Community Brag Posts

West Elm Knock Off Coffee Table

Submitted by Mike F on Sun, 09/18/2016 - 07:02

This was the first West Elm Knock off I attempted.  This was the first coffee table my sister requested.  This was also my first experience welding.  All in all it turned out pretty amazing.  She wanted one with a lifting table.  I bought the lift off of Amazon for around $60.  The wood is all Poplar and she used a mixture of stains to get the look she wanted.  I also added a hinge to the back other half of the table top so you can lift it to add more stuff inside the table.  I do not have any plans for this project as well i mostly just looked at the website and used the dimensions they had posted.

Estimated Cost
$150-$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Modern Outdoor Chairs with modifications

Submitted by oconnorcyn on Wed, 07/01/2020 - 15:06

After renovating our screen porch at the onset of Covid, I searched online for an indoor patio furniture. As you probably guessed , with my limited budget, I couldn't find "affordable" and "quality" in one product . ALAS! Ana White's website and her Modern Chair Plans appears in my search. After reviewing her easy to use plans, my husband and I were confident we could tackle the project. With a few modifications, we are very pleased with results. Modifications: Added one additional 2 x 6 providing a higher backrest ; increased the chair height 3"(for us, making it easier to get in and out of the chair); and, used dowel rods to fill screw holes. Also with the extra leftover material, my husband made ottomans that under the chair for easy storage.

We love the results and use them daily! Thank you Ana for sharing your plans!

Estimated Cost
$40 per chair
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Chair frame: Color / Shou sugi ban: wood-burning techniques
Chair slats: Espresso color stain
Chairs were sealed with Danish Oil (medium for frame / natural for slats). Chairs will be used in a screen porch protected from the weather.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

A-Frame Hen House

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/22/2024 - 10:22

Great easy project to get the bigger chicks out of the garage to integrate with the older hens. Made some modifications because we have a lot of critters trying to kill the chickens/chicks.

Built from Plan(s)

Parson Console Table

Submitted by lee12477 on Mon, 08/27/2012 - 16:18

Thank you so much for the plan. I created a console table by adjusting the dimensions (finished table is 54 x 18 x 30) and omitted drawers. Used Modge Podge to adhere raffia to table (this was the most time consuming part of the project). Finished with a clear coat of polyurethane. Based this project on a table I originally saw in the HGTV Green Home 2010 master bedroom. http://hgtv.sndimg.com/HGTV/2010/03/03/GH2010-105_03-master-bedroom-wid…

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

simplyelle

Sat, 06/22/2013 - 13:45

I'd been wondering on how to attack the covering of my desk with fabric. I'd toyed with the idea of Modge Podge but was not quite sure on its adhering capabilities. Around here, it gets so humid that the adhesive on my 3D Command strips melts and things fall off the walls. How has it held up thus far? I'm attempting to cover mine in upholstery fabric.

The Two Step

Submitted by jonnymac on Sun, 06/22/2014 - 19:59

I can't take credit for the bed, just the steps. After my friend purchased a new bed for their daughter, she needed some helping getting into it. The plans for these steps were great and easy to build. Very sturdy and lightweight for kids to move around.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
White latex paint. 2 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Corner computer cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/22/2016 - 11:23

Flip down tray added for computer keyboard.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor sectional Sofa

Submitted by tcorstange on Sat, 07/04/2020 - 05:31

Decided to add extra support between top rail and seat. I envisioned some sitting on the rail while partying so I thought it could use a little strengthening. This is a good build for a beginner.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck seating
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Window Bench With Storage

Our daughter's room has built-ins on either side of the window. I always wanted a window seat to sandwich in between, but couldn't find one with the right dimensions.....THANK YOU ANA WHITE! I used her Entryway Bench plan and just changed the length and depth to fit the window. I didn't add the side and back supports on top, but I bullnosed all the edges to make it look more finished.
I built this in one afternoon and even used cedar fence planks (left over from my husband's fence project) for the backing....love the extra charm of those planks!
We also had some molding left over, so I worked that in to the bottom for a little extra detail.
Haven't painted it yet....just enjoying it's usability until I decide on a color. It's super durable. My three year old sits on it (to read), stands on it (to spy on the neighbor's cats) and tosses those baskets in and out all day long.

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Doll Table on One Side Checker Board on other side

I have come across several tables and chairs for doll furniture and decided I wanted to make something a little different.

I made a basic table and used 64 1 1/8 inch squares.
32/32 painted red/black and the other sides painted pink.

table is pretty popular around town so I decided to test Ebay and my website www.funwithdolls.com and I actually started selling a few.

Wayne

Estimated Cost
20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
buy the squares and checker pieces, it will save you lots of time.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

"Slightly Off Productions"

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/25/2016 - 08:32

First attempt. Used Vaseline to distress corrners and shelves. 

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Adirondack Chair to be proud of!

Submitted by CaptJAC on Sun, 07/05/2020 - 20:19

As Ana says, very comfortable and super easy to build. Her plans are direct and to the point and always a pleasure to build from. I have a couple more to make and my fire pit will be perfect!!! Thanks Ana

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr semi-transparent, waterproofing stain & sealer (cedar naturaltone).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Craft Table by Southern Chic Love

This is my very first Ana White build! I needed a table to go into my craft room and stumbled upon Ana White. What an AMAZING site! After browsing and finding many projects i would like to give a whirl i finally decided on this modern craft table. My husband and I have worked together on many different projects and decided we would try this one. The plans were very easy to follow although we did make a few mistakes along the way. I painted it white and finished with several coats of poly. All in all we love it and have a list of other builds to do next.

Make sure to check us out at SouthernChicLove.Blogspot.com!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100-$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used basic laytex white gloss paint finished with several coats of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Wife's New Desk

Submitted by swt101 on Wed, 09/28/2016 - 07:12

My wife recently started Grad School and needed a better space to study other than the dining room table. She found the plans that she liked on Shanty2Chic and bought the addtional tools needed for the job...she was serious about this project. I made the desk over 3 weekends, a few hours each day.  I only diverted from the plans by adding a 1 1/2" spade bit hole in the back to run the power cords through and tacking a surdge protector in between the top beams to help organize and hide the cords.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
The wood was @ $75, but I needed a few more tools for the project.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used a Minwax Dark Walnut stain and Minwax Polycrylic Satin finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Potting bench

Submitted by Rynhffr on Mon, 07/06/2020 - 20:59

Took a few tries to get those side rails right just eyeballing the angles but finished product looked great!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Planked Wood Bedside Tables with drawers

Submitted by JenMash on Mon, 09/03/2012 - 13:06

So after my husband and I conquered the headboard, we decided that we were geniuses at furniture making and we would just build the two side tables. Well, the two side tables are much more difficult than the headboard. The side tables are definitely do-able but make sure that you leave plenty of time for them. We built most of them on a Sunday and then finished them up in the evenings the rest of teh week. We do not have a Kreg Jig and were able to build them without it; however, if you have a Kreg Jig it would make thing 1,000 times easier. We did end up buying a miter saw because we were building the Old style Workmen's Bench bar at the same time (crazy, I tell you). It is CRITICAL to make sure that your inside drawer measurements work. If you are off just by a little, your drawer pulls are not going to fit. We ended up buying bottom mount drawer pulls. The drawers are a little less stable and can hold less weight (up to 35 pounds) but it worked for us. I think the real key to finishing this project are choosing the right drawer pulls. I really believe that spending a little bit more on the drawer pulls makes the piece look more expensive. We spent about 6.50 a drawer pull but they look really nice in person. TIPS **Stain drawer faces off, then attach hardware, then attach to drawer base **If you are going to use wood filler (I wouldn't), make sure that you use the least bit possible - the stain does not take to it the same

Estimated Cost
175.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Provincial from Minwax, left on for about 10 minutes and wiped off (after prepping wood with pre-stain), clear coated. For the inside of the drawers, we used Minwax Natural - next time I would go a bit deeper and do Honey for the inside; distressed with creme brulee torch, chain from hardware store, drill bit and hammer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Debi_G (not verified)

Tue, 09/11/2012 - 03:15

This plan is what I wanted, but I chickened out. Yours looks fantastic!

Perfect End Table

Submitted by coolove on Sun, 06/29/2014 - 20:46

Just a little something to go in the dining room. I like the look of it. If I find another need for one I would definitely make this again accept use a different stain and paint the base white and use a semi-gloss or gloss protective finish.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$26
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Dark Walnut (2 coats) and Minwax Polycrylic Satin Clear Finish. 3 coats for the top and bottom shelf and 1 coat all over.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dining room table

Submitted by Medickep on Mon, 10/03/2016 - 13:38

I made two of these tables and they were pretty fun, but were a little more work than I thought they would be.  All of the wood is kiln dried douglas fir, as the first table top I made warped as it was green wood and not the look I was going for.  I shortened the length to 72" so I had to adjust the angles for the center pieces.  I decided to build the tables, stain it, them took them apart and glued important joints, prior to staining the tables a second coat to avoid the glue standing out.  I also used 4x4's instead of sandwiched 2x4's as I thought it looked nicer that way.  I finished with 9 coats of polyurethane on the top and than a coat of wax using 0000 steel wool to get all the little imperfections out.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
75.00 for just the wood (one table)

Plus Poly, sandpaper and screws.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut (lighter one)

Ebony (darker one)

Poly and wax on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate