Community Brag Posts

Scaled Down Shanty Hutch and Sideboard

Submitted by hilde04 on Tue, 09/24/2013 - 19:40

This was my husband's first build using Ana White plans. He scaled down the hutch and sideboard to fit our kitchen (42"x80"). It took about 24 hours to complete. We used a Minwax stain in Dark Walnut. I have looked for a piece to replace an ugly old baker's rack for years and hated the junk at places like Target. Everything I liked at Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware were too expensive. I never found anything old that I liked enough to refinish so having the hubby pull this one out is basically awesome! Yay!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut stain, paint brush, foam roller, stain cloths
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

altmana24

Thu, 06/23/2016 - 13:27

What kind of trim did you use on the top of your hutch and how did you attach it? 

Craft Paint Table

Submitted by Jenga on Sun, 12/06/2015 - 13:15

Built this for my wife and daughter for a space to paint and allow to dry with no concerns. Developed from simply looking at the picture with a lot of guess work to get what I wanted for the end project.

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White Paint and Dark Maple finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Coffee Table Finished

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/27/2019 - 15:28

Glad to finish this build.  Completed the matching end table over a year ago.  Finally got around to find this table.  I enjoy Ana's plans and look forward to selecting my next project.  Thanks for the free plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75 for lumber. Already had PH screws, wood glue, and necessary tools.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Vinegar and steel wool stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Christmas Stocking stand

Submitted by Egle01 on Fri, 12/09/2022 - 15:30

I enjoyed making this. The kids love it and it goes great in front of the fireplace.
#Todays_Spare_Time

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

workbench

Submitted by ddietz12 on Fri, 09/09/2011 - 10:33

Built two of these workbenches using 2x4's I found in the dumpsters around my neighborhood. Tested out rustoleum stain for the tops. Covered really well in just one coat.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum stain in kona
Clear lacquer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

dan-k

Fri, 09/09/2011 - 20:45

Looks great, I like the look of the dark top, but it might make it harder to see small objects.

kdearing (not verified)

Tue, 11/13/2012 - 18:14

Nicely done! I also like the look of the stained top!

ddietz12

Mon, 05/06/2013 - 06:49

Wow. Thank you for those unbelievably kind words. I am not an architect though. My main profession was a service manager and now I'm unemployed and partially disabled. I just love to be creative and use my hands. I also love photography. I did all my work on nights and weekends. Again, thank you for the kind words.

Fish Fry Table

Submitted by gjohanson on Thu, 09/26/2013 - 13:20

I call this the fish fry table because I built it for my mom to fry her fish on outside rather than in the kitchen. :) I did the old barn wood finish on it (vinegar and steel wool) and used a sharpie to draw the Philippine Islands on it. Conveniently, there was even a knot in the wood to emulate a tropical storm. Then sealed it with a clear gloss poly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
old barn wood stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pallet wood daybed

I used silvered pallet wood that was constructed using the method outlined in the farmhouse bed headboard plans. In addition, I rabbeted the edges of the boards and glued them together. I took a cue from another builder and put the rear "box" legs more towards the center. It's a little high, but I love it! Thanks, Ana!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
2 coats each, Benny Moore Aura and Zinzer 123 primer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Parsons Style Bookcase Turned Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/02/2019 - 11:58

This was my first woodworking project, so it’s very easy to build.  I made a huge Parsons bookcase, anchored to the wall, and affixed plywood and Ikea kitchen cover panels to the front to create a headboard with storage.  Thanks, Ana, for the easy plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Cabinet Cover paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Trestle Table

I was just about to sketchup this plan and Ana beat me to it! YEAH! I made two yesterday afternoon.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I spent about $40 to build 2 and had a 1/2 sheet of plywood left over.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
none YET.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JenS (not verified)

Wed, 09/14/2011 - 11:51

So glad you built this. I totally have it on my to-do list. Looks great!

Octagon Picnic Table

Submitted by athingvall on Thu, 02/07/2019 - 15:05

My 11 year old daughter and I built this table in a weekend for a fundraising auction for her school.  We changed out 2x6 for 5/4x4 Cedar.  We also fixed nailers on the underside so no screws show.  The table was a fun project to work together on and for Taylar to learn to use power tools.  BTW the table raised $700.00 for her school, I would say that is awesome.  Thanks Anna for the plans!!

Estimated Cost
220$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Cornhole Boards with Custom Initials

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/05/2023 - 06:25

Thank you for helping me make my first set of cornhole boards! Super easy steps to follow and I love how they turned out!!!

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Play Kitchen

Submitted by kld182 on Tue, 09/20/2011 - 12:31

I spent lots of time looking at all the photos posted on this site of people's amazing renditions of "Grace's Play Kitchen." I was so inspired by everyone's creativity! I found an old wooden play stove at a flea market and decided to make a matching sink. I took Ana's plans to the carpenter at the wood shop on the military base where I am stationed and asked if he could help me build a matching piece. We spent about 4 hours one Saturday building the sink. The carpenter had so much fun helping me, he suggested I build a matching refrigerator. So that was created in another couple hours the following Saturday. I did as much of the building as I could, but definitely had some help from the carpenter as I'm a novice. (Thanks, John!) I made the curtain and matching towels, but found the apron and chef's hat on Etsy. (Thanks, "SweetApronzNCupcakes"!). The play kitchen is in my kitchen, so my two year old daughter can pretend play while I'm working on meal preparation. Thanks again, Ana and all the creative folks who contributed ideas! I foresee many hours of play enjoyed by this play kitchen, and hope it can be passed on to future generations!

Estimated Cost
$150 (this is a rough estimate, everything purchased was in Euro and the exchange rate stinks!)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
water based acrylic paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Greenheart Bathroom Vanities

I've been working on these bathroom vanities for a family building a home. These are made of gorgeous Greenheart lumber. I have only worked with pine and spruce up to this point, but this wood is truly stunning. It has been quite the adjustment to work with, and I've broken my share of bits and screws :)

All of these together took me about a week to complete. Had I been working with a softer wood it would have taken no time hardly, but the hardwood....that's a whole other ballgame to me!

They will be adding 2'' thick concrete counter-tops on these when they get installed. I love the simplicity of their look!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
No idea on what this wood costs (and the costs to get it to where I live)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Unfinished in these photos. They are still trying to decide the final finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

NimbleShopper

Tue, 10/01/2013 - 07:35

These vanities are beautiful. It would be really neat if you could add pictures when they are installed with the counter tops! I am contemplating replacing a vanity with a DIY one, and I love seeing how other people have made things beautiful with their own 2 hands.

Floating bed

I built a floating bed using Ana's plans. In my case, I built a twin size bed which now my daughter enjoys every night. The bed turned out beautiful and very sturdy.

Comments

Photo Ledge from $10 ledges, slightly modified

Submitted by sshelby on Tue, 09/27/2011 - 06:47

8 foot long photo ledge inspired by $10 ledges project plan, http://ana-white.com/2010/10/ten-dollar-ledges.html

I used a 1x4, 1x3, and a 1x2 and added some crown molding to the bottom for a little something extra.

Estimated Cost
$15 in lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Reclaimed from 100 year old farmhouse

Submitted by Richard714 on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 07:27

I was so excited to see this plan and knew what to do with the wood I had recently acquired when an old home was being destroyed near my house.
Love the site and the projects are too much fun!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Lacquer over danish oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Pottery Barn knock off

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/23/2015 - 12:13

I painted mine black and distressed it. Stained the top and distressed parts with MinWax American Walnut poly stain. Hardware from Van Dykes Restores. Used piano spring loaded lid supports for lid.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate