Community Brag Posts

Island Organizer Cart

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/21/2023 - 09:42

Hello, Ana.

This is my first share and I plan to share more eventually. First, please know how much I appreciate your willingness to share with and motivate your followers. Thank you.

As for the cart I am sharing, I do not have any plans other than the ones that were in my head so the cart would fit under the stainless steel top. My wife wanted more surface and storage space next to the electric stove in our camp here in Maine. We purchased a used stainless steel table from a restaurant supplier, removed the legs, and prepared the underside of it so it would attach to the cart. In case it is not clear from the two photos, one end is for her cookbooks, the opposite end has a place for the garbage can and a drawer for various kitchen necessities. One long side has drawers where she puts pots and pans. The other side has a place for her to hang her heavy iron fry pans.

I learned a lot from making this and I'm happy to share it with you.

Frank

Workbench

Submitted by joja on Sun, 04/01/2012 - 15:30

Another project inspired by Ana!

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

Emersen console

Submitted by news1811 on Sat, 01/18/2014 - 12:19

I altered the plans to fit the space where it would be going. I extended the length and added another side of shelves. I also reduced the size of the doors a little and made the base a little shorter to reduce overall height. This project required and extra sheet of plywood to complete. I used the Purebond birch from Home Depot and whitewood for the face frame and doors. I liked the finish in the original plan so I tried to make it look similar. I used different shades of brown and also scorched some boards of the door and some areas of the face frame with a torch. For the light areas on the door and frame I just taped off and sanded down. I worked on it when I had some spare time but this project could be completed in a weekend including the finish.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Rustoleum American Walnut as a base and used Miniwax Dark Walnut for the darker boards. I also used a hand torch to scorch some boards and other areas. I finished with a few coats of polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mimi's Entryway Storage Bench

Submitted by Lefty0971 on Sun, 12/22/2019 - 07:54

Love how this project turned out.  Looks amazing in our entryway.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Classic Black -Satin

Minwax Red Chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor Daybed with Canopy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/26/2023 - 12:27

I built this slightly modified Daybed using 4x4’s for the legs instead of 2x4’s. I really like the solid look the 4x4’s provide. Can’t wait for the weather to get cool enough in the south to sit outside.

Braden Turner

Built from Plan(s)

Media bench

Submitted by joja on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 06:58

Inspired by Ana!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Work bench with 3/4 blonde plywood (2sheets) top

Submitted by tommybo76 on Mon, 01/20/2014 - 16:20

I based my work bench on the "sturdy workbench" plan. I made my top using two sheets of blonde 3/4 inch plywood. I glued/screwed and clamped two 3' x 6' sheets together (had the store cut 4x8 sheet to my dimensions). I didn't stain it but did coat with 3 coats of poly. The legs and supports are 2x4s (i think i used 7 though some was left over scrap) and the shelves were built from scrap MDF I had left over from a previous project. I designed my top to hang over at least two inches (longer in some areas depending on where the supports line up) to make clamping easier and it sits 37" from the floor. I wanted to ensure i had adequate space for my shopvac and air compressor so I lowered the base from the original design to avoid making the workbench too tall. This work bench is a very good size for my needs and extremely sturdy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyurethane satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sliding X Door Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/13/2016 - 13:49

I created this based off the Grandy Style Console. However I used an actual cabinet style with adjustable shelves. Loved making it!

Follow me on Facebook or instagram!
www.facebook.com/four8zero
www.instagram.com/four_8_zero

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$225
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams SnowBound Pre-Cat Lacquer for the base and Minwax Ebony for the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

my first project

Submitted by metalmx on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 01:03

my best friend has built a couple of projects from this site. i enjoyed helping him a bit so when he decided to build one of these for yes baby that is due this summer, i figured i'd double up and build one for myself while we were at it. i haven't built anything since high school (10 years ago). he had all the tools and had made a lot of mistakes along the way so he brought be up to speed and told me a lot of "don't do this...trust me" tips that are helpful.

we used premium ply wood cut to 1x12s and poplar 1x2's for this. total wood cost was about 30 bucks per shelf. I decided to use a trim router for my framing along the outer edge. I think it gives it a professional look at it took 10 minutes to do.

NOTE: if you want to rout around the entire top and you used pocket holes....DONT DO IT. we found that one out the hard way on the other shelf. if your bit does anything but slightly round the edge it's gonna hit the screws. :(

i made a last second change and went with a vibrant red and a dark dark black to make it up. i couldn't be happier. it doesn't match my room at all but i don't care at this point. my friend did a great job taping off the trim and the lines are just awesome.

This thing is stout. i'm not a small man and would not hesitate to stand on top of this thing all day. can't wait to show it off to anyone i can:)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
40-50 dollars with paint included.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
satin black and ruby red satin for the trim. both paint a brand i forgot from lowes.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Hut tree house

Submitted by dreamworx on Wed, 01/22/2014 - 10:47

I used all scrap wood that I had laying around. even the 2X4s were old painted wood and looked beautiful when sanded down.

Estimated Cost
if you buy the wood 150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Beach Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/16/2016 - 14:26

Thanks for the plans, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Weather Gray stain with a white paint finish for the bottom.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Panel bed with box springs

Submitted by Kait14 on Mon, 12/30/2019 - 12:36

I built this bed for a guest room. Easier than I expected and took 2 days! I used watco danish oil in medium walnut. I was able to save some $ by using two twin box springs that I already owned instead of adding slats. I modified the height of where the box springs sit by lowering the cleat 2” and shortening the legs on the center support by 2” as well. It worked perfectly! 

Estimated Cost
75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Watco Danish oil medium walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Live Edge Cubby Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/03/2023 - 20:34

Entry way bench. The top is made from a cherry tree off our property. It was milled into slabs then I had it dry for approx.2 years before the moisture level was appropriate to build this project. I applied resin to the live edge to protect the edge from breaking off and to provide a smooth finish. I applied Walrus furniture oil to complete the top. The base is made from pine wood and the shelving is made out of MDF board.

Mark Gilles

Built from Plan(s)

Hall tree from lockers plans

We modified these plans for a customer down to two lockers. We also added a divider for the cubbies on the top per her request. We found the whole thing to be a bit top heavy and easy to get a wobble. Recommend securing it to the wall with a tether or L bracket. Also, it is CRITICAL to not skimp on the quality of wood and getting straight boards for this. We did not and it was seriously skewed for a while until we did a lot of adjusting...and it still has a bow! Also I recommend doing the build all in one day. I think since we broke it up into two days it allowed the wood to warp more than had it all been assembled and fastened/tightened at one time. Message us with any questions! The stain is Minwax Jacobean- one coat. We got the hooks from Home Depot. The customer wanted plenty of storage so per her request we used 8 hooks! Good luck with this build!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fire Truck Loft

Submitted by Turk1479 on Mon, 04/18/2016 - 17:21

I built this for my son using the fire truck loft and playhouse loft plans combined. I put tread on the stairs to add safety and enhance the realism. I was pleased with the instructions. The hardest part was painting it red. I hate painting anything red. Make sure you get a primer tinted to gray that works with the red you choose.

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex paint, chrome spray paint for the mirrored bumpers.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X Console Table

Submitted by lslawson on Mon, 01/06/2020 - 03:42

This was based on the Rustic X Console Table plan

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Charred Wood Accelerator, white semi gloss paint. The only advice I will add is to sand and paint / stained before building the table.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kids Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/08/2023 - 09:23

I made the blue chair first for our oldest granddaughter, I thought I wanted to curve the top, so I did for the next one for the younger granddaughter. Great plans, easy to follow. Thanks so much!

Bill Devereaux

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Benchright Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Beano911 on Fri, 04/13/2012 - 10:01

This was our very first project EVER and it came out beautiful! We needed a dinner table and couldn't find anything that came close to the thousand dollar Pottery Barn Benchright table. While searching for used furniture I came across these plans to build my own. After days of begging and convincing, my husband agreed to help me build it. Now he thanks me all the time! It was so fun and easy.

We did have a couple hiccups with the measurements. Ana did say to read through the plans and comments first, but we failed to write down and remember what others suggested. That being said, these plans were very easy. We took our time building this table since it was our first time using a miter saw and our first time building anything. Our table was a little more expensive than other braggers because we didn't use reclaimed wood and since we are beginners, we botched a couple cuts and had to buy a few extra boards :). After sanding, we took some chains and a hammer to the tabletop and legs to make a more distressed and rustic look. We painted the bolts and pipe black with Rustoleum Flat Black. Our pipe was longer than our table, so we had it cut. If you buy your pipe from Lowe's, they will cut and thread it for you. We couldn't find any hardware that look anything similar to the Pottery Barn Benchright. We checked Home Depot and Lowe's, but decided to settle with some plumbing knobs that screwed in the pipe. Once we painted everything and put it all together, we actually loved the pipe knob look more than the Pottery Barn table hardware!

This table is so darn sturdy and will last forever. I can't thank Ana enough, and thank you to everyone that posts these brags, because you helped me convince my husband and myself that we could do this!

Estimated Cost
$250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of Minwax Wood Conditioner, Two coats of Minwax Wood Finish in Dark Walnut (the first coat will be ugly, but the second coat is money), One coat of Minwax Polyurethane in Clear Satin (we wanted our table to be protected, but not overly shiny.)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bunnie1978

Fri, 04/13/2012 - 16:07

It IS beautiful. When I first saw the main photo on the home page, I thought "there's no way they made that, they must have bought it at PB" because it looks JUST like the PB one. Like, exactly.

You did an excellent job!!

mweir

Sat, 04/14/2012 - 08:26

I love the look of your table, it is beautiful. You did a fantastic job for your 1st project. There will be no stopping you now. Love it!!

My version of ten dollar picture ledges/galley shelves.

I think I get more compliments on these galley shelves/picture ledges than anything else I’ve made, and these were probably the easiest things to make!

It cost me about $25 a piece but they were nearly 8 feet long each. I used a paint sprayer to paint them, WAY easier than brushing on the paint! watch for drips though (my first time using a sprayer, treat it like spray paint, light easy coats!)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
used a satin white paint. that is the same as our molding in the house.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Faux Mantle

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/22/2016 - 04:14

My office faux mantle came out awesome thanks to Ana White. The only changes we made was that we used dental crown molding and we added the base. Other than that everything else was exactly according to the plans.

Estimated Cost
$180 using #1 pine from Home Depot
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We used Black spray semi-gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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