Community Brag Posts

DIY Nativity

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/26/2023 - 12:18

Well, it's not a barnyard play set, but there are farm animals in it. This is my wife's nativity set that her late sister made. Never had a barn till yesterday. All scraps from my shop. Keep the plans coming!

mccabechristopher

 

Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday

The Kentwood Bed, Mario Style

Submitted by Sieryn on Mon, 06/18/2012 - 06:18

This one started out in a lovely whitewash...then Kids happened.

Very easy plan to put together, my little client loves it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Whitewash...then paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pottery Barn Harper Style Coffee Table

My wife saw the Harper Style coffee table by Pottery barn and loved it so as a gift to her i set out to recreate this table in a white wash look that is not available and after a week of creating plans and a weekend of work here it is with fully functional drawers that are accessible from both sides

Estimated Cost
$150-$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
combination of Minwax Honey and Ebony for the top and an underlying of random Ebony strokes and a few coats of Minwax Pickling White wash for the body of the table
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Easy 2x4 potting bench

Submitted by Randall on Mon, 05/04/2020 - 11:20

Great easy to follow plans, I cut both front and back legs from one 2x4x8’ by having the back leg 1” shorter than plan. Also bought 1x4x39” slats at less cost than buying the 8’ ones.
Great unit would be perfect for near the BBQ and any place needing storage and work bench

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympia Outdoor wood sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Outdoor Lounge Chair - Beefed Up

Submitted by Radcrafter on Sun, 06/24/2012 - 10:55

Loved building this chair. Super simple to put together and very sturdy once everything came together.

I modified it to create a larger and taller chair, using 2x6 and 2x4 lumber. Because of this change I felt like my math challenged brain was completing some sort of quiz, but to keep things simple I cut the pieces step by step recalculating lengths as I went.

I marked up the plan as I went, so if anyone is interested just let me know & I'll add the changes.

http://radcrafter.com/2012/06/simple-outdoor-chair-beefed-up/

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20-30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
outdoor stain in solid slate
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Sun, 06/24/2012 - 18:18

I thought it looked beefier and I prefer that look. I'm curious, what size cushion is that?

J (not verified)

Sun, 08/19/2012 - 08:29

I would love to see your changes and build the beefier version! Please share!

Tammyctr

Thu, 07/26/2018 - 07:05

I have a large (400+) family member who I need to make chairs for.  This plan looks perfect (even though I will have to probably adjust width and add additional support)  Can you please send me your plans?

Platform Bed for 1st Apartment

Submitted by Sutton615 on Mon, 04/14/2014 - 08:48

My dad and I made this in a queen size to match a mattress it already had. We changed the plans a little, making the legs from two boards to make it more stable. We used a nail gun to put together the lip of the frame and used wood screws for the rest. The headboard was made from the left over slats and attached with a 2x4 on the back of the frame. We also bought square sliders and screwed them to the bottom of the legs so that they don't scratch our wood floors.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I chose to leave the wood unfinished (which saved some time) because I liked the natural look. Just sanded it and left it. I may let it weather a little and then do something for staining it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/11/2016 - 14:15

My wife and I loved the look of this plan, so I decided to make it happen! I built this same console, only half the length for our dining room, and then made this full size version for the living room area. I used this plan for both designs. I used a table saw to cut dado channels from the intersecting pieces of material for the "X" design on each side of the table which was considerably easier for me. It can get a little tight when trying to secure the 11.25 inch pieces of 2x4 and 2x2 with pocket holes so I opted to secure through the outer frame with 2.5 inch screws. Countersinks, wood filler, and some sanding made for a clean alternative to the pocket-hole approach. Stained and chalk painted frame and shelves separately before assembling. We love this table and promise you will not be disappointed either.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80-100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sea Foam Green Chalk Paint
Minwax Espresso Stain
Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Porch bed swing

Submitted by janamason on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 18:30

My 15 year old son built this for me!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax ebony
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Big Kids' Picnic Table

This ended up being a very easy project to complete; Ana's instructions were very straightforward. I probably spent four hours altogether on the project, although that was spread over the course of several days. We had several 2x4s left over from other projects, and I was able to use a quart of exterior Behr Premium Plus Ultra (with primer included) that didn't get used for its intended project. So altogether, we spent about $20. You can't even buy a plastic kids' picnic table for that price! As for advice, I found that the best way to avoid wobbling was to firmly attach three of the legs while leaving the fourth leg somewhat lose. Upon flipping the table, you should be able to move that fourth leg into a place that prevents wobbles before firmly screwing it in as well. I painted all the boards before assembling the table, and I feel like that is the best approach, as the space in between boards is slim.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Plus Ultra, exterior, custom color
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Bench Turns Shoe shelf

Submitted by Veronica P on Wed, 04/16/2014 - 17:02

For our first project, my boys and I decided we wanted to build a shoe shelf for our front foyer. We loved the design of the modern slat top bench so adapted it slightly to fit our needs. Here's how it turned out.

Estimated Cost
$12.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Sofa Table

Submitted by lilbit2010 on Thu, 07/14/2016 - 18:29

So I made this a couple weeks ago. I used 2x12 for the top and 4x4 for the feet and legs. This was my first project and it came out ok. The feet need some work. The plan called for feet to be angled but unless you have a band saw just cut the 45' for the feet. 

Estimated Cost
$50-60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax, Red Mahogany
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Barn Door TV Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/08/2020 - 19:36

I built this during quarantine. Dark walnut on the top, and pure white paint ok the base and doors.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain, satin poly
pure white satin paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Playhouse with Deck

Submitted by jwright on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 10:38

This project was started on spring break and I finished it at the beginning of summer. Total cost was about $900. I built it pretty much by myself and my wife painted the playhouse. Overall about 70 hours of labor went into it. Great plan and instructions. Thanks Ana! I love this site.

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

Distressed Entry Bench

Submitted by zduchene on Fri, 04/18/2014 - 11:10

This is a bench that I have built for a friend of mine to fit exactly in her entry way. I made it in the spirit of the Pottery Barn furniture that she already has. I used regular Douglas Fir found at anywhere lumber is sold.

The bench was put together using mostly 2-1/2″ pocket hole screws. I use my Kreg Pocket Hold Jig to drill the holes, but any jig should work.

See the link for detailed instructions.

Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Any stain will work. I used a dark walnut with a gloss polyurathane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffee Table

Submitted by jcbil on Sun, 07/17/2016 - 14:32

I loved building my Coffee Table, thank you Ana White! I built mine to be 42" long and kept all the other dimensions the same, (but didn't do the X's). I also installed leveling feet. I stained it Minwax's Early American, and used 3 coats of Polyurethane and applied everything with a rag. I used 2" Corner Brackets, spray painted with Rustoleum Metallic Charcoal. I bought the baskets from Michaels.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Just under $50. Already had Stains & Polyurethane on hand. Wood was $38. Hardware $5. Leveling Feet $3.50.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American, 3 Coats of Polyurethane, all applied with a rag.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Nice and practical pair of desks/shelves

Submitted by dtmak on Mon, 05/11/2020 - 09:16

Built this using the Ana White plan. Construction was done in less than a day using leftover lumber from other repairs around the house. Painting and varnishing took multiple days for the paint and varnish to dry and cure though.

Used pocket screws - as shown in my diagram - to hold the pieces together.

The family has enjoyed using the desks and if you stack one on top of the other, the bottom one creates a shelf also. Will make a few more to share.

Thanks for sharing the plans.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Spray paint and spray on varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

DIY Play Kitchen

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/08/2024 - 09:37

I made this for my two great granddaughters (6 and 2) I used the plan for One Piece Play Kitchen. I added some depth to the refrigerator. Made the Farmhouse sink from wood left over from a bed I took apart.
purchased from Amazon:
decals: $22
Peel and stick granite $8.50
Polycarbonate Clear plastic : $10
Cabinet Handles: $17
Facit: $19.99
8 hinges $13.50
Cabinet paint: $29

Wood materials were left over from previous projects. So total cost was less than $150

Pamela Grindstaff

 

Built from Plan(s)

Adirondack Chair for dolls

It was a fun project and it went well.
It took me longer to make than Ana, but I am still new at this!
The girls love it and my daughter is very pleased.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10 with the cost of spray paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
lagoon spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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