Community Brag Posts

Flat Wall Bookcase

This was my very first Ana project. It probably took me three times as long as it would take anyone with any experience. That said, we love it! I have since made two more for friends! No need to look too close, there are plenty of mistakes.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used miniwax water-based red oak and topped with two coats of polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Folding Chalkboard

I bought two pre-cut 1/4 inch panels and adjusted the dimensions of the trim to fit the panels, using 1x2's and 1x3's. I painted before I assembled, which was where the most time was spent. Thanks Ana for another great project!

Estimated Cost
I'm guessing $15 including the hardware and chalkboard paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
left-over interior green paint and chalkboard spray paint (Rustoleum)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Granite Top Kitchen Island

Dued to my small kitchen, I used 3x4's instead of 4x4's for the legs. I did away with the drawers, and went with two shelves instead. I lower the first shelf to fit my microwave. This freed up my counter space, which was nice. I stopped by a local stone yard, and picked up a thickest piece of granite they had, and had them cut it 36" x 24". I used Minwax Polyshade White Oak for the stain, and picked up some cast iron hooks from Amazon. All together it came out fairly nice. The only regrets is the wood filler I used wasn't so great, and it didn't stain well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$130 granite slab, $30 for lumber, $8 wood stain and $14 cast iron hooks = $182
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshade White Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Corner storage beds

Submitted by Kguillotte on Tue, 12/18/2018 - 21:15

Our boys share a room and needed new beds. We wanted to keep as much floor open as possible, so these 2 plans came together perfectly!! They have large drawers that store all of their clothes so theres no need for dressers. We put a surge protector inside the hutch so they can easily plug up and charge their electronics. Best beds ever!!!

Estimated Cost
$700
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Red mahogany
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/29/2022 - 05:36

Here is a coffee table I built using the plans from Ana and wood from an old picnic table. The plans were perfect and the coffee table turned out well. I used the 2X4 coffee table plans - http://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/2x4-outdoor-coffee-table - I had to make a few cutting adjustments in order to only use the reclaimed wood from the picnic table but it still turned out great.

Comments

Mail Organizer - a modified version of the numbered cubbies

Submitted by kelli224 on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 18:28

I was in desperate need of a mail organizer and knew when I saw the the plans for the numbered cubbies that it would be perfect with some modifications. The best part of this project was that it was free...all from scraps and done in less than a couple hours.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
FREE - totally made from scraps and paint I had around the house
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
A coat of black spray paint and then a coat of white. I painted on the letters and then sanded everything. I used a brown/gray glaze to tone down the white.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

kelli224

Wed, 08/31/2011 - 15:22

Thank you! This little box has really been handy and keeps everything so tidy. EmileeA - It is 19" long, the back is 8", and the front is 5.5". The divider is 11.25" from the left side. Hope that helps!

Sarakas

Tue, 12/17/2013 - 17:31

hi there! I ve been working on a small cubby shelf similar to this and was interested in seeing how /where you joined the boards- ex. The front board (5.5ft) to the dividers... I don't see and nails or screws! I'm guessing you applied wood filler atop the nailheads. But I'm having trouble joining my boards and if you can kindle let me know where you attached the front board to dividers w nails or was it just glue?!? Thanks so much!

Simple white potting bench

Submitted by JW on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 05:59

Finally, a place to corral all of the stuff on the patio!

What we really needed was a wood rack and buffet/usable surface for the patio, but this potting bench fit the bill perfectly because:
1. It's sturdy enough to hold all that firewood
2. I had all of the supplies already (2x4 scraps, leftover paint, screws, etc)

Free and easy? Yes, please!

Only real change is that I added an apron to the front of the top shelf, and used well-sanded fence slats for the top shelf instead of a regular 1x6 (it's what was in the garage already).

The towel bar is from Ikea. That was also an extra that was already on hand.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0 (made from all leftovers from other projects)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Some exterior white paint that was already in the garage. Pretty sure it was Behr brand paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Club house bunk

Built for our 4 ur old son.. We all love it and had fun together!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Floating bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/03/2022 - 20:48

My son needed a new bed and he was interested in a live edge Cypress headboard. We were able to make this one!

Comments

Twin Farmhouse Bed - A Beachy-ish Version

I decided to start on the project of converting my daybed to a twin farmhouse bed five days before I had a house full of company - genius! The hardest part was finding the 4x4 posts at the Blue store and deciding what length of screws to use. It's hard to say how much time I spent on it, as I was finishing up 46 other projects during the same time, but I would guess the build took about ten hours, and the finishing maybe three? This finish really is one of the easiest I've done to date. A quick coat of white/cream semigloss, another quick coat of turquoise semigloss, an hour of light sanding and wa-lah! I apologize for the poor photo quality - I borrowed a friend's camera lens to get wide-angle shots in my teeny guest room and the lens apparently wasn't made for my camera - whoops!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I believe the white was Mascarpone by Benjamin Moore and Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore. A single light coat of each, then distressed lightly with a sanding block. I didn't use a sealer, but that may change if I decide the raw finish isn't good enough. It seems to be great right now!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

dananryan

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 08:57

I absolutely LOVE the finish! Once I figure out which of Anna's beds I want to build, I will try to copy your fabulous finishing job. Thanks for sharing.

Spring

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 16:30

I love the beachy look. You did an amazing job. I have a day bed that I hate and I'm thinking this is a perfect solution. Thanks fir the inspiration.

Miasmom (not verified)

Mon, 08/15/2011 - 08:41

I love the finish! I'm making one of Ana's beds for my daughter and may copy your finish technique, but use a pink (her favorite color) instead of blue.

I also noticed that you used the bedframe for the siderails instead of making them. Did you just screw them in to the posts?

designdoctor

Mon, 08/15/2011 - 15:53

This is beautiful! I have a non-building related question. Wherever did you find the bedding? I love the red and turquoise floral. I've been looking for fabric like that and haven't found anything. Thanks

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 15:03

I was curious to know what your mattress is on for the trundle? I will be attempting the same thing, but was going to put the mattress in a wooden box on castors. Yours looks more friendly! Thanks for your time. Excellent job.

Trish

exuma_momma

Fri, 02/10/2012 - 09:01

Hey Amanda... this is beautiful. I'm hoping to try this type of finish on a bed I am working on now. How does it seem to be holding up without a sealer? You didn't use any primer, correct?? Thanks. Really beautiful work.

Linda Selfridge (not verified)

Sat, 02/18/2012 - 07:29

I love the color so I went to the paint store bought palladian blue) by Benjamin Moore but it sure didn't look your color. It was more of a weathered gray look. Which was nice too but definitely not the same. Are you sure that you used palladian blue?

winter_baby26

Mon, 04/23/2012 - 11:50

Absolutely beautiful, and such an inspiration. I think the color is stunning, and the weathered look you created is just perfect. It goes so well with the bedding too. I would love to have the exact same thing in my own house!

Adirondack Chairs for our Fire pit

Submitted by Robert4588 on Fri, 11/06/2015 - 10:08

We had recenty been to Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies and saw beautiful red adirondack chairs out on many of the trails, so we built these to remind us of a great family vacation.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 Each
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Outdoor paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Michael's Bug Bakery

Submitted by lorishad on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:12

We let my son choose whether he wanted a modern store bought play market or whether he wanted help Mommy and Padre (my dad) build one for his 3rd birthday present. We used magnetic primer so he can change the name whenever he wants and added some trim and some tea towel curtains! He loves it!

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

Comments

Wooden Star

Used a compass to make my star as I wanted the points to be a little taller. 10 pieces of 8" walnut was used. And I used a table saw sled to cut the pieces. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Pallmann Magic Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Added some trim and everyone thinks it cost $1000

First piece of furniture every built. I added some quarter round and 1x4 blocks. Finished with a grey stain and paste wax. Everyone asks me is where did I buy it and how did I afford it.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax classic grey and Johnsons paste wax
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Hockey Drying Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/27/2022 - 17:35

Love it so much! It holds every single piece of my husbands gear, and he finally keeps it all in the garage instead of dispersed on the ground around his office (gag). I’m currently making a vinyl sticker with his name and number to put on the front bottom piece! Thank you, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

my IKEA knock-off Expedit 4-cube bookcase

Submitted by cbrowan on Sun, 08/21/2011 - 11:40

I had been eying the IKEA Expedit 4-cube bookcase and figured I could build it for cheaper and have lots of leftover plywood for some other projects. I was right!

Estimated Cost
$40 (but left enough wood to build a console table and flat bookcases)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of Valspar chocolate brown, eggshell
1 coat of Minwax Polyurethane, satin
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Corner Cupboard

Submitted by REASMOM on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 11:54

I've been looking for a corner unit for my kitchen for a couple of years, but couldn't find anything that I liked that fit my budget. This corner cupboard was exactly what I've been looking for. My husband and I built this together and I've definately discovered a new hobby!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Stain in Early American and 3 coats of Minwax Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane (Satin).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

REASMOM

Tue, 09/17/2013 - 06:40

Thank you for choosing my corner cupboard as your featured brag post! I was so excited to see it on your facebook page last night :) I enjoy this website so much and can't thank you enough for sharing all these free and easy to follow plans! I love that reader's can share their builds and give tips and advice! Thank you for inspiring me to be creative!

Poplar toy chest

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/05/2019 - 17:17

Toy chest for our daughter.

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Large Porch Bench with X backs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/05/2022 - 16:39

I have built 2 of the large porch bench with X backs - one was all black and the other stained & painted. The only thing I had trouble with was the X backs - but that was with me, not the plans. Lots of compliments on both of them!

Comments