Community Brag Posts

Craft table from Michaela Island

I needed a new island for my craft room, so we used the Michaela's Kitchen Island plan and modified it to be 30 1/2" deep. First time with drawers...they were a booger!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Top stained in Dark Walnut. Painted with Behr Mermaid Treasure and distressed and glazed with stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Small dog crate

Submitted by Annklem on Fri, 04/25/2014 - 08:36

This plan was modified for a small dog. The measurements are 18w x 19h x 24L. I added pocket holes to all the boards around the top of the base so I could easily attach the wood top. It took me 2 days but only about 6-7 hours total.

Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Vintage Market & Design Chalk Furniture Paint for the base & Rustoleum Dark Walnut stain on the top. Black hinges and latch.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic X coffee table

This table was very easy to build. A little bigger than I expected. You can fit storage cubes in it perfectly. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and chalk paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Front Porch Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/18/2020 - 08:06

The directions were so easy to follow. I plan to use AnaWhite many more times!

Estimated Cost
82.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted with outdoor white paint and semi glass finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

TV stand

My husband loves this piece. I built it just for him ;) It had nothing to do with the fact that I had a great dislike for the glass/metal unit that he had when we merged our things together...wink wink!

I modified this plan in order to have shelves for the dish console and the dvd player. I also left the bottom shelf open for display, instead of placing the wine rack there.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Special Walnut by Minwax
2 coats of semi-gloss poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Tool Storage Sideboard

My family and I are constantly looking for ways to save space and still enjoy the look of our 1500 sq/f apartment. Due to all of our different intrests and hobbies, along with a lack of storage solutions, i do a lot of building on the patio.

Tools for all of these projects always seem to scatter throughout the place, so my lovely wife decided it was time for a little storage project. So that's just what I set to work on.

The Planked Wood Sideboard was perfect for this!

There is one major deviation from the plan on the site. Rather than hinge two doors for the center area, I made one big panel with trim and plywood, held in with two cabinet magnets, that removes completely.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I Tea Stained the sideboard to get at the distressed wood look. Easy stuff and basically no cost. Dont forget to sand and clean all dust from surface.

Make a jar of sun tea (a couple of tea bags in a jar of water out on the patio for the day).

Put a steel wool pad in a 3/4 full jar of vinegar and let sit for at least 10 hours. The longer it sits the darker your project can look.

Brush or wipe on a coat of tea and let dry completely.

Brush on vinegar mixture and let dry. Different woods have different results!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bar Height Table and Chairs

Decided to use mortise and tenon on the chairs to make for a clean look since I was staining and not painting.  I did use a lot of pocket holes on the table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
American Walnut and Dark Walnut. Oil Based Poly and Furniture Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/20/2020 - 15:47

Such a fun set to make! We switched out 1x6 for the back and seat, stained and torched. Gotten lots of compliments and even have some in the works for our neighbors :)

Estimated Cost
35-45 each
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Soy stain, char, linseed oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by spiceylg on Fri, 07/13/2012 - 18:41

We chose to use 2x4 construction because we simply needed a sturdier build. Enough said. :) I wanted to use cedar, but when we went to the lumberyard, they didn't carry 2x4s in cedar, just 1x4 and said it was hard to find. Being that I had wanted this built by Labor Day and it was already July, we bought the pressure treated wood. I know, I know, chemicals galore. We worked on it a little at a time. We modified it for a higher back, but now I wonder if that was needed, because although the cushions are deep they do go down some when you sit on them. Ah well, we are still happy with it. Because of the higher back, we opted to just use the armless section on the end, however we might build a modified arm later on. We'll see how it goes.

Estimated Cost
$358 = $148 wood, $210 cushions (Costco)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Not sure what brand or color. It's from Menards.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Debbie Gregory (not verified)

Sat, 07/14/2012 - 08:04

So proud of my talented sister. Love to see more. My cat Keko is still loving his bed

Full Size Farmhouse Bed, all recycled wood!!!!!

Submitted by leenmarie on Wed, 04/30/2014 - 22:31

I live in a very old house with very little storage space (only 2 tiny closets!) so i made the bed higher and am going to build the trundle drawers on casters for under the bed. I also liked the version i saw with the higher footboard panel. Though i kept the original height measurements for the headboard posts (because it actually ends up to be the same height as the fireplace mantle, which adds a nice design harmony to the room) the headboard panel is shorter to make up for a bigger space under the bed.
The panels are made from weathered fencing and the 4x4s are discards from a sign company that i pass by on a regular basis. So my only monetary investment was for the long screws and a new drill bit. ! I have not decided on a finish yet, i'm going to sleep on it a while. (grin)
i started out with everything just a little bit bigger because i knew that discrepancies in old wood are better off being trimmed to square rather than assuming everything will fit.
I love how the raised grain of the weathered wood creates such dramatic abstract organic designs; i went over it ever so lightly with a sander. This is the second bed i have built, but the first one that cost me virtually nothing.
There's still plenty of fencing left and i am planning a dresser and a desk. :)
Thanks so much for your inspiration and influence on the world!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
none yet. going to do some samples with clear laquer or poly, milk paint, and stains before i decide.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

TV Stand Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/02/2016 - 10:00

This was a super fun project and didn't cost much at all.

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mixture of Grey and Brown stain with a poxy coating
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Beoncia on Mon, 05/05/2014 - 06:15

"Beginner" doesn't begin to describe me! I didn't know the difference between a skill saw & a miter saw before starting this project, but thankfully, my husband is a Mechanical Engineer & knows his way around a few tools. We're very happy with the end result, but they're not perfect. We learned a lot & I'm confident that the next project will be better. A couple of things I learned along the way--no need to buy exactly double the wood for two chairs. Probably obvious for those that are experienced, but I bought exactly double & could've saved a little $$ if I knew what I was doing. Not counting the investment of the saws & other equipment (that will now last my lifetime!), the chairs were less than $50 each for the wood, paint, screws, etc. We used the cheapest wood (whitewood, per the recommendation) available & now that I'm a bit more knowledgeable, I'll upgrade for my next project. The paint is regular Glidden Exterior, & the Home Depot reps were kind enough to mix samples of the two lighter colors so that I didn't have to buy a quart for such a small amount. Colors are Peach Crayon, True Peach, & Tropical Coral. It should be noted that samples aren't available in exterior, but the chairs will be used mostly on a screened porch--out of the direct sun and rain--so I didn't worry too much about it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
<$50 each
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Glidden Exterior
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Blue big kids picnic table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/05/2016 - 23:25

I primed and painted all of the boards before I cut them. Then I just had to do some touch up when I was done. This is my first woodworking project and the instructions were clear and easy to follow. I already have my next Ana White project picked out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer and paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farm house entertainment center

Submitted by LPJunky on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 22:36

My one of my first projects. Followed the plans here, https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/grandy-barn-door-console

Doors are 1x4 frame on 1/2” plywood and got the hardware from amazon

WINSOON 8FT Antique Double Sliding Barn Door Hardware Roller Track Kit Black, 4-18FT for Choose https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014SMIWTQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_bH1YEb890KWDF

A little beefy but worked. Had to trim the track a little bit to fit the build.

Also added hdmi/coax ports for easy plug ins. And an hdmi splitter since our tv only had 2 inputs.

Overall very happy with the outcome on this one

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mailbox Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/12/2024 - 08:33

I didn't like the standard mailbox we had at my house so I designed this with my CAD program and mage it happen. thanks for this opportunity to post this.

Rich Hebert

Our New Sandbox

I followed lady goat's instructions but made the seat back taller and the sandbox wider (4'x5'). I have more details here:

http://www.statelykitsch.com/diy-sandbox-with-lid-benches/

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

In reply to by Lady Goats

Heidi Sentivan

Thu, 07/19/2012 - 05:02

The kids do really like it but it has been so hot it hasn't gotten much use yet. I am hoping once the weather cools off they will be out there more. The one other addition that I haven't gotten around to is adding a pvc pipe on the inside so that the beach umbrella will stay in place better.

Camp loft bed with stairs

Submitted by themombot on Fri, 05/09/2014 - 13:27

I had my dad and father-in-law come help with this project. We are all pretty much beginners, but have done some building in the past.

Because I'm not experienced, I didn't find the plans to be in depth enough. Some parts weren't not fully explained and took some guesswork.

I also didn't know what a Kreg Jig was or how expensive it was! This upped my cost by $100. It was well worth buying however, and will be used again in future projects.

We added a railing to the platform since the bed is up against a window with a screen. If the kids were to fall off the platform and hit the screen, they could fall 2 stories. The railing is just screwed into the side of the platform and can be removed at any time.

Overall, I love how it turned out and so do my kids! It fits the toddler-sized DIY bed that my husband and I built right underneath so my 4 year old and 2 year old can now share a room.

More details and pictures are on my blog: http://themombot.com/crafting/2014/05/09/details-our-diy-bunk-bed

Estimated Cost
$150-$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax wood stain in Jacobean, with pre-stain conditioner and 2 coats of polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kitchen Island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/10/2016 - 07:59

I created a different top out various size select pine boards joined by biscuits and glue and then added utensil hooks on both ends and a bottle opener

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Gunstock stain and satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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