Community Brag Posts

Kitchen island

Submitted by adk_native on Sun, 07/14/2013 - 18:36

Needed a kitchen island and loved this plan when I found it on your website. I have tools to cut the lumber but thought I would let Lowes cut the lumber to save me some time. Ha! Made small corrections with what you need like just 2 2x4s to make the 4 legs. Like Ana said, it's all about math. Thank you for the plans. Friends already wanting me to make one for them, ha. Ps...my dad is sold now on the kreg jig!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Heavy cream color paint. 1 coat of red elm gel stain by minwax. Left it on for awhile to get a good dark color. 3 coats of minwax semi-gloss polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kitchen Tower Cabinet

This is our first Ana White project and we're pretty happy with the results. We modified the plans a bit to use 1/4" plywood for the sides instead of the heavy 3/4" ply. Specifically built for our kitchen since we couldn't find one that we really liked or could afford. Pottery Barn seriously sells this for $1200?!?! Score!

Estimated Cost
$70 + finishing
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
DIY chalk paint and wax - distressed.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

8 Foot Tall Hall Tree

Submitted by Fulton610 on Fri, 02/02/2018 - 14:23

Made the overall height 8 foot since my ceilings are 10 foot. Turned out really great and was a super cheap project compared to purchasing one. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Fancy X desk

I made this desk with a few subtle changes so that it fit my space and added a second shelf. First time doing a two tone project. Love the way it came out. Minwax espresso stain on the top with a satin finish polyurethane. White paint with polycryllic on the base.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Computer Table

Submitted by jilllo27 on Wed, 05/25/2011 - 15:53

We needed a narrow, tall table for our computer. I used the tryde coffee table plans and altered it to our specifications. I wanted more narrow legs, so we cut the 4x4's to 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 and made them longer so our computer is at standing height. I also chose to eliminate the pieces at the "heads" of the table. Instead of using 2x4's I used 1x2's, 1x4's and 1x6's. It's perfect for our small space! We love it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sweet Girl's Loft Bed

Submitted by kvdoyle1 on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 21:48

My husband and I just bought our first house, and we realized that our daughter's full sized bed just wasn't going to fit in her 11x10 bedroom (neither was a twin bed--not with the rest of her furniture). So I enlisted my father-in-law, who I've learned is quite handy, to build this loft bed. It is so perfect in my girl's new room, and I know she's going to have it for years to come! Underneath is the perfect spot for her desk, and the shelves house all of her books perfectly (and she has A LOT!). I'm so excited that my ideas and dreams for her room have come to life!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Slat Tool Wall // John Heisz Design

This weeks project was a slat tool wall to organize all my most used hand tools. I wanted a way to have everything in reach and also easy to organize and keep track of. This is John Heisz original design and I decided to build one for my shop. Here is a link to his site with a full tutorial including measurements- http://www.ibuildit.ca/Workshop%20Projects/tool-board-1.html

I also have a couple videos of my process here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNz_a_vKAqY

and here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYQldf_vHlE

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

King Shiplap Headboard.

The Beauty Queen described a headboard with shiplap and sort of cottage style. I modified the Ana White plan to fit my needs and the wife’s taste. I used the preprimed shiplap and 1x material from the big box store so it was a little more expensive but still very reasonable. Then I made side tables. 

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Marquee Semi-gloss enamel in antique white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Planters- modified

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/07/2022 - 06:14

Used your youtube instructions for the square planters and revised them to create these! Thank you so much for your video it helped me so much. I was trying to make a small backyard for my dog at my condo without breaking any rules not to have a fence. Gary loves it!

Comments

The Chair

I love Ana White and her designs. I love that she makes the plans easy for a novice like myself to create something functional and beautiful. I love that this project cost me a total of $8.00 for all the supplies, including fabric which was a thrift store score. I love that my Xi loves it. I love that Farm Girl wants one for herself in green. This was a fun project.

Edited to add the green chair for Farm Girl. She was very happy...

Estimated Cost
$8.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Scrap Wood Seating

A great beginners project. I put this simple bench together with scraps I had. For a full tutorial come over and check it out
http://www.ahouse-2-home.com/2013/07/17/scrap-wood-seating/
... If you have any questions be sure to leave us comment.

Happy Building!
Vanessa

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain - Minwax Ebony
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by DVGofAZ on Tue, 07/21/2015 - 08:58

I followed Ana's Farmhouse bed plans, using 1 x 12 boards for the sides and leaving off the extra piece at the top of the headboard. I didn't want to cover any more of the brick than necessary and I have a large bit of artwork to put over the bed too.

Because my mattress is a Sleep Number bed on a pedestaI I had to add a footboard to keep the mattress from sliding off the end. The footboard is simply a 24x24 section of plywood with wainscoating and 1x2s to match (sort of) the headboard.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Chunky Coffee Table with Turned Legs

Submitted by danicarby on Sun, 02/18/2018 - 06:53

I turned my legs (woot woot!) but you could buy legs that are 3x3" @ 18".  This was a simple build using pocketholes + glue joinery and using glue + nails for the shelf and tops.  To allow for seasonal expansion of wood I spaced the wood on shelf and top slightly because I built it in the dry winter.

 

I used a Dark Walnut stain first and went back over with a light coat ("dry brushing") of a sage green paint.  Lightly distressed edges.

 

I have more pictures and details on my website: http://www.theprojectlady.com/2018/02/diy-tutorial-chunky-coffee-table-…

 

Happy building everyone!  It's so rewarding, right!??

Estimated Cost
$50 for wood
$20 for finish
$5 for screws/nails
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain
Behr Premium Plus Indoor Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Toy Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/30/2022 - 09:25

I used aromatic cedar for my version, finished on the outside with brush-on lacquer. It is a bit smaller than specified in the plan. I added a removable box insert for small toys and trimmed the feet. The hinges are Rocker lid-stay hinges. These required some modification of the top, and a transom chain to prevent over-opening, so I would go with the hinge method shown in the original plan and add internal lid stays.

Comments

Modified Balin Console

Loved Ana's Balin Console, but the space I had available for this piece was only big enough for two drawers, so I attempted to change it. A few minor mistakes called for a few other modifications as well (the drawer fronts), but overall I am still happy with the product. The first nail and hammer only project I've completed (other than the ten dollar ledges). The passion for this new-found hobby continues, THANKS ANA!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 (island living cost more)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Nuwood Poly Stain- Walnut, 2 coats lightly sanded in between.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by daddydrew on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 12:28

I think that this is my favorite project so far! It was a daylong project for the build and then another full day of sanding and finishing. My girlfriend needed a new table for a big dining room in her new place so she got this. She is happy it looks great and is extremely functional. I will add the bench that I made to match as soon as I get the pictures. I am available to do builds for people who like what they see and dont want to pay retail price for this stuff. check out my profile

http://ana-white.com/users/daddydrew

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax expresso oil based stain
minwax polycrylic clear coat protective finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Pool Lounge Chairs

Submitted by Seth on Sun, 07/26/2015 - 16:25

This was a fun and easy project for our pool area.  We have high winds and our store bought chairs did not last.  These loungers are sure to fare a bit better.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean. We added three coats of gloss poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Full loft bed adult height

Submitted by Jtlarson12 on Thu, 02/22/2018 - 16:00

We made the loft bed but changed it to full size and changed height to 80in and increased length and width of the platform. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Honey stain
Fresh cotton paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

my first reclaimed wood project

Submitted by aria_dia on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 20:12

I was going to make this project out of pallets, but all the pallets that I have access too were pretty beat up and falling apart, so my mom gave me some leftover cedar fencing that she had on hand.

This is my first build using reclaimed wood; the boards looked pretty straight when I got them, and even after they had set in my heated garage for a week, but when building time came I found that they are warped. The boards dont fit exact, but I think it gives it more character.

My husband and I are debating on if we should stain it, paint it or just seal it. We plan on using it for a silverware caddy, since the house we're currently in doesnt have a single drawer in the kitchen big enough for a silverware tray! We do plan on using rope for a handle on it, but I have yet to find a rope that I like the feel of in my hands (Im picky like that).

I made this using hand tools, and 16gage nails (what I had on hand). My brother is currently hoarding all the power tools at his house and isnt sharing so I must learn how to do everything old school again!

This is also my first build of anything since becoming a mommy for the first time (6 yrs ago!), since then I've generally stuck to reupholstering things. Now I want better, less expensive things than I could just buy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
free
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none, yet
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Spices!

We had these spices in a cabinet, which were impossible to see stuff in the back. This was a perfect solution.

Now, we also had more spices then we know what to do with, so we added a second rack at the bottom of the door as well. I just adapted the plans to be 30 inches tall to accommodate the size of the lower portion of the door. This was accomplished by removing the 1st and 3rd measurements for shelves, and using the remaining for an extra tall shelf.

I also only used a finish nailer (and wood glue),to assemble, in combination with a brad nailer to hold the back plywood on.

I also chose not to include the dowel buttons on the end, and did not cut the dowels to length; they were inserted all the way through and trimmed off with a Japanese pull saw (get one, you will LOVE it), then fastened through the front with the finish nailer, then sanded flush.

I also elected not to paint to finish the piece and leave the natural wood.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$33, including the extra shelves.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project