Community Brag Posts

Petite Planters for the Potager

Submitted by JoA on Mon, 08/19/2013 - 06:23

After building a large planter from Ana's plans and my salvaged fence wood I thought 2 smaller planters for the entrance to our kitchen garden would be nice. The complete instructions are on my blog, Let's Face the Music. Jo

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$12 each
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Exterior Semi-gloss in Bunker Hill Green over exterior primer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Doll Bunk Bed

This is my second project. (My first was the canopy doll bed.) It just took a couple of days to get it all cut, put together and sanded. This was my first time with the Kreg Jig and I loved using it. So awesome.

Estimated Cost
$5 for lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Haven't put a finish on it yet...
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Heavy Duty, from reclaimed deck boards!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/29/2018 - 12:31

Heavy Duty, from reclaimed deck boards!

Especially with having to store active military gear, the huge gorilla trunks, and conveniently having a huge pile of 2x6's from disassembling a small deck . . Worked out perfectly!

Also, because they are heavy and tall, we did anchor them to the wall!

(I personally want to figure out how to add a sliding ladder, haha)

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None, pressurized deck boards
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fireplace Barrier

Submitted by ccapps4284 on Tue, 11/24/2015 - 10:54

I was worried about my 13 month old Grandson getting burned by the glass on our gas log fireplace. And I could not find a screen that was not metal and was sturdy enough that I felt comfortable using. So, I did some measuring and built my own to match our existing mantle and frame around the fireplace. Made my own 2x2s for the rail as I could not find any straight enough and "knot free". My wife was a little hesitant when I told her I was going to buld something because I am not the fastest builder as I just do it hwne I get time and feel like it but, this only took a couple of weeks including the painting and staining. I can take it apart in 3 pieces for the summer and store it in the garage.

Estimated Cost
75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Latex Paint and Minwax stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Corner Desk Build

Submitted by eahodges on Mon, 02/06/2023 - 12:15

This was all my husband - he did a great job using the modular desk plans to customize (its a bit larger) this desk for our office. He finished it this past weekend so not much on it yet!

Comments

Bunk Bed Shelf

Submitted by Medickep on Tue, 01/12/2016 - 13:11

I made this simple Bunk bed shelf so all the stuff my son stored on the headboard, wouldn't keep falling off. It was easy to make and I painted it while working on another project. and I used spray paint to get the orange on a little easier!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray paint, primer and color. Waited 20 minutes between coats and did the whole thing in one setting.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

dkkachik

Mon, 10/21/2019 - 19:12

My daughter asked for a shelf for her bunkbed—something to hold her glasses, IPad, and retainer case.  And maybe a book or two.  Thanks to Ana White and free plans...I made the shelf that others have made.  thanks!

Mug Tree Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/21/2023 - 12:05

I followed Ana's plans for this Mug Tree stand! I absolutely adore it! Great plans and cute stand.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Laundry Sorter

My laudry never looked so good!  I love these plans from shanty2chic and anawhite.  I spent a few days in the garage building, and now, my laundry can be hidden away in any room of my house.  

 

Thanks shanty2chic and anawhite for your excellent plans. 

http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2014/08/diy-laundry-basket-dresser.html

http://www.ana-white.com/2011/04/wood-tilt-out-trash-or-recycling-cabin…

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mix of paint and stain to create whitewashed look.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Thank you!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/06/2016 - 17:12

Thank you for the plans!  Love the shelves! 

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Mack1447 on Sat, 11/23/2013 - 09:52

This was my first build and I am so happy with how it turned out! The instructions were easy to follow and I learned a ton throughout the process. I had a little bit of trouble getting the angles right for the X's. I ended up just placing the boards against the wood at the angles they needed to go, scribing with a pencil and then angling the wood/blade to match the cut as someone described in the comments. It's not perfect, but pretty close. I originally planned on staining the table, but thought it looked a little to dark so I ended up painting it white. I can't wait to make the end tables now!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I started out by staining the table with Minwax Special Walnut. It looked beautiful but just wasn't right for the room, so I painted two coats of Glidden Antique White paint on top of the stain. I then hand sanded the edges to give it a distressed look (and let some of the stain show through) and applied two coats of Minwax Polycryclic in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Full size loft

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 18:46

Built a full size loft bed for my kids but wanted something safer than having them climb up and down a ladder so used the Camp Loft Bed plans to add the platform and stairs. It is much easier for the kids. Going to finish by covering the platform and stairs with carpet.

Estimated Cost
180
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)

Comments

Sandbox with Cover

The cover is a tonneau cover for a pickup truck. It's for a 6.5' truck bed so if you notice, I had to ad a 2x4 and one more picket on top to accommodate the extra length. 

The cover would add a ridiculous amount of money to the project but it was repurposed.  I found it on a truck that was in an accident and going to the scrap yard. I think it it came out great and my grandson loves it.

John

Built from Plan(s)

Garden Tool Storage Rack

Submitted by kwildman on Tue, 04/28/2020 - 20:45

This isn't an Ana White plan but I've learned so much from this site that I designed and built this garden tool rack. Its pine 2x4 construction. I love it!

It is 84" tall x 72" long x 26 wide (opening) and 48"wide for garden tool hangers.

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse table, table extension, and bench

My wife and I recently built this farmhouse table with her grandpa. It was a lot of fun and we are really happy with how it turned out. The table is 80 inches long, 43 1/2 inches wide, and 31 inches tall. The extensions are 15 inches long and 43/1/2 inches wide, and the bench is 61 inches long, 15 inches wide, and 19 1/2 inches tall. 

It tooks us about 4 weekends (around 32 hours) to finish the project and the included rebuilding the base of the table after our first one cracked. 

We modified the plans a bit. We used 4x4s instead of glued together 2x4s for the legs on the table and bench. 

We also used the plans on this blog (http://tommyandellie.com/?p=2582) as a guide. 

This was the first time my wife and I have tired a DIY project and we had a ton of fun. Her grandpa had some experience with wood working and had all of the tools we needed but you can certainly do this without any extensive wood working experience. 

 

Sorry for the duplicate post. This is my first time on the website and the first time I posted it came across as 'guest'

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
We put on one coat of minwax pre-stain wood conditioner. Then we added two coats of stain of a custom mixed stain from Sherman Williams. We started with the Wood Classic Rustic Gray. The store then tinted the stain until we found the color that we liked. Note - the table looks grayer in person than it does in some of the photos. Finally we applied 3 coats of minwax water based oil modified semi-gloss polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Sports Cards Sorting & Storage Cabinet

So... I am a pretty dedicated baseball card collector as well as a new found hobbiest in wood building. It's been an ongoing issue in my household with my baseball cards and boxes cluttering up our dining room. I decided to resolve the issue while still being able to keep my cards in the same room with even easier access without being an eye sore! This just might have saved my marriage! I searched for months for plans for some sort of baseball card cabinet but they just did not exist. The closest I could find for what I was looking for was a storage bench plan here on Ana White. I liked the idea of a top opening for hidden storage. It was too small for what I needed. I then came across plans on another site for an aquarium stand cabinet. I figured the combination of these two projects was what I was looking for. After a week of planing and drafting and 3 weeks of construction/finishing in the little spare time I have, I created what you see. People in the card collecting forums I'm a member of are begging for plans or for me to build them one! Problem is, this is the first thing I have built following my own design and plans. I could pass these on but no one in their right mind would be able to follow my scratches on paper but myself! I'm extremely proud of the outcome but am looking for a way to come up with plans I can share! Hope you all like, and if I can come up with a way to make follow able plans I will share! This was all assembled using the kreg jig system, wood filler to hide the knots and lines where the wood joined and lots of sanding!

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Black satin interior high def paint, wood conditioner & gunstock color stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

CSaintD

Tue, 05/27/2014 - 08:38

Nicely done! How did you make the top? Is that a project board? It's very smooth.
I believe Ana uses "Sketchup" which is a google program to do her designs.

BadgerBen82

Tue, 05/27/2014 - 17:37

The top was a 24x72 edge glued alpine board I found at lowes. Just cut it to size and a little extra sanding. Awesome cut of wood and for only $37.

Jessee

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 17:19

Would you be willing to share some basic dimensions such overall size width, depth, and height and door measurements to get an idea?

Rustic X Kitchen Island with 4x4 Legs

Submitted by Rich2727 on Fri, 06/20/2014 - 10:52

In order to make this island a little beafier I used 4x4 wood for the X as well as the the top and bottom braces. Top is made up of glued up 1x3 maple wood. It looked really good raw, but decided to stain it to give a more uniform look. I bought the rustic handles and the bottle opener on Amazon.com. I used lag bolts and washers for the finishing accents...similar to the pottery barn island. Painted them with Rustoleum oil bronzed paint and then dabbed it with a paper towel to give it a rougher finish to it and then sprayed the casters as well. This was a fun project and are getting a lot of use out of it. Thanks goes to Anna for the plans and inspiration for this island. Rich

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Mriddle

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 11:44

i keep debating if i should do this, you did a great job. i like the 4x4 sides.

Susan Hubbard

Sun, 06/22/2014 - 08:25

Rich, I love the changes you made with the 4x4's. You made a gorgeous piece of furniture! Can you share with me where/how you attached the drawer/shelf sides? I'd like to follow how you made this, but can't tell from the pictures. On the original they look inset from the 2x4's, but your space is taken up by 4x4's. Would you mind sharing??? Thanks!

Rich2727

Mon, 06/23/2014 - 16:36

So, I ripped the 4x4 cross pieces down by 1/2" so that the side panels would rest inside the rectangle and flush with the 4x4 frame and up against the X.

Did that make sense?

Susan Hubbard

Mon, 06/23/2014 - 18:28

That's what I thought, but I wanted to make sure. I'm going to make one similar to yours :)

Susan Hubbard

Mon, 06/23/2014 - 18:28

That's what I thought, but I wanted to make sure. I'm going to make one similar to yours :)

Beautiful steps

Directions worked like a charm, thank you, Ana for what you do!

Comments