Community Brag Posts

Kitchen Nook

Submitted by Scheppie on Sun, 12/09/2012 - 13:06

I modified the plans from the storage bed to create two benches according to the sizes I needed. The benches were arranged in an L formation and secured to the walls and to a base that I built from 2x4s. I made overlay (correct terminology?) drawers using accuride drawer slides that were super easy to install. Floor molding around the base and some 1x2s for the trim. Drawer handles from the depot. Custom cushions ordered online (I can't sew and yes this was the most expensive part of the project). Pillows from Kohl's with free ship and a 30% off coupon - whoo hoo!

Estimated Cost
$200 (not including cushions)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
zinsser primer, BM semi gloss white, polycrylic spray (water based)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor Bench

Submitted by martham on Sat, 09/20/2014 - 14:08

Built from Garden Bench plans. Pretty much exactly as written. I modified the arms a bit. 

The seat is a little deep, but it's really great to sit out and watch the ducks by the pond. It's really heavy, so I needed help from the hubs to move it down there. On the other hand I don't worry about it floating away during occasional high water through the flood way. 

It's used almost every day!

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

Footstool

Submitted by MandyM on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 14:22

Made a footstool by modifying the rustic X end table plans. I used all scrap wood, foam, and fabric from my various stashes so this was free for me to make. Also, on all of my x tables, I use a dado blade so the exes are intact and not cut and screwed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Charcoal grey stain

Comments

Enclosed Blackstone Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/14/2024 - 14:45

I bought a new Blackstone griddle earlier this summer and this was the perfect stand. The gray vinyl is the liner they put in when installing a new bathtub. I need a few pickets to do the final finish but the best part of this stand is it has been outside and survived hurricane Helene and Milton and did not move a inch. Well designed and built : ) - David, Tampa bay area, Florida

Modern Famhouse Table - Weathered

Submitted by MEC6107 on Thu, 12/13/2012 - 14:28

This table and bench combo was a fun project to complete and was not very difficult (hardest part was picking out straight boards at the lumber yard). The table was stained with weathered oak stain and finished with satin polycrylic. The chairs were purchased, I am not skilled enough to build those!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 for table and 2 benches
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered Oak Stain and Polycrylic in Clear Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

PamC03

Sat, 06/18/2016 - 20:32

Lovely finish on this table! Well done. What type screws did you use for the edging? They give it a really nice finished look

Chalkboard Mail Holder

Submitted by Renascence on Wed, 09/24/2014 - 10:12

Built using the Wood Mail Holder w/ Key Hooks plan. Primed and painted the slot fronts with chalkboard paint before attaching. Stained the front lath pieces (frames around the chalkboard) before attaching. Stained with Minwax Dark Walnut. Hooks from Lowe's. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$17.37
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut, Chalkboard Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pallet Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/09/2017 - 19:23

Adirondack chairs made from reclaimed pallets. 

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Disassemble pallets and choose your best boards, cut to size per plan and rough sand. Assemble per plan. Stain with minwax ebony, sand again, stain with minwax chestnut. Finish 2 coats exterior poly urethane satin finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Little bookshelf

Submitted by REDCANVAS on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 17:20

Made this little shelf upon special request from my mother for a cookbook shelf. Perfect size. Ended up staining it, but in the photo it's unfinished. Easy shelf!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Finish Used
unfinished
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sliding Laundry Hampers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/16/2024 - 10:29

I've had my eye on the Laundry Station for years. After making a few other projects, I finally felt comfortable enough with my skills to go for it. I purchased a 2'x4' project board for the top and decided not to cut it down to fit. I left a small (~1") lip in front and let the rest hang off the back so I have a larger work area. I used a paint sample (Wythe Blue) I had laying around to paint the frame of the table and front of the sorter drawer. I used a Minwax wood finish penetrating stain (Honey) for the top, and then sealed it with a clear satin finish poly spray. - Sarah H

Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday

Workbench Console

Submitted by tracysmith on Sat, 09/27/2014 - 20:20

Building this was pretty fun. I've never done the type of carpentry where you would notch out a piece of wood before. I've seen it done, but never done it myself.  I altered the size of this build and omitted the center divider piece as I just felt that with a 5' length, it was un-necessary and obstructed the view. Plus I wanted to use baskets underneath to have hidden storage. I also added a shelf for the TV components.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I used a lot of scrap material especially for the shelving as with it, it was more expensive than I wanted to spend. So, I'm estimating that it was about $60 for what I spent.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a Minwax mixture of stains. I used the weathered grey with chestnut. Then I covered it with a mixture of Lucketts green, Milk Paint. Used a little boxwood to have the appearance of many coats of paint and then another coat of Luckett's green. Finished off with a coat of hemp oil.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ana White

Sun, 09/28/2014 - 12:04

Tracy!  This is beautiful!!!!  Thanks so much for posting and also on the tip about the plan issue.  Much appreciated! Ana

tracysmith

Mon, 09/29/2014 - 12:52

Thank you Ana! I always geek out a little when you respond to my work. :-) 

And thank you for posting the plans! I knew this was going to be perfect for my living room cause it just fits who I am. Funny thing is now my mom wants this as a vanity in her master bath! Thanks again for all you do!

Becca Trunk slightly modified

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/13/2017 - 11:22

I made this Becca Trunk for my daughter for Christmas.  I wanted it bigger so I made it 48" wide.  I also lined it with cedar.  It turned out pretty darn good!!

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
I believe it was a Golden Oak stain with a few coats of polyurethane over it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Junior loft camp bed

Submitted by lyds6382 on Fri, 09/25/2020 - 20:36

This was my first big build, previously I had only made the $10 ledges. It mostly went as expected! The hardest part, as many have said, is keeping the pieces still while drilling the pocket screws into place. The bed itself did not take much time to build, my time estimate is so high due to the finishing, and really it could’ve used a great deal more sanding and sealing. I was OK with a somewhat rough/rustic finish because it is for my daughter’s “forest” themed room.

I considered using bed hanging hardware, but all I could find used hooks or something similar, which does not seem wise for a bunk or loft bed, since someone could be underneath and accidentally lift it out of place! In the end I just use pocket hole screws to attach everything like the plans dictate.

Estimated Cost
about $120 for lumber and screws, maybe $30 more for stain and poly
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Custom Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/21/2024 - 12:36

Based on your 2x4 console table. I cut 2x4s in half to make the legs and frame. And instead of putting the two slats on an angle I placed them all vertical and moved them to the back.  - Larry Donnelly

Built from Plan(s)

Western Train Table

I started with Ana's "Mom's Train Table" design and added a bit of western design to it. I also added two drawers instead of the empty space to store the train set and other toys to be played with on it when the coffee table top is on. The train table top is also loose in the space, so it can be swapped out or flipped over for another design, farm, train, city, racetrack, etc.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Danish Oil & Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic Vanity

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2017 - 23:26

Ana, we saw your plans for the barn door cabinet that was pinned in pinterest and absolutely loved it and felt we had to build it but we had to completely modify  the plans to have it custom fit our bathroom. It was a trial and error experience never having built anything before. Thank you for giving us the idea.

Estimated Cost
$275
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Lacquer and Early American stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

First Woodworking Project!

My sweet son completed his first woodworking project over the weekend! He chose the board game lazy susan as his first project and it turned out beautifully! He used a circular saw for this but thanks to one of Miss Ana’s videos we are looking at purchasing a compound sliding miter saw in the near future. He genuinely enjoyed this project and has received great feedback from loved ones! Thank you very much Miss Ana for sharing these plans! Don’t underestimate the impact you are having on families as far away as Ohio :) We appreciate you and your time and effort!

Comments

Ana White Admin

Fri, 10/02/2020 - 21:14

That smile says it all, thank you for sharing! I can see many hours of games being played on that as well as many more hours, building great projects!

DIY Cedar Shed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/02/2024 - 13:04

Small shed. Built as a place to store yard furniture during the late fall/winter and then in the spring when it’s moved back out this shed will hold my pressure washer, blower, and other garden tools for the spring/summer seasons. Plans were straight ahead and easy to follow. I had to research how to cedar shingle a roof and thanks to a This Old House YouTube I was successful. I finished this in a natural color exterior wood stain to hold the color of the cedar and for more protection.

Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday

Cubby Shelf

Submitted by Tourniquet on Tue, 12/25/2012 - 19:37

I used the Kreg Jig to permanently mount each shelf (two pocket holes per shelf).

Estimated Cost
$85
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Satin Black
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

rustic dresser

Submitted by marino on Mon, 10/06/2014 - 12:01

my daughter needed a new bedroom set... i refused to spend thousands of dollars on a new dresser and a bed. with a little hard work and help from Ana's plans... i was able to put these together and they turned out AWESOME!

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
dark walnut stain and white latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Our closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/18/2017 - 20:19

We made smaller ones for each side of the closet. Love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate