Community Brag Posts

Laundry Pedestal

Submitted by Kamoanui on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 09:42

This was quick build. First time for us using trim, so we wasted a few feet getting the angles right. We attached the legs directly to the frame, and did not use the metal brackets. We also did not build the floor frame. We measured how high/wide the laundry baskets ($3/piece at Target!) were, and made it to fit them. We added a piece of rubber mat to the top (bought at Lowe's). A few weeks later we helped our daughter and son in law build one for their new house!

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White satin paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My city farm

My friend and I bought all of the materials for about $350. We started Friday afternoon and he worked most of Saturday on it. The plans were super helpful! My four little silkies are enjoying their new home. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams exterior paint in Alabaster. Lots of pumpkins and mums from Lowe's.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Kids Chairs

Submitted by ValBryant on Wed, 09/19/2012 - 13:30

So i made these chairs to go with the table i built. I actually built 7 of them at a time, three for me and four for a friend. I had a little over a hundred pieces of wood to put together which became a chore, so i don't recommend doing so many at once. I got burnt out quite a few times, hence why it took me a month to finish (couple hrs here every other day or so).
Anyways, the plans we very easy, the wood on the other hand was difficult. Using furring strips is inexpensive but i had more then i wanted split, and they wern't all the same thickness. Making the front legs stick out more (no biggy) and some screws went too far through even though they were the right size according to the plans. Two 1x3's furring strips sandwiched together ( side aprons) might not take a 1 1/4 inch screw. I had to cut off a few tips from the inside of the chairs.
All in all i am so happy with the end results, even happier that in total it only costed me less then $20 in wood! Would have been a little more because i got the wood for the chairs for free, in exchange to build my friend a table and chairs set like mine.
Link to the Chair Plans.

http://ana-white.com/2010/11/plans/four-dollar-stackable-children’s-chairs

Estimated Cost
Maybe $35 for wood
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut for stain. Valspar Sea Exposure? And Tint-able glaze for the distressing over the paint. Same a Ana's finish process - DISTRESSED TURQUOISE WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Coffee Table

This coffee table was our first DIY project! We found the plan from Ana's website, and it was pretty easy to follow. We are so happy with the result and now we are itching to build everything for our house!

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

hobbywood

Mon, 09/24/2012 - 02:53

Looks very nice! And yes - you're right, Ana's projects - they give enthusiasm to dare to do smth. Keep on homemaking - your coffee table is great!

Full size storage bed with trundle

Submitted by ellehcim88 on Fri, 08/14/2020 - 15:14

Full size storage bed with trundle. Three drawers and a trundle on one side and four drawers on the other. I started with the farmhouse design (headboard and footboard) and modified it to make it not so heavy and I designed the rest using SketchUp. See more photos in blog link.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$1000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White satin finish latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Square Farmhouse Table

Submitted by eddingsr on Sun, 01/08/2017 - 13:17

I built this table for a friend who wanted a rustic, plank-top kitchen table. She wanted a square table with 4x4 legs. Since I don't have clamps, I used pocket holes and wood glue for the table top. Also, I only have a 7&1/4" miter saw, which means the 4x4s were too thick to cut. So I made one cut in the legs, then flipped them and made another. It worked! :) I sanded down the sides of the table top with 80 grit. They needed to be evened up since some of the planks were a little longer than others. I back braced underneathe the top with (3) 1x3s. Then, I sanded all over with 120, vacuumed, then wiped it down with a damp towel. Fun build!! 

Estimated Cost
~$100 for lumber, screws, wood glue, sandpaper, and finishing products.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
For the finish I used Minwax wood conditioner, then a coat of Minwax stain in Provincial. I went back and put a second coat of stain on a few of the premium pine pieces, because they soaked up the first coat really well, and I wanted some darker pieces on top. I let those soak for about 15 minutes. Afterwards I did 2 coats of Polycrylic all over, then a third coat for the top only. I dry sanded between coats with 600 grit sandpaper.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Pallet wood potting bench.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/04/2020 - 19:34

Thank you Ana for the great plans! We adapted the project for wood we had on hand. It is only 40 inches wide instead of 42”. Our widest pallet board was only 40”.
Thank you for continuing to inspire us! We made two couches a couple of months ago. Great plans!

Estimated Cost
Box of screws!
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Potting bench.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY RUSTIC X-CONSOLE TABLE

Submitted by amylou33 on Sun, 12/30/2012 - 15:58

There was a large hole in our living room. A large hole between our couch and the kitchen! I have always been obsessed with console tables, but never in a million years thought of ever building one!

And so, with the help of my sweet Blake, we were able to create this amazing, rustic, industrial, shabby chic, yadda yadda yadda PERFECT FARMHOUSE X-CONSOLE TABLE!!!

And no, we can't take all of the credit. We found this unbelievable plan on Ana White's Website here! She gives a perfect step-by-step-tutorial. All together, this project cost us roughly $75 and two days worth of time, but I can assure you, buying a solid wood console table at a store would cost nearly $500! Not to mention, WE made it, together...and so forever this will be ours. :)

Thanks Ana, we love ours! :)

Estimated Cost
$75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
DIY Stain using steel wool, vinegar and black tea
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tween Loft Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/19/2017 - 06:35

I built this bed for my 12 year old daughter. We moved to a smaller house & we needed a way to maximize the use of space in her room. She's also visually impaired, which made the ladder option more dangerous. She could get up a ladder fine, but coming down was an issue. I was thrilled to find a plan with stairs, and I added a handrail for her to help guide her down the stairs. I also put a peel & stick zebra print border around it to tie it in with her bedding & curtains. The rope lights underneath added a cool touch & helped make that dark area more functional. 

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Dresser with Removable Changing Station Topper

Submitted by BKiel29 on Sat, 03/18/2017 - 07:35

My wife and I loved the look of the Rolling rustic wood dresser.  We didn't care for the wheels so instead I opted for legs, 2.5" long.  I simply made a couple of tweaks to the frames (the bottom 2x2 was shortened to 59.5" and the side 2x2's were extended to 34").  I then built a really simple topper that fits a changing pad and a couple of baskets my wife bought for miscellaneous supplies. The topper is removable so when my son is no longer in diapers, we can simply take the topper off and he can have a flat surface on top of his dresser.  All-in-all, we are all really happy with the end product! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
We used Oak plywood and boards so about $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Trash / Recycling Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 11:21

This was a build I was able to check off my Honey-do List. We use it as a Trash / Recycling Cabinet. Basic cabinet build with tray drawers for the trash cans.

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

Comments

Modern Laundry Basket Sorter

I built this project totally from pallet wood and leftover 2x4's. I already had the paint and stain from other projects, so the only cost was for the baskets, which were $6 a piece at Ikea. This project turned out even better than I expected and I couldn't be happier.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 06:11

I used the x-back bench plans to build this bench, but trimmed the length down to 4 feet to fit the space.  It's constructed with cedar and is so beefy and sturdy. It has stood it's own against several storms already and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Thanks Ana for all the free plans and tutorials! 

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson water seal in clear
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Custom Closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 06:59

This is a guest bedroom. The closet had 6 panel, colonial bypass doors. The bypass doors leave the center unusable. To save room, I built a dresser in the center. The bypass doors are getting converted to swing doors. I used shelf help to design the project.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Basement Playhouse

Submitted by jimbardo on Sun, 01/28/2018 - 15:32

Built this for my two boys, ages 3 and 1.5. They are in heaven! I found the plans extremely helpful and allowed for simple modifications along the way (ie 7’ ceilings). 

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/08/2022 - 12:31

I built the two piece sectional + table and adjusted the sizing so the lengths of the sectionals pieces are the same.

Turned out amazing. So much fun building this and I can’t wait for my next project!

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Kids Play Kitchen

Submitted by julievic on Wed, 12/14/2011 - 11:28

Christmas 2010 my husband and I made our little girls a kitchen using Ana's plans. We used the materials on her cut list, and used paint for the finish. Used fabric scraps to sew the sink skirt, found the knobs at hobby lobby and habitat for humanity, and small bar faucet at Home Depot. It turned out amazing!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

julievic

Tue, 12/20/2011 - 16:04

Thanks so much for the compliment! Means SO much coming from you! I love your site and your plans, Ana you are amazing! Thank you for making me your featured builder this month, I had no clue until someone saw my face on your blog! I feel like a rock star now ;)

Triple Bunk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/29/2023 - 02:17

I needed to find a way to conserve space for 3 children to sleep in a very small home. I used an adapted pattern from Ana White. It turned out perfectly!

Comments