Community Brag Posts

DIY Faux Fireplace Mantle with Hidden Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/14/2017 - 15:06

We were given this fireplace insert and need something to house it. After searching the web, we decided that Ana's faux fireplace design was our best option. We modified the measurements to fit our needs and added a wood stained top to serve as our "mantle". We are thrilled with how it turned it!

Estimated Cost
Less than $100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyshades 'Espresso' stain on mantle top
Behr white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

ten dollar ledges

theses are the $10 ledges, i used 1 1x4, 1 1x6, and 1 1x2. i made a total of four which measured 2ft long. it was very easy to do, and was pretty fast, and really cheap

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
rustolium dark walnut spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

rhettar

Sun, 02/10/2013 - 19:58

I see you are saying you made them a little wider... I like your empty frames too...

Wagon

Submitted by gbyrne on Sun, 12/21/2014 - 17:22

Based this wagon on plans found on Ana White's site. I built this for a 2 year old girl of a co-worker. She is right now using it to pull around her dolls.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Laundry Room Redo

I needed a new laundry system, and thank goodness I found Ana White's projects on Pinterest! I incorporated the laundry sorter and added casters to the bottom as well as a paper towel roll on the side since it is next to the sink. I also used a modified version of the washer/dryer platform into my space. It does not have the bottom platform and the 4x4's are inside the 2x4's and attached to the platform as well as the 2x4's. Sterilite makes organizer drawers that fit exactly in the opening of under the platform. And, voila! New colors, new organization, new light bulbs :0), new laundry room!

Estimated Cost
$170
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar from Lowe's
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Industrial Bookshelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/08/2021 - 17:03

My husband made these gorgeous, inexpensive bookshelves for my classroom. We modified the plans to create a couple of different sizes. I love them, and they work perfectly for the classroom library.

https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/30-industrial-bookshelf

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Woodstain- Sunbleached
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Our First DIY Project: A TV Corner Unit

Submitted by tedi.l on Fri, 03/22/2013 - 09:07

My husband and I wanted to store our bicylces on the main level of our home, but to do that we need to move our tv and it's components to a corner. We didn't see any premade consoles that we liked, so I searched around on the web until I found Ana White's design!

Feel free to visit our blog to see the unit come to life in detail :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
We purchased paint that had primer in it, and got away with applying only two coats (with some light sanding in between),
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

8 foot long truss style farm bench

Submitted by Bigherd on Wed, 04/21/2021 - 05:01

I had a friend that loved the 48" long truss style farm bench. However, she wanted one 8' long. I modified the "2X4 Truss Style Farm Bench" and came up with this design. As you can see, she want a very specific stain color combination.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
stains and Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by kristine on Mon, 03/25/2013 - 23:08

So the husband was not happy with the fancy x dining table he made and thus, within a short 4 month period, he made another dining table :/ This one, however, he loves, so no more dining table making for him anytime soon! He veered off plans by joining most of the projects using dowels. You can read more about the build at our blog:

http://tonyandkristine.blogspot.com/2013/03/diy-farmhouse-table.html

Estimated Cost
appx $100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Stain + Poly in Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Fancy X Farmhouse Table & Bench

Submitted by diegaeb on Fri, 05/14/2021 - 00:55

Last summer we got a new terrace and definitely need new outdoor dining furniture.

Estimated Cost
200 €
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mylands Artillery Ground No. 164 Wood & Metal Eggshell & Mylands Cadogan Stone No. 59 Wood & Metal Eggshell

Comments

Porch Swing Glider

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/19/2017 - 09:25

Built the porch swing and was inspired to build the glider frame by another "Brag Post" Looks great and fits perfectly in my back yard!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Transparent deck sealant for frame, white exterior paint for seat panels
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rachael Brown

Fri, 02/18/2022 - 08:20

Are there any dimensions for the glider part? I have first year agriculture students building this, but we are unsure of the cut list for this. I am sure I can figure it out as the teacher, but with 20 students in the class, it would be better to be able to give them instructions to follow on paper. Thank you!!!

Cedar Fence Picket Planter

Submitted by MMTruncale on Sun, 04/07/2013 - 18:31

I'm still getting to know my Compound Miter Saw, so I wanted to get another small project under my belt. Not to mention I had a whole other picket and a half left over from yesterday's project. This just seem to be the perfect project to do. And needed since we actually needed a few more planters.

Estimated Cost
$1
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Left it natural.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rhyan coffee table with our own twist

Took us about 2 weeks from start to finish but we could only work on it about an hour a day. We also had some issues with the stain. We were going for an aged look and weren't happy with the colors so we layered different stains till we were happy. Hardware is from Martha Stewart. Over all, the table wasn't that hard, but I would definitely advise measuring and cutting as you go, because of all the drawers, the slightest mis-measurement can put the whole thing off. You can see better pics at facebook.com/oldsouldesigns. Absolutely love the end result and so do our customers!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miwax provincial, covered with minwax sun bleached, and topped with a natural reddish stain (can't remember)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/12/2017 - 06:05

The table came out great! I ran every board through the table saw to make sure each piece was square. On the breadboard ends I added 2 1 1/2x1 1/2 x 9 supports. I decided to take off a lot of material with 40 grit sandpaper so every top board was completely smooth. Added adhesive felt to the bottom and used minwax polycrylic finish.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125 with stain, polyethylene, brushes and rags.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax oil base Esspresso
Minwax polycrylic semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Square Picnic Table

Submitted by frmoody on Tue, 08/10/2021 - 07:05

Enjoyed this project although with the price of lumber it was a little expensive to build. The only modification I made was to put a cross brace in the centre of the table top. That allowed me to attach the top boards a little more securely as some of them were a little bowed. I'll add a better photograph once I get it out of my garage and on to the back deck. It is a little heavy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$240
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained the dark part of the table with Behr water based English Chestnut and the seat and top with Minwax Ipswich Pine followed by four coats of Varathane Exterior Gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Craft table with Oak Plywood and Chalk Paint

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/18/2017 - 09:29

As a solo and novice woodworker, it took me a while to get used to the pocket hole jig and longer to cut the wood myself but eventually it all came together.   To ensure I could get it out of the house if I move, I used circle 8 desktop fasteners to fasten the plywood top to the risers.  I am proud I finished and love to use the table now for both craft work and breakfast on the weekends.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Top is oak plywood finished with Danish oil.
Shelves are pine with Minwax oak stain
Paint is Valspar chalk paint: Kid Gloves for the outside and Bonnet Ribbon for the interior, all finished with Satin finishing wax.  
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Truss Beam Table

Submitted by firebug on Sun, 03/22/2015 - 22:08

I built this farmhouse table from your plans. It turned out great, I had to modify the plans and make it bigger to fit my needs. But we love the outcome and it was well worth it to do this project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain: Dark Walnut. Table Top Finish: Famowood Kit 1 Gal Size Glaze Coat Gloss Polyurethane.
Bottom and Benches Finish: Glossy Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

wy2ak

Mon, 03/23/2015 - 19:27

Outstanding finish! After seeing this, I might have to try it. Thanks for the inspiration!

Storage Bench/Daybed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/23/2017 - 20:49

This was my 2nd woodworking project, so I was very pleased with the results. I wanted more seating and storage for my office area. I liked the look of the Farmhouse Storage Bed, so I decided to modify the plans and turn it into a bench. I made the seating area 30" wide and 68" long. Instead of headboard and footboard, I made 2 sides that were about 40" tall (36" 4x4 plus the 2x4 and 2x6). I made 3 24" deep drawers and left the back side open so that I can store electronics that need to be charged in them with the cords hanging out the back of the drawers. It was a lot of fun to make, and I know that my family will enjoy it!

Estimated Cost
$350 for wood and hardware, then paint and cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Flat black oil-based enamel paint, then finished by lightly rubbing with fine grit sandpaper
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:57

The first is a modern adirondack chair mad3 of cedar and I added some vinyl stickers for my son's high school logo.

The second are a set I made using just pine and stained with cedartobe stain. They stay under the cover of the porch and are in excellent condition after 4 years.

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

transitional bath room vanity

Submitted by Texalyn on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 07:14

I changed the height of the Connor Side Table to that of a bathroom vanity and added an apron to hide the underside of the sink.  I carefully built the vanity to be level, then discovered that the underside of the sink surround is wavy (apparently they are made by being poured into an upside down mold, hence the wavy surface).  I added trim at the top of the vanity to hide the shims stabilizing the sink top.  Thx to Rogue Engineer for the well-written plans, and thx to Ana White for your Kreg pocket hole jig video.  It made me feel confident I could pull this off!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax Golden Oak stain, two coats of MinWax Clear Satin Polyurethane, with light sanding with fine sandpaper between coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Western jail bunk bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/02/2017 - 13:55

Still waiting to add the stained jail sign. But a dad's twist to a mom's honey do project added the porch to the front to catch my youngest if he falls out of bed. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Cedar stain and high gloss finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate