Community Brag Posts

Awesome project!

Thanks Ana!

I have wanted a pergola for years and since we moved into our new construction in Dec. '12, I decided to finally go for it and add it to our new backyard plans. When I stumbled onto the plan on ana-white.com, I couldn't be more thrilled to see how simple of a project it was. I do not mean that it was an easy build by any means. I wanted a "beefier" look to it so I used 2x6 and 2x4's. The 4x4 posts are 10ft long (I was going to use 12 ft until I realized just how tall they were!). I stole the steel anchor post idea from the Popular Mechanics site and the "look" of the pergola from the Weatherly plan. I decided not to notch each beam due to time constraints and I just didn't think I need to. I did use zinc L brackets to secure the 2x6s to the support beams (also 2x6s). The top is stiff as can be but the bottom has a slight give to it since it is only four 4x4s sitting on post anchor brackets. I am planning on adding about 6 inches of concrete around the base of the posts (after my HOA "approves" the pergola) to stiffing the structure and then trim around the base for a more "custom" look to it. It will be similar style to the Weatherly except wider around the base so that I can set drinks on it. It took about 8 hours total and about an hour of that was setting the steel anchor posts (measuring and installing 2 1/4" red head screws into the 4" concrete slab patio).

I will stain it with a semi-transparent (BEHR brand) redwood-ish color in a few months after the PT pine dries.

I followed this easy plan. Only thing I changed is rounding the arm rest as a safety feature. Added weed barrier on the bottom

Used 36 inch legs instead of 32". 

Also used two 6x1 inch boards for each side of the box. 

Made from pine boards. Had to add 2 2x4's underneath to hold the drawer.  

Quick and easy to follow plans.  Only issue I ran into was that my miter saw only cuts up to a 50° angle.  I set up a jig to hold the 2x2 perpendicular to the saw and set the miter to 30°.  Viola, easy 60° angles!  Pic attached for reference.

Thank you Ana White!!! This website is Awesome!!! I started my outdoor sectional project last summer and used the "Modern Outdoor Sectional" plans for my project....it really was easy....In fact, I went to Lowes and had all my sizes cut for me and all I had to do was use the kreg jig as recommended and a drill and "Wa La!"....my sectional didn't cost me more than $350! This year I am going to paint it since it is pre-treated wood, I needed to wait the season!!! So, I will upload another picture soon to show you what it looks like painted......

My daughter wanted a bed with lots of storage so searched on here and found the queen and king storage beds, but she wanted something taller.  So, I modifed the plans for the bed and made it slightly larger than a queen storage bed, but not quite as big as the king, and almost twice the height.  I then built a set of stairs (modified the plans for the stairs as well so she would have 2 sets that created a bridge for her dog's kennel to go under her bed hidden away slightly.  This was by far my biggest and most challenging project to date, but we were thrilled with the way it turned out.  She loves the bed and I loved the time I was able to spend with her while building (she is 20 so time like that is far and few between)

I'll be honest I didn't use these plans to build this cooler chest but this was the first place I saw the concept of building a box around a cooler to make a cooler chest so I give anna props for inspiring me I already had an old cooler to use so it helped keep the cost down I also used 1x4 blue pine and cedar fence picketts and repurposed the bottle opener from a growler carrier (in hindsight the bottle opener on a growler carrier doesnt make sense) all told this cost me about $45

My wife and I really love the farmhouse look and feel. We saw one of these tables at a furniture store for $2000 with no chairs. I had already bought the Kreg Tool, something that I cannot believe I have done without for so long, when I went to build some $10 Shelves that Ana has on her site. My wife asked me how hard it would be to build the table and I told her I have never done anything like it. I also told her if she didn't like the end project, we could use it as a picnic table outside. It was fantastically easy with the plans and Kreg Jig. Thanks to Ana for all the helpful tips!

Now to the build. We decided that the table needed to be a bit wider and longer for our needs, so I adjusted the plans. It came out to 90"x48". The center board is a 2x12 with the other 4 being 2x10s. The end pieces are 2x8s that I had from building garden boxes. The benches that I also built were from scrap lumber, they are not pictured here as they need one more coat of stain and then three coats of polycrylic. They are 52" long and go on the ends where the kids can use the cross beam as a foot support.

Building this project was rather quicker than I thought. Of course, borrowing a radial arm saw helped out a bunch with the legs. Once it was all together, I sanded the table three times. I used 80, 150 then 220 grit. The palm sander got a real workout over the space of about a week and a half.

Finishing the project, I decided to follow the plans and went with Minwax Weathered Oak and topped that with Minwax Polycrylic. The legs and underside of the table received 2 coats of each, but the top I gave 3 coats of stain and 2 coats of the Poly with a very light sanding in between each coat.

The table then sat completed in the garage for 3 weeks as I had to find enough help to get it into the house. This is one heavy bugger. If we ever sell the place, it stays! There are ~150 screws and all but 12 of those had pocket holes.

Fantastic build and now I am going to build the farmhouse king size bed. And a murphy bed. And more shelves. And a shoe cubby with coat rack. And a wine rack. And a greenhouse... the list goes on and on...

I've built several things from the page but this is the first that I have posted about.  I love this site.  Everything I have built has been so easy because of the way the plans are laid out.  I added my own little touches to the buffet but for the most part I followed the plans as they were.

I had leftover scraps from some other projects so I decided to use Ana's plans to build this easy adirondack chair. It was built in a just a couple hours. It's the perfect size for my 4 year old!

My 2 grand girls wanted a cottage bunk bed.  Not wanting to disappoint, I took the plans from the cottage loft bed and modified them, adding a lower bunk.  I also added the steps, with storage on the side instead of the ladder, and made a drawer for the front step for the little one.

I made the wreath from Pom-Poms purchased from Jo-Ann's and battery operated string lights.  

I opted for a cedar shake roof, which was purchased from Home Depot, then painted.

Needless to say, they love it!