Community Brag Posts

I've been a fan of Ana White’s Round Farmhouse Table for years, always intending to build it, but life kept getting in the way. Last year, after we remodeled our kitchen, my wife mentioned she wanted a 5-foot round table for the dining room. I immediately thought of Ana's design, but with no space to work on it, the project was delayed. That all changed in January when I discovered our community's Woodworking Club offering a 6-week class where you could bring your own project. I jumped at the chance!

While Ana White’s plans are geared toward simple tools, I was fortunate to have access to a fully equipped woodshop and guidance from a former high school shop teacher. With these resources, the Round Farmhouse Table became my personal project—and I decided to make a few custom modifications to fit my vision.

Leg Design: I didn’t want the legs to look like basic 2x4s. My instructor suggested ordering rough-cut poplar and shaping it myself. With $150 worth of poplar delivered, I learned to use the jointer, planer, and tablesaw to mill the pieces I needed for both the legs and tabletop.

Seating & Structure: Since I wanted the table to comfortably seat six, I was concerned the original four-leg design would interfere with the chairs. So, I reimagined the table with three legs instead of four. This led to a big departure from the original plans. I created a hexagon core using 1x6 and 1x2 boards, and I even learned vCarve Pro to design a custom core base on the CNC router.

Mobility: Knowing we might need to move the table in the future, I designed it to be disassembled. The table breaks down into five pieces—the tabletop, three legs, and core base. Two bolts per leg securely attach the top to the base, making it easy to take apart and transport.

The tabletop was finished with a whitewash and sealed with TotalBoat Halcyon poly. I stained the legs with a deep Graphite color, finishing them with a satin poly spray for a smooth, polished look.

This project was a blast, and I couldn’t have done it without the inspiration from Ana White. Thanks for the great plans, Ana! - Scott Fosseen

This is the perfect chair height for my 5 year old son. Was easy to build for a novice, and after a lot of sanding, I stained + varnished and it turned out quite nice, to match with the desk I made which we can see in the picture background. It does take 3 of the 2x2x8 instead of 2, but at $2.5 each... Total cost of approx. $7 since I made the seat and back rest out of the scrap I had. I'm thinking of making swivel stools for my kitchen out of the regular height plan. I also cut the seat a little larger to have about 1/4" overhang all around except at the back.

This bench is great! I was surprised how nicely it swings. I used rope with overhand loop knots to secure onto quick link hooks. Made it for my husband for his birthday but my whole family enjoys it daily!

This is my third project from Ana's website. I absolutely love to build and can't wait to do more! 

I modified the plans to accommodate a new baby to the family. Height was adjusted to match existing bed. After 4-years I just added a removable floor for stuffed animals and to help with transport and clearing dust bunnies. I added rope lights by extending under bed lighting previously installed. 

Made for granddaughter who loved the McKenna bed at American Girl. She loved the ability to customize because she has the Kanani doll. Will paint light blue (Kanani's favorite color) and have Hawaiian print bedding.

Had plans but no instructions, so involved learning my own techniques which was fun and it came together including size modification.  Lots of cutting!!!

I made this for an older girl (11) so decided to go for a trendy, modern design rather than a bright playful color. It was very quick, and I made it with scrap 3/4: plywood from another one of Ana's projects. I increased the width of the seat and back from 5 1/2" (a standard 1x6 width) to 6" for the back and 5 3/4" for the seat. This gave it a higher back and made the back side of the sofa completely flush (probably to account for using 3/4" plywood instead of a 1x6). I used Titebond glue, 1 1/4" brad nails, and clamps for assembly. I ironed veneer edging on all the raw plywood edges and sanded, then gave it a thick coat of paint. Instead of seat and back cushions, I included two square throw pillows lightly stuffed so they can be creased (as in the photo) like real throw pillows. Including sewing, the project took me an hour. PS: I photographed it next to an every-day object for rough size comparison. I had initially shown someone who thought I had made an actual couch. LOL, Maybe in my dreams!

Reader Brag

This free standing banquette corner bench was fashioned from Ana's upholstered bench design. I made modifications to her design to fit my space and the 4" upholstery foam that I purchased on-line from Amazon in 4x30x72" sheets. Designing it to be 18" off the ground allowed for a multitude of play options from American Girl dolls to Barbies. The addition of rope lighting underneath held on with cable ties allows wonderful illumination and spurs creativity and desire to entertain imaginative play at night. The seating is wide and sturdy and even though it is housed in a play room it is very comfortable for adults. Of special note; the upholstered back rest and skirt were made with one queen sized quilt, eliminiating the need for sewing a hem by utilizing the hemmed edge. The cushions were made from one king sized duvet cover and no sewing was needed. To finish the look custom piping was added which required sewing. Confident that when it will inevitably be jumped on that it can take it and will not come crashing down. The back rest was attached to the wall with this bracket I purchased at Lowes for $10.00.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_56378-37672-122373_0__?productId=3058195&Ntt=

We created this step stool for our granddaughter for Christmas from plans on your website, using the classic "The Little Prince" as a theme.

Following the lead of the animated version on Netflix, we even included glow in the dark stars on the treads

We hope others are inspired by our creation!

Love this hockey gear drying rack

Cost:$0 daughter helping with it priceless! - Paula Halvorson on Facebook

I made this from scratch. I didn't follow a plan. I didn't pay for any of the materials either. I know a guy who has a saw mill and was able to score the top. I got the legs down my self from a tree in the woods. I didn't stain any of the wood either. I just put polycrylic on it. Overall I think it took about 4 hours to complete. More if you count the time waiting on the clear coat to dry. I notched out the legs to fit the skirts. The skirt is make up of wood that I planned to 1" thick and kreg jigged together. I then kreg jigged the skirt to the table top. I hope you like it.

This was my first project. Shortened the bench to be 3 feet long. Angles were hard and the hubby had to do it for me and help me put it together. Other than that it was fun to build. 

My Husband made this twin bed for our son off the Alaska Cabin Bed plan. 

It was easy enough for him. To complete without any mistakes. Took aprox 3 days to complete,  about $130 in lumber. He used

6 (pine)2x4's &  1 sheet of cabinet grade Baltic Birch. He added a center support beam. 

Painted a white trim around drawer fronts  coordinate with white nightstand. Used magnet clasps on drawer flaps. The bed is solid enough for us to lie down and read bedtime stories with our son, and the bed doesn't even creak a sound. Easy to slide mattress off a little and change the sheets. I would highly reccomend this plan to others. 

I used Cedar balusters instead of furring strips.