Community Brag Posts

My daughter’s first project assist

Submitted by tcorstange on Sat, 09/05/2020 - 20:05

My daughter wanted to help with building her loft bed. She handled drilling all the pocket holes, sanding, painting and some of the assembly. This was her first project. We opted to not use the landing from the plan. Increased height to 70 inches. Used 1x4’s for the mattress supports. Anchored to the wall to eliminate any shaking in the bed when climbing up

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi gloss white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Retro Play Kitchen

I made this from the Simple Play Kitchen Plan. I recently purchased Ana's book, and it inspired me to finally build something on my own. I am proud to say I got it done within a few weekends, with minimal issues.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-Gloss Behr Interior Latex, Sea Life
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pallet hope chest

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/27/2016 - 15:12

This is a hope chest I made for my step daughter this Christmas it is made intirely out of pallet wood except for the frame which I used 1by4 by 8 pine board 

Estimated Cost
20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Glossy polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mini farmhouse Bedside Table, football style

These mini farmhouse tables are great examples of a creative way to personalize plans.  They both cheer for thier college team!  And as fall in the south is here, college football is king.  Please go to www.ourhomemadefamily.com for my thoughts on how the finish is the personality of all my custom builds.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$18
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
annie sloan chalk plaint, cc cal dwells chalk paint, annie sloan clear wax, I used carbon transfer paper to trace the tiger stripes and houndstooth.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Truss table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/29/2016 - 15:10

I reduced the length by 12 inches to accomodate my space, and I ripped the boards on the table saw so they would be more flush when I assembled the tabletop. Otherwise, I followed the plan exactly. Distressed tabletop before staining. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Multiple stains including pickled oak and jacobean by minwax. 2 coats of poly on tabletop only.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy X Desk

Submitted by lwinchip on Tue, 09/08/2020 - 12:28

Desk was built per the plans. The only adjustment made was to the width to fit the space. Desk was easy to build and looks great! I added Gator Hide to the top to provide water resistance.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk paint and walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toddler step stool

Submitted by benhuard on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 06:23

This was made from a plan I found on this site. It was made out of scrap from another project so I had to adapt the plans based on the wood I had.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray primer and satin finish spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Console - First Build!!

Ana's simplest console inspired my first build. I decided to make it a bit wider like one I saw on Shanty 2 Chic's website, and this is what I came up with. So excited about my first build - can't wait for the next!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax water based stain in Latte. Olympic indoor paint in Brigade.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kid extremely happy

Submitted by hrios on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 17:49

This project took us four days. The biggest job that took us awhile was sanding and painting.

Estimated Cost
156.27 this included paint, wood, screws and glue
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My laundry basket dresser

I started with the standard laundry basket dresser but went with shelves. I thought that the baskets would last liner this way. The baskets used are from IKEA and sit on felt runners to keep the noise down.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Husky Farmhouse Table

We built this farmhouse table for my Mom's house, to create a space big enough for our growing family to gather at holidays and birthdays. We added to the size- the final dimensions were 82″ (long) x42″ (wide) x 30″(tall). It is a huge, chunky table! My parents prefer natural finishes, so we gave the natural wood several protective coats of polycrylic. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toy Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/03/2017 - 13:23

project for my niece's Christmas gift.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used wall paint for this one. Buy next time wood paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

TURNED LEG FARMHOUSE TABLE

Submitted by kwildman on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 07:27

I love how this table turned out! This table was built for a friend of mine who wanted a rustic farmhouse table with "fancy" legs. The legs and apron are painted white and distressed. The table top is stained 2 x 6 pine. We love it! Thank you so much for the plans Ana! The legs are 5" turned maple legs. First, I painted the legs and apron "java brown" and then using Minwax furniture paste wax, I applied wax to the areas that I wanted to distress. After two coats of satin white paint, I distressed the legs using 220 grit sandpaper. Two coats of wax and the legs were silky smooth! The top is 2 x 6 yellow pine. I used two coats of Rustoleum dark walnut, one coat of sanding sealer, a final sanding with 220 grit sandpaper and two coats of wax. Love it!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
First, I painted the legs and apron "java brown" and then using Minwax furniture paste wax, I applied wax to the areas that I wanted to distress. After two coats of satin white paint, I distressed the legs using 220 grit sandpaper. Two coats of wax and the legs were silky smooth!

The top is 2 x 6 yellow pine. I used two coats of Rustoleum dark walnut, one coat of sanding sealer, a final sanding with 220 grit sandpaper and two coats of wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Extra Long Bench

Submitted by lrsummers on Thu, 09/18/2014 - 10:37

This was a custom build for a friend. It's nearly 8 feet long and I used the plans from the classic chair made simple for the back legs and support for the seat. Everything else was customized to fit her needs. =) Lots and lots and lots of pocket holes but this piece turned out better than what was pictured in my head! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum black in Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Amazing Storage Shelf

Submitted by walthoca on Fri, 01/06/2017 - 11:03

Love this shelf. We found we had to pre-drill holes since the wood we used was very dense, but in the end it was still a 1-day project (including buying wood and running other errands). It was perfect for our storage room since we really wanted a shelf to store totes, but didn't want to spend a lot on a room we never go in. In the end we spent $80 on wood, which is far less than comparable metal shelves for $160-$180 elsewhere. In addition this thing is STURDY. Thank you Ana!!

Estimated Cost
$80 (CAD)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modified Willy Bookcases

Submitted by AhmaNaz on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 09:57

2 bookcases for my family, storage and organization. Left raw for them to customize. Current vision is purple and pink or maybe an ombre stain like we saw on Good Bones. Hopefully I can add update of final decision.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Raw
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mimi's Faux Mantle

Submitted by adriannew on Fri, 12/07/2012 - 22:06

Our home (like many) does not have a fireplace or mantle. So, I decided to build one. Thank goodness for Lowes. They pre-cut all wood for me. I was afraid to use a drill (I'm a rookie), so I nailed all pieces of wood with 1 1/2 inch nails. Wood glue was fabulous prior to using the hammer. I omitted decorative molding too. I think I used too much antique paint, but I can always re-paint it next year. I don't think I'll have the mantle up all year long, but it's great for a Christmas decoration. I hope this gives hope to anyone out there considering this project. If I can do it, YOU can totally do it! Thank you SO much for helping a novice builder like me add something to our home.

Estimated Cost
$80.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
antique paint and clear finishing spray
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Gaby Buffet Table

Submitted by zjlawlor on Sat, 09/20/2014 - 10:39

I built this buffet table for our dining room using the Gaby Kitchen Island plans. I used some reclaimed boards I salvaged from a trash pile at work for the top and side aprons. I also used old pallet wood for the bottom shelf boards. This gave it the cool, rustic look I was going for and really helped set it apart. Really fun project. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less than 50$ (wood, screws, stain, etc) - I was able to use salvaged wood for much of it and had the tools.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Started with light coat of primer, immediately wiping away excess. Dark stain is kona (2 coats) and the top and sides are stained weathered gray (1 coat). We wanted more of the white to show through the grey, and the nature of the reclaimed boards helped with this.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Christmas Present

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/08/2017 - 12:56

Thank you for the plans. It was a fun build and my girls love it!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used min-wax stain for the floors and major league sports colors for paints from Home Depot. We used flagstaff green for outside paint and textured spray paint for roof. I also added 6 LED lights in the house.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate