Community Brag Posts

Distressed Farmhouse Bench

Submitted by sandrabees on Tue, 04/17/2012 - 06:09

Built this for extra seating in my dining room. I followed Ana's plans to the T.... I used a skill saw and chisel to notch the wood...

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Black onyx and 2 coats of poly with distressing
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

sarah family (not verified)

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:17

Hi! Just curious about two things. Did you use 1 x 4's for the inside apron or 2 x 4's? Also, have had any problems with kids tipping the bench over?

My daughters Castle Bed

Submitted by bartdiy on Wed, 04/27/2016 - 11:53

The plan for this great castle bed on this blog inspired me to make this castle bed for my daughter Elise. I basically just followed this plan and adjusted it to my own idea:
http://www.ana-white.com/2011/10/plans/castle-loft-bed

Thanks very much for all the great ideas!

Bart
The Netherlands

Estimated Cost
€350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My coffee table

Submitted by ilantwito on Mon, 01/20/2020 - 08:17

I made this table from a pine wood and the finish was made in the “Shu Sugi Ban” style, and then stained it. 

Finish Used
Varathane sun bleached stain and clear lacquer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Raised Cedar Beds

THANK YOU Ana's your plans are a life saver and pocket book saver as well. You make your plans so easy to follow and use. For my project I used the cedar fence pickets and redwood 2" x 2" stakes that where on sale at the orange box store for "6 pack bundle" for only $.50 each. All I can say is SCORE! ;') Since we live in Arizona I treated all the lumber with a outdoor weather proofing wood finish (Cedar Color), lined all the interior beds (only the Wood Sides) with 4 mil plastic to keep the cedar from absorbing all the water and wired mesh on the bottom of the garden prior to adding dirt. This keeps my local rabbits/other creatures from eating my roots from the bottom up. And I have my dog from the top side. We are already a 100 degrees here and we needed to get our seedlings in a garden asap. Thanks Again for the Plans, Ana! I will be making more of these garden boxes to come.

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Transparent Weather Proofing Wood Finish (Cedar Color)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Mariel

Thu, 08/08/2013 - 09:39

Love this! We are new to Phoenix - originally from the Midwest - and I really would like to add some raised beds to our backyard. I appreciate your comments on how you adapted these for the desert! May I ask what side of your house they are on? I'm thinking to put mine on the east side so they get morning sun, but not the scorching afternoon rays. Thanks for your AZ advice!

Seasonal And Holiday

Kylee's first build

Submitted by momtokx2 on Sun, 02/02/2014 - 14:31

My 7 year daughter and I built the Fiona's Doll Adirondack Chair together for her friend's birthday. This was Kylee's first build. She decided instead of finishing the chair, she would give her friend paints and let her do it herself. The chair went was easy to build thanks to such great plans. It took between 2-3 hours. Although I think without her help it would of been a bit quicker. I could not be happier or prouder of a project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished, allowing the new owner to finish it
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Console Table

Loved how this entry table/ sofa table turned out! 

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

3 Square Picnic Tables!

I built 3 of the square picnic tables, as we have a large extended family. I enjoyed the project and the results. I did end up adding a cross brace and some metal clips, they added a little more strength for the table when it was full of people.

Thank you for sharing your plans.

Rick

Built from Plan(s)

Built three - Four Dollar Stackable Children’s Chairs

Submitted by jrokusek on Mon, 04/23/2012 - 08:39

Great plans for a simple kids chair! I generally followed Ana's plans, but used a hardwood - Elm - that I cut on my sawmill. It looks generally like oak. It is heavier than pine, but should be more durable too. I'm 200+ pounds and have jumped on the chair with no issues.

I also used pneumatic brad nailer and glue for the back and seat slats. I highly recommend glue for this project! I am an avid woodworker with a garage full of tools, so honestly this took me less than an hour from start to finish. However, this was one of the most satisfying projects I've built in a long time!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I eventually finished this with a custom stain I had leftover from another project and water-based polyurethane. Minwax Golden Pecan is similar, perhaps just a bit lighter than what I used.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Little Girl Dress Up Caddy

This project took about a week of commitment because of the multiple coats of paint. Otherwise, it was a very quick build, built in one day, but quite tedious sanding. I wish I could have sanded before I built it because the corners were very difficult to get around on the inside. I drew the crown on very thin Plywood that I had laying around from a night table I built and cut it out with a jigsaw.

Estimated Cost
Under $100 with stencils, paint, light, stick on mirror ($10 from Amazon) and jewels for the crown
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Pantone Cabaret, Disney Shimmering Glitter Specialty Finish on the crown, and satin polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

More Time & More Money, But Look!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/03/2016 - 14:10

I made this project for my gentleman friend.  He didn't have much of a childhood, so I made him this toybox and then filled it with toys from the 80's as a birthday present.  These plans were perfect for the occassion.

I certainly spent more than the estimate.  This was likely because I used select pine boards, and my finish was rather complicated including some pretty pricey hardware.  However, the thing I like most about being able to make my own furniture is that I can make it exactly how I want it, and sometimes that ends up costing more money.  In the end, I have a table that "looks like a Leonard project" according to my uncle, which is pretty much the highest compliment that can be bestowed on such things by any one of my uncles.

I also spent more time than was mentioned by others.  All told, I spent about 24 hours on the project over a four day stretch.  I did the project on my own, and my process for filling holes and sanding is rather laborious.  I actually went through that process twice even though sanding is, by far, my least favorite task.  The finish was also quite time intensive.  

Speaking of the finish, this was done in all water based since I live in a condo with very little ventilation.  I started with Minwax waterbased stain in American Walnut.  I then applied two coats of white wash before sanding it down to reveal more of the wood grain.  I'm so pleased with the finish!

However, the thing I'm the most proud of is how square this thing is.  Math teachers could build accurate trigonometry word probems off of this thing!  I decided to reverse engineer the most important bits in order to ensure squareness.  For example, I built the table top first.  I then drew out a perfectly square outline on the bottom side.  I then used counter sunk screws to attach the frame to the bottom side as well as the Kreg jig to fit the pieces of the frame together.  Similarly, I cut the bottom piece of playwood perfectly square, and then I attached the 1x12s to the plywood to ensure everything stayed square.   Those 1x12s are just too swervy otherwise, which can become rather unweildy.  

All told, I am very pleased with the finished product.  I love having the ability to build high quality furniture that will live on for a long time to come.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
1 coat Minwax waterbased in American Walnut
Two coats of Minwax white pickling stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

tgrott

Tue, 05/03/2016 - 19:22

You did an amazing job! Looks like a photo straight out of a magazine!  Just gorgeous! 

Dining Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/01/2020 - 11:31

When you move to a new state to be closer to family, you need a table to accommodate all the love in your new home. This was the perfect piece to add to our new house in North Carolina where we are lucky enough to have 8 additional family members within 15 minutes of us. I'm so excited to have family dinners with 12 of us around the same table!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I applied Minwax Pre-Stain on the raw wood after sanding. Once dry, I used Minwax Wood Stain in Charcoal for the top (two coats) and Minwax Wood Stain in Marshmallow (three coats) on the base. After drying, I applied Minwax Polyurethane in Satin over the entire piece (two coats on top, one coat on base) and let dry for about 36 hours.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Wood Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/25/2023 - 09:18

My husband and I (with some help from a friend at various points) built this coffee table and are so pleased with the final product! It was so manageable thanks to the already-made plans for it, and it had given us confidence to try out more plans on this website. We are so excited!!

Laura

Little Kids Picnic Table

Life between tours can be challenging. Both for the re-entry and the need to SLOW DOWN! My love put this project on my shop table after returning from the NE in mid-April. A fun job for my son and I to play at. I had purchased twenty, 12'x1"x6" tongue & groove heart-pine months ago from HD. $1.97 down from $16.70! I ripped the T & Gs off and cut the lumber down to specs for this project. SUPER fun and easy to make! I discovered the exterior primer + paint after I finished building and probably would have preferred to do 2 coats, prior to making with touchups AFTER the assembly...next time! (Bought a KREGG JIG for this project and love it.)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
18.79
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior Primer/Paint - 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Plate Rack adds much needed storage

Submitted by tayljerr on Sat, 05/07/2016 - 20:48

I came across the plans for the pate rack and realized it would be a perfect fit in my dining room. My house is just shy of its 100th birthday and I have been tackling renovation one room at a time. I have been trying to find new ways to use all of the materials that have been removed or replaced during my renovation. I was able to use the damaged shiplap and warped baseboards from my first room's renovation and create a plate rack shown.

 

 

Thank you for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Used primer and "Swiss Coffee" white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Nightstand

Submitted by SB on Thu, 02/06/2020 - 13:02

My first ever project that was intended to live in my house.

Built a pair of these Farmhouse Nightstands for a spare bedroom from a modified version of Ana's plans. The only real difference was that they were re-sized to fit the space available. The tops are made up from two 8x2s and a 4x2 and the base by about an inch on all sides. The three pieces making up the top are joined underneath by Kreg screws (another first for me) and the top is secured to the base by small angle brackets from underneath also. 

The base was painted first with a primer, then undercoat and finally with a top coat of Antique White satin finish. The top was stained with a walnut stain. I didn't apply a sealer beforehand and so the wood absorbed it at different rates but I like this effect. Finally the top was finished with 3 coats of Danish Oil

Really pleased with this first project. Thanks Ana for the design.

Sorry about the photos - everytime I load them the appear upside down 🙃🤔

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Fireplace Wall Built-ins

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/02/2023 - 10:21

My partner and I struggled with how to make a bookshelf wall around a fireplace that is flush with the wall. The solution! Build out the lower portion of the fireplace wall about 8 inches, add stone, then cabinets and shelves. Materials used: butcher block counter top, real wood panels for wall, oak wood for shelves, and poplar for the painted portions. The mantle is laminated wood made to appear like a large piece. We have a power strip accessible on both sides to keep things plugged in. The hardest part was continuing the crown molding around the top. We are pleased with the result!!

Laura E.

Slipcovered Bench

Submitted by Linda7 on Tue, 02/11/2014 - 16:55

My mother needed a bench in her small entryway. She had definite dimensions in mind and we looked everywhere. None fit the bill. Then I saw these plans and we went from there. She had leftover fabric from recovering her dining room chairs, and I had the plywood. She wanted the Queen Anne legs to go with her traditional furniture; we put felt floor protectors on the bottom of the feet of the legs, which helps keep the bench from moving so easily on the tile floor. The plans were easy to follow, including the tutorial on how to sew the slipcover. The bench worked out just like she had hoped. Thanks Ana, for the great plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60.00; about $40 for the legs, foam, and finish
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshades in walnut; two or three coats. This acts more like paint, but you can re-coat in just an hour or so. I then used minwax poly in satin three coats for protection.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tryde coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/11/2016 - 05:00

used a keg jig so all screws are hidden underneath. Lots of sanding, but was worth it for the finish though. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Oil based stain and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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