Community Brag Posts

Matching Stools for Kids

This was my second project from Ana White, and overall it was successful. I used a miter saw for the cuts (struggled with the bevel because my 12 inch saw isn't a slider, a kreg jig to attach everything (struggled to attach the 1x3s to the legs due to the angle of the dril and tight space), but everything eventually was held solidly together and it's really very sturdy. My husband is about 160 and he was able to jump on it with absolutely no give. 

 

The paint is just small samples we had on hand from home depot to coordinate with other projects in the kids' rooms, and I handpainted the letters. I finished it with a double coat of polycrylic. 

Estimated Cost
$20 total for two stools.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
paint and polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adjusted Counter Height Farmhouse Table

Submitted by rahurtado on Mon, 05/04/2020 - 23:26

I liked the look of the “counter height table” and adjusted the height to make it a table for an office. I used 4x4s for the legs and oak for the top.
I used a biscuit joiner to join the top, a Dremel tool to carve grooves in the frame so I could attach the top with figure 8 fasteners (allows wood to move as it expands and contracts).

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Custom Gate

Submitted by zduchene on Fri, 04/18/2014 - 22:41

When we first moved into our new home one of the first things that I built for it was this custom gate that resides at the top of our stairs. We needed this to keep the baby from falling down and keep the dogs out when need be. Overall it was a great way to separate the two areas. It is also inexpensive and easy to build. I used a pneumatic nailer for all of the joinery on this one so it was quick to build as well.

Estimated Cost
75-125
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American Varathane Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Vintage Doll Cradle

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/27/2016 - 09:59

I used leftover plywood (1/4 inch) instead, but would only recommend it, if you plan to paint the cradle (due to splintering when you make your cuts). I also used my nail gun instead of screws, which worked fine since the wood is a lot thinner and lighter. The cradle is very sturdy and my 4-year-old loves it. Thanks for the awesome plans!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Dining table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/07/2016 - 09:28

Took the plans from Ana white and made my own twist to it! Came out awesome and the person loved it that I made it for! Kona stain on table top and Navajo white on the bottom. Did the same for benches and chairs to match! Thanks for the great instructions! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona stain and Navajo white, clear gloss poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack Chairs - first ever wood project completed

Submitted by fessehaye2 on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 17:00

Thank you for these really easy, step by step instructions. This was my first ever wood project and did it with borrowed mitre saw and few other tools I had at home. I'm now hooked and already planning my next project, twin beds for my kids.

Comments

BLUE BENCH

Submitted by spustay74 on Mon, 06/16/2014 - 05:26

This was my wife and I's first Ana White project. We are now hooked, and loved spending time together building something we will enjoy for years, and our dog mindy of course was the first to test our beautiful bench out!

Thanks Ana,

Steve & Courtney

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80$
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Spray paint, Clear coat sealer. If we did it again, we would use regular exterior paint instead of spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Grill Station

Submitted by JDillen on Sat, 07/05/2014 - 15:32

Grill station

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Kona
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Balustrade Coffee Table

Love this table! Created from Ana Whites Balustrade Coffee Table plans. Looks just like the table from RH.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
First coat SW New Ebony Stain
second coat Varathane Briarsmoke
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/26/2020 - 21:41

This was a fun project to build! It took about 1.5 hours to build start to finish, with another couple of hours to stain and then seal.

Estimated Cost
$43
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut stain and Satin Sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids Toy Outdoor Storage Box

Submitted by MattCad on Sat, 08/01/2020 - 20:28

First time making anything half decent and it turned out ok. Followed the Cedar Box plans with a few adaptations. I live in regional Australia so used different materials, also extended the length. Used an app on the phone to convert the measurements to as close as I could. Worked out well, a few teething issues but does the job.

Estimated Cost
70 AUD
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Intergrain Merbau Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Superman theme Loft Bunk Bed

Submitted by frenchy619 on Sun, 08/03/2014 - 22:29

My son is now 5 years old and needed a new big boy bed. His bedroom is tiny so finding the plan for this kind of bunk bed with an opening area underneath was perfect to have the space to play and have an area to store his toys. This was my first and biggest piece of furniture that I've built and I did it all by myself. My wife helped with the painting. Following the instructions was simple and easy. I picked the Superman theme because my son's middle name is Kal-El, which is Superman Kryptonian name for those who aren't superhero geeks like me ;)
Overall an easy and fun project. Took me approximately 1 week (working on it each day for 2-3 hours after work) to cut and prep all the wood pieces. The painting took about 3 days for 3 coats of paint. The assembling took about 2 hours.

