Community Brag Posts

Backpack Locker Cabinet

Submitted by jwerne2 on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 09:04

Thank you so much, Ana, for posting these plans. My husband built the storage locker in a few hours last Saturday. Our only modification was to use beadboard for the backing instead of plywood, and to switch out the 1x12's for 1x16 project panels to add depth so the backpacks will fit. I love how it turned out and now there is no more tripping over backpacks! I can't wait for our next project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Latex Paint, Furniture Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wood Frame Outdoor Sofa with Backrest

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/24/2024 - 09:37

What a pleasure it’s been to build this! Hope you don’t mind but I added a simple backrest…
Incidentally I made a pair of them, but run out of time so the other is in kit form waiting for the weekend!
Hope you like what we achieved! Keep the great ideas coming!

Graeme Jobey

4 Basket Laundry Basket Frame

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/28/2024 - 12:28

I saw your plans, and knew they were perfect for what we needed. After some minor adjustments to the dimensions for the baskets we found, I repurposed the 2x4's from some shelving I tore down. Then I used some left-over decking from a project we did last summer, for the top.

Al H.

Built from Plan(s)

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by kristine on Mon, 09/17/2012 - 12:35

This was the hubby's second project off this site. Our dining room has been empty for the past 6 months that we moved in to our first home, so it was only appropriate for him to build something for this very empty space.

We did end up modifying the plans a bit... making it smaller (instead of 8 ft, it's 6ft) since we didn't need a huge table with just the 2 of us and the pups living in our home.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Table Top - Varthane Stain + Poly in Early American
Table Base - Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Countrey Grey and Old White plus Dark Wax for the antiquing
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rusty Cottage

Tue, 09/18/2012 - 05:32

how many cans of chaulk paint did you need? The one picture has about 11 cans! I haven't finished my two projects that I have constructed....how much paint and stain does everyone use???

The finish is amazing!

kristine

Sat, 01/26/2013 - 12:38

oh sorry! didn't realize that there was a comment here. it took less than 1 can of chalk paint. i don't even think i used up half the can of chalk paint for this. the can may be small, but you get a lot of use out of it. i just had a bunch of chalk paint laying around because i was trying to figure out what color to use and i was also using them for other projects. as for the wax, this project didn't take use up too much wax either. i'm still on the same clear and dark wax cans that i first bought and i've used them on at least 5 other projects. so you really get a lot of use out of them!

winwinglades

Fri, 04/26/2013 - 14:13

Your table looks great! Question: as you made your table 2ft shorter, I understand that the diagonal pieces also need to be shortened. What are there final measurements? I'm trying to do the same, but am a newbie!
Thanks for your help!

winwinglades

Fri, 04/26/2013 - 14:07

Your table looks great! Question: as you made your table 2ft shorter, I understand that the diagonal pieces also need to be shortened. What are there final measurements? I'm trying to do the same, but am a newbie!
Thanks for your help!

Kmccoi

Wed, 06/25/2014 - 21:27

Hi! Did you use some of old white and mainly grey? Wondering paint ratio on Annie Sloan paint. Thanks!!!

DIY Wood Bed Frame With Reclaimed Wood Legs

Inspired by Ana's Farmhouse Bed I adjusted my plans to work with the scrap wood I had on hand and an old reclaimed wood post I snagged from my neighbor's garbage. To make the scraps of wood work for this large piece I added 3/4" rope in between the wood pieces. I like how the rope also helps tie it into the room as we created a wood and rope accent wall in this same room. You can see the full project here, http://thespacebetweenblog.net/2013/09/10/how-to-make-a-wood-bed-frame/. And since this was my first furniture build I also posted about the top tips and tricks I learned in the process, http://thespacebetweenblog.net/2013/09/12/wood-bed-frame-making-tips/.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Driftwood color stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Adirondack chairs

Submitted by jcaleb on Thu, 07/23/2020 - 09:27

I love these chairs and they were pretty easy to make.

Finish Used
Varathane Dark walnut oil based stain and 2 coats of Varathane Spar Urethane high gloss.

Poolside Planters

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/17/2024 - 11:42

Thank you Ana for all you plans, videos and inspiration. I made these last year and I absolutely LOVE them. I get compliments all the time and get the "NO WAY" when I tell friends and family that I made them.

 

Built from Plan(s)

Truss Table Bench

Submitted by Joella C on Sun, 08/23/2020 - 11:40

To go along with the 2 outdoor tables for our COVID-19 birthday celebration “ all together but socially distant” party for my hubby and his twin. I used the Happier Homemaker Bench plan x 3, for a bench in between the tables to create more seating with social distancing....this is the 2nd plan of Ana’s I used after the Truss Table...finished with the same outdoor deck stain and poly! I am so new to this....I’m a nurse never been around power tools but it was I,Portland for me to create a happy birthday for my husband and his twin during this pandemic!! Thank you Ana for making this possible!

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)

Upcycled Dresser

Submitted by naomi on Sat, 08/30/2014 - 04:18

After building my farmhouse bed and 2 new bedside table I still had my very ugly and old dresser.
It functioned really well so instead of building a new one I decided to up-cycle the old one.

I simply framed it up with some pine, painted it white, added pallet wood to the top, stained the pallet wood walnut, then added some fancy handles and now it's like a whole new dresser.

Thanks to Ana-White's website and book I have a whole new set of skills and I am not scared to give just about anything a go.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut and White Enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

In reply to by CSaintD

naomi

Sun, 08/31/2014 - 00:58

You're right, I had a ball doing this mainly because I was winging it the whole time.
This dresser was actually a hand me down when I got it about 15 years ago. I don't see the point in throwing out something that is still useful.

How to Build a Laundry Pedestal

I was tired of stooping to do laundry with my front-loading washer. I used the plans for Sausha's washer/dryer pedestals and tweaked them a bit.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Platform: semi-gloss latex paint + primer; legs and side: chalky finish paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Emersen-Inspired Nightstand

Submitted by keribeth on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 06:46

I modified the Emersen nightstand plans to use edge-joined 1x6s instead of 3/4” plywood since I didn’t have a great way to cut 15 1/2” widths of plywood. I eliminated the face frame, used a 1x8 for the drawer face, and used 14” euro slides for the drawer. This was my first time making anything with a drawer and I was a little nervous about it but it works perfectly! One nightstand down, one to go!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax in Golden Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Simple Workbench, perfect workshop addition!

Submitted by Tbacks on Wed, 01/18/2017 - 04:45

We have been using a number of folding tables to do our builds and feeling the pain in our backs and frustrations in our brains for doing it.  I found this pattern and rushed to Home Depot!  A few hours later we had a workbench.  Loved it so much a day later we had two!!  We use them all the time.  Thank you Ana for such a great pattern!

Estimated Cost
Approximately $60 each
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table

Submitted by MikeTosh on Thu, 12/27/2012 - 09:09

Great Plans, I had a blast making this table for my wife! It turned out great. Thank you for sharing the plans for this beautiful piece!

-Mike

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Cabot Pecan Stain and Cabot Satin Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

kristen

Thu, 12/27/2012 - 09:21

Your table turned out fantastic! I'm glad to see that because I am considering this table for a project in the near future :)

Rustic x end tables

Submitted by Keldani5 on Wed, 10/07/2020 - 14:53

This was a weekend project using pocket hole screws pine wood and a regular stain and wax coating

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and then wax to coat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

ENTRYWAY bench with drawers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/16/2020 - 13:31

Built from scratch. First DIY build ever! Thank you for your plans. I customized it for my space 💜 instagram @onefortyfour_

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr white paint. Polycrylic seal
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My Surprise B-Day Gift and Project Wrapped Into One!

Submitted by Diania on Sun, 01/06/2013 - 17:14

How this beginner project became my B-Day gift: After seeing this on Ana's site I just knew I had the perfect place for these, plus it was a great project to wet my toes :-) After talking my husband's head off for about a week with all the new things I'm going to build this year, we were finally headed to Lowes to get material. Well to my surprise he also bought me a Kreg-Jig(Master Series) I AM GOING TO BE A BUILDING MACHNE! LOL

The cost really is around $10 or less but I spent some extra on Polycrylic to create a nice shine over the wood. I knew I wanted 8ft ledges so there was no cutting involved, wohoo! Here is what I used:

6 1x4 @8ft
3 1x2 @8ft
(I used 1 1/4in screws for project and 2in screws for mounting)
120 grit sand paper
After putting together the wood in a jiffy as described in Ana's plans I then sanded. Even the sanding, which I did by hand was fairly quick. Next the priming and painting took the longest as it had to dry obviously. After a few coats, I sprayed the polycrylic according to directions on can. That's it...

I was so excited as it was going up, I was planning on putting some candles, maybe some decorative stuff to go with the pics. I didn't realize how many pictures I have! Wow! Guess I'll have to dust off my Kreg-Jig and make more. :-)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$24
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer, White Glossy Paint, and Minwax Spray Polycrylic. Polycrylic is easy to use and very quick to dry.(about 30min) I simply used it to create a shiny look.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Garage Shelves

Submitted by coolove on Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:16

This project was a bit of a challenge. My garage has uneven flooring and a concrete lip around the edge of wall so I had to make the back legs 10 inches shorter than the front. Overall, it turned out well and everything is completely leveled much to my amazement. I'm thinking of making more shelves on the other end of the garage to free up more space.

Estimated Cost
$90 including extra nails.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by JillianD on Wed, 01/09/2013 - 16:05

Calling myself an amateur builder is a colossal overstatement. I’ve never actually built anything, by hand, using wood. I’m quite crafty and very good at hacking things inspired by others {thank you all other bloggers and Pinterest for your continued inspiration}, but to actually build something from the ground up just hasn’t been added to the curriculum vitae…until now.

I actually hail from a family of handy builders. My grandpa used to build everything, from decorative shelves and stools to more utilitarian items, like bookcases and kitchen cabinets. My father, too, is quite handy; he’s the build-a-back-deck weekend warrior type.

This was my first Weekend Warrior project. My deadline: Thanksgiving dinner! I had no other table option. I either built this table or my friends and family were eating on the floor.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
weathered oak stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Juanita_r

Thu, 01/10/2013 - 12:56

Just wanted to say (apart from "i love the table") that your story has inspired me to finally jump in. i too am like you, never physically built anything with wood, but have done some revamps and have done a ton of other crafts (i too would like to thank pinterest). reading what you said has just given me that finally push!!! Thanku

JillianD

Thu, 01/10/2013 - 17:14

Hi Juanita! Yay, I'm so glad. It really was a fun and empowering project. I can't tell you how many people looked at me like I was crazy, but a little patience and elbow grease can go a long, long way! Good luck and I can't wait to see the finished project.

rhettar

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 04:53

You did a great job! I love the finish you chose. Isn't it amazing when you think you can't do something and then when you finish it, you're like wow I did that! Ana's site has inspired me so much and I love to see that she has inspired so many others and to see the beautiful things they are making with their own two hands. Again awesome job and beautiful table!

Plate Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/13/2020 - 12:47

I was browsing Etsy for a plate rack and my Hubby said that he could just make me one. So I knew just where to go for the plans! He added crown moulding to the top, bead board to the back and painted it to match our cabinets. I love it! I use it to display his late mother’s Currier and Ives Plate collection. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
She twin Williams custom blended paint color
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy X farmhouse with extension

This was the first piece of furniture  my husband  built. He also built a matching sideboard/buffet table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a wood conditioner then used a dark walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modified Rustic Platform Bed

Submitted by kjshute on Fri, 11/20/2020 - 06:50

I built a modified version of the rustic modern 2x6 platform bed. I used 2x10s (instead of 2x6s) for the sides and feet to raise it up a little. I also added another 2x6 to the headboard to make it taller. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably use 1x for the headboard as it's incredibly heavy. The entire bed is immoveable without being deconstructed so it's going to be a challenge when I move. Overall, I'm really pleased with the result.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Old Masters Fast Dry oil-based stain in American Walnut with a satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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