Community Brag Posts

Outdoor Summer Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/21/2024 - 11:20

I chose to use your plans for the "Modern Outdoor Chair from 2x4s and 2x6s" and it turned out great on our front porch! Now we have a new place to chill in our chairs among our plants in the shade on summer days!

David Herrin

Modern Outdoor Sofa and Loveseat

Modified the loveseat plans and created a sofa as well. No one that sees these thinks I built them. They look so much nicer than anything you can buy!

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
First coat SW New Ebony Stain
second coat Varathane Briarsmoke
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

8 foot picnic table

Submitted by Abby721 on Sat, 07/18/2020 - 08:40

This picnic table was a quick build and turned out amazing. I modified the center base support by adding an extra table top support and seat support board to the opposite side of the center legs to give the table symmetry to accommodate an umbrella hole. I also shortened both cross supports by an inch to make sure the base wouldn’t be longer than the top boards. The space between the center table support boards and seat support boards is the perfect size to fit a standard umbrella. I used a 1 3/4” hole saw to make the umbrella hole. The build and stain/paint took me about 5 hours but additional time is needed to properly seal the table. I used untreated pine. Treated pine may give the table longevity but it would also add a lot of weight to an already heavy table. This was a relatively easy and quick build and is a great size to fit my whole family plus a couple guests! I’m happy with how it turned out and would recommend this build to anyone looking for a budget friendly and simple patio table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Briarsmoke for the top and Rustoleum Canyon Black Satin for the base. Sealed with 2 coats of Varathane Helmsman Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Square Modern Farm Table

I really loved the modern farm table, but we wanted something to fit our square-ish dining room space and still fit 8-12 people to fit our famiy of 8+ company.  What we ended up with was a unique statement piece that we absolutely adore.  We made some minor changes to the plans to accomodate the changes in size, primarily by using 4x4 posts for the legs and attaching them differently.  The table is very sturdy with no wobble.  It is very heavy, though!  Please see our blog post for details on size, cut list and our building modifications!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum Dark Walnut Stain,
General Finishes Java Gel Stain,
Polyurethane - gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pegboard Organizer with Magnetic Chalkboard

Submitted by katie0910 on Fri, 07/25/2014 - 10:59

I built two of these pegboard organizers for my boys to hang in their rooms. The magnetic chalkboard allows them to write fun messages or doodle, plus they can hang pictures on it with magnets. The pegboard helps keep their smaller toys organized and the hooks keep their hats from being scattered all over the house.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax special walnut
Minwax fast-drying polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kaitlyn's Crib

Submitted by MCdesigns on Sun, 11/06/2016 - 10:05

So this is my first post of one of my projects, and super excited to share!   I have to say this is one of the most rewarding projects I have ever done.  First time Dad and so excited to meet her!  My wife is now 35 weeks. I have built many furniture projects in the past but I will admit this one intimidated me more than anything.  There are so many safety regulations on cribs and so many stories and blogs online about child safety it made my head spin.  I almost let the fear get the best of me and just bought a crib.....but the DIY in me said NO, and here it is!  After it is all said and done I couldn't be more happy and a proud Father at the same time!  I am still working on finishing this project, so I will add more pics as they come along.  We will be painting it a light gray color and top coating with a water based polycrylic. This is made to be convertable, and will also become a Full size bed.  Thank you Ana White and other users for inspring us all! 

Estimated Cost
Around $280. I buy all my lumber as rough stock from a local hardwood supplier, and joint/plane myself.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Latex paint/ Minwax water based polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

greyboarder

Tue, 02/27/2018 - 12:02

This crib is terrific and just what I am looking to build for my son and daughter in law.  Do you have any dimensions or even rough plans you could share?  I will certainly work ast sketching m own but if you have something you are willing to share it would serve as a great starting point.

Thanks so much,

Mark

greyboarder

Wed, 02/28/2018 - 06:37

My wife and I are going to be first time grandparents in the spring and have been asked by our son and daughter-in-law to build a crib - one just like the one you built.  I think it wil be a fun project.  Could you share any dimensions, drawings or other pictures rom your build?  You can reach me at my email address:  [email protected].

Thanks,

Mark

Skyscraper desk and modified locker

Submitted by ibthemom on Mon, 07/28/2014 - 17:57

This was my first ever project! I built the skyscraper bookcase and then built a second one, only modifying it to make a locker style cabinet for backpacks!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

54" Round Pedestal Table

This was such a fun build. Instead of the square table top I opted for a 54" round table top and I also altered the plans for the base. I upped the size for each board used to give it a chunkier look ( Ex: instead of 2x4s, I used 2x6s and so on)

Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1 Coat Minwax - Wood Conditioner
1 Coat Minwax - Ebony
3 Coats Minwax - Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My version "Michaela's Kitchen Island"

Submitted by Lorri Dee on Sun, 12/04/2016 - 20:38

Built from discount 70% off lumber from Home Depot. I planed and cut down to size with a Ridged planer and table saw, then screwed together with kreg pocket screws. Since I will be kneading bread on it, I used a natural coffee stain and then butcher block finish..

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Coffee stain with butcher block mineral oil and bee's wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse bench

Once I made the farmhouse table, I had to make the bench to go with it! It compliments the table very well. Easy to build only took a couple hours from start to finish. I also used the kreg pocket hole jig on this project as well so no screw holes could been seen. Thank you Ana for the plans!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White satin paint, white wash for the seat over the stain, weathered gray stain, fast drying polyurethane 3 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wood Can Organizer

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/15/2024 - 11:57

I love all the free plans. I built this one last year based off one of the plans. Edited to add space length and width, with an end for taller cans. by Chasity Abbott on Facebook

Built from Plan(s)

Complete Diningroom Set

I have lived in my house for over 9 years and have never done anything to it until recently. I have made the commitment to move away from plain white walls and boring "plug-n-play" furniture. I discovered Ana's site a few months ago and have been a daily visitor. I made this dining room set with the confidence Ana's instructions gave me and I am forever grateful.

I made a few adjustments to the Parson Chair, making it longer in the back and used 5 degree angle instead of 15 and made the seat wider for our hefty hips and I used all 2x3s for the "chair bones".

Estimated Cost
A little over $350 for everything including fabric
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Kona, Olympic Milk Paint White, Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ralphyo

Sun, 04/03/2016 - 17:33

I really like the matching bench.  I am going to make this table for my daughter and she wants a bench with it.  I am wondering where you found matching legs short enough for the bench?  I have been looking but what I find are legs for end tables but they are too long.  Seems the bench-top height should be a standard 18 inches.  Thanks for any help.

For my soon-to-be niece

Submitted by mikeanddad on Tue, 12/20/2016 - 07:46

Thanks for the great plans! I built this toy box with my dad for my soon-to-be niece.

We followed the plans closely, but added four additional parts:

1) Added 3 inch foam, batting, and fabric on the top of the toybox

2) Lined the interior. We used 1/8 inch harboard. We cut the harboard to size, used spray adhesive to attach the fabric to the harboard, and then attached the hardboard to the toy box with loctite adhesive.

3) Added two handles to the side

4) Used a vinyl sticker pruchased from Etsy with my neice's name on the front

We used semi-gloss paint and finished the toy box with sem-glass polycrylic (brushed on, not the spray can).

Enjoy!

Best,

Mike

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Custom Garage Shelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/12/2024 - 09:44

This is a combination of the Ultimate Garage Shelving Plans (https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/ultimate-garage-shelving…) and the Best DIY Garage Shelves (https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/best-diy-garage-shelves-…). We mostly followed the Ultimate plans but didn't add the metal supports. Instead, we had shorter spans and were able to attach the shelves to the upper part of our metal storage shed. Simple plans, easy to understand, took a weekend for two adults to complete.

Seasonal And Holiday

Farm table/bench combo

Submitted by Junkyard15 on Fri, 09/26/2014 - 05:48

I used the plans for the Fancy X Farmhouse table, but customized the lengths of both the bench and table to fit our room and to the sizes we wanted.  Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
Wood was less than $200.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Gel Stain and Minwax Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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