Community Brag Posts

Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table & Bench

When my wife and I bought our new house, our little apartment-size table looked dumb in our new dining room. With the help of Ana White's plans, my first ever building project was a great success. The project took some extra time because I was doing it by myself in the afternoons and whenever I found the chance. The plans were for a 9ft table and matching bench, but our dining room wasn't quite that big. I shaved about 14 inches off the length and planed the boards for a flat surface (making the table and bench slightly narrower.) As an absolute amateur, I cannot stress how important the use of the Kreg Jig was for this project! With a little bit of patience, love, and faith in yourself, you can do anything you put your mind to. I am so honored to have built the table at which my children will grow up sitting. Thank you, Ana White!

Estimated Cost
$300 + necessary tools
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Brand, Early American Stain and Minwax Brand Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Building for six

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 12:26

I love how smooth your tabletop looks! I grew-up with a kitchen table with a grove all the way around it and can't imagine dealing with that again. Can you go into more detail about how you planed the boards and how difficult the process was? I have built a couple pieces from Ana's site but am still new to all of this...any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Sarah

Alexis Bench

Submitted by kvinjbj on Mon, 04/13/2015 - 09:48

This is only my second build.  I love it and am very proud.  I made this for my son and daughter in law to put at the foot of their bed.  It took a couple of times for me to get drawer glides on right but I did it!  I love wood working and want to keep learning!

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

Comments

Cooler stand

Submitted by Flowerchld on Tue, 08/08/2017 - 16:26

Large cooler stand built for a huge cooler. I wanted to be able to take the cooler out, so it oversized for the cooler, with slats on the bottom to hold the cooler for draining without water sitting on a solid surface inside.

Estimated Cost
$100 plus hardware.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Poly stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Best Farmhouse Bed (Q)

Our fifth build.

Built from rough pine.

Modified for 1x2s in both panels.

Footboard is stacked a little different because silly me got carried away and cut a board, before it was time to cut, and cut it too short. Oooops. Still works though. And looks superb I think.

We did not screw the joists vertical, and through the sideboards. I cut 1 inch pieces off the scraps from the joists, and mounted them from the inside, then laid the joists thick side up, and screwed them down into the mounted pieces.

For step by step instructions, and details on where to buy everything, see my blog. I blogged each step of the way. It took us a month to build this due to life obstacles and bad timing on baby naps, but you should be able to do it in one good afternoon.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$115.94 - 10% + Coupon = Less than $100, seriously!
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rockler's General Finishes Espresso Stain, and General Finishes Aqua Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Vintage Step Stool

Submitted by chrisiross on Mon, 05/27/2013 - 08:18

I made this awesome step stool for my daughter to be able to reach things a little bit better. It works perfectly. And the heart adds the perfect touch, don't you think?

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
paint and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fixing the awkward mantel

My friend just bought a condo here in Atlanta, and it only had an awkward tile mantel. She had requested we update this, so one Saturday  we decided to tackle this. The plans were super easy to follow - and we could not be more excited with the results!! 

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

Rustic x console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 06:51

These are different versions of the rustic x console

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Doll Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by kari on Fri, 03/11/2011 - 21:33

I love this little farmhouse bed. I made it for my daughter for Christmas. It is spacious for one doll and cozy for two.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted this a bright red that I had, then applied a dark brown glaze. It is finished up with a few coats of minwax water based polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our First Project: Console Table

This was our first project. The directions were easy to follow. We used wood screws to put this project together as I do not have a nail gun. My five year old was in charge of the electric screwdriver. I just used 1 peice of wood for the table top and diagonally screwed into it from the bottom. It took us a few days to complete as when you are working with a little one, everything takes quite a bit longer. This was the perfect project for us to work on together! My husband requested a table to put next to the hottub so he could put his drink on it, but I don't want this to move outside! Maybe I'll have to make another one. :)

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Kona, Semi Gloss Spar Varnish Spray (bc it will be used outside)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

The Shou Suga Ban Secretary Desk and Hutch

Submitted by susanshamp on Fri, 04/24/2015 - 10:25

This secretary desk and hutch was made using the Grant Secretary and Hutch plans, modified to be 48" wide. As a finish, I wanted to try out a new method - instead of staining, I decided to char the wood using a method known as Shou Sugi Ban. There are tons of You Tube how-to videos on how to do it, and it's actually pretty easy (as long as you are comfortable using a propane torch).

 

The project definitely took longer than I had originally anticipated, at least 40 hours. However I thought the end result was worth it.

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Wood charring method (shou sugi ban) and Cabot Aged Leather stain for back boards.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Full Storage (Captains) Bed

This was a pretty quick build and works perfectly in my son's room.  I love all the room for the cubbies!  All of his cars and tracks stay off the ground!

The only tricky part for me was attaching the first edges and keeping it straight.  Since I was doing this all by myself, I used my nail gun to attach them quickly and then drilled in screws to secure them.

I kept them in three separate parts so it was easier to take upstairs and then I used my nail gun to attach the slats in the middle.  Pretty easy and inexpensive for a nice wood full size bed frame!

Check out my blog post for more pictures of my build!  http://www.leapoffaithcrafting.com/diy-full-bed-frame-storage/

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I filled all holes with wood filler. Sanded with 120 grit and then 220 grit sandpaper. Applied Varathane Colonial Maple with brush, let soak a few minutes, and then wiped off with towel.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Adirondack chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 14:39

I made four of these chairs and my wife has ‘ordered’ more for the spring, the will probably be more purple ones

Comments

Toddler Farmhouse Bed With Canopy

Submitted by christy on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 19:18

When I saw the farmhouse toddler bed plans on Ana’s site, I knew I had to build it for my daughter. I added siderails (modified from the bunk bed rail plans) and a canopy (modified from the adult size farmhouse bed canopy plans).

I can’t really give an estimate of how long this project took…I had to work on it while keeping my five year old and one year old entertained. If I’d had no distractions, it probably would have taken only 3 or 4 hours to build it (more for the painting).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed with Kilz then painted with leftover paint from an old project. The color is a dark charcoal gray.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Toy Box Gone Wrong

Submitted by vtmelody on Thu, 05/30/2013 - 10:09

We went exactly as planned in the Build a Toybox outline, but bought 12x1 instead of 16x1. This caused a problem when we started putting it together. The two short sides were taller than the long sides. We decided to make lemons from lemonade and turn it into a toolbox/toybox, and in the end really liked the result. We added an additional cut with 1.5" holes on either side and a 1.5" diameter 36" long dowel rod for the handle. We added casters to the bottom and poof! done. Fun project! We made it for our soon to be nephew and filled with gifts for the baby shower.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood Stain with blue paint on top and cut out a mustache for the design then painted around it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic storage daybed

We wanted to build a reading nook in our cabin landing that would also function as extra sleeping space.  This plan was modified to raise the height. We then built the frame and one side panel, since the bed length of the plan was EXACTLY the width of the landing space... It was meant to be!  We love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax cherry stain, minwax polycryllic semi-gloss in three coats with light sanding between coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Salsa Console

This took two weekends to complete. It makes a huge difference when you take time for a good paint job.  

 

I used the best grade pine at Lowes so I didn't have to sand everything and there is less chance for warped boards.  This is why my cost was more.

 

I also added trim around the middle and bottom bands to really make it pop. Overall, I am very pleased with the results.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Satin paint and natural chestnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kids Adirondack Chair!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 05:59

I built this chair for my brand new grandson. I cut out the letters and inlaid them into the front of the chair. Lots of fun!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Turquoise Lockers

Submitted by gertie1208 on Mon, 03/14/2011 - 16:15

Always wanted lockers, now I have them! We built these in a couple of afternoons, but took forever to sand and finish (of course, the sudden onslaught of winter didn't help.) Added 10 inches to the height of the hutches to fit our adult coats better. We are absolutely in love with them!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Oops paint, in a lovely turquoise and several coats of minwax polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

A bench for a future table

Submitted by Al Lulu on Fri, 05/31/2013 - 14:58

This is the third project I've done from this site and the first that came out absolutely perfect. The others were GREAT but this one....it just soared.
Took me all of 1 afternoon to build and 3 days to stain and finish. I used Early American by Minwax to match the existing dining room table.
My goal is to build the table that goes with it.
But, for now, this is the perfect addition to the house.
One thing.
The plans for this bench call for 1x4s for the breadboards and that doesn't make sense. I think it's a typo.
You will need extra 2x4s to make the project really soar. But, heck, who can't use an extra 2x4 lying around?

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American
Varathane satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner