Community Brag Posts

Adirondack Chair

Submitted by maparuna on Sat, 05/18/2013 - 19:07

Built three Adirondack Chair, got the dimensions from Ana's Adirondack Chair and modify dimensions for the smaller chair for my daughter. Used ceder and pine. Cost about CDN 40 per chair. Specially I would like to thanks Ana giving information about simple but beautiful furniture designs.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Used for my backyard
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Grillin' and Chillin' - Outdoor Grill Food Prep Station

Needed a table for food prep with my grill and found your plans! I used treated lumber for the base and nice cedar planks for the top. The treated lumber had a whiter than usual color which made the base really pop out. I put a nice pecan stain on top and a few coats of poly so the BBQ sauce wouldn't stain it! This was so easy, literally took 2-3 hours to build, stain and poly was done over the next few days. Ready for my next ana-white project. Thanks for posting these plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Simple pecan stain and minwax poly. Brushed on the stain and kept brushing until I got the darkness I wanted
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

tr7dul

Wed, 07/09/2014 - 16:24

I was looking on Pinterest and found this table. It was exactly what I was looking for. You inspired me to go out and buy a miter saw and some wood and make the table. It turned out wonderful. It now has a permanent place on my patio and gets used when I grill mostly. I was hoping to be able to upload a photo but don't see the option to do so. Anyway, I want to say thanks for the great plans/instructions.

Camp Loft Bed Full size

Submitted by katjagest on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 05:05

Made this Loft bed for a full size mattress in 2019 and it is still strong. I added a stretcher on the bottom of bed across the length of the the bed added strength.

Comments

Clubhouse Bed -Full Size with Slide

Submitted by Heatherdee on Sat, 05/02/2015 - 17:44

Thank you Ana for the clubhouse bed plans! I added 15" to the width of the rails to accommodate a full size mattress. On the other side I made a slide platform! I chose a standard plastic slide because I couldn't find a way to make a wooden slide at home with the swoop at the bottom to keep the kids from hitting the carpet hard :). We couldn't have a green outdoor-looking slide, am I right? I used Rustoleum  spray paint made for plastic in French Lilac color.  After the paint I used a top a coat of Minwax 3x polyurethane. I also used the Rustoleum spray paint for the window grids. 

To accommodate the slide specs I needed to raise this bed 5".  I just made each leg 5" longer.  Also, the ceiling in my daughter's room slopes down so I cut the point off the back of the bed.  Totally not noticeable.  I needed to do this even if I hadn't raised the bed :)

I also added full window frames around the window to make the bed a little more girly!  One unexpected result is that the bedroom looks BIGGER with this bed in it. She had a twin size step 2 plastic castle bed before but now there is so much more room to play. Win!  Changing the sheets isn't too bad but you need to get in the bed to do it.

I built this bed by myself. Don't be afraid, you can do this! Once the panels are assembled they get a bit heavy so you have to be sort of creative to drag them across the garage floor :)

Next up: mailbox for the bed, shelves under the slide and window boxes!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Flat White Paint in Glacier; Minwax 3x Polyurethane (I would maybe use wax or something next time! Maybe even semi-gloss paint)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Slat Bench from Palettes

Submitted by jetpad on Fri, 09/15/2017 - 06:32

This was made from several heavy duty palettes that were used for delivering stone. Because of the wood I could get off the palettes, I switched the thin and thick pieces so that the slat gaps were where the 2x4 pieces were missing instead of the 1x4s. 

Estimated Cost
$10 (for glue and screws)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cedar Planter with Trellis

Submitted by redhead_61 on Thu, 06/06/2013 - 15:13

I put the two planter boxes on this site together to get a perfect little lattice box for the space by my door. I get lots of compliments and hopefully soon I will have yummy jasmine welcoming my guests.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
free with scraps
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
wood protector
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Christmas Tree Wall Shelf

Submitted by PhD_Phil on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 10:44

Christmas Tree Wall Shelf

Stockings hung using cabinet/drawer pull knobs that I found on Amazon

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
<$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Coffee Table, End Table and Console

Submitted by jbayer80 on Thu, 06/20/2013 - 07:07

This was a blast to build. This was all a gift for my wife since the traditional 5th anniversary gift is wood.

The coffee table and console are both awesome! The only thing I would change/modify is the end table, because its kinda big and doesn't really look its part of the set other than the "X". I would maybe take about 2 or 3 inches off all sides or maybe 3 off the sides so its not such a box.

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Kona on top and shelf (s) with 4 coats of polyurethane. Currently there is nothing on all other parts because I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I think I'm just going to put a few coats of poly on the "naked" parts and call it a day. I thought about painting the other pieces but that would hide the beautiful grain in the Douglas Fir. I don't like the idea of the entire thing being Kona because it looks too dark on the others I've seen on here (for my house only), then I thought about a very light stain but think I settled on it being naked with the poly. I would honestly love to hear what you guys think as I have not touched it yet.

Actually I was thinking it would be nice for Anna to have a section with a "poll" for someone like me who is kinda stuck on a finish to post a picture and have other vote on a few options....thoughts??? Anna??
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Val Manchuk

Thu, 06/20/2013 - 07:31

I'll start one! Go for the poly. You're absolutely right, it will bring up the beautiful grain, and show off the "X" accents. Nice work, by the way!

Val Manchuk

Thu, 06/20/2013 - 07:32

I'll start one! Go for the poly. You're absolutely right, it will bring up the beautiful grain, and show off the "X" accents. Nice work, by the way!

spiceylg

Thu, 06/20/2013 - 08:39

Beautiful builds! Wow, they look wonderful. What an amazing gift! From the pics, the end table looks fine, too, as the furniture isn't a small scale. I love the two-tone so I say go for just the poly!

WorkShopWendy

Thu, 06/20/2013 - 12:08

I think you did an amazing job :) love the contrast of the two tones. Using poly for the rest would be beautiful. I cant wait to do this project myself.

JoanneS

Thu, 06/20/2013 - 15:47

What a wonderful gift! These tables are beautiful, great job on this build! I love the two-tone - One more vote for the poly! :)

jbayer80

Fri, 06/21/2013 - 13:04

I'm going to go with only the Poly over the bare wood. Thanks for the comments and advise! It will be a few weeks due to work and travel but I'll send updated pics once its done.

Jbird

Sat, 02/24/2018 - 21:18

I like the naked/poly look too. The other option I think would look good would be painting it white. The contrast between the white frame and darker kona top and shelf would be cool. 

Shou Sugi Ban (Yakisugi) Cornhole Boards

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 14:48

I'm James Farquhar, designer, and fabricator. This is the second set of cornhole boards I built this year. This set is the regulation size of 48" x 24" according to the American Cornhole Association. It is made from fir 2 x 4 s and pine 1 x 4 s (6 per board). Each board is glued with Titebond II and countersunk Torx top screws (#8 1-1/2 inches). It is coated with Minwax polyacrylic (8 layers sprayed on) and Howard's bee's wax (3 layers). The boards are secured with 3-inch toggle latches in pairs. Kayak carrying handles with four screw ports; I used the same Torx Screws I used to put the boards together, extra for strength. The total weight of the boards is 60 pounds. I used a Texas Flame Thrower to Shou Sugi Ban (Yakisugi), as a finish.

Comments

Northwest Ohio Pergola

Submitted by russell_h on Sat, 06/27/2015 - 17:57

I used flat stone and a masonry circular blade for the base of the corner posts. I also used 2 x 4's for both layers of the top boards. It was a lot of fun to build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I will stain and seal in a year
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Style Bar Table - San Diego

My husband modified these plans by making it a 42" tall bar high table. He built it and I stained it with Dark Walnut Danish oil and it came out better than we imagined. Thank you for these awesomely cool DIY plans.

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

Comments

Modified Simple Outdoor Dining Table

Submitted by ewood on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 08:04

Wanted a Patio table and when I saw the plans on this site I really liked it; I just changed the plan a bit. Everything was screwed from the underside of the table, also I attached the legs with 2" lag screws.

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

Comments

Teeter Totter

This is one of the cheapest projects for my kids I have ever completed!! And the most rewarding. I think everyone of my neighbors has been on the teeter totter...including adults :) My kids just love it and I am thinking of making a few for my nephews for Christmas. I was able to find all the wood I needed in my scrap pile. I had the PVC pipe and bolt already also so all I had to make a trip to the store for was the foam for the seats. My son helped me build this in an hour. I liked the unfinished look so I just sprayed it with a little Thompson Water Seal. Thank you Ana White!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0 Lumber (scrap wood) $5 Foam padding
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson Water Seal
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Fancy X Farmhouse table with built in copper cooler

Submitted by J Dixon on Sun, 08/23/2015 - 01:54

My version of Fancy X Farmhouse table with a built in copper cooler!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut colored danish oil base with satin poly top coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Codding58

Thu, 05/12/2016 - 12:27

VERY nice build!   How did you make the copper cooler, if you don't mind me asking.    Great Idea and love that you can hide it away!  Cheers

4x4 Truss Beam Table Black

I had trouble with the angled cuts not fitting perfectly. I have a circular saw, not a table saw or miter saw, so I had to measure with a protractor and mark, then try to follow my lines exactly. Tedious, but I like the table. It is mad heavy though!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30 for stain. I had all the rest of the reclaimed wood. Otherwise, $150.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax "ebony"
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Doggie Daybed

Submitted by jkjackson on Sun, 04/24/2022 - 18:42

This was adapted from the Farmhouse bed plans to match our king size farmhouse bed.

Comments

Twin Farmhouse Bed with Trundle

Took the farmhouse plan and added a Trundle.   Was initially going to build two farmhouse beds for my two girls, but thought adding the Trundle would free up some much needed floor space.  The girls love it!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Small Chicken Coop with Planter, Clean Out Tray and Nesting Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/07/2022 - 07:29

My husband and I had so much fun building this for our ladies! We had some material leftover from the build of our house so we made a few adjustments. I’ve included progress pics because we found others very helpful during our build. We also added hardware wire and brick at the base to predator proof (not pictured).

Comments