Community Brag Posts

Thankful FAUX the Fireplace!!

This Christmas I was determined to have a fireplace for the stockings to hang from! I played with the design a little to add depth and height.... and tiled a little.

Loved the results for only my second project from here!! Not perfect, but mine!lol Thanks for sharing Ana!!

~Dina

Estimated Cost
140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
American walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Not So Rustic Table

Submitted by Oawad79 on Mon, 10/27/2014 - 06:44

I have built this table following the plan from the woodwhisperer website under the name "Not So Rustic Outdoor Table", Used white pine

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
PolyShade
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/05/2017 - 16:19

Farmhouse bed and night stands. Second bed I've made with Ana's plans, absolutely love it and easy for all........Deb M.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Mixed dark walnut and ebony
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Toddler Bed with Rail

This was my second Toddler bed. This one with a single side rail. I really like this plan. Just remember that Toddler mattresses are not always the same dimensions. Find out the size of the mattress first and adjust your dimensions accordingly. I also stained and clear coated the railing separately so it can be removed as the child gets a little older and still have the bed completely finished without it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$56
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
English Chestnut Stain with a Satin Poly top coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

6 DRAWER COFFEE TABLE

Submitted by Nathan1342 on Mon, 01/07/2013 - 10:22

This was a fun little project. Followed the plans roughly. I made a few changes in the fact that I only added 3 drawers instead of six and instead of using the casters I made legs. When using cheap pine from lowes its rather difficult to get a frame that is completely square. This makes it quite the hassle to get the drawers to fit properly. If I had to do it over again I would use better wood and be very careful that the frame is 100% square. But overall a nice project.

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Writing Desk and Bookcase

Inspired by Ballard  Designs Turin Bookcase http://www.ballarddesigns.com/turin-bookcase/237257

and the Marche writing desk http://www.ballarddesigns.com/marche-writing-desk/278164

with some tweaks to my liking :0)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Tidewater by Sherman williams
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

King Easy Build Bed - Headboard / Footboard

Submitted by imsomark on Wed, 02/08/2017 - 07:26

First of all, thank you to the site for this plan. The headboard specs were spot on. I was interested in making a footboard as well, and you actually will end up with a few scrap pieces that will help you build the footboard (the 1x3's and 1x2's). My footboard ended up being about 23 1/4" high. For reference, the mattress in the photo is 10". I included a picture of the total boards you will need to buy to do the headboard, footboard, and side rails (I used 8 inch boards for the side rails, not 10 inch, but those could be interchanged). One thing to note is the plan calls for pocket hole screws but these are not necessary. I used 2" brad nails, 1 1/4" brad nails, and 2" screws (for the slats and the support rails on the slats. You could use 2 1/2 inch for the slats but the support rails need 2".). Not included in the picture I included is another 2x4x8 that I bought that I placed three scrap 4x4 posts that I had under the middle of the slats for extra support. I also bought steel bed rail fasteners ($11.30 from Amazon) to attach the side rails to the headboard and footboard. They worked great and the bed is extremely sturdy. Can't budge it at all. I used the common whitewood boards from Home Depot, which are all the correct width - the fur boards are cheaper but are not the correct width, you would need to adjust the plans if you were to use those. Overall I am very pleased with the bed. Please ignore the half dozen water bottles in the photo.

Estimated Cost
$190
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
75/25 mixture of Classic Grey and Jacobean.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My DIY Closet Project

Hi DIY Peeps.

This is a pretty simple project.
The main point is to keep everything level across the 4 boxes.
I used simple jig's which were exact copies so I knew where to attach the shelves properly and level.

Note this on the pictures.

I wanted to use all Galvanized Pipe but sadly no matching parts.
Here I would suggest as Did Ana to keep your shelve parts no more then 3 feet or so.
Why, you can get off the shelf 36" precut galvanized pipes easy. Most closets are 8' or less so anything over that is a problem.

My measurements were

H=78"
W=8' 3"
Depth 28"

The Center Part is 2' as that was the natural distance as I went wall to wall 3 + 3 + 2 = 8

I modified the build to allow more storage on the top for bigger boxes and use as a Linen Closet of sorts.

My closet is out of Fir , and 2x4's I didn't want a all 2x4 closet. The thin wood at 3/4's get a lighter look to the closet. Also don't forget to screw the frame to the wall for safety, this is a pretty heavy closet !

Pine would work as would poplar or oak. But the 3x4 thick and 5" and 3" wood really made it look great.
Notice have the 5" is the middle and the 3" wide is at each end. This gave the closet a more fun look.

Notice the hanger for the 3' galvanized rod. I used Copper and pipe clamps to give it a unique look.
This really makes the closet Pop.

Overall it was a fun project, it took 3 weekends as I stained it with Carmel Oak color and that took 3 coats on the Fir.

The shelves are the longest part of the work, but use the jigs like I did and it will come out all level.

