DIY Planter Boxes
These were a quick weeknight build! And.... My very first “all by myself” build! I’m really proud of how they turned out and love how much style they add to my front porch!
Built from Plan(s)
Community Brag Posts
Built in bookcase with lights
Built in bookcase with lighting and power outlets in cupboards for audio and DVD equipment to feed to the wall mounted tv (to the left).
The photo with the lights is when it was unfinished and I also decided that I didn't like the inset doors and so made new overlay ones. Now I have four doors I need to use on another project...
Estimated Cost
$1000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Pro Classic Extra White Satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Comments
Counter Height Garden Boxes
Used 36 inch legs instead of 32".
Also used two 6x1 inch boards for each side of the box.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 a box
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Sweet dreams bunk bed
Built this for our 6yr old. She has decided she wants it to be pink so we picked out a beautiful Aubrey Hepburn worthy shade and will update our photo.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 materials + $36 Pocket Hole Jig
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Modern Farmhouse Bed Frame
I love how this bed frame turned out! Everywhere that has stain is cedar and the rest is all scrap spruce. Thanks for another great plan Ana!
Built from Plan(s)
Comments
Modern Farmhouse Bed
My husband and I had worked on this bed together, and we are so happy with it! We went with taller side tables that we purchased, and just stained the wood instead of painting it.
Built from Plan(s)
Comments
Built-in Bookshelves
I built this project in 6 separate pieces before installing it in our home. I pulled the baseboard and attached it to the wall to give it a built-in feel. For the majority of the project, I used 3/4" plywood with the exception if 1/4" plywood for the back of the shelves as well as the centers of the cabinet doors. For the trim, I used select pine boards. I had to work around an airconditioning vent that was in the floor. I was able to divert it to run out the bottom of the bookcase.
This build is loosely based on the Willy Bookcase. I actually found another brag post on the Willy Bookcase that was immensely helpful in constructing my project. I'm so grateful for the brag boards! Instead of fixing all of the shelves like the Willy, I used a Kreg shelf pin jig to make the shelves adjustable. The shelf that lines up with the TV is fixed for stability.
The estimate below covers all of the wood, paint, screws, hardware, etc. For fun, I'm including an in progress photo to illustrate the process. Thanks for looking!
Also, a note - this is a relatively easy project, however, I listed it as "intermediate" because of the cabinet doors. They definitely made it more complicated!
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams paint custom matched to trim.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Comments
Planter Porch Steps
Plan modified to be built on stringers due to hight.
Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Pending
Comments
Fri, 07/07/2023 - 15:22
Do you have an illustration…
Do you have an illustration or instructions on the exact modifications you used for this project?
Fireplace Mantle with Drawers and Hidden Storage
Modified plans to include game storage drawers, a flip open mantle for DVD player and hidden charging port, and hidden cupboards on both sides for DVD storage. I scoured the Internet for months before drawing this up to fit my space and tackling all on my own! I love it and all of my other Ana White inspired projects!
Casey O.
Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday
Beautiful Outdoor chairs and Ottoman from 2x4s and 2x6s (and a 2x2)
The chairs were my first project ever and they came out great! I even made the ottoman/side table because the chairs looked so good. Ana, your plans were fantastic and easy for a beginner. I learned so much from this first project and I'm already working on another project from your site! The cushions were definitely the most expensive part of the chair.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40-$50/chair (without cushions) including screws, wood and stain
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr semi-transparent stain and sealer (Chocolate) as noted in Ana's project plans.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Footstool
Made a footstool by modifying the rustic X end table plans. I used all scrap wood, foam, and fabric from my various stashes so this was free for me to make. Also, on all of my x tables, I use a dado blade so the exes are intact and not cut and screwed.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Charcoal grey stain
Comments
Cat Tree/Condo
I always wanted a cabin-type cat tree where my cats could crawl in and feel safe, but still have a great view of the birds out of a window. I tried to draw my vision on paper, but that had a hideous result. Learning Google SketchUp (at least the basics) was an absolute necessity. I could never have built this without drawing it in 3D first, and seeing how the boards would connect, etc.
For the scratch pad, I built a frame out of 2x4s on top of plywood, covered it with carpet, and dropped the standard size scratch pad in place. This is the cat's favorite feature. I put barn doors on the window with tiny hinges so that I can close for added privacy. The tree sits against a window so that the back side is totally open. I made cozy zippered cushions for the platforms (that can be taken off and washed). I covered the carpeted areas with spare carpeting.
Estimated Cost
Approx. $30 for can of paint, varnish and a 4x4 (all other was scrap material)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Combination of Minwax Water-based stains: 6 parts Colonial Pine: 1 part American Walnut, followed 3-4 coats Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Comments
Fri, 07/12/2013 - 09:36
I love this
Would you mind sharing your dimensions for this? It is absolutely beautiful!
Sun, 08/25/2013 - 08:10
This is great!
Do you have the plans somewhere? I really want to build this (even got the okay from the hubby!) but I don't think I could do it without some serious guidelines...
Fri, 08/30/2013 - 15:55
Dimensions
First, sorry for the late notice; I just happened to look and saw the comments/questions.
I don't have plans...all I have is a google sketchup diagram that I created as a guideline for my construction (which is included in the photos), which is not to scale. Actual measurements are:
* Base (green carpeted base): 33.5" x 19"
* 4x4 legs: 35" tall
* 'Mezzanine' scratch pad level: 22" x 17.5"
* Mid-level base: 18" x 32"
* Enclosed cabin: 18.25" x 22.5" x 17" high
* Highest point: 56"
This has turned out to be a fantastic hit with the cats. They use all 5 levels, but the scratch pad and cabin are their favorite spots. If you need anything else or additional pics, please contact me.
