Community Brag Posts

Barn Door Console

Submitted by JHardaway on Fri, 02/26/2016 - 15:15

So this project took quite a while for me to finish, but I didn't cut any corners and expanded a bit on the basic plans that were offered.  Some notes on changes to the project:

 

  • Instead of leaving the gap in the bottom and middle shelves, I used a second 1x10 and ripped it down to the exact width I needed so that it would be flush (this was done for the bottom shelf and the middle shelf.
  • I added 3 supports in Step 5 at the back to provide additional support for the middle shelf.  
  • For the top, instead of 2 2x10's, it is 3 2x8's ripped down to 6.25" each, then edge glued.  A brace was then added to the bottom and used to attach the top to the main unit.  See the pictures for a better description.  
  • I also edge glued the doors out of 1x6's in order to get the dimensions I wanted.
  • I used a 1x3 at the bottom to give it more of a sturdy look
  • OK, so the big part that people complained about the original plans were the lack of information on how to do the rails.  I cheated and contacted a metal fabricator to make them for me.  Pricing was consistent with what you would find online for similar barn door hardware, but it definitely turned out better than me trying to do it myself. 
  • The stain is Minwax "provincial" and I used a wipe-on poly to coat it.  For the top, I used 400 grit sand paper between coatings, and let me tell you, you can see your reflection in the finished product.  Turned out really well!
  • My only regret is that I used project boards for the two end pieces, and so they don't quite match the remainder of the project.  I would have edge glued them just like I did the doors given the chance to do it over. 

Anyway, enjoy!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
OK, so cost was more than I expected. I probably spent around $500 on wood, supplies, stain, etc. The metal hardware was $250. So overall, probably around $750, but still way cheaper than something comparable would have been from a big-box store.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Mentioned above, but Minwax Provincial stain. I used a rag to hand wipe it on, then wiped it off after 3-5 minutes. Three coats of wipe-on polyurethane were used, with 400 grit sand paper in between each step.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/06/2019 - 05:40

I have a friend who had a dream to have a Thanksgiving table that would seat her whole family! She asked for Two extra benches for the ends. She loves her new table, and I loved building it for her!

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
High gloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Pool supplies storage shed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/25/2023 - 18:50

I was looking for a shed to keep pool towels and other deck and pool items. This shed hit every feature I was looking
for. My husband loved the plans. He's always saying he can build anything with a measured drawing and a
cut list. The only thing we changed was the roofing material. we were given some metal roofing by a friend.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Doll Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by angiemicn on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 02:41

I love this design and have made several for family and for sale. This was the one I made for Ana's promotion, Make one, take one. This is the one that was given to charity, Wings. this is a house in our area for battered women and their children. As an ER nurse who sends patients there, I realize the importance of a well made doll bed, (Doll given as well) 90% of the time these kids have to leave their homes with nothing, no toys, no clothes, and I hope seeing this doll bed would help some little girl forget about the trauma she's been through, if only for a little while, and let her be a little girl again.

Estimated Cost
45
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
sanded smooth, 2 coats of Kilz Primer, 3 coats semi gloss Ultra White, Polyurethane coat on top
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Doll Bunk Beds

Started by making these bunk beds for my 9 year old and then I made another for my 6 year old. I couldn't help myself, so I made 12 more for other people to give as Christmas presents. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none or spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Vegetable Bin

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/29/2016 - 10:55

I had a great time with my first project being this vegetable bin. I did have to have some help with the actual construction and I know it's not perfect. It's uneven and has flaws, but I think it gives it a little character.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bunk Beds with Climbing Wall

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 13:26

I built this bunkbed for my boys bedroom based on Ana's plans with a slight modification to make it more fun for them- a climbing wall on the end instead of a ladder! I followed Ana's plans which were easy and clear to understand and the result is super sturdy and strong! We had IKEA bed slats already and they fit perfectly on the cleats to hold up the mattresses. I simplified the guard rail a bit and used a dark teal paint to finish. A 10 pack of climbing wall hand holds was purchased from Amazon (link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074CM4DBN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asi…)- I needed slightly longer bolts than what were provided to go through the 2x6s but found what I needed at a big box store. My boys (6 & 8) absolutely love it!

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

Loft Bed w/ Bookcase and Headboard

Submitted by trodkewich on Sun, 02/12/2012 - 15:05

We used the loftbed plans, http://ana-white.com/2010/05/furniture-plans-loft-bed.html and the bookshelf plans, http://ana-white.com/2010/06/plans/what-goes-under-loft-bed-how-about-b…- then designed our own headboard. The girls love their new room and we're going to build another one for the boys! We just put a platform bed from Ikea underneath!

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

Comments

greg f (not verified)

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 06:39

i want to build this project for my daughter, but the link for the bookcase is a dead link. where can i find the bookshelf plans? i plan on making the loft be a full size, so will be adding 15" to my project. thank you!

Colin's New Bed

Colin needed a bed for his room to upgrade from his toddler bed. I new immediately I was going to use plans from Anna's site! Building the bed was extremely easy with the new tools that I received for my birthday. This was my first time staining anything so that took the longest time for this project. It is my second thing that I have built from Anna's awesome website!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$135
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Gel Stain - Hickory
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

mltnichols

Thu, 03/06/2014 - 07:00

Did you use a kreg jig and attach 4x4 legs via pocket holes? I don't see any screws... trying to decide how to best attach everything before taking on this project. Thanks!!

mltnichols

Thu, 03/06/2014 - 07:00

Did you use a kreg jig and attach 4x4 legs via pocket holes? I don't see any screws... trying to decide how to best attach everything before taking on this project. Thanks!!

christinamurr922

Thu, 03/06/2014 - 20:16

Yes. I used the kreg jig and created pocket holes that screwed into the 4x4. I used the correct size when drilling the holes but I may have used the next size up in the screw length for extra support. The bed gets plenty of use between my 7 and 5 year old and is one solid piece of furniture.

DIY Stuffed Animal Storage

This was a really easy build and has brought much needed order to my little one's stuffed animal collection.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
ECOS Paints Woodshield Special Walnut + Satin Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Headborad with Fold Down Tray Tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/11/2019 - 11:09

I first saw this headboard on Ana White's Instagram and loved the idea! I took a screen shot so I would remember it later. One day my daughter was flipping through the photos on my phone and saw this screen shot. We were about to move to a new house and she wanted me to make this headboard for her new room. She is 11 years old and loves to play games on her laptop with her friends so this was perfect for her. Within a month of moving into the new house I started to build this piece. It took me a couple weeks to finish since I have three kids and was also trying to unpack our entire house but I love the finished product! My daughter really loves it too!

Estimated Cost
$115
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted with semi-gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adjusted Balin Console Table

I loved the Balin Console Table plan, so my husband and myself decided to try it as our first project. We adjusted the height to 42" and we added a bottom shelf. I am so happy with the way it turned out. I have received many complements.

The mirrors were made by my father, I have to brag on him since he did such an amazing job! I show him Viva Terra's porthole mirrors collection and he re-created them with Teak wood.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$160
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Wed, 02/15/2012 - 14:39

You did a beautiful job and I love how the whole area is staged. The mirrors are amazing, too!

hammertime

Sat, 02/18/2012 - 11:14

Beautiful job. I love the finish and the hardware you chose. And your dad is quite talented too!

Chauncey's Car

Submitted by Gaucho85 on Tue, 12/24/2013 - 19:55

Thanks for the idea. I added a couple extras and figured I'd post them in case it helped anyone. Fun project!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Husky Table and Bench

I used the Husky Dining room table plans to build this table. I also modified the plans to make a bench as well. This was a very east build and turned out gorgrous!! Thanks Ana!!

Estimated Cost
$500 for everything.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark stain with matte wax coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Captain's Storage Bed with Pallet Veneered Headboard/Footboard

This piece was one I recently created for a customer using the plans provided in the Queen Storage Bed with Drawers from Anna's site. It was created using 3/4" birch plywood and 3/4" pine common board. 

I chose to cut dado's when building the boxes for stability's sake. I was able to leave out much of the construction screws by using strong, but relativity simple joinery techniques with dado's and rabbets. 

The piece's drawer fronts were then veneered with pallet wood to lay flush with the drawer faces, and hardware installed on top of that. The headboard and footboard were both then stained using a Varathane, Minwax (water-based), and General Finishes to create the various tones in the pallet veneer to create a complimentary uniform look to the drawer faces. 

The other variation in this bed was that I used Threaded inserts and hex bolts so that the head and footboard could be removed multiple times for transport without damaging screw holes. 

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American (Minwax)
Early American (Varathane)
Ash Grey (General Finishes)
Dark Walnut (Minwax)
Wipe on Poly (Minwax Satin)

Mix and match stains in order to achieve the depth of color or based on pallet wood imperfections. I noticed that not all pallets are alike. Results WILL vary. I found it easiest to break down several different pallets and cut and reshape based on a random selection of boards, rather than breaking down and using one pallet at a time.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Sausha's Washer and Dryer Pedestal

This was one heck of a project LOL! But I am so pleased with the results!!

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

pdoughty (not verified)

Sun, 09/23/2012 - 08:03

My washer will shake on the metal pedestals. Will it shake on this one?

Shawna Sommerville (not verified)

Mon, 12/31/2012 - 19:01

My husband just finished one similar to this for me today-total cost about $65.....Thank you for the fabulous & frugal idea!!

Jelly Cupboard(s)

Submitted by bbomer on Fri, 12/27/2013 - 09:48

I have built several of these Jelly Cupboards since the plans came out. Everyone really likes them, and they are super fast and easy to build. The last one had glass doors that turned out pretty well. I like to use plywood beadboard on the back to give it a little more character. I also like to use 'hardware cloth' for the mesh type doors (found at farm stores). It usually has openings about 1/8" or less but not as tight as screen, which looks perfect.

Edit: For hardware part numbers and sources please see: http://grvland.com/wordpress/2012/02/07/jelly-cupboard-project/

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50-$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Black Walnut Danish Oil, Wax Free Shellac, Latex Paint (dark), more latex paint (light), sand back, Water-based Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

romanweel

Tue, 12/31/2013 - 00:51

Really lovely work! I scoured a couple of those pretty butterfly hinges by pure luck a while back, and I know where to find more...but those strap hinges! Where did you get them? I can't seem to find them for a decent price (Ohio).

bbomer

Tue, 12/31/2013 - 07:15

The strap hinges are from Acorn Manufacturing. I had to order them because I could not find anything like them locally. For some reason I can not post links in the comments, but the sources are linked on my blog, grvland dot com (no spaces and a . obviously). Just search there for Jelly Cupboard and you will find the source links in the earlier of the two posts. I will also see if I can add a direct link above.

Couch mods

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/10/2016 - 00:09

My SketchUp of the Sofa I am going to build, modified from this plan. New features include wider arm rests, and a taller back that is at a 12 degree slant. I will post additional pictures after the build.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Luggage Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/19/2019 - 12:20

Turned out great! Problem with the plans: written instructions for legs say 35 degree angle but the diagram shows 40 degree angle. Which one should it be?

Finish Used
Used a white stain on legs and brown stain with dry brushed gray stain on top. Sealed with poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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