Community Brag Posts
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!
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.
Mission Style Table - Loved by All - Porcelain (wood look) top versus wood. Benchese also built from this site.
Table was fun to build and put our own spin on it. Great project for my wife and I. Took a few days to complete and begin using. Table dimensions we builst are 7' by 3.5' exactly as we needed for or dining room.
Outdoor 2x4 Sofa
Last summer I rented a home in Cali Colombia that had a roof deck but no furniture. I had a lot of free time so I decided to use the 2x4 sofa plans to build this. It came out great, especially considering i had very few tools to work with.
Outdoor escape
First build ever. Took about 2 days and the most expensive part was the cushions, but Lowe's had a good deal. I did not sanding, painting, or staining. I'm sure I'll do that eventually, or make another sectional later, but I'm in North Texas and loving this set right now.
Comments
Tue, 04/18/2023 - 15:35
Awesome first build!
This looks so great! Thank you for sharing your first ever build, can't wait to see what's next.:)
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!
Mudroom Area
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.
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.
Comments
Wed, 11/13/2013 - 05:05
Lovely Modern Old-World look!
Form and function! =D Love the black chalk paint with the globe and brown accents - striking modern old world look!
Kentwood bed
I made this bed for my 4 year old. It was my first project. Took a lot longer than I thought it would, but I'm really pleased with how it turned out!
Banquette Bench with Flip Up Storage
Thank you, Ana, for the banquet bench plan! I’ve never done any form of carpentry before, but with your plans, the right tools and some perseverance, this labour-of-love is my new pride and joy and has added some much needed storage to my small kitchen.
Angela (London)
Comments
Mon, 04/24/2023 - 10:34
Fabulous banquette!
You did an amazing job and it fits your space perfectly! Thanks for sharing.
Handmade gifts for Mom
My favorite thing this Christmas was making handmade gifts. Mom's were the most fun. :) The first is the Cube dresser, using the plan from 2x4 console cubby shelf (turned upright), with wheels. Next are 2 recliner side tables, made from the 5 board bench plan, with added shelf at the bottom for books and magazines. The last is the 'trinket box' - which isn't really from a plan, just made up with 1x4 and 1x6 boards. We finished these to match her existing furniture, which we built for her earlier this year. Mom loved her gifts! Thanks Ana!
Comments
Sat, 12/31/2011 - 04:26
You did an excellent job! I
You did an excellent job! I bet she loved it! :)
"reclaimed wood" bed.
I wanted to make a sturdy bed that was rustic and old looking but still kind of modern... I looked at google images and a photo of Ana's bed popped up. I started with new fir from Home Depot but wanted a good weathered look, so I spent extra time and effort on the distressing. It turned out just like I was hoping!
Comments
Sat, 11/16/2013 - 22:54
Beautiful!
The light and dark variations in your finish make your project very unique! Nice work!
Val
artsybuildinglady.blogspot.ca
Desk with drawers and open cabinets
I used a modified version of the narrow drawer unit as the foundation for this desk build. I decided to make wooden drawer guides rather than using manufacturer metal guides. I liked the idea of it having a more traditional wood-on-wood feel and saving a few dollars. I love the simplicity of the base cabinet design and the contrast between the painted base and stained top. Thanks yo all who shared their projects for the inspiration!
Storage Coffee Table
I just was looking for something simple with a top and bottom shelf with storage. Ended up coming out amazing! Very pleased! it only takes about a day of time, but because of all the stain and glaze coating it took over 24 hours.
Comments
Mon, 07/09/2012 - 11:20
which plan did you use ??
Great build !!!! can you specify which plan you used and how you modified it ?
DIY Kitchen Island
This was my second solo project. I built it for my mom's kitchen to replace her old kitchen table. I absolutely love how it turned out. It is big and functional. Come see how I built it on my blog.
Valspar Antiquing Glaze
Minwax Polycrylic Spray
Rustic lap desk
This was a fun afternoon project built almost entirely from materials I already had on hand. I finished it off with a coat of Gunstock stain by Minwax, followed by a coat of Cherry stain. I sanded a little between each coat. Next I applied a thin coat of black paint and sanded gently until the stain started to show through (and bare wood in places). Finally I applied a coat of polyurethane gloss. It took about four days to complete the finish and I made it up as I went along. Super happy with the end result. I opted not to add the side bins, but I did add an extra 2x2 on each side, mostly because the 2x2 I used for the legs was a little bowed and the exta piece ensured that they'd stay where they're supposed to.
Rustoleum Gloss Black
Minwax Polyurethane Gloss
(I already had these colors on hand)
Got my confidence in building back!!!!
I woke up one morning and decided this space couldn’t go on without a day bed. One week later I am standing tall. This is my first intermediate build. Excited to jump into the next project!
Comments
Playhouse Loft Bed
Built this bed for my 5 year old for Christmas. I planned on doing it alone but luckily my husband helped because it was much easier to put everything together with 2 people. I definitely recommend the Kreg Jig if you are going to be building this bed. The lumber for the bed was $190 with a 10% military discount at Blue then about another $100 for paint, primer, sand paper, screws, and hinges for the stairs. You could probably do it for less but we sprung for the expensive self tapping screws and I got a gallon of primer and a gallon of each paint color. It took me about a month to finish the bed working but between my twin 1 year olds, my husbands schedule, and making sure I wasn't to loud in the garage (we have a duplex and the garage is right by the neighbors room) I could only work about an hour a night.
Comments
Laundry Basket Dresser with picture top
This is my take on the Laundry basket dresser. I started with the idea based on many photos I found on this site, but made some updates/improvements (well they are improvements in my mind anyway). Please view the last picture that has text for explanations of the "features" of my design.
I did some quick drawings in Sketchup, and then did some work in the workshop. I don't have exacting plans on the exact measurements, but you'd probably need to tweak for the size basket you plan to use.
Comments
First Solo Project- Farm Bench
My 6 and 8 year old boys helped me build this bench because I couldn't stomach paying $200 for one with 3 little boys. It cost about $40 and it was so easy to do. We are all so proud of the end result.
Comments
Chuck1979
Mon, 07/08/2019 - 10:46
We didn't use a plan for…
We didn't use a plan for this but, if someone wants to build it, check out the linked YouTube video.
Ana White
Tue, 07/09/2019 - 11:11
Amazing! Thanks so much for…
Amazing! Thanks so much for adding a brag post and linking to your video!
gunnare57
Fri, 07/31/2020 - 09:43
Hello! Was looking to see if…
Hello! Was looking to see if this is something you would be interested in building for us? We are in love with this project but don't have the tools or means to do it ourself..
Can talk about pricing / size etc.
Thanks!