Community Brag Posts
Shoe Dresser
We used the shoe dresser instructions with some modifications to make it longer
Drop Leaf Mobile Kitchen Island
This was born out of the need for more counter space in our galley kitchen. We don't have the space to add an island. Especially around the holidays, it would be great to have extra space for making cookies, serving big meals, etc. I used Ana's Small Kitchen Island Prep Cart plans for inspiration. I adapted the dimensions to fit at the end of our counters when not in use and added a drop leaf to give us almost 4 additional feet of butcher block counter top when we need it. I used scrap lumber that I had for the cabinet and had an extra drawer handle that matches our kitchen cabinets but bought the butcher block, locking casters, drawer slide and hardware for the legs. Also, the weight of the butcher block makes it want to tip when it's away from the cabinet with the drop leaf down so I added a lead counter weight inside the drawer.
Comments
Tue, 04/27/2021 - 18:09
I am so interested in doing…
I am so interested in doing this, but would like more details on how the drop leaf was constructed. Would it be possible to get more information?
In reply to I am so interested in doing… by haartd
Sat, 07/24/2021 - 16:59
Sure! I used a 4 foot…
Sure! I used a 4 foot butcher block and cut it down. The horizontal part is 13 1/2" and the drop leaf part is 32 1/8" attached with a piano hinge. The legs need to be cut and hinged to fit when folded up. This one is made so that the drop leaf fits right under the overhang of the kitchen countertop that it is next to so it's snug against the cabinet and not an issue but, if you want it to be freestanding, the weight of the butcher block will pull it over if you don't weight the cabinet down with something as well. I got a 5 pound lead bar from Amazon in case we need to use it somewhere else. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Fall Inspired Privacy Planter
Love this privacy planter and how easy it is to switch up between the seasons. I build a false bottom to make it easy to just set plants on it.
Privacy planter
It's a take off of your privacy fence planter. But I added water to make it a water wall also.
Comments
Cedar Outdoor Sofa
Made an outdoor sofa inspired by Ana White's plan. I made a few modifications including using 2x6's, hiding more of the non-pocket hole screws, using HD pocket holes in more areas and building an incline for the backrest. Cushions are Sunbrella from Lowe's.
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Twin Storage Beds
This was really my first build and it stemmed from not being able to find the kind of beds I wanted for my girls. My brother helped me cut the wood and assemble the first one and my husband and I did the second together. It was so rewarding to make them and I love how they turned out! You can store so much and they are sturdy pieces. My girls love them too. (bedding is from Pottery Barn) I would stay this is a beginner's project. You don't need any specialized tools. it was a lot of fun and now I'm it itching to buy a Kreg Jig so I can complete many more projects!
Double Chair with Table
This was a fun project for me and my son. Total time was probably a weekend, including finish. I used Douglas Fur, and spent around $100 including finish and nails ect.
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Octagonal Picnic Table
To say this was a complicated build is an understatement. Lots of pieces, lots of different angles and lots of screwing it together. It was really tough to keep everything perfectly square but in the end it turned out well. It is a very heavy table. I want to get it outside on a sunny day for some photos.
Comments
Sat, 05/29/2021 - 10:33
Great job!
A picnic table that will last! Love your finish choices, thank you for sharing:)
Privacy Planter Fence
Pull-out Shelves
Stationary shelves are such a hassle, especially in a deep pantry cabinet! Now I can actually SEE the contents of my pantry cabinet. Thanks for the inspiration and tutorial to get it done!
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outdoor patio furniture
Well this was first project my hubby and I tackled together. He actually let me use the power tools. The plans were great! Loved having a shopping list! I made the cushion s myself. I have to say, I wish I had made the couch and chairs the size of cushions available at Lowes . AFt e r you buy foam batting fabric and chording I found set at lowes for a lot less but I am so happy how it all turned out . Thks for providing plNz!
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Bookshelf Hidden Doors Over Closet
Hidden door bookshelves hide a furnace closet. Built by Kraig Faulkner
Comments
Thu, 01/23/2020 - 07:05
Great idea! Do the…
Great idea! Do the bookshelves swing freely when weighed down with books? What type of hinges did you use?
Thu, 09/17/2020 - 08:01
Looks Awesome + Safety Note
I'm currently working on a basement renovation project. I'm probably going to incorporate a feature like this for my mechanicals, too.
One important safety note for anyone who wants to do this: It's recommended that your furnace be a minimum of 30" away from any combustible materials. That includes walls and partitions. The image of this project displayed is right next to the furnace, which is not a good idea.
Queen size storage bed with headboard storage
There was some deviation from the original plans.. We made the storage boxes a bit taller and the headboard has several new features.
First off, the under-bed storage takes up the whole size of the bed. So the drawers (six of them) are nice and deep. One of the drawers is actually the dog's bed now.
The picture doesn't show it but behind the headboard there are cubbies for storing books, tablets, phones, glasses, etc.
On both sides of the headboard there are four electrical outlets plus two USB charging outlets for charging tablets, phones, etc.
There are two reading lamps on the headboard as well.
I did the construction portion while my talented wife did the amazing paint job.
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modern outdoor lounge chair
Just finished this beauty, entirely made with 2x4, plans were modify to match our outdoor sofa and coffee table. I think our best looking project so far ;) Thank you for inspiring me to build !!!
Comments
In reply to Very nice! by Ana White Admin
Tue, 03/01/2016 - 18:13
Thank you Ana
Little by little I am transforming my ugly concrete patio with no view in Zen garden...
Tue, 03/01/2016 - 18:15
Thank you Ana
Little by little I am transforming my ugly concrete patio with no view in a Zen garden...
Tue, 03/01/2016 - 18:16
Thank you Ana
Little by little I am transforming my ugly concrete patio with no view in a Zen garden...
Eagle Project Workbench - Ultimate Roll Away Workbench with Miter Saw Stand
My son chose to make a workbench for his high school theater for his Eagle Scout project, and selected the Ultimate Roll Away Workbench with Miter Saw Stand as the basis for the project. The theater teacher wanted pegboard for tool storage, so we extended the rear legs on each workbench and notched the top to allow them to pass through. We built two frames from 1x3s to fit inside the rear legs, then put a pegboard inside each one.
To secure the extended legs, we added a riser shelf from 1x8s. We put a storage station for drills at one end of the riser shelf.
We also made all the cart shelves adjustable and added an adjustable shelf under the miter saw, and added lighting and power strips.
We left out the panels at the end of the workbench to allow access to the shelves there without having to remove the carts. Once we had constructed it, we added a brace at each end of the workbench to better support the outside front legs.
This plan was the perfect one for the theater, giving a stable work area for the miter saw and allowing for tool and materials storage. The carts can be rolled around to where a work surface is needed. This will come in handy for years of set construction in the theater. So proud of my son and all the leadership and hard work he put into this project!
Comments
Mon, 10/18/2021 - 11:54
Proud indeed!
WOW, that is absolutely amazing, thank you so much for sharing this story!
DIY Modern Chicken Coop
Almost 5 years after we moved into the country onto our Hamstead of 3 acres, I finally committed to building our chicken coop. Last year, my husband brought home a ton of lumber used for shipping. I started tearing it down and slowly, over the past few months, I built this perfect coop for our 6 little chicks. It required a ton of sketching and planning, adjustments, and do overs, but it has come together so well. Thanks and shout out to the plan from Ana White and the brag post by @blackgirlbythesea
Farmhouse table with Leaves
I built this farmhouse table with leaves for my daughter. I wanted a farmhouse look but with a modern twist, and I also wanted breadboard ends that would pull out so she could insert leaves on each end to increase the size of the table for company. I used the plans for concept, and actually used the updated farmhouse table plans with pocket holes but couldn't find the plan link again for this post but made several modifications to achieve what I wanted. I planed all the lumber down to a true 1 inch for the top and also the trim to reduce the weight and chunky feel. I planed 4 x 4 untreated lumber for the legs to 2 1/2 inches and then tapered the bottoms as well to reduce weight and chunkiness and create a more modern feel. I built actual channels on the base for the extension bars which attach to the breadboard ends and I attached table aligners to the table, breadboard ends and the leaves so things would stay straight and even. I also glued together 2 x 4 and 2 x 3 pieces that had been planed down to a true 1 inch for the skirting and treated them as one piece when attaching to the legs so I didn't have so many screws going into the legs. I painted the base black with furniture paint and then put 2 coats of polyurethane over that and stained the top gray, then used a and 'wash' of watered down black paint over that and then 5 coats of polyurethane on the top. The table is 36 x 48 without the leaves and extends to 70 inches when both leaves are in place. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.
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Farmhouse Chairs
I found a picture of this style of chairs, and I really wanted to make them for my table. I created my own plans and adjusted them until they were perfect. I’ve since made several sets of chairs for other people including this set of 6.
Comments
Wed, 12/18/2019 - 07:57
I'd love to make these for…
I'd love to make these for my parents, do you have the plans?
Bookcase Dollhouse
We built this for our daughter's 6th birthday! Love how it turned out :D As you can see we opted to leave the plywood backing off for the time being so she can use it as a doll house and play on both sides. When she grows out of the doll house phase we will either convert it to a book shelf, donate, or sell in a yard sale ... so many options!
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Custom Dog Bath
Tego needed a raised dog bath. No, I needed a raised dog bath. Specifically, my knees needed a raised dog bath for Tego. So, after looking at Pinterest and Ana's plans, I decided what I really wanted to do was customize something to fit my needs (and knees) and build it myself. Overly ambitious for a first-time woodworking project, but hey, raise the bar.
I started by reading and rereading Ana's beginner's woodworking guide (very informative). I also learned so many other things along the way. There's a reason, besides looks, you need flat boards (they need to screw together tightly). Unfinished basement floors are so not level (especially near the walls). Screw lengths matter (need shorter ones for thinner boards). The big-box store doesn't make precise cuts (but they can make a lot). Planning for the finishes will save you time (know your basket sizes). Just to name a few.
It's going in an unfinished basement, so I wasn't going to tile and add glass doors. I wanted to keep it relatively simple, basic.
The stairs were the hardest to measure and build (math matters) - and I might re-do. I made the steps smaller, dog-sized, but she finds them awkward. I'd stick with typical riser heights, but it depends on the size of your dog.
Plumbing to link the tub drain to the utility sink drain was the most expensive. Probably I could have done it myself, but I decided not to learn both plumbing and woodworking for one project.
Overall, I'm pleased with the result - and Tego is learning to love it.
Comments
Thu, 07/22/2021 - 12:38
You've created such an amazing dog wash!
Love it, you and Tego are AMAZING! Thank you for sharing your custom build:)
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Rentzm
Fri, 03/31/2023 - 04:23
These are incredible. They…
These are incredible. They look a little deeper, and would be good for vegetables. How deep are they?