Community Brag Posts

DIY Coffee Bar

Submitted by Liz Miller on Tue, 12/04/2018 - 10:37

This was my first time using my own measurements for an Ana White build. I was really nervous but having completed a few other projects by following plans exactly, I felt confident I had gained the skill to branch out of my comfort zone. I had been looking at coffee bars for my kitchen, but at $300 and up, cheaply made and in the wrong dimensions,. I just knew I could build something with better quality for a portion of the price. This project took me half a day to build the carcass and then another afternoon to figure out the door hardware and stain. I used all 1 x boards and the final bar is 12" wide so I used 1 x 12 boards for everything except the trim.  All in all you could complete it in a few hours, it was really simple. I made the door hardware by popping open two pulleys and attaching them with metal somethings (not sure what they are) that I found at Lowes. I then ran a flat bar across the front using spacers like Ana did in hers. I painted the hardware with Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint and stained the top of the bar with Minewax Dark Walnut, the bottom is Minewax Ebony. I still need to poly. One thing I changed up was the top. Instead of using a piece of plywood, pine, or combining pieces together, I used a stair tread! It was a little thicker than a typical 1 x, and also had a rounded edge which I think gives the piece a finished look! This is a piece of furniture I will truly use every single day and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out! The grand total? $60 for the wood and $20 for the hardware. $80 all in all (I had the stain leftover from another project). There's no way I could have bought a piece this nice for that price! 

Estimated Cost
$80 ($60 for wood and $20 for hardware) I had the stain from a previous project.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
The top is MInewax Dark Walnut, the base is Minewax Ebony, and the hardware is spray painted Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze. I still need to poly the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Son’s extra long farmhouse twin bed

Submitted by jendon on Sat, 08/20/2022 - 19:26

My son grew and needed a bed fit for a high schooler! We went through all of Ana’s beds and picked this one, but he wanted tongue and grove on his headboard and footboard. This was a smooth build and agreed with some other builders to have a bed breakdown framing system. I chose mine from Rockler. I have used their products before and have been very happy. My son also wanted it raised a little bit higher for storage. The stain is golden oak. We were so happy about this bed, so thank you once again, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Tool box and Cleaning Caddy

Submitted by moemoore on Thu, 08/11/2011 - 00:48

I saw Ana's plans for a toolbox and thought that's great! Then I saw another members adaption for a cleaning caddy and I knew I had to build both!

I build on my lanai (porch) in Hawaii, so my work area is fairly small. It was easy to build these at the same time, and I made plenty use of my Kreg jig!

Estimated Cost
under $20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I had some really ugly "pumpkin" orange that the previous owners had painted the front door with. While cleaning out paint, I combined it with some white and off-white paint, getting a nice creamy color. I used that (2-3 coats) after priming the piece. I then used some mis-tinted brown paint for the trim. Finished with 2-3 coats of a poly finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sgilly

Thu, 08/11/2011 - 15:02

Your work space may be small, but I think I'd take your view any day! Just beautiful. And, the tool box and caddy are really nice, too!

Crown Ledge

I really fell in love with this crown ledge and had to do it. Of course I did it to fit the length I needed and I also added a decorative piece of trim at the bottom to give it a more finished look.

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

Comments

spiceylg

Wed, 09/04/2013 - 04:43

Looks so nice and love the converted bench. We just made one ourselves and I'm in the process of painting it.

Loft bed, not quite finished

Submitted by Bunnie1978 on Tue, 10/27/2015 - 20:33

I built this bed several months ago, but it isn't finished.  Deigned the plan myself with inspiration from several plans/brags along the way.  The room not at all square or level so had to build as you go.  This was for my son's 7th birthday, and he loves it.

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

Doll House Book Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/25/2018 - 19:58

Made this for my little girls room 

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Woven back bench

Submitted by Lukilla on Thu, 09/01/2022 - 15:47

What a fun project! My 2x2 scraps had started to accumulate, and I couldn't think of anything to do with them. Ana White to the rescue! Built this one for the fun of it, and my wife had fun with the colors. Great plan as always. I added 2x2s to support the seat slats, but im sure it'd be fine without

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Another Doll Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by n8ur9irl on Fri, 08/12/2011 - 06:16

I made this for my Granddaughters 6th Birthday. My husband and I just finished a tree house for the Grand kids and we had lots of scraps left! Very easy to make and the only thing that took time was waiting for the paint to dry.

Estimated Cost
9.00 for the bedding, 0.00 for the bed ( I had wood scraps from a treehouse we made)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White enamel, for durability.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Oxidized Wood Silverware Caddy

This was the very first thing I've tackled. It's something I've always wanted to do, but haven't taken the time. A new house that we've moved into has a barn beam mantle above the fireplace (which we love!), so we wanted to incorporate wood that would compliment it. We used knotty pine and tried out the oxidized wood treatment to get the desired color and sealed it with a spray Varathane. Because of that treatment, it took an extra day for all of the drying time from start to finish. I also plan to stencil on the side "Give Thanks", but haven't found a good spot to get a stencil yet.

I am such a fan of these great designs and styles, I will be making many more things. Next on my list, the Oxidized wood X pattern side tables and coffee table! Thank you, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15, but have wood and other things left over
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oxidized wood using The Friendly Home's how-to-step-by-step instructions, then sealed with a spray varathane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Connor Side Table

I built this as a way to stay busy on a three day weekend, and it turned out so well my wife wants two more for our night stands.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Chalkboard Paint for the top and Minwax Early American stain. If I were to do it again, I would use a lighter stain color. I sprayed a cheap clear coat over the top of the black.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Workbench console and hutch minibar

Submitted by kwildman on Sat, 12/29/2018 - 05:14

Love my new minibar! Built using select pine for the 1x and stud grade 2x4s. 

I used Ana's plan for the Workbench console which is a pottery barn knock off for the Markham Console.  The hutch is Ana's plan for the Rustic Hutch.  I first stained with dark walnut danish oil and didn't like the color.  It was too yellowish.  I went over that with minwax grey wash and loved the color.  I finished with minwax dark paste wax. 

Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut Danish oil and minwax gray oil based stain. Minwax dark paste wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Apothecary cat box console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/06/2022 - 06:21

Just used Ana’s plan for apothecary cabinets. Needed mine wider, shallower and taller for use under wall mounted tv and wanted it to reach very high chair rail behind it. As well as hiding tv wires and providing much needed storage I needed to hide a cat box.

Comments

Another Benchright Farmhouse Dining Table

Submitted by Thewaggy on Sat, 09/07/2013 - 16:41

I know, I know, yet another Farmhouse Benchright Dining Table! For this one, I wanted 4x4 legs, angled turnbuckles and removable legs since I know I have to move a lot. The legs are made removable with carriage bolts and with the legs fastened this way, the whole project has a more simplified frame. The finish is dark walnut to try and blend vintage/weathered design with a modern finished project. I added dark gray slate to the tabletop, carved in via router, for a little more design and as a built in trivet if so desired.

Estimated Cost
200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut with Satin Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Harriet Higher Chair

Submitted by aerialc on Tue, 11/10/2015 - 09:33

I made this chair for my almost three year old and it is perfect for him to reach the dining table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Honey Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Grey on White

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/31/2018 - 16:09

Used your plans, worked perfectly. First time using the Kreg, gonna use that a lot more!

Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi gloss ploy
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Bed

I built this bed as a modified farmhouse bed. I chose to have a solid wood headboard instead of having a slotted look as it fit better in the decor of our home. I purchased a bed rail kit from Rockler so that I could remove the rails without removing any screws. (http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5783) It was a relatively easy project considering my skill set was very low when starting! http://www.lifewithfingerprints.com/2010/09/labor-of-love.html

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a satin black paint finish with a polyacrylic coating.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Utility Table

I had empty spot in my kitchen and I wasn't able to find any nice looking utility table, so I figured to do it myself. I was looking for plan but didn't seem to find what I was looking for (If you find plans for the similar one, let me know!), so I end up using my left over 2x6 and 2x4's to make counter top and 1x4 for legs as for shelves. I made "grill" for the shelves from 1x2's. My kitchen has white cabinets so legs I painted white and counter top and shelves I stained same color than my counter top I made for my kitchen. I measured space between window and door and made it fit there, height is same as my kitchen cabinets.
I need to stain shelves one more time to get them nice, but i had no room to let them lay around the house so I had to put them together.

http://ourleaningtree.wordpress.com/diy/utility-table/

Estimated Cost
Less than 20$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Wite paint and dark walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

A Frame Chicken Coop

Submitted by emwasson on Sat, 11/14/2015 - 22:28

    I love how my co-op turned out! I added a few things. I made a door for egg collecting, I built 2 nesting boxes. I made a door for access to food and water and I made the middle 2x4s 10 feet so we found move it around the yard. It cost about $130 for me. I had some extra wood that I used for the boxes and ladder. The chickens and myself are enjoying the new coop.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Fillman Storage Bed with Drawers

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/03/2019 - 17:25

Utilizing Ana’s plans I was able to build this great bed with a few “ extras”. Box joint drawers..rail/stile drawer frames.. peg joinery to name a few!  So much fun following these plans and achieving results that made one young man very happy!  Thanks Ana!!

Estimated Cost
200$
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Painted with a non latex paint and finished with a water based poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Wooden Egg holder

Submitted by Lukilla on Fri, 09/30/2022 - 15:31

We've got a friend that basically supplies us with unlimited farm fresh eggs. The instant my wife saw this on ana-white she started asking me for one. Rounded over the holes with the router and rounded the corners of the sides. Took us about an hour total.

Combo of varathane special walnut and weathered oak stain on the finish.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments