Community Brag Posts

laundry sorter

Submitted by jsa271 on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 21:09

I used the instructions from ana-white's website. Instead of building 2 separate boxes for 6 baskets, I decided to make one big sorter that would hold 6 baskets. The sorter has been an amazing help. We have a family of 6. 3 baskets for dirty and 3 baskets for folded clean clothes. 3 Dirty baskets: whites, colors, and sheets/towels. As for the other 3 baskets: 2 people per basket. The top of the sorter provides counter space to fold.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

5 tator tots (not verified)

Tue, 08/14/2012 - 08:13

With a family of 7 (soon to be 8) we really need this. Thanks for sharing the uses of each basket. That is what I am trying to figure out. I also need the washer/dryer pedestals for dirty laundry so the dresser could just be for clean, but homeschooling and cooking for all these kids keeps me from jumping in to projects and the pedestals may be a long way off as my (very talented) husband's busy season is starting.

Treated Outdoor Beverage Table

Submitted by Niemann04 on Wed, 06/04/2014 - 12:03

This project was inspired by the post I found on Ana-White.com however I changed some of the dimensions and cut list to make it my own. I built one of these for my Mother and her and her friends keep talking about it to this day.

Estimated Cost
$145.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Outdoor entertaining
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Arhaus inspired bookshelf

 Awesome rustic book case that was inspired by an Arhaus table. It is a fun twist on a traditional  book shelf with  tons of character! 

Estimated Cost
$55 -$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Briarsmoke Stain "Varathane"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Bunk Bed - Side Street - Triple Bunk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/20/2020 - 11:39

Our four boys matching double bunk beds recently succumbed to being used abused by four boys for 12 or so years, and I have always wanted to make them a pair of triple bunk beds for when friends come over. The broken pieces of a bed that had survived numerous military moves finally gave me the jump start I needed to finally get this job done. After about a day of measuring, pondering, and configuring, I came up with what I thought were good dimensions for the project. I increased the height of the corner posts to seven feet to allow for a higher top bunk, and squished the bunks a little tighter together as well. This ended up giving me a 26” gap between the bunks. When I build the next one, I will cut this down to 24” between each and give a little room room to the top bunk. Trial and error I guess. I added a 2x2 all the way around the bottom because although I wanted it very low, I didn’t want anyone feeling like they were sleeping on the ground, but I also didn’t want some 1” or 2” gap below the bottom bunk for balls, cars, and LEGOs to be lost. The guardrail was shortened a little based on what wood I had left at the end. The ladder I decided to build upright/no angle, which necessitated that I fashion the ladder myself out of some strip of metal that I think is meant for some sort of roofing purpose. Oh well, it worked. I wanted to do this because the bed is meant to be able to be disassembled, and if I had simply screwed the ladder to the bed, it would have gone against the “disassemble-bility” of the project. Last thing to note, the barn red staining was quite messy and a huge time investment, so although I stated it took 10-20 hours, probably 12 of the 20 hours was in the staining. We are all thrilled with the look of it though, so I guess it was worth it in the end. I hope this project was worth the read. Enjoy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$275 including wood, screws, stain, brushes, etc
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Barn Red
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mom's Rustic X Console

Submitted by tracysmith on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 20:18

As soon as I saw these plans, I showed my mom who fell in love with the look. She loved it but of course, we had to modify it so that it would fit her needs and fit into her space. I love it too, makes me want to build myself another tv console, but I already built myself one. ;-)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
about $100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used the steel wool/vinegar solution. Cheap easy and oh so beautiful!!!!!!!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cyber Sapp

Mon, 04/28/2014 - 09:18

Can you share the dimensions of this cart. I'm looking to modify this similar to what you did. I need a smaller piece than what the plans require. Thanks in advance.

5th Project - Tilt Out Trash Can

This was my fifth project and it went pretty well. I ended up having to trim a little off the top of the door after I had it assembled because I wasn't paying attention to detail and built it to fit the back opening. It was pretty simple to size it down, though. I finished it off with some leftover black paint that I used for the top of my workbench last summer. Super happy with the way it turned out!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr black
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Using Commonly Lost Garage Spaces for Storage

Submitted by lookitsash on Thu, 09/08/2016 - 11:52

I recently spotted a little gem in the garage - a little space in between the garage doors. It was perfect for building a modular system of small French cleat box shelves. I made them all using scrap wood. I even had extra scrap wood to make a battery charging station in another narrow gap on the wall. You can read all the details about my latest storage adventure on my blog:

 

http://www.justmeasuringup.com/blog/using-commonly-lost-garage-spaces-for-storage

 

I'm on high alert for more areas like this that get overlooked easily, and am just waiting for more inspiration to strike!

Estimated Cost
$0 for me as I used all scrap wood, but you're not as lucky, under $20 in lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none used, but a nice stain or paint could add some more visual appeal
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/22/2020 - 10:49

Followed the farmhouse instructions - worked great!!
The two tone finish matches the table I built

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax jacobean with Valspar bright white

Advice - paint/stain everything but the top first to decrease the cracks and crevasses you need to get your brushes into to avoid getting paint on stained surfaces or vice versa
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Boat Shaped Planter

Submitted by Saf37y on Wed, 04/03/2024 - 07:39

boat planter

A fleet of 3 wooden boat planters built in the traditional style of a clinker creel boat (Orkney Longliner).

Alex

Adirondack chairs

Submitted by Dreifk08 on Mon, 06/09/2014 - 13:14

This site as ever so helpful and vital to the completion of these chairs. Honestly,this project was the first time I had taken stock lumber and constructed something from it. I am handy by my own account,but never attempted anything like this before. Great site. If not for Ana white and this website,I'd have 2 less chairs. It is very rewarding building something from scratch. I'm sure this was the 1st of many projects and ideas I will get from this site. A+++. Thank you very much.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer and outdoor spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor couch

Submitted by Fitnpink on Wed, 06/24/2020 - 10:42

I get so many orders for this couch! I modified the loveseat plans to make it bigger. Love how sturdy and gorgeous it is. Great piece. Thank you for the plans!

Comments

Outdoor Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/08/2024 - 08:57

I liked the design of the barnyard dinner table and needed a table on the patio for family get togethers. I modified the table plans to seat 10 and made it bar height. I also finished the top vs planks. Came out great.

Kevin Cole

Built from Plan(s)

Distressed Wood Headboard

This was built based on the "Reclaimed-Wood Look Headboard" post. The directions are under the queen size post and the cut list was under the king size one. The cut/supply list was absolutely dead on. Once I built it however, I realized that it needed more support if I expected it to last more than a few years. I reinforced the back and added vertical bracing and chair leg supports to prevent side to side movement. This was done with scraps from the original cuts. Since it was built with finish nails and glue, enough movement and I knew it would eventually start popping boards. I also decided to wall mount it so that it will last that much longer. Don't skimp on the directions. Pick only 100% square, non-bowed boards. Glue down everything. Triple-check for flush and don't even think about making cuts without a chop saw. If you don't have one, have the hardware store cut it. One less-than-square board or wrong degree cut will make the whole project fail. I did heavy distressing on it by hitting it with chains, an ax, a hoe, and a board with nails driven into it. I also threw screwdrivers, allen wrenches, pipes and anything else heavy I could find at it. I used a leather poking tool to make mock cracks. I used a small torx screwdriver to drive the finish nails in deeper and didn't worry about filling the holes since it added to the distressed look. I then took a hand torch and burned several areas to draw out the wood grain and deepen the aged look. Finally I sanded it with a 220 grit paper, put 6 coats of Watco Danish Oil Dark Walnut on it and varnished it with Formby's Low Gloss Tung Oil. All the finish was applied hand-rubbed with a rag. A brush will leave streaks - hand rub is the only way to achieve that antique look. It turned out much better than I even expected and matches our mango wood bedroom furniture perfectly. Total cost was about $170 and build time was roughly 30 hours, however, the initial build was done in just 3 hours. All other time was distressing and finishing.

Estimated Cost
$170 (could be done for less with cheaper wood/stain)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
- Heavy Distressing (ax, pipe, nails, screw drives, hand-torch)
- Watco Danish Oil (Dark Walnut) - hand rubbed
- Formby's Tung Oil, Low Gloss - hand rubbed
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Family tree nesting bird sign

Submitted by JoleneE on Fri, 06/13/2014 - 16:34

I had a girls night in and we each made out our art using the nesting family tree sign. I put together the cedar fencing signs per Ana's instructions and we all brought supplies we had in the garage and we painted away! Thank you so much!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American (bike one), walnut (2 trees), chalk paint (moon)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

DIY Custom End Tables Set

Submitted by Luis Mqz on Mon, 09/12/2016 - 20:50

I build just one piece for my wife and she love it and ask me for build another one so I just build it and add a triangle table more for surprise her,The ""X'' design I take of this website and the legs and dimension and style is my own design 3 corner 45 with the router and and Front drawer is decorative (fake)

 

Estimated Cost
I just spend $75 Dlls
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Red Mahogany Minwax Stain and to coats of clear semi gloss Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane Indoor Outdoor for more durability
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pallet chevrons

My wife wanted some chrevons (1 for all members of the fam). We are moving to a rustic feel so thought some pallet wood would do the trick. Left them rough (unsanded until very end). No real plans just figured it would as I went.

Estimated Cost
free
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax stain (2 different. 1 dark and 1 light) sorry do not remember the shades. Then a whitewash paint.

Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Tilt-out recycling sorter --Modified Build

I attached the tilt out portion using a Kreg jig and eventually removed the brace (it wasn't necessary and removing the brace gave it a cleaner look.

I used 2 x 2 as a trim around the outside which also allowed me to hide the hinge.

Other than that -- followed the build pretty closely. I used a cable on either side to stop the tilt out from falling to the floor (which allows me to leave it open as well.

This was my first project and it was a battle to figure out how to install the hinges and I did not love my jig saw work with the plan feet so I bought and installed furniture replacement feet which turned out much nicer (IMO).

Good luck!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes Java Gel
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Library console table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/16/2016 - 11:09

My husbannd has built a handful of things using Ana's plans, but this was my first time doing everything on my own (aside from asking where to find the wood filler in our messy garage).  It was super easy to cut and put together and turned out perfectly for my girls nights stand/book shelf.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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