Community Brag Posts

DIY Bathroom Fan Vent Cover

Submitted by lbrown on Tue, 02/28/2012 - 04:56

The plastic cover that came with the fan looked cheap and flimsy and really didn't fit in with the vintage style of my bathroom. I searched around to try and find something else that would work but was unsuccessful so I decided that I needed to make something myself.

For details on how to build it: http://www.homeandawaywithlisa.com/blog/2012/2/28/diy-bathroom-fan-vent…

Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray paint primer followed by two coats of my ceiling paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Steven (not verified)

Tue, 02/28/2012 - 06:38

Thanks lbrown, you just gave me an idea. We are painting our entire upstairs and hate those industrial looking air return vents. This would be a great replacement for them. Thanks for the inspiration.

Laundry station

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/31/2019 - 10:54

This plan was a lot of fun!! I have been wanting a laundry sorter for some time now and this one fits in my laundry room perfectly!!
The pull out works awesome!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80 lumber/slides/stain/clear/bins
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a 1:1 ratio of dark walnut and weathered oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

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.

----------------------------------------------

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

Kids Modern Picnic Table

Submitted by abbpim on Mon, 04/16/2012 - 09:52

This is my very first wood working project! I know its not perfect and I learned from my mistakes. I found a miter saw at a garage sale and after three hours of plugging it in and unplugging it, I finally worked up the courage to make it make a noise! Then I eventually worked up the courage to cut wood lol! I'm pretty proud of myself for building something and I am going to continue practicing until I can make really cool stuff!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar, Quart Size, LA218, Fuchsia, Duramax, Exterior Semigloss, Base 4 214-4.75, 113-31.75, 105-3.63, 115-2Y7

I used 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Ultimate Workshop Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 15:38

My garage needed an overhaul and I wanted to start a hobby in woodworking.
I found my way to Ana's website and found some of the best ideas and decided to try my attempt at building the Ultimate Roll Away Workbench with Miter Saw Stand.
This helped inspire me to augment my garage and build that workbench and new french cleat wall.

Thank you Ana for having such an awesome website and offering up ideas for free!!

Comments

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

Benchwright Console Table

I followed the plans exactly, except I didn't put the trim pieces on the lower shelves sides. I really like the way it turned out, and my wife painted it with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, color "Paris Grey" and then used Annie Sloan finishing wax (both clear and dark wax) to protect the piece and age it. I think it turned out great! Thanks for the plans!

Nothing was to difficult with these plans, at least not if you have a Kreg Jig. I would add that I used pocket screws on the top pieces not only to join them to the breadboard end pieces, but also to each other. That made it really strong!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Yes, its called chalk paint, but not neccessarily chalk BOARD paint. its just a really flat paint that has way more color pigments per oz than most latex interior paints. In other words, less coats, and rich colors. You can paint it on raw wood (no primer needed) and you can paint it over old finished pieces too, and it has great coverage and bonding strength! Also used Annie Sloan clear and dark waxes for the finish. Just apply with a stipple brush and then buff. And don't forget fun drawer pulls to top it off!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Three-Legged Stool

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/09/2016 - 13:25

My 13-year-old daughter asked me about making a stool, with the main requirement being it had to have a round seat.  So I turned to this ana-white.com to see if I could find something that we could do and found the plans for the three-legged stool. The first one we made with the dimensions specified in the plans but she thought it was too short.  So we made another one with longer legs and a larger diameter seat.

Estimated Cost
$4. The lumber was scrap and the white paint was leftover. We only bought the blue paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Painter's Touch
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entertainment center

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/16/2020 - 21:53

Hand made entertainment center

Estimated Cost
400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

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

Simple Outdoor Lounge Chair - Beefed Up

Submitted by Radcrafter on Sun, 06/24/2012 - 10:55

Loved building this chair. Super simple to put together and very sturdy once everything came together.

I modified it to create a larger and taller chair, using 2x6 and 2x4 lumber. Because of this change I felt like my math challenged brain was completing some sort of quiz, but to keep things simple I cut the pieces step by step recalculating lengths as I went.

I marked up the plan as I went, so if anyone is interested just let me know & I'll add the changes.

http://radcrafter.com/2012/06/simple-outdoor-chair-beefed-up/

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20-30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
outdoor stain in solid slate
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Sun, 06/24/2012 - 18:18

I thought it looked beefier and I prefer that look. I'm curious, what size cushion is that?

J (not verified)

Sun, 08/19/2012 - 08:29

I would love to see your changes and build the beefier version! Please share!

Tammyctr

Thu, 07/26/2018 - 07:05

I have a large (400+) family member who I need to make chairs for.  This plan looks perfect (even though I will have to probably adjust width and add additional support)  Can you please send me your plans?

2x4 out door couch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/17/2016 - 16:28

Was made using 2x4 plans from Ann-white web page. Thanks for the idea

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Decking paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Craft table from Michaela Island

I needed a new island for my craft room, so we used the Michaela's Kitchen Island plan and modified it to be 30 1/2" deep. First time with drawers...they were a booger!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Top stained in Dark Walnut. Painted with Behr Mermaid Treasure and distressed and glazed with stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Neighbors

Submitted by Pebcat on Tue, 05/27/2014 - 20:22

I found Ana's website in my search for the desk plans, and in the process found many other wonderful plans I want to try. My goal is to make a sawhorse desk for my new home office. I need to learn all proper woodworking skills, however.

Therefore, I decided to start with this birdhouse project, which was a joy for me since I have a fascination with photographing birdhouses wherever I go. I also have fond memories of making birdhouses with my mother when I was a little girl. She did all the cutting and nailing, and I sanded and painted.

This project brought back happy memories, and my mom got a kick out of seeing photos of the finished results.

In addition, today I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph my own birdhouses!

Estimated Cost
$3 per house for the wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a combination of paint I had on-hand, all Valspar. Most of the paints were Valspar Ultra Paint & Primer.

Paint colors for the birdhouse on the left are called: Country Heather (blue), Bittersweet Stem (beige), brandywine (terracotta), and Pistachio Ice (green) for accents.

The colors of the house on the right also included Country Heather, Bittersweet Stem, and Pistachio Ice (again for accents). In addition, Buttered Hazelnut was used for the walls and roof.

I completed most of the painting prior to assembly, adding only accents such as hearts and windows post-assembly.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Outdoor end table

Submitted by spiceylg on Mon, 08/27/2012 - 14:38

I didn't use any plans but the Outdoor Ottoman comes really close. Needed an end table to go with our Outdoor Sectional that my husband and I built. While he was at a ballgame I whipped this up. Still have to sand and stain this as well as the sectional, but will probably do it as a winter project. We bought the 1x4s a while ago when we bought the 2x4s for the sectional so I wasn't exactly sure of the cost. I think I used 2 1/2 pieces of 8' lengths. Who would have thought a couple of years ago that so many of us would have attempted to build furniture and then even without a plan now and then?! Ana rocks! :)

Estimated Cost
Approx $5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Not sure what brand, but spray painted Apple Green for a pop of color against the back cushions.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Coffee Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/31/2016 - 07:12

I modified this plan to fit a 27"x 25" chunk of butcher block that my mother-in-law gave me. The finished height is 36 & 1/2". I didn't have any special tools to make the notches for the shelves. I simply lowered the blade-stop on my 7&1/4" miter saw and fastened the screw with hair ties (or in other words, I jimmy-rigged it ;)). I practiced on scrap wood until I reached the depth I needed. There is a 9&1/4" clearance between both shelves, and the shelves have a 1" overhang off the sides. I mainly used pocket holes to connect the pieces. The shelves (3-2x6s each) were fastened together with wood glue and pocket holes, then I slid them into place and screwed them into the side aprons/supports from the top, then filled with wood filler. For the top, I added support from underneathe (2x2s that I had on-hand), then used 2&1/2" screws from underneathe through the 2x2s into the butcher block. At first I used zinc wood screws, but learned quickly that they strip extremely easily, so I switched to sheet rock screws. Fun project!!

Estimated Cost
$35 in lumber, not counting the butcher block top which I got for free from my mother-in-law.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
For the butcher block, I decided to stain it since it would not be coming into contact with food. I sanded the butcher block with 220 grit sandpaper with my orbital sander. For the rest of my project I first used 80 grit, then 220 grit. Then I applied pre-stain wood conditioners overall, then Minwax provencial stain (I left it on for about 3 minutes then wiped it off). Then I used two coats of polyeurethene, sanding with 400 grit between the coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Garden Enclosure

This was a fun project.  The plans are written so that many of the boards don't need to be cut.  It's made from cedar that (thank goodness) was on sale.  I made the raised beds twice as deep as was called for in the plans because I wanted to minimize bending while I garden.  That added to the cost of the lumber and the soil.  I also like the way it looks.

 

I found it helpful to measure and cut the boards as I went.  This was crucial for fitting the door.  The most difficult part for us was working with the hardware cloth and trying to make it as smooth as possible.

 

It has been effective keeping deer and rabbits out of the garden.  Things that can fly in are another issue.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
>$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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