Community Brag Posts

DIY SLIDING BARN DOOR

To date this has been my favorite and fullfilling DIY project!! Skills were learned, $$ was saved and it looks fabulous!!!   It wasnt easy but it wasn't impossible.  April WIlkerson provides a detailed tutorial on her website along with a fantastic youtube video on her channell. I hope this inspires someone else to take on this challenge!!  If you have any any questions please feel free to ask me!!  Enjoy.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut, Minwax gray, ragged white followed with a satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farm table.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/14/2018 - 13:38

Built this 8' farm table after watching your video. Its my first piece of furniture. 

Estimated Cost
$200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Milled red oak.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Desk

Submitted by JMG on Fri, 06/24/2022 - 20:56

During the transition to online school, I built this for my daughter. Works great. Obviously needs some finish work, but she wanted to use it right away. lol

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Simple Trestle Table

Submitted by ajp529 on Fri, 08/23/2013 - 18:01

Built this from lumber from a daybed that I tore apart. Total cost was about $10 for the pieces for the top. Built in a small apartment with a Kreg jug and some clamps on the kitchen floor. The top is not completely even but close. Was fun to build and I am very happy with how it turned out, thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted with tea, let dry, then paint with vinegar and steel wool solution, sand and shellac.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Twisted End Table

Submitted by sdarnell1 on Mon, 10/05/2015 - 11:38

I made this twisted end table for my #oneboardchallenge project.  It was a learning experience and I'm honestly surprised that it turned out as well as it did!  There are so many good #oneboardchallenge projects being submitted, I don't know if mine will get lost among the crowd.  Either way, it wont get lost around my house :)  It is a good conversation piece!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

ptb9896

Mon, 10/26/2020 - 01:40

Are the plans for this on your site?

As a new wood worker I am very appreciative of your site and plans. It's my go to source for ideas.

Thanks

$25 2x4 Hall Tree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/21/2018 - 15:39

Our small entryway was in need of some sort of bench or coat rack. Since the space is on the smaller side, I was looking for plans that were simple and would not overwhelm the area of the house.  When I came searching for plans on Ana White’s website, these plans were JUST posted! It was meant to be! This was my second build ever. Very simple and straight forward. I used Special Walnut for the stain and a satin polyurethane for the top coat.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Special Walnut & satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Chaise Lounge

I built this chaise lounge for my daughter from your plans. She will paint it tomorrow. Thanks!!!

Comments

Camp loft bed

Submitted by dmather82 on Sun, 08/25/2013 - 18:15

My first build... Not perfect but it has led me down a new path... Thank you soooo much Ana! More to come and a plan of my own in the works!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi gloss white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Coffee Table Brag

Rustic X Coffee Table Brag! Thank you so much for the plans Ana! Keep building everyone :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Steel Wool & Vinegar Mixture
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ecspronk

Sat, 10/10/2015 - 18:59

Did you use any tea before you used the steel wool? What was your steel wool and vinegar mixture rate? I really like the color of this! Thanks!

Console to vanity

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/28/2018 - 07:54

This vanity is an amalgamation of a few ideas I found online. I used the Reclaimed Wood Console Table as a guide to pull it all together. All three drawers are functional. The plumbing falls directly between the center and right drawer, and the drawers are mounted on bottom center glides.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
semigloss white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bench

I built this based on the rustic x bench. While I had previously built the x bench, I really had a hard time with that darned X! So I just added bottom pieces to this and called it a day. This will be put at the foot of the bed and will most certainly help me sleep better! How? Ah yes, no more hubby sitting on the edge of the bed at 4:30a.m. to put on his boots!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free...all made from leftovers and reclaimed wood
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

For a co worker...

A co worker reeeeally wanted this and asked me to build it. It is only my second build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150-200
Finish Used
Varathane Spar Varnish in satin, Varathane Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Doll House

Submitted by samueldodd on Fri, 11/02/2018 - 08:10

I made this with oak plywood and used a straight edge and paper knife to score it to look like planks and a chisel to vary board lengths and stained it. This is the first house I made like this. I made second house like this after a house fire destroyed the first one. My people were well pleased with both of them. I will put lights in the next one.

Estimated Cost
$75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Work Area

I finally got the chance to share my first couple of projects.

For the work bench I made organizers for tools and screws. I made them with 1x3's and made simple boxes out of them. One longer one at 36" and a couple smaller ones at 6" for easier access to nails. I painted everything with granny smith green and fuchsia pink.

I had originally planned on just making a couple of storage benches to hide my husband's video games in the house, but decided one would be perfect to hold my circular saw, drill, and other power tools while adding a comfortable place to sit. I had ordered the fabric a few months ago and didn't realize that it matched the fuschia pink paint I had bought at orange for my work bench, and I am glad it did.

Though they are in my garage, being a wife to a Staff Sergeant in the Army, we entertain a lot so having something that is useful and looks great is a wonderful thing indeed.

Since I've started building, I've been browsing Ana White's project plans for anything else that could be useful in our house... I can't wait until we move so we can choose a larger house to make way for more projects!

Thank you Ana!!! You've given purpose to my usually uneventful days while the hubs is in Iraq for the third time!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Granny Smith Green and Fuchsia Pink from Orange. :)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

MissSea

Sun, 09/18/2011 - 14:27

I have to say I love that even though this is a workbench, it's still so personal and girlie! And what a great idea for the storage unit having seating! So many times I end up sitting in the garage, sorting God-knows-what, and I really need a seat! :)

Just A Bench

Submitted by Jake on Fri, 08/30/2013 - 18:38

I had a request from a friend to build her a bench, preferably one with a back on it. The plans for the Woven Back Bench were perfect. But as you can see in the picture I moved away from the plans a little bit. The woven back is beautiful but I was sure it would become frustrating to get it right so I went with the vertical posts. It worked out well.

It is not visible in the picture but I added a cross-member to the middle of the seat to give it more strength and stability.

I avoided pocket holes to hold the back together by using the Kreg drill and drilling vertically down about 3/4 the way and inserting 2" pocket hole screws and then capping them off. The caps are visible in the picture. I did the same from the bottom of the back.

In a couple of places that called for 2x2s I used re-sawed 2x4s that I think added strength to the bench. I only used pocket holes where they would not be directly visible. Also I used a router to soften many of the edges and to add interest to the arms.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 not including primer or paint
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The finish will be applied by the recipient but I am recommending that she prime and paint. Once a year she should check for any rotting.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Ocean/Mermaid themed full size version of Sweet Pea Bunkbed

Submitted by agarant10 on Mon, 11/12/2018 - 10:13

This is a ocean/mermaid version of the sweet pea bunk bed. I had to add an additional section above the original plans in order to accommodate for the slide. I also forwent the bottom storage and opted to just put a bigger door, which allowed more headroom inside and the ability to put both a mattress and box spring on the bottom bunk. I used real shingles and painted them gold. The slide came from Home Depot. The octopus door handes I got off of Etsy for about $5 each. I found a doorbell on an old plastic outdoor house set laying around. I added some seaweed from Joann Fabrics. The steps are made out of 2x6 boards vs 1x boards. I also changed the plans so both beds are full size instead of twin size. The top bunk has so much support...it was tested with 600 lbs up there and held up fine!

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

Comments

SoCalMom

Mon, 11/19/2018 - 12:09

That bed is amazing! My daughters would never ever sleep and my 3 year old said when I showed her "mama, I wanna go there"... 

Farm house table

Submitted by hough18 on Tue, 08/09/2022 - 10:14

Decided paying $600 for a coffee table was ridiculous so my wife said build this then. I read the comments on this and went with picture frame ends, wife is happy and that means I am as well! Also drilled holes first just to ensure no splitting of the wood.

Comments

Farmhouse Bed and One happy Boy ;)

My Hubby and I worked really hard on building this bed, your plans are wonderful ;)

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White semigloss after priming
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Inspired by Julia Nightstand

Submitted by kirst1230 on Mon, 09/02/2013 - 10:03

This nightstand was inspired by the Julia Nightstand. I changed a few of the measurements and added a door. The entire piece is built out of wood I salvaged when I tore out the wall paneling in my basement. The old nail holes add nice character and the color of the wood and grain are really nice. This piece does not have any stain - this is the natural color of the wood. I finished it with water based polyurethane.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Water based polyurethane painted with synthetic hair brush. I did not use any stain. The water based polyurethane raises the grain so I sanded between the first two coats. Total of 4 coats. No odor and very easy cleanup (soap and water).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments