Community Brag Posts

"Pearce's Library"

I wanted 3 shelves so I took apart the entire pallet (44 x 44) Sanded and spray painted two coats. Only advice is next time I will make sure the pallet is in better condition. Less time sanding. My 4 year old daughter loves her new reading area!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Table + farmhouse benches

Submitted by Marimac on Tue, 11/17/2015 - 09:59

I've fixed up an old table and borrowed Ana's plans for farmhouse bench. I've modified them, and this is the outcome.

Estimated Cost
about 300-400€ (in Finland)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Legs "Kitchen white"
Tops "Raindeer"
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/04/2019 - 22:25

Love this table!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Brookstone queen headboard

We had an old heavy sleigh bed with headboard and footboard. It overwhelmed the room. We bought a basic metal bed frame. I made this headboard from Ana's plans, and my wife painted it. We really like this so much better.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Big Farm Table

Submitted by fontzmark on Mon, 08/22/2011 - 03:10

11' Rustic Farm Table made out of 2" rough cut pine. Used a couple different plans from here and just kinda made it work to fit the space. Used a power sander to add some character and to smooth it out and wear it down in spots. Some of the wood wasn't as bluish gray, so I soaked steel wool in white vinegar and brushed it on, seemed to help a bit, especially on the fresh cuts.

Estimated Cost
$60 for the the wood and a box of screws.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Soaked some steel wool in white vinegar over night to blend it a little, now that it has been exposed to sunlight it is pretty even though.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 08/23/2011 - 05:21

Brings me back to my Grandparents house where our family filled the entire table! Great Job!

fontzmark

Fri, 09/02/2011 - 21:40

Thanks so much for the nice compliments, it really wasn't that hard, it's the wood that makes it special, thanks again.

David (not verified)

Wed, 09/07/2011 - 14:27

The table length is 11'. How wide is the table?

Eren Daugherty (not verified)

Mon, 10/31/2011 - 17:11

Absolutley stunning I am looking to make a farm house table to stay out side was going to use pressure treated lumber and pour a concrete top do u think this design will hold a 500 lb top?

Stephanie (not verified)

Mon, 04/02/2012 - 06:26

we are in process of building our table and we want to keep the natural wood distressed look and we don't want the shiny lacquer look... how did you seal this table to protect from spills?

Sara (not verified)

Wed, 06/13/2012 - 09:56

What did you use to secure the table-top boards to the base? I have some masonry nails that I have considered using but I'm worried that nails will not work as well in the long run since I plan on using my table outdoors. Do you remember what you used? How are they holding up?

Sara (not verified)

Wed, 06/13/2012 - 09:56

What did you use to secure the table-top boards to the base? I have some masonry nails that I have considered using but I'm worried that nails will not work as well in the long run since I plan on using my table outdoors. Do you remember what you used? How are they holding up?

Kelley O'K (not verified)

Sat, 07/14/2012 - 06:05

I LOVE how you used the 2" rough cut pine! We need a 9 foot table for our huge banquet and this is perfect...the use of steel wool and vinegar is a great idea. You've inspired me, thanks!

Chicken wire pantry

This is my version of Patrick's jelly cupboard. I made some changes to he dimensions by making it taller and a bit wider.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a latex off white paint then put a wax on it with minwax paste wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Sun, 09/15/2013 - 13:48

I actually said, "Oh my gosh, that's fabulous!" out loud when I opened up this picture :) This is just awesome. Beautiful job!

allisonnavarre

Wed, 06/11/2014 - 05:00

My husband and I built one of these last year and made it into a wine cabinet. My Mom wants us to build her one but she would like it to be a little bigger also. Do you mind me asking what you changed the measurements to? It looks like the perfect size for her. :)

Crafted Perfection

Wed, 06/11/2014 - 12:23

I believe the measurements are 72" high by 35" wide by 12" deep. I built that last year and I sold it at a antique shop that I had a booth at. But to the best of my knowledge that was the measurements. Thanks for taking a look at it!!

Drink serving tray

Submitted by brittanyj on Fri, 11/20/2015 - 10:16

Used scrap pine sitting around- a 1x10 and 1x3's.  Most time consuming part was cutting out the hand holds.  Wanted a rustic look, so I weathered the boards by first beating them with hammer, screwdriver and crowbar, then with tea and steel wool vinegar "stain" to age the boards.  One coat of poly on top.  Made the plugs with dowels, adds to the rustic look. 

Estimated Cost
Free- Scrap wood
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
steel wool and vinegar mix painted on after a tea stain. Poly on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Benches

Submitted by stcarroll on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 09:33

For years I have wanted a dining room table with benches and after searching the net for plans for my husband to make it happen, I found Ana's site and knew that it was a possibility to build it and that it didn't have to be a project only for my husband. My husband built the table and my first build was the benches. My husband found a couple of wrought iron balusters that he used at supports on the table legs. We used 2 x instead of 1x which gave it a much bulkier look.

Estimated Cost
$30 for benches alone
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Ebony stain with 2 coats poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Lynn Babjak (not verified)

Tue, 09/20/2011 - 13:14

Nice job on the table. The stretchers are a great idea. The benches really get off the set.

W/D Pedestal

Submitted by BARROW12 on Mon, 09/16/2013 - 18:54

Built according to plan, adding embellishment to cover decking seam. Painted with three coats of paint and a sprayed clear coat.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Simply Seafoam (Valspar - SemiGloss)
1 Sheet Glass Tile Mosaic, cut individually
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

cradle

Built this for my granddaughter when she was born.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4x4 Truss Beam Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/21/2022 - 10:42

This is our new dinning room table. We used the 4x4 truss beam table and refer to it as our farm to table table. It's made from red cedar that we harvested off of our land and milled into lumber. A natural stain with some clear coats and it turned out to be gorgeous. I wasn't a fan of the black base, at first, but think the finished table looks good. Pretty happy with my first table attempt.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Numbered Cubbies

Submitted by kari on Sun, 08/28/2011 - 15:16

Like so many others, I saw this and had to have one of my own. It was cute and quick - perfect! I had the same height issues that others had. The center supports are too tall for the 1x2 and 1x3 on the front. I wound up using all 1x3's, 2 on the front and 3 on the back. Because the cubbies came out a bit deeper, I thought I would try it as a utensil holder in the kitchen. Cute, huh.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
less than $10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I tried Ana's antique finish. The first layer I spray painted black. I didn't know if Ana sprayed or brushed on the white, but I brushed on mine. Painted the numbers on, then distressed it a bit.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

8 Foot Kentwood Bookshelf

Submitted by JHardaway on Thu, 09/19/2013 - 14:08

My wife loved the original kentwood plan, but wanted it....bigger. So it is 96 inches tall in total, and for the sides and shelves i used 1x16 project board from Lowes. This means that the shelves and sides are cedar, while the remainder is pine. Turned out fantastic and she loves it. I am currently building a second one to match.

Estimated time: 12 hours.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-O-leum ultimate wood stain "Dark Walnut". No finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

New snake enclosure

I needed a larger cage for our boa with easier access so that she would be handled more often. 

All of this project came from scrapes and items I had laying around.  3 sets of handles, 4 sets of hinges and a torch. Too much fun. 

4 recycled windows from a remodel project that I found on Craigslist  ($10/each) and a half dozen 2x2's. All complete.  

I really wish I was better at drawing,  maybe I would make up a plan one of these days. Most of my projects are just improvised as I go along. 

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Torched it and polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Christmas for my daughter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/14/2019 - 22:50

I was inspired by Anna Whites post, and went to work to alter the plan to fit the space in my daughters entryway. So final size is 48” wide and 80” high.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Laytex paint and stain with triple thick varathane varnish on seat/bench lid.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Necklace and Earring Shelf

Submitted by vendo on Fri, 11/11/2022 - 13:15

I built this super easy shelf for my earrings, necklaces and bracelets. I love that I can see what I have, before they were stored away in a drawer and not easily accessible for daily wear. I also enjoy that this was super inexpensive and easy to build! Planning to build another one for my daughters.

Classic Storage System Desk

Submitted by kkroese on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 21:51

This was my first furniture project. I made this desk/vanity for my twin daughters' 9th birthday. I sized them to fit the space and added doors rather than drawers. I also made the stools using the plans for the upholstered bench - just resized. It was a fun project and I can't wait to start another! You can read more on my blog: http://karlakroese.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-hobby.html

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint. This phase of the building process is what took the longest. Aaargh! Building is fun, but sanding, priming, sanding, painting, sanding...stinks!! All that hard work, though, paid off. Sanding is key to a good paint finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Miter Saw Cart

Submitted by MNDadx3 on Sat, 09/21/2013 - 19:38

Great project - fun to build and helpful for wheeling my new miter saw around the garage.

I made a few modifications from the original plan:
- I used a 1x4 instead of a 1x3 for the bottom supports to add a bit more of a lip to keep things from rolling off of the shelf. The shelf is big enough to hold my small pancake compressor and ciruclar saw.
- Like others, I added a drawer (1X4 front/sides, 1/4" plywood bottom, 2x2 drawer guides).
- Like others, I went with simple strap hinges and then used some wood to support the wings when open. When closed the supports tuck neatly under the wings.
- I added some 1/4" plywood to make a back. I left enough of a gap at the bottom to be able to sneak my extension cords out to a power strip I mounted on the back.
- I made a fence extension out of a 1x4. I attached this to the left wing using wing nuts and hanger bolts so it is easy to remove if I need to. I spent time measuring carefully to make sure it lined up exactly with the saw's fence. It is nice for supporting longer boards and keeping them straight.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

MrCoffee

Sun, 09/22/2013 - 05:27

I love the way this came out. I believe I have your exact saw and I intend to use Ana's plan as well. Do you know how long you made the sides to accommodate the saw fence, or what your measurement was on the saw fence?

MNDadx3

Sun, 09/22/2013 - 06:54

I followed Ana's plan for the main carcass. My flip-up sides are a bit shorter than the plan, but only because I failed to follow the directions carefully and cut both of my sides from the same 24" strip of plywood (instead of a 36" and 30" per the directions) and was a bit short on 3/4" plywood. My sides are 24" long.

I made my fence extension from a 1x4. You can cut it to length so that it will fit any side.

MNDadx3

Mon, 09/23/2013 - 06:12

The deck is 3 3/4" from the top of the sides. That makes it level with the extensions when they are flipped up.

I have a 12" hitachi saw (not sliding), so if your saw is not the same then the measurements might be different.

Twin bed from rough cut red oak!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/21/2019 - 11:58

This is a twin bed that my son and I built for my grandson! Awesome project that we were proud of. 

Estimated Cost
$250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain with poly-simigloss
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced