Community Brag Posts

Headboards

Submitted by fiddlepics on Mon, 01/08/2018 - 07:31

Built these for my boys room- these headboards are for highrisers so I did not use legs- they end at the bottom of the slats.  I used 1x3 furring strips for the slats to keep the costs down, I believe I used 10 slats. In order to mount the headboards, they are completely mounted on the wall and not attached to the bed at all. I used 3-2'' Z clips,  at the top, tried to get them drilled into wall studs. To keep the headboards even more secure, I used corner braces on the bottom- 2'' braces, drilled into the wall with anchorless screws and then drilled into the bottom of the headboard frame. 

 

I also did not cut the wood at the hardware store- I purchased a circular saw and was very happy with the decision. Was MUCH better to cut as I built. 

Estimated Cost
$75-$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax penetrating stain- 2 coats dark walnut, 1 coat red mahogany. Spray Minwax Lacquer in Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ice Trough Table

Submitted by SHiggins03 on Mon, 12/27/2021 - 11:37

Wanted to try something different for my Secret Santa gift. Didn’t have the exact plans I needed so I based it off others. Built this to fit in and out of an RV entry door. It also has a drain valve underneath. This was my first without a plan project

Comments

Not so "Rhyan" Nightstands

Submitted by Kimbers on Sun, 05/08/2011 - 19:05

I used the Rhyan end table plan (with a few alterations) to make my nightstands. I changed the dimensions so mine turned out to be 20”D, 25”W, 27”H, I extended the side and back panels all the way to the top to close in the shelf and I made the bottom drawer larger. I decided to use under mount drawer slides but I think I will try out the side mount slides in the future though.

I wanted them to match the headboard and bench that I made for my bed so I added the same molding that I used on those pieces to finish it off.

I pre cut every piece for the main body of the nightstand and predrilled all of the Kreg holes which made it a really quick piece to put together! I purchased the Mini Kreg jig for this project and am so glad I did. Totally worth the money!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $80 For 2 Nightstands
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted with Rust-oleum painters touch semi gloss white and then sprayed a few coats of polyacrylic on the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Minnie Mouse step stool

It was time for potty training and when it came time to wash her hands her arms were a little too short. So I threw this step stool together over a few hours and with the little one being a Minnie Mouse fan I had to add the Mickey head. Great project for those wanting something easy and quick.

Estimated Cost
$15-20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Disney paint from wal-mart and Rustoleum clear coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

disneynut

Fri, 07/05/2013 - 05:37

I loooove this! Nice job! I will have to add this to my to-do list. Thanks for sharing :)

Outdoor Sofa

I created this sofa from 2x6s that were left over from a pergola we built. I got the cushions at Lowes for $57 per set (3 sets). This is the first thing I ever built and I did it all by myself including cutting the boards to length. In total it took about 4 hours. I am so proud!!! Thank you Ana White for giving me the confidence to build this furniture. I will never, ever, ever pay outrageous retail prices for wood furniture again.

Estimated Cost
$180 pillows, Leftover lumber $0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kim N.

Fri, 06/26/2015 - 09:27

I love the way your couch turned out in 2x6s! I, too, plan to build this soon. I really like the cushions you chose, too. I ordered mine from Amazon for about the same cost (a little more $, but without exorbitant WA state tax!). Thanks for sharing!

Rustic Modern Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/29/2021 - 02:48

I made this slightly smaller version of Ana’s Hall Tree to fit smaller spaces. I added beadboard to the back to put an added farmhouse touch. Finished in Golden Oak and white.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Stratton Daybeds times Two

Submitted by karahart on Wed, 05/11/2011 - 08:25

I built my first daybed in May of 2010, and my second one in August of 2010. I've since moved one of the daybeds to my new nursery I'm creating. These beds are so versitle, so sturdy, and can be moved anywhere and 'go' with whatever decor. I love both of them!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$450 for BOTH beds
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I primed the beds with Kilz oil based primer, then added a bunch of ultra white paint by Behr. I finished with sanding down the edges and staining them, before applying a top coat of polycrylic. Only use polycrilic, not polyurethane for white painted furniture!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Allen/ Ana White Island

Submitted by tfj1283 on Sun, 07/07/2013 - 17:16

This was my husband and my first DIY project and we were thrilled at the outcome! It took us a day to build and then a couple days to stain and paint.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
It is stained with min wax Jacobean and painted with Martha Stewart's Barn red. This was a super fun project; thanks Ana White!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Side Table

Built this without plans for my bathroom

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain, paint & polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Greenhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/02/2022 - 12:30

Built the greenhouse from Ana Whites plan
She did the plan really well..

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Spa Bench

My first project! A friend of my husband's came to visit for a weekend and was nice enough to show me how to use my handy dandy new air nailer. We had the bench put together in 15 minutes! And so began a beautiful friendship with furniture building...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
dark oak polystain - distressed with hammer, nails, screwdriver, chains
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Leftovers and Reclaimed Wood Media Console

Last winter, our friend's boss built our kitchen cabinets. We've had cuts of plywood leftover, sitting in our garage since then.

Our home needed a media console, so I thought to give building one a shot now that I own a circular saw and am only slightly afraid of it. I didn't follow a plan, honestly, but I did look at Ana's Classic Storage Wall, Extra Wide Media Unit as inspiration.

The console is actually a slate-indigo-black, called Napoleon. The top is made of reclaimed 1x6s that I mixed and matched with scrap 1x6s and gave one coat of Dark Walnut. We ordered handles for the doors and it needs another coat of paint (we ran out of the quart we had on hand), but we love it!

Estimated Cost
$30 using leftover plywood, otherwise, $100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Olympic Flat in Napoleon
Watco Danish Oil in Dark Walnut, Watco Wipe-On Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Tue, 07/09/2013 - 16:30

Love this! The reclaimed wood top is fab, and the color looks perfect. I checked out your blog - your apartment is looking awesome!

yurra-bazain

Wed, 07/10/2013 - 02:18

Thank you for your kind words. :) Our apartment wouldn't be furnished today if not for ana-white.com. The motivation I've gained by learning and sharing back here has been key to keep me building the things we need, the way we want them. =D You've built so many things; I'm so impressed!

farmhouse table and bench

Submitted by Don123 on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 09:28

I built this table and two simple benches, inspired by the farmhouse table plans. I modified the plan slightly, in that I didn't add the center 2x4 on the bottom, or the two 2x4's between the legs. I also added a second "bread end board," and customized the corners with some "L" bracket accessories. It took me a week to build everything, then add the finish. It would have gone quicker, had I had time to do it all at the same time, but I had to make time after work to do everything. All, in all, this is probably a weekend job, at most. 

Estimated Cost
approximately $100.00 for everything
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
For the table, I stained with a dark stain, then sanded with a fine grit sand paper, then lightly painted with a light colored paint to give the wood that weathered and worn appearance.

For the bench, I whitewashed with a white paint, then rough sanded, to expose the wood in places, then where the wood is exposed, I added dark stain, then wiped clean to give that worn, paint flaking appearance.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our Closet (and first build!)

Submitted by Alaskagirl on Mon, 05/16/2011 - 14:10

Our master bedroom unfortunately had no closet, so for almost 2 years we had been using 4 store bought (cheap) racks that would break under the weight of the clothes and keep having to be replaced. There was however, a big nook in one wall of the room that could definitely be some kind of closet. I sat down and drew up a plan of what I thought would fit, but then had no idea how to go about building it. The plan sat in a drawer for months until after asking a friend about a shelf her husband built she sent me a link to this site and told me that's where she got the plans. I found the closet system plans and they were so close to what I had drawn up I was blown away! IT was no problem modifying the measurements to fit our space. I am SO happy with the results, all I need to do now is wait for some dry weather so we can paint!

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

modified kids Adirondack

Submitted by jrh413 on Wed, 07/10/2013 - 09:27

Modified back to match my adult chairs. Armrests are also cut out like adult chairs you just cant tell in picture. Also put an arc on faceplate. Then i couldn't resist routing her name into it. Enjoy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Just some exterior pink paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse table

This table was inspired by the pocket screw table. only I did not use pocket screws. it is constructed using loose tenon construction and dowels. Notice the middle stretcher  and the wooden nut and bolt that holds it together

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax jacobean stain and Minwax clear satin finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

small bed large bed project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/17/2022 - 08:03

After seeing your knee wall project I decided I could modify it to work for me. first I insulated the angular wall to provide a conditioned environment. (wife wanted to store Christmas decorations. Then removed existing sheetrock, removed every other vertical 2x4 and had the opening size I wanted . Currently working on sheet rocking the interior and will then begin to work on the doors. Waiting on hinges. I think my wife likes it so far. I'll upgrade with photos when done. thanks

the small bed was from one of your plans (american girl bed) and then we just changed dimensions and made our master bed (Queen). That was a fun project.

Thanks for sending plans, we look forward to them.
George, Mechanicsville, Virginia

Comments

Playhouse loft bed with stairs and slide

Submitted by alminter on Wed, 07/08/2015 - 21:29

This is by far the biggest project I've completed yet. It actually surprised me how easy it was to complete. It did take me about 4 days to build the project and an additional week to sand and paint the project.

I followed the playhouse loft plans and the storage stairs plans, adjusting only the back to allow for the additional length of the slide. I didn't add the windows to the sides (I didn't see any point in having them there). I also used the castle loft plans for the slide. When I first started this project I was planning on making the slide completely separate. I changed my mind mid project after I had the side wall cut to length at Lowe's, so I just added that small piece to the left of the slide to make up for the gap. I also made this project in 4 separate pieces (stairs, slide, front wall, back) so I could put it together in her room in one evening and not have to kick her out. Once we moved it to her room all I had to do was screw the four corners in and attach the back wall and bed slats.

I definitely recommend not using particle board. I had no idea what the difference was between particle board, mdf and plywood when I started this project. Particle board was less then half the cost of plywood, but looking back I would pay the extra for the plywood. I don't feel like the screws hold well in the particle board and it also chipped on the bottom some. I actually had a chunk come off in the corner where I must of screwed to closely to the edge. I'm sure this is basic knowledge for most, but for those newbies (like me) just a little tip.

I had a lot of fun building this bed (not so much sanding and painting) and learned a lot. Now off to browse for my next project :)

Estimated Cost
400-500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments