Community Brag Posts

I used old fence panels

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/26/2020 - 10:12

I love these chairs. I have made about 10 of them. I have several orders for 16 more. I use old fence planks for the seat and back. I also changed the back supports to 35 in. My husband is 6ft and he wanted to be able to rest his head back when he sits. Cutting the legs is the hardest part. I also changed the arms to jig holes so the Screws would not show.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
If you are going to leave outside in the weather you should apply some sort of sealant.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Indoor Garden Boxes for Science Class

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/16/2017 - 19:12

After doing some string art with the Kindergarteners in my class, the were anxious to pound some nails in "all the way." I remembered seeing this plan before on Ana's website, and earlier in the week our science teacher had been talking to the Kindergarteners about how the seeds they had planted were starting to get too big for their containers. The students themselves suggested a bigger box to put them in, and just like that... our next project was born!

 

The students did every part of this build, except for the cutting of the boards. They loved it, and couldn't believe how quickly they put it together. Here are a couple of tweets to show these little #elemakers at work!

https://twitter.com/JimTiffinJr/status/830163344057327617

https://twitter.com/JimTiffinJr/status/830164086847655936

https://twitter.com/JimTiffinJr/status/830164527304077313

 

Thanks for sharing some very simple projects and plans that even the littlest of builders can do!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kaylee's Dollhouse

Submitted by akatherine on Wed, 12/31/2014 - 19:44

My fiance and I built this for my seven year old daughter's Christmas present. I have built several pieces of furniture before but this was our first major building project and I'm proud to say we made a great team!

We didn't make any major changes to the plan, we just chose to leave the wheels off the bottom and we added two boards across the back of the attic rooms so we would have something to attach the back too. We were lucky enough that this project coincided with my dad have his roof replaced and he had spare shingles, so her doll house has real asphalt shingles! They were actually a lot easier to add than I expected, we simply scored the back of the shingles with a knife and then they cleanly broke apart. We used a staple gun to attach the shingles we would be able to layer so you couldn't see the staples, but for those where the staples would have shown we used a hot glue gun.

The only issue we had was moving it around without my daughter noticing because it's so big! My fiance and I actually scratched up a door frame trying to sneak it under the tree after she went to sleep because it's so large (totally my fault, apparently I need to work out more). Other than that everything went smooth and it was fun to build and so exciting to watch my daughter freak out over Christmas morning!!!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Playroom Desk

Submitted by EChiasson on Mon, 03/15/2021 - 10:58

My son is growing up to be a big boy and wanted a fancy new office like I have at home so now he has a big boy desk and some storage for him as he gets older! Used some inspiration from a few other plans from AnaWhite and have started branching out a bit! The latest does not show the finished painted cabinet doors and handles but overall it looks great, and is ALREADY filled with toys!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$700
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Loving These Shelves

Submitted by woody311 on Thu, 01/15/2015 - 18:51

I changed the plans a little bit to add on the extra shelf on top as well as making the shelves an inch narrower than the plans. The project was actually pretty easy and really only took me about a days worth of work.

Estimated Cost
$160
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor Seating

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/25/2021 - 17:11

I made this in a weekend to add seating to our back patio area -- I AM IN LOVE WITH IT!

The whole family hangs out here, it has given us a great place to spend outdoors during lockdown.

I picked up the cushions on craigslist, so the cost of the entire project was kept super low.

I will be staining and sealing it soon, I am so happy with how it turned out! Thanks Ana :D

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Outdoor 2x4 sectional sofa

First wood project, thanks for the great plans Ana! I made the bottom cushions using 3" thick firm foam, 2" thick memory foam, and 1" thick batting (purchased in bulk and then cut to size), and covered them with outdoor fabric. The back cushions are 4" thick soft foam. I added easily removable/washable drop cloth covers on top of all the cushions. I don't have a finish on the clear redwood, but might add a clear coat to protect it. The memory foam makes this sofa very luxerious!

Estimated Cost
$1800
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Pottery Barn Style Night Stand (thank you Ana)

Yesterday I built two of these for my wife and I's room, we just moved from Hawaii to Arizona. The plans were clear and simple, and the end product turned out awesome. Next I will tack the dresser/tv stand. Thank you Ana

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65 for two tables
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
MiniWax Espresso applied with a paint brush. I used an extremely thin coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Little Cottage Loft Bed - Revised :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/20/2017 - 08:05

My 2 grand girls wanted a cottage bunk bed.  Not wanting to disappoint, I took the plans from the cottage loft bed and modified them, adding a lower bunk.  I also added the steps, with storage on the side instead of the ladder, and made a drawer for the front step for the little one.

I made the wreath from Pom-Poms purchased from Jo-Ann's and battery operated string lights.  

I opted for a cedar shake roof, which was purchased from Home Depot, then painted.

Needless to say, they love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Maple T & G - left over from remodeling project
Additional wood and hardware - $275
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Painted using One of Pottery Barn's grays from Sherwin Williams
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Rustic Modern Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/29/2021 - 02:48

I made this slightly smaller version of Ana’s Hall Tree to fit smaller spaces. I added beadboard to the back to put an added farmhouse touch. Finished in Golden Oak and white.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Greenhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/02/2022 - 12:30

Built the greenhouse from Ana Whites plan
She did the plan really well..

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Twin Over Full Bunk Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/30/2022 - 15:21

Utilized the plans from this website to frame out the general idea, but as typical with my projects, I took it to a little further and utilized more traditional joinery (mortise & tenon, oak dowel pins, dado). Guard rails are bolted with carriage bolts. Hand planed all boards and added chamfers to every edge (zero sandpaper). Both beds are joined together with 1 inch oak pins (x4 legs). Each bed breaks down very easily by knocking out the three 1/2 pins that join the legs to the stretchers (x4 legs).

Both beds were built out of structural southern yellow pine lumber. The boy's bed was merely varnished with Danish Oil (dark walnut) all over - on Southern Yellow Pine, this color choice gives it a rustic look. Girl's bed was two toned: painted white and stained with Varathane (Kona), to give it that country look.

I think the total installed cost of the beds was just over $300 - $350 for the lumber, oak pins, any hardware, and finish material. This was a while back, so with lumber prices high, I'm not sure that's easily done anymore. But, it's solid as a rock and will last an extremely long time for our family.

Great project. Thanks for the ideas! Steve

High Patio Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/18/2023 - 12:12

Made from reclaimed materials. Made it easier to standup with my bad knees

Comments

Bread Box

I started baking my own bread a few months ago, and storage was an issue. My husband decided to build me an old fashioned bread box and set out designing one on his own to fit in our small galley kitchen. I love it. It is a double decker, so I can fit two loaves in it just fine. The inside is coated with a food-grade sealer.

Estimated Cost
$20: $16 for the food-grade sealer and $4 for the handle, scrap wood used from other projects.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White spray paint, food-grade sealer inside.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Wed, 12/07/2011 - 03:49

This is an awesome idea, can't wait to make one for my kitchen. Beautiful job! Thanks for sharing this!

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by KristenP on Thu, 06/06/2019 - 18:00

We built Ana’s outdoor sectional in a few hours and it’s made a huge impact on our deck! It saved us so much money but looks like a high end piece! Thank you for the simple and structured plans!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Cedar Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Handmade pedestal farmhouse table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/20/2016 - 09:42

Modified slightly to include just two legs and excluded the decorative pieces for a more streamined look.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
English chestnut stain with a flat poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy Baby Doll Crib and Hi Chair Set

Submitted by Linda7 on Thu, 01/21/2016 - 15:07

This was a Christmas gift for my youngest grandniece. The doll crib is made from the Fancy Doll Crib plans, slightly modified to be taller and longer. The high chair is made according to plan, except I substituted a 1" x 6" board for the back.

Estimated Cost
Purchased a 1" x 12" x 48" project board for the bottom and sides for about $10.00; the remainder of the wood was scrap, and I had the paint on hand. To make the set similar to the others I built for my grandnieces and granddaughter, I ordered a water-slide decal from Etsy - $13.00 including shipping, but there are several more decals on the sheet for future projects. The finials are from Hobby Lobby; need two pks at $1.99 each . I marked this as a weekend project just because I needed time to sand and dry time for the paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar "Ultra White" interior paint; spray a clear finish over paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Enclosed Garden Raised Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/31/2023 - 14:33

My husband and boys made a beautiful enclosed raised bed using your plans. It was modified to include exterior raised beds for flowers.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday