Community Brag Posts

First Build - Junior Camp Loft Bed

Submitted by stamhow on Mon, 01/05/2015 - 09:40

We had a blast building this bed for our daughter.  It was our first build and I think it turned out perfect!   Thank you Ana White for the inspiration and fantastic directions to get us through!  Now onto the next project!

Amy

Estimated Cost
We bought a combo miter saw too, so without that cost, paint and all, I would say around $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Lawnmower Shed

Submitted by PipesTX on Wed, 01/07/2015 - 06:19

Modified the design to allow me to roll lawnmower directly in the end. Fun project.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Fun and challenging build, be sure to square the edges of lumber before assembly to get a better fit

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

Comments

Mudroom bench

Submitted by Dan Kielty on Thu, 04/01/2021 - 18:16

Mud room bench with recycling cabinet

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr chalk paint, Minwax ebony
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Simple 2x4 Potting Bench - Modified

I was intrigued by Ana’s Simple 2x4 Potting Bench. The project seemed simple enough and it would be used as a means to clean up clutter in the garage. My main focus was to make it semi-portable and weather resistant. Instead of using 2x4’s for the corner posts, I used 4x4’s to accommodate casters. I also shorted the length of the posts by 4 inches to compensate for the height of the casters. To provide extra rigidity I did a dado for the 2x4’s that connect the front and rear legs. In retrospect, I wish that I did not dado the legs because it made it more difficult to attach some of the shelf planks. I painted the frame green and left the shelves and backboards clear for beautiful contrast. My wife is ecstatic with the result.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Environ Green paint for the frame and Minwax Polycrylic for the poplar shelves and backboards.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Kid’s Adirondack Chair Project

Submitted by David_1962 on Tue, 07/20/2021 - 07:54

This little chair turned out really well. The only significant changes I made to the plans were to cut the back slats in an arch, round the corners on the arm pieces, and round-over all of the exposed edges.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
None, built from scrap deck boards
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Ipe is an extremely heavy, dense tropical hardwood. It’s primarily used for making decks but is also excellent for outdoor furniture. I just sanded lightly, and applied a penetrating oil branded “Ipe Oil.”
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Console with sliding doors

Submitted by skinnwork on Sat, 03/14/2015 - 01:05

I followed the Emersen Console plans, but with a few changes. The biggest in that I went with sliding doors because I didn't want the doors to open into the living room. This meant having the doors run between the face trim and a guide I tacked into the inside. I also adjusted all of the measurements to fit what I was planning on stuffing into it. I drilled a 3 inch hole in the bottom for all of the cords to run to the power bar and left a gap between the shelves and the back. I kept the wood light to contrast with my floor and painted the doors blue for a mid-century modern-ish feel.

Finish Used
Varathane Diamond finish and Behr paint (applied with a foam brush).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Karli

Thu, 07/23/2015 - 08:30

Hi , I've been looking a console with sliding doors , how did you install the guide? did you do it with a router?do the doors run in one same guide or there are 2 guides and one door runs behind the other? Thanks !

Mudroom Bench with Hutch

Submitted by calliher on Sun, 09/12/2021 - 18:45

This is my laundry room and it is about 12x10. It looked so bare with only the washer and dryer. So I thought making this a mudroom also. I live in the mountains and have snow 3 to 4 months a year. This will be perfect. I purchased an IKEA cabinet built it in and added the Ana White plans with two bays.

Comments

A star for the bar!

Submitted by Ashley_C on Sun, 03/22/2015 - 12:06

This plan worked great to add a finishing touch to the front of our rustic barn themed bar project. Love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax stain in Provincial
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Planter Boxes

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:53

I made the boxes from plans, but added bench and trellis from my own design.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Master Walk In Closet with Bookshelf Door

Submitted by valpal5 on Thu, 04/16/2015 - 20:26

We used an unfinished attic space above our garage that was connected to our bedroom to make a walk-in closet with great shelving.  This project took a lot of time but we are so happy with the results!  There is a side for my husband and a side for me.  Although it is hard to see we also incorporated a small door/bookshelf into the room to allow us access to attic storage space.

closet shelving
 

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White painted finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Planters

Submitted by Liz H. on Thu, 03/31/2011 - 11:33

This was a fun easy build...I took the toy box plans and used 1X4s instead of solid sides and bottom.  I cut the legs short and put finals on.  

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black outdoor paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Chalkboard Cubby

This cubby was my very first project! I just finished remodeling my kitchen, all that was missing was a place for my keys, dog leashes etc. My little house doesn't have a proper entryway so I created a "welcome station" with this cubby. The trickiest part was definitely cutting the sides, but I was able to get those tight circles with a little forethought and a lot of sanding :) I used leftover paint and samples from choosing colors for the kitchen, so it automatically coordinated with the rest of the decor.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
3 coats of Behr "Polar Bear" white paint and samples (Rainwater, also Behr) with LOTS of taping! I think I spent ore time taping than I did actually painting! I also did 3 coats of clear satin coat. I didn't sand in between because I like the look of brush strokes :)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My first project

Loved how these plans were so easy to follow and certainly appreciate the accompanying video.

Comments

Resized modern chairs with table

Submitted by CarolinaL on Thu, 12/28/2017 - 16:27

I needed chairs that would fit on my narrow front porch. This plan was great because I was able to resize it to 20x20. I used 1x4s that I already had and some wood glue. They turned out solid. I made the tryde table with left over wood. That one is 17.5x17.5. Super happy with the results. We are doing the garage shelves right now. I have a list of other things I want to make thanks to Ana's wonderful website. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Exterior Valspar with a paint sprayer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by czappia on Wed, 04/27/2011 - 13:54

We needed furniture for our back patio and as I was searching for plans online, I stumbled across Ana-white.com. I was so excited to show my husband who built this in a day. I had thought that I would sew the cushions myself but after a few failed attempts at sewing box cushions with piping, I decided to buy the cushions. Buying them is actually a LOT cheaper as foam is very expensive in this size. I bought our cushions and back pillows from Walmart and the accent pillows from Target.

Cost: $355-cushions
$115-Wood
$25-Primer
$20-Paint

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Shoe dresser

Submitted by RoseOfShaz on Thu, 07/04/2013 - 15:26

I didn't build this shoe dresser because I particularly needed one, but it looked so lovely that I couldn't resist.

- I modified the plans by building 3 bins instead of 2 so it could hold more shoes.
- I decided against the dowel stick and opted for hinges instead, which were surprisingly not too difficult to assemble. I found that I didn't even need the magnets after installing the hinges as the doors stay closed.
- I used 7" chains on both sides of each bin instead of a belt to make it extra sturdy.
- I added two back legs.

Et voila! This is the end result. I'm very pleased.

PS. Those flopping bins are a pain when you're trying to build!! An extra pair of hands is definitely recommended.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150 (with extra bin)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut (can't remember the exact name of the stain, but it's the one Shanty 2 Chic always uses!)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

SoCaliforniaMel

Fri, 07/05/2013 - 22:49

Pretty :) Good Job. Now if I only had the space for one thats 10 rows high :P I like the stain color too. Shanty 2 Chic always uses Rust-o-leum. I think its called dark walnut. Dont quote me though. I love the stain and spray paint combo colors they use.
~Melody

Flat Wall Book Shelves

Submitted by river4250 on Mon, 05/16/2011 - 16:30

This plan was a breeze to put together (go out and buy some clamps if you don't have any!!) until I finished it, then looked at my wall and saw the baseboards. I really wanted it to be screwed/nailed into the wall, so it needed to be flush. That's where the nightmare being. Eventually (over a week later) I got that finished, however, and am loving my little one's new bookcase! I just can't decide where to put it now, in her bedroom or in her playroom. Maybe I'll make another and she'll have two! :D This plan was very simple to follow, and the materials weren't expensive, so I could definitely do that.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Kitchen Island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 12:06

Used Ana's plans with a little modification.
I built 2 different sizes and donated to our church for their fellowship hall.

Comments

My First Build

Submitted by clarky316 on Sun, 03/11/2018 - 18:02

This was my first big furniture piece that I've built. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I used 5/4 poplar for the tops instead of the 2x10s for the table and 2x6s for the benches that the plans called for. Finished the tops with Minwax Early American stain then 3 coats of satin oil based polly. Finished the bottoms with water based Minwax tinted River Stone then coated with water based polly. 

 

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Brian Famous

Wed, 03/14/2018 - 06:18

You did a great job, especially for your first big piece.

I love the River Stone color you chose for the bases, beautiful combination.