Community Brag Posts

DIY Home Coffee Station

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 11/02/2023 - 08:14

Had a bunch of scrap wood from other projects and random pieces we found in our barn after we moved into our new house so decided to make a new coffee bar to use it up. Modified the Potting Bench plans and pretty happy with how it turned out!

Nate B

Built from Plan(s)

Pottery Barn Inspired Chaise Lounger

Submitted by gtd869 on Wed, 04/15/2020 - 20:34

I followed Ana’s Modern Chaise build. The number of 2x4’s specified in the instructions is incorrect. You need 3 not 2. Other than that, a great plan.

Comments

Cedar Fence Board Planter Box

Submitted by iowachap on Sat, 03/15/2014 - 19:40

Using Ana's 10 dollar raised garden planter box idea, I made my own using the cedar fence boards and then used 2 x 3 x 8 studs for the L corner supports and mid center support along with top rail. This photo is the first 3, I will have a total of 6 boxes. Will post more as I progress.

Estimated Cost
20 to 25 dollars per box
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used 6 fence boards, 2 for each side of the 6' long runs, and 1 for each short 3' section cut in half.

I got the 6' x 5 1/2 " x 5/8 " cedar fence boards at the orange box

I used 2 x 3 x 8 boards for the corners the middle support and the top rail. I got these at the blue box

I used 2 " and 2 1/2" exterior star bit screws.

NOTE: I pre drilled holes in the fence boards and screwed all the boards to the L corner sections from the inside out, so the screws are on the inside of the box, they did not poke through the 2 x 3 boards.

Instead of trying to measure how far off the side of the board I needed to go to match the vertical 2 x 3 boards, I just cut 10 11 inch long 2 x3 sections, and then used the 2 1/2" screws and made 4 L corner pieces the shorter side I screwed the short 3 foot length fence boards too, once I had both my short sections screwed to the L corner sections, I then stood one up and screwed 2 of the 6' length boards to the L corner section. Then the other side.

Once all 4 walls were done, I would then measure 3' in the middle of the 6' long side runs, and put in an additional 2 x 3 x 11" again screwed from the inside of the box out.

Now that all the 2 x 3 x 11" L corners and side support sections were connected to the fence boards I then cut 76 1/4" 2 x3 boards one for each length run, and then 2 26" 2 x 3 sections that were all cut on 45 degree angle to complete the top rail.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Tall Dresser

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/13/2023 - 16:41

A Christmas gift for my G- kid!!!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Simple Modern Outdoor Double Lounger.

Submitted by omahattan on Wed, 06/13/2012 - 11:52

Finished it in about two weeks, but that was during my sons daily two hour nap window and two days of staining. Had to make a few adjustments so the pillow from West Elm would fit, because the plan calls for 11 slats on the deck when it should be 12. I added some wheels to the back and will add pull out drink tables soon. It was a fun project and my wife is thrilled.

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot Semi-Solid Stain (Cordovan Brown).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

adirondack chair of Ana

Submitted by pattyitaly on Sun, 04/13/2014 - 03:28

Hi
I am still working on my portico furnitures..but as we have changed the colour of our Home, I have decided to change the colour of sofa ( terrible decision) and than to build the adirondack chair for Home depot of Ana to be part of the ensemble.
Thanks Ana. I love it.
I used the same project just changing two small things ( a small support under the arms and making the arms more similar to the original adirondack chair. I used the oxydizing solution to paint and it is a great stuff!
ciao patty
p.s. I already posted the sofa is always Ana's project.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
oxydizing solution
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Sister Salvage Skull bench using Ana-White base

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/10/2016 - 10:00

I used the Modern Park Bench plans. I made it a little narrower and taller to accommodate who I made it for as he is tall. I also used oak ply for the backing in order to showcase the skull art that he requested. The design was taken from his favorite shirt. Ply was ok since it is on a covered porch. Thank you Ana White for providing plans to use. Very much appreciated!

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kid's Playhouse

My son's school asked me to build a playhouse for their annual auction and after looking around online for a few days finally found a plan I liked. I modified it a little and did not do the cedar so we could paint it. Turned out great and more pictures on the blog, www.atouchofarkansas.com

Estimated Cost
$800
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

jcmcclure77

Wed, 04/16/2014 - 12:33

I got the plans off of woodcraft.com, they were $8 think and the specific plans were Playhouse, Plan No. 881. Not as detailed and easy as Ana makes it on us, but overall not too hard to figure out.

Modern Geo Twin Platform Bed and Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/16/2020 - 17:44

This was a fun build. I let my daughter design the slats on the headboard, and as long as all slats are either 90 or 45 degrees, the cuts and application are simple. Thanks, Ana!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Pecan
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

King Size Platform Frame

Submitted by EndGrain on Wed, 07/18/2012 - 08:46

I based my bed off of the Fillman Platform Bed plans. Just bumped the dimensions up to fit my mattress and added the mid supports. The frame was built using 2x6 boards taken from a fallen barn. I ripped 2 2x6 boards down the center to make the the supports for the slats. My feet are 3 2x6's screwed together and then attached to the frame. Next time I will cut a notch out of the feet so that I can rest the bed on them and then try to find some old lag bolts to attach them to the bed. The frame was put together using a Kreg Jig. I put the Cedar boards on to dress the front and sides up some and to help keep the slats from showing when the sheets were tucked in. My finish is 1 coat of Linseed Oil and 2 coats of Teak Oil.

Let me know if you have any further questions on this build. As soon as I find some doors I will be building a head board for this bed.

Estimated Cost
$150 ish
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Linseed and Teak Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy X Farmhouse Table - modified

We used the wonderful Fancy X Farmhouse table plan with modifications. We needed the table to be shorter for our space, so we shortened it by 12" - this brought the angled pieces closer - we chose to do this instead of altering the angles. Also, we used 4 X 4 posts for the double 2 X 4's and also the cross pieces and angled pieces. I posted two blog posts about the process with lots of pictures, including how we rounded the ends per the plan. The finish is a equal mix of dark walnut and classic grey, finished with Trewax.

Great plan - we are so pleased with the results, and the price tag!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Equal mix of Minwax Dark Walnut and Classic Grey. Finished off with Trewax and buffing.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dananichols

Thu, 07/19/2012 - 07:45

Thanks Whitney - we are lucky to have access to untreated 4 X 4's at our local orange store. I tend to buy an extra one every time as I am afraid they will stop carrying them!

Barbara burns (not verified)

Mon, 07/23/2012 - 15:12

I am a newby to wood working and am in love with this table. I have all the pieces cut for the sides, will also be changing the length and will make those cuts later. I am a little insecure on the nailing/screw directions...placement, size, where to hide?, etc. would love to know where yours are placed and what you used. (I did purchase a Kreg jig for pocket screws).
Thanx for any support you might have.

Barbara burns (not verified)

Mon, 07/23/2012 - 15:14

I am a newby to wood working and am in love with this table. I have all the pieces cut for the sides, will also be changing the length and will make those cuts later. I am a little insecure on the nailing/screw directions...placement, size, where to hide?, etc. would love to know where yours are placed and what you used. (I did purchase a Kreg jig for pocket screws).
Thanx for any support you might have.

Dananichols

Mon, 07/23/2012 - 18:31

Barbara -

I posted a link above to my blog - I have two posts about the table and lots of pictures, including pics of where I placed the screws. The only place I used the pocket screws (great purchase by the way, have used mine so much!) was to attach the 4 X 4 cross beams (you can use them on 2 X 4's as well if you are following the plan). Hop over and have a look - lots of pictures - and hopefully that will help with you questions!

Thanks - and have fun!

Dana

Kristine Faldik (not verified)

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 03:37

Dana,

This table is just gorgeous! My husband and I are building a house and have been looking to find the perfect table for weeks now. Just stumbled upon yours and fell in love! We are going to try and use your modifications to the original plan as well, thank you so much for sharing. Hope we can do this too!!!!!

Thanks!

Kristine

valery (not verified)

Sat, 10/27/2012 - 06:45

NEED one of these...
I've NEVER done a project like this and i'm not even near crafty but this is the first thing I see on Pintrest that made me even want to attempt doing it!

Is it wide enough that the cross beams don't annoy you when you are sitting?

TammyLGK

Wed, 02/12/2014 - 11:20

Dana thanks to your informative blog detailing what you did for the rounded legs you have saved my project! I really did not want to resort to the the angled leg cuts. I just could not figure out the 30 & 45 degree cuts. I as well was originally trying to make them on the same piece. THANK YOU!

4X4 Truss Beam Table

I came across some old 4x4s left over at my job so I decided to do something with them. I was in desperate need of an outdoor table. I found the plans for this table, grabbed the 4x4s I needed and went to work. The 4x4s where in really rough shape. It took me about 7 hours to sand them down to bare wood. In a way I was ok with how old they where because I didn't have to wait to stain them. One thing I would do if I could do it over again is stain, paint and protect the wood before I assembled the table. I had a hard time protecting the table top cracks. Down the road I may epoxy resin the top. I also have the wood ready for the matching 4x4 truss benches, so those are soon to come.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
First I coated the entire table with a new stain from Minwax called Weathered Oak. Then I painted all the spots I was going to distress Geyser blue from Glidden. Then I painted the lower part of the table Milky white from Glidden. I distressed the table using an electric palm sander with 220 grit sand paper. As I ran the sander down the wood It found high spots on it that made for a very natural ware pattern. I kept the top of the table the Weathered oak stain color and coated the entire table with Rustoleum Painters touch clear gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Simple modern outdoor chair modified to match my porch.

I built a set of these chairs based on Ana's simple modern outdoor chair. I wanted it to match my front porch which I built a few weeks ago. Thank you for the plans.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Still waiting for it to dry, then I will use a oak stain and outdoor polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

boneill

Wed, 07/29/2020 - 19:24

Looks awesome. Would be great to see how to do this step by step . What size seat slats did you use ?

Seasonal And Holiday

Rolling Cart for Home

Submitted by Pskov on Tue, 08/30/2016 - 01:50

Thanks for the plans!  My wife and cat love that cart, and I'm not sure who will win )))

This is my first build from Anna's plans.

Estimated Cost
20$
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Firepit Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/14/2020 - 09:12

I built the one bench using the original plan with the storage and table top unit but needed two additional seating benches to go around the firepit without the bulk of the backside of the bench.

I modified the original plan as follows:

Shopping List:
(2) 2X6X8
(3) 2X4X8
(2) 1X6X8

Cutting List:
(2) 2X4X17" front legs, 15 degree cuts, parallel long to short
(2) 2X4X23" back support, 15 degree cuts, parallel long to short
(2) 2X4X20.75" back legs, 15 and 60 degree cuts, not parallel long to long
(2) 2X4X23" Back support, 15 degree cuts, parallel long to short
(2) 2X4X24.75" under seat, 15 degree cuts, not parallel long to long
(2) 2X4X30" bottom support, 15 degree cuts, not parallel long to long
(1) 2X4X42" bottom cross brace between leg sets, 90 degree cuts
(2) 2X6 cut equally in half, 3 for the seat and 1 for the top plate
(2) 1X6 cut equally in half, 3 for the back rest and 1 to be tucked under the seat overhang

Estimated Cost
$40.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

kkushner

Sat, 08/15/2020 - 22:52

I am the individual who submitted this modification on June 14, 2020. I was making a change to the submission but somehow sent it before correcting the cut list. The "(2) 2X4X23" back support, 15 degree cuts, parallel long to short" is repeated twice and should be only once.

Dinning Table

Submitted by LacyLou on Sun, 08/12/2012 - 19:08

I decided to make this table about three weeks before this plan came out! I wanted a dinning table so I found one at William Sonoma that I loved and figured I could take several pieces from other table plans to make this one from WS. Then sure enough out comes this one after I had already started my plan! So, its not exactly the same but it is close and I do love it so much. I was afraid it wouldn't be secure enough with just the top boards running across the legs so I added a frame to support underneath like one of the other table plans does. This was yet another learning process so it took awhile and the boards aren't as perfect as I'd like them to be but I think that adds to the character I tried to give it! Overall, not an awful project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
antique treatment of tea and vinegar/steal wool followed by honey oak stain and satin polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

LacyLou

Sat, 11/10/2012 - 07:18

Remember I was copying a table I fell in love with, so I ripped 2x8's down to exactly 6 inches for the inside boards and the outside boards are 2x6's ripped to 5 inches. I know that sounds wasteful but I did use all the scrap from the 2x8 boards on other projects. This is obviously not necessary. I insisted on having an odd number of boards so I could have a middle board that showed the heart of the pine, but I needed to keep my dimensions as close to the original table (so I felt). This was one of my first projects for my little family so I got a little sentimental! You could very easily use four full 2x8's in the middle and two full 2x6's for the outside pieces and the table will only be an inch wider then mine. I'm so thrilled you like it! Let me know if you have any other questions.

JLP (not verified)

Sat, 11/10/2012 - 21:07

I really do love your version, and thanks for taking the time to respond! One more question, did you use 4x4s on the legs? They look a little beefier, but it's hard to tell from the photo...

LacyLou

Mon, 11/12/2012 - 15:44

I did! But I, again, ripped the angled sections down until they looked right. Wish I could tell you what the measurements came out to but I just cut until I liked it! It was something like 3.25x2.75 or pretty close. Leaving all the peices of the legs the standard 4x4 looked too bulky to me but I thought 2x4's were too thin so I made my own something in the middle!

Cedar planter boxes

Submitted by JavaJoe on Fri, 06/06/2014 - 20:00

I used the main plan for ideas, but opted to use 3.5 inch pickets instead, which allowed for a smaller planter that wasn't as big. Also chose to miter 1x3s for the top which I think really finishes it off. Sanded everything with a belt sander to 220 grit. Used min wax golden pecan plus three coats of poly inside and out. Finished size was about 17x17. Tile spacers work great to keep the gaps even!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Min wax golden pecan
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

King Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/26/2020 - 05:51

My husband built this beautiful king frame and we stained it with Minwax semi-solid pure white. He made a few tweaks- used tongue & groove pine in the headboard and footboard to decrease the likelihood of any gaps we may get from subpar wood at the big box store. The night stands are From the Farmhouse bedside table plans.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Semi-Solid pure white
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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