Community Brag Posts

Simple Kitchen Island Poplar Top

Submitted by sc.kennedy on Wed, 09/20/2017 - 09:41

First project in a quite a while for me so wanted to go with something simple.  Was able to complete on a Saturday.  Only thing I wanted to do different was 2" thickness on the top.

 

 

 

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Krylon and Mineral Oil Food Grade
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tall planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/15/2021 - 02:57

I love my new hobby and your site makes it so fun and simple, thanks for sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm.
Cindy

Comments

Our new Ladder Shelf!

Submitted by mtgirl31 on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 22:36

This is our first piece of furniture we built!  My husband William is pretty handy and really enjoys wood-working, and I stumbled upon the Ana White site and this plan a while ago.  Printed it out, gave it to hubby, and he went right at it.  He built it, I sanded, primed, and painted.  We painted it the same Behr 'Creamy White' color that is on the trim and doors in our house.  We love it!  He did modify the plans so it is 19" wide.  Although I wish we would have built it to be the narrower size, we originally intended it for our master bathroom, and 19" wide fits in the spot, but it just ended up looking a little too big and crowded.  Well, the guest bathroom is delighted to see a cute storage shelf in there :)

Estimated Cost
$25-35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed it with a spray on primer, then painted on Behr Premium Plus- eggshell- in Creamy White. Sanded lightly in between coats. Used a spray Krylon Clear coat to finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

One of my first projects!

This was one of my first projects. I had some challenges with the cuts... I rushed through (since I had my 1 & 3 year old assisting) and didn't make exact cuts... as a result, there was a lot of trimming to do on the legs. Also, the pressure treated wood that we purchased was very weak and even with drilling pilot holes, I experienced quite a few splits when putting together the legs of the benches. (This is why I only have one bench, actually... I still need to buy more wood...) Otherwise, I love the table!!! I think I attached the legs of the table differently than instructed, though I can't recall what I did.. and we ended up cutting a 2x2 to tie in the legs (from mid-X to mid-X) for extra support. (My 3 year old son was leaping from the table and we wanted to make sure it could meet his demands.) We LOVE it overall!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Little Bear's Loft Bed

My daughter had talked about wanting a loft bed for a long time so after of plenty of research, we went for it. The shelves of the bookcase, except the top and bottom, are made from 3/4 plywood I had laying around. I did my best to utilize as much lumber that I already had in the basement to reduce costs.

Underneath the bed is LED Rope Lighting and the gaps under the rails were stenciled with the bear paws since my daughters nickname is Little Bear.

People have loved it enough I think there's a couple people that are going to buy the supplies so I can build it for them. The one thing I wish I had during the construction was an oscillating multi-tool to trim off the Kreg plugs. I now have one and plan on using it a fair amount.

On to the next project!!

Ben

Estimated Cost
Around $200 since I used higher quality lumber and Ohio is expensive
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Semigloss paint and bear paw stencil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sliding Door Media Console

Submitted by BobC on Sun, 10/08/2017 - 11:26

Built this to replace a shorter, store-bought media table that was just a dust collector.  I really enjoyed building this, especially making the hardware by hand. Thanks to one of the other builders for the plans to build the iron door hangers.  

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

Coffee station

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/20/2021 - 14:39

I was inspired by your coffee station plans to build this unit. I added an upper shelf with gas pipping, along with LED lights under the shelf. This station has been very popular in our house.

Comments

Toddler Picnic Table

I was dying to try this little picnic table out for my boys.  It was such a quick and easy build, though without clamps, I had to enlist my husband's help to hold things for me while I drilled!

I had envisioned the table in blue, but the 3 year old was very insistent on green.  So Gamma Sector Green it was...and I LOVE how it turned out.  Turns out my 3 year old is better at picking colors than I am!  :)
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25 but wood is more expensive in HI!
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr - Disney's Gamma Sector Green. It took about 3 coats. I applied it with a foam brush, which gave me a nice smooth finish. We sealed it with a spray poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table

Submitted by blmalloy on Sun, 06/09/2013 - 08:27

This table was actually our very first project! It took us longer because of that, but really, this table isn't very complicated at all! Cutting the arches were probably the most difficult part of the whole thing (hence why we left them off of the matching bench).
We modified this table down to 7.5 feet, but still kept the three arches because we loved the look of it. This table can still easily seat 8 people.
We modified the bench by not framing the top and leaving the arches off, but kept the same look of the legs so it would still match and keep the time/difficulty low.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
We used Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Dark Walnut and Rustoleum Ultimate Poly in Gloss. For some reason, the bench stained a bit lighter than the table even though the same wood and stain was used. The tabletop actually has four coats of poly because we initially went with Satin (using three coats) but really wanted the shine, so added a fourth coat of gloss. Next time we will just use gloss. :)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White Admin

Sun, 06/09/2013 - 12:12

Hard to believe this was your first project! You did an amazing job. Love the white tufted chairs to bring a rustic elegance to the set!

Bookcase wall unit

Submitted by kwhitt on Tue, 05/12/2015 - 08:38

This is the project that inspired me to start woodworking. I'm a bookaholic and have always used cheap, particle board bookcases from Walmart for storage. They're fine for the price, but over time the shelves bow and they NEVER survive a move. When I outgrew the three units I had, I balked at buying a fourth, which I didn't really have room for anyway. Enter Ana White! This is actually based off a brag project under the IKEA Lack Inspired Bookcase. What I love best about building my own is that I can customize to suit my needs. I was able to put almost twice as much shelving into about the same area. And if I outgrow these, I can just build another!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
about $175
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Miniwax Espresso Stain, Varathane Satin Triple Thick Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My corner desk

Submitted by chach2667 on Wed, 11/03/2021 - 04:02

I wanted to convert my craft shed to my office after I accepted a new job and would be working from home full time. My shed is only 10x8, so I needed something smallish and functional. I modified the plans slightly and I did make a few mistakes. In the end, I think it turned out great for a 50 something grandma who likes to work with her hands!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Farm House Bench

Submitted by toes on Wed, 03/30/2011 - 14:25

First bench to match the Farm House table I have built.  Istill need to finish my table now to match the bench.  

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I first started my staining this bench with ZAR Moorish Teak (looked like I had painted it brown) sanded it down a little added Minwax dark walnut LOVED it! Added 3 coats of Deft stain lacquer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Printer's Console

There were a few misprints in the supply/cut list but if you read through the comments section it helps. I ended up making a list of the supplies and adding a column next to it with the cuts, that helped. Oh, and the store I bought the knobs from didn't have enough but the last one is coming! Pretty happy with the end result. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The estimated time was a bit longer than actual build time due to stain & poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

tara2

Wed, 06/12/2013 - 16:17

looks really nice! could you tell me the type and color of stain that you used? thanks!

Focal point of the room

Submitted by Diesel911 on Wed, 05/13/2015 - 11:19

Beautiful and functional. Nobody believes I built this :)

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Paint with stain applied over it. This was a very bright red with kona stain wiped over and then immediately wiped off. I did apply a clear coat to protect it. The kona stain really subdues the color of the paint.. This was a VERY bright red.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Wed, 05/13/2015 - 14:19

What a gorgeous build! Absolutely love the color too! I was just trying to picture a red like that today, and now I know it looks wonderful!

Wood Toy Fishing Game

This was a very easy project from scrap wood I had leftover from previous projects. I modified the box a little. I cut slits in the box so the top slides on nicely. I also stained the box and sealed because I love the look of stained wood. I used early American wood stain.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
early american
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

House bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/06/2021 - 20:35

Made this simple house bed for my daughter. Got the idea from Ana white page and made my own.

Comments

TV Stand

Easy to make tv stand from pine wood. This is what it looks like before painted. Plenty of space for dvd's.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wedding Bench

Submitted by MrsTalbott on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 08:58

I stole this idea from another brag and had to have it at my wedding. The Bench was fairly cheap to make and took about 4 hours total. I hand made the stencils using cardstock, shipping tape, Xacto knife, and alot of tedious cutout work! I used a sharpie silver paint marker to fill in the stencil. Turned out great and now its at the foot of our bed and we get to look at all of our guest comments everyday!

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Mini Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by Rustybuns on Sat, 05/16/2015 - 00:34

This was the first furniture DIY project for my wife and I. We loved the look of the original farmhouse bedside table plans but they were bigger than what we needed at the moment and didn't want to try to cram them into our room. The mini plans were exactly what we needed. For a first time build, I am pleased with the results and we ended up spending about $75 plus the cost of stain for the two tables. Similar, all-wood night stands run around $200 per table so it doesn't get much better than that. We opted for the Minwax Dark Walnut stain.

Estimated Cost
$75 plus stain
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

RenoRustic

Sun, 05/17/2015 - 19:43

I built my mini farmhouse beside table last year as my second build. Did you use a brush or rag while staining? Every time I use dark walnut I get a much darker color, and yours came out perfect for a project I'm going to start soon.

Wood Truck Bookshelf

Submitted by sraper2 on Sat, 12/02/2017 - 12:12

I built this truck to give to my son for a Christmas gift.  It came together really fast.  It took about 2 hours including sanding, painting, staining, waxing, and assembly.  I really love the finished product!  I have a lot of pictures of the process on my blog.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Amy Howard Chalk Paint and Wax, Minwax Special Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project