Community Brag Posts

Farmhouse King Bed

Submitted by gahan22 on Tue, 02/02/2016 - 10:36

This was our first ana white build. Bed build took one Saturday - to finish up took another week or so working nights - most of our time spent on getting the color we wanted and sanding and finishing. Building the 2x4 frame took more time than anticipated as well. We are super happy with how it turned out.

Estimated Cost
$250 for lumber, stain and lumber for bed frame. We used lag screws on the side and 2x4 hangers for the frame which increased costs.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stain is two coats minwax dark mahogany plus classic grey over the top - wiped off and finished with minwax satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

2x4 Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/03/2023 - 12:04

My husband whipped this up in one day using Ana’s plan. This is my new favorite spot to relax.

Comments

Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/06/2016 - 13:20

Here is the outdoor sectionAL I built with redwood.

Estimated Cost
250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Redwood stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Triple Bunk inspired by the hanging day bed

Submitted by jjrrstroh on Mon, 12/30/2013 - 21:50

Inspired by the hanging day bed- everything was built as directed- then 5in X 3/8in lag bols used to secure to wall, as well as eye bolts and rope. Extra support added with ladders & 2X4's. Could have been a 1.5-2 day project but we kept breaking bits, missing tools, running out of screws as soon ad home depot closed... so we did it in 3.5 days

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$235 for all 3 beds
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural - no finish - sanded well
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by kelseyt15 on Mon, 11/25/2019 - 11:11

My first project! I was surprised how much fun and how easy it is to build something that’s beautiful & functional. I’m hooked! I can’t wait to build more!

Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Special Walnut & Weathered Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor Day Bed with Canopy

Submitted by hawaiitara on Mon, 04/09/2012 - 15:22

We needed a daybed for our lanai and when I saw these plans I knew it was perfect. We built the bed in a day and then painted later when we had time. It is just the place for taking a nap and because it is on a covered lanai, weatherproofing was not an issue.

We followed the instructions and it was very easy to complete! Thanks Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used heirloom white to paint it, followed by sparsely painting over it with turquoise so it would look beachy. I attached sea stars to the top corners. I used valspar paint in innocent turquoise I think.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Laundry Basket Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/13/2023 - 09:35

I didn’t want to have to paint or cut the metal angles - plus I wanted 4 basket tall so I used pre-drilled melamine for the sides making the unit 48” tall. Then cut top and bottom same as plans and bought 5mm L shelf pegs and had shelves cut 24 1/4”. Used white wainscot panel for back. Very easy - especially since I had big box store make all my cuts! Just have to make sure you have peg holes lined up at bottom or you won’t be level.

Deb D.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Our new garden beds. Thank you!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/04/2016 - 07:00

I'm only moderately handy and these were fun and pretty easy.

Learned a lot and got better as I went along.

I found ways to make it as cheap as possible, probably did all three projects for 150 bucks.

Estimated Cost
Around $150
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King Headboard w/ Charger and Lighting

Submitted by Malka on Sat, 02/01/2020 - 15:21

I designed this headboard on the back of a napkin, after we couldn't find one at a box store that met our needs. I used Douglas fir 2x10 for the headboard/shelves and Pine T&G for the backing. My fiance etched a mountain range into an unframed mirror, which I then framed from the scrap fir wood, and stained to match. Also attached an LED Lightbar above the mirror, Dimmer switch LEDs on each bookshelf, and a recessed USB/Plug port. This wasn't the cheapest project with the electrical accessories added, but we now have a custom wooden headboard with bookshelves, lighting and chargers that will last us years and be far beyond anything we could have bought at a big box store for the same cost. 

Estimated Cost
250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Honey
Minwax Semi-Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Popcorn Machine Stand and Storage on Wheels

Submitted by advanlente on Sat, 03/28/2020 - 10:55

My parent organization at the elementary school had just bought a brand new popcorn machine but had nowhere to store it. So, I offered to try my hand at building a stand with storage. I knew that we needed the stand to be mobile as the idea was to pop the popcorn in different classrooms for incentives, etc. I modified the kitchen prep cart to have a large cabinet underneath to store the popcorn, bags, etc. The pullout drawer was home to the measuring cups, directions, etc. I used my Cricut and cut out our school logo, placed on the popcorn machine and then polyurethaned it to the side. It turned out great!!! I could not be happier :)

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Red paint and polyurethane

Outdoor Daybed with Canopy

Submitted by calimomma on Wed, 07/04/2012 - 00:19

Thank you anawhite.com for this project! It was exactly what I was looking to build for my outdoor space. The outdoor daybeds with this look are WAY too expensive for us to buy and these plans were just what I needed!

My husband and I built (and painted) this project over one weekend. Not included in that time are 2+ hours shopping for materials on the friday night before and extra hours over the next few days to buy pillows, tie on the drapery, and finish the cushions.

We actually changed the plans to make more of a smaller 'daycouch' rather than a 'daybed' because we had some old cushions from a loveseat we just got rid of that I wanted to repurpose. It worked out great for our small space. If you do change the proportions keep in mind that a 1X3, 1X4, etc., are not exactly 3", 4", etc.

This project is totally doable, so go for it! The only things I would recommend are that you have some skills with power tools, know a little about carpentry (the directions are pretty spartan), and paint the pieces beforehand (if you have the patience; it really does cut down time on painting all those slats).

*Important note: the materials list is missing 2 2"X4"X8" (for the 2 cleats) that you need to complete the project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$260+ (includes pillows and cost of way more paint than we needed)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

calimomma

Fri, 07/13/2012 - 23:26

Thank you! We are pretty happy with the way it turned out. If you do the project please post a pic!

Kids Storage Bench

Submitted by ValBryant on Thu, 08/16/2012 - 09:10

After building a few things from plans I decided to come up with something on my own, and from scraps I made this bench for my son.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Scraps
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic X Console Table

Submitted by Monique on Sun, 06/21/2020 - 18:44

This is our second time building the Rustic X Console Table. It is such a fun project! I have all the details and more pictures on my blog.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Dark Walnut
Satin Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

$40 Ping Pong table top game

With Father's Day rolling in, my sons and I needed a gift, stat! My husband thinks that Table Tennis is the quintessential father-son activity, so that was an obvious choice.
We needed something easy to make, easy to store, and budget friendly. With a 6, 4, and 2 year old helping out, I made a foldable mdf ping pong table that could easily be placed on our picnic table outside.
We had home depot cut the mdf in half, primed it, taped off some lines, spray painted it with chalkboard paint (bonus, you can keep score!), and screwed 4 small hinges to attach the 2 halves. We added a removable table tennis net, some paddles and balls, and have played nearly every day!

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalkboard spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Modified Corner Media Stand

I used the Tall Corner Media Stand plans as inspiration for this, but I didn't actually need it top be very tall, so I took off one of the shelves, and decided not to add the extra section for the cable box and what not.

I also liked the simplicity to it without all the trim, so I decided to leave the sides and top slats off and just stain it and add a 1x3 at the bottom for aesthetic purposes.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$85 (for lumber and stain. Already had screws/glue,etc.)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
MinwaX'S full collection: Pre-stain wood conditioner, English Chestnut stain, and clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DavidM1962

Sat, 04/16/2016 - 23:01

Any possibility you could have an option for metric measurements on your projects. I assume that there would be many more metric speaking nationalities besides me that would find this helpful. Your country, and a smattering of others, are among the only countries that still use the old Imperial system.

X Bookcase

Submitted by pcarroll on Sat, 08/09/2014 - 12:09

X Bookshelf. Followed Ana's great plan, only change was to spare 1x4s that I planked for shelves. Finished with antique white milk paint. Very happy with result.

Estimated Cost
70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique white milk paint (love it).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Tilt Out Wooden Trash Bin

Submitted by paigers01 on Mon, 01/09/2017 - 11:27

Tilt Out Wooden Trash Bin

After 7 years of our trash can sitting out in the open, my wife decided we needed to do something about it. I saw the plans for this tilt out wooden trash bin, and slightly modified it using tongue and groove for the face panel.

 

Estimated Cost
$50-$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax English Chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner