Community Brag Posts

Doll Bunk Bed

Submitted by LARMO on Sat, 01/25/2014 - 19:45

I made this for my grand-daughter for her birthday following the plan from the plan catalog using my Keg Jig and scraps from previous projects. My wife followed a link from then plan to make the pad and quilt. I spray painted it with a semi-gloss pink - her favorite color

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Krylon Semi-gloss Spray Paint Pink
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tk u for all ur designs

Submitted by Cgovalle on Tue, 04/19/2016 - 15:05

Needed shelves for my shed. Ur design fit the bill. Cannot wait to make more

Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mudroom Bench with Easy Drawers

Submitted by GeekAthair on Mon, 01/06/2020 - 20:12

We've been desperate for more storage in our little house and this build really helped. The whole bench is 103“ wide and each drawer gives us 24"x17" of usable space. We had to do some custom shaping for the benchtop (two joined fir 2x12's) fit as the walls are not square but in the end we were really pleased.

The hardest part of the project was getting all of this built and in place while working around a busy family as this is our only meal space and the majority of cutting/forming was done either on the weekends or after bedtimes. If I were to do this again I'd prioritize sending the kids to grandparents for the weekend and know king everything except for paint out in one go. 

We could have spent less time with the benchtop by using plywood like in the plans but we wanted the look of a separate benchtop. We may replace the fir with stained oak down the line but this should be plenty sturdy for the next several years. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar paint, minwax clear poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIY Outdoor Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 09/10/2023 - 13:11

Parents wanted an outdoor table on the deck. They had scrap wood in the basement from when the house was built. Found the design from Ana White, inspired, and adapted it. It was a small project, but the success of this inspired me to get back into building furniture. It doesn't have to be complicated and the satisfaction of building something from materials that exist and working with what one has in terms of tools and skills is very satisfying.

My Bed

Submitted by AlHoward on Sat, 04/14/2012 - 10:08

I just followed Ana's plan!

Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat semi gloss interior paint and sanded.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Combo of Farmhouse Bed with Farmhouse Storage Bed

Submitted by jeniroosen on Mon, 01/27/2014 - 21:39

I meshed the Farmhouse Bed with the Farmhouse Storage Bed with Storage Drawers and this is the final product. Let me know if you have any questions. I learned along the way.

A few things I modified -

I knocked off the corners of the 1x8's used in the footboard and headboard as I wasn't a fan with how they butted up straight. I liked the rounded edges of the routered boards instead.

I cove routered the tops of 2x6's and loved how they turned out

When I handed my cutlist to the kid at the big orange store, he pulled OSB instead of plywood for the storage cabinets. I realized it halfway through the cutting as I was shopping for other things and didn't have the heart to tell him halfway through the job. I had to edge band (first time) the edges and the OSB soaked up a lot of primer.

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Glidden Antique White
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My first shot at furniture making! I'm hooked now!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/23/2016 - 09:26

My first shot at furniture making. Two benchright farmhouse tables. Made from reclaimed lumber I found in my barn and poplar milled by Wayne my neighbor. Thanks Wayne and Anna White. These are in the dinning room of our Country Road House B&B located Clendenin WV. Look us up, stay and eat breakfast on these tables!

Estimated Cost
$25 parts. Lumber free. New tools.... Well....
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Mahogany gel stain by minwax. Water based poly also minwax. Exterior house paint for legs and sides.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Shim Queen bed

My husband and created this bed using a plan we found on the website. We were doing the One room Challenge and wanted to redo our room on a budget. It was our first major build and it turned out really well. When my husband said we were going to use wood shims I was skeptical but the end result was awesome! We made the headboard and footboard and all the other pieces in our basement shop and then moved them up to our second floor and assembled them in the room. If you have any questions check us out on Instagram @ home_on_the_bluff

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 CAD
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Minwax Poly in Clear Matte
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Folding Work Table First Project!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/12/2023 - 09:52

This is my very first project. I have no other tools yet besides the drill, so I had to make all the cuts with the hand saw, but it worked out well :) As I am in Europe, the imperial metrics mean nothing to me. The wood they sell here is of different sizes. That is overall not an issue, although I had a tough time calculating the holes for the legs. Luckily, only one error hole, and all came out level on the first try. No waste of wood! I also had a good helper.
Thank you, Ana

Ventsi

Distressed Farmhouse Bench

Submitted by sandrabees on Tue, 04/17/2012 - 06:09

Built this for extra seating in my dining room. I followed Ana's plans to the T.... I used a skill saw and chisel to notch the wood...

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Black onyx and 2 coats of poly with distressing
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

sarah family (not verified)

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:17

Hi! Just curious about two things. Did you use 1 x 4's for the inside apron or 2 x 4's? Also, have had any problems with kids tipping the bench over?

My daughters Castle Bed

Submitted by bartdiy on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 11:53

The plan for this great castle bed on this blog inspired me to make this castle bed for my daughter Elise. I basically just followed this plan and adjusted it to my own idea:
http://www.ana-white.com/2011/10/plans/castle-loft-bed

Thanks very much for all the great ideas!

Bart
The Netherlands

Estimated Cost
€350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My coffee table

Submitted by ilantwito on Mon, 01/20/2020 - 08:17

I made this table from a pine wood and the finish was made in the “Shu Sugi Ban” style, and then stained it. 

Finish Used
Varathane sun bleached stain and clear lacquer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Raised Cedar Beds

THANK YOU Ana's your plans are a life saver and pocket book saver as well. You make your plans so easy to follow and use. For my project I used the cedar fence pickets and redwood 2" x 2" stakes that where on sale at the orange box store for "6 pack bundle" for only $.50 each. All I can say is SCORE! ;') Since we live in Arizona I treated all the lumber with a outdoor weather proofing wood finish (Cedar Color), lined all the interior beds (only the Wood Sides) with 4 mil plastic to keep the cedar from absorbing all the water and wired mesh on the bottom of the garden prior to adding dirt. This keeps my local rabbits/other creatures from eating my roots from the bottom up. And I have my dog from the top side. We are already a 100 degrees here and we needed to get our seedlings in a garden asap. Thanks Again for the Plans, Ana! I will be making more of these garden boxes to come.

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Transparent Weather Proofing Wood Finish (Cedar Color)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Mariel

Thu, 08/08/2013 - 09:39

Love this! We are new to Phoenix - originally from the Midwest - and I really would like to add some raised beds to our backyard. I appreciate your comments on how you adapted these for the desert! May I ask what side of your house they are on? I'm thinking to put mine on the east side so they get morning sun, but not the scorching afternoon rays. Thanks for your AZ advice!

Seasonal And Holiday

Kylee's first build

Submitted by momtokx2 on Sun, 02/02/2014 - 14:31

My 7 year daughter and I built the Fiona's Doll Adirondack Chair together for her friend's birthday. This was Kylee's first build. She decided instead of finishing the chair, she would give her friend paints and let her do it herself. The chair went was easy to build thanks to such great plans. It took between 2-3 hours. Although I think without her help it would of been a bit quicker. I could not be happier or prouder of a project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished, allowing the new owner to finish it
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Console Table

Loved how this entry table/ sofa table turned out! 

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sunridge Middle School Woodshop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/26/2020 - 18:53

At Sunridge Middle School, we design and build our own projects at the end of second semester. As class sizes have grown ( the class is quite popular) helping design up to 60 projects becomes quite difficult. That’s where you come in! You have designed some awesome projects and the kids are able to find a perfect fit, with your variety. Some doubt the ability of 14 year olds, but given the space, opportunity, support, and your plans, we can do anything!

Estimated Cost
0.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stain
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

3 Square Picnic Tables!

I built 3 of the square picnic tables, as we have a large extended family. I enjoyed the project and the results. I did end up adding a cross brace and some metal clips, they added a little more strength for the table when it was full of people.

Thank you for sharing your plans.

Rick

Built from Plan(s)

Built three - Four Dollar Stackable Children’s Chairs

Submitted by jrokusek on Mon, 04/23/2012 - 08:39

Great plans for a simple kids chair! I generally followed Ana's plans, but used a hardwood - Elm - that I cut on my sawmill. It looks generally like oak. It is heavier than pine, but should be more durable too. I'm 200+ pounds and have jumped on the chair with no issues.

I also used pneumatic brad nailer and glue for the back and seat slats. I highly recommend glue for this project! I am an avid woodworker with a garage full of tools, so honestly this took me less than an hour from start to finish. However, this was one of the most satisfying projects I've built in a long time!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I eventually finished this with a custom stain I had leftover from another project and water-based polyurethane. Minwax Golden Pecan is similar, perhaps just a bit lighter than what I used.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Little Girl Dress Up Caddy

This project took about a week of commitment because of the multiple coats of paint. Otherwise, it was a very quick build, built in one day, but quite tedious sanding. I wish I could have sanded before I built it because the corners were very difficult to get around on the inside. I drew the crown on very thin Plywood that I had laying around from a night table I built and cut it out with a jigsaw.

Estimated Cost
Under $100 with stencils, paint, light, stick on mirror ($10 from Amazon) and jewels for the crown
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Pantone Cabaret, Disney Shimmering Glitter Specialty Finish on the crown, and satin polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project