Community Brag Posts

Clip strip art

This was a great way to keep my five year old daughter busy on a rainy afternoon. I had a scrap piece of 1x4 and bought some clothes pins and 10 cents clearance wooden figures at Joann. We also used some left over acrylic paint and some glitter nail polish. Thanks for a other great idea Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

8 Foot Tall Hall Tree

Submitted by Fulton610 on Fri, 02/02/2018 - 14:23

Made the overall height 8 foot since my ceilings are 10 foot. Turned out really great and was a super cheap project compared to purchasing one. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Convertible benches

Submitted by Reader Submission (not verified) on Thu, 02/17/2022 - 13:43

We love these benches! We actually just leave one of them in bench form and the other in table form for everyday use.

Comments

Outdoor Daybed with Canopy turned indoor bed with custom trundle...

The daughter was whining (since that's what teenagers do) for a new bed(room) and a daybed was a requirement. After searching for the perfect one, we couldn't find one that worked with MY budget! When I came across these plans, I was thrilled (especially after I took a few minutes to calculate the cost)! Needless to say, I made some alterations to 1) the mattress height to accommodate the 2) trundle unit I designed. A custom ordered bedskirt (not shown) provided the perfect camouflage for the trundle and the chandelier (not shown) suspended between the center of the top rails added the perfect French touch for my daughter's dream "Paris themed" room! Thanks for the great site, can't believe I have never thought to make one myself, lol!

Estimated Cost
Around $300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
After ample sanding, filling, and more sanding, the bed was stained with "Ebony" by Min-wax with 2 solid clear coats on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

"Ameri-shelf"

Submitted by omarNY on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 18:19

My 8-year-old and I built a shelf for his room, based on the Rolling Cubby Bench plans. (The paint job is all him. He originally suggested trying to paint a picture of an eagle on it, we ultimately settled on a partial flag.)

I'm fairly new to woodworking, and this was my second of four projects I've built using plans from this site so far. Cutting and assembly was just a couple of hours, but finishing stretched this out into a several-night project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Teaching Easel

Submitted by vlane2014 on Fri, 07/17/2015 - 20:32

My father-in-law built this for me using Anna White's plans. He tweeked a few things to add somethings I wanted to add. A huge sheet of white board bought from Lowes was used to make both easel sides and the shelves. Once he had it built for me, I painted the lilac paint color onto the wood and whiteboard shelves. The black chalk board side was made by using black chalboard paint. I wanted it to look cute so, I added a black boarder on the white board, and then used a cotton ball with the lilac paint to make the paint blotch style on both sides. I cannot wait to use this in my classroom!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Lilac Valspar paint and black chalkboard paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

King Shiplap Headboard.

The Beauty Queen described a headboard with shiplap and sort of cottage style. I modified the Ana White plan to fit my needs and the wife’s taste. I used the preprimed shiplap and 1x material from the big box store so it was a little more expensive but still very reasonable. Then I made side tables. 

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Marquee Semi-gloss enamel in antique white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Shepard Kitchen island

I used Ana’s Shepard Kitchen Island plans. Made some alterations per my wife’s request. Added ten inches on each side to store kitchen items and cookie sheets, etc. She also wanted a raise bar on the back and X's on the side. We replaced the wine rack in the middle with a pot and pan slide out rack. Also made the right side bottom door into a deep drawer for her storage containers. Ana’s plans make builds so easy. I appreciate all the plans she shares with us.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Modified Ten Dollar Ledges/Story-time Corner

I loved these little ledges, especially since I had the perfect scraps for them. I needed a little extra storage in our story-time corner, and these were perfect. Took me one nap time to get them cut, assembled and painted! SWEET!!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free (all from scraps, wood & paint)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
white interior spray paint (2 coats), poly spray finish (2 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

20 Second Office

I am in the process of remodeling/redecorating my tiny house. I started with the kitchen and am now moving into the living room. The two rooms are connected so I needed something that would match the "beachy feel without being obvious" style I am trying to accomplish. I also needed a place for my files, printer, etc since I don't have an office. My house is very small so I have to consider function in every piece of furniture I own. This table was the PERFECT solution! It hides my seldom used but definitely necessary office supplies while looking super cute and brightening up the room.

As you can see I made a few slight changes to the look of the trundle. I made it look like three "drawers" instead of the two in the plans, and used manila rope instead of handles or cutting out the shape in Ana's design. I also lined the inside of the trundle with felt to protect my computer, etc. from the hard surface of the wood. I couldn't help pick my favorite color, since you can't see it while the trundle is closed. Though not pictured here, I added a bracket for files as well (they didn't photograph well). I picked it up from a woodworking specialty store for $15.

All in all it was an easy second project for me, I had it built and nearly finished in a weekend.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used 3 coats of Minwax's Polyshades Classic Oak, sanding with 220 grit VERY lightly in between. This was my first time using a combo product and didn't find it to be as great as I thought it would be. It was easy to apply but was very runny so I had to triple check every nook and cranny for drips and pile ups after and even then still missed a few. I could have achieved a similar look in half the time using traditional methods. I'll finish the can but probably won't buy it again.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Camp Grandma

Wed, 08/13/2014 - 07:29

for our house at the beach. Thank you so much for sharing your design and your experience. We are just finishing up a 7 piece outdoor set for the deck. Your table is next, going right to the top of our "To Build List".

12 ft farmhouse table with extensions - reclaimed wood

I had no experience building furniture prior to this project but I wanted a 12 ft outdoor table and could not find one.  This tables center section is 8 ft and was built roughly following the plans for the farmhouse table.  I added two 2 ft extensions at each end making the overall table 12 ft.  The extensions included aprons so when installed they look to be part of the table.  The extensions just plug into the end apron of the center section with 2x4 oak braces which engage in the apron and under the table approximately 2 ft from end.  There is no visual sagging of the extensions. I finished the table with Sikkens DEK finish.

 

 

Estimated Cost
The lumber was reclaimed and cost approximately $400 for this project.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sikkens DEK transparent
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Chunky Coffee Table with Turned Legs

Submitted by danicarby on Sun, 02/18/2018 - 06:53

I turned my legs (woot woot!) but you could buy legs that are 3x3" @ 18".  This was a simple build using pocketholes + glue joinery and using glue + nails for the shelf and tops.  To allow for seasonal expansion of wood I spaced the wood on shelf and top slightly because I built it in the dry winter.

 

I used a Dark Walnut stain first and went back over with a light coat ("dry brushing") of a sage green paint.  Lightly distressed edges.

 

I have more pictures and details on my website: http://www.theprojectlady.com/2018/02/diy-tutorial-chunky-coffee-table-…

 

Happy building everyone!  It's so rewarding, right!??

Estimated Cost
$50 for wood
$20 for finish
$5 for screws/nails
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain
Behr Premium Plus Indoor Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Thank you Anna! Salsa Console Table Project

Submitted by jblair814 on Fri, 04/01/2022 - 06:48

I have to give a massive shout out to Anna White and to all the other folks who did their own variation on the Salsa Console Table.

I started this project before my daughter was born, and needless to say, that turned it from a "couple of weeks" project to a "most of the year" one!

The good news is that in taking my time, I was able to think and re-design and that made the final project so much better! I kept the original idea of a 'criss-cross' wine rack, elevated the drawer/cabinet design with shaker-style joinery, and laminated the top myself (sooooo happy with how that turned out). I made the extra bits of trim around the mid-section and base myself with a router and scraps from the drawer faces (since trim is so expensive at box stores)

Lastly, the finishing involved two of my very favorite products: Benjamin Moore Advance for the body(expensive but diamond-hard finish) and Varathane Poly Stain and Seal (there is just no substitute for slow-drying oil finishes on tabletops - so smooth and rich in colour)

All in all, the project cost me around $600 (high prices of wood during Covid to blame) but there is just no substitute for doing it yourself, and since most solid wood buffet tables run $2000+ I still came out ahead.

Cheers fellow woodworkers!!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Cube Bookshelves

When we moved into our home we had minimal furniture pieces. On a tight budget and not wanting to buy something that was made of veneer, I stumbled upon the attractive and functional plans for the cube shelves. I love that I can "add on" to the set with additional pieces if I want to in the future. But for now, one set of cube shelving is just right for us.

This was the first project that I used the table saw by myself, and while it went just fine I do think it would have been helpful to have another set of hands around. Piecing together the first two joints was a bit challenging with only one set of hands holding the wood and putting in nails. But once I got a few done, the piece really came together quickly. It literally took me just a few hours to cut the pieces and put it together. It's the sanding painting and priming that can take some time and patience!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I use this cute cubby to hold books and gadgets that I like to keep out of sight in our family room area. If I had kids I think this would be an amazing storage unit for toys. Its so cute and functional. The canvas cube totes I picked up from Target for $12 for a set of 3.

I did add an additional top from a solid piece of wood that overhung on the edges slightly to give it a more finished look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

WIDE CABIN DRESSER METAL SLIDES

Submitted by daddydrew on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 12:03

This was my third or fourth project and it was pretty tough. I started out with the basic build which was pretty simple and then I got to the end where everything was built except for the drawer slides and boy was it rough. I think that i spend half of the time on this project doing the drawer slides and half the time doing the build and the finish. I don't want to discourage anyone from doing this project but make sure you don't get in over your head. Check out my profile I am willing to do builds for people for an inexpensive price.

http://ana-white.com/users/daddydrew

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
minwax jacobean oil based stain
minwax polycrylic clear coat finish
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Full loft bed adult height

Submitted by Jtlarson12 on Thu, 02/22/2018 - 16:00

We made the loft bed but changed it to full size and changed height to 80in and increased length and width of the platform. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Honey stain
Fresh cotton paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2x4 Modern Adirondack Chair

I used the 2x4 modern Adirondack chair plans. I made it entirely from old treated lumber that came from a deck I tore down. All decking boards and 2x10 beams that I ripped to size. The finish is burned.

Comments

laundry pedestal

Submitted by queenmommy on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 19:19

This was my first project for our newly purchased house. I built it in the 1-car garage and patio of the duplex we were living in prior to our move. I haven't put the trim pieces on yet because it we moved and started using it the day after I got it screwed together.

Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 light coats of Valspar satin spray paint in Berry.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Reclaimed wood look headboard

Submitted by DogDoc25 on Sun, 07/21/2013 - 18:39

Fun project! This headboard is HEAVY and sturdy. Mine ended up being more expensive than other people have reported theirs to be...about $100 total for wood and 1 box of nails...not sure why that happened, but I got the cheapest wood I could find at Lowes and that's still what it ended up being. Overall, I'm happy with how it turned out and am excited to add it to my pair of nightstands that I made from the site. Thanks Ana!

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

Comments

6 Cube Bookshelf - Poplar

Submitted by kev117s on Tue, 07/28/2015 - 18:29

I built this set of cube shelves for my 3 yr old son's room. THANK YOU, ANA! I used poplar as I did not want to paint the wood and I love the irregular pattern of the wood grain. To save money, I used pine for the inner shelves and dividers. I stained it using the oxidized solution (http://www.friendly-home.net/2012/05/oxidized-x-console.html) that Ana recommended from the instructions of the Rustic Console. I added a cup of coffee to the solution to get a darker browner shade and unevenly sanded the wood for the distressed look. It matches the poplar wood more so than keeping the pine wood as is.

I also created a 5-tier version to match the 6 cube shelves but did not include the legs. I thought it would be more stable to keep the lower frame on the ground.

I purchased the storage boxes from Amazon It was around $20 for 6 boxes!

 

I am ready for the next project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Oxidized solution for the shelves and dividers.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner