Community Brag Posts

Dream dollhouse just in time for Christmas!

Submitted by DKlein10 on Wed, 12/11/2013 - 05:14

This project took me a while to do just because I had to fit the time in to complete it. Plus I changed the stairs up from the plan because I didn't like how they turned out. They seemed to sag in the middle when you pushed down on it like a kid would when walking the dolls upstairs. I then tried the 2"X4" method suggested somewhere in the posts but that didn't turn out well either. So I searched online and found Wayne of the Woods website here: http://www.wayneofthewoods.com/dollhouse%20plans.html
Scroll down and find the stair plans I adapted to fit the dollhouse I built. I used scrap 1/4" plywood and 1 1/4" (I think) "L" trim/molding. I think I'm most proud of those stairs! :)

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Golden Oak, I believe.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cassandra Roberts

Sat, 12/21/2013 - 14:18

This is beautiful! It's exactly how I envision ours turning out when its done, but gender neutral. THANK YOU SO MUCH for the stairs idea, I really didn't like either other option.

Rustic Coffee Table

Submitted by cjschulz on Mon, 02/22/2016 - 22:20

Because we needed this coffee table for a small living room, we scaled the length down a bit from the plans. It worked really well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
To achieve a rustic look I "sloppy painted" with 2 shades of grey, white, rust and some black. Once the paint was thoroughly dry, I used a course grit sandpaper to lightly take off paint in some areas, leaving it thicker in spots. I then applied minwax provincial stain and immediately wiped it. I finished with a satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wood Sideboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/03/2019 - 12:22

My wife and I originally saw this Ana White planked sideboard and knew it was exactly what our dining room needed! We had the perfect spot for it! The plans were generally easy to follow and it was actually my first time installing drawers! It turned out amazing and we all love it! We love the added storage it provides for dishes and other kitchen accessories.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We wanted a unique distressed finish, so after sanding everything good I actually used a black spray paint on most of project (mostly cracks and edges). After the black spray pain dried I Brush painted the entire project with Behr ultra paint (sorry I cannot find the color anywhere!). After the paint dried I sanded in random places, especially the edges to let the black come through, as well as some of the bare wood. This way it had a very rustic worn look of the three different colors (red, black, raw wood).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Coffee Bar & Blender Station

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/16/2023 - 15:22

I built this project after my wife saw a brag post from one of Ana White's followers. She was excited to regain some of her kitchen counter space by moving the Keurig machine and Vitamix blender. The build was completed in a single weekend.

Comments

Doll Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Karajoy on Sat, 02/04/2012 - 16:59

My 6 year old son and I made this doll bed for my daughter. It's the cutest little bed. Right now she puts her "Bitty Baby" doll in it but it will be great for when she's older and has an American Girl doll, too. And, it gave me a chance to make a little quilt. That was fun.
It was a quick and easy project! Thanks, Ana!!

Estimated Cost
Used Scrap wood. Cost was paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

playhouse bed

Submitted by ambro on Sun, 12/15/2013 - 09:38

I altered the plans a bit so this would fit along the wall where we wanted it. I basically shortened the width of the steps. I left the storage under the hinged 1st and second steps but I put in a shelf style cubby under the top step. This worked out to more useable space for us. I used cheap wood and just plained them down. I think I spent around 300 dollars including paint. But I also used a full sheet of plywood on the back as well.

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint by Valspar.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic farmhouse bed

Submitted by segginton on Fri, 02/26/2016 - 03:06

My second Ana project. Only modifications I made where to use 2x10 for side rails with a cleat system. Heavy duty bed rail hardware purchased from Amazon....Used 2 coat stain process followed with matte poly to finish

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered grey stain initially. Light sand. Followed by dsrk kona stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Built-in Bookshelves

Submitted by seeca13 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 13:34

I built this project in 6 separate pieces before installing it in our home. I pulled the baseboard and attached it to the wall to give it a built-in feel.  For the majority of the project, I used 3/4" plywood with the exception if 1/4" plywood for the back of the shelves as well as the centers of the cabinet doors.  For the trim, I used select pine boards.  I had to work around an airconditioning vent that was in the floor.  I was able to divert it to run out the bottom of the bookcase. 

This build is loosely based on the Willy Bookcase.  I actually found another brag post on the Willy Bookcase that was immensely helpful in constructing my project.  I'm so grateful for the brag boards!  Instead of fixing all of the shelves like the Willy, I used a Kreg shelf pin jig to make the shelves adjustable.  The shelf that lines up with the TV is fixed for stability. 

The estimate below covers all of the wood, paint, screws, hardware, etc.  For fun, I'm including an in progress photo to illustrate the process.  Thanks for looking!

Also, a note - this is a relatively easy project, however, I listed it as "intermediate" because of the cabinet doors.  They definitely made it more complicated!

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams paint custom matched to trim.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farm House King Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/23/2023 - 17:48

Was in the market for another bed but the prices were ridiculous. Ran across Ana White's site and fell in love with all of the projects and decided to build it myself. It's been standing strong since 2020. Thanks for all of your knowledge.

Comments

Clara /Lemonade/yard sale table

Submitted by angiemicn on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 01:57

My niece, who visits often needed a place of her own, for drawing, painting, playdohing, and of course the token lemonade stand. This is is, she loves it. When she's here, one weekend a month, it comes out, into the sunshine, so she can do her little girl activities. I left the top so I can resand if there are any accidents, and now it has a coat of poly sprayed on. I did make this project intermediate, due to the very tricky screwing that needs to be done not to go thru the top. I did use my Kreg Jig

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
25, I used pine, a little more expensive, well worth it
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Kilz and pure white on legs and apron, top is polyurethaned lightly, has required two sandings due to heavy kid play, is still as beautiful as the day it was born in my garage
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Almost wall to wall garage storage

Submitted by sraper2 on Wed, 12/18/2013 - 14:20

I didn't use one of your plans for these shelves but wanted to share it here since I learned how to build because of you! These were really easy to put together and only cost $100!!! I have the step by step plans on my blog.

Stephanie

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My version

Submitted by ltgprg on Sun, 02/28/2016 - 21:00

My version of this project using so advanced joinery and under mount self closing draw guides

Estimated Cost
$350 for the Poplar and hardware plus lots of tools!
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherman Williams Pro Classic, polycrylic, and general finishes glaze
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Simple Step Stool

Submitted by bblanchard on Mon, 10/07/2019 - 16:06

This step stool is my first project made from Ana White plans. It is perfect for my almost 2 year old daughter and it's become her new favorite toy! She likes to turn it upside down and ride in it like a boat :)

I love how simple and sturdy it is. It easily holds my weight (180 lbs), and I look forward to many years of useful fun from this great project. This was also my first project that incorporated beveled and angled cuts, but once I got started, it wasn't as intimidating as I initially thought. 

I had some leftover pieces of 1x10 and 1x3 pine boards from building a sidecar crib, so this was a perfect was to use the scraps. I used a table saw for cutting the 1x10s. My miter saw isn't large enough to accommodate 10 inch wide boards, but it was perfect for the 1x3s.

After assembling the stool the first time, I took it back apart and ripped the top down to 8 inches wide. I thought the stool had a tendency to tip with the full width of the 1x10. 

Can't wait to build more of these! For the next one, I'd like to try cutting half circles out of the bottom of the legs with the jigsaw instead of straight cuts and trying some decorative  cutout handles on the sides as well. 

Thanks, Ana!

Estimated Cost
10.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Honey stain by Minwax
Covered with one coat of triple thick polyurethane by Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

TV Stand

This is a television stand/bookcase I built at the request of my wife. I used red oak plywood, red oak lumber, and the backing is 1/4" birch sheeting. It is put together with trim nails, wood glue, and countersunk wood screws. I used wood plugs to fill the screw holes. I marked it as intermediate due to the miter cuts on the trim.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used 2 coats of Minwax Aged Oak gel stain applied with a brush. I wiped the stain down after 10-15 minutes with a cotton cloth. I used 3 coats of of Minwax fast drying polyurethane on the top and 2 coats elsewhere. The birch backing took only one coat of stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

windjamer812

Wed, 03/07/2012 - 23:00

I don't know about a sketch up. I will post the dimensions at some point along with the materials. I do many of my projects in my head and may draw a very rough sketch out.

Storage Basket Shelves

Submitted by Debbie440 on Sat, 12/21/2013 - 13:24

I built this and then ordered storage baskets that fit to the size. I built it exactly to the plan except I did not make the top flush to a back wall and I added decorative trim. I think adding trim really adds a nice look to this project.

The tower was super easy to build and took hardly any time. The most time was spent on the finishing work (sanding and painting).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Unknown/used leftover wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams sample paint color matched to an antique white.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Chalkboard Wood workers planning desk

I needed a new desk for my office workspace in the garage. I wanted something inspired, and that would BE inspiring to me as I sit at it. So, I made this chalkboard surface woodworking planning desk with mismatched legs. I love that the legs are mis-matched. LOVE IT. IT would make type a people squirm, but me. Nope, I love it. I quick made some set of sawhorse legs, and a box leg. Attached a 3/4 piece of plywood cut the the size I wanted. Stained the legs dark brown, and rolled on 3 coats of chalkboard paint on the top. Boom!! And the best part of this design, when it gets messy, I just sand it down. And clean it up again with chalkboard spray paint.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15-$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
brown stain and chalkboard paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Classic X Picnic Table

Submitted by WolffA on Fri, 10/11/2019 - 08:11

Build exactly from the plans. Stained in dark walnut. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Basic Bookshelf

Built this over a couple of week nights. I used the basic bookshelf plans available on this site.

It was fun!

I do have a couple of observations though:
1- Sand all pieces of wood BEFORE you cut them, to the desired lengths! Make sure the wood is nice an smooth. So much easier to do with big pieces, that can be balanced on a good support! Especially important when using the cheapest pine available!

2- Take your time, double check measurements, and follow the assembly directions. (Yes.. I made a mistake on the assembly part... at least it's on the back, and no one can see it)

I did change the width to fit my wall space, and I did add adjustable shelves (1 fixed shelf, to help hold the whole thing square). (I used a piece of peg board to place the holes for the shelf supports). Pretty neat! I also added a couple of extra shelves. (I still needs some paint) I needed the extra storage for organizing the stuff we need in the family eating area.

I also changed up the top finishing details. I mitered the corners, and layed the 1x2's flat, offset by .75 of an inch. It gives a nice look.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$55.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
plain, white, semi-gloss. It matches the trim in my house (and I had it in the basement!)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm House Bar Table

Modification of Ana White's Farmhouse Table adjusted to bar height.

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