Community Brag Posts

cypress providence table for screened porch

Provence table knockoff from restoration hardware (aka: providence) with 4x4s and providence benches

table modified to 90 inch length, benches to 42 inches

used lag bolts with a washer on 4x4's that show, kreg pocket screws everywhere else

note: the free-diy plans listed last have an issue with the table height. It came out 1 1/2" too high, so we made a change that I like better: we modified the table top to have a 2x4 skirt held together with kreg pocket screws that drops over the 2x4 frame above legs. we left about 3/8" gap between the skirt and framing so the framing would fit in easily. The top actually just sits on the frame so it is possible to move it in two pieces. It is so heavy and stable that we didn't worry about screwing it together.

we love it! perfect for 2 families to eat dinner together. my husband calls it Thor's table because it looks so tough.

Estimated Cost
330
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I really wanted it to look old but hold up to my kids and the weather, so I used a chemical aging process followed by antiquing oil (from minwax)


Chemical aging solution is white vinegar (large plastic jug from the grocery store which cost $1.87) with a ball of steel wool shoved in it. Let it react for a couple days. Then drench the wood surface while you wear gloves (use paintbrush, roller, toothbrush or best: a sponge). It makes rust spots, so use a drop cloth and wear old clothes. The color shows up in a few minutes. Kind of like magic paint :) next day oiled it, one coat everywhere except table top which got 2 coats. rubbed surface with a cloth a few minutes after applying oil. Think linseed oil would work just a well.

It came out dark and old looking, kind of a grey/brown color with nice wood color showing through. The table top has beautiful knots. Our porch will get a little wet in blowing storms plus direct sun for a few hours each day, so I didn't want to put wax on it (would melt) or a stain (would make rings from water if sealer failed). Think we might have to reapply oil every couple years which is no big deal. The cypress should hold up nicely outside. So far it has not made any spots or rings since the surface is already pre-damaged with the aging solution. I don't think you can hurt this beast of a table.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Thu, 07/05/2012 - 11:35

This is gorgeous! I definitely prefer the chunkier leg you used and love the hardware showing as well. That was smart the way you made the top for easier moving, too. Great job! I think you should have added the link for the plans, this way your picture will always show up above the plans in order for everybody to see it each time. :)

Herringbone Cassidy Queen Bed

I have never made anything before, this was my very first project. I had a total blast! Our old bed was falling apart, so it as a great time to try out my hand at woodworking. I really wanted to use up some old wooden deck tiles I had in my garage. I didn't feel comfortable using a miter saw for a chevron pattern so herringbone it was! I am totally in love with this bed and seriously cant thank Ana White enough for making it so people like me can make things like this.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200$
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
MinWax oil based stain in Jacobean and espresso. Paste wax for finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pursuit of Handyness

Sun, 04/20/2014 - 10:49

This looks really nice. Are you sure this is your first project? I like the idea of using the deck tiles. Where do you find these and what type of wood are they? This may sound a little cheesy but I don't know where my life would be like if it weren't for Ana White and her blog. I absolutely love woodworking.

jeannajustfine

Sun, 04/20/2014 - 11:25

Thank you so so much! 100% sure its my first project..lol. The deck tiles I bought at Capitol Iron, which is a home and garden store we have here in B.C. They were display pieces so I got them for VERY cheap, almost free hehe. I know you can buy them new online, but they are pricey. As for the type of wood, since they were a display it is a hodge podge of diff kinds. Teak, eucalyptus, acacia I know for sure. I seriously LOVE this site. I have looked and found nothing even close to it. By far an amazing resource for any aspiring builder. I see you have made some pretty impressive stuff yourself!

jeannajustfine

Mon, 04/21/2014 - 12:18

Thank you :) and thank you so much for this site. It is amazing how much you have to offer. I honestly can say I would never in my life would have tackled something like this if I had not stumbled across your page. The amount of joy I feel every time I walk by that silly bed is nuts..lol. Too cool. Still cant believe I made that myself (with no boy help..lol) Cant wait to make some tables next! You're awesome.

anfrench

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 14:52

I just wanted to let you know how impressed I am by your finished product! I have been interested in building a bed, but since I have no experience I have been unsure where to start. But the fact that you did this as your first project has me very inspired! Well done!!!!!

shartam

Wed, 10/21/2015 - 13:21

Does anyone have the plans for this bed in California King size? I have a california king mattress and would really love to make this... I see this is for a queen size bed..

Thanks!

6ft Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/21/2016 - 14:16

Built this 6ft 2 pedestal table.  Moved the legs closer together on the benches so that they could slide under the table.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Jacobean stain & glazed chalk paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Shed Chicken Coop and Run

Submitted by mikesofka on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 09:27

I had such a fun time on this shed coop/run build! My wife and I have 5 children and it was fun involving them in building everything about this coop and run. They have a wonderful sense of accomplishment in looking at what they helped build.

A few notes, while this what a fairly straightforward build, there are a lot of little intricacies to be aware of. Such as:

• Make sure your chicken coop is about a foot off the ground. It's best to do that so critters such as rats and snakes don't make their home under the shed and potentially eat their way through the floor.

• It is highly advisable to dig a trench about a foot to a foot and a half deep around the coop and the run and attach chicken cage fencing from the bottom of the coop/run into the trench, and then taper the cage fencing outward. This will prohibit critters such as raccoons from trying to dig under the coop.

• When you attach the poultry netting to the outside of the chicken run, staple one side really well, then move to the other side and pull the netting fairly hard to make the netting as tight as possible. (Also, be careful when putting the netting across the top of the run to not fall off the ladder as I did and dangle there until one of your kids comes to help you! Ha! :D )

Thank you, Ana, for posting these plans! We are so excited to get our little chickies out into their new home as soon as their feathers come in!

Estimated Cost
$800
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Double Pallirondack Settee

This is a Double Pallirondack Settee, an Adirondack-styled set of chairs connected by a two-shelf table that is also an umbrella holder. It is made 100% from recycled wooden pallets (thus the name). It took approximately four full pallets to make the settee. The finished picture was taken by its new owners after they stained it with a cedar-colored sealer and added an umbrella.

The other two images show it before I had added the bottom shelf of the table and it finished before staining. I just finished a second settee and will be selling that to someone who saw the original one at a party.

The design is based on a couple different plans -- one for the chairs and one for the table/umbrella holder. I modified both plans to make them work together. Great fun. If I could have worked on it straight through, it probably would have taken 2 full days, starting with pallet deconstruction, then cutting pieces, sanding, assembly of chairs and, finally, assembly of the connecting table.

Estimated Cost
$20-$30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
It now occupies the corner of my friends' pool area.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Pallirondack

Thu, 07/12/2012 - 13:51

Unfortunately, no. I actually took the plans for a chair and mixed it with the plans of another settee. Essentially, the "inside" arms of the chairs do not get shaped at all. The front of the chairs are 12" apart (15 degree miter) and the backs are 27" apart if I remember correctly. I added 4" 2x4 blocks to the outside of the bottom back legs and that is what the bottom back table support is attached to on the settee. The the three center boards are cut to fit (1/2" in the front, 5.5" in the back and spaced equally. 1.5" hole for the umbrella holder in the center board, top and bottom.

Rustic X Console

I made half of the Rustic X Console table. It was an easy build until it was time to make the X's. They were only hard because I was using a circular saw and carpenters square and I couldn't get my lengths right. I ended up with a lot of short pieces and I was glad I ended up buying more than enough 2x2's. If I had a miter saw it would of been a lot easier (I have one now).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Kona (work in small areas because it dries really fast)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Clara Table and 4 dollar stackable chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/24/2016 - 08:02

Clara table and 4 dollar stackable chairs. I used Minwax Early American on the table and a variety of paint colors on the chairs to keep it fun. I also used select pine on the chairs which increased the cost but cut down on sanding time. I also routered the top edge of the table to create a smoother edge.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American, Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Tall Wood Planters

Submitted by Knuckles78 on Fri, 05/15/2020 - 05:27

Added some extra trim pieces to finish it out. turned out really nice!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Country Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/14/2024 - 18:46

After too long fiddling around with other things, I finally finished the hall tree for my wife. Used a sheet of bead board for the backing and it didn't turn out too bad. Thank you for the plan and the inspiration Ana, very much appreciated!

Steve

Built from Plan(s)

Playhouse

Submitted by nikjwil on Sat, 07/07/2012 - 20:57

It was a big project, and my husband did all the main stuff!
I still have to paint the inside. Since we aren't building a deck yet, we are putting it on some pavers. We bought 40 12x12 pavers and will push that out on in the next couple of days. I also will eventually attach a window box with plants. I'm planning on painting a couple of the inside walls with chalkboard paint.
It was seriously worth every amount of time and energy. If you are thinking of doing this, do it! You can, it's a great plan. Thanks Ana for the plans!

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
valspar outdoor primer, then white paint on trim, light lavender on walls and pink door
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dino Dig Shack

This project was made for our four year old son, after viewing an article from a known magazine he came over charmingly stating "Daddy can you build me this in a dinosaur theme??" So of I went searching and found the plans online here (Thanks Ana!) @ a cost of approx $400 and about 40 hours of work it was built. He loves it and loves to show it off to friends and family, as it has also been a hit within our neighborhood. We built it using white board wood, sanding everything down, and using just semigloss polyurethane to seal and protect the wood. All materials where obtained from either Home Depot or Lowes.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
400.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Semi Gloss Polyurethane Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Love it!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/25/2016 - 21:04

I made this Farmhouse X Table from Ana's plans with the adjustment of adding a breadboard to each end (a perpendicular piece of wood). This table was my first woodworking project ever! Now I am hooked ;) I have made a bench to match. Both are stained with minwax English Chestnut and finished with minwax fast-drying polyurethane, semi-gloss. Now I just have to figure out the rest of my chairs! Thanks Ana!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple 2x4 Potting Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/17/2020 - 21:31

Simple 2x4 Potting Bench. Easy build and looks great!

Estimated Cost
60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax-JAYCOBEAN -2750
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

aimes91225

Sat, 07/04/2020 - 20:22

This plan was so easy to follow and do! My dad and I made this bench for my mom as a surprise! Thank you so much!!!! It literally only took us 2.5 house from start to finish of putting it together.

Rolling Book Cart

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/18/2024 - 09:51

I wanted both shelves to slant. Cutting the hand holes didn’t go well for me. I used 3” wheels to better maneuver on carpet. I originally tried two fixed casters and two swivel casters but that was too difficult to maneuver so now all four swivel.

HC in TX

Built from Plan(s)

Tidy up Coffee Table

I Loved the idea of this table! It is in the kids' living room/game room. This room is usually cluttered with blankets for friends, games, game controllers and so on! I was thinking about building a storage chest for their coffee table, then I saw these plans! It is perfect! The boys even use it to clean up...WITHOUT ME FORCING THEM! Oh yeah!!!!

I wanted my table to appear to have three drawers instead of two, so I modified a bit. I also opted out on the breadboard ends and just made the top boards a little longer.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I made stripes, alternating early american stain by rustoleum with natural wood, followed by two coats of satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sofa

Submitted by DIY4Love on Mon, 04/28/2014 - 06:08

After looking at sofas in magazines and fliers, I decided I wanted to build one. For the quality (or lack of) at the price we could even dream of, it just didn't make sense to purchase one if I could build it. There are still a few little adjustments I may make as time goes on, but overall, I'm happy with the way it turned out! The pillows I made definitely added the finishing touch it needed!

It's a full 8 foot sofa designed with plenty of space underneath for storage! My plan was to build two wooden boxes on casters for the kids to use as toy boxes, but I think plastic totes will work just as well and much lighter and easier to clean! I drew up the dimensions and plans to fit what we wanted and went from there. The frame was the easiest part; took about a day. The cover and cushions on the other hand were quite a challenge. The sewing involved in this project was HUGE; took a little more than a week just for that. The pillows took an evening.

Thanks for checking out the project! Whatever you have in your heart, you can do!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I started using Canvas Drop-cloth for my upholstery projects after seeing a project that Ana did. That's what I used for this project; costing about $.54/yard instead of $7/yard (on sale) from a fabric store. I used about 90 yards of fabric total.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

mom of 4

Mon, 04/28/2014 - 09:07

I've sewn canvas drop cloth covers for an already made sofa, and you are absolutely right. It takes forever and it takes a TON of fabric! I am very impressed you built the sofa frame. How comfortable is it? What was your total cost including the foam, fabric, wood, everything?

DIY4Love

Tue, 04/29/2014 - 12:44

My total cost was about $400. I think it's pretty comfortable, though I do need to adjust the seat cushion a bit. It's stuffed harder on one end than the other. As for the foam, I used a memory foam mattress topper (4 inch) from Walmart (about $150) and then used poly-fil to give it some shape and extra cushion. If you've ever shopped for foam, you'll know the high-density stuff is RIDICULOUS! Hope that helps!

Living room media tower

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/28/2016 - 13:15

Built this media tower based off the plans inspired by the Pottery Barn Benchwright Towers. I used Annie Sloan's French Linen chalk paint followed by a clear then dark wax. The door panel was made using a decrotive bronze aluminum sheet cut to size. It makes a nice addition to my living room. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan chalk paint and wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kids Bathroom Step Stool

Submitted by mchipser on Thu, 07/12/2012 - 12:41

I built the entire project to plan.. I did however engrave my daughters name instead of painting it on.. I think it gives a little more personal touch..

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Double Chocolate paint (left over from previous project)
Pink Paint (on hand from wood burning projects)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

kdelehoy

Fri, 03/29/2013 - 16:18

I was curious as to what tool/s you used to complete the engravement, this is a nice touch and I would like to do this for mine as well.

Fountain table

Submitted by dbizzle on Wed, 04/30/2014 - 06:53

My wife got a large fountain for her birthday. She likes the sound of running water while she reads. What she doesn't like is damp carpet because the fountain splashes a little, as running water is wont to do. We had a choice of returning the fountain or me getting busy to build her a table for it.

The entire project is simply 2x4s and 2x6s. The top measures 44" x 36" and is made completely of pocket hole-joined 2x6s. The base is all made of 2x4s and is 16" high (plus top). I went for a little different look on the legs with a 15 degree cut, to a height of 4".

We both liked the look the Corona square table (the top especially)...BUT! She likes to be able to vacuum under furniture without having to move it or get Down on hands and knees with the wand attachment. So...recessed cross-brace to the rescue! I rigged up the miter saw to cut 1 1/2" into my bottom braces (2x4s on edge front-to-back), the exact depth of my cross piece (a 2x4 laid flat), and made repeated cuts, then leveled with a chisel.

I made sure to adequately brace the top, since the fountain, plus rocks, plus water comes in at well over 100 pounds. The pictures aren't all that great, but what can you expect when some are taken in an unfinished basement with no windows, on a cell phone...right?

You could probably replicate this for less than the $150 I spent, but I needed the wood, new stain, urethane, and new brushes.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
1 coat Minwax Oil-based Ebony stain, applied with a foam brush then wiped off after ~15 minutes
3 coats Minwax spar urethane, lightly sanded between coats for water resistance
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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