Community Brag Posts
Outdoor sectional and coffee table
Loved these plans! Was my first project I tackled trying my hand with a new hobby of wood working to stave off quarantine craziness :-) finished project looked awesome and got me started working on other plans on the site.
**note**
Side table was just sanded and refinished, wasn't built just tried to match.
Book Caddy
I built this little book caddy for my son's room. I used pocket holes to attach the horizontal slats as well as for making the 'X' pieces. I glued the bottom boards and used long (2.5") screws to attach the top horizontal pieces. I was really happy with the way it came together, once I figured out that I could use pocket holes on the horizontal main beams. I realized you just have to start at the top and work your way down, because starting at the bottom would mean blocking your access to the bottom of the other boards.
Minwax Duo paint
Farmhouse Writing Desk with Turned Legs
I modified the Small Old English Style Farmhouse Dining Table plan to build a writing desk. I used five 1x6 boards for the top for a width of 27.5 inches. I made my desk 56 inches in length. I put the drawer on the long side like a pencil drawer. I did use the legs that Ana recommended in the plan. I love how it turned out. I used dark walnut danish oil and dark wax for the finish.
Comments
Sat, 08/31/2019 - 05:18
Beautiful! What are the…
Beautiful! What are the brands of oil and wax that you used?
Fri, 10/04/2019 - 21:46
Thank you! I used Watco…
Thank you! I used Watco Danish oil and I used Minwax dark wax. I've tried alot of different wax brands and I always come back to Minwax. It dries the hardest in my opinion.
Patio Table w/Built in Beer/Wine Cooler
After seeing the patio table with beer/wine cooler, I wanted to build this for my brother and wife who recently bought a house. I asked them if they were interested and of course they said yes. I modified the original plans by adding a 2x4 on each side of the cooler to make the table wider. I also made the legs out of 4x4 vs the 2x4s that were originally called for. I used redwood and then stained it and used a varnish for the final coating. I probably wouldn't use the varnish again for an outdoor table, because it looks like it should be an indoor table vs outdoor. Overall, I'm pleased with the results and the best part about it, I get to enjoy it every time I go over for a BBQ.
Cabot Spar Varnish Semi-Gloss
Comments
Wed, 07/03/2013 - 13:04
Measurements
Awesome table, do you happen to have the measurements you used. I'd like to make the same table but I need the lumber yard to make the cuts.
Podium for My Wife's Classroom
This is my first try at building furniture. I've built larger things in the past like decks and a fort for my nephews, but never furniture. Even though I used the plans to build the main box, I did change up the bottom and added some new stuff. I added wheels to the bottom my wife could easily move it around her classroom. I didn't want to put a square base on it because I thought it might hit her ankles when she was standing close to it. So I sort-of notched it out to give an opening for her feet and I used some scraps to create a short shelf at the bottom. I also added more trim that the plans call for. I cut strips of the pine plywood for the base molding and topped it with quarter round. I used corner trim for the front corners, the self inside and the bottom notched shelf. I also used screen trim for the back of it. I think it came out nice and I've very pleased with it. I used 2 coats of Minwax PolyShades American Chestnut on it.
Pallirondack Laundry Basket Dresser
I showed my wife the Laundry Dresser featured on Ana White's website and she asked if I could make one for her, but not quite so tall. I also turned the orientation to fit our laundry room space. I used primarily oak from recycled pallets to build the Laundry Basket Dresser. She wanted a work space on top, so folded laundry, empty baskets, etc. all have a temporary resting place depending on the day. From start to finish, it took me about 6 hours. She plans to stain the piece at some point, but its already in use, so I'm not 100% sure that will ever happen until we move or something. ;-) Great idea and laundry room organization!
Comments
Sat, 09/08/2012 - 17:39
very nice!!
Great job on this!! I love the open sides!! Thanks for sharing. :-)
Mon, 09/10/2012 - 10:22
great job`
I love the open sides, plus it makes it much more feasible to build with scraps repurposed wood, which I love. Thanks for the inspriation
Sun, 10/19/2014 - 06:16
perfect use of pallet wood
I have a pallet sitting against the garage that would be perfect for this
Looks fab, great job.
Fri, 01/09/2015 - 12:27
Laundry baskets...
Hi, I really like this project but was curious what size laundry basket you are using in the project?
Sun, 06/14/2015 - 20:16
laundry baskets
Soooo I made this according to the measurements and no laundry basket I find fit. Kind of dissapointed in the fact that this cool thing I just built doesn't have any baskets that will fit it. Any advice on finding a basket that fits?
Fri, 07/10/2015 - 20:14
Same here. No basket fits.
Same here. No basket fits. Did you ever find one?
Fri, 07/10/2015 - 20:56
Build to fit
I think the idea is to build it to fit the baskets you have or buy some and build around them.
Farmhouse Table with Extensions
This was my first build and I learned A LOT and watched A LOT of youtube diy videos. The main take-away from this project is not to build in the freezing cold if the finished project is for inside. I finished this project in below freezing temperatures and I noticed that the wood expanded (increasing slightly the gap between the finished boards on the top) when it was brought inside.
I built this from the original farmhouse table plans with no kreg jig although I did buy and use a pocket kreg jig to make the extensions. The main modifications were using 4x4s such as were used in the Country Living magazine spread that inspired this build and also making modifications to allow the addition of 15" extensions at each end of the table's bread boards.
My first challenge was figuring out how to build with the 4x4 legs instead of the 2 2x4s screwed together. In order to accomplish this i had to use a chisel to create the corner lip that the table top frame would sit on. I added photos of this so I hope it will help someone. Chiseling these 4 corners (one on each post) only took an hour or two and was so worth it for the look of the 4x4s. Just measure carefully and work carefully with a sharp chisel. I actually removed half the wood by sawing off the corner at a 45 degree angle. Remember when cutting your boards for the table ends that a 4x4 has different dimensions than 2 2x4s screwed together. Compensate for this in your cuts.
Another challenge was hiding the screws on the table legs and table top. I was leaving the finish natural so didn't want to use wood fill. I accomplished this by getting a countersink bit and then buying wooden dowels the same diameter. For these screw holes, after finishing screwing, I put a dab of wood glue in the countersink hole, inserted the dowel as far as it would go, used a fine hand saw to cut off the dowel flush with the table and then used a hammer to make sure the dowel was in tight and flush.
I had trouble figuring out how to attach the table top frame to the table legs with the long screws from the plans so I included a picture of this step. Its really easy but I was not able to use three screws as the plan calls for. I used two instead and it has been very solid. I used the long screws as proscribed.
Finally, I wanted to build extensions (2 2x8 boards kreg jigged together) so I could increase seating up to a max. of 12 persons, so I needed to cut out 2x2 gaps on the table ends. I also included a picture of these in place. To make room for the 2 2x2s that extend under the bread boards and table top to brace the extensions, I left out one of the 2x2 cross beams at each end of the underside of the table (the boards that the table top boards screw into).
I hope this is helpful to you!
Comments
Mon, 02/10/2014 - 11:55
So on the same page
Great job on the table! I love...I had visions of this table before I saw it. I wanted to use the 4x4's for the legs as well, the same finish. I am concerned now about the 4x4's because I am an amateur and I think that may throw too many wrenches into my plan. I started with the bench, finished in 3 hours I have patted myself on the back. Plotting on a Kreg jig right now.
Rustic X Hall Tree
I built this scaled down version of Ana's Hall Tree to fit into a 3 foot wide space in my daughter's living room.
Outdoor Sectional
Modified the plans of the outdoor sofa and sectional piece to create this set, then added cushions from IKEA.
Comments
Wed, 02/21/2024 - 10:27
I'm building the sectional…
I'm building the sectional this weekend, and saw your addition to the end piece and am going to steal your idea. Very nice.
Farmhouse Style Toy Box / Blanket Chest
I built this for my daughter after Christmas sinse she had the living room covered in toys. The dimensions are 37" x 18" x 20"
Comments
Tue, 01/09/2018 - 05:51
More details!
HI Anna,
Can you provide more pictures or instructions on how you assembled this toy box? i want to make one just like it!
Thanks!
Wed, 03/10/2021 - 16:31
Pronounced panel edges
Looking at the wall panels they look like the long edge of each panel has a small bevel cut on it. This gives each panel edge a more pronounced or well-defined edge? Is this true? Was it done with a router?
Easy Garage Shelving
I used Ana's Freestanding Shelf plan and customized it to fit my needs. I incorporated laundry and recycle storage, a rolling bench and built in for our chest freezer. If you want to see it being built with some added tips, that video is available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8w7XGiVMbs&t=258s
Outdoor Sofa and Chair with Slanted Back
OK, I think this build may be my biggest project yet! It is definitely the heaviest. With the strong winds we can get here in Florida we needed substantial outdoor furniture.
I did make some modifications along the way measurement-wise so the sofa would fit my front porch better. All in all, this took 2 full days. I built the sofa first, stained it the next day and then decided (due to trying to get stain in all the nooks and crannies) to stain the chair pieces first before putting it together.
I am so happy with the results and so far, almost a year later, this furniture looks great and hasn't moved an inch in any of the thunderstorms we've had! Thank you Ana!!
Small Farmhouse Table and Benches
I absolutely love this table and benches! Thank you!
6'x6' Box
I found these plans online and was just waiting for the kids' grandpa to come out and build it. Could be built in one afternoon (depending on how many trips to your local Home Depot, and availability of the correct tools)
Modifications from original plan:
6x6 instead of 4x4
Brackets to hold patio umbrella for shade
Added seat gussets for additional support
Added "wooden flange" around bottom of box to run lawnmower on
One additional center back support on each bench
One centered handle (instead of a handle on each end)
Stapled landscape weed barrier fabric onto the bottom
Sanded all exposed edges
Materials:
4@2x10x8'
12@1x6x6'
2@2x6x12'
8 hinges
2 handles
3 1/2" decking screws (for attaching 2"x boards)
1 5/8" decking screws (for attaching 1"x boards)
2+ 1 1/4" 2-hole straps for metal conduit (for attaching patio umbrella*)
*Our patio umbrella pole was 1 1/2" diameter, but 1 1/2" straps had too much play, so we used 1 1/4" straps and misc flat washers to adjust the snugness to the pole
Cut lengths:
2@2x10 cut to 72" (long sides of the box)
2@2x10 cut to 69" (short sides of the box)
Cut one each of the following out of a 12 footer:
2@2x6 cut to 75" (long side "flange")
2@2x6 cut to 64" (short side "flange")
No cuts were made to the 12 1x6's
Used one leftover 2' from the 2x8x10's ripped in half cut to 11.5" for arm rests
Used two leftover 2' sections from the 2x8x10's ripped in half cut to 21" for back supports
Used the last 2' cutoff to make two seat gussets (cut about 9 1/2" off and then ripped it at 45 degrees)
Used the remaining piece (ripped in half length-ways) to attach to the center of the backrest for additional support and as the attachment point for our handles
We decided to do one handle in the center of the backrest so one reasonably strong adult could open the lid
The bottom "flange" was assembled with the box upside down. Basically a 2x6 screwed to the bottom edge of the box allowing 1 1/2" overhang all the way around
After making cuts, but before assembly, we recommend using a quarter-sheet pad sander (or similar) with 60 grit paper to break all of the edges and round over any ends or corners that will be in contact with sandbox users
Followed other general assembly instructions
Outdoor Sectional
I scaled back the length of the sofa by a few inches and I made the sectional only one seat to fit my space on the deck. This was my first woodworking project that I did by myself. I got the cushions for more than 1/2 off at Ikea so the whole project cost about $150 ($80 for the cushions). It took me about a week to complete but the total time was less than 10 hours to build and stain. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.
Comments
Chicken Coop
Great for a small flock of 5 or less.
Comments
Garage Shelves Galore - by Jared Starky
This one plan can facilitate many outcomes.
Built and shared by Jared Starkey
Cabin Bed Bunk Beds
Fell in love with Cabin Bed by Jen Woodhouse but really needed bunk beds for my grand kids. So I modified the plans just a little.
Simple Table
This table is very nice and so simple and inexpensive. Just choose your lumber selectively. I used prime 2x4's for higher quality.
Compact Potting Bench
I used Ana's Farmhouse Potting Bench plans and modified it to be more compact and left out the x detail. I built it for under $40 in material.
Modifications for Shopping and Cut List - Construction and placement is same as Ana's original plan, so make sure you look that over.
Shopping List
3 - 2x6x8
3 - 2x4x8
1 - 2x2x8
Cut List
FOR 2 Legs
4 2x6 @15.5"
2 2x4 @34.5"
2 2x4 @54"
(cut the 34.5 and 54 out of 1 board and repeat)
2x2 Cross Supports
3 2x2@28"
2x4 Cross Supports
2 2x4@28"
Center Tabletop Support
1 [email protected]"
Bottom Slats
4 [email protected]"
Tabletop Boards
3 2x6@36"
Top Cap Board
1 2x4@37" leaving 1/2" overhangs