Community Brag Posts

The Chair

I love Ana White and her designs. I love that she makes the plans easy for a novice like myself to create something functional and beautiful. I love that this project cost me a total of $8.00 for all the supplies, including fabric which was a thrift store score. I love that my Xi loves it. I love that Farm Girl wants one for herself in green. This was a fun project.

Edited to add the green chair for Farm Girl. She was very happy...

Estimated Cost
$8.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Scrap Wood Seating

A great beginners project. I put this simple bench together with scraps I had. For a full tutorial come over and check it out
http://www.ahouse-2-home.com/2013/07/17/scrap-wood-seating/
... If you have any questions be sure to leave us comment.

Happy Building!
Vanessa

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain - Minwax Ebony
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by DVGofAZ on Tue, 07/21/2015 - 08:58

I followed Ana's Farmhouse bed plans, using 1 x 12 boards for the sides and leaving off the extra piece at the top of the headboard. I didn't want to cover any more of the brick than necessary and I have a large bit of artwork to put over the bed too.

Because my mattress is a Sleep Number bed on a pedestaI I had to add a footboard to keep the mattress from sliding off the end. The footboard is simply a 24x24 section of plywood with wainscoating and 1x2s to match (sort of) the headboard.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Chunky Coffee Table with Turned Legs

Submitted by danicarby on Sun, 02/18/2018 - 06:53

I turned my legs (woot woot!) but you could buy legs that are 3x3" @ 18".  This was a simple build using pocketholes + glue joinery and using glue + nails for the shelf and tops.  To allow for seasonal expansion of wood I spaced the wood on shelf and top slightly because I built it in the dry winter.

 

I used a Dark Walnut stain first and went back over with a light coat ("dry brushing") of a sage green paint.  Lightly distressed edges.

 

I have more pictures and details on my website: http://www.theprojectlady.com/2018/02/diy-tutorial-chunky-coffee-table-…

 

Happy building everyone!  It's so rewarding, right!??

Estimated Cost
$50 for wood
$20 for finish
$5 for screws/nails
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain
Behr Premium Plus Indoor Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Toy Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/30/2022 - 09:25

I used aromatic cedar for my version, finished on the outside with brush-on lacquer. It is a bit smaller than specified in the plan. I added a removable box insert for small toys and trimmed the feet. The hinges are Rocker lid-stay hinges. These required some modification of the top, and a transom chain to prevent over-opening, so I would go with the hinge method shown in the original plan and add internal lid stays.

Comments

Modified Balin Console

Loved Ana's Balin Console, but the space I had available for this piece was only big enough for two drawers, so I attempted to change it. A few minor mistakes called for a few other modifications as well (the drawer fronts), but overall I am still happy with the product. The first nail and hammer only project I've completed (other than the ten dollar ledges). The passion for this new-found hobby continues, THANKS ANA!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 (island living cost more)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Nuwood Poly Stain- Walnut, 2 coats lightly sanded in between.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by daddydrew on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 12:28

I think that this is my favorite project so far! It was a daylong project for the build and then another full day of sanding and finishing. My girlfriend needed a new table for a big dining room in her new place so she got this. She is happy it looks great and is extremely functional. I will add the bench that I made to match as soon as I get the pictures. I am available to do builds for people who like what they see and dont want to pay retail price for this stuff. check out my profile

http://ana-white.com/users/daddydrew

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax expresso oil based stain
minwax polycrylic clear coat protective finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Pool Lounge Chairs

Submitted by Seth on Sun, 07/26/2015 - 16:25

This was a fun and easy project for our pool area.  We have high winds and our store bought chairs did not last.  These loungers are sure to fare a bit better.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean. We added three coats of gloss poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Full loft bed adult height

Submitted by Jtlarson12 on Thu, 02/22/2018 - 16:00

We made the loft bed but changed it to full size and changed height to 80in and increased length and width of the platform. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Honey stain
Fresh cotton paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

my first reclaimed wood project

Submitted by aria_dia on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 20:12

I was going to make this project out of pallets, but all the pallets that I have access too were pretty beat up and falling apart, so my mom gave me some leftover cedar fencing that she had on hand.

This is my first build using reclaimed wood; the boards looked pretty straight when I got them, and even after they had set in my heated garage for a week, but when building time came I found that they are warped. The boards dont fit exact, but I think it gives it more character.

My husband and I are debating on if we should stain it, paint it or just seal it. We plan on using it for a silverware caddy, since the house we're currently in doesnt have a single drawer in the kitchen big enough for a silverware tray! We do plan on using rope for a handle on it, but I have yet to find a rope that I like the feel of in my hands (Im picky like that).

I made this using hand tools, and 16gage nails (what I had on hand). My brother is currently hoarding all the power tools at his house and isnt sharing so I must learn how to do everything old school again!

This is also my first build of anything since becoming a mommy for the first time (6 yrs ago!), since then I've generally stuck to reupholstering things. Now I want better, less expensive things than I could just buy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
free
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none, yet
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Spices!

We had these spices in a cabinet, which were impossible to see stuff in the back. This was a perfect solution.

Now, we also had more spices then we know what to do with, so we added a second rack at the bottom of the door as well. I just adapted the plans to be 30 inches tall to accommodate the size of the lower portion of the door. This was accomplished by removing the 1st and 3rd measurements for shelves, and using the remaining for an extra tall shelf.

I also only used a finish nailer (and wood glue),to assemble, in combination with a brad nailer to hold the back plywood on.

I also chose not to include the dowel buttons on the end, and did not cut the dowels to length; they were inserted all the way through and trimmed off with a Japanese pull saw (get one, you will LOVE it), then fastened through the front with the finish nailer, then sanded flush.

I also elected not to paint to finish the piece and leave the natural wood.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$33, including the extra shelves.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Barn Door Built-ins with Faux Mantle

Submitted by Silweb30 on Sun, 02/25/2018 - 15:59

We used the barn door console plans as a base to make the built ins and the faux fireplace mantel plans for the center! We love everything this site has to offer!! 

Estimated Cost
500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

Simple white outdoor sofa & chairs

Submitted by Kammfam04 on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 08:59

Simple white outdoor furniture. Easy to assemble. Ordered outdoor fabric online @ purchased bulk outdoor foam & cut it myself! Much cheaper than pre made cushions.

Estimated Cost
Wood, fabric, paint, & foam $750
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Garden/Storage Shed

Submitted by Smokeydog on Mon, 08/03/2015 - 06:48

Building a storage shed was quite a jump for me but because of the confidence and experience I gained from Ana's  site I decided to give it a shot.  I acquired the plans online. It has 8 foot high walls and 3 feet of "attic space".  The shed is 8'x12'.  I used cement board lap siding.  It took about seven weeks to finish working a few hours here and there.  I really like it.  Even has a little window flower box.

Estimated Cost
2100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Triple cubby inspired

Submitted by willowpond on Sun, 03/04/2018 - 15:04

I started with the triple cubby design, resized it to fit my space, added doors, and built three of them.  They run the length of the wall in the area where my pool table is, and provide both storage and seating.  In the process I used a multitude of Kreg items - the rip cut, the pocket hole jig, the hinge jig, the cabinet knob jig, and the corner clamps.  As this was my "starter" project, I made some mistakes, learned a lot of lessons, and can't wait for my next project!

Estimated Cost
Plywood - $210 (three sheets, very high quality plywood); mouldings - $26; hinges - $80 ; knobs - $23. This was my "starter" project so I also invested in a lot of tools.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mirror

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 12:14

I was so excited to build this mirror using Ana White’s plans. I built it a few years ago and it’s still hanging in my entryway!

Comments

Child Beach Chair

Submitted by jsle_bel on Thu, 06/09/2011 - 21:39

Will be making MANY more of these, so easy and a fun gift! This one was for my niece.

Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Altered thumb chair

Submitted by Dottie4977 on Fri, 07/26/2013 - 07:27

I wanted to make chairs for a vanity that I made for my 5 and 3 year old girls. After I finished the chairs I decided not to attach the back and upholster the seats instead. They love them and so do I!! I measured each cut multiple times and took my time. I think that helped me tremendously because it all came together very easily!

Thank you Ana White!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
white gloss paint applied with a brush
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner