Community Brag Posts

Table top chalkboard easel

I saw these here on Ana Whites site and fell in love and wanted to make one for my 3 year old. Well at the time (we now no longer have it) we had a huge chalkboard wall upstairs for my 4 boys and therefor the hubs told me there was no need to build these....but I have a friend who has twin girls and I new that was the perfect opportunity to build these cute things as their birthday presents! So that is what I did. I also made a zipper pouch to hold the chalk. The girls love them :)

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
chalkboard paint, Minwax Early American stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Round Farmhouse Style Table

Submitted by Bruzor on Tue, 10/27/2015 - 11:36

I started this project with the intention of building the octagon table.  The person I was building it for changed their mind and asked for round instead.  With the table top now being round I did not think that the supports underneath the table fit with the design so I used the leftover scraps from cutting the round top to make the altered supports you see in my photos.  Turned out pretty good I think and the recipient is in love with the design.  Thanks for the original plans Ana and good luck to everyone else building this table!

Estimated Cost
$80.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a Cabot stain. I believe the color was river rock. One coat of stain and then three coats of Minwax Poly Urethane to seal it up and protect the table top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

play kitchen

Submitted by DIYMomof4 on Tue, 12/25/2018 - 10:05

I made this for my 5 year old daughter for Christmas.  I really like how beautiful and sturdy this play kitchen is.  I added 4 inches to the height so it would be the right size for my daughter.  I also made all the sections equal in width.  This made it simpler for cutting the shelves.  The faucet is made from various pvc pipes and spray painted with Rustoleum silver.  All the knobs are able to be turned, and the faucet can swivel.  For the oven shelf, I used a cooling rack.  Thank you so much for this wonderful plan!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I didn't keep track, but I would guess at least $200. The paint was a big cost, but I have a lot left over.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Ultra - Ceylon Cream, Shimmering Pool, and Radiant Rose
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIYMomof4

Mon, 12/31/2018 - 16:04

Thank you!  I LOVE your website and all of your plans!  I've learned so much from you and you've given me the confidence to take on any diy project!  

DIYMomof4

Tue, 01/01/2019 - 12:43

Thank you!  I LOVE your website and all of your plans!  You have given me the knowledge and confidence to tackle any diy project!

Farmhouse Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/31/2022 - 16:20

Just finished this last night! My very first piece of furniture! I'm so proud of myself! Thank you so much for these plans!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Ipex Bookcase

Submitted by SylBill on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 20:01

This is the Ipex bookcase (plans on this site). My husband built it for our almost 11 year old's room. He modified it to be 36 inches wide rather than 48. Painting scheme done by me - she is into black and white/zebra.
We are pleased!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted with white and black enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Planked Wood Sideboard

Submitted by mquimby12 on Fri, 10/30/2015 - 08:42

I used Ana's plans and Hillary's suggestions to build this extra large buffet.  It took probably 25-30 hours if you consider the extra trips to Home Depot and Lowe's because I didn't yet have the proper tools.  I used Annie Sloan's French Linen as my base coat, Old White as my dry brush coat, Annie Sloan Clear Wax throughout and Dark Wax in the crevices.  This was my first big league build, so I had to recruit a skilled neighbor for assistance with the drawers and doors.  My two recommendations would be to ensure the piece is square at every step, and to cut the wood as you go.  Don't make all the cuts at once because there will be adjustments.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
450-500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Annie Sloan French Linen dry brushed with Old White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

mquimby12

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:12

Thanks for your comment! I used Minwax Early American and a matte poly finish. My intention was to paint the top, but someone convinced me to stain it to see how it would look. I liked the stained version better.

DWinMadison

Wed, 11/04/2015 - 09:06

I'm building this a we speak....got the sides finished this weekend.  Question:  Did you router the exposed front, top and side edges?

mquimby12

Thu, 11/05/2015 - 12:10

I think you mean along the bottom? If so, I basically purchased some baseboard moulding at Lowe's. I didn't care that it was primed because my plan was to paint it.

Farmhouse bed queen headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/28/2018 - 09:32

I used Ana’s plans to make my queen sized headboard. I used 1x8’s for the verticals and changed the framing a bit to only have one piece of wood on top. I also left out the 2 extra board on the back to save some cost. I glued and nail gunned each vertical piece to the top and bottom 1x4. I attached the assembled center to the 2 posts with pocket screws and small L corner brackets for stability. I also adjusted the height of my project to come to approximately 64 inches tall and the bottom of the inner picture portion, where the mattress reaches the headboard, to just hit the top of that 1x4 so we never have missing objects that have fallen behind the bed. I did use the green pressure treated lumber for the 4x4’s and they stained just fine. I also added a farmhouse style X through the center. I ripped my top 2x6 on both sides to be approximately 5 inches wide, so the rounded edge of the worn lumber is now square. I stained this in minwax dark walnut then went over with a second color coat of minwax classic grey. My apartment isn’t big enough for the sides and foot board but someday if we move, I’ll be able to complete the entire bed set.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60 in lumber high estimate
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
1st coat minwax dark walnut. 2nd coat minwax classic grey.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse table

Submitted by samiy on Sat, 09/07/2013 - 11:21

Norwegian version.

Wood sizes in millimeters:
Can be bought from Byggmax, Monter or Coop Obs bygg for example.
36x48mm
48x98mm
48x148mm

Lessons learned: Dont buy cheap tools and make sure the wood is straight.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Custom mixed stain (beis fra Fargerike) and bee wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Camp Loft Bed with Stair Junior Height

Submitted by CKarnas on Mon, 11/09/2015 - 04:22

My husband built this bed for our 4 year old son and let me say its just perfect! His room is on the smaller side and this made a huge difference for him to have more play room. When my son seen it his eyes filled up with tears he was so excited! My husband built this bed on a Sunday afternoon. He torched the wood along the grain, and then over a period of a week added clear (he used 3 coats as the wood just soaked it up pretty good ). Highly reccomend this project!

Estimated Cost
around $150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
My husband torched the wood along the grain and then 3 coats of clear
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fireplace mantel

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/31/2018 - 12:44

I took inspiration from Ana’s faux mantel to build a home for this linear electric fireplace. I got it done just in time to hang Christmas stockings.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Alkyd semigloss enamel in white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Hockey Equipment Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/18/2022 - 12:52

Ana, Thank you for the idea and plans. I made the stand a little taller and the base a little bigger to accommodate future growth of my Grandson. He loves it by the way.

Thanks again!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

my new sofa

I built my new sofa!
I am so happy how it turned out. I had to translate all the instuctions in french, and modify the dimensions to adapt them to the lumbers I found in my country (France)
I had to change inches in centimeters too.
It was just a little difficult but I built it!!!
Thank you so much Ana, I am one of your fan.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150 euros
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
ebony gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

alamanda973

Wed, 08/17/2011 - 08:35

I did not find Kreg Jig, but I found another "mark" who proposes the same system.It is less good than Ana's Kreg Jig, but I had no choice. In any case, that works. Thank you for your comments and sorry for my bad English.

Catherine Lake (not verified)

Fri, 07/27/2012 - 06:44

Did you use a mattress for your cushion? Did the plan fit that for you, or did you have to modify?

Catherine Lake (not verified)

Fri, 07/27/2012 - 06:45

Did the plan fit the mattress exactly or did you have to modify it?

alamanda973

Fri, 07/27/2012 - 17:30

I don't know the size of a twin mattress but my pillow measures 180cm of length and 60 cm deep for a thickness of 14cm. I bought a foam mattress of 90cm of wide and of 190cm of length and I cut it. They are the size of a child bed in France.The size of wood are different here thus the sofa has no same dimensions as on Ana's plans. I adjusted according to the wood available here.

Slat Coffee Table with Incorporated Book Shelves

Submitted by P76 on Sat, 11/14/2015 - 16:02

First time I designed a piece of furniture.  Made out of pine.  Slat top and bottom with book shelves on both ends.  Joints held with glue and pocket screws.  Minwax pre-stain conditioner.  Two coats of Minwax Provincial stain.  Three coats of polyurethane.  

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

elizadim

Sat, 01/14/2017 - 08:58

I really want to make this table! It's simple, yet very functuional and exactly what I need! Please help me with some plans or some instructions. It is the first piece of furniture I will try to make on my own :)))

Sliding door bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/02/2019 - 13:30

I used the plans from the website and added a few extra features that we really wanted .we made the tracks for the sliding doors ourselves and got all the hardware for really cheap. Also, added leds on upper/lower shelving to give to a really cool look at night. All in all, we didn't spend more than $350-$400 on this awesome piece. 

Estimated Cost
$200-$300 and about $350-$400 with some added features
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear stain for top and white paint for everything else
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Small Chicken Coop with Planter, Hurricane Edition

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/29/2022 - 15:55

Englewood, FL, Irma. This coop built to plan using pressure treated plywood. 40’ pine tree on it, still useable. Not sure there’s any real damage!

Comments

Rustic Bench

Submitted by spiceylg on Sun, 08/21/2011 - 12:10

My hubby and I built this for a fundraiser. A few challenges along the way, but lessons learned for future projects!

Estimated Cost
$15 for wood, plus primer, paint and stain
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I'm sorry I don't have the exact names/brands of the finishes. First step was using a wood conditioner, thanx to everybody else's recommendations. The base is painted with a black satin shade from Valspar, finished with one coat of polyurethane. The top stain is named Cherrywood, not sure of what brand and finished up with three coats of polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

mattmasulis

Tue, 11/26/2013 - 21:52

I absolutely love this. I never even noticed it on the site before looking through your brags. Love it!

King farmhouse bed

Built this for a customer of mine. Love this bed, it's our current personal frame also. Paint is behr ultra white. Ty @ana for the plans

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr ultra white eggshell
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tryde media console and modified plans for matching stand

Submitted by StevenRLaw on Wed, 11/18/2015 - 13:27

Built the console (without the hutch) and my wife wanted another one a little diffrent for the other wall so I modified the plans a bit and made the second one. this was our first "distressed" paint job. I think it turned out great!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 for both including paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sliding Door Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/06/2019 - 07:16

My husband built this as my Christmas gift. It couldn’t have turned out any better. We shortened it to 75 inches and added a butcher block top to match the floating shelves and island in my kitchen. The plans were very easy to follow. We did have to spend quite a bit of time planning out the barn door track, but it was worth it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modern Outdoor Chair from 2x4s and 2x6s

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/09/2022 - 10:11

My second project turned out nice. I built one chair to see if it was nice. Now I’m going to build a second used behr semi transparent chocolate stain. Cushions are temporary until we can find some that fit.

Comments

Furring strips for a headboard

I loved that I used strapping, or furring strips, for this bead. The topper wood is a 2X4, but every other 8" piece of wood cost between $1.25 and $1.99 each. Yeah! Of course, for that price, you have to know you will be sanding the heck out of it. We had a metal frame for this bed but I wanted a headboard. Because it was going against a wall with a 45 degree angle, I had to make it a lot shorter than I wanted. I made it just tall enough so both pillows, when stacked on top of each other, did not fall off the back. I just love it.

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I think I used Minwax Ebony stain. Just one coat was enough as I wanted the wood grains to come through. Then I finished it off with my favorite closer, the Finishing Paste. One swipe and it feels great.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

GUEST (not verified)

Fri, 04/13/2012 - 15:33

I am intrigued by this finishing paste you speak of. Could you tell me more?

debandtom25

Wed, 04/25/2012 - 14:53

I'm not at home right now, but I think it was minwax finishing wax. I love using wax on mt pieces.

claydowling

Wed, 04/25/2012 - 17:51

If you can't find the minwax that debandtom25 used, you can also get a nice paste wax from Johnson Wax. I know that's what's on my finishing shelf, and like deb, I love it.