Community Brag Posts

Cedar Outdoor Side Table First Project

Submitted by Amy.Mapes on Sat, 05/04/2019 - 09:35

This was my first attempt at making anything out of wood.  I was thankful for guidance from my husband but I did it myself!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Colonial Maple Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Octagon picnic table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/03/2023 - 02:27

Great project . Easy plan to read .

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Dress Up Tower for my four year old Granddaughter

I'm a furniture builder now! This is actually the fourth project built from Ana's plans, but the first one complete and gifted. I bought my materials in the morning, and had it together by late afternoon. Now choosing colors, trim and do-dads to embellish was a whole nuther thing. I opted for chalk paint with a wax finish, and distressed her. She has mirrors on both sides as well as two, double hooks for hats, belts and jewelry.

My grand daughter is one pleased princess. Me too! I'm proud of myself.

Thanks Ana for the terrific instructions, encouragement and education you provide.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
After a wood putty and a light sanding, I mixed Annie Sloan Chalk Paints to get the beautiful blue. It's one part Duck Egg Blue to one part Old White. No primer is needed with this brand, but I did apply two coats of paint. When dry, I used one coat of Old White to the outward facing walls, leaving the inside and top blue. A light sanding at corners and where natural wear might occur took off enough white so blue could show thru. I applied 2 coats of Annie's Soft Clear Wax to seal and waterproof the finish. I'm pleased with the finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

cathryn j (not verified)

Fri, 11/11/2011 - 09:19

Great Project! I really loved the heart embellishment on the inside of the top...it makes it even more interesting to look at from many angles.

Question: does the waxed chalk paint finish feel that it may wear away with use? I am considering this finish but have never felt it in person.

In reply to by cathryn j (not verified)

beckiedecker

Sat, 11/12/2011 - 19:20

I love the hearts too! Found them in a clearance bin at a local hobby supply store for .29 cents each. The price thrilled miserly me.

Regarding the wax, it feels very smooth and satiny. I'm new to the chalk paint and wax technique, myself, but I did research before using it. From what I gather, wax, in general, will eventually wear away and have to be redone. When the piece looses it's luster a soft rag should buff the sheen back. When you can't buff up a sheen, then it's time to rewax. It should last years. Ask me again in 5 years. :-)

Oh, I should add, the close up of the curly embellishment was taken before I waxed.

I came across a lot of conflicting info regarding the soft wax. Nothing bad, just different techniques, and it seemed the more I read, the more questions I had. Finally just dove in and found my way. I like, like the method!

Did I answer your question? And then some!

In reply to by margjack

beckiedecker

Sat, 11/12/2011 - 19:49

She's a foo-foo girl, so yes, she was excited. Even more so when she was able to stand in front of her own full length mirror and see how stunning she was in the princess outfit her Aunt gave her. So cute!

kareylynn

Sun, 11/13/2011 - 19:48

You did a beautiful job, and I love the finish! I built the same piece, but only gave it an antique white painted finish. I may have to try some of your techniques on my next build.

Where did you find mirrors to fit? I can't find them short enough...

beckiedecker

Tue, 11/15/2011 - 16:20

I'd planned to use mirror tiles, but while at the Lowe's buying trim and mastif, I came across 2 to a pack beveled mirrors for $19. They were the perfect size! Now that's luck.

dining table

Submitted by InSweden on Sat, 10/26/2013 - 14:52

We got idea from here, but we had to make our own plan for table to make it fit in to our home.. and we just love it :)

more in my blog http://kellarinkatkoissa.blogspot.se/2013/10/tee-se-itse.html

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
teak and hard wax oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Home Depot DIH Workshop Rolling Storage Cart

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/10/2016 - 05:50

I needed more storage in my small kitchen so I modified this cart to 42 x 20 x 96. One shelf has a sliding drawer. I am very new to all of this so I mistakenly overlooked accounting for the side ends of the shelves in my calculations. I left them off, but may go back and insert 1 x 2 to complete them. Not sure yet.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X coffee table and side table

I made these tables from the Ana White plans but for the side table I made it a bit larger to fit the space it was going to be going in. Stained the top varathane Dark Walnut and the bottom I painted white. 

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

Toddler Kitchen

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/10/2023 - 11:56

Granddaughter wanted a Pink kitchen for Christmas, so what does Meemaw do ?? She goes to your website and does her research. I completed this kitchen in probably less than 2 weeks.
She abstained loved it, and no one in the family could believe Meemaw built this…
Many thanks..

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Pallet Shelf

Submitted by beingbrook on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 09:39

We are going for a rustic look in our teen sons bedroom. He has some large books that will not fit onto his bookshelf so a pallet wall shelf seemed like a perfect solution.

This project literally took five minutes. If you don't have a sawsall it would probably take around 30 but still pretty quick.

Estimated Cost
Less than $5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Our pallet didn't come with tons of character so I did a vinegar and steel wood treatment to it to help age the wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

rustic x sofa table

I love this site. We needed new furniture in are house and didn't want to spend a bunch of money. Finding the Rustic x plans was a life saver.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint and kona stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My First Fully Finished Project ! YAY Thanks Ana

Submitted by fariha ali on Wed, 01/13/2016 - 21:03

I am very excited to post this project .

 

I used the Schoolhouse Chair with Writing Pad Desk Plan exactly and did not stain the wood. Just gave it a coat of PU and there it is .

Its not a perfect project (since I used a Jigsaw ... Yes I did as no other tools were available :() but carefully cut them straight using guide.

 

As a  first-timer I am happy with the result... sort of... But Thanks for inspiring Ana & Jaime !!!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
One PU coat and sanding ..
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse Entryway console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/17/2023 - 15:29

I saw these plans several months ago and finally got the time I wanted to make it. I chose oak because it’s the best and prettiest stained. I love the way it turned out!

Comments

Simple and easy console table

Submitted by Jen Pedro on Thu, 12/01/2011 - 13:44

I built this as a place where my husband can store his keys and wallet. This table has nice, clean lines. The simple angles fit with the many pieces of Asian décor that we have.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
brown low VOC acrylic latex
polyacrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Patrick's Jelly Cupboard

Submitted by tamicaleb on Thu, 10/31/2013 - 16:30

I am built two of these cupboards for my dining room. I am calling them pie safes though. Making two added twice the work but I only had to think through the steps once.

Estimated Cost
$250 to build two. That included paint, hinges, hardware etc.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Interior painted butterscotch. Exterior spray painted black then painted over with a muted red. Distress sanded and then wiped down with dark walnut stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Customized Entry Console

I changed the size and style of the Pottery Barn plan to fit our space and match the Fancy Hall Tree that we recently completed. We think it came out great so wanted to share.

Estimated Cost
$240
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Min wax aged oak gel stain and tung oil
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

First bed frame.

Submitted by msucharski on Tue, 06/04/2019 - 02:46

I work at a lumber yard, and this was built with "garbage" door jambs. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustolium wood stain. Kona.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Shanty Side Board and Hutch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/24/2023 - 09:05

This is the Shanty Chick Side Board and Hutch that some of my high school students chose to build. It is going to the Texas state contest in Corpus Christi next week.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Spa Bench with Doors

My first Ana project- took the spa bench and added doors. Thanks for the easy-to-use plans, Ana. Still learning, though- I ended up buying three sets of hinges before I was happy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Ebony Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Loft bed with stairs

Submitted by Rory1976 on Mon, 11/04/2013 - 11:38

I've made three of these loft beds. The plans are very easy to follow, and once assembled, they form extremely solid structures. Thank you very much Ana, what you are doing us very much appreciated.

Estimated Cost
£150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Redwood wood stain three coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Wood pallet wine rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/19/2016 - 20:15

My wife showed me this wine rack on a you tube video so I checked it out. She really wanted one so I made her two of them. I also made a longer one for liquor bottles as well, ill post it as soon as I hang it on the wall.

Estimated Cost
$10 for the stain
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
The stain was English chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Cubby Shelf with hairpin legs

I built this modern cubby storage shelf by making a few modifications to the Rolling Cubby Bench plan. It's a quick project with extra bright paint to add a bit of fun. Check out all of my tips for building this fun storage bench at https://mamaneedsaproject.com/modern-toy-storage-project/ . 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint, Minwax Polyshade - Mission Oak, Pink paint - Cerise by Sherwin Williams (SW6580)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

An adaptation of the Rustic Bookshelf!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/28/2023 - 16:44

During Covid, my husband and I renovated our mountain house. After taking down a wall enclosing a staircase, we were left with awkwardly long pony wall. Originally we planned to do built in bookshelves, but then I decided the x bookshelves would look good and be a lot easier. So we customized the measurements and built them. Then I decided we really needed a bar space, so we built another x bookshelf around the measurements of an inexpensive bar fridge and voila! They look great and we get lots of compliments on both!

Built from Plan(s)

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