Fri, 08/30/2013 - 18:15
Thank you!
Thanks for the dimensions, Joni! I'm trying to learn SketchUp so I can draw up my own plans, also. If I can't figure it out, I'll hand it off to my 12 year old, who is a pro at it (go figure). I know my cats will love it if I can manage to get it built!
Fri, 09/27/2013 - 10:15
we made one!
I used your pictures and diagram Joni and made one for my friend for her cats! I used 2x4's for the cabin which makes this thing so heavy but so sturdy! It holds my 60 lb child without budging... here's a pic of it almost done. My friend was not finished wrapping the posts with sisel rope though.
https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.brooks1975#!/photo.php?fbid=10151788…
Thu, 10/31/2013 - 14:30
That's AWESOME!
Bhoppy -- I looked at your cat tree on facebook. It's awesome! The sturdiness of it shocked me too. And I was initially worried that my cats might knock it down!!
The worst part of building it was getting that lower scratch pad level on straight with the 3 posts. I'd never want to do that again!
Thanks for sharing, Joni
Fri, 01/02/2015 - 01:18
Great Job!
Funny, almost every time I'm looking for ideas or inspiration when I want to build something, I end up back on this site. I was searching for pictures of cat trees and this was the only one that made me say "Holy crap, that's EXACTLY what I want!" My cat will love it!
Mon, 04/27/2020 - 20:41
Outstanding Tree/Condo!
Not sure if anyone is still around to see this, but I fell in love with this tree the second I saw it. Wondering if anyone created a detailed plan and might have it handy or possibly a detailed sketchup and wouldn't mind sharing the save file?
In the event nobody has either... I'm planning on having someone else build this for me as I don't have the tools nor skill to do it myself. I have a few questions:
1. The tree base/platform, what's a good recommended thickness?
2. The platform for the scratchpad... is there any certain reason it's so much thicker compared to the other platforms?
Thanks.
Sun, 09/12/2021 - 11:51
Reverse engineering
Reverse engineering this project, using just 2x4s. None of the photos show the undersides. How are the plywood pillow bases attached for the top and bottom of the cabin? and the base of the top viewing platform?
Sun, 09/12/2021 - 16:42
Stains do not exist
There are no Minwax water based stain colors with those names that I can find.
Modern adirondack chair
I've made 2 of the Modern adirondack chairs. Really enjoyed the plans and the video for help as I'm new to woodworking. I look for new plans all the time to see what I might build next
Built from Plan(s)
Comments
Colorful Bunk Beds with Wraparound Shelves
My sons have been ready for bunk beds for awhile and, being an apartment dweller, I wanted some that could be disassembled and reassembled. I really liked Ana's design for classic bunk beds. Because storage space is also at a premium for us, I thought to add wraparound shelves to the bed. I ended up with seven panels instead of four, plus shelving. Also, I wanted to add truncated safety railing to the bottom bunk. Lastly, I wanted to use a bright color scheme that incorporated some of my sons' favorite colors that would also serve to visually separate the shelves from the beds.
The construction plans are available in 11x17 PDF format from my blog, as are the source design files in Revit 2018 format.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$750 all inclusive, including mattresses and bedding.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams paints.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
6 Cube Bookshelf - Poplar
I built this set of cube shelves for my 3 yr old son's room. THANK YOU, ANA! I used poplar as I did not want to paint the wood and I love the irregular pattern of the wood grain. To save money, I used pine for the inner shelves and dividers. I stained it using the oxidized solution (http://www.friendly-home.net/2012/05/oxidized-x-console.html) that Ana recommended from the instructions of the Rustic Console. I added a cup of coffee to the solution to get a darker browner shade and unevenly sanded the wood for the distressed look. It matches the poplar wood more so than keeping the pine wood as is.
I also created a 5-tier version to match the 6 cube shelves but did not include the legs. I thought it would be more stable to keep the lower frame on the ground.
I purchased the storage boxes from Amazon It was around $20 for 6 boxes!
I am ready for the next project!
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Oxidized solution for the shelves and dividers.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Cedar Planters
Cedar Planters!
Built from Plan(s)
Sawhorse Desk
I used Ana's sawhorse plans and painted the sawhorses black. I made up a plan for the desk top inspired by some of the farmhouse table plans. The top looks very thick and chunky, but is mostly made from cheap 1x6 boards put together with glue and pocket holes. The ends of the top are made from 2x2 boards attached with pocket holes. The sides are from 1x2 boards - all attached with glue and pocket holes.
For the finish I used a water based stain from General Finishes - Black Cherry. I started with one coat of poly-acrylic and did not like the look. I sanded it back and bit (distressing the edges a bit) and put on two coats of wax.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes - Black Cherry
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
DIY Play Mud Kitchen
Thank you! My favorite & first is from your mud kitchen! I put in running water!😂 For the GrandLuvs!”
@penny.vanderlugt
Built from Plan(s)
Seasonal And Holiday
Cedar planter for $20
This was my first project using my circular saw and Kreg jig, so I wanted to try something that was not too difficult. It probably took me longer than most as I had to read all the directions on my saw and Kreg jig. Both are super fun to use. Ana’s plans made it super easy! After assembly, I decided to paint it as it needed to be weather/waterproof. I used Behr waterproofing stain &sealer in slate. Love how it turned out! Thanks for the easy to follow plans.
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Waterproof & Stain sealer. Color: Slate
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner