Community Brag Posts

Wedding Panel

Submitted by brittanyj on Wed, 06/10/2015 - 08:40

So glad to finally make this beautiful panel wall art for a friend for her wedding. The last name is Iverson, so the tree stood in for the I. I made it on cedar pickets ripped in half and sanded, kona stain, then designed my tree/lettering/birds in Cricut, cut it out, and painted. Can't wait to give it to her!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$2
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
varathane kona, spray clear top coat, acrylic paint and markers
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm Table w/ Pocket Holes

I did a few thing different than the plan calles for. I used kiln dried douglas fir 2x8's and ripped them to remove the rounded mill edge. For the stretcher I used 4x4 rather than the 2x4. Where the bread board is attached I put a very small bevel at the joining edges of the bread board and table to create a visual distinction.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Espresso stain and Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Turntable Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 16:00

Hi Ana and family,
A couple of months ago I contacted you to see if you had a video on how to build a Turntable/media console out of 2x4s with a picture for inspiration. I did get feedback and it really helped. Thank you so much for always being available to help.

Comments

Narrow Farmhouse Table

Submitted by kylihoot on Sun, 05/01/2011 - 14:32

This is my favorite build so far! When I saw the plan I pretty muh obssesed over it for weeks until I finally gave in and here it is!
I must confess...I have no where to put it haha. I don't care, I saw it and had to have it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40 maybe a bit more for others...employee discount ;)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used wood conditioner on the table top and end support aprons, and followed with a stain called Provincial.
I then primed and painted the legs satin high hiding white. I took my sander and distressed the edges, and finally rubbed on stain over the paint and quickly wiped of the excess. IT looks worn, but not too worn as the husband is not to excited about old looking stuff.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Vintage kitchen shelf with hooks

This is my first project. I had to shorten the width of the shelf to fit the space I had for it. The board on the back is also a 1x4 instead of the 1x3 that was in the plans. This was a great first project for anyone.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
N/A. Since this was my first project, I had to buy wood, tools, paint, hooks.
Finish Used
First I used one -coat of mini-wax oil based stain in Colonial Maple. The color was nice but a bit too "orangey" for my taste. I then used one-coat of mini-wax water based stain in toffee. Much better results for my taste. The final clear coat was also water based.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Book shelf with reading nook

Submitted by Knathu121 on Fri, 01/05/2018 - 20:24

I made this book shelf with a reading nook for my daughters nursery. I found one you can buy online for $250 and decided I could make it for much less. I used 1 x12’s and the cushions were made by my mother and grandmother. All together it cost about $65 to make. 

Estimated Cost
$65.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White

Sat, 01/06/2018 - 11:41

This is adorable!  I love the entire room!

We've had a couple of people ask for plans.  If there aren't any available, would you be willing to let us draw some plans up from your photos?  Thanks! Ana

Knathu121

Sun, 01/07/2018 - 09:11

I don’t have my cut list anymore but rough dimensions are as follows;

height - 23.5” 

width 44.5

depth- 12”

I tried accounting for the width of the wood in order to make each square on the bottom 10x10 and the 2 middle shelves to be 12 inches high and the bottom on the middle shelves to be 10” wide. I wanted to have at least 20” for the seat while also having 2 wide enough shelves at the top to be able to put things. Sorry but I don’t have the angles of the 2 side walls for the sitting area. I know that’s a pretty rough explanation but with the things I’ve seen you make I’m sure you can make do!

 

 

Knathu121

Sun, 01/07/2018 - 15:43

I don’t have my cut list anymore but rough dimensions are as follows;

 

Height - 23.5”

width 43.75”

Depth - 12”

 

I tried making dimensions to account for each box on the lower level to be 10x10 and the boxes in the middle to be 12” high and 10 inches wide. I wanted the seat to be at least 20” but I miss calculated the angle cut length and my seat is less then 20”. I can’t remeber the angle I used for the walls (sorry!) but I wanted to make sure that the top shelf was wide enough to put stuff on it. I know this is a rough explanation but based on the incredible stuff you make I’m sure you can work it out and make some pretty awesome plans!

Twin Farmhouse bed

Submitted by mamato4 on Wed, 05/04/2011 - 22:45

Our first project! Love this website Ana, Thanks soo much!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$180.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used almost the darkest blue paint out there, paint slats or stain before you put together...we learned that the hard way.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffee Station Cubbies

Submitted by scokenour on Sun, 06/30/2013 - 19:29

I wanted to make something to organize the coffee supplies in my office breakroom, so I made these cubbies using the same basic concept as the Vegetable Bins. I used 1 - 8' 1x4, scraps for the angled pieces and 1/4 plywood for the back and front of cubbies. I was able to construct primarily with glue and nail gun. I chose "intermediate" level because you may need to make tricky cuts using your miter saw that beginner may not be comfortable with.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$8
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
vinegar/steel wool stain, paste wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Baby changing table

It seemed as though this project started out as a nightmare. I didn't think it was going to happen. Working with 2x2 and soft doug fir is no fun. I bought a kreg jig and was super siked to use it but really couldn't figure it out yet so I just pre drilled and blasted screws in from the sides. Luckily I took some time to wood fill and do clean up work and you have no clue. I am so proud and excited about how this came out. It brought tears to my wife's eyes and maybe even a little to mine. Added some dipped blue legs and a simple blue band molding to pop off some color. Went to babies r us and purchased some canvas cubes and crazily enough the blue matched exactly!!! That was not planned.
All in all this will be in use for years to come.

Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
No voc paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

ALEXIA BENCH

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/27/2021 - 09:28

At the beginning I was not sure to succeed in the drawers so I did no regret it .
I decided to doing another one .
My brother was happy to take my fist one.

Thank Ana White

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

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

Parsons dining table (with extension leaves)

Here we have a Parsons style dining table built out of solid Alder wood. The table length is 72" but can extend up to 110" with two drop in leaves on either end. The table was clear coated with a satin poly.

Estimated Cost
$400.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Clear coat of water based poly
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Disentanglement Puzzle

Submitted by mtairymd on Fri, 01/12/2018 - 05:46

This is my take on a classic rope and ring disentanglement puzzle. The goal is to separate the ring (the light colored one) from the puzzle strings. As with most disentanglement puzzles, the solution isn’t intuitive. Can you figure it out from the pictures? If not, refer to the video for the solution.

Build Instructions: https://www.instructables.com/id/Disentanglement-Puzzle/
Solution: https://youtu.be/cwdpTndAEw8

Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Narrow Console Table - Modern Farmhouse Collection

Submitted by DPM on Tue, 12/28/2021 - 10:34

Hi Ana,

I live in the UK and really enjoy the range of projets you show on your website. Only been doing DIY woodworking for about a year and you have helped enormously.

I built this console table in time for Xmas and really pleased with the result. The plans you provide are perfect, simple, easy to follow and give just the right amount of detail. It means only wood needed for the project is bought and little is wasted. The videos you produce to accompany the plans are exactly what is needed. It is so helpful to see the suggested order of building the project and also as a check to see what each stage should look like.

Thanks again for all your efforts, they really are appreciated and best if luck for the new year and hopefully, many more projects.

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

Leaning wall desk

Submitted by nanpannapa on Mon, 01/15/2018 - 09:56

Thank you Ana for the plan my husband loves it. So functional yet requires very little space. I made it a littlest wider- 38 inches overall width and 83 inches overall height.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Painters touch Expresso
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Basement Storage Shelves

New house equals room for all the junk. Built this off the Garage Storage Shelves plan for our basement storage area. Leveraging the existing exposed studs made it a bit easier. Made these 48" deep to accommodate the big bins with all the holiday decorations. I added another along side, but made it 24" depth...one more yet to go. The wife can't throw anything away!

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