Community Brag Posts
Built-in bench with drawers, side cabinets and floating shelves
I have wanted a built-in window seat on this wall for a very long time. My hubby and I finally tackled this project. Definitely not perfect and lotsa challenges and mistakes made but we are happy with outcome.
Comments
Sat, 11/26/2022 - 14:47
Amazing built ins!
This looks fantastic, great solution for the space! Thank you so much for sharing.
Tiled Rustic Bench
I used the Rustic Bench plans, but adjusted the length to make it smaller, since my plywood top was a bit wider and shorter than the top on the plan. It was the last remnant from our incredibly versatile plywood sheet. I also had to cut out the two cross supports, because 1) they’re too difficult for me to figure out (they’re not right in either of my benches) and 2) I didn’t feel like buying a board just for those. I had just the right amount of spare lumber lying around, and I was going to maximize it!
At first, I wanted to just build a bench for my sister for Christmas, and paint it like our island. But after visiting my parents over Thanksgiving and taking home some reclaimed tile from their old outdoor bar, I knew this bench had a better destiny than mere paint. When I laid down the tile scraps and they fit perfectly, I knew serendipity had spoken.
This was the first time I’d ever worked with tile. I did a little research (aka grilling my husband’s best friend, who is a tile guru), and discovered I didn’t really need any fancy materials to lay the tile down on. As it’s just a bench, and in no need for mold-prevention or cement board like bathroom walls, all I needed to do was rough up the plywood top with my grinder and a steel-wool like disk. With the bench already sanded and painted, I started the tiling process. I bought a bucket of tile adhesive and grout all-in-one, and went to town. I didn’t have a trowel, so I made do with my putty spatula. I just had to make the grooves in the adhesive one-by-one as opposed to one quick stroke. I spread the adhesive, laid the tiles, carefully washed off any overspread on the sides, and let it sit for 24 hours. Then I spread in the grout (it’s all the same stuff, just different application), washed the overspread off again, and let it sit for another 24 hours. Then I had a gorgeous top!
Comments
Long desk
I was looking for a long desk for two people and wasn't able to find anything that wasn't custom. I decided to try and here it is! I now have a massive and sturdy desk I can be proud of.
Multiple coats and used steel wool between each.
Comments
Mon, 01/23/2017 - 13:47
What plans were these from?
I love your desk and would love to build it for my home office. Are there existing plans you worked from? Or was an original design of yours? In either case, can you forward the plans to me? [email protected].
Thanks!
Chaz
Farmhouse Truss Beam Dining Table
I changed some of the original dimensions so that it better fit my dining area. My table top is 41" wide x 87" length. To accomplish this width I used 2" x12"s for the outer boards and 2"x10"s for the two inner boards. My inside supports were all cut to 72" (6 ft) so that we could comfortably seat 3 chairs on each side. I used 2"x4"s instead of 2"x10"s as the breadboard ends (just personal preference). I used 6" lag style screws to assemble most sections and I left the heads (black in color) of the bolts exposed for a more rugged apppearance. The top was secured through the bottom of the 4x4 using counter-sunk 4" screws and 2" pocket screws for the 2"x4" cross boards. I distressed the entire table and sanded smooth.
My Rustic X Coffee Table
Rustic X coffee table I built from the plans on this website. This is the first piece of furniture I’ve built.
Farmhouse Bed (hybrid)
This is my first time building anything! I had so much fun and it was actually easier than I anticipated. I used the Farmhouse Bed (queen) plan as the basis for my design, but made a couple of tweaks. I wanted the planks in the headboard and footboard to be horizontally oriented instead of vertical. In addition, I bought some hardware for the side rails to hook into my bed posts so that I could easily assemble and disassemble the bed. I went to a lumber mill to select my wood and the worker convinced me to use red oak to build the project, due to the cost and the durability. I stained it with a white wash which I added a sage green tint to so that I could mute the red in the oak a bit. I wasn't able to buy the exact dimensions of lumber noted in the plans so I had to improvise. For example, they didn't have 4x4s so I glued 3 boards together to make my posts. By the time I sanded, the pieces blended beautifully and you can't even tell that it is 3 separate pieces of lumber. I built this bed for our guest room and I can't wait to have guests over!
Comments
Thu, 12/08/2022 - 11:28
A first project!
This bed is stunning, you knocked it out of the park for your first project! Can't wait to see what you build next.
Folding Sling Chair
Note to self: don't sit in chair out back when you have a dog that likes to lick. This chair puts you right at licking height....
Table and chairs for my grand daughter
This was a fun project to build! The plans were very easy to follow and the table and chairs turned out just like they were supposed to. I ended up buying a Kreg jig to put the furniture together. The jig cost $40.00 at Home Depot and it was well worth it because I'll be able to use it on other projects. The plans showed the furniture being prepped and painted but my daughter wanted the pieces to look close to their dining room table so I took the time to stain and varnish them. I built the table and chairs out of pine and I used average dimensional lumber so the whole project only cost around $35.00. If you're looking for good children's furniture these would be good to build.
Minwax Helmsman spar urethane Clear Semi Gloss - 2 coats
DIY twin bed
Fun and easy. Bed is extremely sturdy. I used pocket screws for all four corner connections.
Smaller Waterfall Console
Simple, cheap, easy and FREE console table
My husband and I wanted to try something relatively simple before attempting to make a dining room table.
We used some old fence boards that were very weathered, so we expected that the end result wouldn’t be perfect.
It is definitely rustic, but I think it is charming!
We modified the stretcher and the table top, but otherwise followed the plans.
It was easier than I expected... I think I am hooked!
Comments
Dark Stain Channing Desk
My first big project! Decided to make two cabinets and drawers to make the desk more symmetrical and a better fit to the room. Also decided to go without the knobs and bottom trim under the drawers so that I could just pull them out from the lip underneath. Just a personal preference for me.
I definitely had lots of fun building this desk!
2 x Minwax Dark Walnut Stain
2 x Minwax Polycrylic Finish
Barn Door Console
$
Comments
Sat, 02/13/2016 - 05:04
Barn door console
Your console looks wider than some of the others and exactly what I am looking for. Can you provide the dimensions of your console; including the dimensions of the doors? Where did you find your hardware. Thx.
Adirondack chairs with funny back legs
The project was easy and fun. The plans are perfect, provided you follow instructions. I assembled the back legs backwards and that complicated the instalation of the back rest. I liked the result in the end.
Desk
I'm so thankful for ana white. Without your ease of plans that you make easy for us, has inspired me with confidence to take on many projects. Thank you for the wisdom you share.
Comments
Factory Cart Coffee Table
I was feeling like I needed a new project, so I called my sister. She was more than willing to give me ideas to build for her new condo and gave me a WHOLE wish list of furniture projects to choose from. After looking at her list, we decided on the factory cart coffee table. If you look elsewhere, this kind of table ranges from $600 - $1500 dollars! And our version costs right around $100!
Ana's version set the basis for the build and the only modification was adding three 1x2's under the slats on the top (rather than directly attached the slats) so that the compartment underneath can serve as a secret storage area (plywood lined and screwed into the lower supports). We absolutely love the table and it looks AWESOME in her living room!
Wheels are 6 inches tall from a local supply store and were spray painted oil rubbed bronze.
Comments
Tue, 09/20/2011 - 11:22
I just wanted to say that
I just wanted to say that your finish is gorgeous! Your table is beautiful too, but my goodness does that finish bring it over the top! Good job :)
Thu, 10/11/2012 - 12:48
Love the stain!
How many of each color did you use? I'm looking for this driftwood look for my kitchen shelves.
Revised barn bookshelf
I changed the overall width (now 42" & height 34") to fit my space. All roof/shelf angles are cut at 22.5 degrees still. I used a circular saw beveled and upon assembly, I needed to caulk the seams. I also caulked the joint of divider and shelf and filled in the pocket holes to make it "prettier" before painting. I made a barn door to go in the middle cubby on the bottom to make the bookshelf interactive, but the dividers weren't quite square and the door made it more obvious. Definitely a fun build!
Cut changes:
bottom - 40.5 inches
middle shelf - 42 in at longest point
loft shelf - 32.5 inches
top roof pieces - 17.75 inches (I originally cut these at 18.25" & then removed another .5" from each piece)
My Santa & Sleigh
All hand cut accept for runner are attached with biscuits
Gold trim
Stars are starch made candy. (very stable)
Antique Santa from thrift store
End table
This was easier than I thought. My kids helped me with it. I decided to leave the bottom shelf off as it can be added at a later time if desired.
I'm going to take the same concept and make two loft beds for my kids.