Community Brag Posts

Writing Desk and Bookcase

Inspired by Ballard  Designs Turin Bookcase http://www.ballarddesigns.com/turin-bookcase/237257

and the Marche writing desk http://www.ballarddesigns.com/marche-writing-desk/278164

with some tweaks to my liking :0)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Tidewater by Sherman williams
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My DIY Closet Project

Hi DIY Peeps.

This is a pretty simple project.
The main point is to keep everything level across the 4 boxes.
I used simple jig's which were exact copies so I knew where to attach the shelves properly and level.

Note this on the pictures.

I wanted to use all Galvanized Pipe but sadly no matching parts.
Here I would suggest as Did Ana to keep your shelve parts no more then 3 feet or so.
Why, you can get off the shelf 36" precut galvanized pipes easy. Most closets are 8' or less so anything over that is a problem.

My measurements were

H=78"
W=8' 3"
Depth 28"

The Center Part is 2' as that was the natural distance as I went wall to wall 3 + 3 + 2 = 8

I modified the build to allow more storage on the top for bigger boxes and use as a Linen Closet of sorts.

My closet is out of Fir , and 2x4's I didn't want a all 2x4 closet. The thin wood at 3/4's get a lighter look to the closet. Also don't forget to screw the frame to the wall for safety, this is a pretty heavy closet !

Pine would work as would poplar or oak. But the 3x4 thick and 5" and 3" wood really made it look great.
Notice have the 5" is the middle and the 3" wide is at each end. This gave the closet a more fun look.

Notice the hanger for the 3' galvanized rod. I used Copper and pipe clamps to give it a unique look.
This really makes the closet Pop.

Overall it was a fun project, it took 3 weekends as I stained it with Carmel Oak color and that took 3 coats on the Fir.

The shelves are the longest part of the work, but use the jigs like I did and it will come out all level.

I am very happy with it in the End, Sadly i can't open the doors all the way to show how big this actually is!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Honey Oak Stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Entryway shelf & bench

Submitted by lswenson on Tue, 01/08/2013 - 19:08

It was so much fun building this bench & shelf for my entry. I now have a terrific place to stash things and hang my coat and purse! I am planning to make boxes to fit some of the spaces in the bench.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar "Spanish Tile" gloss paint from Lowe's
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

rocking Moses basket stand

This is my third Ana White plan. Thanks to you, Ana, and other inspirations I have came to through you, I have seriously improved my skills. This project took me about 3 nights, working around the schedule of my almost 2 year old. Would probably be a one day project. Took me a little sanding to get those rockers right, but overall much easier than I expected. I believe my neighbors will be very excited when they arrive home from the hospital tonight to find this in their living room. Thanks so much for all you do to teach and inspire all of us!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10-15 for materials plus $40 for Moses basket, purchased from Amazon
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum, dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Simple stool modified

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/10/2017 - 20:23

Simple stool plans modified.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White exterior gloss legs. Minwax honey stain seat with 8 coats of gloss varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Garage Shelves + Work Bench

I used Ana’s plans for the garage shelves, but modified them to include a work bench. A lot of you tubers have done this, built a combination work bench and shelving, but I built nearly everything according to Ana’s plans. 12 feet long, 24 inches deep. I got some LED lights (two 1600 lumen strip lights) from menards that really brighten up my entire garage and make the work bench more useful. The one thing I really wanted was to not have a supporting pillar on the work bench to keep it open, and I loved how it turned out. I went for 3/4 plywood, mostly to have a stronger work surface, and I’m glad I did. I have since added a supporting 2x6 off of the study to support the top shelf above the bench and its strong enough to do pull-ups off of, and I have reinforced the support leg under the bench with a cross bar. Thanks for the great plans!!

Estimated Cost
~$200 (lumber prices have gone up recently due to supply issues with covid)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Laundry Basket Organizer

Submitted by mseely02 on Thu, 01/10/2013 - 09:02

We have a laundry problem in our house. It piles up in un-organized piles and takes days to sort through and actually get in the washer. Honestly, we could do laundry every single day of the week and still fall behind. I guess that comes with the territory when you have 3 small boys in the house.

This organinzer is going to be great. We currently use it for whites, colors and "grown-up clothes". This keeps us from accidentally washing some of Mommy's more delicate items in the general colors wash which saves me money when we don't ruin her clothes.

The plans call for the 1 x 16's, but I had extra 2 x 4's laying around so I just built a frame using my kreg jig. The most expensive part was the beadboard for the sides and I used some S4S 1 x 4's for the top. Overall the project tooks me months, but that was more a product of my "shop" time coming after 8 pm and general apathy.

I definitely have the bug and have already starting a new project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi Gloss Interior White, Minwax Dark Walnut Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Arrow Pallet Art

Submitted by sraper2 on Wed, 11/05/2014 - 21:11

I made this quick and simple wall art using some scrap wood and some pieces I got from a pallet.  I nailed them onto a scrap of plywood and used a stencil and some spray paint to finish it up.  It came out great! 

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Two seat outdoor bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/12/2017 - 20:22

Easy build and looks fantastic! 

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax spar poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Stylish Chicken Coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/11/2020 - 15:52

Housing three (3) hens now that are about a month old. Probably late January before can expect any eggs.

Great project. Metal roof worked well. I used flashing for the ridge caps. Have allowed for as much ventilation as possible for this Southwest Florida heat.

Thanks Anna, for sharing this project.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin-Williams outdoor barn red and white.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Over-sized 2x4 Letters

Submitted by efmolly on Sat, 01/12/2013 - 09:04

I've done a dozen or more of these letters now. Each letter has to be cut differently, but they are all made from 2x4s and pocket holed together using my Kreg Jig. I have also made some letters with curves (such as R, B, J, etc). I cut the curve out of a 2x10, left over stair stringer and then join it with some 2x4 for the rest of the piece. To make the base plates, I cut small blocks of 1x3 and rounded the edges with a palm sander. I used glue and finish nails to attach them. I have more projects like this on my blog http://pneumaticaddict.blogspot.com .

Estimated Cost
$4
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I wanted them to look very rustic, so I purposely didn't sand or use wood filler. First I painted them with 1 coat of acrylic paint a little brighter than my desired shade. I then glazed each letter with a dark brown glaze. Next, I white washed selected areas to add highlights. I distressed the edges with 100 grit sandpaper and sealed the whole thing with 2 coats of Polyacrylic in Satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Maple and Walnut Farmhouse Table

Submitted by ChtistieH on Sun, 11/09/2014 - 09:48

We built this table from Ana's plans using only a circular saw.  Yea Ana's plans!

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/15/2017 - 10:44

Great beginner project. I needed minimal help from my husband. Everyone in the family now wants a bench like mine. Thanks a bunch for the easy to follow plans. Love your website! 

Estimated Cost
$75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X inspired coffee table

Submitted by williemac on Mon, 11/16/2020 - 19:54

I built my coffee table to fit my sectional sofa. My dimensions are 56x32x17 1/2. For the bottom shelf I used 2 rough cut 1x10s cut to fit and the top is rough cut 1x8s. The 2x4s are reclaimed from the trash pile of a local construction job.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Tung oil only on the top. We're repainting in the living room and will completely finish later to match.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Work Bench

This was my first project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Jake

Wed, 01/16/2013 - 17:47

Great work and result for your first project. Something as simple as this bench/table still results in a thing of beauty, especially if it is square and level when you are all done.

How to get kids interested in woodwork...

Submitted by AndyH on Wed, 11/12/2014 - 08:19

This isn't really woodwork but was something made to get my step daughter interested in the art of making things from wood (and other materials)

Made from scraps of wood after an idea we saw on Pinterest.  She helped paint them and make the eyes and scarves for them.

It's the smallest project ever done but hopefully will embed the "bug" into her that making things with your hands is fun.

She has another 5 to decorate ready for Christmas.

Maybe she will be the next Ana, you never know!! :-)

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
White water based paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Ana White Admin

Wed, 11/12/2014 - 08:24

Thanks for sharing a cute and fun project, it's never to early to get the kiddos involved!

Toddler bed & Compactum

Submitted by Isabellev on Fri, 02/17/2017 - 00:51

My little one refused to sleep in a cot so i sold it and made him a toddler bed with matching compactum. 

I used an old broken piano chairs legs on the bed.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Virtual learning desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/22/2020 - 13:20

Modified from the hutch and desk plans. Made for a friend’s daughter who needed a larger desk to accommodate all of her virtual learning needs.
https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/desk-hutch-file-cubby-ba…
https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/desk-drawers-and-file-cu…

Finish Used
Varathane Smoke Gray stain
Ultra white semi-gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Planked Wood Sideboard

Planked wood sideboard without drawers, used as a media console table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Finish Used
Minwax wood conditioner, pre-stain
Minwax Pearl Gray Wood Stain
White paint for "antique" look
another coat of Pearl Gray Wood Stain
Minwax Polyurethane coat over finished project
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DianeHibbs

Sat, 01/26/2013 - 13:47

I'm thinking of making this for a media console as well. How big is the TV in the photo? Did you change any of the dimensions?

Firewood Shed

When I decided to build a woodshed I was freaked out because I've never done anything even remotely like this.  I struggle with precision and patience, which made this project seem overwhelming as I knew I had to do a lot of prep work to properly level the ground, measure the wood, learn how to operate a saw, calculate angles to cut, etc...  I did a lot of research online and found this simple blueprint a great starting point.   I made some adjustments since i needed a much bigger shed, it's 11.5' x 7' x 7'.  Also, I already had the wood resting on pallets so I just build this shed around the wood with no built in floor.  Overall, I'm thrilled with how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic x table

Submitted by V_garcia on Sun, 02/19/2017 - 19:37

Love my entry way table, plans details really easy to follow! Thanks you so much for this helpful website.

Estimated Cost
95
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut minwax stain and semi gloss minwax water basse sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner