Community Brag Posts

Shanty Sideboard and Hutch - First Build

Submitted by DIYER_MD on Mon, 01/27/2014 - 12:39

I came across the Shanty Sideboard plan while looking around the site. I decided to make this my first build from the site. I modified it slightly by making overlay doors instead of inset. I found that this allowed me more room for adjustments to the doors to get the best look. I used Pure-Bond Birch Hardwood Plywood from Home Depot for the main build with Select Pine from Lowes as the trim. This was all put together using Kreg Pocket Holes and 1 1/4 inch screws.

I used Luane Plywood as the backing for the doors. I then finished it by painting it with an off-white from Olympic (at Lowes). I left the Luane plywood in its natural state. The doors were mounted with Blum style Face-Frame cabinet hinges. I then applied several coats of Water Based Ultimate Polyurethane from Rustoleum.

I have included a picture of the sideboard in the unfinished and finished state.

I will soon be building a Hutch to go one top. I will use the Shanty Hutch Plan as the basis and modify it from there.

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I recently completed the hutch for the sideboard. I used the Shanty Hutch plan as the beginning point and then modified it quite a bit. I made three sections and added drawers at the bottom of each section.

I then used the same Luane Plywood to make the backing. This brings it all together.

The total cost was around $550.00 and worth every penny. Much better than spending $3,000.00 at store.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$550.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Olympic One Egg-Shell paint in Off-white with Ultimate Polyurethane Coating from Rustoleum.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Faux Mantle

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/22/2016 - 04:14

My office faux mantle came out awesome thanks to Ana White. The only changes we made was that we used dental crown molding and we added the base. Other than that everything else was exactly according to the plans.

Estimated Cost
$180 using #1 pine from Home Depot
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We used Black spray semi-gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Expanded Dream Dollhouse

Submitted by bellenh on Sun, 01/12/2020 - 17:13

We chose the Dream Dollhouse plan because all four grandchildren could play with it at the same time.  We also wanted to make the dollhouse entirely by hand - including much of the decor.  The original plan was expanded by raising each floor 2 inches (to allow for the repainted Susy oven cabinets); and an attic was added to allow all the third floor walls to be full height.  Interior walls were increased (7, 9 and 12 inches) to accommodate Barbie-sized furniture.  Eliminating the stairs and adding an elevator also increased usable floor space.  The wallpaper was scaled from online wallpaper images or designed to coordinate with the space.  All the bedding, rugs and the living room furniture were made by hand.  Some plastic Barbie or Susy doll furniture was repainted.   All the art and photos are specific to each grandchild.  Both the fireplace and chandelier will light.  The floors are cut from vinyl floor tiles.  The shingles are cut from jumbo craft sticks.   The completed house took 2.5 months with some very long days  as we were on a Christmas deadline!   We intend to make a 2-car garage topped by a deck (and maybe a pool) that can sit next to the house this summer.

Finish Used
white paint with primer for all wood surfaces, sticky vinyl tiles cut into strips for flooring, jumbo craft sticks for shingles, t-tracks (from a workbench system) for the metal elevator slides.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Media Center Console Unit

We just love your work and detailed plans!

Hubby and I built the Console Unit and plan to add on the base units and hutches. We built the unit only 30" tall vs. the 34-1/2" height from the plans. We used oak plywood and oak trim and finished it with a Fruitwood Stain and Polyurethane Seal. We shortened the height of the upper shelf, adding two shallow drawers and a pull-out tray for setting our cable modem on and hooking up our laptop to view movies and You Tube videos on our television, when desired. My hubby loves to make You Tube videos and made one of our work and posted it at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JuQ4N-jUq4

Keep up the great work and we plan to posted more pics!

Estimated Cost
$125 for 1-1/2 pieces of oak plywood and approximately 5 pieces of oak trim. We also used 100 kreg jig screws.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Fruitwood with Polyurethane Seal.

Watch the video to see it applied at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JuQ4N-jUq4
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse king bed

Submitted by hailey807 on Fri, 01/17/2020 - 20:42

i love the farmhouse look and decided to start changing the furniture in my bedroom. I went shopping and everything I liked was very expensive. I looked online and found DIY plans on Ana’s website. They were an awesome start. I tweaked a few things and absolutely love the end product. 
 

I decided to buy a metal frame and put the mattress on plywood. It’s as solid as a rock!!

Estimated Cost
500.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I did one coat of Danish Oil in dark walnut. If you have never used Danish Oil....I highly recommend that you try it. I applied the oil with a foam paint brush and wiped off the excess with an old pillow case. It took about 2 weeks for the smell to lighten up.


The knotty alder is beautiful wood. It sands nice and stains easy.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Adirondack Chair Modified

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/15/2023 - 08:50

Modified Essential Adirondack Chair
I modified the basic design by making the seat 3 inches higher and 1 inch wider to better accommodate my senior body.
I also used cedar fence boards for the seat and back instead of 1x10s, and added clunky cup holders.
I used Barn Red stain and Thompson's Water Seal for the finish.

Brad Tom

Rolling Sofa Table

Submitted by alosman on Wed, 04/18/2012 - 14:55

This is the second project I have made from this website, which I LOVE! I needed some sort of table to use with a large sectional sofa because I refused to give up my huge ottoman for a coffee table! This is perfect. I loved the brag post with the shelf added so I used that idea also.

When it came to decoration, I used some apple barrel craft paint and found some scrapbook paper I really liked. This was my first use of modge podge so it was not as flawless as I hoped but I still think it turned out well. And best of all it will be used often!

FYI - by saving money on the particleboard shelf, I ended up spending a lot of time applying wood filler.

Estimated Cost
shelf - $4, 1x2 - $.98, wheels-$12
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Apple Barrel Acrylic craft pain in Burnt Umber and Beachcomber Beige
Modge Podge application of scrapbooking paper, sealed with Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Loft Bed

Submitted by Jalkcv03 on Sat, 02/01/2014 - 19:04

Instead of using 1x3's for the legs we used two 2x4's for the outside legs and then used 1x4's for the fillers. We also used 1x4's for the ladder. We will be adding shelving against the wall and we have a desk top that has been painted with dry erase surface which will give it a whole new dynamic. Project one of many is done :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
160
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stained most of the wood, we will be adding custom paint to the stairs listing her name, birthdate and then her birth measurements as well.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

California Beach Farmtable

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/30/2016 - 09:04

I built this farmtable using old fashioned methods of tongue and groove, biscuits, etc.  It was a true labor of love but it came out great.  The stain I made using vinegar, steel wool and water.  I the protected it with spar urethane.  Next project is the chairs and benches.  Thanks Ana for the inspiration.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Spar urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Dining Table

Submitted by wgbeecher on Fri, 01/24/2020 - 08:59

 Made this for my Son and His Wife.  They love it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Gray and PolyWipe Sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Very easy and quite comfy!

Directly from plan. Fun to make. Kreg and glue attachements.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45 for all 4 stools.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Addison Headboard - King Size

Submitted by awbrown on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 16:07

This site features the queen size version of this headboard, I decided to build the King and use more elaborate molding pieces, which increased the cost. I stained the wood to a very close match although my mobile photos don't do justice to this claim. It took me about a week to complete with nights and weekend availability.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
130
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Custom
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

PorkyPok

Thu, 03/12/2015 - 13:37

looks great. Did you use pine? Which stain did you use? I would like to be able to closely match the stained version of pottery barns addison too. Thanks!

Built in Secretary hutch

Wanted a builtin hutch change the plans a little for depth and height. I used tempered glass instead of lexan for the last ability as lexan discolor and looks a little cheap. Mostly red oak plywood, but choose hard wood for shelves so they wouldn't sag and small desk drawers and doors because it was easier to buy it cut and cost effective. Wish I would have done the drawer faces hardwood also. I used maple on the bottom and decided I wanted more grainy look so finished the desk and top with redoak. Matches bottom trim which was red oak. Special ordered old style secretary desk hinges. I had them played $60 for both. I liked the look and they are stable. Time consuming building but impressive when done. Don't know why photos alway turn up sideways, tried flipping them and saving them same result...

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Pecan maple stain, semi gloss poly. Stain poly, sand poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Saw horse patio table

Great table! Loved the build. 

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Small Farm Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/22/2023 - 07:54

This was my first time building furniture. I've restored and refurbished antique furniture for years and but never imagined building my own before. I have a small kitchen and had to modify the size to accommodate area space. I also added breadboard ends to the tabletop. I am now planning to build more furniture using your plans. Thank you Ana White for providing such a wonderful resource to help beginners build their own furniture!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Coat Rack

Submitted by mweir on Tue, 04/24/2012 - 19:17

We needed a coat rack in the mud room to go along with the X Bench that I built earlier. This was made from a drop of wood left over from the bench. I had the hooks left over from a project I made a couple of years ago. My wife says our mud room is now complete. I used the plans Entryway Bench and Storage Shelf I just didn't use the shelf part

Estimated Cost
$5.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Planter Box from Pallets

Submitted by mtairymd on Sat, 02/08/2014 - 05:10
Estimated Cost
$5 Stain & Nails - free pallet wood
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Red Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffe table

Submitted by rnkimg on Tue, 02/04/2020 - 12:23

Plans from the Tryde table plans. Added bottom shelf. Next up, Tryde end tables, one is done, other trying to plan it out to include a drawer. I added carriage bolts for looks, and black metal corners. So much fun! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax provincial, sealed with Minwax clear gloss polyurethane.

Comments

rnkimg

Tue, 02/04/2020 - 12:36

Thanks Ana!  You really were my inspiration to try and build furniture. With every build I’m getting more comfortable. I talk about you all the time when people ask where I learned... Ana White! 

Thanks again. 
btw. I really need rocking chair plans!

Karyl75

Tue, 04/14/2020 - 20:32

What kind of mods could you add in order to open the table top for a bin. Nothing deep, but a great place to keep a firearm, hide remotes etc.

Stuffed Animal Containment

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/29/2023 - 09:32

I made mine with 1/4” shock/bungee cord instead which I preferred for this project but turned out great. Easy to follow and the easiest project I’ve ever made. Go for it!

Kate

Built from Plan(s)
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