Community Brag Posts

My First Fully Finished Project ! YAY Thanks Ana

Submitted by fariha ali on Wed, 01/13/2016 - 21:03

I am very excited to post this project .

 

I used the Schoolhouse Chair with Writing Pad Desk Plan exactly and did not stain the wood. Just gave it a coat of PU and there it is .

Its not a perfect project (since I used a Jigsaw ... Yes I did as no other tools were available :() but carefully cut them straight using guide.

 

As a  first-timer I am happy with the result... sort of... But Thanks for inspiring Ana & Jaime !!!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
One PU coat and sanding ..
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Chicken Coop

I Modified the plans to make the coop 4Ft wide to accommodate 4 nesting boxes. I Used roll away egg nesting trays in my coop. I keep the base pretty much the same dimension but made the planter smaller. I also replaced the 2"x 4" that framed out the house with 2" X 3".  My chicken ladder is made from three 1" x 2".   Because my chickens are so young I have the nest box blocked off until they are bigger. I will then use a hole saw to cut holes to each individual nesting box. I also added a Chicken Swing!

 

Estimated Cost
300-500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Industrial Bookshelves

Submitted by Jodiah on Thu, 10/31/2013 - 14:20

It took a long time to compile all if the parts for these shelves. I searched the Internet for affordable cast iron castors. I ordered all of the black plumbing fixtures from a local hardware store. I bought 2, 16 foot 2x12's and cut them up, sanded them and stained them.

Estimated Cost
$250./ shelf
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Min wax Early American stain, min wax Polycrylic protective finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Customized Entry Console

I changed the size and style of the Pottery Barn plan to fit our space and match the Fancy Hall Tree that we recently completed. We think it came out great so wanted to share.

Estimated Cost
$240
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Min wax aged oak gel stain and tung oil
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Farmhouse Table and Bench

Submitted by shaunbeck7 on Wed, 06/05/2019 - 08:28

This project took me about 3 weeks of my spare time. Maybe an hour or two a day. I was lucky that I bought the table legs and bench legs together to match. I’m really pleased with the results. Thank you Ana White!

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain the table and painted over top the stain with chalked white paint and sanded down to show some of the stain through the paint for the rustic look. Stain and polyurethan table top. Used wipe on polyurethane which I liked better then the brush on. Took about 4-5 coats though.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First plan,,first table. I made two of these.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/24/2023 - 12:44

I was retired from my job and needed a new chore.
The plan seemed easy, and not being a real good carpenter, I required easy, and the plan was exactly that.
Thanks Ana.

Comments

Tryde Counter-height Kitchen Table

Submitted by ferbit on Wed, 12/07/2011 - 12:14

We badly needed a new kitchen table since ours has been completely destroyed over the years. Not a bad table, but too "smooth and perfect" for our lifestyle. I wanted something darker a lot more rustic that would not HIGHLIGHT nicks and scratches so badly.

I fell in love with a table at World Market, but it was the wrong size. It's called the Napa Gathering Collection.  It comes in either a counter-height 3' x 3' table or a standard height 3' x 5' table.  Shorter table is too long for the kitchen and the counter-height one was too small.  *sigh*  Here's a photo of the set.  LOVE this!!!!  So upset it's so small.  World Market photo below makes it appear a lot more red than it is.

World Market Napa Gathering Collection

 

Anyway, it's made out of Acacia wood, so it was massively heavy and strong. I loved it so much that I bought the four gathering chairs and spent over a month trying to get Acacia wood without spending a fortune. No luck. So I decided the most similar table here on Ana's site was the Tryde coffee table.

I researched different hardwoods, but was so nervous to spend that much  money that I decided my first kitchen table would be a rough draft with super cheap wood.  LOL  If I love it then I didn't spend a lot.  If I don't love it, I will learn from it and can build it again someday with more expensive hardwood like maple. 

I used the 2x8 hemlock for the tabletop, hemlock 4x4 legs and finished hemlock 1x4's everywhere else.  I used cheap 2x2 studs for the support structure underneath.  This table was almost exclusively built using Kreg joins, with only a few exceptions where necessary.  No visible screw holes to fill ANYWHERE!  Yay!  LOVE my Kreg Jig!

Lots of sanding, Benite wood conditioner, red-ish dye, dark chestnut stain and three coats of poly later... and I moved it into my kitchen this morning!  So excited!!!  I love how it turned out! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benite wood conditioner, Daly's red-ish toned dye, Daly's chestnut-ish brown, Crystal-fin poly finish in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

hiddenhalo360

Wed, 12/07/2011 - 18:24

I am in the exact same boat as you. We badly need a new kitchen table, but I have not been able to find what I want in my price range. Therefore I am prepping to build a new kitchen table this weekend!

snickersmom

Sun, 12/11/2011 - 18:25

What are your demensions on the table? I'm looking for something on the smaller side. Thanks

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 01/10/2012 - 06:48

Wow, I love the table! I very impressed. You captured that robust rustic look that I have always liked. Its one of those tables that makes you wonder what stories have played out on and around it. You did awesome and thanks so much for sharing it. I am certain that I am not the only one truly inspired by your creative and can do spirit. You go girl! Can't wait to copy this and whatever you do next. Please don't stop and please keep sharing. You are just awesome. Wonder what might happen if someone gave you a welder too? Take care and thanks again!

Guest 713 (not verified)

Wed, 06/13/2012 - 16:32

I love it! Could you add your dimensions for the table also?

TiffanyNic (not verified)

Wed, 10/31/2012 - 10:52

Tryde Counter-height Kitchen Table is exactly what I need - want - gotta have it - can anyone help me out with the how to plans? diminsions?! Something?!

Sb1212

Thu, 10/27/2016 - 12:11

I love this!! Did you build your chairs also? If so did you use plans. I would love to build those exact chairs. 

King Size Headboard

I am so happy about how this headboard turned out. It is exactly what I have always wanted. I am so excited that it is sooooo much cheaper than buying the one from Pottery Barn. I would never have been able to afford that one. This one only cost me about $50 for the wood, and then I was able to make an end table and a picture frame from the leftover scraps!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax prestain, minwax red mahogany stain (2 coats), minwax polyeurethane (2 coats).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wood pallet wine rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/19/2016 - 20:15

My wife showed me this wine rack on a you tube video so I checked it out. She really wanted one so I made her two of them. I also made a longer one for liquor bottles as well, ill post it as soon as I hang it on the wall.

Estimated Cost
$10 for the stain
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
The stain was English chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Original Farmhouse King Bed

Submitted by Nor on Fri, 06/14/2019 - 10:05

I made this bed to house the new standard king mattress that my husband bought. The hardest part is probably picking the straightest lumber possible. Straight lumber would eliminate having to wrestle with the boards to line up/square and minimize power tools used. I had to ask my husband help with the screwing bowed boards together, but other than that I did everything by myself. 

Estimated Cost
220$
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
gateway grey behr marquee. foam roller and angle brush
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

adapted adirondack chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/30/2023 - 09:02

had some fun with the back and seat slat design and did an angle rather than a 90 degree where the arms meet the front support. also used a 2x6 for a larger arm rest. i think it turned out well. thanks Ana

Comments

Clothesline frame

Submitted by Brad Wills on Tue, 11/05/2013 - 19:53

I had a empty space that needed something and this was an expensive fun way to fill it.

Estimated Cost
15.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane weathered gray and ash stains. Behr oyster satin paint with 3 coats of varathane poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Full Open Kitchen cart

Submitted by 914934 on Thu, 01/21/2016 - 10:27

Mom wanted an island for her new large kitchen but something that could be moved out of the way. With all her cabinets and drawers, we omitted the shelves and drawer from the original plan. We also wanted it full across the inside, not just half way. This allows her to put her stool on the shelf out of the way if needed. However, after getting all her furniture into her new home, she decided that she had enough in her new kitchen so she scoots it under the breakfast bar for now. 
This was made on a tight budget. We only had to purchase the 2x4s and casters.
We also used tongue and grove blue pine left over from our house for the bottom shelf and staggered scrap pine 1x4 & 1x6 boards for the top and then routered it to give it smooth rounded edges on top. 

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished. Mom hasn't decided if she wants to paint it or not.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor sectional, my 2nd diy project

Submitted by SuperKiki on Fri, 06/28/2019 - 09:41
  • I pretty much followed the instructions for each plan. I customized the length to fit my space.
  • There was some bowing on the back rest so I added some vertical supports.
  • Because the sectional is quite long I added some legs in the middle.
  • I stained the sectional twice and had to sand off the stain twice before I decided to paint it. I highly recommend that you test your stain on a cut off piece and pick what you're doing before putting it on your furniture. If I had done this it would have saved me a lot of hours and sanding.
  • I had planned to buy Target cushions for my sectional but I forgot to build the sofa with the cushions I wanted to purchase in mind. I ended up having to make my own in order to get a good fit.
  • I have a tiny patio area and this design really worked amazing to give me a lot of seating and still make it feel spacious.
  • You can definitely build and paint this sectional in a day.
Estimated Cost
$300 for outdoor cushion foam and outdoor fabric.
$150-$200 for wood and supplies
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
The paint is outdoor matte paint from Home Depot and it worked marvelously, very streak free.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Entertainment Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/08/2023 - 08:27

We needed a new entertainment console for the living room but didn’t want to spend $$$for something everyone else has. I found plans on your site and tweaked them to fit our needs.
This is 70”x31”x24” live edge Maple top and doors have a black epoxy filling the voids. The shelving, sides and trim are ambrosia maple. The fireplace insert has a heat/no heat option. I trimmed it the back with 1/4” maple plywood with ventilation for the fireplace. The top and doors maple is from a tree we cut, slabbed and dried. I finished it with Odies Woods Wax.
All-in-all, $550 in materials. The best part, my husband loves it!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

King Farmhouse Bed Frame

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/24/2016 - 13:26

I spent 3 weekends building this for a friend. It was alot of work but it came out great!! He got the plans from Shanty-2-chic. We modified the plans alot to make it a truly unique piece. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
varathane ash
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by melbuckner on Mon, 07/08/2019 - 15:30

Table top is tight knot cedar, sealed with ship n shore, 7 coats spar urethane.

Base is fir, sealed and painted in latex outdoor paint:

Estimated Cost
225 (cedar was 150).
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

melbuckner

Fri, 10/09/2020 - 16:19

aww this is so sweet~ for some reason I didn't see this comment till now! Thanks! I'm all star struck now :)

Also, my wife subsequently gave the table to her best friend - so now I need to make another one lolol.

Easy Shelf

Here is a pretty simple shelf I built for my closet. Left it backless b/c I wear a 12 1/2 and needed my shoes to be able to hang out back a bit. The top 2 I am using for folded tshirts I don't hang, like undershirts and tank tops.

Material List:
1- 1x10x10 -$13.00 (2 side boards)
2- 1x10x6 - $8.00x2=16 (6 shelves)
24 1 1/4 pocket screws. Had these on hand, could sub for 1 1/2 wood screws if you do not have pocket scew jig set.

Tools:
Tape measure
Quick Square
Miter saw ( which I used) or a Circular saw
Drill

Cut list
*2-59.9+- side boards

*The 1x10x10 was exactly 10ft long, so I marked off 5 feet with a line. Then I just cut on the line with the miter saw. This left me with 2 equal boards. Lets say 59.9 give or take a MM or so. Doesnt matter as long as they are even. If you mess the cut up, stack them on top of each other and recut to equal.

*6-23.9+- Shelves

*Again the 1x10x6 was exactly 6ft, so I made 2 lines, one at 2ft, the next at 4ft. Split them when cutting, and had 3 equal boards. Size can be smaller if you like, this is how I did it.

Now the fun part, and probably second longest time consuming part, behind drilling pocket holes.

I took the 2 side boards and clamped them so they would be flush and even side by side. (both face down side to side so you have one clamped board of 1x20x59.5 so to speak) I used my quick square to mark off .75(thickness of shelf boards). Start at the bottom or top, draw line. then,start next at 11 inches, step and repeat.In the end should have 5 shelves exactly 11 inches apart.

I next predrilled my 6 shelf boards with 2 pocket screw holes on each side, about 3 1/2 inches from each edge. This was most time consuming, you could use 1 1/2in screws and go from side boards into shelf boards and save time, also if you don't have pocket hole jig.

Assembling, I started at bottom, attached side boards to both side of bottom shelf, and worked my way up.The lines you pre-drew act as marker for next shelf,and help a ton when trying to keep everything square. The last one,top part, should be snug to put in. I find its best to do this way as everything keeps square as long as you have straight lumber.

Cost overall-$30.00 since I had screws, total time was around 2 hours to complete, and this was me having to explain everything to the little one lol

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I didn't do anything but sand down rough edges. This may get painted, but for now its in the closet as is. Since I used pocket holes, staining or painting would be easier since there is no need for wood filler. Sand and go. Nice little shelf for around 30.00. Enjoy and PS Dont mind the mess in my garage lol
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments