Community Brag Posts

Spa bench

Submitted by Joagirard on Fri, 07/04/2014 - 20:50

I had left over wood from previus projects and needed an entry bench. The closest i made my plan inspired by the spa bench.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
20$
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of dark walnut varathane wood stain applied with an old t-shirt. Followed by 2 coats of varathane satin professional finish. I sanded between the finised coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

andimat

Tue, 03/06/2018 - 19:18

This is exactly how I was hoping to modify this!  What did you use for the sides?  Is the top 2 x 6?  Thank you in advance!

andimat

Tue, 03/06/2018 - 19:20

This is exactly what I wanted to do!  What did you use for the sides?  Is the top 2 x 6s?  

Double X Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/09/2016 - 18:00

This was the second double x bench that I made.  It was very simple to make.  It took me around 3 hours to build it and another 2 hours to sand, stain and paint it (this does not include the  1 hour between coats that I allowed them to dry).  I used Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint and General Finishes Java Gel stain.  Annie Sloan Chalk paint does NOT need a topcoat if it is being used outside.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15 - i already had the stain, paint and screws.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan Old White Chalk Paint
General Finishes Java Gel
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse table

Submitted by kathiibeth on Mon, 09/10/2012 - 06:34

This is my take on the farmhouse table featured here on this site. The cut list was modified since I used reclaimed pallet material for my table base. I also used 2x12's for the top since I wanted mine a little bigger then the one on here. I took the extra time and effort to also add breadboard ends just to add the finishing touch to the top. The finish I used was simply whitewash for the base, the top was a combination of oxidation, black wash, white wash and distressing with misc. tools from the garage. We had fun (my husband helped)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
white wash for base, distressing then black wash and white wash for top. Because I wanted the top to look like it matched the base (mixing wood types adds a challenge) we took time to really distress the top using multiple tools: like a belt sander, chains, planers, and hammers and really added character. After this I oxidized with the vinegar and steel wool mixture and let that dry. Then I went back and used a very diluted black wash to really darken the wood. After that dried I did a white wash and lightly added white to acheive the look I wanted. After that dried I sanded to distress some more and love the results. Practice on scrap material to see what you like most.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Wolvesey

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 14:11

What a beautiful table. I would love to make one but can you please tell me how you attached the end panels of wood at right angles to the others and then how you attached the table top to the bases as I see no signs of nails or screws? Many thanks

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by aeadams27 on Mon, 07/07/2014 - 18:43

My husband built the table and it was the first time he has built ANYTHING! I stained and varnished it and made the runner. We are so happy with it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
rustoleum dark walnut
spar varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Faux Fireplace

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/12/2016 - 08:54

A couple of years ago I used Ana White’s plan for a faux fireplace, the grandchildren always love hanging their stocking on it for Christmas. But I always wanted to dress it up a bit. I didn’t even attach it to the wall. It was plain, it really needed something.

Look what I did to it.

I added a hearth and faux bricks.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Oyster White paint and Rust-Oleum Stone in Cream for the bricks.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse table

Submitted by revjball on Sat, 07/11/2020 - 14:58

Wife asked me to find a farmhouse table to make for our house. I was super nervous and had zero confidence going into this project. However, I decided to give it a try. I am super happy with how this project turned out. I modified the plans to have 30" 4x4 legs rather than the 29" the plans call for. This was to accommodate the set of barstools we have currently at our house. We can get 8+ around this wonderful table, and are super excited to keep building!

Estimated Cost
$100-120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax wood finisher - Dark Walnut - Applied with natural bristle brush and t-shirt to wipe excess
Minwax polyurethane - Fast Drying - Applied with natural bristle brush
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Dugout Shelf

Submitted by vendo on Tue, 05/28/2024 - 10:21

I wanted to build something to keep my sons dugout organized. I took helmet and bag measurements and used Ana's free design tool to make 2 units to fit. He has 12 players on his team an it all worked out great and was a the perfect fit and solution! Each unit is 96" long, I had my local lumberyard rip 2 sheets of 3/4" outdoor rated plywood to 11.25" strips and then I made my cross cuts based on Ana's design drawings. It was built and painted in a couple of evenings and then we added the numbers and names to take it to the next level, can't wait to surprise the boys with it at practice tonight!

 

FREE DESIGN TOOL

Pallet Back Drop

Submitted by tracysmith on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 12:32

I've been building furniture now with help and inspiration from Ana's site for about two years and in that time I've snapped many pictures of my projects. I was always missing something and I couldn't quite figure out what that was and how I can change it. Some of you have seen my pictures on here and always, there is the light blue back ground of my exterior garage wall.

I recently teamed up with a local photographer and she helped inspire me to jazz up my pictures by adding props and she suggested that I make a back drop to shoot my projects in front of. I had no idea how I was going to do it but with some brainstorming with her, I came up with a pallet backdrop.

Easy enough right? It really is! All you have to do is use a reciprocating saw (like a Saws-All) and put your blade between the top boards and the boards they are connected to to cut the nails. I recommend cutting them instead of trying to pry the boards off because a lot of pallets are constructed using a twisted nail and they are very hard to pull out. I ended up breaking many boards in the process!

I also added some neat trim boards that we had lying around that were also weathered and it gave the backdrop a little more dimension. The object wasn't to make it perfect so I purposely cut the trim boards at different lengths and then nailed everything to the repurposed 2x4 boards that you just separated from the top boards.

Estimated Cost
FREE!!!
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None! Isn't nature wonderful?!!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Easy & Fast Garage Shelving - Weekend Fun for 12yr Old!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/17/2016 - 10:02

Thanks for fantastic plans Ana!!  My 12yr old son and I knocked these out in an afternoon.

He learned new skills and we got a key project done.  The best thing was his statement of "these are awesome!!"  

Estimated Cost
$156 from Home Depot
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modern Farmhouse Full Bed

We built this bed according to the plans. Amazing plans btw. It’s very heavy so the next one we are going to go with 1x4, 1x6 instead of 2x4 & 2x6...think. The slats & the backboard is what we gonna change. Instead of tongue & groove we used dog ear boards which painted nicely once sanded.
I think we are gonna drop the 4x4s by 5 or 6 inches also in hopes of closing the gap between headboard & mattress so we don’t have to use a boxspring next time.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$145
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used latex flat paint whitewash technique. 1 part water, 2 part paint. Paint on bare wood with brush then wiped excess off before drying. This is just one coat.
Finished the paint project by applying a clear polyurethane to protect wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wood Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/30/2024 - 20:54

LOVED how these turned out! Thank you so much for the plans! They were so simple and easy to follow. I’ve used so many of Ana’s plans for different projects and am so grateful! These chairs truly are very comfortable and now I don’t have to worry about them blowing in to the pool!

pacable

Farmhouse Queen Bed

Submitted by jdharris78 on Sun, 09/16/2012 - 07:32

The hardware store didn't have untreated 4x4's so I used pressure treated wood since I was going to paint it. I adjusted on the plan and picked up bed rail hooks so I can remove the bed rails to move the bed easier. I used a chisel to inset the bed rail hooks. It worked out perfectly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Table

My husband created this table as an anniversary present to me! I painted my present with a creamy white for the base and he stained the top with ebony.

Estimated Cost
$245
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Creamy white behr paint and poly for the base, ebony stain for the top with a hand rubbed poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Versaille planters

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/19/2016 - 04:00

Using the instructions (with some slight redesign to accomodate the wife's requirements) I built two Versaille planters. The timber I used was offcuts from the local timber yard (£18) plus some bits off of old pallets. The nobs on top pf the legs were wooden drawer handles (£10) Screws and paint from the workshop. The overall size is a 21inch cube with the height increased to 23inches with the wooden knobs.

Thanks for the basic info it made the job so much easier.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
fence paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Big bed for a little princess

Submitted by hobbywood on Tue, 09/18/2012 - 03:48

Well, I could say that this is my biggest project for now... I spent about 4 full days to make it. Nothing difficult it seams, but having near zero carpenter skills, it's rather difficult, you know.

Not much place for posting photos here. If you're intrested in making somthing like this, you can visit my blog link. Although my blog's language is russian, there are many step-by-step photos and all the dimentions too (sorry, in metric).

At last, there is ready SketchUp skp-file there, so if there is any interest to this bed, I belive that photos and skp-project will help you to modify my project to your needs.

Estimated Cost
About 5 000 russian rubles (150 usd)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Belinka white glaze 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pallet BookShelf

Submitted by tabrock on Tue, 07/15/2014 - 11:49

We really loved the plans that were given. The space that we had to utilize was smaller than the pallet so we had to take ours apart and cut each board and rebuild. We LOVE it and were so glad we found these plans. They helped tremendously and transformed our little corner from somewhere the kids just stacked book to a nice family library.

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

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by TJM1230 on Sat, 10/22/2016 - 09:20

Followed the plans listed, and it went pretty well. We purchased our lumber from Lowe's & as many of you have experienced it was difficult to find good lumber. 

The only major issue I had was due to quality of lumber. I noticed when I went to install the 2 (1×12) panels for the base, the frame wasn't square. So some heavy sanding and cajoling got the base pieces locked in.

Had a lot of fun building this with my wife. She gets complete credit for the color, ans finished look. The table was treated with preconditioner for oil-based stains which brought out a lot of the pine yellows. The finish is actually 3 different stains: Minwax weathered oak, dark walnut, and classic grey...applied in that order. The classic grey was a light coat to help bring out a more naturally weathered look. It was sealed with three coats of polyacryllic and a light hand sanding with 400 grit paper.

The build itself only took a couple hours. Then about an hour and a half of good sanding. With all the finish work & allowing stain to dry this project took a little over a week.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Lumber- $55
Stains- $27
Preconditioner - $11
Polycryllic- $16
Having this stuff on hand for more projects- PRICELESS.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax preconditioner (oil-based stains)
Minwax Weathered Oak
Minwax Dark Walnut
Minwax Classic Grey
Minwax Polycryllic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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