Community Brag Posts

Ana White Greenhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/06/2022 - 12:41

We built the first one about 8 years ago, and then the wind flipped it over and scattered it all over the back part of the property. I then dug footings and anchored the second one down; I was able to save the Dutch Door I made for the first one. Thanks for the plans!!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Chicken Coop with Run

Submitted by Jen Marzen on Fri, 06/17/2011 - 02:10

My husband and I live on a small hobby farm and are growing/raising a lot of our own food. We decided to venture into working with chickens. We wanted to start out small so we got 6 chickens and needed a home for them. We found a kids play house one day while shopping and got the idea of modifying it into a chicken coop with a run. We took off with this idea and with quite a bit of modification and some extra building materials we were able to raise it up in the air and attach a run so our chickens would have a nice home to protect them from preditors and the emements and not to mention one that looks good in our yard!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cedar deck stain and white outdoor house paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Heather Dalton (not verified)

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 19:08

Are the plans available? I have Black Copper Marans and Lavender Ameraucanas and I really need to separate the LAs from the BCMs and this would be perfect!

madrona (not verified)

Tue, 02/28/2012 - 10:21

I'd also love the plans!
Great job - it's beautiful!

guest (not verified)

Tue, 02/28/2012 - 10:22

I'd also love the plans - thanks!

Eliza B (not verified)

Thu, 05/31/2012 - 10:02

Can you please post the plans you used? I have 4 week old chicks that need a coop. Thank you very much.

Jen Marzen

Sat, 06/02/2012 - 15:22

Sorry guys there are no plans for this coop. My husband and i just "winged it" and built it without any plans.

It is a play house that we found at Mills Fleet Farm and we modified it to make it a chicken coop. We put together the play house based on instructions from the box (with a few of our own modifications to make the window on the ground etc.) added some chicken wire to the doors and bay window, added some 4x4 "stilts" and a floor to get the house in the air, and constructed a frame around it with 2x4's and wire fencing to make the run

Sorry I dont have any plans to give you guys!

Seasonal And Holiday

Monogramed Toy Chest

Submitted by radspirit on Sun, 10/04/2015 - 20:57

Took me a little while for the first one, but now going to make more and will be much quicker now that I made it through the first time!

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

Comments

Farmhouse Table with Reclaimed Lumber Top

We found this beautifully chippy lumber on the side of the road and snagged it knowing it would make a perfect table top someday.  When I decided to build a table for our back patio makeover, I knew exactly what I had to make the top out of.  

This was my very first build and the pocket hole plans made it so much easier than I thought it would be!  I built the top first then modified the cut list dimensions based on the top.  I also flipped the ends around so the braces would show on the inside instead of the outside.  

I seriously can't get enough of the top, it's so pretty and I don't have to worry about it at all since it's already wonderfully rustic.  The table fits six chairs perfectly.  We are looking forward to having many evenings around this table with family and friends!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
On the base, I applied two coats of Sherwin-Williams' SuperDeck solid stain in "Caribou" then sealed it with Minwax Spar Urethane clear satin with a sprayer.

For the top, I sealed the underside with Thompson's Water Seal clear waterproofer, and have plans to seal the top with Miss Mustard Seed's Tough Coat Sealer (http://missmustardseed.com/2015/09/cleaning-sealing-chipping-antique-pieces/)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

8x10 Shed - Built by Julia Eliopoulos

I made your 8x10 shed! Turned out so well, thank you for the amazing plans.

Julia Eliopoulos

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Pantry Storage Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/27/2015 - 16:16

I changed the original plan a little so it would hold bigger items in the bottom shelves

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

DIY Greenhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/03/2023 - 16:02

Thank you so much for the plans. We enjoyed building it. We love it!!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

DIY Wood Outdoor Chair with Deep Seat Cushion

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/10/2023 - 12:27

Using just basic tools, I was able to build this super comfy outdoor chair for the fraction of the cost. With a couple of modifications, Ana White's design plan made for a perfect fit for the new deep seat cushions I had found on fb marketplace.
 

Seasonal And Holiday

media unit

Custom size media unit using a combination of Ana's plans.

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
1. Prime Zinsser Cover Stain
2. Two coats BM high gloss enamel white
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Handygirl

Thu, 04/19/2012 - 21:56

Hey! Looks GREAT!!! I was curious how you made your doors. Did you attach thin plywood to the back, or slide it into the frame as an insert?

Joy Flake (not verified)

Tue, 12/04/2012 - 12:38

I was wondering how you attached the bookshelf unit to the base unit on the side cabinets?
Thank you!

Raised Cedar Beds

THANK YOU Ana's your plans are a life saver and pocket book saver as well. You make your plans so easy to follow and use. For my project I used the cedar fence pickets and redwood 2" x 2" stakes that where on sale at the orange box store for "6 pack bundle" for only $.50 each. All I can say is SCORE! ;') Since we live in Arizona I treated all the lumber with a outdoor weather proofing wood finish (Cedar Color), lined all the interior beds (only the Wood Sides) with 4 mil plastic to keep the cedar from absorbing all the water and wired mesh on the bottom of the garden prior to adding dirt. This keeps my local rabbits/other creatures from eating my roots from the bottom up. And I have my dog from the top side. We are already a 100 degrees here and we needed to get our seedlings in a garden asap. Thanks Again for the Plans, Ana! I will be making more of these garden boxes to come.

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Transparent Weather Proofing Wood Finish (Cedar Color)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Mariel

Thu, 08/08/2013 - 09:39

Love this! We are new to Phoenix - originally from the Midwest - and I really would like to add some raised beds to our backyard. I appreciate your comments on how you adapted these for the desert! May I ask what side of your house they are on? I'm thinking to put mine on the east side so they get morning sun, but not the scorching afternoon rays. Thanks for your AZ advice!

Seasonal And Holiday

Front Door Storage Bench

My bench sits outside my front door to welcome visitors and provide a place to set your packages while unlocking the door! I made it two years ago, and it's weathered three Baltimore winters with out repainting. I'll probably sand t and repaint it this spring. Folks are always asking where I bought it, and I give all the credit to Ana White, your site and your wonderful furniture ideas!

Jim Dupree

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday

A-Frame Chicken Coop (with modifications)

Submitted by anniejw17 on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 18:39

We followed the plans for the A-frame chicken coop very closely, and then modified it a bit at the end.

1. Trim was added to two doors on each side, as suggested. They are secured with latches at the top, more to keep them from falling open than to keep critters from getting in. We used 2x4x10's instead of 2x4x8's on the middle horizontal rail, giving us foot-long handles on each side. My husband and I are able to move the coop about 15 feet at a time, which is pretty good considering it is STURDY!

2. We used 1/2" galvanized hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, as suggested by one commenter (and lots of others in blogland).

3. I cut 1/4" plywood to fit the loft space and coated it with vinyl stick-on tile. This should make it easier to clean. We didn't screw down the plywood, so if we have to, we can remove it to hose it off/scrub it.

4. I cut a triangle of plywood to make an egg door at the end of the roost. It hinges at the bottom (with a 2x4 ripped into a 1x4 to cover the hardware cloth and provide a mounting spot for hinges) and latches at the top. I plan to use cotter pins or something to secure the latch. There is also a piece of untreated 1x4 held in place with tabs at the egg door to prevent bedding from falling out once it's converted to the nesting box (I'm planning to get pullets, not ready to lay yet, so they won't even have a tempting nest box)

5. There was no bottom door in the plans (to allow free-ranging), so I cut a piece of 2x4 to make a triangle against the bottom (same size as the egg door). It folds out (just like the egg door) and will allow the chickens easy access to the yard. We do have hawks in our neighborhood so free time will always be supervised. We also have a dog (who I coaxed into the coop for the main picture, haha!) who will need supervising. She's been around chickens before but you never know what will make her turn on them!

6. There was also no roost in the plans (although if you look at Ana's coop, there is a 2x4 across the middle of the side walls). I had a leftover closet rod, so I mounted that in the covered section parallel to the ladder. The ladder was shifted to the side. For the ladder, I just used a piece of cedar fencing and cut 2 48" dowels into 4 pieces each, and secured those with screws from the underside. I hope my chickens will be able to get up the ladder!

7. I also made a tube feeder from PVC and a dog bowl, and am working on a nipple waterer. Will update post when those are finished!

Now I just have to get some hens! I've been searching craigslist and can't wait!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished except for plywood floor (vinyl stick-on tile) and plywood doors (white exterior acrylic paint)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Tall Farmhouse Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/02/2024 - 11:34

 am thrilled with my new headboard. The plans made every thing about this project FUN and DOABLE. I'm a 70 year old Granma who loves to DIY. SO fun to show my photos of what I did ALL BY MYSELF! THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL PLANS! With out them my pretty new headboard would never have happened. WHAT FUN. I mounted an LED picture light fixture on the top for reading in bed and mounted the corded on off extension cord switch to the side of the leg for easy on off ! Again, THANK YOU!

Cheryl King

Big kids picnic table

Submitted by boneill on Wed, 07/08/2020 - 20:14

This was a easy build and is super strong . ITs built for a kid sized picnic table but I tested It with my weight to see how it holds up and (200 lbs) didn’t hurt it or even make the seat budge.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$55
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar canyon brown transparent on seats and Table top . Black (midnight ) solid stain on the frame .
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Play Deck and Swing

Submitted by lervy on Wed, 09/03/2014 - 02:23

Play Deck and Swing

Estimated Cost
£700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ronseal Country Oak Fence Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

booksnotbombs

Wed, 09/03/2014 - 07:35

You have a BEAUTIFUL view from your yard! Just curious, where do you live? I assumed somewhere in Europe due to the currency. The play area looks fantastic. What lucky kiddos!

Seasonal And Holiday

Wall Frame from page 70 of The Handbuilt Home

Submitted by solomonson on Wed, 11/21/2012 - 21:31

So I bought this print, sized 16" x 20", from an independent photographer. My husband said I could get it only if I built the frame, so I was on the hook.
I used pine boards and glued and clamped the outside part since I don't have a nail gun. I sanded the really rought parts, but probably could've sanded more. Finished with Valspar's black spray paint and used mirror clips and 1" wood screws. Blue had glass pieces in 16" x 20" for less than $6. Hung with D rings and picture hanging wire.
Time estimate includes time for paint to dry and rigging up all the hanging hardware.

Estimated Cost
$15-$20
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar spray paint in black semi-gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sandbox with built-in seats in our playhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/10/2020 - 10:55

The base of our playhouse felt like the perfect spot to use the sandbox plan with built-in seats. The bench seats actually fold flat to create a lid for the sandbox when it’s not in use. I followed Ana’s plans exactly and used the list of materials she provided. The only modification I made was eliminating the back supports. It was not necessary for me to add the back supports since we have the playhouse posts to support the back of the bench.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Vegetable Bin

Submitted by ctay on Tue, 10/14/2014 - 17:18

Built this vegetable bin for my sister in law. Just needs knobs, which I'm letting her pick out. Easy build finished in an afternoon. Stained and painted the next day. Could use this for other storage as well. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60.00 for materials. Already had the plywood for back and paint and stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum stain in dark walnut for top and edges. Painted in white chalk paint with brown glaze. Distressed to see the dark stain on the edges. Doors are stain with white wash over it and stenciled using stain over that.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

ctay

Wed, 10/15/2014 - 20:30

Thank you Joanne!  Really enjoyed building this!  This is also the first time I have shared one of my builds!  Glad I did. :)

 

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