Community Brag Posts

Easy to Build Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/17/2023 - 13:40

Easy to build workbench. I added an extra 2 1/2 inches (width) to the top plywood cut. This gave me a 1 1/4" lip to the front and back sides. I wanted to be able to clamp on all sides of the bench. Also added casters since I wanted to use this as an outdoor table for entertaining if needed and to simply have mobility with the bench. So far I love it!

Modern Cutout Headboard

I was so thrilled to see this cut out, modern headboard included in Ana's plans, since I had been lusting over the expensive West Elm version for months. It was really easy, and I'm thrilled with the results.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Water based stain and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

X Console Table / Coffee Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/16/2019 - 16:26

Needed a new coffee bar to fit a specific area. Changed the plans to fit my needs and this is the result. Spent a few hours a day over two weekends, probably 8-10 hours in all (paint/stain/poly included)

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

Comments

Wood Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/21/2023 - 09:48

My son needed more shelves/storage in his room. Modified this a bit shorter in length and with to fit better in his space. Easy to build and love how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)

Jelly Cupboard

Submitted by emilyr on Mon, 04/02/2012 - 18:15

Ever since I saw this cupboard, I wanted it. So when I got a free day I jumped at the chance to build it. I love it! The only problem is trying to figure out where I want to put it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30-40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Porter's Prussian Blue and black spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

tommyc325

Thu, 02/19/2015 - 19:11

Hi Ana - I dont mean any disrespect but how do you figure this project costs $30-40. I bought just the boards no hardware or plywood and its cost me $60. Pine #2.

Please let me know your thoughts and where you buy your wood from.

Bander

Fri, 02/20/2015 - 12:00

The cost estimate is from emilyr, posted almost three years ago. Lumber prices fluctuate, but $30-40 is still quite low. I estimate about $100 to buy the lumber (pine) on the shopping list from Ana's plan at current prices in my area.

Brookstone storage bed

Submitted by ajordan on Sat, 01/18/2014 - 16:48

This is the first project I have done; we used a couple of different plans to make this bed. I had to change dimensions to make this into a full size bed. Overall I am very happy with the way it all came together. We made this for our 8 year old daughter and now I'm working on a vanity! I used the twin headboard plan made taller and wider for a full, I made a footboard to match and the storage bins bellow are from the modified farmhouse queen made a little smaller to fit a full.

Estimated Cost
$250 with the lights
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Red mahogany first coat, min wax sun bleached second coat and then I used Martha Stewart bronze metallic paint. I watered down the paint to make a wash then I put it on and wiped it off like I did the stain which gave it a little brown color and shimmer!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

fancy x farmhouse table-first timer!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/10/2016 - 22:31

These wood plans were great! Easy to follow and an awesome first project for my hubby and I to build together. Only hitch for us was by choosing to make the longer bench we didn't check the placement of the feet before attaching it. When we were done we weren't able to push the benches under the table so we had to redo that step.

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used two coats of minxwax red oak 215 stain and 3 coats of minwax semi gloss polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Square Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/26/2023 - 12:32

V2 of my Fijian Kauri 6 seater table.
Urethaned the tops and weatherboard paint on frame for the elements.

Comments

Play kitchen for Christmas

Submitted by vacookie on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 18:18

I never built anything before this. I really wanted a sturdy wooden kitchen for my son for Christmas but they were sooo expensive. Then I found this plan and decided to give it a try. And I did it! All by myself with no real experience (seriously, I had to buy a drill for the project). It isn't perfect but my son doesn't know (or care) and I had fun doing it. Note that as we have it placed across the threshold from carpet to tile floor, I currently have a board underneath to level it. I modified to put a door on the sink since I don't sew and thought the curtain might look a bit feminine on my son's kitchen.

Estimated Cost
hard to say since I had lots of start up costs, maybe $130? could do for more or less
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I believe the green paint is "Olivine".
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mudroom lockers and shoe storage

Submitted by tommybo76 on Mon, 01/20/2014 - 19:04

My wife requested this project as a Christmas present. Since we have a door in the middle of the room, I decided to build 2 identical hutches with storage areas for all 4 of us. I used 3/4 plywood that was cut to 2'x4' sheets at the store to make transport and further cutting on my table saw manageable. I connected the main pieces by using the kreg jig. After attaching the bead board to the back with screws and nails, the hutch was very sturdy. We had trouble finding baskets to fit the squares which I designed to fit a 12" square basket that we already had in the house. It proved very difficult to find that size so we went with a slightly smaller basket (I wish we would have researched this ahead of time). The color scheme came from another brag on Ana's site.

After completing the hutches, Patti mentioned that someday she'd like to take the washer and dryer off the pedestals and add a table across the top of them to fold clothes...so before putting away the tools I decided that was the "someday" LOL. I stained the tabletop to match the hutch and painted the 2x4 legs white. I then added a 1 inch dowel to hang clothes and a shelf above the dowel. Of course, the new room would not have been complete without new paint! I plan on building a cabinet for the laundry sink with a pullout drawer for recyclables in the near future.

It's fantastic to have a spot for all our coats, shoes and hats/gloves. It makes it easier getting two young boys out the door for school when you know exactly where their items are stored and makes the room look so organized compared to before. Thanks to all for your inspirational posts/brags!!

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ebony stain, polyurethane, white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Corner nursery book shelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/13/2016 - 17:53

Gallery ledge book shelves in the nursery

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White semi gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bar Stools

Submitted by old_man on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 11:01

These are simple, cheap, easy, and effective.

I modified the top so that I could just use the left over 2X6s I had and it would somewhat match my table. I felt it worked. There is probably something like $5 in wood in each chair about about 20 screws...that's it.

Word of warning, because you are using 2X2s these chairs will twist a little. Can't change physics but for $5 what do you want...

This is a fun little project that is quite easy but will make you think about how you can modify it and how/where you should use all your screws both to make it strong as well as to hide them.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut. Satin Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Outdoor Sofa

Submitted by stell on Wed, 01/22/2014 - 19:23

Was my first project from Ana White's designs. I enjoyed making it, and plan on following up with the outdoor loveseat this spring.

Estimated Cost
Wood & hardware $80, the finish $16. The cushions were $126
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Solid Exterior Stain in Antique Silver.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

20' x 7' hand built oak entertainment/ bookcase built-in

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/31/2019 - 08:36

A fun project I did for a homeowner in Rosemount Minnesota. I had 100 hours in it at the end but they were very happy with the end result!

Estimated Cost
2500.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Golden oak stain with a semi gloss poly finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Farmhouse Doll Bed

I built the Farmhouse Doll Bed for a friend with a photography studio who was looking for some newborn props. I used glue and nails for the headboard/footboard construction, and screws with 3/4" plywood for the bed portion so it would be very sturdy. I made the mattresses out of some spare 2" foam cut to size, and made a slipcover out of a pillowcase so it's washable.

Estimated Cost
free, from scraps
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Brown gloss spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Birthday Present

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/19/2016 - 01:27

My daughter wanted a second doll for her birthday and we stupidly caved in. This of course meant she needed bunks.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse side table

Submitted by CarolinaL on Mon, 01/06/2020 - 06:38

I changed the 1x12 for 1x6 to better fit the space. I also made it several inches taller. It was a very easy and quick project. Actually, the rustic look stain took longer than the actual build. Thank you Ana for another awesome design.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $100 including 3 stains to achieve the look.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustic style tutorial from YouTube.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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