Community Brag Posts

Master Bedroom Closet from mess to the best

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/19/2019 - 11:03

We took the original plans and made them work for our 5’6” x 11’ closet. We added a ft to the top because we have tall ceilings. We made 5 towers to create a u shape with shelving on the top. I also left one small bar long to hang dresses and the rest we double hung. We adjusted cubbies and drawers based on where we needed them. We were able to save by using old drawer slides from a falling apart ikea dresser. (We cut them down with a grinder).  We had an overflowing closet mess and now we have a beautiful closet. I wish the directions had a little bit more detail like average clothes hanging heights and bar distance from the wall. There was also no link to the suggested drawers or cubbies but we found them with a simple search. 

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a satin paint in the color trim of our home. I used satin I stead of gloss because that’s what I had on hand but It created a great sealed cleanable surface.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Adirondack Chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/19/2022 - 03:24

Easy build, turned out great. Our first project like this. We built 4!

Comments

Braden Entryway Mail Sorter/Locker/Shoe drawer

Submitted by Megbech on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 21:20

This is the greatest website ever! Thank you so much Ana White! Anyway, this was my first project. Our family room was a mess - shoes everywhere, coats strewn, you name it. We don't have a mud room - you just walk in from the garage to BAM, the family room. So the mess needs to be contained and organized and the Braden Shoe Drawer, Locker and Mail Sorter/Phone Charger was our answer! I would have loved to have done the locker-mail sorter-locker layout but space is limited in the room so I was only able to make one locker. I did make a 3rd drawer, per Ana's awesome wood cutting instructions and that drawer is in a storage closet. So, pay attention to her cutting instructions - she knows what she's talking about! I had some left over wood (1x10) and used that as a divider in the shoe drawer to keep each kids' shoes separate.

Estimated Cost
$250 (for hutch/locker, mail sorter, three drawers)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kilz Primer, Olympic High-Gloss Antique White paint. Two coats put on very sparingly (dryly). I painted the small mail slots and inner side panels of the mail sorter prior to building after reading previous posters' tips - totally worth it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

StacieM

Sat, 09/03/2011 - 12:59

This looks great for a first build! The drawers are great for hiding the shoes and I love the mail sorter. Awesome job!

4TheInnocent

Thu, 12/01/2011 - 13:26

I'm new to Ana's site & I desperately need to find a Mud Room Locker System & since I don't have an office downstairs I either need a desk put in my kitchen or a mail sorter system of some kind! You did a fabulous job but I have to admit that I'm terrified to even start this project!!!!! I'm afraid that I'll make a huge mess of it!!!! Any suggestions for a newbie???? Thanks a million!

Cwen's Birthday Party Seesaw!

My husband built the seesaw and I applied the finish and covered the seats. This project was very easy and built in one weekend, including drying time for the stain. I used Minwax stain in Classic Grey and did not use a clear coat over the stain. I bought the canvas seat fabric at Hobby Lobby for $5.00 and used 2 inch foam cushion, which was about $3.00. I had some left over ribbons from another project that I tied to both sides of the handles to make the seesaw look festive for the birthday party! The project ended up costing about $50.00 in materials. My daughter Cwen loves it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax - Classic Gray
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse table

My husband built this table, making slight alterations to the plan to make it smaller. He also picked out beautiful walnut planks from a local exotic wood shop. This made the top have slightly different dimensions, too. The top is finished with teak oil and wax. The bottom part of the table was painted a solid gray. We're thrilled with the results. It's so sturdy!

Estimated Cost
About $300. The walnut cost more than typical lumber. It's worth it.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Teak oil in Medium, Howards wax and feed on top. HGTV Sherwin Williams paint in flannel gray
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Douglas Fir live edge slabs supported by industrial black iron pipe

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 19:42

I began the project by ripping 6” strips of sanded pine plywood. I attached those to the walls using brad nails and wood glue. Filled the holes with glaziers putty and sanded lightly once dry. Primed and painted to finish.  

I then had a local mill rough cut the lumber for the shelves. I stripped the bark (except one which I loved so I left it on) and sanded at 120, 180 and 220. I drilled 1 1/4” holes to fit the pipe through and finished the wood with 4 coats of Varathane Diamond Finish clear coat. 

I used Varsol and some elbow grease to remove the black coating on all the gas  pipe. 

Finally i pieced it all together! 

Estimated Cost
$800 CDN
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Diamond Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mudroom bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/01/2022 - 17:16

Ana I came across your open bottom garage bench design and really liked the concept. Inspired by your design I put this together in our laundry/mudroom and am really pleased with the result. As you described, being able to clean under it is a huge benefit and the whole bench was less than $200 even with the solid oak boards I joined and edge routed for the top. Thanks for the inspiration and all of your project posts.

Comments

Plane Old Shelf

This is a shelf based on the fighter planes from the pre-WWII era. I built it for my son's nursery. I stumbled onto Ana White's plan "Plane Old Shelf", got inspired, and it evolved into what it is. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mathew Bounville

Thu, 09/08/2011 - 13:46

Thanks! The fuselage is made out of bender board. I don't remember the exact thickness but it was the thinnest they had at Michael's. You would think I would remember. I had to do the fuselage twice. My daughter stepped on it and put a hole through it.

The wings were actually one long wing. I build a frame around the wing and then wrapped the bender board around it. It may not be the best way, but it is all I could think of.

jhworley

Thu, 10/30/2014 - 17:07

I undersand the shelf and the landing gear.  I can make the canopy and propeller, no problem.  I don't understand how the main fusulage was made with the curved edge.  I tried searching for the bender board that was mentioned above with no luck.  Could you point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Jordan

Wooden side table

Submitted by Lizann on Wed, 09/25/2013 - 16:45

Created from recycled decking timber

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Tung oil and wax
Edges darkened with ebony stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic X Console Table

This was one of my favorite projects!!!  I never could of completed this project without the guidance of Ana's blog and Hilary From the Friendly House. Thank you!!!

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

Office shelf

This took about 7 hours over the week after work. 

Estimated Cost
Had the extra wood already.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain “Provinicial”
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/19/2022 - 08:04

Working a full time job, I was still able to finish each table within a week (taking a couple hours a day to cut, build, sand, burn, stain, ect). These are my second and third tables that I’ve ever built and looking forward to making more.

Comments

Teal Dresser

This was our last furniture build to complete our DIY bedroom makeover. We have a small space, so the dimensions of the Beach Cottage Dresser were perfect. We used mostly spruce, because we were going to paint the project. We used leftover accent paint from the walls and stained the top to match to rest of the furniture we've built. This was our third project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$160.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We stained the top with Dark Walnut, and painted the rest with two coats of Benjamin Moore Blue Oasis.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

wall decor for my wife

Submitted by jarsofclay on Sat, 09/28/2013 - 10:31

Well I decided to do some wall hangings and this one was my favorite all hand craftedand hand painted. Feeling inspired by wife I wrote this personal note to her "Home is wherever you are. "

Using four planks I lined them up and then made a picture frame and screwed it all together for a " farm door" look. Then I stained it and proceeded to paint it free hand.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Expresso
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pendant Light

This project didn't require much when it came to woodworking other than the wood mounted base. I have seen a few variations of pulley pendant lights on the web and thought it would be neat to build my own. I came across an old pulley and hanger at an antique mall. I bought the light hardware from a local big box store. I put some scrap lumber to use and applied some paint and stain I had around. I was hoping to make this my first custom made item to sell but once the Christmas season is over and the decorations are packed away, the Mrs. says she wants this hung in the house.Thanks for looking.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex and stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kid's play kitchen

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/04/2019 - 18:54

Play kitchen I made for the grandkids 

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Burned wood and stained with golden oak Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffee Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/28/2022 - 18:35

My wife wanted a coffee bar and I wanted a fridge for wine and beer. So we compromised on this.

Comments

Tryde Coffee Table

Submitted by j2s on Fri, 09/16/2011 - 12:12

My Tryde coffe table. Fun to build and looks great! Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$55
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain, Ivory Rustoleum Spray
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Storage Bed with lights

Submitted by jtiffany83 on Sun, 09/29/2013 - 22:25

I started this project and wasn't sure what I was doing. This is the first project I've ever built and I look forward to the bigger and better projects I will be doing. As a spent several weeks online looking for the perfect bed to build for my son, I found this web page and truly found it to be easy to follow and easy to customize.

I built the bed and bought the fabric storage boxes at a local store and decided that the lights would be a great addition. I found some LED lights on Amazon.com which were extremely easy to install. The lights added only an additional $28, total, which added a cool new look to my sons room. He uses the lights as his nightlight and I love the way it turned out.

My next project will be the king farmhouse frame.

Estimated Cost
$185
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Regular light black stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jewelry Box 2

Submitted by yhaas on Thu, 12/17/2015 - 20:58

I built this as a Christmas gift for my office partner/best friend.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 (bit of a guess, more if I add finishes which I already had, less if using scrap wood)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used wood conditioner, then stained with Goudey stain in Rosewood. Next was a shellac washcoat, followed by glaze in Van Dyke brown, another washcoat, and finished with 2 coats of Tried and True varnish oil, then another 2 of Tried and True original wood finish. Knobs and felt were from Lee Valley.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

4X4 Truss Table and Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/09/2019 - 14:46

My daughter moved into her first apartment and asked me to make her a dining room table. I used the plans found on Ana's website and made a slight modifcations. I used 5/4" pine boards to build the tops and regular douglas fir 4x4s and 2x4s for the bases. All screws are hidden exept the lag bolts I painted black and used to bolt the end trusses to the center truss which gives it kind of a industrial type accent. Thanks to Ana White and Shanty 2 CHIC for the great plans. My daughter loved the table and bench and she is going to find chair for the other side of the table. 

Estimated Cost
Approximately $275 for the table, bench and misc stain, screw, sandpaper etc.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Stain and Poly Mission Oak in Satin. Two coats on the bases and three coats on the tops. Used a pre stain conditioner prior to applying the Stain and Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate