Community Brag Posts

Farmhouse Bedside Tables

We followed the plans, but did run into a couple snags. Because we were making two tables, we thought it might be easier to do all the cuts first, and then assemble both together. We agreed it was easiest in the end (so we weren't going back and forth to the saw), but the cut list called for one extra trim piece that the plans never used... lucky for us, we realized this before doing the cuts so just skipped it. The cut list left out one piece that the plans asked for at the end (for the life of me, I can't remember what it was), but we had quite a bit of extra lumber thanks to carefully thought out cuts so it wasn't a big deal.

We found that the plans really forced us to think out our approach along the way. We are true beginners, and we even ended up having to think about where we were sinking the screws and making sure to sand the pieces prior to assembling.

As far as our materials went, we purchased most of it at Home Depot. For the tops, we decided to use some scrap MDF that we had leftover from another project. Otherwise, we just used the cheapest lumber we could find, and pine for the 1x6 and 1x12's. Our Home Depot bill was $104, but we have a few pieces of lumber and pine that we didn't use, so plan to take them back. We already had the paint, and we bought the hardware at Lee Valley in Vancouver (BC), which was $24. We figure that the end price for each table is about $60.

For more details, check out my blog post on the project: http://www.andreakrisourchaos.blogspot.ca/2012/03/pinterest-challenge-b…

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60 per table
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum White Primer Spray Paint - 2 coats
Rustoleum White Gloss Spray Paint - 3 coats
Rustoleum Clear Lacquer Spray Paint - 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Doll Bed

Submitted by Tweegytoes on Sun, 01/12/2014 - 15:04

This was my first wood working project. I made this for my little sister for Christmas. It was a great starter project. I may be biased but I think it turned out pretty good.

Estimated Cost
$10.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded with 120 grit sand paper. Then put two coats of Valspar Satin Ultra White paint on it.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Aqua blue/ wheatherd gray table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/04/2016 - 21:43

Used the design and got really ugly knotty and grainy wood to give it more character, as well as distressed it with a hammer and a 2' chain and hand planned/sanded. Stained Aqua Blue and sanded parts back to bare wood, then restrained with heavy spots and light spots of Wheatherd Gray and did 3 coats of Satin polyurethane.

Estimated Cost
my project cost was probably about $165-185 at end.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Aqua Blue & Weatherd Gray Minwax Stains and 3 coats of Minwax Satin Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Christmas Cedar Planter

Submitted by LampAtFeet on Tue, 12/10/2019 - 19:21

I loved the plans for the cedar planter. It was a quick build and it's such a versatile item. I left the wood natural to give it a more rustic look. I'm planning to make a longer planter to use as a gift basket for Christmas gifts. 

Estimated Cost
$2
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Wipe on satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tall Dresser

Submitted by mweir on Wed, 03/28/2012 - 20:35

My wife Tracy and I wanted a dresser like this for one of the bedrooms in the new house. Well Tracy went to work looking for one on Craigslist and E Bay ( She is the best at hunting down a bargain). After only one day she found an add for a solid wood dresser for sale in our area. When I came home from work she let me know there was a project in the back of her vehicle for me.
I was very impressed with what she had found. This was a serious solid wood dresser. With me having a couple of days off prior to our trip to Cabo (and Tracy needing me out of her hair while she finished all the details needed for the trip) I started on this right away.
The dresser had never been finished, it was just raw wood. This was a plus for me because no stripping was needed. Just a little light sanding is all it required for prep work.
I discovered that the knobs did not match. After a quick trip to Menards the dresser was complete.
Total cost of our dresser $65.00
See more pictures at buildandsave-mike.blogspot.com

Estimated Cost
$65
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Mini Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by TeamCraven on Wed, 01/15/2014 - 11:10

FIRST BUILD!! We've been using metal decorative plant stands as our nightstands, but they're just too wobbly on the carpet in our bedroom, and don't have any storage except the top of them, so when we saw the plans for the Mini Farmhouse Bedside Table, we knew it would be perfect. We don't have a lot of space next to the bed, so we went with the Mini plans, and built 2 of the nightstands, one for each side. We do a lot of projects, and I have refinished furniture for a few years, but we've never built anything from scratch. We have all the tools, so we decided to give it a try. This is our first build, and even though they're not perfect, I think they turned out nice, and we learned a lot that we will bring into future builds. We've already since built a Farmhouse Bench, and are getting lumber this weekend to build a dining table! Thanks to Ana's plans, there are endless possibilities!!

We used 3 pieces of 1x6 for a planked top instead of one large piece of wood, just because we had extra 1x6. Otherwise, we followed the plans pretty close to exact. We bought a Kreg Jig mini before starting on this project, and it's the BEST tool ever!! I want the more expensive kreg jig now, haha I love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
approx $40 for two nightstands for lumber (we already had stain, etc)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
1 Coat Minwax Pre-stain wood conditioner
2 coats Minwax Ebony stain
5 coats Minwax Wipe-On Poly (sanding lightly after 2nd and 4th coat)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dawson's

Submitted by Debi60 on Thu, 04/07/2016 - 19:33

This project cost me approx $160. I added a fire truck wallpaper border across the front and sides, finished the top in chalk board paint, and used torsion hinges from Rockler. Pricey but very nice for a lid. I also added plastic feet to the bottom and felt tabs where the lid touches the four legs. I like finishing details. It took me about a week to complete, mostly because of the time needed for the chalk board paint to set up. Loved the way it came out and hated to part with it! Ana's plans are always easy to follow and turn out great

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toy makeup set

Submitted by mandee on Sun, 12/15/2019 - 15:23

I made this for my almost 2 year old niece for Christmas this year. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Garden chairs and table

Submitted by joja on Sun, 04/01/2012 - 14:06

It was after getting to know your website and seeing all your nice craftsgirlship we decided to make our own garden furniture.

We are wery satisfied with the results, thanks a lot for the inspiration!

PS) Time investment = per item.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Saturating wood oil.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4x4 Truss Beam Table and Benches

Submitted by MakinDust on Sat, 01/18/2014 - 08:36

Table and benches were made to plan, except I shortened the overall length and added another 2x10 to the top to give it some additional width. The benches were also shortened slightly so the legs of the benches slide between the legs of the table; which allows the benches to be pushed further under the table when not in use. Avoid my rookie furniture making mistake and go to a specialty lumber store that sells wood that is already aged (dry). Most everything you find at the big box stores will still be wet and shrink/warp on you if not completely dry first.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
MinWax English Chestnut Stain and 3 coats of MinWax Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

MakinDust

Tue, 05/20/2014 - 16:23

Appreciate the compliments. Sorry for the delayed response, but the final dimensions turned out 72" x 46". Let me know if you have any other questions.

No Closet... No Problem

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/10/2016 - 17:40

No more IKEA for me!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Left natural
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Gopher Hole Puzzle

Submitted by mtairymd on Fri, 12/20/2019 - 09:09

This is a fun little puzzle that goes by the name of Golf, Nine Hole and, my favorite, Gopher Hole Puzzle. The goal is to fit all six pieces into the box. The possible combinations make it pretty challenging.

Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil & Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Outdoor Living Room

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/26/2023 - 12:09

I wanted a bar lounge on my patio so I built it from your plans. We had a July 4th party for the my family. It was so nice.
Everyone was surprised I had done it myself.
I also made a corner table but unfortunately it doesn’t show in pictures.
Thank you! Your plans are amazingly easy.

Donna-Tennessee

Built from Plan(s)

Footboard Bench

Submitted by kristilmay on Wed, 04/04/2012 - 22:49

I'd been wanting to add a piece of furniture at the end of my son's bed for awhile, but I had a difficult time deciding on what exactly to do. Not only did I want it to be something he could sit on, but also I wanted to add some extra storage. We had thought of a trunk but the idea of little fingers getting pinched made that idea a little scary. I turned to Ana-white's website for help. I didn't find exactly what I wanted, but I did get some inspiration from the new Kentwood Bookshelf. It's constructed the same way but with some sizing adjustments.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Grey wash bookshelf

Submitted by DutchDIY on Mon, 01/20/2014 - 06:09

Thanks Ana for your wonderfull website! even in The Netherlands your designs are shown.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
grey-wash paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modified from Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/12/2016 - 19:15

Modified the plans from the farmhouse table to add leaves in order to extend it another 15" total. Turned out well with the locking latches.

Estimated Cost
200-300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dress up centre

Submitted by Milhouse on Sat, 04/07/2012 - 23:13

My princess-loving daughter needed somewhere to keep her collection of dress up outfits, so I made her this 'rolling rack'. Some mods that I made: I routed the edges for some interest and added moulding to the bottom to disguise the casters.

Estimated Cost
~ $35-40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Painter's touch Spray paint in 'Sweet Pea'
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Breakfast nook benches with table

We wanted to create more seating space and a cosier breakfast experience with this nook. We made the benches with hinges for storage. The table was customized to fit our space and we chose to change the legs rather than buying the $20 each legs. We love how it turned out!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American on the tabletop and semi gloss white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments