Community Brag Posts

rustic x console table

Submitted by raflis35 on Thu, 09/05/2013 - 20:29

Decided to create the rustic x console table to go along with the matching end tables. I modified the dimensions to fit behind my love seat and thankfully it fit perfectly!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
steel wool and vinegar
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

TV Stand

This project was made for my sons room! 

Estimated Cost
$85
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Special Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic Bathroom Storage Self Dry Sink

Submitted by kwildman on Sat, 12/29/2018 - 05:47

No plan was used but I did use many techniques that I learned from this site.  I took features from several different plans.  I love how it turned out.  

Estimated Cost
30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut danish oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Queen Storage Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/06/2022 - 09:06

This bed has 6 drawers, 2 on each side and 2 on foot. We used Ana White pattern for Farm bed head board and storage bed for rest, while incorporating her easy and no fuss, accurate, drawer slide method.

Comments

Center Upholstered Chestwick Inspired Headboard

Submitted by Thewaggy on Sat, 09/07/2013 - 16:51

This is inspired from the Chestwick upholstered headboard. One of my first larger projects. I applied the upholstery on an 1/2 inch thick plywood that is screwed into the frame order to allow us to change out the fabric as desired and added more trim around the upholstery.

Estimated Cost
80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I dragged black paint over a royal blue base and used semi-gloss finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Sat, 09/07/2013 - 17:13

This headboard is gorgeous! The finish is AWESOME!! Love the idea of being able to change out the fabric too, very creative. You did a fabulous job!

Rustic x console

Submitted by A Carew on Tue, 11/10/2015 - 16:46

Fairly easy to build in a weekend.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Water, Ebony and dark walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Now Germany has the Ana White Playhouse too

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/01/2019 - 02:00

Thanks for the Plans Ana. Though we had to convert every number the plans helped us a lot. Our playhouse turned out really big: 8x8 foot. We had to include our heater under the window, so our tunnel is much bigger. It took us (three people) a half day shopping and two days and one night building and cost 600-700€. The kids where amazed when they opened the door a few days after Christmas.  We still think about adding some features like a slight or a bed...

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Chairs and bar for our patio

Please don't look at the mess!
I built few furnitures for our patio and I am very happy with the result.
I modified the plan of the chair to make a loveseat.
It was rather easy as construction. By making the bar, I made an error of measure for the tray, I had to begin again. I then transformed the too big tray into coffee table by adding feet.I have to sand and paint it.
Now I am going to put a little of order.

Estimated Cost
200 euros
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
2 coats of White acrylic paint for the chairs and the cart and purple acrylic paint with 2 coats of varnish for the tray.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Wed, 03/07/2012 - 18:54

Did you reinforce love seat in any way or just double all the measurements ?? How sturdy is it. I already made chair. Can't find plans for loveseat

alamanda973

Sat, 03/10/2012 - 15:52

I only doubled all measurements of the chair but I used thicker boards. I used 27 mm boards instead of 19 mm for the structure. I didn't make other change. It's very sturdy and 2 adults can seat on it without problem. I am very happy with the result.
Other persons used the same wooden thickness as for chairs but I wanted to be sure that it would be sturdy.
Good luck!

Balustrade Coffee Table

Submitted by Pippa on Sun, 11/15/2015 - 11:39

This table was my first build. Once I learned how to use the Kreg Jig and my husband taught me how to use the table and miter saws, I have fallen in love with building furniture. Since building this table, I have built a twin bed, two farm tables, a bench, the kitchen island/rolling server table from Ana's book, and an awesome workbench with red racing wheels! This past weekend I finished my first custom order - an 8-foot Husky leg Farm table using Ana's plan. I now have orders for another balustrade coffee table and an end table using the matching legs from Osborne. THank you Ana! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
less than $200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
An experimental mix of Minwax and Rustoleum stains - gray with expresso and special walnut rub. Minwax poly in matte finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic X Coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/03/2019 - 17:45

These were my first Ana White pieces of furniture. I was so pleased at how fast they came together and how clear the instructions were. These were a Christmas present for my son and after taking a look at your website, he is full of enthusiasm to start building his own pieces. Thanks Ana.

Estimated Cost
$150 for both including stains
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered grey stain over Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White

Fri, 01/04/2019 - 13:29

This is such a beautiful first build!  I bet your son was delighted!  Can't wait to see more from you guys!  Thank you for using my plans and sharing a photo - it is much appreciated.  XO Ana

Adirondack chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/30/2022 - 17:14

I just started building when I found Ana’s site. This chair was the second thing that I’ve built. I can’t believe how comfortable it is and how easy for a novice like me to put together.

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by teeninyg on Sun, 08/21/2011 - 13:30

This was our first project from the website. I fell in love with the concept and love the finished product. My husband and I worked on it for a full weekend, and now we have a table that the whole family can sit at. The plans were easy to follow and came together nicely.

We also decided to do the Simple Stackable Outdoor Chairs. They are large and comfortable. I did adjust the seat board length to 19 1/2 to give it a little over hang. One down and 4 more to go.

Estimated Cost
$200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Since we didn't get furniture grade wood we have to do a lot of sanding. Then we used 2 coats of an oak stain and 2 coats of polyurethane to seal it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Finns-Dad

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 03:37

Great job. Both the table and the chair look really good. I am curious how the chairs hold up. Are they sturdy? Anything you would change or do differently? Thanks.

Farm house bench

This was my first project I've ever built, although I have wanted to build something for years. I needed a bench for my cat to sit on in front of the window, and also extra seating for my dining room table when we have guests. I didn't buy any lumber. I just used scrap wood that was left in our garage when we moved in for the base and old bed slats from bunk beds we no longer have for the top.

I made one HUGE mistake....I didn't have a carpenters square and didn't realize how important it was to use so my bench turned out a little wobbly, but I found a solution to fix that. It took me a couple of days to build because I kept having to stop and run to my sons school and do many other mommy duties. I found a tutorial for the finish on Pinterest.

Estimated Cost
Approximately $25 total for the paint, stain, and poly, but I have a TON left over for other projects
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded really well with an electric sander working from very coarse to fine grit. Then I used 2 coats of Rustoleum flat black enamel. I would recommend using a different kind of paint though, because it has to dry a very very long time before it can be sanded and recoated. Then after 2 coats of paint, I distressed it taking various objects and hitting in different spots. I also sanded through the paint in random areas and on the edges. After that, I used a q-tip to apply the stain on the areas I had sanded through. I put a couple coats of stain on and when it all dried, I applied 3 coats of Satin finish poly, sanding with a 320 grit sanding block between each coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

X Console Sofa Table

Followed the Rustic X console plan except did not go for the rustic stain look. I am happy with how it turned out, even though this is my first wood furniture type project. I am not much of a handyman. 

 

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$130 (wood, stains, paint, screws)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Miniwax Clear Polyurethane (top boards) Used 3 coats on the 2x6 boards (top)
Miniwax Clear Polycrylic (all other boards) Used 2 coats over the top of the painted wood.
Sherman Williams Latex Paint - "Pacer White" color. Used 3 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Writing Desk with Turned Legs

Submitted by kwildman on Mon, 01/07/2019 - 08:53

I modified the Small Old English Style Farmhouse Dining Table plan to build a writing desk.   I used five 1x6 boards for the top for a width of 27.5 inches.   I made my desk 56 inches in length.  I put the drawer on the long side like a pencil drawer.   I did use the legs that Ana recommended in the plan.   I love how it turned out.  I used dark walnut danish oil and dark wax for the finish.  

Estimated Cost
225
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Watco dark walnut danish oil and Minwax dark paste wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kwildman

Fri, 10/04/2019 - 21:46

Thank you!  I used Watco Danish oil and I used Minwax dark wax.  I've tried alot of different wax brands and I always come back to Minwax.  It dries the hardest in my opinion.

Garage / Basement Shelving + Bonus Wine/Liquor Under Stairs Storage

Submitted by MJC2DIY on Wed, 10/12/2022 - 21:35

Using the guidelines for the “BEST DIY Garage Shelves (Attached to Walls), I added this to our unfinished basement area for additional storage. I plan to replicate it in our actual garage as well and build the freestanding shelves also!

As a bonus, I used this plan as inspiration and built directly beside it, which is an unused space under stairs, a wine/liquor storage shelving replacing the plywood with cut 2x4s for added weight capacity/stability.

Couldn’t have been easier!

Comments

MJC2DIY

Wed, 10/19/2022 - 09:14

Thank you!! I am so thankful for Ana White and team! These projects are helping me build a lot of confidence to continue endeavoring more challenging projects each step of the way :-)

Little Helper Tower

My husband made the little helper tower for my son. After using it for a day I asked him to add a seat so that my son could eat lunch at the counter while I worked in the kitchen. I LOVE this tower!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

fethiye

Fri, 08/26/2011 - 09:20

This is what custom furniture is all about! If you had a store bought tower, I bet you would not even think about messing with it to add that seat. It looks great and now it is multi-purpose!

VelvetSky

Sun, 08/28/2011 - 20:25

I have a two year old who is going to need this soon. Does your son try to stand up while the seat is in place? Do you have any trouble with him trying to get out of it? Would love to know because my son is always climbing on stuff. I am worried he might fall. I wonder if I could put a seat belt in it. hmmm....I am a first time parent so maybe I am a little paranoid. lol
But it looks so cool. I want one.

Titabehm (not verified)

Tue, 12/13/2011 - 09:54

I absolutely love the idea!!! We have a real small house and we are always looking for ideas that will help to maximize the space and functionality of our furniture. My husband built a couple of months ago the tower and our 2 kids (2&4) can climb in there at the same time and help me to cook, wash dishes or just look what I'm doing around the kitchen. It is a little bit crowded when both are in there but they learned to make it work for both :). Thank you for sharing your idea... it is awesome!

Huthbert

Sun, 11/09/2014 - 13:23

Love the added seat!  Seriously awesome!  Thinking about adding that mod to mine!

A Lady's Treasure Trunk

Submitted by JoanneS on Mon, 09/16/2013 - 14:32

This is my vision of what a fine lady’s treasure trunk might have looked like back in the days of pirates. It is made from the Pirate’s Treasure Trunk plan. I used another alternative hinge for this one. It is a 2 ¼” radius quarter-circle of heavy craft leather, attached to the box top with some super glue and decorative furniture nails. The bottom acts as the pivot, and is attached with a furniture nail.

The decorations are made from craft leather, and attached with super glue and furniture nails. The keyhole escutcheon is made from a piece of foam shelf liner, cut to the shape of the keyhole template from the plan, and spray painted gold.

The finish for this is 2 coats of Clark & Kensington paint (white, with a little brown stain mixed in to make it a cream color).

This build was nearly free – the furniture nails were left over from the prototype build, the wood was scrap, and the paint was left over from previous projects. The craft leather is from Michael’s (cost was about $3.99 - I think it was on sale, but couldn’t find it on the web site to attach a link, so a picture of the packaging is attached).

I’ll be using this one for trinkets, and it’s not going to get heavy use, so this was a good project for trying out the leather hinge idea. I’ve wanted to try that for a while. Not sure how durable it will be over time, but I think it looks cool. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Wood (free - scrap). Finish (free - left overs). Craft Leather: $3.99
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
2 Coats Clark & Kensington paint (white with some brown stain added to make a cream color). Topcoat: Minwax polycrylic in satin. Trim: craft leather and furniture nails. Keyhole escutcheon: Gold spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

yurra-bazain

Tue, 09/17/2013 - 03:18

I love how you added text to your photos! =D It communicates the idea behind your plan so well. :) The leather has a fascinating look on this one; I do so like it in white and with the softer leather; truly a lady's touch. :)

JoanneS

Tue, 09/17/2013 - 17:51

Or as they say in pirate-speak: Thank ye so much! I be glad ye like them! Many hearty thanks fer postin' a comment! :)

JoanneS

Wed, 12/03/2014 - 18:28

Yes I think that is a very good idea!  I'm going to try that for the next one I do with leather.  Thanks for commenting!  :)