Community Brag Posts

Dining room buffet

Submitted by jwillo on Tue, 09/29/2015 - 19:49

This was my husband's and my second furniture build, and the first with doors! We went ahead and followed the dimensions in the instructions, and even with wood that was 3.5, we still had doors that were a little short. I figure it adds character. Hinges were a little difficult for us, as we are new to woodworking DIY projects, but I'm very happy with the final project. Edge banding, magnetic clasps, and stain throughout really makes it look like a nice, finished piece. Thanks, Ana!

A side note on timing, for us this was a long weekend project that took us in to the next week. For others, I am sure it could go much quicker. That time also included finishing.

Estimated Cost
$200, not counting the new nail gun we purchased. :-)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax English Chestnut--one coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Bathroom Storage

Submitted by JMG on Fri, 06/24/2022 - 20:52

My daughter has a VERY SMALL bathroom and this was the perfect build to create storage! Thanks, Ana!

Comments

Reclaimed Queen Wood Bed

Total cost including all supplies and stain (minwax dark walnut) was $140, home depot did all the cuts for us... total time 5 hours!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

PROVIDENCE BENCH

This is a slightly modified version of Ana's Providence bench.
http://ana-white.com/2012/04/plans/providence-bench

In Step 1, instead of having the bottom supports flush with the end, I decided to center them on the 2x4s.

This means the bottom rail needs to be shortened accordingly.

I sanded everything down with 120, and 220 grit sand paper.
I find it easier and quicker to sand larger pieces of lumber than smaller pieces.
Next everything was cut to size, and then primed. I let the primer dry for a few hours, and added the second coat of primer.
I primed all the surfaces, exposed and unexposed. Now some of you may think this was overkill. But since I live in Arizona, I didn't want the wood warping. This also protects if from all the elements.

Next day, it was all assembled, this took a few hours, we used a kreg jig to make most of the holes, I didn't have the right kreg screws, so I just used outdoor deck screws.

Finishing:
I filled all the holes with wood putty. This needed to be done several times, because putty shrinks, more so in the heat here.

Eventually, sanded it all down with 220 grit lightly, just so that there were no tell tale signs.

Next painted the bench red a few times. I needed about 2 coats to get it just right..

My contractor commented on how sturdy this bench was, coming from him, that's quite a compliment, it turned out to be A LOT sturdier than I thought it would be based on how flimsy those angled supports were...
It matches my red front door and is a great place to have my morning coffee and put my shoes on.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
primer and paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Monogramed Toy Chest

Submitted by radspirit on Sun, 10/04/2015 - 20:57

Took me a little while for the first one, but now going to make more and will be much quicker now that I made it through the first time!

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

Comments

Built for a friend for her grandkids

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/21/2018 - 08:02

So took the plans and added a 1x4 floor on bottom and 2x4 runners on bottom for support and to keep off ground. The used landscaping fabric to help hold sand in.

Thanks for the plans was quick and simple and had done in about 4 hrs start to finish.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
not finished yet but will have outdoor stain applied in summer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Lawn chairs for my daughter

I built these lawn chairs for my daughter from your plans. Thanks

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

My first build, the simple twin bed

As my daughter got older she refused to sleep in her crib, so I decided I wanted matching beds for her and my son. We live in a small 2 bedroom house so they have to share. So while looking up ideas for nice beds at a cheap cost I followed links until I reached ana-white.com and I was amazed. I sat on my computer for hours yelling at my husband to "COME LOOK AT THIS" (which I still do today). So I picked a plan and started on in. With some help cutting from my dad I had the first bed done in a couple days. Sadly I have not finished the second due to a random mind and trying to find a way to make my boy and girl room a little more grown up and uni-sex friendly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

cdswhite

Sat, 07/30/2011 - 10:36

I did the same thing when I found this site! Sat on it for hours and constantly yelled for my hubby to come look at this. Lol

Parson desk

I adored this desk, but wanted a stainless steel top to match the vibe in the rest of the room. Thanks to another Anna white post about killer b designs (i think!) building her own dream kitchen, I realized I could get a local welder to fabricate a top, just like she got them to fabricate the top of her island. They built a sleeve that drops right on top of the wood top, and creating about a 3/4" overhang all the way around the desk; it cost about $275. Otherwise, I followed Ana's directions and painted it an off-white color that's the same as the trim in the room. Love it! Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore off-white color
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

brookifer86

Mon, 08/26/2013 - 12:39

You did a great job! And I'm brooke from Killer b. Designs, and that was my kitchen :) I really like the sleeve, it looks like a great desk

Laundry Room Cabinets

Submitted by svtigrz on Sun, 10/28/2018 - 05:34

My wife and I decided to remodel our laundry room. I built these cabinetsand doors to store soap and cleaners. They are 39Hx30Wx12D. I used the Kreg Pocket Hole Jig and the Kreg Khi-Hinge Concealed Hinge Jig. I have to say, Kreg jigs are AWESOME!!.

Estimated Cost
$80 each including doors and hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kbembe

Mon, 05/29/2023 - 14:50

Hi,
I am a big follower of your projects. Do you have laundry cabinets plans? haven't seen one as yet.
My laundry room is 71 1/2 inches Wide. Any suggestions that you might have?
Thanking you in advance I remain,
Benito Torres
863.521.2191

Garden outhouse with composting toilet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/16/2022 - 17:48

The cool thing about Ana White plans is they are straightforward to modify to use materials you have on hand. Everything but the frame is either leftovers or from the barn.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Shoe Bench

Submitted by jkp3897 on Tue, 08/02/2011 - 16:22

I saw the shoe dresser plans and liked the idea of getting the shoes out of sight! Then I decided to modify that plan and turn it into a bench that you could sit on while putting on your shoes! So this is what I came up with using a 2x12 for the top and 2x6's for the legs. The drawer part is pretty much the same as in the shoe dresser plans. It's 4 feet long and 19 inches high. It's already been in use and we love it! With 4 kids, the number of shoes can add up quickly! I have a second bench sanded and ready for assembly!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyurethane - 3 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Toddler beds,Toddler bunk beds,Toddler lofts

Building Bunk beds and custom beds is what i do. I router the corners so that they are rounded, plane the face's of the boards,and sand to perfection. then i glue and screw it all together. you can check out the site at http://www.dreamworksbunkbeds.com

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
all my products come with no finish just natural.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Stool

Made with Western Red Cedar 1x6 fence boards and 2x4. Finished with General Finishes Arm R Seal. 

Thank you Anna. 

 

Estimated Cost
Less than $15
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Wood Conditioner
Varthane Natural Oil Finish -1 coat
General Finishes Arm R Seal 3 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2x4 Adirondack Chair

Submitted by bcarter_1 on Tue, 10/30/2018 - 05:05

Love this chair

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

Comments

Lovin the seating!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/29/2022 - 10:56

Had no problem following the easy directions. I am eager to build more projects in the future. Thanks for being here Ana. We really love looking out over the bay in our chairs.

Comments

Rustic Bench turned into an Entry Table!

Submitted by cclemons on Fri, 08/30/2013 - 11:49

I loved the look of the Rustic X Bench but wanted to modify to be an entry table. I took the exact plans, but made it longer and taller. The X bracing didn't match up exactly, but I like it with the separation. The stain is a Minwax Espresso finish. I added adjustable glides to the bottom so I could adjust if needed. It was an excellent first project and it fits in our home PERFECT! Thanks Ana for the inspiration to create, build and be a mommy at the same time :)

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Stain - Espresso Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Modified Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by PamC03 on Sun, 10/18/2015 - 22:28

As a beginner at woodwork, this table was pretty easy to make. The instructions were easy to follow. I modified the table by adding 2x6 planks on the bottom and changing up the "X" design. The angles are tricky to get right, but i used scrap wood until i got the perfect angles then used my 2x2's for the final cuts. I also changed the finished dimensions of the table to fit in the room I was making it for, so this table was quite a bit wider than the original. It took me about a day and a half/two days to fully build and then I finished slowly over the rest of the week by staining and using a satin poly finish (I gave the top 4 coats so it took a little longer than normal). I'm so happy with the finished table I've already bought the wood to make another smaller one!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70 for wood and hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Early American w/ Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Audrey Wright

Thu, 10/22/2015 - 05:02

For a beginner, you'd done a great job. I'm a beginner too and I can hardly do this in two days..