Community Brag Posts

My handmade farmhouse table and benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/29/2017 - 20:32

This is the table I made for my wife using 2x lumber...I used the epoxy resin finish and it gives it a beautiful look and finish...my wife, family and friends love it...I'm very pleased with how well it turned out...

Estimated Cost
300 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Epoxy resin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4x4 Truss Beam Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:07

I followed the plans for the 4x4 Truss Beam Table and it turned it out great! I definitely recommend the Kreg Jig HD for the 4x4's. I used non HD Kreg screws for the table top.

It's much easier to build it upside down to ensure you get all your pocket holes underneath. Also, use duct tape to keep the 45 degree angle posts clamped as it's much easier when screwing together.

As a bonus for the family I built it for, I cut their name out with my scroll saw and added as a personal touch for the piece.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Simple Outdoor Collection

Submitted by handymommy on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 05:32

The outdoor bench was my first Ana project. It was so easy and rewarding that I immediately set out to build the rest of the set!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
dark deck stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Happier table

Submitted by venessat on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 21:33

My very first piece of furniture I built!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark walnut with clear satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entry Built in and Board and Batten

Submitted by anb80 on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 11:42

Entry board and batten treatment with hooks, cabinet with doors and drawers and bench.  Made from plywood. 

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

Comments

anb80

Wed, 04/01/2015 - 06:55

Thanks! We just sold our house in under 48 hours and I think all these built-ins helped! Thanks Ana for all the great plans and inspiring me. I learned so much coming from some one that had never built anything. You're awsome!

Laundry Basket

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/03/2017 - 09:09

This was super easy. Just make sure you bolt it to the studs in the wall. I bolted them to each other and to the wall for added support. It only took me the afternoon and then I stayed up all night to finish it and get it done. I made this system over 3 years ago and it still works great for our family. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Maybe less than $50? It was worth it whatever it was. And I used peg board on the back bc I already had it.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
painted
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Window Seat

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:32

I made this window seat for my home office from your mudroom bench plan. Turned out fantastic. Loads of storage in these huge drawers. Loving it!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Anna's Low Activity Table for her Dollhouse!

Submitted by ferbit on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 09:52

Anna's (the one on the right) new activity table with rolling carts! Rolling drawers are made of 3/4" MDF with 2" casters underneath. The chalkboard frames (found here) were painted with satin finish pink paint, then two coats of glitter Mod Podge. I love how they turned out!!! We added a piece of 1/8" plexiglass to the top to protect it better. The flat top is made of MDF, sides and frame are made of pine and the legs are poplar. Two coats of primer, three coats of semi-gloss paint and three coats of poly. She is sooooo excited!!! Ana's estimate of $50-$100 on her website is fairly accurate depending on where you live, minus the plexiglass. So adding it all up... 3 - 2" x 2" x 8' stud/strips are $1.29 each at HD (total $3.87) 4 - 1" x 2" x 8' Radiata Pine boards are $4.82 at HD (total $19.28) 1 - 49" x 97" sheet 3/4" MDF was about $40 at HD (they rip cut it for me for free) 8 - 2" casters were about $2.50 each at HD (total $20) That's $83.15 plus tax and doesn't include all of the smaller extras like screws, glue, sandpaper, primer, paint and poly. I had most of those already... but it's items like that would easily push the total over $100. The little extras that I did were pricier poplar legs since I didn't like the look of 2x2 stud/strips and the custom sheet of plexiglass $35 at local plastics company. 2x2 studs/strips are fine, but after using them on my sawhorses and painting them, I wanted something more perfectly square (prettier?) for this table.

Estimated Cost
$85.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer, semi-gloss acrylic latex paint, brush-on poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Floating "Book" Shelves

I wanted to make floating shelves. As I was making them, I got the idea to decorate them like books.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
To decorate I used card paper to round one side and covered it with scrap book paper. I used three coats of shellac for protection.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Minecraft Torches

My favorite 7 year old recently had a Minecraft themed birthday party.    For party favors, I made Minecraft torches from a 2×2 board.   Painting each pixel of the torch was an incredibly time consuming process.  This is definitely not a project you want to procrastinate on.   I would budget two hours per a torch.   The torches are 1.5″ wide and 7.5″ tall.  The scale for the pixels is 0.75 inches.  I am pretty happy with how the torches came out.  It is a great way to use leftover 2×2 boards in the garage and a neat treat for fans of the game.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Acrylic craft paint sealed with Mod Podge (Matte Finish)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Outdoor sectional!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/05/2017 - 16:12

My husband followed your design for an outdoor sectional for our pool deck. We LOVE it!! Our boys helped and we were able to get the whole thing done in two days!! 

Estimated Cost
Wood and screws: $110
Sunbrella Cushions: $584 (on sale through Home Depot)
White Paint: $30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Worth every penny, sweat dripple and sun burn (we finally got smart and set up our pop up canopy for shade). We did buy the cushions first, when they were on sale. We used 25 x 25 and I feel like we could have gone a little smaller, but maybe as we use them, they will settle smaller.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

New closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:58

This closet system was designed and ordered using the Ana White Shelf Help configurator. I put it together using my Kreg pocket hole jig, Kreg shelf pin template, and Kreg screws. I’m 70 years old and I was able to do it all myself. My husband helped me move it into the closet after I assembled it. Very sturdy! I planned to paint it white. But, I really liked the light natural finish of the plywood, so I just put several coats of poly instead. I am VERY pleased with the finished product. I would never have attempted this if not for the Shelf Help configurator! Thanks.

Comments

Picnic Tables

For my son's 4th birthday party, we were doing it at our house and needed outdoor seating, so I took on the task of building 3 Toddler picnic tables and 1 smaller one. Building them was not that big of a deal, but painting all 4 took some time! After the party, we sent 1 to my parents, 1 to in-laws & 1 to my bro/sis-in-law, so only ended up with 1 left over. FYI-the picture on the plan is one of mine, thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I primed each table, then painted them with 3 coats of paint and sealed them.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Bunny Easter Basket

Submitted by DMax2010 on Sun, 04/05/2015 - 10:02

My son loved his new Easter basket! This was super cute to make and I just used scrap wood. The paint was CeCe Caldwell's chalk paint in Blue Montana Sky. I used CeCe Caldwell's Clear Wax for the finish. Love these projects!

Estimated Cost
Used scrap wood and materials I already had
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
CeCe Caldwell's Blue Montana Sky chalk paint and Clear Wax for the finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

OUTSIDE FARMHOUSE TABLE

Submitted by DiRico.PF on Fri, 07/14/2017 - 00:17

We just recently moved and we need a dining table for outside. I wasn't happy or interested in the high cost of a low quality crappy steel table set. So i went out and bought the lumber and built the table.I noted that it took me a week to build this table. If I had the weekend dedicated to building it, it would have only taken me the weekend, but life got in the way and it took me a solid week. I used treated lumber for the legs of the table and went with untreated for the rest. I applied some Behr Weatherproofing stain. I thought it turned out great. The only problem i had with the table was that in the plans they are made for a 4X4 that is actually a 4X4. The ones i acquired was 3 1/2 X 3 1/2. It did not cause to much of a problem I just added an extra inch on the skirt. I also was not a big fan of having the feet of the table in direct contact with the ground. Especially on those rainy days. ( Which we have been having a lot of this season) So i went out and I got some Hockey Pucks. Yup some good ol' Canadian hockey pucks. I centered them and screwed them in. Not only do they elevate the table they act as a good grip to the patio stones. By the way this was my first build ever. Excited to get the benches done now. 

Estimated Cost
All lumber I purchased (including benches) Which I am completing soon with Stain came up to a grand total of 250$ Canadian.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used Behr WeatherProofing Semi-Transparent. I sanded at 220 and Stained. Rinse and Repeat for a total of 3 times.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic small island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 15:00

I have actually made this island several times and modified the size each time. I really like this and it fits my kitchen well. Thank you for the inspiration

Comments

Danielle's Painter's Ladder Shelf

Submitted by zigmommy on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 13:50

This was the first good-sized project I built by myself. I finished it more than 4 months ago and it still makes me smile every time I look at it. :-) A simple, functional and BEAUTIFUL shelf that will work anywhere and for anyone! I was so impatient for it to be finished I didn't put poly or any clear coat on it and I'm still in love!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams 'Sierra Redwood'

(The grain in the wood shows through just BEAUTIFULLY!)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Weatherly Outdoor Sectional!

Submitted by Celeste808 on Sun, 05/19/2013 - 07:40

I really wanted some outdoor furniture but did not want to spend the thousands for a sectional. I used this plan and created the entire sectional for less than $500!

Wood =

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Outdoor White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Tue, 05/21/2013 - 04:43

This came out so beautiful! Okay, I usually don't bring attention to typos, but this one you might want to fix. You wrote suck instead of such. Oops! :)

My first dining table!!

My first attempt at a country farmhouse style dining table, my children managed to also use it as a playhouse within minutes!!

Estimated Cost
Approx £200-£250 timber seems to be a lot more expensive here in the UK compared to the U.S.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk paint for the legs and a mahogany stain for the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor Sofa and Table

Submitted by Don Ellery on Wed, 07/19/2017 - 11:42

I enjoyed making this outdoor sofa and table combo from Ana's Ryobi series.  An inexpensive and easy project that we just love!  All construction grade 2x4.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr premium exterior "Slate"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Airondeck Chairs and Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 16:24

Lockdown here in Sydney has been going for over 100 days now, so in-between home school and quietly going insane, I thought I would make something for the house in the hopes that at some point we may be able to have people back in our home and enjoy entertaining again. The Deck chairs are to replace some horrible plastic ones we had on our balcony. Now my wife and I can enjoy a glass of wine while looking out over our bay in style! The bar was made from leftover timber I had and the deck chairs are made from 2x4 Treated pine (bits painted white) and NSW Spotted gum - which is a hardwood. The bar is also made from 2x4 treated pine and Merbau ( another hardwood) . I have put a few bronze hooks on the front to hold tea towels etc when entertaining. They are both fantastic additions and we love them. Thank you for saving my Sanity Anna!

Comments