Community Brag Posts
Porch Planter Steps
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!
Built from Plan(s)
Rustic X Hall Bench
My wife got some gift cards for Christmas. Instead of going and buying stuff for herself, she handed them to me and said that she wanted a Hall Bench/Mudroom bench and she wanted me to build it. We've got several of the Rustic X furniture pieces in our home already and she wanted it to match, so this was the natural fit. This was a great project and addition to some of our home decor. I had to shrink it down to fit our space, but that was easy.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
<$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams primer and paint
new photo ledges - only a few months late!
I know there are a hundred brag posts of the $10 ledges, and I have used them before (and posted them) but I am so happy with how these turned out!
Its too bad I don't have a good before picture, because the things I love most about these are the colors and the interchangability and it would be easier to explain with the before picture!
I have had pictures in cute matching frames on the one wall for years, but the frames were too light for the wall color, and the floor and furniture, so I needed to darken them up. Additionally, we got a black tv stand even though the floor and couches are dark brown. (TV is black, so it works) So I made the shelves black to pull that in. Then on the shelves closer to the tv, I used black and silver frames, and on the ones above the brown couch I painted all my light wood frames darker.
As for the interchangability, its a lot easier to pull the frames down and change the picture when you don't have to worry about how they look together - I can just move them around on the shelf. I've always had a hard time getting a "gallery" look just right - something will always hang lower than I want or whatever. So I finally got it perfect with one 10x13 of the kids together in the middle of 4 8x10s (one of each) and a few little ones to mix in. Then we had to go and have #5 and mess my whole system up! :)
So he's 16 months now and his picture is finally on the wall, and was taken last May - so sad..
But my other set of shelves has pictures of everybody - even me, yikes! I decided they look better full so I used all the frames I had, and got some cheap ones and thrift store frames and put them all together. "controlled chaos" just like the rest of the house/life!
Thanks Ana for giving me the confidence to know that I can make it myself, I never would have gone out and spent the money to buy matching frames, but knowing I could just do it myself I was able to get it done for cheap!
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 including some new frames and paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
black spray paint, brown spray paint on the frames, some silver too
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Easy DIY Porch Swing
Countertop Produce Storage Bin
My 16-year-old son is home every other day for school with an on-line course he is taking. We started working on projects we both wanted to learn from cooking to woodworking projects. This is the very first project we made. We are both very proud and pleased with the simple directions, minimal tools required, and beautiful results. We used an early American stain and lacquer finish. We have received many compliments on it. Thank you for giving us something to build our relationship and home with.
Elizabeth
Built from Plan(s)
Comments
Mon, 09/25/2023 - 09:23
Great times!
Thank you for sharing, I love hearing about the time spent together and the project looks amazing!
Scrap nesting box
We built our nesting box from scrap wood we had from an old barn we tore down and other scraps from previous projects. The dimensions were modified based on the width of the wood we had on hand. It's not very pretty, but it was free to make and will be inside a chicken coop. Our chicks are scared of it right now, but they are only 8 weeks old and not laying yet. I'm sure they will like it when they get used to it.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Christmas Stocking Stand
Love this project!
Rlynhack
Built from Plan(s)
Comments
Seasonal And Holiday
Concealed Wall Desk for Computer
I built this fold-up desk, out of sheer necessity. It's rather unassuming when closed, yet fully functional when open, with built-in power outlets and light, a large screen, a nook for the laptop and the chargers, etc. It's tailored to my needs and specific size limitations, but I think you could make a great general plan of it for anyone needing a small-space hideaway desk.
Herb Planter
Modified the dimensions to make a good sized planter for patio herb garden :)
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$50 for lumber and supplies
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax polyshades in classic black satin applied, then distressed with sander
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Laundry Mudroom
Laundry Mudroom Storage
Barn Door Bookcase/ Side Pantry
This took a lot of time and money but I like the way it looks. We have 4 kitchen cabinets and one drawer and no room for more so storage is tight.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Same as Ana’s
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced
Comments
Garden cutie
My honey built this farmhouse potting bench in a few hours. I needed it to store all the junk that was laying on the ground. It's so cute!
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table
Finally got a chance to try my hand at whitewashing and I just love the outcome!
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I first used a steel wool and vinegar mixture and then whitewashed over it. You can find a tutorial on my blog here http://sawgrasshome.com/?p=1717#
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Comments
Sat, 11/17/2012 - 13:12
What were the final
What were the final dimensions of your table? I've been wanting to modify the plans so it will fit in our space as well. Thanks so much!
Wed, 07/24/2013 - 06:49
Shabby Chic frame house table
Hello I ahve seen your post here. I liked it, but one thing which i want to make sure that, these same things i found much expensive here on the http://www.biglovestyle.com/
I am not confirm what makes you to keep low:(
By the way, I am a little bit late to read your post. :(
Last Sunday me and my wife has changed all the old furniture and replaced it with the new.
I hope next time i will go to your shop first:)
Square Farmhouse Table
From the Modern Square Farmhouse table.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around $5
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Comments
Farmhouse Table for Military Family
My niece's husband is career military and they move a lot. She saw the farmhouse table on Ana's site and asked if I would build her one that could be disassembled for moving and have extensions for large group gatherings. Challenge accepted!
In order to take the table apart, I used 2 - 6 inch long lag screws at the top of each leg that screwed into the 2x4 supports for the table top. Due to the weight of the table, it is advised to turn the table upside-down when removing the screws or assembling the table. Next, I used 3 inch lag screws to secure the beam under the table. Again, the lag screws are easily removed for moving.
For the leaf inserts, I utilized a dowel jig so the leaf extensions could be easily inserted and removed on the sliders that support the breadboard ends. (It is necessary to drill the holes out a little larger that accept the leaf dowels. If this is not done the leafs will fit too tight and it is difficult, if not darn impossible, to remove them.) This was advantageous for two reasons ... (1.) The leafs are easily installed and removed; and (2.) No need for leaf extensions that have their own 2 x 4 sliders. This reduces storage space for the extensions and eliminates the slider insert hole cutouts on each end of the table because the slider is never removed.
The table, when disassembled, is in (8) sections:
(2) table leg sections
(1) table top
(1) Main beam from under the table
(2) Leaf extensions
(2) Breadboard ends attached to 2x4 sliders
My niece is simply thrilled with the table.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$295.50
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Min-Wax Dark Walnut Stain and Satin Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Comments
Tue, 04/15/2014 - 10:39
Beautiful and functional
This table was built for me! I like it for several reasons, but the main reason is that because we are a military family. Therefore, we move every two to three years and our furniture always seems to break. I have always wanted a solid farm house table, but not only are they expensive, they are hard to manuver and move. My uncle customized this table so that it would serve three important purposes for our family. One, it extends with two easily storable extensions, two, it comes apart, giving us the opportunity to move with it; and three, it is incredibly sturdy, therefore, making our next move a guaranteed success. So excited to have everything I want in one table for 1/4 of the price.
Fri, 04/25/2014 - 07:59
What a great gift
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful gift. I am retired military myself, so I know how hard it is to move so often. I appreciate your sharing with us how to make it so it can be disassembled. I am going to try to build this with your instructions.
Outdoor Living Space - Inspired by Ana's Plans
My wife and I were looking for a way to make our deck more enjoyable. I came across Ana's plans a year or so ago, and after building the couch and chairs, I decided to make a loveseat, add a rug and outdoor curtains. Hopefully one day I'll add some lights and an outdoor fan to complete the look.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Comments
Truss Table
Our 4x4 Truss Beam Table made by my husband for our new house. Stain is Minwax slate gel stain.
Built from Plan(s)
Comments
Small Chicken Coop with Planter
I moved into a new house and needed a new chicken coop. I am retired and not a woodworker but these plans were easy to build. Thanks Ana.
Doug Lamm
Built from Plan(s)
Dog Food Storage Box
I've been searching for a pet food bin for a while now, and started looking for something cuter than an ugly plastic bin. I found a few things on Etsy but none were big enough and also cost a lot of $$$. I took the Modern Cedar Outdoor Storage Bench plans, and modified the size to fit large bags of dog and cat food from Costco, or pet food bins. I'm 55 years old and have fixed things around the house, but this was my first time building something.
I am so happy with how this turned out! I found the dog bone handle online and my daughter painted the paw prints. Way cuter than what I found online and I built it using reclaimed wood I had laying around - my only cost was the handle. Thanks Ana!
Heather Durand https://www.facebook.com/pinkprincesshc
Built from Plan(s)