Community Brag Posts

Ultimate work bench

Submitted by markmart74 on Fri, 06/16/2017 - 18:44

Tablesaw, router, fliptop mitersaw, and dust collection workbench. 

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Kid's Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by tlcbbp on Sun, 04/24/2011 - 16:43

The first one I built (the white one) was a terrible failure because I rushed through it and didn't read directions! Also, I used only scraps that I had on hand. The blue one went smoothly because I used the right materials and took my time.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
12 - 15 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
The blue paint is oops paint from Lowes & the white is spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Garden/Storage Shed

Submitted by Smokeydog on Mon, 08/03/2015 - 06:48

Building a storage shed was quite a jump for me but because of the confidence and experience I gained from Ana's  site I decided to give it a shot.  I acquired the plans online. It has 8 foot high walls and 3 feet of "attic space".  The shed is 8'x12'.  I used cement board lap siding.  It took about seven weeks to finish working a few hours here and there.  I really like it.  Even has a little window flower box.

Estimated Cost
2100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Special Teacher Gifts

My son Jack, has Down syndrome. He's had the same preschool teacher for the last 3 years, and now it's time to move on to kindergarten. Not only does he have a dedicated teacher, but he has two paraprofessionals (teacher's aides) that take turns in helping him 1:1 all day long. I figured that it was time for all three of them to relax this summer. So, in appreciation, I made three of the adult sling chairs so they can enjoy their much deserved relaxation.

Estimated Cost
$25 - $30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Since I used cedar, I didn't want to do anything to it except put a coat of Thompson's water sealer on it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

mamma_joy

Tue, 06/21/2011 - 00:00

As an OT in the schools, I can understand your connection to the dedicated teacher and staff that work for your son. I'm sure that these gorgeous chairs will show your appreciation! What great choices in fabric, too!

marlaandwilliam

Wed, 06/22/2011 - 14:17

thanks!! i just love fabric! but mod-ish colors and designs really are so striking to me - LOVE it! :)

Sherry (not verified)

Fri, 09/23/2011 - 19:31

Would you mind sending the instructions for these chairs. I think this is something that I could do and would love to make a set for my husband for Christmas. We are all about homemade. That would be so great!

debandtom25

Wed, 09/28/2011 - 20:05

Hi Sherry. To find the page where I got the plans, just click on the words "Wood folding sling chair - adult" next to the bolded "From Plan" listed above. That will take you directly to Ana's plan.

Seasonal And Holiday

Just one of many Honey to Do projects

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/26/2022 - 04:53

My wife wanted a patio set and I initially made a set using pallets but I knew I could make a better one so after seeing one Ana made on Pinterest I went to work. I have now painted it white and my wife will be make the cushions for it as I made it a little wider than the actual plans called for.

Comments

Rustc X Laundry table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/14/2018 - 13:16

Customized this table to fit perfectly in my laundry room. It turned out exactly how I had hoped!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150 for lumber and stain, $80 for 8 baskets
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain color Briarwood
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White

Sun, 10/14/2018 - 13:31

Wow, this is absolutely amazing!  What a perfect and lovely spot to fold and sort laundry!  Thank you so much for bragging.  

Patio couch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/03/2023 - 08:09

I have been looking at your blog and always been interested in making my own furniture. However, I was scared to try. Your diagrams and measurements were awesome. Thank you! Gave me the encouragement to try!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Sturdy Workbench Sink

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/01/2023 - 09:57

Used sturdy workbench plans with 2x6 cedar top for outdoor sink. Turned out much better than I expected!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Liquor Cabinet from Benchmark Storage/Media Unit

Hallelujah!! Finally, somewhere to store all our alcohol-related necessities :) We adapted Ana's Benchmark Storage Unit to work as a liquor cabinet. We kept the basic design the same, but added some stemware storage across the top (a feature we loved in a Crate and Barrel liquor cabinet that was $$$$$) and some decorative molding to bulk it up a little bit. We lovvvvvve it! Thanks Ana!

PS: everyone please check out our blog for more details on this and other projects!

http://strawbridgestuff.com

Estimated Cost
$100 (using paint and supplies on hand)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White semi-gloss paint followed by a thin coat of Minwax stain (Ebony) wiped off immediately after applying (more details on our blog)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Reclaimed Wood Outdoor Sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/30/2023 - 14:43

We had a small deck with many rotted boards. The contractor who demoed it, knowing my interest in diy projects, sorted out any usable boards. I loved the idea of an outdoor sofa, so altered your beautiful pattern to accommodate decking boards - I literally only had to purchase 2 boards for the entire project! I’m so thrilled with how it turned out! Thank you!!

Camey Brown

Built from Plan(s)

Desk featuring "X" legs - farmhouse style

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/27/2019 - 07:20

I built this table for my son to use as a "Lego building station" in his room. I made it narrower (18" deep) x 4' long to fit along three wall in his small room. I had some trouble chiseling out the piece for the "X" part to interlock and ended up just cutting the piece through like Anna does with her "$40 farmhouse coffee table", which worked well. I sanded and then stained using homemade vinegar and coffee stain and sealed with water based polyurethane in matte finish.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I mixed up a homemade batch of coffee stain (vinegar, coffee, steel wool) and top coated with Matte polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Laundry Dresser foling area and hanging shelf

Submitted by sandrabees on Tue, 06/19/2012 - 13:15

more details on my blog. I built 2 of the laundry dressers. adjusted the placement of my baskets due to restrictions in the overall height of my unit (I have a ironing board cabinet built into 1 wall that I still wanted to be able to open and use :) I used MDF, but it was a bear to work with and next time I would spend the extra $$ on birch. i painte the bottom in a semi gloss. and plan to add the doors (which will have a beadboard backing) they will be painted white with a dark walnut glaze. The top and shelf /brackets are all done in a distressed finish with ebony and mahogany stain mixed then 2 coats of poly very sturdy even filled!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white semi gloss paint, (will be glazing with dark walnut as well),
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sherice

Tue, 07/15/2014 - 20:27

Very cool rendition of the original plans. I like the folding area, awesome job!

thewife

Fri, 06/26/2015 - 00:00

I have been wanting to make the laundry basket dresser but am holding off because we are moving. What color did you us on the walls, I love it.

Modern Adirondack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/10/2020 - 10:10

My wife and I were tired of the cheap plastic chairs but not wanting to spend a fortune. I came across Ana’s site and these great plans so I gave it a shot. Everything was pretty straightforward. I decided to use 1x6’s for the seat and back slats instead of 1x10’s. I also used dowel rods instead of wood filler to close all of the screw holes and I Roy fed the edge of the front seat slat one the router. I’m currently working on a partner for this chair with some adjustments (Making it 2” wider and using pocket hole and other techniques to hide the screws).

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax English Chestnut stain.
Valspar clear deck/outdoor furniture sealant.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Simple Outhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/18/2020 - 13:45

We used the plans from the Simple Outhouse to make a space to hold our porta potty. The door is a repurposed barn door and I think it looks amazing! These plans were perfect for us as we were able to build it in panels and reassemble on our property by the lake. Some screened windows to allow for ventilation and light were the finishing touches. Thanks Anna for the simple to follow plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 Canadian
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used pressure treated wood for the base and deck. For inside, we repurposed some scraps of composite decking. Painted with exterior latex "driftwood".

My Greenhouse

I went from a 6 x 8 Harbor Freight Greenhouse to this one 10 x 12. I added a few windows...

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

A More Traditional Modern Craft Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/26/2017 - 18:37

This is my more traditional take on the modern craft table (I guess that means it isn't technically "modern"!).  We call it the "Lego Table" at our house.  I doubled up the ends like others have so that my two daughters can have their own sides.  My wife asked that the there be backs on the side shelves so that items aren't pushed off.   I also added trim around the tabletop and molding to give it a bit more traditional appearance.  Finally, I made the shelves adjustable.  

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

Brook Laundry Basket Dresser

Submitted by krochelle on Thu, 01/01/2015 - 15:42

Used square laundry baskets instead of regular rectangular baskets. The square ones aren't as deep but are a bit taller so I had to modify the plans. I added a backsplash and some wooden tags to the baskets to designate them for certain colors. I also added some decorative trim and finished the bottom in a gray stain and used white chalk paint for the top.

Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered gray stain
White chalk paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My floral chicken coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/26/2021 - 19:25

I’m so thankful I found Ana White’s site, like, 10 years ago. She’s inspired me so much and helped me to know I could build stuff! This is far from the first thing I’ve built but it’s absolutely the most complex! I was able to find a bunch of wood free locally from a construction site (they posted it online) and some friends had some old plywood they were kind enough to give us. Even with most of the wood covered, the cost of hardware and other supplies still took us over $200. I worked on it during the day for the last few weeks around our homeschooling schedule, so it did take quite a bit of time. I also had to modify it to work with the wood I had and I wanted to make it bigger inside. But it’s finally finished and our little chickies seem quite happy so far!

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Exterior white paint, honey colored sack stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

2x4 Outdoor Chairs and Side Table

I built the 2 chairs and side table using Ana's plans. Wood in the UK is perhaps not as cheap and ubiquitous, so I managed to get hold of some rough siberian larch to build them. After what seemed like a lot of sanding I started cutting. I've used stainless steel screws and have used a plug cutter on a mahogany board I had to plug the screw holes. I really liked the contrast and neatness that this has given the project. I also used some rubber feet to raise it off the ground and try and reduce any water damage. The side table is reduced in size from the 2 foot version in the plans, this was easy enough once I'd worked out the impact on all of the other measurements. My wife has commented that I should have used less wood in my next project as they are very heavy, they certainly aren't going anywhere! My wife did produce the lovely grey cushions that you see in the pictures.

Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Used a wood preserver followed by a coat of stain to obtain the light finish seen
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Jeep Bed

Submitted by papamike on Mon, 07/05/2021 - 17:15

I hope this is OK to add here. It's not an Ana White plan, so moderator please delete if it is not allowed. I made this bed for my grandson. I bought a plan online and modified it from a twin to a full size bed. The dome light and running lights work as night lights. A motion sensor light activates if he crosses the door to illuminate the ladder. Front tire is made as a step so his parents can climb in and read to him. The whole thing is on EZ Sliders so they can move it away from the wall to make the bed.

Estimated Cost
$150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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