Community Brag Posts

Easy DIY Work Bench

This was an after work project. (2.5 hours) Easy build. This bench is exactly to spec of the plans. This is a great little work bench already planning to build a couple more.

Estimated Cost
$65.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dog/Baby Gate

Submitted by advanlente on Sat, 03/28/2020 - 11:53

Inspired by Ana White's $25 Wood Baby Gate (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPV6XfheqgA), I needed a gate for my miniature schnauzers. They loved going into the basement unattended ... and well ... potty accidents happen without me being the wiser. So, I modified the hardware used, and so far so good! The puppies and my little nieces and nephews are protected. 

Cottage Bench

Submitted by toosure1 on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 15:17

Saw this bench and loved it. Since its Memorial weekend I thought I would add some personal belongings to it.

Estimated Cost
40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Kilz Primer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table for house

Submitted by N8Heinrich on Thu, 03/13/2014 - 08:52

My wife wanted a new table for our dining room in our new house. I have been eyeing this project for a couple of years and finally convinced my wife that I could do it since we had the space. The plans on this site were easy to follow and I was able to really put it together. As far as the color of the stain, that is all my wife as she has the eye for colors and matching. Overall, this was a fun project and I can't wait to put the bench together next.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean Stain; then 3 coats of Poly all brush applied
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Built in closet

Submitted by AndyH on Mon, 06/13/2016 - 19:14

Built in closet to replace builder grade wire wracking.  Closet is approximately 11 feet by 5 feet.  consists of two shoe racks with 7 shelves each.  6 large drawers and 4 small drawers.  Two hanger sections with storage  above them.  End wall has hanger for longer items and storage above and a cabinet with shelves.

Yet to finish the floor.

Estimated Cost
$1000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Extra White satin paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Custom Electric Fireplace Built-in

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/18/2023 - 12:49

Came across your shiplap fireplace and tweaked it a little, not bad for a 64 year old female right? Didn't take a weekend though more like a month but worth it. Thanks for the inspiration.

Comments

Back Deck Furniture

Submitted by Utopia_mom on Wed, 05/30/2012 - 20:21

I started with the simple white outdoor sofa, then the factory cart table, adirondack stool, and 2 simple outdoor lounge chairs. Wow! This was my first adventure making furniture. All in all it took me about a month to make everything in my spare time. I made a few mistakes along the way, all part of the learning curve. But definitely learned so much from this site. I am forever grateful to you, Ana.

Estimated Cost
Total cost for all about $150 for all 5 pieces of furniture
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I primed and painted with exterior latex (3 coats). All the furniture is on a covered back deck. I did not use cedar or any other better suited outdoor wood due to cost and the fact that all the furniture is well protected from the elements. I made the cushions for the sofa, but bought the chair cushions from Home Decorators.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Utopia_mom

Mon, 06/04/2012 - 07:10

Yes, for the factory cart I painted angle brackets black. I also painted the caster wheels that I got from Tractor Supply.

jlsillito

Sat, 05/25/2013 - 10:22

What width foam did you use for your cushions? I've been wanting to make some outdoor furniture, but the price of foam is holding me back. I've found 3" for a reasonable price, I just don't know if that will be thick enough.

Utopia_mom

Sat, 05/25/2013 - 12:17

I used a 4" foam, but I think you could easily use 3". I know foam is not cheap. I shopped online for foam suppliers and found a pretty good deal... much cheaper than local fabric stores.

VC

Sat, 07/13/2013 - 16:19

This is beautiful! I'm planning to make the chairs and I'm wondering if you changed the plans at all, especially any dimensions? Maybe it is just the angle, but the arms look a little lower, which I love. If you can let us know what you did, I would really appreciate it!

Thanks!

Play Kitchen

My Dad and I built this for my daughter's third birthday. It's been a big hit! I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIY Junk Drawer Organizer

My kitchen drawer wasn't as deep as the one in the tutorial, so I had to use 1x2 hobby poplar instead of 1x3's.  I can't wait to do more drawers!  It's been more than 6 months, and the drawer is still neat and organized.

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy X Desk For Home Music Studio

This is only my second ever furniture project. I modified the height to give me extra clearance for a full sized synthesizer underneath. I spray painted the base matte black, stained the top with Minwax Puritan Pine, and sealed it with Varathane Triple Thick Water Based Polyurethane.

I attached the top with heavy corner brackets and 1" hex head lag screws to add a bit of an industrial look.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Used a single coat of Minwax Puritan Pine for the top, and a single coat of black matte spray paint with primer for the base.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pallet Bookshelf

Submitted by stucush on Sat, 06/02/2012 - 04:35

Pallet Bookshelf.
A great project turning old pallets into a funky bookcase.
My bookcase is slightly different than the plans that dan-k put up but that is mainly because of the type of pallet i used - there may be a difference between US and european pallets?
I recommend getting 3 pallets, all of the same size, and all in pretty good condition - which is trickier than I expected.
The wood from the 3rd pallet is used as the shelves and the supports underneath the shelves.
I really enjoyed making this, and love how it turned out.
Hopefully the photos inspire others to give it a go!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
€0
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
wood primer and matt emulsion. I used a "Farrow & Ball" paint called 'Stoney Ground'.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Distressed Paint Kitchen Island

Submitted by JD Corey on Thu, 03/20/2014 - 12:52

This is the Kitchen Island I built for my wife. I painted it in my wife's favorite color and gave it a distressed look that matched the stained wood counter top. This was also my very first Ana White project... The plans were easy to follow and I had a lot of fun building it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
American Walnut Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

michigulla

Fri, 11/21/2014 - 23:38

Hi there! This kitchen island is beautiful!! Can you tell me what paint and color you used, as well as what finish and how you distressed it?? I love it!!

Providence Table and Benches for my Patio

Submitted by LHeath on Tue, 06/21/2016 - 20:39

I built one bench originally, but quickly decided that I had to build the complete set. I painted the base of the table and the benches with Valspar Duramax Barnwood and the table top Valspar Duramax custom matched to my garage shutters. The only part of the project that I really needed help was carrying the table to the patio. 

Thanks again Ana (and Brook) for a wonderful plan!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Duramax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor Canopy Daybed

Submitted by maw0130 on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 18:45

I asked for labor on Mother's Day and my two sons and I built the daybed in about 6 hours. I used treated wood. They did not have treated 1x3s so we used 1x4s instead. Waiting on it to cure before staining. It was a great Mother's Day!

Update: I added a crossbar and put a light up. Now I can use it anytime of day! So excited because there are so many options. Can't wait to build even more. Great plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
unfinished
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

birdsandsoap

Wed, 06/06/2012 - 00:01

Looks like you had a great mother's day and now you have a beautiful retreat for every day! The mosquito netting makes it look so neat.

Entrance Cabinet

Submitted by AndyH on Tue, 04/01/2014 - 19:55

First project from own design and wanted to share as pretty pleased with how it turned out. Sides are 4 by 2s with a routed 45 degree grove on each edge to give some detail. Wanted to make the drawers stand out so I added the edging detail.

Estimated Cost
$220
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax pre stain. Minwax Ebony - 2 coats. Minwax Poly Satin - 2 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

The Bucher Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/25/2016 - 17:14

Modified version of the Ana White Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table. Table top is made of 1in alder while the base is made of construction grade 2x4 and 2x6 lumber. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain and Annie Sloan chalk paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Back