Estimated Cost
$150-$175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fence Picket Shed

Submitted by EDempsey on Tue, 08/04/2020 - 11:45

Using the Small Cedar Shed plans as inspiration, I created this 3'x6' shed using pressure treated fence pickets as the siding. I also made the shed one foot taller than the original plans to have a taller single door instead of the double door in the plans. Used 2x4 framing to strengthen the shed. Overall, I am pleased with the results. This was my first time constructing any type of building.

Estimated Cost
$475
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified firepit bench

Submitted by kkushner on Sat, 08/15/2020 - 23:11

I built the one bench using the original plan with the storage and table top unit but needed two additional seating benches to go around the firepit without the bulk of the backside of the bench.

I modified the original plan as follows:

Shopping List:
(2) 2X6X8
(3) 2X4X8
(2) 1X6X8

Cutting List:
(2) 2X4X17" front legs, 15 degree cuts, parallel long to short
(2) 2X4X23" back support, 15 degree cuts, parallel long to short
(2) 2X4X20.75" back legs, 15 and 60 degree cuts, not parallel long to long
(2) 2X4X24.75" under seat, 15 degree cuts, not parallel long to long
(2) 2X4X30" bottom support, 15 degree cuts, not parallel long to long
(1) 2X4X42" bottom cross brace between leg sets, 90 degree cuts
(2) 2X6 cut equally in half, 3 for the seat and 1 for the top plate
(2) 1X6 cut equally in half, 3 for the back rest and 1 to be tucked under the seat overhang

Estimated Cost
$40.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Brown outdoor wood preservative.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jwood4

Thu, 09/08/2022 - 11:23

Great work! Have you had any tipping issues with the benches without the table back? If you kneel on the bench backwards and lean on the back do you think it would tip? Ha I clearly have kids around to be asking such strangely specific questions... TIA!

kkushner

Sat, 02/25/2023 - 08:56

I built these for my daughter/son-in-law and their young family. I have grandkids that use them and have never tipped them. However a strong wind gust 100km/hr did flip one over but not the other. I would suggest adding a horizontal ground level ‘foot’ extension on one or both back legs to alleviate any concerns of tipping.

Planters

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/17/2020 - 08:58

Made these planters which was my first try at building something from wood! They came out great and can’t wait to try another project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
White outdoor paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Stain & Paint Finish

Submitted by ajstormy85 on Sun, 08/24/2014 - 18:19

Did the multi-finish on the step stool. On the steps, I used the Minwax Pre-Stain Conditioner, followed by Minwax 'Early American' stain and then Minwax clear gloss polyurethane. The rest of the stool was painted with DIY chalk paint. The paint is 1 cup flat paint (Valspar Jungle Thicket) mixed with 1/3 cup plaster of paris and 1/3 cup water. The chalk paint portion was finished with the Minwax Finishing Paste Wax and gave the flat paint look a nice sheen.

Finish Used
Minwax products (pre-stain conditioner, Early American stain, clear gloss polyurethane; DIY chalk paint (1 cup flat paint, 1/3 cup plaster of paris, 1/3 cup water); Minwax finishing paste wax on chalk paint part
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Play Deck and Swing

Submitted by lervy on Wed, 09/03/2014 - 02:23

Play Deck and Swing

Estimated Cost
£700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ronseal Country Oak Fence Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

booksnotbombs

Wed, 09/03/2014 - 07:35

You have a BEAUTIFUL view from your yard! Just curious, where do you live? I assumed somewhere in Europe due to the currency. The play area looks fantastic. What lucky kiddos!

Seasonal And Holiday

Farmhouse Storage Bed

Submitted by Slayer311 on Tue, 09/16/2014 - 09:11

It was time for my daughter to get her very own big girl bed! I found the plans and my wife approved and construction began. 3 weeks later this is what we have created. Everyone at work is super jelious and have referred quite a few people to the website. Thank you Ana for having such a great resourse!

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Glidden premium interior semi gloss paint, white, GLN6400.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Doll Bed

Submitted by TeamR-K on Tue, 12/11/2012 - 13:04

My handy husband whipped this little bed up from the leftover wood of the rustic "X" end table! I love it so much, a great toy / newborn prop!! I wanted to finish it with the steel wool/vinegar method, but it was too late, he already painted it. I love it just the way it is! Thank you for the awesome plan!!

Estimated Cost
$15 - or free if you use leftover pieces of wood
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint-Beautitone Satin Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Wed, 12/12/2012 - 05:26

Nice build, but the baby steals the show. What an absolutely precious baby and picture! The stuffed lamb is adorable, too, lol!

5 tator tots (not verified)

Tue, 12/18/2012 - 11:37

Our baby is due in a few weeks...makes me want my husband to build this just for pictures! Adorable baby!

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