Community Brag Posts

Gaby Buffet Table

Submitted by zjlawlor on Sat, 09/20/2014 - 10:39

I built this buffet table for our dining room using the Gaby Kitchen Island plans. I used some reclaimed boards I salvaged from a trash pile at work for the top and side aprons. I also used old pallet wood for the bottom shelf boards. This gave it the cool, rustic look I was going for and really helped set it apart. Really fun project. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less than 50$ (wood, screws, stain, etc) - I was able to use salvaged wood for much of it and had the tools.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Started with light coat of primer, immediately wiping away excess. Dark stain is kona (2 coats) and the top and sides are stained weathered gray (1 coat). We wanted more of the white to show through the grey, and the nature of the reclaimed boards helped with this.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tryde Console Table

Submitted by fanofana on Wed, 12/12/2012 - 18:08

I needed to do something with the empty space at the bottom of our stairs. I was browsing Ana's site and the Tryde Console Table caught my eye. The next trip down to the farm, I scavenged for the wood I would need to build it. I found some beautiful old brigde timbers that were 9 inches wide so we modified the plans a bit to use 2 of the 9" boards instead of the 4 smaller ones the plans call for. The dimensions were close but we needed to tweak the rest of the project a bit as well to make it all work. For the finish, I just rubbed it with Tung Oil as to not cover up the beauty of the old wood.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20! I used reclaimed wood so I only had to pay for the finish.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Tung Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Entertainment jelly jar cabinet

Submitted by rmckenna12 on Tue, 09/23/2014 - 12:39

This was a weekend project , lots of fun !

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
red spray paint and black stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

4x4 truss beam table - working breadboard ends and matching bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/09/2017 - 16:17

mortise and tenon joints with dado for breadboards

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Custom stain mix
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Barn Door Console - 3 Door

Submitted by REDCANVAS on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 17:00

Love this barn door console cabinet made from rough lumber and some old pallet wood. Sanded and painted for about $160 Canadian dollars. Modified plans to fit a specific spot. Thanks for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$160
Finish Used
Beautitone Worn Cedar
Minwax Dark Walnut
Polycrylic

Comments

Chestwick Queen Platform Bed

Chestwick queen platform bed! My first building project ever! Altered slightly from original plans in that I left the feet off so it sits on the ground. Added a canopy that hangs from the ceiling. The chandelier is an antique from Great Barrington, MA that I found at an antique shop while hiking the Appalachian Trail. Took the wiring out and sprayed it black. Now it's rigged to use with candles for a super-romantic look. :)

http://ana-white.com/2012/06/chestwick-queen-bed

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Kona
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

RH Balustrade Coffee Table

Submitted by jhavinga on Sat, 09/27/2014 - 15:31

Loved this coffee table ever since I saw it at Restoration Hardware. Thank you Ana & Jen.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Legs are $30 each. Shipping is $60 (To Sumas, Washington).
Wood was from an old Church.. But my guess would be $100 for HD Wood.
Total of $300 including screws, glue, stain, etc.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
A variety. Because it was all reclaimed, some wood I didnt even stain. just sanded and it came out the exact color I wanted. To blend it all together however, I used Minwax Weathered Oak & Special Walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mrsfinefettle

Tue, 10/07/2014 - 20:59

I love how your table turned out! Fabulous job! Did you use the knotty pine legs? I also love your couch! Do you mind sharing where you purchased it?

Thanks!

In reply to by Mrsfinefettle

jhavinga

Tue, 10/14/2014 - 10:08

Sorry for the delayed reply.

For the legs I did use the Knotty Pine. Cheapest and still look great.

As for our couch set, we had them custom made from a local Furniture store called Canadian Furniture Manufacturing. If your ever in the lower mainland of BC, Canada, be sure to stop by there!

Cheers,

Justin

Singhs

Sat, 01/10/2015 - 15:08

Since this was reclaimed/barn wood how did you prep the wood for the table ? Plane or Sand etc, and when prepped what finish did you use ?

In reply to by Singhs

jhavinga

Sat, 01/24/2015 - 13:10

A BUTT load of sanding.. no planeing necessary. I used a mix of weathered oak and special walnut stains to balance out all the mixmatched wood as 1 colour. For example the cedar planks for the bottom shelf i didnt stain at all, while the legs are pine and had to make them gray/brown to match the cedar planks.

Cheers,
Justin

Rustic End Tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/24/2020 - 19:25

This was my first project in this style and thanks to this website they turned out great!

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Jacobean Varathane woodstain

Comments

Workbench for Beginners

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/21/2024 - 12:23

Easy DIY Garage Workbench—My first ever project! I learned how to use a sliding miter saw and circular saw, how to choose wood, how to make a circular saw guide, and how to sand properly! Thank you so much for these plans! I learned from Ana’s website, the beginner woodworking subreddit and, as my mom likes to call it, the University of YouTube :)

If I can do it, you can too!

Half rustic x console

Submitted by abbpim on Fri, 12/21/2012 - 18:06

This was a fan and easy project to build. I wanted the sides a little bit more decorative so I added a tree branch effect instead of the x's. I used a paint samples from lowes and did the under coat of paint in a rusty orange color. I put Vaseline on the parts I wanted to look weathered when the paint was dry. Then I found a diy chalk paint recipe online and did the outer coat again with a lowes paint sample in a reddish color that I mixed to make the chalk paint. When it was dry I sanded the parts tht had Vaseline to let the orange come out. Then I took minwax finishing paste wax and polished the whole thing. I reduced the size of the console to half and added 3 inches to fit perfectly under my tv.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Please see above
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2017 - 18:09

Thanks for the plans

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cedar planters

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/27/2020 - 18:48

I final got around to building the beautiful cedar planters! I couldn’t be happier with them. Thanks, Ana!

Comments

American Girl Bunk Bed

Submitted by Klem413 on Tue, 12/25/2012 - 09:43

We made this for our daughter for Christmas. We used purple spray paint and I made the mattresses and pillows from Ana's plans, too. Our son sanded it and we presented it to a very happy little girl!

Estimated Cost
20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer & Spray Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mudroom Bench & Cubbies

Submitted by MegsBK on Sun, 10/05/2014 - 08:48

I used the Smiling Mudroom as a starting point, but had to make some modifications for size and to accomodate the fact that I couldn't secure much to the wall behind the bench because there is a pocket door in that wall.

The main difference in my plans is that the sides of the cubby/bench are continuous instead of broken into Cubby, Divider, and Bench. I think it would have been easier to keep things square (which I didn't, really) and certainly could have moved it all by myself without any husband help (but he needed to feel useful, right?) if I had built it as separate pieces. But, it was worth a shot.

Up close it's a bit rough looking here and there because I got the plywood that is only sanded on one side (Home Depot guy was less than helpful when I asked to find the furniture plywood). So I had to do a lot of extra sanding and filling myself and at some point I just threw up my hands and said "RUSTIC! It's done."

Minor errors aside, I am really happy with this. It was my first big project, and first one with the Kreg jig, and I had fun.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Kilz primer
Benjamin Moore Advance semi-gloss "Oxford White"
Hooks: black single hooks along back are from Home Depot; white locker hooks are from local hardware store that is part of the Do it Best chain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Veronica P

Wed, 10/08/2014 - 20:40

If there are any "minor errors" on your build, they're not visible in the picture! It looks gorgeous to me! :)

Indian Rosewood Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/18/2017 - 06:48

please sample my other work at the adress provided below.

Estimated Cost
£40
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Water Based Varnish.
Would not recommend oil for tables that will see spills heat or mark.
Oil based varnish is too messy too.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pallet wood potting bench.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/04/2020 - 19:34

Thank you Ana for the great plans! We adapted the project for wood we had on hand. It is only 40 inches wide instead of 42”. Our widest pallet board was only 40”.
Thank you for continuing to inspire us! We made two couches a couple of months ago. Great plans!

Estimated Cost
Box of screws!
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Potting bench.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Little Helper Tower

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/10/2024 - 19:50

Went with the hinge option. For as little as I will probably fold it up, I would next time skip the hinges and spend the time plugging the pocket holes :-)

Built from Plan(s)
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