Community Brag Posts

Love our new greenhouse!

With the help of friends and family, we managed to build this greenhouse rather easily. We had to start with the foundation since the spot we chose was not an even grade. We did this by filling sono tubes with cement and leveling each off so the greenhouse would have a solid place to sit. We then built out a frame around the outside of the cement tubes with some reclaimed 6x6's. After that, we filled the space with 5 tons of river rock and then got to work! After the foundation was ready putting the rest of the house together was a piece of cake. The frame was so easy to put together. We had a few minor kinks to work out here and there, I won't say this house came out 100% perfectly, BUT I am so happy with the end results. We chose to paint it a deep green color as a final touch. So far we just moved a few potted plants from our deck to the greenhouse for the winter. It has been working very well to keep the plants cozy during the colder days we've had. Eventually, I plan to build a potting station, shelving, and most likely a garden bed for winter harvests.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$2000
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ana White Admin

Mon, 11/09/2020 - 09:52

The foundation looks great the greenhouse looks amazing! I'm sure fun was had building it too:) Thanks for sharing.

Seasonal And Holiday

Truss Dining Table

Submitted by omnia on Fri, 11/13/2020 - 10:55

Followed the plans pretty closely other than making it a tiny bit shorter to fit in the living room. The hardest part was just smoothing out the top because I could not find straight boards. ended up using a hand planer and a ton of sanding after it was put together.

Feels very solid.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut and polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Park Bench - Son & Daughter In-law Christmas Gift

Submitted by mballway on Fri, 12/25/2020 - 14:13

A first for me in many years, over 40+. Not really since basic wood shop projects in Middle School. Anyway, my son (and daughter in-law, but she doesn't know) had asked for a backyard patio bench for Christmas this year (2020) so what could go wrong. Anyway, the plans are straight forward in this design. He saw the picture of a stained version on YouTube and said that would be perfect. The project took me three late afternoons/evenings as my day job took priority. After making all the cuts and beginning assembly I could really see this coming together nicely once the four legs were attached. Between wood fill and sanding I asked what finish they preferred and was told he would finish that part. So I sanded the exterior on it and glad for having him finish the coatings as I was just finished it that point on Christmas Eve Day. The red bow is also first for me.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
< $100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Table

The table is one that I have been waiting for my husband to retire from the Marines to make me. We moved so often while in the military that I knew there was no need to buy expensive furniture just to get damaged. When I found the plans for this I was thrilled.

The edges of the table have been sanded to resemble the worn weathered look.

Please forgive the pictures. I will retake soon.

Estimated Cost
$150.00-200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain is the Special Walnut then coated with three coats of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Printer's Console

Submitted by bRick on Thu, 12/18/2014 - 18:28

Followed the plans pretty close on this one. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
stain, poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic X end tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/19/2021 - 16:35

My first end tables, used the Rustic x plan except for the bottom shelf. I used a white chalky paint, with a brown wax to give it the rustic look, and stained the top walnut stain. Working on the coffee table to finish the set.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Top is walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Finished the table!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/26/2017 - 10:16

We struggled with the angles because we made the table bigger than this tutorial suggests but all in all, awesome build.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wood Closet Shelving

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/09/2021 - 06:38

This plan turned out perfect!! Such a great idea, thank you for the inspiration!

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

Comments

Lydia Daybed

I built the Lydia Daybed for my nephew's new big boy bed. Was a little worried about doing the fancy decorative corner pieces, but just adapted the design a little so it was not such an intricate cut. Everything turned out great and there are a few more pictures on the blog, www.atouchofarkansas.com. Thanks! JM

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
160.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted it black
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Her wedding anniversary gift

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/20/2017 - 21:57

Thanks for your video, Ana!

I had a bunch of salvage wood boards and wanted to offer my wife the space she'd always wanted for gardening for our wedding anniversary.

Your plans inspired me to build her this bench, adapting the design to the materials I had.

She loved it!!

Elodie :-)

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Chevron headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/23/2017 - 15:02

A friend asked me to make a headboard for him as he couldn't find anything online or in store that he really liked. 

I was up for the challenge and always love working with wood to make new and exciting things so, challenge accepted. 

This was my first attempt at a headboard and I think it turned out pretty nice. 

Knotty pine face with a cedar frame. 

Looking forward to my next project! 

Estimated Cost
CA 225.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Potting Bench

Submitted by JayPayne on Fri, 04/09/2021 - 13:27

This potting bench was exactly what I was looking for. Ana's materials list and cut list were perfect. The instructions were simple and precise which all made the project easy. I used white pine with a deck stain and sealer. Cedar or pressure treated lumber might last longer, but cedar was expensive and PT was too heavy. So I kept it simple and I'm sure with the deck sealer this bench will last for years. I used pocket screws and wood glue which made the bench extremely sturdy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$85 including deck stain/sealer
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a cedar colored deck stain/sealer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Truss beam farmhouse table

Submitted by Mjh60 on Tue, 02/03/2015 - 19:41

This was my first table I built, very happy I found these plans. The legs were pressure treated 4x4's which made it very heavy one I put it all together. Thanks for the plans Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax stain and polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Chunky canopy daybed without canopy

Submitted by a_hard on Sun, 04/07/2013 - 22:09

We (myself and my girlfriend) decided to build this daybed after considering several options for a new sofa. With three big dogs we knew we wanted a big sofa and after looking at many $400+ options we saw several issues (besides cost), The biggest was the availability of slip covers for easy cleaning. We went with the daybed route because a mattress is far cheaper than foam for sofa cushions and twin sheets are readily available for low prices in many colors.

Obviously I altered the plans significantly as I wanted a chunkier, heavier frame that would withstand the abuse of day to day life. Also I removed the canopy as it's not needed indoors. The rear legs are 4x4 nominal which I resawed to 3x3 actual. The rear frame is 1x3 nominal horizontal pieces with 2x3 nominal boards as the verticals. These have rabbets cut in them to join with the horizontal pieces. The bottom support for the mattress is a 2x6 resawn to 2x5 actual and rabbeted to fit each vertical and the legs. Also, the top two horizontals are longer to fit into rabbets in the legs - this allows the back structure to be far stronger.

The sides are constructed of 1x3 horizontals with the leg and arm cap being 2x4 nominal resawn to 1x3 actual. The verticals were rabbeted like the rear to accept the horizontal pieces. The front crossmember is a 2x6 nominal block planed to match the front legs.

Joinerys consists of the following -
All rabbeted joints are glued and brad nailed together.
The legs and arm/top caps are pockted screwed to the horizontal crossmembers.
The front, sides, and rear join with 3 1/2" deck screws and 5 1/2" lag bolts.
Stringers/mattress supports are 2x3 nominal.

Finish is Behr premium plus interior latex eggshell paint/primer sprayed with an HVLP sprayer.

If anyone is interested I can take some measurements and more photos. Right now we just have our old futon mattress on (we're saving to do some other projects).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$375 (including mattress, pillows, and paint)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Plus Paint/Primer - Tibetan Orange
Paint applied with HVLP sprayer (the type used in automotive finishing).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Modern Outdoor Patio/Deck Collection

Submitted by frmoody on Mon, 07/26/2021 - 14:48

This was a simple yet very time consuming building. Lots of pieces and lots of sanding. I am really pleased with how it turned out. I stained the edges of all the 1 x 4's prior to assembly just to make things easier. I also increased the sides of the chair from 24" to 26" and set the seat height to 18" to match the bench.

Estimated Cost
$255
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I stained everything with Minwax Gunstock and then finished with three coats of Helmsman Spar Urethane exterior semigloss. I sanded with 600 grit paper between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modified Camp Loft Bed

Submitted by akwebb3 on Tue, 08/03/2021 - 14:07

I may have spoiled my Grand-daughter a bit too much and her room was really full of stuff. I decided that I should just go ahead and spoil her a little more by building her a new bed for her birthday. I used the Camp Loft Bed plan but did modify it to fit her full size mattress and raised the height just a bit to make sure that her doll house would fit underneath. I am so happy with how it turned out! I love that I can fit her toy bins underneath the stairs where they are out of the way and how much more room she has to actually play. I used some really fat yarn and crocheted the little stair runners so it is nice and soft on her feet going up and down the stairs. This project did take longer then some of the others that I have done but I do also work a full time job. I had the bed actually built and put together in a weekend but then took it all apart for staining and finishing which took a long time. There were a lot of pieces to stain with multiple sides and coats to get the coverage I wanted so it would match her other furniture. I also did 3 coats of topcoat on each piece. Looking back if I had to do this over again I would have used 4x4's for the legs/bed posts. She is only 6 right now but as she gets older I will probably switch those so that it is a little more sturdy as she gets bigger.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments