Community Brag Posts

Basketball hoop for bedroom decor & play

Submitted by TamarasJoy on Sat, 02/04/2017 - 20:27

Full tutorial on the blog tamarasjoy.com

I built this basketball hoop for my sons room over a year ago and it has stood the test of time! The wood rim never cracked. Plus it looks fantastic :)

Estimated Cost
I used scraps but if you needed to purchase the wood and screws it may run you $25

The only thing I bought was the netting which was less then $10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark stain, nothing special.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Wine & Cheese Crate

Submitted by binamom on Fri, 10/30/2020 - 13:41

WE love these crates and have so much fun making them!

We have decided to sell these on Etsy and they have done well. we offer multiple stain colors as well as shou sugi ban.

(shou sugi ban traditionally involves scorching wooden boards with a torch or controlled fire, cooling the wood, softening the char with a wire brush, removing dust, and, if desired, topping the wood with natural oil)

Thank you for providing us with a source of income!

Estimated Cost
$14
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
stain
brad nails
shlac
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My Surprise B-Day Gift and Project Wrapped Into One!

Submitted by Diania on Sun, 01/06/2013 - 17:14

How this beginner project became my B-Day gift: After seeing this on Ana's site I just knew I had the perfect place for these, plus it was a great project to wet my toes :-) After talking my husband's head off for about a week with all the new things I'm going to build this year, we were finally headed to Lowes to get material. Well to my surprise he also bought me a Kreg-Jig(Master Series) I AM GOING TO BE A BUILDING MACHNE! LOL

The cost really is around $10 or less but I spent some extra on Polycrylic to create a nice shine over the wood. I knew I wanted 8ft ledges so there was no cutting involved, wohoo! Here is what I used:

6 1x4 @8ft
3 1x2 @8ft
(I used 1 1/4in screws for project and 2in screws for mounting)
120 grit sand paper
After putting together the wood in a jiffy as described in Ana's plans I then sanded. Even the sanding, which I did by hand was fairly quick. Next the priming and painting took the longest as it had to dry obviously. After a few coats, I sprayed the polycrylic according to directions on can. That's it...

I was so excited as it was going up, I was planning on putting some candles, maybe some decorative stuff to go with the pics. I didn't realize how many pictures I have! Wow! Guess I'll have to dust off my Kreg-Jig and make more. :-)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$24
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer, White Glossy Paint, and Minwax Spray Polycrylic. Polycrylic is easy to use and very quick to dry.(about 30min) I simply used it to create a shiny look.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Washer/Dryer Pedestal with Flush Front Drawers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/06/2017 - 18:24

Thank You Dmccoy for the plans used for this project.  Great idea using the 2×6s for strength and stability! I built this Pedestal and placed furniture slides underneath to allow for sliding out for cleaning and access.

Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
First 2×4s, 15/32", and 23/32" Plywood
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Garage Shelves

Submitted by coolove on Sun, 11/02/2014 - 23:16

This project was a bit of a challenge. My garage has uneven flooring and a concrete lip around the edge of wall so I had to make the back legs 10 inches shorter than the front. Overall, it turned out well and everything is completely leveled much to my amazement. I'm thinking of making more shelves on the other end of the garage to free up more space.

Estimated Cost
$90 including extra nails.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pine Chifferobe

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/10/2017 - 05:58

I designed and built this chiffarobe based off of the mirrored wardrobe plans provided by Ana White.  I received a Kreg jig for Christmas and immediately put it to use.  We used 1x12's for the top sides and back to make it narrower for our entryway.  My wife did an excellent job painting it green with brown distressed look.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 - $250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Brown and Green Furniture Paint purchased from Lowes
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Small Cedar Shed

Here is our version of the small cedar shed. Had to raise the door up a bit to clear the rocks. All built from cedar fence boards and a few 2x4's

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None - age naturally
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ana White Admin

Fri, 11/06/2020 - 08:18

Love that you used all cedar fence boards, do you have an estimated cost for this project? Thanks for sharing!

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by JillianD on Wed, 01/09/2013 - 16:05

Calling myself an amateur builder is a colossal overstatement. I’ve never actually built anything, by hand, using wood. I’m quite crafty and very good at hacking things inspired by others {thank you all other bloggers and Pinterest for your continued inspiration}, but to actually build something from the ground up just hasn’t been added to the curriculum vitae…until now.

I actually hail from a family of handy builders. My grandpa used to build everything, from decorative shelves and stools to more utilitarian items, like bookcases and kitchen cabinets. My father, too, is quite handy; he’s the build-a-back-deck weekend warrior type.

This was my first Weekend Warrior project. My deadline: Thanksgiving dinner! I had no other table option. I either built this table or my friends and family were eating on the floor.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
weathered oak stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Juanita_r

Thu, 01/10/2013 - 12:56

Just wanted to say (apart from "i love the table") that your story has inspired me to finally jump in. i too am like you, never physically built anything with wood, but have done some revamps and have done a ton of other crafts (i too would like to thank pinterest). reading what you said has just given me that finally push!!! Thanku

JillianD

Thu, 01/10/2013 - 17:14

Hi Juanita! Yay, I'm so glad. It really was a fun and empowering project. I can't tell you how many people looked at me like I was crazy, but a little patience and elbow grease can go a long, long way! Good luck and I can't wait to see the finished project.

rhettar

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 04:53

You did a great job! I love the finish you chose. Isn't it amazing when you think you can't do something and then when you finish it, you're like wow I did that! Ana's site has inspired me so much and I love to see that she has inspired so many others and to see the beautiful things they are making with their own two hands. Again awesome job and beautiful table!

Farmhouse King Bed resized to fit standard king

Submitted by hpu2002 on Wed, 11/05/2014 - 06:14

Hello everyone and thank you Ana-White for all of your plans.  I love this site and have built several pieces of furniture for our home from them. 

This bed is absolutely Rock Solid! In reading the blog I noticed several people asking for the "modified" dimensions or resizing for a standard king ( I put them in the blog but this is what I did)

Headboard: 9 1x8's at 30 inches long and 2 1'x6's at 30 inches long (I omitted the 1x3 end pieces at 30 inches and that way I had 76 inches wide.

The plans call for the 1x4 panel trip pieces (for headboard and foot board) to be 80''.  I resized them to 76''

The headboard 4x4 legs were still 54''

The bottom headers 2x4's for both the headboard and footboard calls for 87''...I changed it to 83''.

The top header 2x6's  for both the headboard and footboard call for 89''...I changed those to 85''.

The plan calls for the footboard to have 10 1x8 panel pieces at 15 inches. like the headboard I changed these to 9 1x8's at 15'' and 2 1x6's at 15''.

We have a new 12'' memory foam mattress so I did like others and used 2x4's for cross beams secured with truss hangers and then used peg board for additional support.  The side rails are 2x12's at 62' ( I wanted a little extra room to be able to bolt them to the head and foot board.)

NOTE: The cut list calls for 4 1x8's  You Need 5.  And to do the plans my way you need a few 1x6's.

Sorry if this is wordy but I hope it helps!

Thanks Ana for all of your awesome plans!  My Fiance' loves the furniture and I am addicted to building because of you!

Dave

Estimated Cost
$200-$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshades in Mission Oak (it has poly in it)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Apothecary Console Table

Needed a storage spot in the living room to hide the wii remotes/games and the iRobot mop, while allowing easy access and charging capabilities. This piece fit the bill and looks beautiful!  

We cut a hole in the back, in front of an outlet, and placed a power/USB strip inside the cabinet. 

 

Used routed plywood scraps for the false drawer fronts and they look so real that everyone tries to pull open a drawer rather than swing open a door :)

 

NOTE:  The cut list in the plans say to cut the 1x3s for the decorative top @ 35.5". They should be 37" each, which we realized after cutting and went to put the cabinet together :(

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
around $150, including $40 in hobby lobby knobs.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Finish in Ebony. Decorative top has gloss clearcoat and the rest is semi gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

8' Buffet/Entry table

Thank you Ana White for having this plan out there. This plan has made my life so much better, considering my wife wanted this and LOVED the final product. This project took me one weekend to complete from start to finish. There were some learning's for me along the way, but I would bot be happier. I changed the top and used two 1x10x8 popolar wood and I used bead board for rear and door panels. Love the end result and could not have done it without your plan.

Estimated Cost
$345 Total cost
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Zinzer 123 primer and Berh Cabinet matte finish paint tinted.

Comments

Ana White Admin

Mon, 11/09/2020 - 09:54

I would say a weekend well spent for something that will be appreciated for a lifetime! Looks beautiful, thanks for sharing!

Swedish Country Doll Beds

Submitted by CaroStyle on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 14:41

I made two little doll beds, complete with bedding, for my two little granddaughters and decorated to suggest 'Swedish Country'. I had such fun making them. I'm going to post them with the rails disassembled so they can be easily rescrewed together.

I reused lots of bits and pieces of wood I had on hand to make the bed. I also used paint and small pieces of fabric I had on hand for the bedding.

The girls are only 20 months and 4 years old and they both play with baby dolls constantly. The four year old has only just started to get interested in American Girl Dolls. I made the beds, thinking of the baby dolls, but big enough for 18 inch dolls, later on.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $10 for two beds - used scraps
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
The green bed is Marret Apple from California Paint's Historic New England colors, and the blue bed is Summer Blue from Benj Moore, both in flat finish. Benj.Moore White Dove (in semi gloss) for the flowers and an acrylic felt pen for the lining.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Storage Sectional

I had a horrible time finding an outdoor sectional that fit in my sunroom and didn't cost a fortune, so I adapted the Storage Sofa plan to work for my needs!

It took a couple of weekends, but I didn't work straight through both days - I would do one task at a time; cut all pieces, assemble boxes, stain, put together cushions, install in sunroom.

I used my kreg jig for as much as I could, and adapted from the original plan to leave the backrest open to give it a more outdoor look.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300-375
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sandbox with seats

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/13/2017 - 22:09

This was my first project ever. I had a lot of fun and it didn't quite turn out right but next time it will be perfect.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson water seal in cedar
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Plate Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/13/2020 - 12:47

I was browsing Etsy for a plate rack and my Hubby said that he could just make me one. So I knew just where to go for the plans! He added crown moulding to the top, bead board to the back and painted it to match our cabinets. I love it! I use it to display his late mother’s Currier and Ives Plate collection. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
She twin Williams custom blended paint color
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cheap & simple entryway table

Submitted by robindres on Mon, 01/14/2013 - 12:24

This was a great project to begin with. I used pocket holes instead of finishing nails. I also added another shelf and trim work.

Estimated Cost
$60 (Includes paint brushes, stain, and everything!)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax walnut stain (one coat). Minwax wood conditioner. Polyurethane 3 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

entry bench using barnwood for shelf/coat rack

thanks for the plans! Took me about three hours to build, sand and stain!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
gun stock stain and a mat finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Fancy X farmhouse with extension

This was the first piece of furniture  my husband  built. He also built a matching sideboard/buffet table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a wood conditioner then used a dark walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modified Rustic Platform Bed

Submitted by kjshute on Fri, 11/20/2020 - 06:50

I built a modified version of the rustic modern 2x6 platform bed. I used 2x10s (instead of 2x6s) for the sides and feet to raise it up a little. I also added another 2x6 to the headboard to make it taller. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably use 1x for the headboard as it's incredibly heavy. The entire bed is immoveable without being deconstructed so it's going to be a challenge when I move. Overall, I'm really pleased with the result.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Old Masters Fast Dry oil-based stain in American Walnut with a satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Stool Makeover - Vintage Drink Labels

Our new place has a kitchen island, so we needed stools. We had been searching the internet for vintage drafting stools, but could not justify spending over $200 a stool. We stopped at the local Goodwill and found two stools for $7 a piece. To make it even better they were on sale. We spent under $10 for the two.

Check out my blog for more photos of the process.

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