Community Brag Posts

Ottoman (Inspired by Upholstered Bench plan)

This is my second woodworking project (first was a toy chest with a LOT of help from my Dad). I made the wooden frame at my parent's house with the use of my Dad's power tools and brought it home to finish and cover. I used Ana's Upholstered Bench plan but modified the dimensions to what I wanted.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used leftover stain and finish my Mom had from an old project. Not sure what it was or where she got it except it was OLD - still worked though!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Farmhouse Table

I have had the same kitchen table for years. My wife and I finally got out of the city and into the country and decided that the small Crate and Barrel table we have had since we first got married had to go. Looking through some plans I came across this one http://tommyandellie.com/index.php/2012/01/13/new-and-improved-farmhous… and decided it was just what we needed to fill the dinning area in our new home. I modified the table I built from the original plan as I was trying to do it cheap and keep it at about $100. After playing with some ideas I decided I was going to make the top completely out of 2x6 and delete some other items from the original plan so that the chairs can just slide under the table and wouldn't need to lift them at the head of the table to push them in. The table top is 72"x44" and the bench is 54"x14.5". I hope you enjoy it.

What I used.
10 - 2x6x96 - table and bench tops
2 - 4x4x96 - legs - each 4x4 makes 2 bench and 2 table legs
6 - 2x4x96 - bench top, apron and supports.

Cut List
Table 72 x 44
8 2x6x61 - Table Top
2 2x6x44 - breadboards - measure these when the middle section is done for the table top, as it is the total width of the top.
4 4x4x28.5 - table legs
2 2x4x35 - end apron
4 2x4x38 - inside supports
2 2x4x58 - side apron

tools
Saw
Kreg Tool
Drill
Measuring Tape
Pencil

Bench 52x14.5
2 2x6x42 - bench top
3 2x4x42 - 1 bench top 2 for side apron
4 4x4x16x5 - legs
2 2x4x5 - end apron
3 2x4x8 - under supports

I put this at a week long project because of the way I finished it. If you just put your stain on and wipe off, it will take you a day and a half to do and you could use it lightly the second day if you have the right conditions for the poly to dry. I did use a Kreg tool and everything is held together with pocket holes, skip the glue, the poly on the top will keep things from going through the cracks.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax English Chestnut - heavy coat left to dry over night a light sand then light reapply of stain.
Minwax Satin Polyurathane - 2 coats on areas not in contact with heavy use i.e. legs and stringers, table and bench top got 4 coats, sanding between coats to smooth any imperfections with 400 grit sand paper.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bed #2

Submitted by The_big_al on Wed, 06/24/2015 - 22:10

This is bed #2! Bed #1 can be found here: http://ana-white.com/2015/06/DIY_furniture/1st-time-project.

The original plan was to make our daughters bunk beds but during the construction of bed #1 we decided to put the oldest into her own room. This move prompted me to find a way to differentiate bed #2 from bed #1.

The headboard and foot board were again kept equal sizes although I did not make them as tall. They are taller than the footboard of the original plans. I used the headboard measurement of the headboard for the posts to make the post stand taller than the rest of the head and foot board giving it a slight 4-poster look.

I would also like to point out that I made the entire head and footboard an inch narrower. When I made the first bed, because of the way I attached the side rails to the 4x4 posts, it created a bed frame 3 inches wider than the plans called for. Because of this, the mattress on bed #1 has about an inch or so gap on either side when it sits in the frame. It's not a huge deal, but it was something I wanted to try and correct. So I loped an inch off the total width. I compensated by making the end filler pieces of the slat portion narrower. I would even go so far as to cut an even 3 inches off the entire width and the mattress would sit tight in the frame.

As with bed #1 I decided to use bolts instead of screws to hold the bed together. It makes for a much sturdier bed and it can be dis-assembled in a matter of minutes moved and reassembled without losing any structural integrity. The flowers on this bed hide the holes I had to drill to counter sink the bolts and the holes I drilled to access the bolts to attache the washer and nut. I was able to get just deep enough on the 2x6 side rail that I didn't need to drill all the way through as I had on bed #1. This was something I learned as I began to assemble bed #2 to get it ready for paint.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
This bed cost around $150 to build including the trim and paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
As with bed #2 various modifications were made to the plans. I shortened and raised the headboard and footboard. I made it narrower. I did this because instead of the rail attaching to the edge of the post as the plans direct, I attached the side rails in the center of the post. I also did not build the mattress frame as directed. Instead I just ran a 2x2 down each side of the side rail. This was sufficient as the mattress frame was no longer a part of holding the bed together.

I added bevels the wood slats with a router and added the same bevel to the tops of the posts and the the 2x4 cap inbetween the posts. This gave the bed a much more finished look instead of looking like painted raw lumber. The flowers and letters were acquired at a craft store and painted using craft paint and then sealed with a spray on clear lacquer finish. I used a pin nail gun and wood glue to attache them to the bed. Caulking and wood filler to fill in any screw and nail holes was also used to give the bed a complete finished look.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

HGTV's Home Town featured Table

I built this table in the summer of 2017 specifically for our new home.  I used the reclaimed barnwood from my wife's grandfather's corn crib barn he built in 1947 along with a few pieces of lumber cut from trees that were blown down during hurricane Katrina.  The table top boards were planed to 1" thick and glued on edge with biscuits.  The table top is wrapped by a ripped rafter from the barn about 2" x 2".  The verticals of the legs are laminated leftover pieces, one of which has the initials of a son preserved from the original barn.  The horizontals of the legs are from pine and red oak Katrina wood.  The table bracing is made from barn rafter material and the metal straps are made from scrap and painted black.  The table itself has no stain, because we felt the true charm would be more appreciated showing the old nail holes, knots, and bug scarring.  It is finished with three coats of clear matte polycrylic.  I engineered the table into two pieces, so that the top could be removed for ease of transport. 

You may see our table in HGTV's Home Town Season 2 Episode 3 originally airing January 22, 2018 at 8 CST.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
No stain. Three coats of matte clear polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

My entry way bench in Hickory

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/28/2021 - 12:19

The bench plans were super helpful!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Recycled Storage Table

Submitted by DanielleH on Tue, 05/10/2011 - 20:37

We used a $35 craigslist table top with a leaf some 50 cent cull MDF pieces and about 80 in screws, paint and wood and got a beautiful counter height dining table! Loved getting to know my Kreg Jr.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We adapted the plans to make this a counter height table. We ended up with a larger shelf at the bottom so I can fit a nice big basket. The shorter top shelf is perfect for glass jars, platters and napkins. We had bought the chairs on clearance from a local furniture store, we had Sherwin Williams match the stain on the top. Spray painted and rolled the shelves at the bottom black. We ordered the bun feet online as none of the local big box stores had anything that was chunky enough. The 42 inch top is the right size for our room but there's not much leg room and you can't push the chairs all the way under the table because the base is a little too large, but I LOVE the storage space and with the leaf we got, it'll seat 6!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

barnboard cooler

Submitted by Nickles on Sun, 06/28/2015 - 10:35

I followed a killer bee plan for a rustic cooler that I found on your site. tweaked it a little and I'm still adding to the décor on the outside

Estimated Cost
Around $15 if you have glue and screws already. I also had the barnboard from a barn we tore down last year.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
no finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Loft Bed Full Size (12 inches shorter than plans)

Submitted by NWhited12 on Mon, 01/15/2018 - 11:10

We made these beds for the kids as their Christmas present. They’re full size and we plan to add shelves later. We had to cut them 12 inches because the kids were hitting their heads on the ceiling. I added white Christmas lights under them. I LOVE how they turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
I used MinWax Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our Chicken Coop (Aka Dollywood)

When we became accidental chicken owners, we had to build a coop fast. I found the plans for Ana’s replica of the Williams Sonoma chicken coop and got to work. They were very easy to follow and easy to modify to fit our own needs and aesthetic. We decided to enlarge the coop and remove the planter in the original plans to accommodate more chickens while keeping the original footprint. Instead of plywood, we used cedar reclaimed from an old fence we had recently replaced. We also enlarged the rear door to make clean-out as easy as possible. I cut pieces of polycarbonate to fit inside the door and windows to winterize the coop when temps drop below freezing. The run is designed to follow the shape of the coop and is large enough to give our 5 chickens plenty of space to roam when they aren’t free ranging in the yard. The planter box runs the length of the chicken run, providing plants to munch on inside and shady vines that will eventually cover the outside.

Comments

Workbench Console

Saw this bar in the PB catalog and loved it! SO excited when I found it on Ana's site... This project was a little more time-consuming than the others I've done. A ton of 2x4's are used, and we bought stud grade 2x4's...definitely got our money's worth out of our palm sander. The table top gets pretty heavy so I couldn't have done it without a hand from the hubbs. We built four separate pieces - the table top, the lower shelf/box, and the legs. We stained everything, then assembled the pieces. Finished assembling this the morning of my work Christmas party, which we were hosting. The perfect drink station!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Oak Polystain - a little distressing with hammer, nails, screwdriver
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Queen Size Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Koji on Mon, 07/08/2013 - 12:36

I started on the Farmhouse bed and as I got further into it I decided it needed a bit of 'extra' attention, hence the dentil moulding across the top and the panels to cover the 1x6's used for the headboard and the foot board, they are finished off with some cove moulding.

I used Spax bolts on the side supports and used a Forstner bit to drill down far enough to hide the bolts and made some wooden plugs to cover the holes. Minwax Special Walnut in the finish.

Hope you like it

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

Storage Bench

Submitted by Jdschrag on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 05:28

Inspired by the Vintage Bench plan we created this Little Bench for our Daughters Shoes and other stuff!  Added Trim work and layered Paint to create a Vintage look.

 

 

 

Estimated Cost
$40-50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Layered Enamels to distress and finished with a Clear Wax applied with soft rag
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Not the Full Miter table design

Submitted by Hjmoore420 on Wed, 01/05/2022 - 12:50

while this is a great design I only needed the extra storage and work space so I just made one of the storage roll away from this plan. I had to alter slightly making them a bit smaller as the space I was making this to occupy had a width of 44 inches but it is an amazing amount of space provided. I will put a clear coat on but sanded, edged and its wokring great. the clearance all around is about .5 inch t fits in beautifully and decluttered my overly cluttered workspace. thanks so much for your Ideas Ana, they are always amazing.

Comments

Bulky Dining Table: Built to Size

Submitted by macydawn on Thu, 09/29/2022 - 07:55

I had been wanting a trestle table for months but couldn't swallow the outrageous pricetags that came along with the tables. I was also dealing with a small space, so the table had to be just the right size.

Estimated Cost
$700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
A black stain on the legs defines the fun shape.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Cedar planters

Submitted by DogDoc25 on Tue, 07/09/2013 - 21:55

This planter was easy to make. The only thing I would have done differently is to have stained and applied the weather coating before I assembled it so that the weather coating got into the cracks better. But overall, I love how it turned out! I think it would've taken only an afternoon to do if it hadn't been so hot outside which slowed me down.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat of golden oak, still need to apply the weather coat (can't remember what it's called)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bar Cart or BBQ Cart

The rolling bar cart (or BBQ cart) with removable tray is the latest addition to my suite of DIY patio furniture. This site has become a bit of a building obsession with me. Even with the detailed instructions, I still found ways to make this project my own: I added a 3/4" dowel and plastic wheels, instead of wood rounds. I painted all the pieces with primer and exterior paint before assembling it, because it's hard to get paint between the slats, unless you have a spray painter. The white slat design of the bar cart, park bench and matching side tables goes with the white siding of the house for my own patio picnic.

Estimated Cost
1x3's $20
wheels $10
dowel $4
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White primer & exterior house paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

X End table

Submitted by smurf1018 on Tue, 01/23/2018 - 19:42

One of my first pieces of furniture I built.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Steel wool and apple cider vinegar mixture and Minwax Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Farmhouse X Desk

Submitted by bknjohnson on Sun, 01/16/2022 - 14:03

After nearly two years of working from home I started searching for an actual desk and did not really find what I was looking for. Then I found the Farmhouse X Plans and knew that's what I wanted to do.

I found a birch butcher block top, 27" x 60" on sale for less than the cost of building my own top. I had to carefully adjust the measurements of the plans and also doublechecked before every cut. Measure twice cut once was definitely a good idea for me this time.

I used Z Clips to hold the top to the 2x4 frame and used my biscuit jointer to cut the groove. Took several test cuts to get the right height. I finished the top with Helmsman Spar urethane and five coats of poly. The frame used a primer and some Behr paint (I decided the color "Coffee Bean" was perfect for my long days at the office).

I plan on making slideout drawers soon, with bottom mounted drawer slides. Some baskets would work too.

So far I'm quite happy with how it all came out.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

The Logan TV Stand

I built this for my sister for her 30th Birthday. She loved it!! It took me 4 days to make this. I took my time and put 3 coats of paint on it before assembling it. I am very pleased with the outcome...Thanks Ana for the plans!! :-)

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

X table

Submitted by erodgonz on Fri, 07/12/2013 - 20:57

I did this table in 8 hours and I am ready to do some other projects. The final goal is to do the all house.

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

Comments