Community Brag Posts

Craftsman Frame

Submitted by Mrsmike on Tue, 01/08/2013 - 15:07

I bought this really cool print from a shop on Etsy, but I was having a hard time finding a frame for it My husband made the bed for his room too, and I wanted the frame to coordinate.

This was a simple project and really looks great in his room. We used an inexpensive pine and the same stain as his bed. I really wanted a green stain, but I couldn't find any like the type Anna used. This frame took just a little over an hour to put together.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$6
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax Americana and minwax furniture polish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

A miter table project for my bookshelf project

Submitted by icecool2 on Mon, 11/03/2014 - 07:14

I started building built-in bookshelves based loosely on the LACK copy-cat plans Ana posted.  I started getting to work on them and realized I needed a way to handle the 8' and 12' boards I have to cut down to make the parts.  Back to the home store I went!  This was an extremely easy project to put together.  I used one sheet of cabinet grade plywood ($30) and had it cut down at the store on their giant saw and three furring strips (as described in the plans, about $1.50 each).

My cuts were: 

  1. In half lengthwise (now you have two 24"x96")
  2. 24"x36" (on both halves from 1)
  3. 24"x30" (on the long part remaining from both parts from 2)
  4. You are left with two sections of 24"x29.75" (depending on the blade)

Assembly at home was really fast.  It took me 90 minutes, it would have been probably under an hour if I had the table already!  I didn't like the folding brackets at the store, so I went with fixed cheap ones for now.  I'll swap them later. You'll notice the saw sits a little lower than the side tables.  I'm going to mount the saw to the table and I'll fine tune with that.

Back to the bookshelves!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80 (including casters and shelf supports)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Indoor Fancy Pet Kennel

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/10/2017 - 11:51

I had so much fun building this!! It ended up being 80"L x 29"W x 40"H

I added a removeable center seperator to make it available for 2 dogs and a hinged top for easy cleaning. If you would like to know more, mssage me here! https://www.facebook.com/almshousecreations

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White Gloss and Jacobean Minwax Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

54" Bench with Cross Bracing

Submitted by Johno1826 on Fri, 11/06/2020 - 11:50

54" Bench with Cross Bracing, used the plans on this site, plans were great, easy to follow. I used a 2 x 12 for the bench top to give it more heft. I think it looks better than a 1 x 12.
On to the next plan.

Estimated Cost
$50
Finish Used
3 to 1 mixture of Early American & Espresso stain with a touch of Barn Red stain.
Put 3 coats of General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic logo end table

Made a gift for a Knicks lover. Used a dremel trio to etch in logo. Went back and forth on adding color and in end decided not to. But gave me another idea on my next logo table

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Min wax special walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

ekimwa

Thu, 01/10/2013 - 17:54

Now that's cool!!! Need a tutorial on how to do that!!!

Cedar planters!

Submitted by DogDoc25 on Wed, 11/05/2014 - 11:44

These planters were really easy to make, and held up well all through the spring and summer. This was my first garden, and I was excited to try raised planters. I added some reinforcement to the middle just to keep everything together, and they were really sturdy! Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15 each
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Ana White

Wed, 11/05/2014 - 12:48

DogDoc25,

Looks like you have a green thumb as well!  Great Job!  Thanks for sharing!

Rustic x coffee table with 2x4 X

This is the rustic x coffee & end table I used 2x4's for the X. I like the wider look of the 2x4's over the 1x's it adds more dimension to the table. 

Estimated Cost
200 for all 3 tables
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
First layer special walnut 5 minute dry time then added weathered grey for 5 minutes
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Large Porch Bench with X Backs to highlight feature wall

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/09/2020 - 16:29

Using the Ana White plans of Large porch Bench with X backs I was able to create this amazing area in the entrance way of our home. The bench was part of a larger project where I added the modeling and shelves to the wall. The plans were great, I just made the bench a bit smaller, as the original size was a bit overwhelming inside the home.

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

Comments

Farmhouse Table

We recently moved from our small Minneapolis Bungalow to an apartment in Maryland. It was the prefect opportunity to build the Farmhouse Table plans I had been admiring. When we went to my parents farm in North Dakota for Thanksgiving we spent a couple hours digging through the barn to find old barn wood for the project. The wood then made the 1,400 mile trek to our new apartment in Rockville. Yes, you read that correctly…the table was built in our carpeted apartment! No excuses people…you can make this table in your apartment! If you do not have access to a saw your local big box home improvement store can make the cuts for you. If you go that route the cut list Ana has will come in very handy!

I do a fair amount of woodworking, so I was able to complete the project in one day. If this is your first project I would allow a weekend to finish it.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Danish Oil Natural
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

rhettar

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 04:41

It's also nice to see the table up against the wall, because I have been thinking of doing the same thing, I live in a small mobile home, just a small kitchen.

Printers Triple Console Cabinet

Very happy with the results.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around $300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Distressed paint over stain.<!--break-->
Stained the finished product with 3 coats of Miniwax Special Walnut<!--break-->
One coat of Shirwin Williams "Breezy" blue <!--break-->
Sanded with an electric orbital sander.<!--break-->
Another coat of Shirwin Williams "Breezy" blue to cover all the little circles the orbital sander left behind.<!--break-->
Sanded by hand.
Touched any blonde spots up with the Special Walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My first table with raw edge table top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/14/2017 - 13:05

First table!! I used all white pine that was milled over 45 years ago cut my own lumber out of this wood and the table top was made with 3 pieces of wood to make the top. Bench is being made now! 

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White chalk paint and drift wood stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Writing Desk with Drawer for my Office

Submitted by HandySandy on Sat, 11/14/2020 - 10:31

I needed an additional desk at work to organize all my paperwork and files. I couldn't find anything that I liked on Office Depot and Amazon in my budget range, then decided to search Ana's site for plans to make my own and at the same time, get to try out my new Kreg Rip-Cut Circular Saw Edge Guide. I purchased lumber from the local big box (note: disappointed to only find 2x2's out of furring strip wood). Anyhow, I followed Ana's plans and couldn't be more happier with the end result! I love the fact that I'll now have a nice big drawer at work!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$107
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Drawer front - Dark Walnut (Rustoleum Stain + Polyurethane); Frame - Icicles (blue-grey) by Behr Ultra Stain-blocking Paint & Primer in One
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Easy Kitchen Island

Submitted by tietjen7 on Tue, 01/15/2013 - 15:05

This is my first build ever! Since we recently moved into a place with little kitchen space, I thought this island would be perfect for extra storage we needed. I modified it from 5 2x6 on top, to 4 2x6 so it would fit in the corner we wanted it in. So the overall dimensions were 54" wide x 22" deep x 36" tall. I also changed the 1x2s that make the shelves to 3x5/8 boards, 15 per shelf, with approxinnately 1 inch between each. I predrilled countersink holes and screwed them on using 3/4" wood screws. The stain is a walnut colored water based stain, and I coated the top surfaces with a matte finish poly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a water based "Plantation Walnut" colored stain with a Matte finish poly coating on top. I used two thin coatings of stain and didn't wipe off after each coating.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Griffen pottery barn inspired Media Console Table

Liked the Griffen Reclaimed look Media console, but not the $1099 price tag that came with it!  LOL

So with $100 and 3 hours of work, BAM! 

70L x 15W x 30H

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Classic Black Polyshades by minwax for the base
Provincial by By minwax for shelfs
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jpujdak

Tue, 03/24/2015 - 06:21

Hi! I love your Media Console table! Do you have plans to go along with this? I'd love to create this for my apartment. Thanks!

Fancy X farmhouse with extension

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/16/2017 - 18:02

This was the first furniture my husband built. He also did amatching  sideboard table using Ana white plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used wood conditioner and then dark walnut stain. My husband built me a sideboard table to match this table.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Hailey Platform Bed Frame with aMiter

Submitted by stillhere on Fri, 11/20/2020 - 14:25

We have built this plan twice for our two daughters (Full size mattresses). A similar bed frame at Pottery Barn Teen would have easily set us back about $1500 so these bed plans are truly a blessing! After no luck with a Wayfair wrought iron knockoff bed frame (loud and squeaky!!) we decided to give an Ana White plan a go. So glad we did! We did modify the plans slightly. We mitered all corners and stained all components with a Varathane Golden Oak before final assembly. Although I own and use a Kreg Jig, we wanted the frame to be easily disassembled. We opted for corner braces secured with 6, 1" cap head wood screws per corner (3 per side). Keep in mind miter corners can be a bit tricky but definitely possible with a little patience. PLEASE NOTE: when cutting miters, you will need to account for an additional 4" OD from Ana's written plans. Each 90 degree angle is approximately 2" long. So, if cutting the 75" length( for the mattress length) the miters will be 2" long on each end making the OD length 79". Whether you are going with Miters or butt joints, I would also highly recommend a right angle clamp (Top/Bottom) used during assembly. It is extra expense but so worth the investment!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Golden Oak #227. Applied 2 rubbed coats for a deeper grain finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

TRYDE COFFEE TABLE

Submitted by makadams on Sun, 01/20/2013 - 18:38

This was my First project i still need to sand and stain.

Estimated Cost
35 or 40 bucks i had stain already
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

End Table

Submitted by JoeP on Thu, 11/13/2014 - 16:48

Quick and easy endtable made from scraps I had on hand.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique nickel paint and 3 coats of gloss polyurethane, I sanded between each coat of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

X-DESK

Submitted by Jasonhash on Sun, 02/19/2017 - 07:39

Made from your Fancy X-desk plans. Dark Walnut & clear gloss polyacrylic Miniwax finishes.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Lumber $18
Plywood $13
Glue, nails, & screws $3
Stain $8
Poly $6.50
$50+/- all day
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Dark Walnut
Mini wax polyacrylic gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm House Table & Benches

Submitted by 3G1B on Fri, 11/27/2020 - 07:27

I couldn’t find 4x4s so I planed 2x6s flat and glued them together. Used it for the first time yesterday for our Thanksgiving dinner.

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered Grey stain and many coats of polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Reclaim wood look bed side table

Submitted by asmith7103 on Tue, 01/22/2013 - 14:46

Took a while biting think it came together well. Removed the top drawer so I could use it for the iPad. Then added the bottom shelf to hold the lap top.

Estimated Cost
175.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Pecan
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced