Community Brag Posts

My First Project

This was my first project I did close to a year ago. I was so excited about the site I decided to go big right away and do a table and benches for our first house we hadn't moved into yet. I had help and it was quite the learning experience. I think I would start with something smaller first but in the end we got a wonderful table in our dining area that has had plenty of use!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax ebony stain and satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Industrial coffee table

Here is an industrial style coffee table I recently built.  I used reclaimed pallet wood for the top and shelves and I built the shelves to be removable if needed.  For the finish I used oil based poly in a satin.   

@timberandsoul 

www.facebook.com/timberandsoul

Estimated Cost
$140.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
oil based poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Doll Crib

Built for my daughters 2nd birthday. 

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk paint, and white spray paint sprayed over lace. Distressed and dry brushed the blue chalk paint back over for a worn look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bathroom Shelf

Submitted by adck9d on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 22:23

Quick little project

Comments

Customized Corner Desk

Submitted by DTeague on Mon, 03/14/2011 - 21:21

This was my first build I have wanted to get this particular desk from Pottery Barn but don't have the space for it.  I used the corner desk plans but on one side I used the plans for the legs used on the smaller desk. Since it wasn't too big I made the desktop one piece.  All in all it was pretty straightforward.  The only problem I had was when I put the legs on the wrong side, I didn't realize until after I had used wood filler and painted. 

Estimated Cost
$175.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
For the desktop I used Red Mahogony Minwax Stain and Minwas Wipe-on poly. For the base, used a Benjamin Moore paint for Metal and wood in black.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

outdoor sofa from reclaimed wood

Using Ana's plan as a guide, I built two of these sofas to fit an outdoor cushion I already had. I used wood from our old deck -- a great way to re-use and save money, too!

Estimated Cost
$110/sofa (lumber was free)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None, although eventually I will probably seal it with outdoor PolyWhey by Vermont Natural Coatings.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Bed and Argie Bedside Tables

Submitted by Anymouse on Thu, 04/30/2015 - 21:28

I went ahead and splurged on this project. It's all oak with a clear finish to show off the wood. I also put full extension slides on all the drawers. The bed is solid. It doesn't move a bit.

Estimated Cost
More than I care to admit.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Two coats of Minwax® Helmsman® Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Love My Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:21

Ana did an awesome job explaining everything in the plans. Make sure you buy your cushions first and build your sectional around your cushion size. I added more 2X4's on the back seat and back rest so the cushions would not slide through the opening and to minimize the feeling of the one 2x4 going across your back. I get so many compliments from this beautiful sectional. Thanks Anna!

Comments

Doll Bed

This is the doll bed from Ana's plans! My 6 year old wanted to make one for her friend's birthday. She helped with nailing, sanding, painting, sanding, painting oh and painting! 

We did a base coat of a dark pink, then top coat of lighter pink, then sanded to distress it a little. Also instead of sewing a "mattress" I used spray adhesive to adhere the fabric to the plywood, then sewed a pillow and little blankie to match.
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
primed,sanded, base coat dark pink, top coat light pink, then sanded in some places to reveal dark pink
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cedar Deck Box

Submitted by tsmonkey on Mon, 06/03/2013 - 19:09

I used cedar siding that was removed from a home remodel. I had to rip all the wood down on a table saw to work with the plan. I was glad to put this good wood to use for my recycle bin and it looks good on the back porch. I had to change the plan a bit to fit my bin.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Gloss Spray Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

A rustic coffee table for my mum

Submitted by sagey on Sun, 05/03/2015 - 21:59

This is a turned leg coffee table that i built for my mum. the top is reclaimed and the legs were found on a cheap craigslist side table!

I used corner brackets to secure the legs so they could be taken on and off...as i needed to ship the table in the mail.

The boards on top were already distressed but i used a gooey month long festering vinegar and steel wool concoction to add even more interesting layers.

I am so happy with the table and my mother is in love with it!!!!

Thanx again for the great plan and resource that helped me build it!

Estimated Cost
wood free
legs 35.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
top= oxidizing solution vinegar and steel wool steeped for over a month.
wax finish
legs chalk paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Thanks for helping me build this shed!

Submitted by cnllusher on Sun, 09/17/2017 - 16:33

Using your shed plans, modified to use the 2x4s I already had on hand, I designed this 4'x8'x7' shed to match my house.  I replaced the ceder fence boards with a hardiboard, but the construction was pretty much the same.  My husband and I are so happy with this shed,which looks very similar to the $4000+ sheds we have seen, and it cost us less than $400 to make and matches our house perfectly.  Your instructions were great, and I know you saved me a lot of time and trouble.  Can't wait to load it up with our snow and gardening equipment!  Thank you!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Farmhouse Bed

My husband and I made this for our son and daughter-in-law. They absolutely love it! The project took about two days to build, and about three days for the finish (stained and weathered). The photos do not show the slats that support the mattress. The only thing we would have done differently, would have been to use 6 “tongue & groove” on the headboard instead of 5. Otherwise it is a solid bed for certain. And they love it!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Childs table & chairs

Built this set for our 2 year old for christmas!!! He loves it and it is sturdy enough for me and my hubby to sit at to.. Of course the brothers fit around the table as well and they all color or play with playdough. 

Estimated Cost
$40 for everything
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
3 coats of stain and poly and painted chairs and base of table.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

X end table

Submitted by Bergenj123 on Tue, 06/04/2013 - 19:52

Another project in keeping with my original theme of farmhouse style furniture. I liked the style of this table but wanted to make a smaller end table than the plans. So I scaled down a bit and used 1x4 for the top and bottom shelves and used 1x also for the X. It measures standard height for an end table but its only about 18 inches square. I added some hardware, but not the L brackets on the corners. I have young kids and was a little worried about the edges.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Classic Gray by Minwax and a satin finish top coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

cmaycock

Sun, 12/04/2016 - 18:21

Hi, 

 

I love the smaller table! what angle did you need to cut the x peices to? 

Hall Tree

After 10 years of kicking around back packs and shoes that are always in the way, my wife decided she would like a Hall Tree for our foyer. For the last year or so I have been gathering ideas from the internet and putting plans together in “Sketchup”. I wanted to re-purpose some old doors and door knobs and was fortunate to find them at local auctions and antique malls. I’ll have to say that finding a pair of matching solid wood doors was the hardest thing to do. I was lucky to find a pair at an antique mall, and only paid $36 for both. The porcelain door knobs are used for hanging our jackets and coats. I found several of these at an auction. I used a piano hinge for the bench and installed a soft close hinge made by “Sugatsune” which I found on “Amazon’s” website

 

 Not cheap but well worth eliminating the dreadful slamming sound of the bench door. I had never distressed anything, but this and my wallet received plenty during the build. I’d have to say the best part of the build was working with my little cookie monster. She was always wanting to help, and I’m gonna let her because you all know as well as I that those days won’t last forever. Not a professional by any means, but Thanks for looking.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain, Antique White and Turquoise Latex
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

adeath

Thu, 05/07/2015 - 11:31

This is really fantastic. I love the doors as a design element. I may just have to head out this weekend and find some matching doors.

c_loughridge

Mon, 05/18/2015 - 05:10

Thanks Ana. Also thank you for all you do to keep this site up and going....really appreciate all the great plans and ideas.

Safejosh

Thu, 11/17/2016 - 11:37

I would love to build this but, I could not find the plans for this size of a bench to match the back piece. Could someone please assist? Thank you.

Woven Back Bench - A little longer

We made our bench 17-1/2 inches longer, just enough for a third panel on the back.  We also added 2 braces under the seat slats to give it additional strength.  A lot of fun to make!  Thanks, Ana!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kitchen Island with Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/17/2021 - 13:09

We built a basic island that will have bar height stools on two sides with storage on the other. The top is a food safe wood that we will use as both a cutting board and breakfast table.

Our new Ladder Shelf!

Submitted by mtgirl31 on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 22:36

This is our first piece of furniture we built!  My husband William is pretty handy and really enjoys wood-working, and I stumbled upon the Ana White site and this plan a while ago.  Printed it out, gave it to hubby, and he went right at it.  He built it, I sanded, primed, and painted.  We painted it the same Behr 'Creamy White' color that is on the trim and doors in our house.  We love it!  He did modify the plans so it is 19" wide.  Although I wish we would have built it to be the narrower size, we originally intended it for our master bathroom, and 19" wide fits in the spot, but it just ended up looking a little too big and crowded.  Well, the guest bathroom is delighted to see a cute storage shelf in there :)

Estimated Cost
$25-35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed it with a spray on primer, then painted on Behr Premium Plus- eggshell- in Creamy White. Sanded lightly in between coats. Used a spray Krylon Clear coat to finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Providence Bench, Doll Chair and Adirondack Side Table

Submitted by Rose4You on Thu, 06/06/2013 - 23:26

Very excited to have our bench, table & doll chair out on our porch. Thank you so much for your great web-site and all of the wonderful plans. I have already put together a very long "weekend projects" list for my husband to work on.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic x end table

Submitted by ayoung82 on Sun, 05/10/2015 - 13:43

I had to redesign the top because my wood was too narrow and warped to make it as per the plan, and I'm too cheap to go and buy some more. I think it worked out OK. I enjoyed making this piece and I'm trying to develop my accuracy in wood working. My patience for the "finishing" element is improving, but I'm still a Sand-a-phobe.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
€40
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin Poly & Medium Maple Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate