Community Brag Posts

Easiest Upholstered Bench

i'm so grateful for all of ana's projects and plans!! we recently bought a new house and have decided to make much of the furniture so that every piece will be customized to fit the space... i'd rather spend hours in the garage making the perfect piece than spending days/weeks (and money!) to find something that "could work"...

i just finished my latest project from an ana white plan, easiest upholstered bench... and it WAS easy! the hardest part, for me at least, was the sewing.... but even that was straight lines, so not too difficult... and i'm so happy with the way it turned out...

a couple things i did differently from ana's plan were attaching the cover to the bench with nail heads... i like the idea of the slip cover for cleaning purposes... but it was getting "messy" every time we sat down and stood up... it just wasn't laying nicely... so i hemmed the bottom and attached the nail heads... i absolutely love how it turned out... this was my first time using those - and it was super easy... they came on a roll and every fifth "head" has a center hole for you to tap in a real nail head... the other four are just faux nail heads... the only issue i had with the nail heads was that the color was slightly off between the real ones and the fake ones... i read reviews about them and people mentioned a lot of the nails bending, but i didn't have that problem... so, overall, i was pleased with using the nail heads to attach the fabric to the bench...

the other change i made was to the foam... the foam at the fabric store was crazy expensive... and i had heard that getting the foam from home depot was much cheaper... but i couldn't find it at my home depot, so we bought a foam mattress cover for a twin bed... it was $24.99 - which is about 1/3 of the cost of 3" foam from the fabric store! the mattress foam was only 1.5" thick, but it was wide enough that we just cut two pieces and stacked them on top of each other...

other than that, we kept the dimensions of the bench the same as the original plans... it was already the perfect size for what we wanted... and we love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
dark walnut stain
antique gold nail heads
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Kitchen Island

Submitted by Leahdineen on Wed, 01/31/2018 - 13:59

We modified the plan and made many changes along the way and here’s our finished island. We’re thrilled!

Estimated Cost
$800??!
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint then coffee then stain with mineral spirits finished with polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic reception desk

Submitted by Markb25 on Tue, 02/08/2022 - 13:21

A friend is opening a new tattoo parlor up and wanted a rustic looking reception desk making up.

Using reclaimed wood wasn't an option so we opted for 25mm t&g boards and randomly cut 1/4 way through it to give the appearance of individual boards. The main carcas is made with 2x4's clad with Baltic birch ply to give it a cleaner appearance from behind and, to give additional surface area to attach the boards to.

To finish inised a combination of forced aging with a solution of WWV, iron sulphate and black tea + coffee, varying degrees of Charing, the walnut and oak stains were by V33 and the whites and greys by French chic.

Comments

Rustic Pine Table

Very easy to make, and not too expensive. I'm not that great with a lathe. I tried it a couple times but not too good. So I buy my table legs online through osborne wood company. These legs however, came from an old table that I got for free from an antique store. The rest of the table got cut up and used for 2 night stands, and this is what I used the legs for. I used pocket holes to attach everything. Support the middle with cross supports and there you have it. The benches are just 1x12x8's cut into shape and supported by 2 1x4's on either side.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Oak - Hutch And Buffet

Submitted by UeckerFan on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 17:43

This project was on the honey-do list. My wife was looking for antiques and had a pretty specific look she wanted this one fit. It was a fun and relatively fast build. I choose Oak as that is the most regular wood I use and had some on hand.

I modified the dimensions a bit making the hutch a foot taller and the buffet a little larger in width and smaller in depth. I used full extension ball bearing drawer slides for the drawers.

I rabbeted the back in and put a middle brace in for support and so that I could hide the back seam. I don't like to face nail face frames, but for this it turned out pretty nice nonetheless.

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used min-wax pre-stain conditioner, followed by special walnut stain, then 1 coat of satin pre-catalyzed lacquer, then 320 sand paper, then a second coat of lacquer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Lasso the Moon

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 11:52

Oh, man could I use one of those in my house. At some point I'd like to flank a doorway with two "half versions" of a hutch like this one. Yours is beautiful. Love the oak!
Btw--combining those two plans--brilliant!

Anna

Octagon Table

Submitted by kylenase on Thu, 07/16/2015 - 19:03

I beefed up the table top supports by double stacking 2x6's and used 2x4 around the edges. My wife painted the base with valspar chaulk paint and antique gel. The table top she stained with miniwax waterbased stain, coffee color. 

Estimated Cost
$130, the paint was expensive but we hardly used any so we have some for more projects.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax water base, coffee and valspar chalk paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tall Panel King

Submitted by Mnash on Mon, 02/05/2018 - 11:16

Thanks for another great plan! We wanted to replace our King sleigh bed with a Panel Headbord to free up some room in our master. Off to Pinterest I went to find a picture of what I wanted Hubby to build. I was excited to find that Ana-White had tackled this project because I knew there would be a great, well written plan to follow!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Chalk paint and Clear wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wall entertainment center

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/01/2022 - 18:02

Using your simplified 8’ barn door console plans I was able to make my dream wall come true. I made 2 of the consoles, added a center piece and shelves in either side. Your plans were so easy to follow, even a beginner like myself pulled it off. Thank you for sharing your talent!!!!

Comments

Joss & Emit's Train Table :)

This was my very first "Ana project"! It was a special Christmas treat for my boys and their expanding train collection. This table has had many, many hours of entertainment and enjoyment. It is a great beginner project and has very easy plans to follow! I didn't do the storage carts at the time. I may go back and do them later though...for now they like playing under the table as well. My obsession began :)

Estimated Cost
$50 (island living cost more)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Flat interior paint (2 coats) with two coats of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

4x4 Truss Beam Table with Half Lap Joints

My take on Ana's table that I made with my son over Summer Break.

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

Comments

claire.whitis

Wed, 03/30/2016 - 01:07

I really like how you made half cuts so that the beams were more supported!

On the legs did you attached with pocket holes or where did you attach so that the screws were hidden?

Barn door console

Submitted by Mlfinch84 on Sat, 02/17/2018 - 08:19

Followed Ana’s plans except added custom bottom rail for door stability and handles to guide the doors. Top rail was made rather than purchased.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax mahogany stain and antique white latex paint. 3-4 coats of satin polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Faux Fireplace

We bought a new house that didn't have a Fireplace and we didn't want an entertainment center, so I built this for the best of both worlds. Electric fireplace insert, side panels open for additional storage, and left the nook above the fireplace open for the wifi router and other decorations.

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Accent Table

Submitted by 3kidsilove on Tue, 05/31/2011 - 10:44

When I saw this table I knew it would be perfect for this space! I was so excited I copied "Sweet T" Table and added a faux handle (which is now my husband's new favorite word) I primed and painted it and then put a coat of poly on it. Was a fun project

Estimated Cost
30.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
prime,paint & polly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Hailey Platform Bed - Hailey Planked headboard

Submitted by daddydrew on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 11:54

This project was a whole lot easier than it looked I think that it took me three days from wood in the back of my truck to the finished project. I think that I spent about $200 on this whole bed and headboard. It is sturdy and I really love it.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax jacobean oil based stain
minwax polycrylic clear coat protective finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Loft bed for son

I've built a few bookshelves and cubbies before, but nothing on this scale.  I built this in my basement this past December as a Christmas present for my three-year-old son.  The plans were easy to follow.  I believe I spent about $150 on lumber.  The bed is very sturdy.  My kids love it!  Now the the other kids want their own special daddy-made bed :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150 on lumber. $50 on wood putty, stain, sand paper, etc. Way better than the $1100+ similar model at the local furniture store!
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
min-wax water based stain protected with water-based polycrilic. It all dried way too fast and didn't give me time to correct errors. Next time I will use oil based.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

West Elm knockoff bed

Submitted by Shells1104 on Tue, 02/20/2018 - 23:15

Built from full size bed plans from Jen Woodhouse. Very happy how this turned out. 

Estimated Cost
$200-$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Early American, Ebony, Weathered Gray, Ipswich Pine, and Special Walnut.
Took tips from Jen Woodhouse mixing some stains together.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Barn Doors

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/06/2022 - 08:16

I rnjoy your post and the things you create. Very practical furniture to be used. Hung these barn doors over a closet I built in a bonus room. They worked out great. Thanks Anna.

Comments

New Platform birthday bed for the hubby!

Submitted by redhead_61 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 14:56

Don't mind all the mismatched furniture in the room, isn't the master always the last to get paid attention to?

My husband had a birthday on Monday and I had drawn up the plans for this a couple months ago hoping to surprise him. Building it then didn't happen....Day of his birthday rolls around and I looked at the clock at about 11, thinking what could I really surprise him with but didn't want to break the budget. I thought to myself, "I could probably get that built by the time he gets home" And I DID!!!

I sandwiched together two 2x4's puttied and painted to make the chunky leg here.

FYI- My husband is really into selling things on craigslist right now so he told me to see what I could sell it for. I sold this within a few hours for $135. That is a pretty amazing profit while still being way more affordable than any store!!! I LOVE that.

Estimated Cost
$55
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats primer, 2 coats semigloss white
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Outdoor sink

Submitted by Bsj968 on Sun, 07/21/2013 - 18:31

So this was my first project copying the plans for my simple outdoor sink and sturdy work bench. I used the same wood and measurements.

The sink was purchased about 5 years ago in Mexico. Faucet and drain at Lowe's. I took the sink to Lowe's to have them color match the bowl and used the same paint.

I decided to use four boards for the bottom shelf plus one as a back stop. I also had to space the top two bracers farther apart because the sink was 17 inches deep ( make sure you measure the sink first. I made the mistake of assembling the base and finding out afterwards that the sink wouldnt fit.

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

Comments

Bsj968

Sun, 07/21/2013 - 18:33

Oh I used the cut out from the sink and added a fold down handle. It is used as a cover for the sink and doubles as a cutting board/ serving tray.

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by Adakaye on Tue, 07/28/2015 - 12:28

This project took a day to build and about four days to stain with a day of drying in between each coat. Great plans! I love my new couches!

Estimated Cost
$110- Wood, Douglas Fir studs at Home Depot
$30- Deck Stain, Merlot, Home Depot
$250- Cushions, Hallo, Ikea
$100- Fabric and pillow forms for extra pillows
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck Stain in Merlot Color
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments