Community Brag Posts

Makings of an Herb Garden

I followed Ana's Raised Planter Box plan exactly. We did purchase a Kreg Jig Jr. recently, which came in handy on this project for sure. It is a very sturdy piece and it only took a couple of hours to assemble.

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Deckscapes in Flagstone with Minwax Whitewash pickling over the stain. Poly over the whitewash
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Custom Modern Chicken Coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/30/2023 - 08:49

I made this coop twice as wide like Ana suggested since I have 4 chickens and wanted to make sure there was some extra wiggle room in case “chicken math” got the best of us. I made a nesting box to mount on the outside. I also used plywood for the sides like Ana did in the video. I installed a Run Chicken automatic door that opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. I added some hasps and clasps to make sure all my doors would close tightly. I put hardware cloth across the top before installing the roof panels. I stapled and buried hardware cloth around the perimeter for predator protection. I also spray painted the hardware cloth flat black so that it would be easier for us to see inside the coop. I stained the rest of the wood with Varathane Semi-Transparent stain, color “Carbon Gray.” I also added some roosts and cedar shingle siding for some extra protection during our New England winters at to match our house. Working 2-4 hours a day, off and on, with a bum shoulder and weak hands, this took me about a week! Thanks for the great plan, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Sliding Door Console

Submitted by kbdesigns on Sat, 11/14/2015 - 12:10

This is my build of the sliding door console. I built this for my wife after she insisted we needed this for our dining room. The build overall was pretty easy, after my wife decided to change the paint color 3 times (yes, after we had bought the gallons, and I had it completely painted every time). I will say though that if you plan on painting this then you should use plywood for the front facing boards of the frame. I built mine over the course of about a month and after I had painted it I noticed significant wood shrinkage on the areas where boards came together. Plywood shrinks minimally if any at all so it should take care of that issue.

P.S. Don’t mind the unfinished construction in the background, we are in the process of installing bigger baseboards, and the planked walls are still unfinished.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$180-240
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Special Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kbdesigns

Wed, 12/23/2015 - 15:00

Hey, Im so sorry for the late reply. I hope you were able to get that doors/hardware done without problems! The doors werent bad at all, I added right angle bar below the door into my plan to keep them gliding smoothly and in line. Also we have a 1 and a half year old that would most definitely figure out a way to get the doors off without it. As far as the rest of the hardware, I used the link that Ana posted on her original post for building it, it wasnt too bad at all. I had to improvise on a few things, other than that I just followed the instructions. Let me know how yours turned out!

Ashlin

Sat, 03/26/2016 - 08:44

Looks fantastic! Where did you purchase the barn door hardware from? Finding it difficult to find some that won't break the bank!

Shannon92314

Fri, 07/22/2016 - 23:56

I recently completed this project with a few changes. I used 1/4th inch aluminum flat bar for the track and the hinges . For the wheels I used metal screen door replacement wheels. I originally had the pully wheels, but when they are on flat bar it's very difficult to move and has a rough time sliding across the flat bar. The screen door wheels were about $6 and gives you a nice smooth glide for your door, because the wheels have ball bearings. 

ryanb4614

Sat, 01/09/2016 - 17:53

Hello. I have one built, about 90% done just need some staining and paint. My wife and I went to home depot today to look at paint and looked are your intellectual because we really like how yours turned out. Intellectual looks to be a dark gray? In your pictures it looks like there is a possible tint of a blue? What finish did you get? We bought a sample and painted a piece of the wood to see how it would turn out in our room. Doesn't seem to match your color.

 

I made some dimension alterations to our, will post picture when its complete.

kbdesigns

Tue, 02/16/2016 - 20:14

The color is intellectual, but the light coming in might make it look a little blueish. Also the color we have our walls painted behind it is "steel blue," so it may be making the buffet look more blue than gray. The finish we used was satin. Sorry this is a late reply but I hope you got yours all finished and love it!

Lvc1013

Fri, 01/08/2016 - 20:24

Can anyone recommend where to find 2x3 pieces of lumber like she calls for in this plan?  We can find 1x3 and 2x4 but no 2x3s anywhere!  

Stockweb

Sat, 01/09/2016 - 05:09

I'm getting ready to build this and found them at Home Depot. 

Stockweb

Sat, 01/09/2016 - 05:10

I'm getting ready to build this and found them at Home Depot. 

ryanb4614

Fri, 01/15/2016 - 14:43

Is that a 1x10 or 2x10 on the top. All 2x10 I find are rounded on the edges and yours look squared. Ran threw the table saw but now I am short and to big of a gap.

kbdesigns

Tue, 02/16/2016 - 20:18

I used 2 2x10s for the top but I jointed them first so that may be why it looks squared. I ended up rounding it over a little bit anyway to soften the edges. I ended up cutting off more than I wanted also and while I didnt have a gap on mine - the edge doesn't hang over on the front as much as I would like.

phillbuider

Fri, 02/05/2016 - 10:29

what color stain did you use? and when you painted it, did you spray it or roll it on? I'm struggling with the quality of paint job I can do once I finish a project

kbdesigns

Tue, 02/16/2016 - 20:22

The stain I used was Miniwax "Special Walnut." I actually used our paint sprayer that we got for a christmas present for the first time! It took a lot of practice and I ended up having to sand off a bunch before I got the technique down, but in the end it was worth it. The sprayer makes it look much more professional and finished. Just be sure if you use a polyeurathane for a sealer, that you get a water based and not an oil based.

kbdesigns

Sun, 01/15/2017 - 07:07

Sorry for late reply, I never get notified when there has been a comment. At the moment they slide all the way off, but there is a simple pin system you can use that stops them from sliding off. Thank you!

bcnk

Mon, 12/12/2016 - 08:53

So in the materials it lists 

2 - project panel pieces 17-1/4" x 36" (may be advertised as 18" wide project panel - measure in store)

 

What is the thickness of these supposed to be?  I cannot find this at any hardware store and was going to ise 1x4 strips instead.  My question is, if this is going to have heavy use, do I need to use thicker boards to ensure it can hold the full weight of the top?

 

This is for my art studio and will hold tools, printer, laptop ect.  

 

thanks!
B

 

 

bcnk

Mon, 12/12/2016 - 12:03

HELP WITH PROJECT BOARD SIDES

So in the materials it lists 

2 - project panel pieces 17-1/4" x 36" (may be advertised as 18" wide project panel - measure in store)

 

What is the thickness of these supposed to be?  I cannot find this at any hardware store and was going to ise 1x4 strips instead.  My question is, if this is going to have heavy use, do I need to use thicker boards to ensure it can hold the full weight of the top?

 

This is for my art studio and will hold tools, printer, laptop ect.  

 

thanks!
B

kbdesigns

Sun, 01/15/2017 - 07:11

I believe the thicknesses are the same of 1x material that you find at a big box store. If you are going to lowes or home depot it would be in the back of the section where the nice 1x boards are (pine ranging from 1x2-1x12). They will be wrapped completely in plastic shrink wrap. Hope this helps, sorry for late reply!

Coffee Bar with Built-In Beer Fridge and Wine Storage

Submitted by Chuck1979 on Mon, 07/08/2019 - 10:39

We made a beverage station for the corner of the kitchen!

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-gloss white paint and Dark Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

gunnare57

Fri, 07/31/2020 - 09:43

Hello! Was looking to see if this is something you would be interested in building for us? We are in love with this project but don't have the tools or means to do it ourself..

Can talk about pricing / size etc.
Thanks!

Modified Modern Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/18/2019 - 15:12

This project was actually my first build (besides a small blanket ladder). I used the Ana White plans every step of the way! Since this build I have created coffee tables, side tables, console tables, head boards and a bed frame. This table gave me the confidence to try an original project of my own. Although this table was fairly simple, it was the project that started it all. That is why I chose for this piece to be my brag post.

beginner farm table plans

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Watco Danish Oil in Medium Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Outdoor Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/09/2016 - 16:29

Great plans!  I modified the bench by adding a slanted back (which enabled me to put the slats closer together), extending and curving the front of the arms and extended the seat to the outside of the legs.

 

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Raised Planter / Jardiniere

Submitted by WoodON on Sun, 05/17/2020 - 23:11

Not much to say apart that some internal measures were different (!?) and that I used treated wood and covered everything with recyclable plastic.

Oh yeah, of course.... Thank you Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
31$ CAD
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Console Table

Submitted by katprausa on Sat, 07/25/2020 - 12:55

Pretty impressed with our first project! Thanks for the excellent plans!! I can't wait to start on the matching side table and coffee table!!

First Project

Submitted by dragondad on Thu, 08/06/2020 - 11:34

Well, I started with one chair and finished with a full set. Not bad for a first timer. Definitely room to improve. Little tip if you're going to make this amazing set... raise the backs as they are too low with thicker cushions. I built a casing to go on top after the fact. Pretty happy with how it all turned out. Thanks Ana for the plans... now onto the next project!

Comments

Full size storage bed with trundle

Submitted by ellehcim88 on Fri, 08/14/2020 - 15:14

Full size storage bed with trundle. Three drawers and a trundle on one side and four drawers on the other. I started with the farmhouse design (headboard and footboard) and modified it to make it not so heavy and I designed the rest using SketchUp. See more photos in blog link.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$1000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White satin finish latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Flip Down Desk

Submitted by vala41 on Fri, 02/08/2019 - 14:21

This was just what I needed! My daughter started homeschooling and we needed a place to neatlly contain her school stuff. I had her working at the kitchen table next to me, but it still felt like it lacked the school atomosphere. I removed the area for the paper holder and instead added a few support scraps to hold her folders and books upright. 

It did take me awhile to get the support hinges placed correctly (I almost gave up and went with a rope or chain) but I finally got them placed correctly after placing a pencil mark on where they could lie correctly open and closed - seriously this took me awhile because just when I thought I had it, the brackets when closed would be to deep for the desk or when I placed it it correctly inside when open it wasn't 90 degrees. 

The only thing I wish was that I had made it slightly shorter, because when it is open it is a little hard for her to reach the top shelf, but its not to bad and that is the height my scrap bead board was and I was to lazy to cut it =) 

I had a magnetic clasp left over from another project and that has worked well to keep it closed nice and tight, I also used some foam board I had lying around for the back so that her things were not tapped/pinned on my wall. I choose the bead board on the front because A: it is what I had lying around and B: it is in my dining room so I wanted it looking a little nicer.

I had everything on hand excpet for the support brackets which cost me 2 something each at Lowes. YAY for projects under $10 bucks! Thank you so much Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Had scrap wood, hinges, magnetic clasp and paint on hand. Only paid around 6 bucks for the support hinges.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Modified 2x4 Outdoor Sofa, Sectional, and Coffee Table

Submitted by SofiaTaz on Mon, 08/30/2021 - 12:40

My daughter and I built this out of the old framing that was pulled out of the house (fir) and some leftover wood from a friend's house build a few years back. If the cushions are lifted up you will see the old electrical wire holes! I shortened the set by one seat so it would fit the patio space. The cushions are from Ikea and fit perfectly. I also modified the coffee table so it was the similar proportion to the full sized set. Thanks for the very approachable plans Ana! Excuse the water all over the area in the pics. We have water dogs and they seem to like the sectional too!

Comments

Modified Henry Desk

Submitted by Laura Kemp on Mon, 11/23/2015 - 15:35

I build this desk from Ana White's  Pottery Barn inspired Henry desk plan. I modified it a little in that I made the top almost 8 feet long to fit my space.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The stain is Minwax Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor hangout using 2x4 and fence boards

Submitted by sylvialh on Sun, 06/16/2019 - 18:13

Bought enough lumber for one sofa but ended up using old fence boards for the  decking so had enough lumber to make the sectional and a shortened coffee table. 

Great way to save some cash even if u have to buy the fence posts. 

Added a reinforcing piece to the one armed sofa between the legs using a kreg jig to stabilize the legs a bit more. 

Waiting on my foam from Amazon to finish off this project!

Used inspiration from the beer/wine cooler patio table and made the middle of the table removable to add a buck underneath later. 

Note the 5 year old patio set, also an ana white project from back in the day!

Super quick build!

I did find that the measurements for customizing it for your cushion size seemed about 1.5 inches too big for all the depth pieces so I sized down but I haven't received my foam yet so maybe I'm wrong but Smth to think about. I didn't want my cushions to slide around so I took that into consideration when building. 

Estimated Cost
60$ CAD for the high density foam for each sofa (3x24x72) plus throw cushions for the back.

11 2x4x10 - cost varies depending on cedar or PT
Fence boards were reused

Outdoor Fabric to cover the foam
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Garden Boxes

Submitted by brittanyeg on Tue, 04/08/2014 - 14:00

Made 4 of these garden boxes for the side of the house. I love how they turned out and it was easy to change the size of boxes just by changing the side lengths. I love the trim on the top. It makes them look so much more finished. Can't wait to fill them.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I didn't bother with the wood glue step but am sure they'll be fine. Also I couldn't find any 1" screws. But the 1.75" screws worked fine.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Outdoor Wooden Cooler

An Outdoor Wooden Cooler is the perfect way to accent any deck, patio, or garage. Can be made from Cedar, Pressure Treated, Cyprus, etc. Sizes can vary from small 28 qt coolers to Large 120 qt coolers capable of holding hundreds of drinks. These coolers can be themed for your favorite sports team, favorite hobby, or anything of your choice. Engraving or wood burning is available.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain, painted, distressed, etc.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

sgilly

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 09:52

Well, actually, two. My beer loving son-in-laws would love this, and Christmas is coming! Do you happen to have any "step-by-step" directions you'd be willing to share? I can figure out the dimensions but it would be really helpful to read - or see - the components and how you put it all together.
Thanks for sharing!

Adam_Scheetz

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 11:41

I had to make a new page because of some password issues. Thanks for comments. I have no plans yet, I've built so many it's sort of muscle memory now. Shoot me an email at [email protected] and perhaps I can help.

And no, the lid style I like is nothing more than some tongue~n~groove boards cut to length, attached with pocket holes and nailed to the lid frame. Tongue~N~groove is optional of course, you could just use regular boards.

sgilly

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 11:58

I really appreciate your response. And, I did indeed send you an email!
I have a bunch of cedar milled and planed by one of my son-in-laws. He'll be thrilled to see that I've made something he can use for his favorite beverage!

Williams Sonoma Inspired Chicken Coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 11/10/2020 - 18:46

We took some creative liberties on the Williams Sonoma inspired coop posted here. Because we don’t get a whole ton of sun in our backyard, we eliminated the herb garden planter and instead built a longer run. We also made the coop a bit wider to accommodate for the inevitable chicken math. And, you’ll notice the vent both shaped differently and is a bit higher. This was to increase air flow, avoid the dreaded draft, and to lend a more Scandinavian vibe. We also decided to place the chicken exit on the outside wall to allow for more living space under the coop itself. The project took about a month to complete, dedicated to only working weekends. And, it was very much over budget! Who knew wood is so expensive?! But overall, the outcome was even better than I expected. The chickens love it and I don’t mind looking at it!

P.S. this was a pretty advanced project. The fractions alone had me yelling “uncle!” Thankfully my husband is pretty handy, and my father-in-law (career in the construction industry) had a few pointers, so they took the lead in executing. I chose the paint colors and suggested the deviations from the original blue print. ;-)

Estimated Cost
$1000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Iron Ore in matte
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

racbino

Wed, 11/18/2020 - 12:55

Thank you! Yes, I suppose everyone is wanting wood for home improvement projects now that we're not leaving the house! Also, I didn't mean to post a picture of my son and his friends. Am I able to delete?

joshwilson28

Thu, 01/14/2021 - 07:43

does this roof have the same angle as the 'Small Chicken Coop with Plans'? It seems to be 'less steep'. Wanting to start this project next weekend and trying to get my mind wrapped around everything!. Thanks.

Seasonal And Holiday

New Green House

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/01/2021 - 06:26

My wife and I built your green house! It is turning out awesome! I just want to take the time to say thank you for the plans. You are a great designer and generous with your sharing.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Modified rustic table and benches

Submitted by dkarinen on Sun, 06/16/2013 - 21:09

We built this table for my brother and new wife's wedding present. We modified it to use as an outdoor dining set. Instead of using the 1x10 for the tabletop we used 2x6's and for the legs we used 4x4's. We attached the top boards with a Camo fastening system we used last year on our deck (works great to conceal the screws). I stained the frame in Behr Cordovan Brown and the top boards in Behr Cedar Naturaltone. It was our first attempt at building a table and I think it turned out great, only problem was giving it away!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr cordovan brown stain and Behr natural cedartone
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

storchinsky

Mon, 06/17/2013 - 10:57

Very nice! I'd been considering this plan for my outdoor table, but my husband liked the modern farm table better. Same idea--I am leaving gaps to allow the water to drain. Love the two-tone finish! It's amazing what you can do with plain old 2 x 6s!