Community Brag Posts

Pool Side Privacy Planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/19/2024 - 16:47

We built two of Ana's privacy planters for the top of our driveway to obstruct the view of our yard and pool from the street. We added heavy-duty casters for mobility, and cedar pickets to cover the back as well, since that side would be directly behind our eating area. Because of the casters, we had some trouble with stability, so we added cinder blocks to line the bottom, then on top of those, we used large storage bins inside of the planters as "liners" for the dirt and plants. It's the perfect solution for us, and we were able to construct both planters over two days- one day to build, another to apply the stain!

Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday

Clubhouse Bed - my first build

Submitted by dpeterson on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 19:32

So we wanted to build a simple twin size bed for our 5 year old son. That quickly expanded into my wife wanting me to build this PB replica (which happens to be her favorite kids bed). My response was "honey, you really don't understand my lack of ability." She insisted and after a couple of weeks the bed is done! Using Ana's plans made this not only doable but much easier than I thought (this was my first build).

We changed the design very slightly because the original was a few inches too tall (we have a ceiling fan that would have hit the top). We simply shortened the top half of the bed by 3 inches. At the suggestion of a friend (who's mitre and table saws we used for the cuts) we used dado instead of pocket holes for the stairs. We also used a lot of countersinking instead of pocket holes (for example to attach the vertical slats on the side walls).

We bought the cheapest wood we could get at Home Depot. All the wood and stain and materials cost about $250-300 (I still haven't checked the receipts exactly). However, I was told (quite sternly) that I severely overpaid for the wood by not going to a lumber yard. We used a Minwax oil-based stain (mission oak). We only did one coat.

Now that we're done with this we can't wait to get started on the next project (right after I get my dissertation going).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax oil-based stain - Mission Oak, single coat applied using rags.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

5 tator tots (not verified)

Fri, 12/07/2012 - 18:22

I've been wanting to build this for our youngest son. He will be three before we make it and the fact that it is enclosed makes me comfortable with having him in a lofted bed, but it also looks like changing the bedding would be really challenging. Seeing your picture smoothing the quilt begs the question, how hard is it?

Nice work on the bed-what a first project!

Changeable Play Stand

Submitted by vic b on Fri, 09/12/2014 - 19:49

I love this, so did our son.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
mostly out of bits and pieces found in the shed
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My attempt at the Benchmark Media Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/02/2017 - 11:05

Had oak from my family farm that made up the top and trimwork. Purchased oak board for the legs. Sides and middle/bottom shelf from maple plywood. Decided against the flip down doors. Wasn't happy with he fit of the main doors due to a little off-kilter craftsmanship on my part, so will probably leave it open and add crates / some shelves the same height as the top row giving like 6", 6", and 11" or so.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$225 due to cost of Oak board (had to buy entire board $120, but have 5ft uncut left) and Maple plywood ($60), and used TransTint Vintage Maple dye instead of stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
TransTint Vintage Maple dye mixed with water (about 1oz for a large mason jar) and Spray on Poly in Clear Satin. Wiped on dye liberally, wiped off excess as I went.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Leaning desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/13/2020 - 10:28

Love this desk and the plans are so easy to follow. Perfect for a small space.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)

Electric Fireplace Wall with Hearth by Amanda Newman

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/26/2024 - 09:57

"9 years ago I built my first project, a table I needed to have for thanksgiving dinner. Luckily @anawhitediy had/has a fabulous plan for that and I learned as I went. Picking up wood for my latest build (a fireplace with electric insert) I had that same thrill as I had so many years ago. This time I had plans from @anawhitediy and a beautiful inspiration (and tutorial) from @simply.diy.home to get me going on my path."

Seasonal And Holiday

Queen Farmhouse Bed with Natural Finish!

Submitted by kopfun on Sat, 12/01/2012 - 20:06

This is the queen size version of the farmhouse bed with a natural finish. The plans were modified somewhat to account for the use of a box spring. The actual construction probably took less than a day of total project time, but the sanding, staining, and finishing were quite lengthy. My husband and I used both an electric sander and also sanded by hand. There are two layers of natural stain and three layers of polycrylic (with sanding in between each layer of the polycrylic). It turned out beautiful! Ana, thank you for the inspiration!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Natural finish with minwax polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Doors galore

Submitted by rhonit on Tue, 09/16/2014 - 07:03

Just a couple of pictures from our kitchen remodel. My husband and I have built 59 cabinet doors for our house, kitchen, laundry and two baths. The cost of wood only $604 , we chose to use finished ply for the panels and poplar for the stiles and rails. We could not have done this with out Ana, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

We are still in the process of our remodel, but I wanted to show what a little time, sweat and very little $$ (compared to the $10,000 + quote) can get you with determination and a few basic skills.

Estimated Cost
Wood for all 59 doors $604, kreg srews $60, primer and paint $120 and new hardware - jury is still out on that one.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Primer and paint, paint is Cabinet and Trim from Ace
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kitchen Island

Built 4 foot kitchen island. Used mix of cedar (2x6 decking)for top and rest was Douglas fir wood from home depot. Legs were 2x6 nailed to 2x4 Doug fir wood. 1x4 pine was used for the shelves. Measured distance to hold wine bottles. Cost approximately $100.00 in wood. Miniwax ebony and jacobean was used for stain. About 50/50 mix. Epifanes wood gloss was used to varnish. It's a superior product to use, however can be pricey. Can use a poly if concerned about costs. 

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained mix of miniwax ebony and jacobean followed up with two coats of Epifanes gloss finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Brookstone Desk “Farmhouse Style”

Submitted by boneill on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 16:48

Gray / White Brookstone Desk “Farmhouse Style”. Super fun desk build . I went with a soft close set of drawer slides for a nice drawer closing . I used pocket holes to attach the table top but for the rest I followed the plans. I’ll be uploading a video step by step how to build this to my Instagram (bryan_oneill907). Link below .

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Gray / White.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Faux Mantle by Posh Barn

Submitted by Posh Barn on Wed, 12/05/2012 - 16:30

This is such a great project. Easy and fast you still have time to make one for hanging Christmas stockings!

Estimated Cost
90.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Cool Grey with some distress
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Truss coffee table

Submitted by mwoods on Thu, 09/18/2014 - 20:37

The first larger project I've done on my own. I distressed it some before staining it but no other changes were made to the plan. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$23 for wood
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Mahogany
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Love this table!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/07/2017 - 09:58

I have been wanting a longer entryway table and this one was the perfect length and style I was after! Thank you for providing these plans! You rock!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Used stain in color honey
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic X desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 16:47

Great desk, easy build and very solid.

Only issue with the plans was not enough 2x4 (unless I cut it wrong).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Smoke stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cedar Outdoor Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/10/2024 - 07:58

I made both chairs and the table out of Cedar. After a few coats of Spar Urethane and copious amounts of sanding (so much sanding!) they turned out great! If I had to do it again I might've stained them darker, but the Spar Urethane really lets the natural beauty of the Cedar show. My biggest piece of advice for others is to take your time sorting through lumber at your local big box store/lumber yard. It will pay dividends in the end!

Seasonal And Holiday

Convertable Picnic Bench

Submitted by Yumde on Sun, 12/09/2012 - 16:48

A nice summer project that is good for relaxing and eating outside.

Built with
7 - 2x4x72"
1 - 2x6x8
galvanized hardware

Started with a light base paint and taped off diagonal sections.

Next time we would lessen the gap inbetween 2x4's.

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

Rustic X-Console Build

Wife and I needed a console for our TV components really bad. Saw this x-console and said we had to have one! Super quick and easy to build and looks amazing.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut minwax stain + minwax polycrylic sealer/finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

nickeydee

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 01:01

Hi there! 

Your table came out great! I love the stain you used. I am also building this table. Everything is going great, except the x's. Can you offer any advice?

tmsmith

Thu, 09/25/2014 - 03:34

I built this same table and love it.  We did not put the x's in we left them out.  On the 2nd shelf we just added a 2x4 to make it even.

Ank629

Fri, 05/22/2015 - 22:24

This table looks amazing! Would you mind sharing the dimensions and materials you used? It looks a bit smaller than the original and its exactly what I need for my living room. This will be my first project so I'm not really sure what I need since the dimensions will be different. I hope to hear back from you!

Rustic X console table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/08/2017 - 19:17

Built this for my wife. Had to modify the dimensions. She wanted it to be 36" tall and 80" long.

Estimated Cost
~$70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Truss 4x4 Farm Table

Submitted by iamjulz622 on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 19:07

I love this site and the user friendly plans. I used the suggestion of turning the 2x4’s but I think it would have been better to have more to screw the top boards to if I hadn’t.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White paint, stain and sealant.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate