of the easiest projects I've done and I'm so happy with how it turned out! Total time was an afternoon - and that included the staining and poly!

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

Outdoor Storage Box

I built this to go with my outdoor sectional. It's perfect for storing the cushions and the gardening tools that I like to keep on the porch. It doubles as a table and extra seating in a pinch, so it's a great addition to the space.

I'd recommend either spray painting it or pre-painting the pieces- I wouldn't want to try and brush between all the slats.

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
spray painted with rustoleum 2x the coverage in ebony
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Picnic Table Set with the built in coolers..

Submitted by unclebones on Tue, 01/26/2016 - 20:01

My variation of the multiple plans / pictures I have seen.
I will be making another one this season, with an additional variation in mind to make the time it takes to make the whole thing less.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Outdoor Stain/seal
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/17/2023 - 07:56

We love this table and made some small adjustments to fit our terraces
Regards
Dan Brissman
Sweden

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

A Shelf for the Boys

This shelf was such fun to build. My two pugs, Lesterann (3 mos.) and Calvin (13 yrs.) needed a place to hang their stockings at Nana's house. As for the naughty and nice, Lesterann is a little monster right now so he basically is responsible for the naughty. Calvin, on the other hand, is a prince of a old man.

Santa filled those stockings and hung the boys' new sock monkey sweaters on the hooks and it held up quite nicely with no chance of falling.

After the holidays, I'll move the shelf to the kitchen to put my reminders on. Thanks, Ana, for this great plan!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mudroom Area

Submitted by bhammond on Tue, 11/12/2013 - 12:31

Mudroom area by my front door. Perfect for removing shoes, hanging jackets, etc. For the top I used two old cabinets that were on their way to the trash. It was easy to build shelves between them. For the back I used beadboard from Home Depot. It was 1/4" thick and 4x8. The bench pulls out easily, because there is an outlet behind it, and an air register beneath it. (That's why I left the front toe-kick open.) The rail with hooks came pre-assembled from Home Deopt, but I had to paint it black.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used black chalk paint and minwax paste finishing wax.
After one coat of finishing wax I sanded edges to get the antiqued look. Then I applied a second coat of finishing wax.

For the finishing wax: simply rub on with a rag, wait 10 minutes, then use a clean rag to rub in the direction of wood grain to get a nice polish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse bedside table inspired nightstand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/30/2016 - 19:54

This nightstand was insprired by the Farmhouse Bedside Table.  I was looking for ideas for a simple nightstand with a drawer and the Farmhouse Bedside Table was almost exactly the style I was looking for. I used solid walnut which accounts for a majority of the cost. Typically I would use motise and tennon joints for something like this but decided to try pocket hole joinery in an effort to save some time.  Overall, it worked well with the exception of the top rails. When I attempted to screw the top rail to the leg, the screw split the leg likey because of the screw going in so close to the edge. Instead, I just glued and clamped the top rails.

One unique feature is a power strip mounted in the back.  The drawer depth is reduced to make room for a 3 outlet power strip with 2 USB charging ports so that phone/tablets can be charged.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Clear satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate