Community Brag Posts

Herb & Flower Ladder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/09/2016 - 15:06

Living on a small city plot, this vertical ladder planter was just what I was looking for to grow my herbs and flowers. I am not an experienced builder but the plans were easy to follow. It didn't take me much time at all to complete this project. Now I am looking forward to fresh herbs and flowers all summer.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sofa table

Submitted by djandcj on Fri, 02/14/2020 - 11:09

We converted the sofa table to a storage area with drawers and games area and repurposed the bar stools at the kitchen island

Small Kitchen Storage Pantry

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/02/2023 - 11:17

I adjusted your Barndoor l Pantry plans to utilize repurposed lumber from a Murphy bed. The shelves are 22" deep for my microwave, toaster oven, etc. It's so functional and much easier to work in my small kitchen.

Cheryl G

Built from Plan(s)

Housewarming gift, Dining Table

Submitted by sgilly on Sat, 02/15/2014 - 08:15

So my son and daughter-in-law have a new home, and lots of empty space. I told them to find a table they liked and I'd try to make it for them. They liked the PB benchwright table (http://www.potterybarn.com/products/benchwright-dining-table/http://www…) with the iron support pieces. I had to get creative for those using electrical conduit and some plumbing pieces that I spray painted black. I finished it exactly like Jen of House of Wood (http://jenwoodhouse.com/blog/2013/06/07/diy-dining-table/) and it turned out beautifully!
It was a fun project and they love it.

Estimated Cost
$300 for table and bench
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Wood conditioner, Minwax special walnut and weathered oak, whitewash (old white paint diluted), satin poly topcoat. The 9 step finish was definitely time consuming, but so worth it!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

iTable with bench seats

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/12/2016 - 13:43

Ana, I really loved this design and was pretty easy to build! I like the way the finish turned out by painting it black and just a few coats of poly on top. 

The benches are overbuilt with intention of converting 2 benches into 4 chairs in the future.  I made them larger so I can simply just cut them in half and add two 4x4s 18 inches higher than the current bench legs at 24" and just deck it as a chair back, seems simple enough. One thing I would change in the design is eliminating the 3 1x12s and 2 of the 1x4s and just going with a solid table top at 33 3/4 x 40 3/4, similar to what I did on the benches.  

Let me know what you think and if you have any questions.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Flat black paint with satin finish polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kind bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/16/2020 - 22:07

King bed hand made made with 1by4 pine boards

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Writing Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/06/2023 - 08:58

Brookstone desk with a white oak top and drawer that I built for my 8- yr old son. It is a very fun build.

Jerry from NC

Built from Plan(s)

Modified Farmhouse Bench

This was a very modified version of this plan. I mostly just dismantled two stools and built the top. The top is one solid plank of wood and two layers of 1x2's to create the frame. It goes perfectly with my Farmhouse table. I love the character of the wood top, its so unique. Enjoy!

Estimated Cost
$10 trim only. I used mostly scraps and furniture I already had
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Providence and Minwax Ebony mix 3 to 1.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Shaker style cabinet doors and drawers!

Submitted by ksmith311 on Sun, 02/16/2014 - 16:49

After some inspiration from Ana, my husband and I tackled refacing and rehabbing our original cabinets circa 1939. The drawers and shelves were in rough shape so we built our own using the kreg jig. We're extremely happy with how everything turned out. When the weather gets better we will be building new cabinets on the opposite side of the kitchen where unfortunately we don't have ANY storage.

Thanks for looking!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Farrow and Ball "Lime White" uppers and Benjamin Moore "Kendall Charcoal" lowers
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rectangle Nesting Tables

Submitted by BrandyK on Sat, 05/14/2016 - 14:55

I needed a small rectangular table to put between the sofa & wall. I also wanted a small table to set elsewhere in the room temporarily. Nesting tables were the answer. I adjusted several measurements to fit the wood I had on hand for the tops. The larger table used 2 1x8's. The smaller table is topped with 3 1x6's. I also used 1by lumber instead of 2by except for the 2x2 legs.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Mostly used lumber I already had, about $15 if new
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Leftover white paint, stain/ poly combo from house windows
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King bed

King bed made with Kona stain check us  on Facebook marney Marie 

Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)

Comments

Changing Table with slideout shelf

With a little one on the way, we just couldn't find a changing table that fit our space and wasn't too expensive. So, thanks to Ana's plans, I was able to put together a smaller changing table with a slide out shelf. In the future, I'd do a better job of measuring out the height of the middle sliding shelf...anyone over 5'5" will have to bend way over to slide it in/out. I switching the 1x4s from the top to the middle shelf and made sure to measure my changing pad before starting (after reading the comments on Ana's original design). My local lumber store cut my 3/4" ply to size for free, so if you can go in with dimensions already planned out, it'll save tons of time and headache driving with 4'x6' ply floppin' around.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Interior primer and semi-gloss interior bright white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4x4 Truss Beam Table with upholstered bench

Submitted by hubn8147 on Tue, 02/18/2014 - 14:35

I shortened the length of the table but kept the width. I have to re-figure the angles of the cross beams underneath. I also added decorative hardware to the raw post edges on the sides, on the edge of the breadboards, and underneath. I used Rustoleum Dark Walnut stain, and Rustoleum Satin Poly for the finish. I bought the 4 chairs before I stained it so I could match the table to the chairs. I then made the matching bench and upholstered it myself to match the chairs. All in all, it looks like a complete set and I'm so happy with it!
It is very heavy...

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

Comments

Joni

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 08:24

This looks fantastic. I LOVE the hardware on the edges. I know how hard it is to match stains and you did a great job. The upholstered bench looks professionally done.

Sandbox

Submitted by andygurbal on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 15:10

I followed Ana White's instructions to a tee and things turned out great! I chose a dark brown wood stain and used an exterior Helmsman Spar Urethane for protection. Because the sandbox will always be outdoors, I ended up putting 5 layers of urethane on it.

I also attached a tarp (not seen in the pictures) to the bottom to hold the sand in. This way the sandbox can be dragged if you want to move it's location.

Estimated Cost
I bought all of my wood from Home Depot, as well as the wood screws, brushes, stain and spar urethane, so it ended up being a little bit more than I expected. All in all, it was around $125, but it could definitely be made cheaper if you have wood already on hand or the screws, brushes, stain, and urethane readily available.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Console Table Build for Entry Table

Fantastic plans.

I made some modifications to make this fit my exact needs, but the overall plans and explanation were outstanding. Changes I made are as follows:

  • Shorten the length to fit the space I was building for
  • Made the entire body out of Alder because I had a surplus laying around my shop
  • Created a butcher block style top by laminating together 15 2-inch wide 3/4 pieces
  • Put a roundover edge on the top, as well as any of the outside edges on the legs or rails
  • Joined the front and back frames to the shelves by using dominos instead of pocket screws

I finished the table with a washcoat of wood conditioner, followed by General Finishes mahogany stain, and put three coats of wipe-on General Finishes Arm-R-Seal satin poly, sanding with 320-grit in between each coat.

Thanks for making these plans available for use! I'm very happy with the results

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes Oil-Based Mahogany Stain
General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Satin Wipe-on Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Traditional Toddler Bed: Simple Headboard

Submitted by Rosie_R on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 18:22

I made this bed for my daughter who is not yet two, but can climb out of her crib.

I needed to use some different lumber: 2x3's instead of 2x2's and 1x3's instead of 1x2's. I adjusted the headboard, as beadboard was not available and this simple design seemed more suitable for us. I was very pleased with the simplicity of the plan, although I wish I had read it more carefully before I began. I loved the Kreg jig also. Very easy to use.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35 (includes glue, putty, screws)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Dresser and Bedroom Set

My son was too big for his toddler bed and had been spending his nights in the guest bed, instead. For his Christmas gift this year, his grandparents were going to get him bedroom furniture, but I insisted on building it instead! I love the rustic theme, saw the rustic dresser on wheels and thought it was perfect for him and perfect for us since we move so much with the military. Hello, a dresser on wheels? Like, no man labor trying to carry the thing out of the house? Just roll it? SOLD! I HATE the wheels that I put on it, but I really did not want to dish out $100 for the spoked wheels. I think I may change them one day and put the wheels on that will make it look ten times better, but for now, these will do. The wood for the dresser was pricey, but it was my first time buying plywood and I didn't realize that I could buy nicer plywood in smaller amounts that would have been a little cheaper since I didn't need to buy entire boards! Otherwise, it wouldn't have cost as much I am sure. I built a bed and a night table to match the dresser (as seen in the pictures), and frankly, I am very pleased with this set that I built! (CHECK OUT MY BED! http://ana-white.com/2014/02/rustic-twin-bed-upholstered-headboard-matc…) It was quite a difficult project for me, being the first time I had built drawers and because I didn't have more than a few hours in a week to get outside to work on it, but I finally finished :-) I also had a very small space to work in, since my husband consumes the garage with his man "stuff" and it was cold, so I needed the door closed with the space heater ;-). This project could definitely use some good amount of workspace!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100-$200??
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American , used a natural bristle brush, foam brush and cloth, set for a minute or two, wiped off.
Minwax Furniture Wax, rubbed on with cloth and let dry for a bit.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Porch End Table

Submitted by Smokeydog on Sun, 05/22/2016 - 17:21

I made this little end table for my daughter-in-law to accompany the porch bench I made for her about 2 years ago. It's a simple little table but it does have one unique feature.  My son and daughter-in-law cut down a large old cedar tree from in front of their house and gave me the wood.   I thought it might be nice to build something for them from the tree so aI milled several pieces of the tree and let them dry in my shed for about one year.  It took a while to run the wood through the planner to get it just right.  I used the wood for the table top and the wood grain looks just beautiful.  In fact, I'm  just now leaving to their house on Bainbridge Island  to give them the table.  I know she'll  love it!

Estimated Cost
$0.00 I used scrap wood for the legs and apron and cedar from their tree for the top. I had paint on hand.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Spray Paint ... Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Queen Bed, with modifications

Submitted by craw4dz on Thu, 02/27/2020 - 11:27

I built this as a full-size bed to put in our spare room.  I am not fond of the top of the head and foot boards extending out because it wouldn't square-up with the wall (thank you, OCD).  I modified this so that the posts extended above the head and foot board and then trimmed it out inside of the posts.  This project took a couple days to build then another day to stain.  I used knockdown hardware that was terrible to install and won't do it again... lots of hassle and cursing and bloody knuckles.  Overall, I'm very happy with how it turned out and am working on modifying it a little more for our own queen bed with some redwood that my dad had milled up.  Stand by for that!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane medium oak with satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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