Community Brag Posts

Man Cave Chair from Reclaimed Wood

Submitted by JoanneS on Sat, 07/25/2015 - 13:06

Man cave chair for my Hubby, made entirely from reclaimed/scrap wood.  This took a long weekend to build (includes time to rip down the reclaimed wood, and a couple of tries to get the padded arm rests right). 

This build uses the Simple White Outdoor Chair plan, adjusted to fit smaller cushions and use my scrap/reclaimed wood. 

The seat cushion is covered with marine vinyl, and the back cushion is covered with fabric from a curtain already on hand.  The covers are done in a simple box style.  The seat cushion closes with ties at the back, and the back cushion has an envelope back.  

The end result is a sturdy, comfortable chair that’s not too heavy, and is decked out with colors from Hubby’s favorite football team.  I’m very pleased to say that Hubby likes his new chair!

Estimated Cost
Cost: $75 for cushion materials (high density foam and vinyl). Everything else was reclaimed or already on hand.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Finish: 2 coats gloss black (Valspar Ultra paint + primer). The bottom surfaces of the legs are covered with some adhesive backed felt for easy sliding.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Antique reclaimed heart pine rustic x

Submitted by jchriceol on Wed, 02/21/2018 - 05:29

Got this wood from some thick old flooring we laid in a house and brought them to my shop. Cost me about 20-25 dollars for lumber and paint. Everything else I pretty much had on hand. But man I think it turned out really well 

Estimated Cost
20-25 dollars that’s for paint and 2x lumber everything else I had
Finish Used
Minnwax early American
Minnwax semi gloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Potting Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/06/2022 - 10:30

This was my very first project last year!  

I couldn’t get the 2x4s so I used a different size and it worked out great. Love it so much. So much better than what you can buy for same price as most potting tables are very small. 

Thank you as I couldn’t have done this without your plans.

Karen Martin 

Age 51

New Platform birthday bed for the hubby!

Submitted by redhead_61 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 14:56

Don't mind all the mismatched furniture in the room, isn't the master always the last to get paid attention to?

My husband had a birthday on Monday and I had drawn up the plans for this a couple months ago hoping to surprise him. Building it then didn't happen....Day of his birthday rolls around and I looked at the clock at about 11, thinking what could I really surprise him with but didn't want to break the budget. I thought to myself, "I could probably get that built by the time he gets home" And I DID!!!

I sandwiched together two 2x4's puttied and painted to make the chunky leg here.

FYI- My husband is really into selling things on craigslist right now so he told me to see what I could sell it for. I sold this within a few hours for $135. That is a pretty amazing profit while still being way more affordable than any store!!! I LOVE that.

Estimated Cost
$55
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats primer, 2 coats semigloss white
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Outdoor sink

Submitted by Bsj968 on Sun, 07/21/2013 - 18:31

So this was my first project copying the plans for my simple outdoor sink and sturdy work bench. I used the same wood and measurements.

The sink was purchased about 5 years ago in Mexico. Faucet and drain at Lowe's. I took the sink to Lowe's to have them color match the bowl and used the same paint.

I decided to use four boards for the bottom shelf plus one as a back stop. I also had to space the top two bracers farther apart because the sink was 17 inches deep ( make sure you measure the sink first. I made the mistake of assembling the base and finding out afterwards that the sink wouldnt fit.

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

Comments

Bsj968

Sun, 07/21/2013 - 18:33

Oh I used the cut out from the sink and added a fold down handle. It is used as a cover for the sink and doubles as a cutting board/ serving tray.

DIY POTTERY BARN "ADDISON" STYLE HEADBOARD

It took us about 2 days to cut, assemble, and paint.  

 

http://www.whisperingwhims.com/2015/03/diy-pottery-barn-addison-style-headboard/

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rolling Wood Dresser

Submitted by ABE750 on Sun, 02/25/2018 - 11:47

Good project. Learned a lot of new things. Installing the drawer slide is the most challenging 

Estimated Cost
$350.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Watch Danish oil dark walnut and minwax wipe on clear satin poly 4 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adult Slingback Chair

I originally started making this for a friend, but I think I may decide to keep it! I didn't purchase any wood or paint for this project - I had a lot left over from a previous project and was able to rip down other boards to 1x2s. The fabric was another left-over... I bought WAY too much to make cushions for the outdoor sofa as I decided I didn't need so many sofa pieces in the end. The only elements I purchased for this chair were the hardware and 1 can of primer... so it turned out to be under $10!

Estimated Cost
Under $10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed with Killz spray primer and used less than a bottle of Rustoleum dark grey spray paint. (I ran out before doing the adjustable height piece, so I just used some old black I had sitting around.)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Slat Closet for Soldier

Slat closet.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 - $150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My work bench

Submitted by jsmithfoto on Sun, 03/04/2018 - 12:11

Awsome work bench. After I fininished with the table, I decided to add to it. I put on a pegboard with 2x4's on the back. Then a dowel rod on the side for clamps. Santa hooked me up with a shop light so I used scrap 2x4's to add a support arm for it, That called for a power stip on the back. I now have 3 power stips mounted and two bottle openers on the front. Next up is led lights for the bottom shelf.

Estimated Cost
$100.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I didn't paint it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Adirondack chairs and table. Ready for the summer.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 12:11

Thanks for the plans Ana.

Comments

Hailey's Bed - Avery's Edition:)

Submitted by brguad on Thu, 06/09/2011 - 17:54

My wife and I had another baby girl and Avery was moving out of her crib into a big girl bed. Definitely didn't want to buy cheap so after seeing some amazing plans on Ana-White.com, I had to build it myself. I loved the storage this bed had to offer and the simple look of the large headboard and footboard. I got started, and because of my scheduling i had this built in two weekends but total of about 10-12 hours. Very glad I did it. My daughter loves it, wife was impressed and now one crib free for little baby Vida!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
120 grit Sand paper, Wood filler, primer, White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Amber R. (not verified)

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 21:37

I've been begging my husband to help me make these beds for my daughters :( Your wife and daughter are lucky

brguad

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 22:13

Thanks again Ana! I think I'm the lucky one. My wife has been supportive of me doing little projects and my daughter loves the bed. So, I built the bed but haven't found an applique like on Hailey's bed that is appropriate for a 2 1/2 year old or one that I like. I thought about different things to spice up the headboard but don't want it to look tacky. Any ideas?

Amber R. (not verified)

Sat, 06/11/2011 - 22:18

Hmm not sure I could suggest anything specific but personally I think it should be something the child won't grow out of. I have a 2yo and a 3yo and they like a different character color etc almost every day. So make sure its something your daughter won't grow out of too quickly.

redhead_61

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 20:52

I am about to paint my daughters storage bed. I too designed and added a footboard and hope the headboard she has looks ok. Yours turned out great. Good job!

brguad

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 22:08

You're too nice. Thanks for the feedback. I read some posts prior to building and added 3 inches to the footboard to keep the mattress from sliding off as easily. Hope to see your bed on here soon. I'm looking forward to it.

slsmith (not verified)

Sat, 03/03/2012 - 14:34

We were thinking about putting a cork board on there so that our daughter could pin her work on there. It probably wouldn't happen until much later, but it's definitely an option. Maybe some vinyl letters?

Company 5 Fire Truck Bed

Submitted by Fire Jeep5 on Thu, 07/25/2013 - 18:48

Just added my own twist to awesome project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Worth every penny!
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Custom King Bed Frame

This was my 2nd woodworking project. My wife had been asking for a farmhouse bed for some time, so I figured I'd go for it. The end result was even better than I was hoping. It came together really well and the bed is just perfect. Thank you Ana for the plans!

 

I used the Ana White Queen Bed and King Bed plans as guides, as well as another blog called A Lesson Learned. I modified the dimensions to fit our specific bed, then I drew up the plans using Sketchup and got to work. All the wood is pine from Home Depot. The total project took a couple months because I could only work on it on weekends and didn't have full days to commit to it. In the end though, totally worth it and we love the bed!

Estimated Cost
~$250 (not completely sure of that as I didn't track it, but with the lumber & everything, it was probably $200-$300)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Pre Stain
Minwax Weathered Oak Stain
Minwax Clear Satin Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Window Bench with Drawers

I made a window seat, it was fun.  It has these 27 Inch soft close drawers , a custom extended vent, and an outlet port with usb on the right end.  It was fun thank you (and my wife loves it!  (Still waiting for our seat pad for it)

by Glen

Built from Plan(s)

Marlee's Table and Chairs

Submitted by Laura Fama on Sun, 06/12/2011 - 20:46

I modified the Clara table and a few of the chair plans to come up with Marlee's new set. I had scrap 2x2s, 1x6s and 1x3s from the Lydia Toddler Bed and so I modified the dimensions a bit and used 3 boards 1x6 and 2 1x3 to make up the table top. The chairs are a combination of the Four Dollar Stackable Chair and the Classic Chairs Made Simple. I kept splitting the wood on the legs for the Four Dollar chair, so I modified the plan to have the legs 2x2 like the table and bed. It was a lot of trial and error but I finally got it right... The only thing was I had already cut the seat slats to size so I used them as the seat supports and so I only had to purchase two 2x3x6, other wise every thing else was scrap.

She was so excited to see it... we already had 3 tea parties!! Thanks to you Ana for your inspiration. I so can't wait to start the doll high chair for Marlee's next surprise!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Only spent $12.
Finish Used
3 coats of paint and 3 coats of poly. Pink is Sherwin Williams Azalea Flower, Green is Sherwin Williams Rye Grass. The same colors on her walls.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Fancy X Desk with Breadboard top

Submitted by petesveen on Sun, 07/28/2013 - 17:16

When I saw this project on Ana's site I had to make it. It turned out great and get's compliments from all my friends.

The only modifications I made were to the top. I used 2x6 boards and did breadboards on each end.

I documented my build with photos and did a 10 minute video tutorial showing the whole process of building Ana's table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$55 For Lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Walnut Stain with 3 Coats of Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Michael K

Mon, 02/09/2015 - 02:57

I really like the stain you chose and the overall project! The breadboard ends adds a little something more...I may do the same when I get around to making this desk!

Box Sofa

Fun easy project.  I built it for my wifes classroom.  We used 4 2 x 10 instead of 3 and I used a kreg Pocket Jig instead of biscuit joiner and l brackets. Very easy fun project.

Estimated Cost
50 - 100 Cost really depends on the cushion you use and if you apply a finish.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tufted Bench

I have been dreaming of getting a tufted bench that I could place at the foot of my bed for years now.  The only problem it was always ridiculously priced out of my range. Home decorations may just might be the most expensive part of home ownership, Hahaha.  Inspired by all of the fabulous plans provided by Ana White I set out to develop plans of my own using the principles I learned in her book The Handbuilt Home. This is one of my favorite DIY projects to date.  Here’s how I did it.

STEP 1. CUT THE PIECES TO SIZE.

For this, I actually did a lot of the cutting as I went along.  To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t entirely sure I had measured the bottom shelf and storage areas correctly.  To reduce the likelihood of mismeasurements, I measured liked 3 to 4 times before cutting every piece.

 

How to Build A DIY Tufted Bench - Toolbox Divas 1

STEP 2. ATTACH THE LEDGES TO THE UPPER AND LOWER RAILS OR APRONS.

I used square wooden dowels for the ledges because I didn’t have to worry about ensuring that the boards were straight. Also I didn’t want to go through and make a ton of repetitive cuts on my circular saw or miter.  You can easily use scrap wood for the ledges as long as its straight and creates a flat even surface for the boards to rest on.  I didn’t cut the ledge the entire length of the rails.  It’s just important that there is enough support to hold the plywood base in place as you secure it to the rails or aprons to the legs.

 

Click here for more details and the complete Free plans and Cut list. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced