Community Brag Posts

Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table & Bench

When my wife and I bought our new house, our little apartment-size table looked dumb in our new dining room. With the help of Ana White's plans, my first ever building project was a great success. The project took some extra time because I was doing it by myself in the afternoons and whenever I found the chance. The plans were for a 9ft table and matching bench, but our dining room wasn't quite that big. I shaved about 14 inches off the length and planed the boards for a flat surface (making the table and bench slightly narrower.) As an absolute amateur, I cannot stress how important the use of the Kreg Jig was for this project! With a little bit of patience, love, and faith in yourself, you can do anything you put your mind to. I am so honored to have built the table at which my children will grow up sitting. Thank you, Ana White!

Estimated Cost
$300 + necessary tools
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Brand, Early American Stain and Minwax Brand Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Building for six

Wed, 08/21/2013 - 12:26

I love how smooth your tabletop looks! I grew-up with a kitchen table with a grove all the way around it and can't imagine dealing with that again. Can you go into more detail about how you planed the boards and how difficult the process was? I have built a couple pieces from Ana's site but am still new to all of this...any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Sarah

Alexis Bench

Submitted by kvinjbj on Mon, 04/13/2015 - 09:48

This is only my second build.  I love it and am very proud.  I made this for my son and daughter in law to put at the foot of their bed.  It took a couple of times for me to get drawer glides on right but I did it!  I love wood working and want to keep learning!

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

Comments

Cooler stand

Submitted by Flowerchld on Tue, 08/08/2017 - 16:26

Large cooler stand built for a huge cooler. I wanted to be able to take the cooler out, so it oversized for the cooler, with slats on the bottom to hold the cooler for draining without water sitting on a solid surface inside.

Estimated Cost
$100 plus hardware.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Poly stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Who's Afraid of the Simple Bed?

Submitted by QueenMahin on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 21:11

Building Ana’s farmhouse doll bed went so well that I felt ready to take on a full-sized bed.

Each project seems to come with its own set of lessons. I learned the hard way about the “Measure twice, cut once” rule with a couple of “oops” cuts that sent me back on another trip to the Blue store.

Sourcing untreated 4×4′s was also an issue. I ended up gluing and screwing 2×4′s together to use as the headboard and footboard legs.

The biggest issue, though, was my own fear. Sure I hit some stumbling blocks during the build, but resolved them and got the headboard and footboard all put together… and then choked. Who the heck makes her own bed? Is this really going to work? I delayed and delayed the final steps of screwing the siderails to the legs and attaching slats until I finally had to give myself a stern talking-to and a self-imposed deadline! Has anyone else ever been scared to push through to the final steps?

OK, here goes! I wasn’t sure that I understood the step about toenailing lagbolts through the end of the cleats into the legs until I got out the drill and tried it. Yup, it worked just fine! Next came the slats, and then when I hoisted the mattress on and saw that I had built a bed…. Well, I don’t even know how to describe that feeling of success and empowerment. Wow!

Ana, I wish I could thank you for all that you do.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint or Stain Color/Type:Minwax American Chestnut
Finishing Technique: Was stuck in indecisive mode for a while and sanded and stained and sanded and stained, which resulted in a kind of weathered looking finish. Not what I thought I was going for, but now I count this as a success story and I love it!

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Vintage Step Stool

Submitted by chrisiross on Mon, 05/27/2013 - 08:18

I made this awesome step stool for my daughter to be able to reach things a little bit better. It works perfectly. And the heart adds the perfect touch, don't you think?

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
paint and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fixing the awkward mantel

My friend just bought a condo here in Atlanta, and it only had an awkward tile mantel. She had requested we update this, so one Saturday  we decided to tackle this. The plans were super easy to follow - and we could not be more excited with the results!! 

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

Rustic x console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 06:51

These are different versions of the rustic x console

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Our First Project: Console Table

This was our first project. The directions were easy to follow. We used wood screws to put this project together as I do not have a nail gun. My five year old was in charge of the electric screwdriver. I just used 1 peice of wood for the table top and diagonally screwed into it from the bottom. It took us a few days to complete as when you are working with a little one, everything takes quite a bit longer. This was the perfect project for us to work on together! My husband requested a table to put next to the hottub so he could put his drink on it, but I don't want this to move outside! Maybe I'll have to make another one. :)

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Kona, Semi Gloss Spar Varnish Spray (bc it will be used outside)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

The Shou Suga Ban Secretary Desk and Hutch

Submitted by susanshamp on Fri, 04/24/2015 - 10:25

This secretary desk and hutch was made using the Grant Secretary and Hutch plans, modified to be 48" wide. As a finish, I wanted to try out a new method - instead of staining, I decided to char the wood using a method known as Shou Sugi Ban. There are tons of You Tube how-to videos on how to do it, and it's actually pretty easy (as long as you are comfortable using a propane torch).

 

The project definitely took longer than I had originally anticipated, at least 40 hours. However I thought the end result was worth it.

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Wood charring method (shou sugi ban) and Cabot Aged Leather stain for back boards.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Full Storage (Captains) Bed

This was a pretty quick build and works perfectly in my son's room.  I love all the room for the cubbies!  All of his cars and tracks stay off the ground!

The only tricky part for me was attaching the first edges and keeping it straight.  Since I was doing this all by myself, I used my nail gun to attach them quickly and then drilled in screws to secure them.

I kept them in three separate parts so it was easier to take upstairs and then I used my nail gun to attach the slats in the middle.  Pretty easy and inexpensive for a nice wood full size bed frame!

Check out my blog post for more pictures of my build!  http://www.leapoffaithcrafting.com/diy-full-bed-frame-storage/

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I filled all holes with wood filler. Sanded with 120 grit and then 220 grit sandpaper. Applied Varathane Colonial Maple with brush, let soak a few minutes, and then wiped off with towel.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Adirondack chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 14:39

I made four of these chairs and my wife has ‘ordered’ more for the spring, the will probably be more purple ones

Comments

Rustic storage daybed

We wanted to build a reading nook in our cabin landing that would also function as extra sleeping space.  This plan was modified to raise the height. We then built the frame and one side panel, since the bed length of the plan was EXACTLY the width of the landing space... It was meant to be!  We love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax cherry stain, minwax polycryllic semi-gloss in three coats with light sanding between coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Salsa Console

This took two weekends to complete. It makes a huge difference when you take time for a good paint job.  

 

I used the best grade pine at Lowes so I didn't have to sand everything and there is less chance for warped boards.  This is why my cost was more.

 

I also added trim around the middle and bottom bands to really make it pop. Overall, I am very pleased with the results.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Satin paint and natural chestnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kids Adirondack Chair!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 05:59

I built this chair for my brand new grandson. I cut out the letters and inlaid them into the front of the chair. Lots of fun!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

first build saushas laundry pedestal with a few adjustments.

Submitted by Herv on Mon, 03/14/2011 - 16:17

weekend project that had been put off for about a year and finally got done. was not that challenging even for a rookie. turned out well and most of all the mrs. was pleased with it.
photo 1: materials
photo 2: lower level on left and upper level on right
photo 3:close up of each level, bottom level was stacked 2x2's plus 3/8 ply on top and 1/8 vinyl so that a 1x4 would cover the front flush and not have a lip so that tha baskets wont get caught.
photo 4: base with corner posts
photo 5: all set minus the trim boards!
final trim on the top level overlapped by 1/2" to act as a lip to hold w/d in place if they decided to "move" on me.

Estimated Cost
~$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
stain was ipswitch pine not sure of the brand
and the loose lay vinyl was leftover fom the flooring as you can see i think it adds to the project
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

A bench for a future table

Submitted by Al Lulu on Fri, 05/31/2013 - 14:58

This is the third project I've done from this site and the first that came out absolutely perfect. The others were GREAT but this one....it just soared.
Took me all of 1 afternoon to build and 3 days to stain and finish. I used Early American by Minwax to match the existing dining room table.
My goal is to build the table that goes with it.
But, for now, this is the perfect addition to the house.
One thing.
The plans for this bench call for 1x4s for the breadboards and that doesn't make sense. I think it's a typo.
You will need extra 2x4s to make the project really soar. But, heck, who can't use an extra 2x4 lying around?

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American
Varathane satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Etched Decorative Mirrors

Submitted by Malka on Wed, 09/13/2017 - 01:40

4 Etched Decorative Mirrors and 1 Faux Waterfall Edge Mirror. Bought the cheap Wal-Mart Mirrors and customised them with etchings and frames.

Estimated Cost
$15-20 a Mirror
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American, Classic Grey, Special Walnut, Provincial
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Vintage Step Stool

Submitted by alifrancis on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 15:54

I LOVE this stool!  I love the style, the function and how easy it was.  I  made this in just an hour while the kids were out front riding their bikes.  The best part was it was a gift for my dear friend for her nursery.  

I already have two more rooms in my house that are in need of this stool, so a few more are in my future. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10-15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed it with the Kilz oderless spray primer. Painted it with two coats of Ocean Breeze Spray paint. Sanded and distressed the edges of the stool. Finished it off with two coats of a spray on poly in a satin finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

How to Build Simple Raised Garden Beds

Starting with Ana's simple $10 raised garden plans, we built ours to be part of our experiment: Growing Vegetables in Our Driveway. Because our boxes are visible from the street, we made them a bit fancier and sturdier than we would have if they were hidden away in the backyard. An easy, afternoon project - with delicious results!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Seasonal And Holiday