Community Brag Posts

Modified Bench for backyard camping

Submitted by Keith on Sun, 03/24/2013 - 11:44

My family and I really enjoyed camping last year and with the addition of another child we will not be able to get out this season. So, I modified the simple bench plan to create a comfortable seating area while we "camp" in the backyard. With the money I saved building vs. buying, I was able to purchase a new miter saw and sander and still save a ton of green. I plan on building a couple side tables to complete the set. Thanks for the site Ana, it helps make our home more warm and affordable.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 a bench (most of the money in the cushions)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sprayed enamel paint with a spar varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse headboard

I built this headboard a while back but just never got around to posting it.  I distressed the wood, painted it mint green and applied a chocolate glaze. 

 

 

Estimated Cost
$100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Mint green and chocolate glaze
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Play House

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/02/2017 - 21:12

Made from plans on website. Granddaughters favorite color is purple so that's the theme. Siding and room match house.  

Estimated Cost
$800
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Flower boxes from scrap 1x4 with artificial flowers. Inside painted walls purple and white and ceiling is sky color.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/22/2021 - 10:17

I originally made the Adirondack chairs in a Beach style, then I made them matte black for around the fire pit. I modified the design a little, making the arms wider (to accommodate food and drink better) and fanned the back a bit. Everyone loves the look and how comfortable they are, as well as how sturdy they are. Goodbye to those plastic chairs that break.

Thanks for the great project ideas during the quarantine.

Estimated Cost
$70/each
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
FLat Black spray-paint, and High Gloss Bright Colors brushed on (then Turtled Waxed so the chairs dry quickly)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

X console variation

Submitted by khanson17 on Wed, 03/27/2013 - 10:45

My wife asked me to build her a sewing table so I modified the x console a bit. Pretty happy with the result. Still need to add the hardware to complete the piece. Finished with the vinegar / steel wool solution after pre treating it with black tea. First time using that technique and will definitely use it again.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
That stinky oxidizing vinegar solution with a black tea pre-treatment. Need to be careful that no glue, grease or dirt is on the wood, preventing the solution to work its magic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

katiemakes

Sat, 03/30/2013 - 01:36

I'm very jealous of this desk, looks amazing, is there a tutorial on here for the finish you mentioned? Tea and vinegar sound like fun!

In reply to by katiemakes

khanson17

Fri, 04/05/2013 - 22:20

I can't remember where I stumbled across the technique but basically you take some steel wool (0000), tear it up, put it in a big glass jar, fill it with stinky white vinegar and let it sit for a few days to dissolve the wool. Shake the jar every day or two and don't cap it tight. In about three days the wool will have dissolved and you will have a murky liquid.

I then brewed some black tea I bought at Walmart and painted the entire piece with the tea. After it dried I painted over it with the vinegar, and wallah! it totally changed colors...not sure why it does...something to do with oxidization and tannin and chemical reactions.

Then I went over the entire piece with furniture wax.

There are plenty of online tutorials which go into more detail. My suggestions is make sure your surface is completely clean and as smooth as possible. Let your tea layer completely dry before applying the vinegar and then let your vinegar layer dry outside. We rushed the table into our house mere moments after it was dry to the touch, so our home smelled like stinky, rusty vinegar for a few days. I can't stand the smell of vinegar....I loathe salt and vinegar chips....blah.

Anyway, glad you liked it.

spiceylg

Tue, 04/07/2015 - 06:05

Love this mod. Might copy but will cut into the desk portion so the sewing machine surface is flush. I have a desk in which it sits on top now and have thought of cutting into it, but it's Amish made and the thought of ruining work gives me the willies, ha! Anyway, great job!

Benchwright Coffee Table

This is a replica of the Pottery Barn benchwright coffee table.  I altered Ana's plans slightly by changing the design of the legs to be 2.25" by 2". I added full extension drawer slides.  The finish is a combination of transtint shellac base coat, gel stain, transtint dye, and poly. 

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

coloradonp

Sun, 01/31/2016 - 18:56

Hi! The finish is absolutely gorgeous. I was wondering if you could give a little bit more detail on which products you used for the finish. I've only used oil based stains and I'm not quite sure what the transtint dye is. Thanks!

Little girl hideout

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/06/2017 - 15:20

I changed the entrance from the front to the end and added the steps.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Gel stain with General Finishes Arm R Seal
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adirondack Love!

This was my second build ever, and I'm so extremely satisfied with the entire process! Ana's plan was super easy to follow, and I couldn't be more proud of how they turned out!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Upcycle Lead Glass Window

Submitted by LARMO on Sat, 03/30/2013 - 08:17

This was a recycle from a window replacement project on my 108 year old home. I removed the leaded glas window from the top of a 4.5 by 4.5 street facing window with a reciprocationg saw, attached a 1x4 pine board with trim screws on the ends and trim nails on the mid-portions. Painted it with satin black with a sweep of gold and pewter for a little dramatic effect, purchased a heavy weight mirror hanging plate and attached to the wall and window back. I'm thinking of backing it with a mirror to improve looks,

Estimated Cost
$15.00 $3.00 for paint, $3.00 for pine board, $9.00 for hanger
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
1 can of black satin with gold and pewter overlay paints
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Sat, 03/30/2013 - 09:39

This is just lovely! What a wonderful use for a piece of history, it's now a one of a kind piece of art, and an instant heirloom!

Flip up desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/09/2017 - 17:09

I'm in love with the way these turned out!  Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$150 (incl finish)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain in Gunstock, varathane polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Step stool

Submitted by brittrad14 on Sun, 05/09/2021 - 10:22

Love, love , love this step stool. It’s perfect and relatively easy to make.

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood finish early american
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Playhouse

Submitted by Wfgamble on Mon, 04/01/2013 - 16:52

Wow! Did we ever pick a "small" project for our first build:) We had never built so much as a birdhouse and here we were building a playhouse. It was so much fun though and I'm glad that we did it. My daughter LOVES it and we are so pleased with how it turned out. We ran across a few problems due to our inexperience but nothing we couldn't overcome.

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Tue, 04/02/2013 - 05:20

I can't believe you picked this as your first project. I would have been totally intimidated. Wait, I still am! You nailed it, however. Awesome build! I wish I had a fancy front door like that! :)

Princess Loft Playhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/13/2017 - 09:13

Had a blast making this bed and redesigning my granddaughter bedroom 

Estimated Cost
$100. Always check out the discounted wood selection before purchasing wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X TV Stand

Submitted by pteremi on Mon, 05/17/2021 - 13:51

A couple more passes of finish and this will have a new lease on life. Beginning as a mixture of reclaimed wood and some shelving that Brian Carla Baker Smith had in their garage, it will soon be sporting a television as life begins anew for our friends. The most gnarly pieces turned out to provide the most character. I think that is a wonderful observation of life. Great plan from Ana White!

Estimated Cost
60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Tried and True Danish Oil Finish With 3 coats of Polyurethane on the top
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Clara Table

Submitted by jasonD on Thu, 04/04/2013 - 17:37

Made this for a friend. Followed the plans from the Clara table, chairs were made from the 4 dollar stackable chair plan.
Finish was Watco Danish Dark Walnut oil, which i just discovered and love. Goes on even and isn't blotchy on pine. For the table top i added a couple coats of polyurethane.
The table was easy to make, but the chairs took quite a bit of time with the amount of slats. Also there are about 30 screw holes per chair to drill, countersink and fill with putty. I am making another set for someone else, and will probably go with a single, wide slat for the back and seat. Also I would suggest adding braces to the legs, they seem a little flimsy

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Watco Danish Oil Dark Walnut
Minwax Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Loft Bed

Submitted by dadto3kids on Mon, 02/16/2015 - 20:25

I used 2 x 6's because of the distance (just over 12') I still need to build the ladder but my daughter insisted on sleeping up there anyway as she has been waiting for a few days as I worked om=n building this. No paint or stain yet, not sure how she wants it finished> I will update the photos as I finish the project.

Estimated Cost
$100-$120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Lounge chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 09:20

New chairs for our lake house. They turned out realy comfortable. Thank you Ana! 

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

Rustic X Bookshelf

Submitted by bozarthm1 on Fri, 05/28/2021 - 12:34

used Ana's plans, just modified the width and depth.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
white primer and paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

bozarthm1

Fri, 05/28/2021 - 12:35

This is officially DONE!, just waiting for the paint to dry. Turned out heavier than I thought it would. Next time would try to use thinner materials. The X's weren't too bad, but were still a PIA. ... thats why most of them live in Texas

Simple Potting Bench turned sand table/ outdoor toy storage

Submitted by aecooper05 on Sat, 04/06/2013 - 15:34

I wanted to build my kids a sand/ water table, but wanted something that would could also serve as other purposes. My father helped me since I used his tools. We shortened the whole project by 16% so my kids would be able to reach it better. We also changed up what wood was used. My father came through and had a pile of wood that he had no use for. So we used 1x6's that we cut down for the shelves and 2x4's for everything else. We also added a brace on the back to add a little more stability to the bench since my kids were going to use it. To finish it up I bought a plastic storage tub with a lid and some sand. The bottom shelf is used for toy storage.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25 (cost of 2 boxes of screws, plastic tub and bag of sand... wood was free)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner