Community Brag Posts

Vintage Crate

I left off the casters, but added a one inch foam pad covered with outdoor material to make an ottoman. I made sure the top was removable so we could also use it as storage. I've got a little material left over to make a matching throw pillow.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$13 for the wood, $7 for the handles and $5 for the material. All other material I had on hand
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax stain and polyurethane semi-gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bed - Full

Submitted by pcarroll on Fri, 09/16/2016 - 19:14

Built using the Farmhouse Bed - Queen plan, making adjustments for the Full size matress.  The finish is a blue milkpaint over a white base and distressed with a sanding pad. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Blue milk paint over a white base. Distressed with sanding pad throughout.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Camp Loft Bed with Stair

Thank you for this plan! We had a blast building this project and watching our daughter's expression once she saw it complete made it all worth while! She has a very small bedroom and this bed allows her so much more floor space now plus it has the "fort" feeling. She loves it! Thanks, Ana!

Estimated Cost
0
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Natural
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Rustic X Kitchen Island

Submitted by palmer225 on Sat, 06/21/2014 - 07:58

This is a my take on the Rustic X Kitchen Island. I couldn't find an island that was the right size for my space, so I modified this plan to fit. It is 24x42. I built the slat shelves, drawers, and side boards to go the full width of the piece. I also made the top by ripping 2x8's, and joining them with Kreg pocket holes and wood glue. Instead of using casters, I just cut the legs a little bit longer. This thing is pretty heavy and does not move. After it was in use, I added some additional 12" deep shelves. I finished it by hand rubbing with General Finishes Gel Stain in Brown Mahogany and their Gel Topcoat.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150 ($50 of that for the General Finishes products)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes Brown Mahogany and Gel Topcoat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Craft and Fabric Cutting Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/21/2016 - 10:17

This was inspired by the easy kitchen island and the easy garage workbench plans. I saw what another person had done so I modified it to my specifications to work as a craft and fabric cutting table. It is 37" high so I can stand and cut fabric comfortably without bending over. I chose 37" because I have long legs and needed a little taller than normal countertop height.

The top is 48"x38" so my cutting mat fits both directions and a yard of fabric fits completely on top. The frame is slightly smaller 44"x34" to allow a 2" overlay on each side. The bottom shelf is 44"x31" and the middle half shelf is 44"x17". I ended up doing a half shelf because I used the leftover scraps from the 4x8 plywood. It works great because I will be able to pull up a chair and put my knees underneath.

The 2x4 legs are set out 1" from the ends. I attached the shelves and table top using L brackets. Due to bad math I ended up with a 1" overhang on the shelves along the 44" side.

The paint I used is Behr brand Spun Cotton in satin finish. It is an offwhite / cream color.

The stain I used is Minwax dark walnut and finsihed it with 4 coats of Minwax polycrylic. 

I had an awesome guy at Home Depot do allt he cuts of wood for me.

Estimated Cost
Approx $250. The birch plywood was the greatest expense of wood. The other small things added up quickly.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint: Spun Cotton in satin. Behr (home depot) brand. Stain: Minwax Dark Walnut. Clear coat: Minwax polycrylic.
I used a 2 inch brush to apply polycrylic and a rag to apply stain. Just used a small roller for the paint. Take your time to sand all wood properly. I did 80, 110, then 220 grit to all pieces on the sides that will be seen and touched. Also make sure you sand between topcoats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White

Wed, 09/21/2016 - 15:00

I can hardly belive this is DIY!  That birch plywood was worth it, it is lovely!  Thanks so much for bragging, really enjoyed seeing your project!  Ana

Queengirl35

Wed, 09/21/2016 - 20:57

Thank you for the kind words! (I am the original poster just made my account after the fact.) And thanks for this wonderful website! There are a few more projects I feel I can take on now that I have completed this one. 

2x4 modern Adirondack Chair (modified)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/02/2020 - 17:45

I was so excited to find the plans for these awesome chairs, I’ve built 7 this season already—the modification happened as an accident, but I loved the result !

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax Aged Oak and Black paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

DIY Bookshelf and Side Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/26/2024 - 13:43

Madethe framed three shelf bookshelf with plans from Ana White. It was a gift for new baby in the family. I added a matching side table I designed based off Ana's plans! I used poplar 3/4" plywood, pine trim and poplar top for both pieces. Used Sherwin Williams Emerald trim paint in light green. Love the way these turned out!

Ray Bruhn

Built from Plan(s)

Sylvie's Fancy X Computer Desk

Submitted by smacneil on Tue, 08/28/2012 - 19:19

These are the shots from my dry-fitting assembly. I have yet to instal the back supports and to secure the top 2x6s but that will be done shortly.

I did run short of 2x4, I needed 1 more probably because of my inexperience with maximizing my cuts and minimizing waste. I plan on testing out my cuts in SketchUp for future projects and see if that helps. I find it much easier when the cut plan is already worked out before I get to the saw.

I cut and dry-fit the whole thing in 1 day although it would have been faster if I worked out the regional dimensions first. Again, SketchUp to the rescue!

I plan on adding pocket holes in the inside top piece of the leg assembly as well as the tabletop supports to secure the table top assembly.

This was a great build, I built it for my husband as a 25th anniversary present and he absolutely loves it.

I used knotty pine S4S and we plan to stain it to show off all those pretty knots.

This is only my 4th build, if I can make this anyone can!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
not yet determined
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

seesaw

Submitted by gtg352j on Mon, 06/23/2014 - 19:35

This was our first foray into a built-it-yourself Anna White project, and WE DID IT!!!

(and you can see from the picture that it's structurally sound!)

It took a little longer than the 45 minutes in the plans, but was finished before the birthday party :-) Our kids ( 5 and 7) even had ownership in this project and enjoyed helping sand.

Only modification we made to the plans was to turn the seats 90 degrees to make a bit more of a seat so that our 2 year old could seesaw too.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Make it bigger

Submitted by Stootz97 on Fri, 09/23/2016 - 23:45

Thanks for the awesome plans. Read a lot of feedback from people saying it was too small. Just make it bigger! Used same plans but 6 1/2 long and 4 inches wider. Added extra support to the table top and used all 2x4s. Lovin it

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Cedar chest with black walnut

Submitted by mike - c on Sun, 07/05/2020 - 11:32

My first furniture project. My daughters birthday gift. Made my own patterns and sized as I went. With the materials I had. A few learning mistakes but it’s personal and she loves it. The sides and bottom are 3/4 stock but the top and the base is all 1 1/2 stock.

The Cadar was all ripped from 2” stock and planed to suit. The black walnut was rough, resawn and planed to suit.

Was a many Saturday winter project as my shop is at my camp, had to heat up with the wood furnace each weekend , especially for gluing and finishing.

Estimated Cost
$50 worth of hardware, had the wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Natural stain and spar varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kimara's first build

Submitted by kimara on Thu, 08/30/2012 - 12:00

I had been looking for a small table for our small entry space. When I was searching, I was hoping to buy a table but couldn't find something I liked. I found this plan but it scared me because I had NEVER built anything. After researching on this site, I decided to jump in and try it. I made it much smaller to match our space. I added the shelf higher than recommended because I wanted to be able to use it as a homework spot when the kitchen table is covered by a project. I don't like the finish, but it will stay for a while because others like it.

Estimated Cost
30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Cherry by Cabot
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

MzBarasha (not verified)

Sat, 10/06/2012 - 21:08

By chance did you have the cut measurements?

Mini Flat BookShelf

Submitted by kenmc on Thu, 06/26/2014 - 01:18

A mini flat shelf for my daughter. Initially sized to fit on the landing until I realized I had just built her a ladder to climb the banisters, so relocated it to the hall.

Width increased to 630mm between uprights to allow 3x A4 books side by side. Height is 830mm to fit initial planned location.

Painted with Annie Sloan Duck-Egg Blue distressed at the edges and waxed with Annie Sloan soft wax.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
€20-€25
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint and wax
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

outdoor couch

So I love Restoration Hardware but think their prices are exploitative. I found a picture of a couch I really like from there. Turns out it was discontinued so I looked on Ebay and found cushions for it and I just tried to copy the picture as best I could. I considered trying to learn about bending wood for the arms but that would have significantly delayed the process so I just took a 2x6 and cut the curves with a band saw. It worked.

Estimated Cost
$60 not including cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sarah Jane

Thu, 05/16/2013 - 11:30

I love your variation!! It looks like a cross between the outdoor sofa and the Bristol? Could you tell us what size wood you used for the different components? I know 2x6 cut to shape for the front leg......but what about the seating area slats (1x3?) and the back rest slats (1x3?) and the back leg/backrest upright (2x4?) and the top of the back rest(2x4? with radius end) and the box for the seating area (2x4?) You did a truly amazing job!!!!!!! I would love to see more pictures if you have any showing your progress through the build! [email protected]

Michael J

Tue, 05/13/2014 - 12:51

I like the way you curved the front legs.
I am wondering how you curved the back legs/backrest?

Patio Makeover

Submitted by Chris 1975 on Sun, 06/29/2014 - 08:47

This is my 10ft long picnic table (which is bar height) that we built for the patio. We needed better seating for parties and BBQ's. I will post the plans later! Also featured is the couch that we designed and built with the center table.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Garage Shelving by using 4 by 2s

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/02/2016 - 19:02

Simply inspired by Ana's Garage Shelving project using 2 By 4s. Thank you Ana. Below are my project details.

1. Shelving Height =  8 Ft, Width = 12 Ft, Depth = 13 inches (Each shelve having 3 pieces of 2 by 4s). All 8 Ft and 12 Ft lumber available in this standard size.  Only cutting required (done at Home Depot) was for the 13 inch pieces to build the shelving legs (which in Ana's original plan is 17 inches, and has 4 pieces of 2 by 4s).  Able to carry all lumber (multiple trips) in minivan after folding seats.

 

2. Garage Floor was a bit uneven - so I used Shims (plastic) as suggested by HomeDepot associate.

 

3. To secure the shelves from the top of the wall, I used corner L brackets, 3 inch by 3 inch.  I used 1-1/2 inch screws to mount the bracket on the 2 by 4s, and then to mount the other side of the bracket to wall studs, I used the 2-1/2 inch screws (which I used throughout the project as Ana suggested). I mounted two brackets sideways, and one on the top (because the stud was around the corner).   Used a thin nail to find the stud as studfinder results were not reliable

 

4. After making shelving legs, we made them stand next to the wall, and then mounted the shelves (3 pcs each on each shelve) and then put screws.  My wife, her uncle, aunt, and cousin helped to mount finally, and it was great fun.

Estimated Cost
Approx $150
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Outdoor chairs

Submitted by carlablock on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 10:14

My first project. Good learning experience and they turned out great!

Comments

Princess Castle Bed

Submitted by ajjasser on Mon, 09/03/2012 - 22:00

Thanks to Ana White and fsmumford, I was inspired to create a castle bed for my princess. It was a lot of hard work but it paid off seeing her going up the stairs and down the slide a million times the 1st day!

Estimated Cost
Around $500 painted
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

NicoleStruck

Mon, 01/11/2016 - 07:13

Have you found the plans yet for this bed? I would love to make this for my daughter's new room, but I can't seem to find them either :[

Joey Oc

Thu, 11/26/2015 - 15:49

Thanks  so  much  for  being  so  generous  with your plans. I just  had  my  first  granddaughter  and you've  given  me so many options  for  what  I can do for  her. The castle bed will be great  in a few years. Thank you.

Joshnewton

Fri, 06/17/2016 - 17:52

Is there any plans i can get you to send me? I am building my daughter a princess bed and would love to see your plans.

 

THanks for your help.

 

JOsh #struggling dad

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