I am very happy with it in the End, Sadly i can't open the doors all the way to show how big this actually is!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Honey Oak Stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Entryway shelf & bench

Submitted by lswenson on Tue, 01/08/2013 - 19:08

It was so much fun building this bench & shelf for my entry. I now have a terrific place to stash things and hang my coat and purse! I am planning to make boxes to fit some of the spaces in the bench.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar "Spanish Tile" gloss paint from Lowe's
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

rocking Moses basket stand

This is my third Ana White plan. Thanks to you, Ana, and other inspirations I have came to through you, I have seriously improved my skills. This project took me about 3 nights, working around the schedule of my almost 2 year old. Would probably be a one day project. Took me a little sanding to get those rockers right, but overall much easier than I expected. I believe my neighbors will be very excited when they arrive home from the hospital tonight to find this in their living room. Thanks so much for all you do to teach and inspire all of us!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10-15 for materials plus $40 for Moses basket, purchased from Amazon
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum, dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Simple stool modified

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/10/2017 - 20:23

Simple stool plans modified.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White exterior gloss legs. Minwax honey stain seat with 8 coats of gloss varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Garage Shelves + Work Bench

I used Ana’s plans for the garage shelves, but modified them to include a work bench. A lot of you tubers have done this, built a combination work bench and shelving, but I built nearly everything according to Ana’s plans. 12 feet long, 24 inches deep. I got some LED lights (two 1600 lumen strip lights) from menards that really brighten up my entire garage and make the work bench more useful. The one thing I really wanted was to not have a supporting pillar on the work bench to keep it open, and I loved how it turned out. I went for 3/4 plywood, mostly to have a stronger work surface, and I’m glad I did. I have since added a supporting 2x6 off of the study to support the top shelf above the bench and its strong enough to do pull-ups off of, and I have reinforced the support leg under the bench with a cross bar. Thanks for the great plans!!

Estimated Cost
~$200 (lumber prices have gone up recently due to supply issues with covid)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Laundry Basket Organizer

Submitted by mseely02 on Thu, 01/10/2013 - 09:02

We have a laundry problem in our house. It piles up in un-organized piles and takes days to sort through and actually get in the washer. Honestly, we could do laundry every single day of the week and still fall behind. I guess that comes with the territory when you have 3 small boys in the house.

This organinzer is going to be great. We currently use it for whites, colors and "grown-up clothes". This keeps us from accidentally washing some of Mommy's more delicate items in the general colors wash which saves me money when we don't ruin her clothes.

The plans call for the 1 x 16's, but I had extra 2 x 4's laying around so I just built a frame using my kreg jig. The most expensive part was the beadboard for the sides and I used some S4S 1 x 4's for the top. Overall the project tooks me months, but that was more a product of my "shop" time coming after 8 pm and general apathy.

I definitely have the bug and have already starting a new project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi Gloss Interior White, Minwax Dark Walnut Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Arrow Pallet Art

Submitted by sraper2 on Wed, 11/05/2014 - 21:11

I made this quick and simple wall art using some scrap wood and some pieces I got from a pallet.  I nailed them onto a scrap of plywood and used a stencil and some spray paint to finish it up.  It came out great! 

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Two seat outdoor bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/12/2017 - 20:22

Easy build and looks fantastic! 

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax spar poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Stylish Chicken Coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/11/2020 - 15:52

Housing three (3) hens now that are about a month old. Probably late January before can expect any eggs.

Great project. Metal roof worked well. I used flashing for the ridge caps. Have allowed for as much ventilation as possible for this Southwest Florida heat.

Thanks Anna, for sharing this project.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin-Williams outdoor barn red and white.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Over-sized 2x4 Letters

Submitted by efmolly on Sat, 01/12/2013 - 09:04

I've done a dozen or more of these letters now. Each letter has to be cut differently, but they are all made from 2x4s and pocket holed together using my Kreg Jig. I have also made some letters with curves (such as R, B, J, etc). I cut the curve out of a 2x10, left over stair stringer and then join it with some 2x4 for the rest of the piece. To make the base plates, I cut small blocks of 1x3 and rounded the edges with a palm sander. I used glue and finish nails to attach them. I have more projects like this on my blog http://pneumaticaddict.blogspot.com .

Estimated Cost
$4
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I wanted them to look very rustic, so I purposely didn't sand or use wood filler. First I painted them with 1 coat of acrylic paint a little brighter than my desired shade. I then glazed each letter with a dark brown glaze. Next, I white washed selected areas to add highlights. I distressed the edges with 100 grit sandpaper and sealed the whole thing with 2 coats of Polyacrylic in Satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Maple and Walnut Farmhouse Table

Submitted by ChtistieH on Sun, 11/09/2014 - 09:48

We built this table from Ana's plans using only a circular saw.  Yea Ana's plans!

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/15/2017 - 10:44

Great beginner project. I needed minimal help from my husband. Everyone in the family now wants a bench like mine. Thanks a bunch for the easy to follow plans. Love your website! 

Estimated Cost
$75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X inspired coffee table

Submitted by williemac on Mon, 11/16/2020 - 19:54

I built my coffee table to fit my sectional sofa. My dimensions are 56x32x17 1/2. For the bottom shelf I used 2 rough cut 1x10s cut to fit and the top is rough cut 1x8s. The 2x4s are reclaimed from the trash pile of a local construction job.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Tung oil only on the top. We're repainting in the living room and will completely finish later to match.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Work Bench

This was my first project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Jake

Wed, 01/16/2013 - 17:47

Great work and result for your first project. Something as simple as this bench/table still results in a thing of beauty, especially if it is square and level when you are all done.