Community Brag Posts

DIY Wine Caddy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/04/2023 - 09:04

One of my first projects…thank you Ana White for building my confidence in wood working! ❤️

Midge Newth

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Caitlyn's Reading retreat

This was not built using one of Ana's plans. I have a book of 2X4 projects that my daughter gave me and actually got me started woodworking. This beauty was one of the projects. It was easy to build and easy to put together but not easy to paint. The lattice was the cheapest she could buy and was "furry". I tried sanding which took forever but it was still a mess to paint. I am including the link to the plans: http://woodtools.nov.ru/projects2/WoodPlan/lattice-bower.pdf
If you build this be sure and sand and paint before putting together-it's so much easier.

It looks amazing in her backyard and she is loving it.

Estimated Cost
$150-$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used 2X4s and lattice. If you can afford the better lattice-do it! We just painted it with an exterior flat paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

fancy x barn house table and benches

Well this is a project I made from plans from this site and we love it ! Is my first peace of furniture I've ever made and I think it was Farley easy my wife saw the pictures and ask me if I would make it & I was like I'll try and it turned out beautiful everyone who's seen it love it very sturdy actually it was completed right on time for thanksgiving day. I want to thank Anna and whoever posted those plans we love our big table and matching benches : )

Estimated Cost
about $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax pre-stain conditioner and minwax wood finish dark walnut 2716
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Ledges for two Kids

This was my first project after buying a miter saw. I used 2 inch screws to secure the back to the ledge, then nails (I think 2 inch?) to secure the front lip to the ledge. I then covered the nail holes with wood filler, painted with a white glossy paint that I had on hand for my house's trim, and secured into the wall with anchors and screws. 

 

It was a fairly easy project and I used the cheapest wood found at home depot (each ledge literally cost less than a dollar for the wood). It did take me several hours but considering it was my first project, it was pretty fast. I'm sure someone with more experience could knock these out in 1-2 hours! It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to build something else. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$8
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Off the shelf white interior glossy paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Shelving

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/25/2020 - 18:07

I can't believe I did it!! It came out so good!! Thank you so much for the instructions ...I got a Kreg jig and I love it!!! I used it to connect all my wood except when putting the furring strips on the wall....I also added a support for the shelves that were only connected on two sides...this was my first wood project!😀

Estimated Cost
$120.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kitchen Island with Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/11/2023 - 09:17

I started with your basic plan but i slightly modified it with out the overhang too much and added a set of doors and covered where the seating would be. But it still has room for two seats .. I made mine rustic :-)

backyarddiybuilder.ca

Built from Plan(s)

Chloe's Purple Playhouse Bed

Saw this plan and knew I had to make it. This is her first BIG GIRL bed. Her reaction made it all worth it, "Daddy I am going to sleep in this bed FOREVER!" We stuck with the hinged storage under the first two steps but turned the space under the top step into a little closet for her dress up stuff. We also strung rope lights in the playhouse section for added fun lighting.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Olympic Interior Latex Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

AnneP (not verified)

Fri, 11/23/2012 - 22:19

I'm going to build this for my granddaughter. She will absolutely love it. I'm having trouble figuring out the exact steps - which I need before I venture on this project. Trying to find accurate step by step plans for the stairs on the right side -- and all the walls too.
THANKS

Plywood farm plank floor

Submitted by ooupla2 on Sun, 04/06/2014 - 10:20

I was inspired by Ana to DIY and save a lot of money. I bought $17 plywood which was the cheap stuff. Lots of knots and rough. I sanded the plywood and cut it into 8 inch planks. I rounded the edges and stained it one time. I nailed it directly to the subfloor and used liquid nails as a second bonding agent. After the floor was nailed in I re stained it and applied 9 coats of flooring poly. It turned out so good im doing the entire 1400 sq feet upstairs of my home! I plan on making many of Ana's furniture projects to fill the rooms once its all complete!

Estimated Cost
$1.25 sq foot
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane diamond floor finish. semi gloss applied with Varathane Water Borne Applicator, reapply after 2 hours
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modern Park Bench Summer Build for Teens

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/03/2016 - 10:32

Our two teen boys (13 and 14) took this on for a summer project.  Their dad supervised the sawing, but it was a great first project for them.  The plans were FANTASTIC!  Everything went together perfectly, and we are super pleased with how it turned out!  It is a large bench that the entire family can sit on at one time.  Our dog is 60 pounds and she has a lot of room on it!  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
7 2x4=$30.59, 6 1x6=29.82, 1 lb 2.5 inch screws=9.37, 1 lb 2 inch screws=9.37, and a quart of stain=7.77. We have screws left and will use them on another project.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We stained prior to putting the bench together using Minwax Red Mahogany. We wanted a rustic look, so we did not fill the screw holes.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Sliding Barn Door Bookcase

Submitted by pballard14 on Tue, 04/28/2020 - 10:15

I used the plan but just made mine taller, some mistakes changed how some things looked and were done. It's always an adventure but fun!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Finish Water-Based Stain Classic Gray Water-based Interior Stain
Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 32 oz. Ultra Cover Gloss Navy Blue General Purpose Paint
Shelves - Rust-Oleum Triple Thick Gloss Polyurethane,
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wall Shelving System

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/19/2023 - 17:17

This was a rewarding build as it was not complex but really adds to our music room. We built it to fit guitar cases under nearth. Basically like bulding 3 ladders and inserting shelves in between the rungs.

Doug and Tina Case

Tryde Coffee Table

My first project! Luci looks like a demon.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean stain and polycrylic by Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Counter Stools

Submitted by bencorless on Tue, 04/08/2014 - 15:08

I slightly modified the plans to give them more of a "Saddleback" style. I used a 2x10 for the seat, then belt sanded for an hour to give it the concave shape.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Doll Bunk Beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/05/2016 - 19:52

I made this for my daughter as a Christmas gift.  She was thrilled and still plays with it every day.  The tutorials are detailed and easy to follow.  I used material left over from some of my other projects.  There was a learning curve for the sewing portion so it took me longer to learn how to use the sewing machine.  I am a better carpenter than a tailor :)

Thanks Ana...I will try more of your projects.  

Estimated Cost
$50 with bedding
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bed - King Size

Submitted by steezyken on Fri, 05/01/2020 - 10:30

Relatively simple project. Just follow the the directions step-by-step and there will be no issues finishing in a day. Have to start early if planning to stain and complete in the same day.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Applied Dark Walnut Miniwax stain for 10-15 minutes followed by an Oil Based Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First Try, Picnic Table

I had to take 2 redwood trees down last year so I learned to mill my own lumber. This picnic table is my first attempt at furniture. The dimensions of the wood is beyond "full" so a cutlist would be meaningless. For reference the table top boards are 2.25"x9.25"x7'.

The inspiration is from the Fancy X Farmhouse Table project on this site.

I don't know how you would price or time this because I started from logs 8^)

This site is awesome!

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

Comments

spiceylg

Tue, 06/19/2012 - 06:03

Wow, that is beautiful and I'm thoroughly impressed that you started from logs and this is your first attempt. This site is awesome indeed! Looking forward to seeing more of your projects!

Tate Sawhorse Desk

My gorgeous desk.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum American Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

mykahnicole

Sun, 04/27/2014 - 18:39

I recently began working from home, and was in need of a sturdy desk that would fit comfortably with our style. This is stunning. An easy weekend project for any beginner. My father in law was kind enough to make this for me.

Inspired by Gaby kitchen island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/09/2016 - 16:08

I adapted this from the Gaby Kitchen Island . I loved the design but my kitchen is way too small for an island. I was in need of a table for the microwave so this was the first design  I turned to.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American stain and rub on polyethylene
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Star Wars twist on modern farmhouse bed

My 8 year old wanted a Star Wars room, and I was in love with the plans for the modern farmhouse bed. My husband and I made a few modulation to help trick it out with LED lights. We added two extra inches two the footboard. We added 7.5 inches to the headboard (allowed for extra 1x6 and two inches for the feet). We also added a little extra trim around. The stain was a ebony stain that we applied in various then sanded. Afterwards, we applied a weathered oak stain. Our neighbors were in awe this weekend as they walked by our house. Fabulous job Ana with the plans - thank you!!

Built from Plan(s)
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