Community Brag Posts

Coffee Table with 2 drawers

Submitted by AndyH on Tue, 02/17/2015 - 12:15

Small coffee table. Have to admit it and say messed up on this one as cut the sides wrong length and didn't realize until all glued up!!!

Ended up 3 inches wider than was supposed to be which then messed up my plans for the top.

Had to redesign the top and decided to use some 1 by 6 and 1 by 4 offcuts to fill in the middle part which was supposed to be one long 1 by 6 piece. Pretty pleased with how it turned out in the end.

Finished with Varathane Kona and three coats of Varathane Satin Poly.

Drawers were finished in Minwax Special Walnut.

Estimated Cost
Approx $40 of new wood as a lot of it was left over from other projects.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Finished with Varathane Kona and three coats of Varathane Satin Poly.

Drawers were finished in Minwax Special Walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor patio sectional and patio coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 13:08

Welcome to our labor of love. This is our first build and while my bf did most of the work, it was a great project for us as a couple. It was definitely work, but well worth it. We love the way it fits perfectly in our courtyard and people keep commenting on how high-end it looks. Thanks for the plan, Ana! The project took a little longer than it probably should, since it was the first project for us. You should account fort he time it will take to cut, sand and stain your pieces before assembly. There are times you will need to allow for the lumber to dry etc.

Finish Used
1-gal. #ST-129 Chocolate Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain and Sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic X Console Table

Submitted by mmartin86 on Sat, 05/29/2021 - 08:30

Built this using Ana's Rustic X console table plan.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Built some Cedar flowerbeds!!

We live in a ground level 3 bedroom apartment, and I desperately wanted somewhere to plant some veggies and pretty flowers. When I found the plans for the $10 cedar garden beds we went to town! Cedar fence posts were more expensive than had been used in the plan, and we chose not to finish the tops, so lumber cost us $36 to build two. Still pretty good considering the plastic snap together ones run about $40 a piece and are smaller than the ones we built. We're really proud of them and can't wait to get some stuff planted!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JuliaLovesTiffany

Sat, 04/06/2013 - 19:28

Hi! I saw these cedar beds and was excited to make them as well, but I was unable to find any cedar plans or fence posts are our local home depot. Any suggestions on where you found your wood?

Dining Room/ Home Office

Submitted by kristen on Sat, 02/21/2015 - 11:33

I didn't really follow any specific plan from Ana to build this project (I've become better at creating my own plans after putting together several of Ana's project plans--I owe Ana big time for getting me started in building!), but I did study her kitchen cabinet plans in order to put this together.  Up until now I've done mostly stand-alone projects and this was more like a small kitchen plan than anything I've done before.  This took a LOT of time to complete, but it has been a fantastic addition to our home for organization and aesthetic appeal. 

It is constructed of plywood and pine faceframes.  I used a Kreg Jig to construct most of it, including the drawer and door fronts.  The desktop has a 3/4" plywood base with a pine edge-glued panel on top of that with a pine edging. 

The estimated time investment was way more than 20 hours!  It took every minute of free time for 2.5 months to complete this.  But I was working alone, so you can cut that down significantly with help ;)

The link to my blog about this project contains links to all the posts I wrote up during this build. 

Estimated Cost
Approximately $900
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White paint with a satin polycrylic topcoat. Sand well before the first coat and then with 220 grit sandpaper between each coat of paint (1 coat primer, 2 coats white paint). Sand with 320 grit between each coat of topcoat for 3 coats. I did use a HVLP sprayer (Woodcraft's $35 version with a large air compressor) but I have finished other projects using a foam roller and foam brush that gets really close to the spray finish--it just takes longer.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Michael K

Mon, 02/23/2015 - 03:52

The time and effort you put in to this project was well worth it! I'm inspired.

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/21/2017 - 17:53

Built this table for a friend from the Ana White- Fancy X plans. It turned out amazing!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Tabletop: Minwax Weathered Gray Stain with Polycrylic Clear Matte seal

Legs and Stretcher: Distressed White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

cm18lajo

Fri, 01/10/2020 - 07:23

Love the table. Colors are great. I noticed you modified the table to to have five 2x10s instead of the plan 4. I was planning on doing the same thing. Did you have to modify the base to account for that? Specifically I'm wondering how, if at all, I need to adjust the angle of the X pieces. Thanks for your time!

My Mother's day gift (Chicken Coop)

Submitted by Bondgirl8 on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 19:44

I printed off your instructions and I had all the wood in the garage already. My husband and son finished this in a day and a half. I love it! I painted it. Still not sure what I want to do instead of the planters. I like that idea but I like to have access if I need to clean it. I love all the ideas on this site.

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

Comments

West Elm Inspired Upholstered Outdoor Sofa

My husband and I built this modern upholstered outdoor sofa for our back porch. As it was going outdoors we used treated lumber, a painters drop cloth (dyed with Rit dye), and coated deck screws. We are so proud of the way it came out! Please see my blog for more details on the build.

Estimated Cost
$300-350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4x4 Truss Beam Table

We recently moved into our new house and had an empty dining room.  Instead of buying tons of furniture, I bought a compound miter saw, a drill, & a Kreg jig.  I'm the heavy lifting & my wife is the cosmetics.  We couldn't be happier with how the table and bench turned out.  We get complements constantly on the set.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75 - $100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

wjc129

Wed, 02/25/2015 - 10:18

Everything looks great ... what grade of wood did you use? My fear is if I use the cheap stuff from Lowes or HD that it will shrink up on me. I know the Kreg Jig will work to alleviate gaps, but I didn't know if you upgraded wood to help as well.

New Coop - New Style

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/24/2017 - 15:19
Thank you for this design.  It was a very easy build.  I made slight modifications.  It turned out great!
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sandbox with Benches

Burnt and stained with a semi transparent mahogany water sealer

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

pipe/wood bookcase

Submitted by ltodd on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 18:26

1/2 ' x 18" black pipe was used along with 1/2 ' flanges. The wood was re-purposed 2x6' pine lumber that had been used for pallets, that would have been thrown away. The boards were joined with a Kreg Jig, It will house my stereo components.

Estimated Cost
$150 pipe/flange costs
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mid-Century Inspired Bed

Submitted by RunRVA08 on Sun, 03/01/2015 - 07:04

This was my first build. I modified the dimensions to fit a full sized bed and used 1x4's as the slats. Overall I am very happy with the outcome and learned a lot from the build. Of note these plans do not accommodate a box spring. This bed fits perfectly in my very small guest room and is very sturdy (and heavy!). I did not glue the corners for easier disasembly when I move.

 

This project took me a long time as I am a new builder. I would expect a more experienced builder could make the bed in a day.

Estimated Cost
$80-$90 including supplies. Wood was around $50.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Mahogany with Minwax Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

alexruzhyo

Fri, 09/16/2016 - 14:01

hey there! I'm interested in building this in a full size. I've never built anything before; would you be able to describe the modifications you used to make this fit a full?

2x4's Deak

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/28/2017 - 19:36

I did an epoxy coating which took a few coats as I learned the hard way how to use it but I love the look!!  Did a custom gray and brown stain mix after sanding, weathering and conditioning the boards.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Epoxy topcoat and Rustoleum glossy white spray paint with primer for the bottom. Classic Gray & Kona stains mixed. Beat the top boards with nails, hammer, poked at it etc to make it look old. Sanded twice and conditioned. Painted the top with a cheap white paint then sanded lightly and stained.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

First build - started with a simple chair

Submitted by bsohl214 on Fri, 06/18/2021 - 05:19

Decided to start doing woodworking as a pandemic hobby. Given what happened with wood prices, I could have picked a. better time to start making sawdust. Quite happy with the outcome.

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

Comments

Storage Bed Turned Dresser

This project wasn't really a 'planned one', but just turned into something I could do fairly easily with the stuff I had on hand and some of the leg work I had already done. I did the original green bed in the Fillman Storage Bed with Drawers post. I had originally planned to do one of those beds for each of my boys in the room they share so we would have plenty of storage. We also homeschool and were in need of more room space, so we went a different route (you can see the messy picture that shows our new bed (double loft bed). WE LOVE the loft bed, but we also really love this dresser. The size is perfect and fits our needs. Thanks for checking it out. I have more specific photos showing what I did on the blog link I have on here.

Happy Building!!

Estimated Cost
$30 for paint supplies (used up scraps and pieces already built)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
light gray latex paint with a polycrylic finish on top
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Lewie's Loft

Submitted by Rondud on Mon, 03/02/2015 - 18:18

This loft was built with the ladder on the left end with a bookcase at either end and a desk with bookcase under the loft.

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

Comments

DIY Pantry Cabinet

Submitted by sdarnell1 on Thu, 06/01/2017 - 06:25

This pantry cabinet was inspired by a design from Ballard Designs.  I needed something a little less deep for my space and couldn't afford the $1900 price tag.  I was able to build this one for just around $100 and was able to customize it to fit my own space requirements.  The arched doors and half round moulding add a nice touch.  This versatile cabinet could be used for linens, kitchen storage, crafts, or just about anything else you can think of! 

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
primed with Kilz water based primer, and painted with standard latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor 2x4 sectional sofa

First wood project, thanks for the great plans Ana! I made the bottom cushions using 3" thick firm foam, 2" thick memory foam, and 1" thick batting (purchased in bulk and then cut to size), and covered them with outdoor fabric. The back cushions are 4" thick soft foam. I added easily removable/washable drop cloth covers on top of all the cushions. I don't have a finish on the clear redwood, but might add a clear coat to protect it. The memory foam makes this sofa very luxerious!

Estimated Cost
$1800
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Anthropologie inspired Fancy X Farmhouse Table & Benches Part 1

This project was super easy, my husband and I did this together while I was 9 months pregnant with our other 2 kids and dog running around the whole time! We made the table and 2 benches for $250 including lumber and finishing supplies. Check out my blog for details.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Grey Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Stair leg flip top table

I made this smaller to fit in the space where it's going. I used 2x2 legs, and the table is 39" wide. I added the bottom shelf also. I will finish it in golden oak. 

Estimated Cost
50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Will be golden oak.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner