Community Brag Posts

Shaker style cabinet doors and drawers!

Submitted by ksmith311 on Sun, 02/16/2014 - 16:49

After some inspiration from Ana, my husband and I tackled refacing and rehabbing our original cabinets circa 1939. The drawers and shelves were in rough shape so we built our own using the kreg jig. We're extremely happy with how everything turned out. When the weather gets better we will be building new cabinets on the opposite side of the kitchen where unfortunately we don't have ANY storage.

Thanks for looking!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Farrow and Ball "Lime White" uppers and Benjamin Moore "Kendall Charcoal" lowers
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Childs Bench with Arbor

Submitted by Fitz3636 on Tue, 02/18/2020 - 08:28

This was one of my first Ana-White projects. I am a hack builder and found this to be fairly easy with the back of the seat to be intermediate (However, I slanted the back and found that to be challenging for me.) Loved this little arbor bench and how it turned out. A couple coats of polyurethrane has helped it last outdoors all year through the sun and rain in Florida. Kept costs down using extra wood in the garage. Kids love to sit on it but mostly climb...!

Estimated Cost
45
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint and polyurethrane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Changing Table with slideout shelf

With a little one on the way, we just couldn't find a changing table that fit our space and wasn't too expensive. So, thanks to Ana's plans, I was able to put together a smaller changing table with a slide out shelf. In the future, I'd do a better job of measuring out the height of the middle sliding shelf...anyone over 5'5" will have to bend way over to slide it in/out. I switching the 1x4s from the top to the middle shelf and made sure to measure my changing pad before starting (after reading the comments on Ana's original design). My local lumber store cut my 3/4" ply to size for free, so if you can go in with dimensions already planned out, it'll save tons of time and headache driving with 4'x6' ply floppin' around.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Interior primer and semi-gloss interior bright white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4x4 Truss Beam Table with upholstered bench

Submitted by hubn8147 on Tue, 02/18/2014 - 14:35

I shortened the length of the table but kept the width. I have to re-figure the angles of the cross beams underneath. I also added decorative hardware to the raw post edges on the sides, on the edge of the breadboards, and underneath. I used Rustoleum Dark Walnut stain, and Rustoleum Satin Poly for the finish. I bought the 4 chairs before I stained it so I could match the table to the chairs. I then made the matching bench and upholstered it myself to match the chairs. All in all, it looks like a complete set and I'm so happy with it!
It is very heavy...

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

Comments

Joni

Wed, 02/19/2014 - 08:24

This looks fantastic. I LOVE the hardware on the edges. I know how hard it is to match stains and you did a great job. The upholstered bench looks professionally done.

Modern Craft Talbe

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/18/2016 - 13:26

The desk top measures 39" X 69". It extends 15" on one side, creating a counter overhang for a second crafter. The top is supported by a 1X3 frame fashioned after the desk design shared on Ana's brag post (pg. 7 as of this writing). The room has a tile floor, so adhesive-backed felt strips were placed on the bottom of the bookcase units, making it easier to pull the desk into the middle of the room should I need to access my work from both sides.

 

A lumber yard cut all the pieces. Next time I would use 1X12s for the two side pieces.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$220
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
MDF for table top. White wood for bookcases.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Traditional Toddler Bed: Simple Headboard

Submitted by Rosie_R on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 18:22

I made this bed for my daughter who is not yet two, but can climb out of her crib.

I needed to use some different lumber: 2x3's instead of 2x2's and 1x3's instead of 1x2's. I adjusted the headboard, as beadboard was not available and this simple design seemed more suitable for us. I was very pleased with the simplicity of the plan, although I wish I had read it more carefully before I began. I loved the Kreg jig also. Very easy to use.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35 (includes glue, putty, screws)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Dresser and Bedroom Set

My son was too big for his toddler bed and had been spending his nights in the guest bed, instead. For his Christmas gift this year, his grandparents were going to get him bedroom furniture, but I insisted on building it instead! I love the rustic theme, saw the rustic dresser on wheels and thought it was perfect for him and perfect for us since we move so much with the military. Hello, a dresser on wheels? Like, no man labor trying to carry the thing out of the house? Just roll it? SOLD! I HATE the wheels that I put on it, but I really did not want to dish out $100 for the spoked wheels. I think I may change them one day and put the wheels on that will make it look ten times better, but for now, these will do. The wood for the dresser was pricey, but it was my first time buying plywood and I didn't realize that I could buy nicer plywood in smaller amounts that would have been a little cheaper since I didn't need to buy entire boards! Otherwise, it wouldn't have cost as much I am sure. I built a bed and a night table to match the dresser (as seen in the pictures), and frankly, I am very pleased with this set that I built! (CHECK OUT MY BED! http://ana-white.com/2014/02/rustic-twin-bed-upholstered-headboard-matc…) It was quite a difficult project for me, being the first time I had built drawers and because I didn't have more than a few hours in a week to get outside to work on it, but I finally finished :-) I also had a very small space to work in, since my husband consumes the garage with his man "stuff" and it was cold, so I needed the door closed with the space heater ;-). This project could definitely use some good amount of workspace!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100-$200??
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American , used a natural bristle brush, foam brush and cloth, set for a minute or two, wiped off.
Minwax Furniture Wax, rubbed on with cloth and let dry for a bit.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern outdoor bench

My last piece of my collection

Estimated Cost
$100
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

gtg673a

Tue, 03/09/2021 - 12:17

Hi Lila - I love this table and bench and have been searching everywhere for the plans. The link you connected to: "2x4 truss benches for Alaska lake cabin" doesn't look like your set at all :(
Maybe it's the wrong link?
Do you have the link for the plans you followed for this table and bench?
Thanks in advance!

Sideboard Build

Submitted by craw4dz on Thu, 02/27/2020 - 10:24

Before moving, I sold my older, MDF-containing, sagging china hutch that was given to me by a friend.  I had dreams of building my own and had printed out these plans... built it in my head, rebuilt it, scratched out notes, wrote new notes, and so on until my husband finally said "just build it already" haha.  It took me 2 months to finish it and fill it with all of my china and I'm into it for about $330.  I love her and affectionately refer to her as Gert... she's a big girl.  I added adjustable shelving inside and horseshoes to the front to match everything else in my house and I think it turned out great.  It's sturdy enough I think we could have dances on top of it!

Thank you for the simple and easy-to-follow plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$330
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Kona with a satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Superman Stool

This stool is a gift for my nephew's 4th birthday!! The hardest thing about this stool is trying to get all the legs put together without having enough room to get the drill at the right angle. This time, we used an extender piece on the drill bit (duh!) and it was MUCH easier than the other stools we have built.

I used a projector to put the trace the Superman symbol, then painted it.

I hope he likes it!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Blue is spray paint, the yellow is some pre-mixed paint I used for my picnic table, and the red is acrylic paint. All the finishes are different, so that's probably not good. I sprayed a clear coat on at the end.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse End Tables

Submitted by pde00311 on Mon, 02/24/2014 - 22:49

Of course, with our new king farmhouse bed, we needed matching his and her bedside tables. It was a pretty straightforward build. However, if I were to build it again, I would install slide hardware for the drawers. For whatever reason, our drawers, which use the wood on wood slides in the plans, are difficult to open/close. When I get a chance, I am going to sand everything down to try to prevent the drawers from sticking so much.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr off white #1873 paint distressed with Minwax special walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

ehays216

Wed, 02/26/2014 - 05:44

I love the stain you used on the tables and bed, thanks for giving the details! They all look great!

Double farmhouse bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/25/2016 - 20:05

My husband built the full size farmhouse bed for our 2 year old son. It turned out beautiful but very high off the ground. In hindsight he would've cut off about 4" from the end posts so it would be lower to the ground. Overall we are very happy with it!

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Breakfast nook with storage

Submitted by nahoy08 on Mon, 03/09/2020 - 08:12

Modified the benches a little to be opened without removing a cushion. Cushions to come. We made our own paneling for the back and reused the original trim. Table to come. 
Idea and plans from another brag Breakfast nook. 

Estimated Cost
275
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Variety of stains all with a light clear coat on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kids Storage Table & Stools

I built a storage table and stools for my son's school class project and my wife wanted a set for her mom to give to her on Mother's Day.

Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Kona Stain, Poly satin finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Sat, 10/20/2012 - 10:25

Beautiful build. Is that the 36" round project panel? I don't the 32" size she refers to in any store.

Vegetable Storage Bin

Submitted by Loaded918 on Sun, 03/15/2020 - 16:56

I had some scraps leftover from a previous project and decided to see what I could make. My wife wanted this vegetable bin, so I figured I’d give it a shot. I used my table saw to create my own 1x boards for this build. The back board is two 2x4’s with trimmed edges, glued together. The rest was a 2x10 I cut to size for the different pieces I needed. All in all, it turned out great!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

"Thomas" Train Bunk Bed

We wanted a short bunk bed for our sons, age 4 and 1. Our 4-year-old insisted on a Thomas Train bed. We modified the fort bed plans slightly to add stronger barriers on the top bunk and add a barrier on the bottom for the little guy. We also used solid plywood rather than MDF. We used 2x4's and steel angle to hold up the top bunk. It should be sturdy enough for them to use into teenage years. Because we beefed up the strength, the cost increased as well.

We tried staining it and it didn't come out as nicely as we had hoped, but the boys added their own stickers to it and now they have a Thomas bed that they love. When the 1-year-old gets older, we will probably remove the barrier on the bottom bunk to make getting in and out easier.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Back