Community Brag Posts

Storage Room

This basement storage room was packed with 10 years of junk and smelled like funk! Divided into 3 piles, burn, donate and keep. Now with sealed and painted walls and epoxy'd floors we hope to use this as a storage/craft room. Next on the list is a craft/storage/wrapping station for the other corner. I also built a small stand that the artificial tree is sitting on. Due to condensation (humid Michigan summers) we don't want anything to sit on the concrete.

Estimated Cost
$90 for 22 10' 2x4's and a box of deck screws.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dog Food Storage Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/29/2024 - 12:00

I've been searching for a pet food bin for a while now, and started looking for something cuter than an ugly plastic bin. I found a few things on Etsy but none were big enough and also cost a lot of $$$. I took the Modern Cedar Outdoor Storage Bench plans, and modified the size to fit large bags of dog and cat food from Costco, or pet food bins. I'm 55 years old and have fixed things around the house, but this was my first time building something.
I am so happy with how this turned out! I found the dog bone handle online and my daughter painted the paw prints. Way cuter than what I found online and I built it using reclaimed wood I had laying around - my only cost was the handle. Thanks Ana!

Heather Durand https://www.facebook.com/pinkprincesshc

Beginner Bar Stools

Submitted by pchireah on Sat, 07/14/2012 - 13:20

This was my first time building anything, since the tool box I made in wood-shop in highschool! I made the stools about 3" shorter than the plans to accommodate our low counter height. Otherwise, I really had no idea what I was doing, but learned a lot through the process. Also, I don't really have a great work space, other than the 10'x10' second bedroom in our NYC apartment. At least all the dust can stay in one place. Looking forward to my next project of an outdoor table for our terrace - I'm hooked!!! Thanks Ana for making this so accessible. Some of my friends now want to come over and build projects for their apartments too!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I have no idea. I had to purchase everything from saws to nails to wood glue and wood. Also I bought the wood in multiple stages. Wood in NYC is too expensive, but I probably spent around $100 on wood for all three stools.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
on the top, Antique Walnut gloss stain and poly in one, sanded down after the fact and Ultra Pure White, paint and primer in one - two coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My first project turned out great!

Submitted by kaylynn119 on Fri, 05/02/2014 - 08:17

Didn't turn out identical to the plan. I changed some measurements to work with her porch and the space I had to hang it, but all in all I'm more then pleased with it! ;-)

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain and fast dry polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Redwood 2x4 outdoor sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/03/2016 - 09:16

This is my attempt at the 2x4 outdoor sofa.  The entire sofa is made out of 2x4 Redwood, so the cost was a little high at $150 for the wood.  I'm still waiting on cushions, but I went overboard and bought them custom made so the total for those came out to $520.  Overall, I could have easily bought a complete set online but hey, this is more fun!

 

My one concern is the back support.  I'm thinking of building something angled in, but haven't thought of the best approach yet, that will still look good.  

 

 

Estimated Cost
$670
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Redwood stain (still need to finish with a gloss sealer).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Benchright Round End Table

Submitted by RGWood on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 08:01

I built this table for my mother-in-law. I added a brace/frame for under the top. That helped me with the angled legs. This table takes a beating at their house as she watches kids all day long. The plans produce a very sturdy table. The whole table is Dark Walnut stain and Satin Poly(oil based).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut stain
Satin Poly(oil based)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Under Sink Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/05/2024 - 09:03

We live in an old house with lots of windows in the kitchen but not much storage space. Having previously tackled a kitchen island with the help of ana-white.com, I knew that the Under Sink Kitchen Organizer Shelf would be a much simpler project. We already had the tools and screws, so I picked up a couple of 3-foot 1x8s for about $7. The organizer is 20 inches high, 15 inches wide, and 7-1/4 inches deep. The shelf is only about 6-1/2 inches deep because I used 1x8 for the back, but it works.

Beadboard Fillman Platform Bed - Our First Project!

These plans came at just the right time for us as we needed to move our toddler to her first twin bed! I was set on beadboard for her room, so I modified the plan slightly by gluing the sheet of beadboard to the plywood, adding the molding to frame the beadboard and also adding a couple of inches to the legs. The thickness of the beadboard did not allow the back of the headboard to be flush with the legs, but it really isn't noticeable.

This bed is easy to build and extremely sturdy! We spent much more than the $75 listed on the plans, using both pine and poplar as we shopped around checking out our local retailers. Our local furniture store's least expensive solid wood bed was much scrawnier and $250 plus delivery, so we still came out ahead! The mattress is a 14" memory foam mattress bringing it much closer to an average bed height, but still very accessible for our 2 year old.

The bed only took a couple of evenings to build and the headboard came together in just an afternoon! However, most of that with a 2 year old, so it could come together quicker if you are sans kiddos :)

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We chose to distress the finish (I'm still coming to terms with this a bit!) first painted with Valspar's Dove White (a match to IKEA white) and sanded, brushed on and immediately wiped Minwax's Provincial stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

FANCY X FARMHOUSE TABLE

I built the table some months ago and my wife loved it so we decided to build a set of benches to go with it. I gotta say though i will never build these suckers again. Man there were so many cuts!!! The stain was steel wool, vinegar and tea bags and i used a rub on polly. The funny thing is I built both of these benches for a total of 30 bucks! I found all the wood laying around. I hope you all enjoy. Sorry about the horrible pictures I guess if I am going to be uploading pictures on here a better camera other than my smartphone is in order.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
steel wool, tea bags and vinegar
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Shoe Dresser (smaller to fit our hall)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/07/2016 - 13:02

Loved a shoe cabinet at Mobler Furniture, but hated the 300 dollar price.

Figured Ana would have a plan: She Did. We used the Shoe Dresser plans but I built the gables in one piece to eliminate the need for separate feet. The overall length is only 38 inches. I built it counter height.

Because we used wood that we had laying around from previous projects, the drawers, and the unit are made of pine, while the top is made of oak. Total cost for the wood was 30 canadian dollars.

Rather than buy catches, I ran an extra support rail under the top, which made attaching the top easy, but also served as a "bump" for the closing door - it adds a satisfying clunk when closing the doors. I did the same for the second door too.

The handles were purchased for a project in our previous house and used here instead.

We used paintbrushable Tremclad matte black for the interior (23 bucks - used less than half the tin.)

We used 1.5 cans of spray Tremclad red enamel for the exterior (8 bucks a tin)

We hit it all with two coats of Zinsser sealer first  - 14 bucks, used half. 

Total hit was well under a hundred bucks.

Took me a couple days to work out the details, a day to construct, and about three days to paint, one for the undercoat, one for the black, one for the red.

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under a 100 canadian dollars - hard to be precise because we used stuff from other projects.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I always hand sand my stuff. I use 80 grit wrapped around a block of oak and sand til i'm happy. then i go to 120, then jump to 220. i hit it with zinnser sealer, sanded with 220, and did another coat of sealer. more 220 sanding. the inside was brush painted, two coats of Tremclad Matte Black rust enamel. The outside was sprayed with two cans of Tremclad Red Rust enamel.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Beginner coffee Table

Submitted by mpjacob08 on Mon, 05/25/2020 - 09:23

So Fun!! My first ever wood build!! I’m completely addicted now ha! Thank you so much! I’m learning so much from watching your videos.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Golden Oak with one coat of shellac spray and Varathane oil based polyurethane to protect from liquids
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

mudroom locker and bench unit

built to fit mudroom locker and bench unit using a combination of Ana's plans

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1. Zinsser cover stain primer
2. Three coats Benjamin Moore high gloss white enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

brelza

Sat, 03/23/2013 - 20:48

I LOVE the look of this. Cannot wait for us to get our addition done to add something like this. Definitely a need with 5 kids in the house!

Planters

My plants are still really little here and I modified the planters to sit right at the bottom of my windows and fit a 12" pot exactly. Love them!

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Workbench console turned desk

I modified the work bench console to make a standing desk.  I have a lot of textbooks so I made the desk 63 inches by 29 inches, using 1×6s instead of 2×4s.  I also added a drawer to the front, and eventually I'll finish a back lift up compartment for storage of firearms.  Since the desk is bigger I added a cross board in the legs for extra stability.  I also made the shelf a lot higher to store textbooks I wasn't using in the moment.  The way it's built I could use it as a console or bar table in the future.  The stain is miniwax dark walnut with a polyethlyene sealant.  Hope you like it!

 

The website keeps rotating the pictures, sorry. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

CaleanWsh

Mon, 05/18/2020 - 10:07

How did you do this? Plans would be nice :) (Not going to comment on having to stand on my head to see some of the pics.... Oops...)

Stuffed Animal Zoo

My daughter loves this! And now I have to make one for my youngest! Instead of rope I used 3/8" Bungee Shock Cord. I used one long piece and threaded it through the screw eyes. I put the screw eyes in the top, middle and bottom.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dropzone Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 12:54

My son asked me to build him a cabinet for his drop zone. It turned out awesome.

 

Kentwood Nightstand

Great nightstand/chest made form the Kentwood Nightstand plans on Ana-white.com. Thanks for the great instructions! I would have to add that I needed 5 1x3's to make the top, instead of the noted 4 in the plans.

Thanks again!

Estimated Cost
$50-$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax's 2-1 Antique Mahogany Gloss + Polyurethane from Home Depot
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

mollythebrave

Fri, 05/10/2013 - 21:45

The instructions I found for this are pretty vague as to what to do with attaching the top-- do the 4 (or 5 as it seems) boards somehow link onto eachother kreg-style? or...? Thanks!

Outdoor Sectional Set

Submitted by suzyq7811 on Mon, 05/12/2014 - 17:33

Not as easy as everyone else said online. I had never used a kreg jig and it takes a bit more practice than I had patience for. one thing to note is the instructions screw lengths are for if you are NOT using a kreg. If you use a kreg, use the screw lengths they suggest. I used a deck stain and purchased the cushions on sale at Ikea ($22.50 per cushion)

Estimated Cost
$200-600
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck stain with water repellent included. Cheapest cushions I could find were at Ikea by far.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Stained red oak toybox

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/14/2016 - 11:29

Thank you very much for this marvelous plan and idea. I built one for each family of grandchildren and love the finger-saving torsion hinges and front lid relief. I did end up trying biscuit joints (except for where the 1x2 boards join to the legs) as it left the inside of the box looking cleaner, especially if stained instead of painted.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshades Pecan combination stain/polyurethane after a pre-stain treatment.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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