Community Brag Posts

Simplest Stool : Saddle Back Style

Submitted by tsibiga on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 09:52

We've been looking for some saddle back stools for quite a while that would fit snug under our kitchen island. I couldn't find any, so I checked Ana-White and found the perfect building plan. I used scraps to build two matching stools and so I altered the plans to fit what I had. Other then the dimensions being different, I also used a 2x12" piece of wood cut down to 9x15" for the stool top.

I've documented the process as best as I could at; http://www.tommyandellie.com/Site/Home/Entries/2011/6/13_More_Seating_f…

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$0 I used all scrap wood from a previous project
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
"Rainwater" Martha Stewart Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

tsibiga

Thu, 06/30/2011 - 04:50

I skipped a step that I might redo. I'd recommend taking some wood filler and spreading over the knots and imperfections before painting it. Sand it down, smooth it out, and it'll be Looking flawless.

Stef (not verified)

Thu, 07/07/2011 - 15:02

I've been looking for some stools like this, so I followed your lead and just finished making some. Thanks so much for sharing!

tsibiga

Fri, 07/08/2011 - 17:53

Awesome! I'm so glad you made some. Thanks for sharing. We love our stools and hope you enjoy them as well.

Reclaimed Cedar Board 10x 10 Barn Greenhouse

Submitted by bailie on Sun, 04/24/2022 - 13:02

Thank you for sharing your plan!

10×10 greenhouse made with re-claimed cedar boards from old barn on Menlo, WA

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

rick1956

Wed, 06/08/2022 - 05:52

Beautiful! I like the fact that you bucked the trend and turned your clear panels for Washington rainwater runoff. There are good and bad with both directions, vertical makes the most sense. I can see myself re-doing ours at some point to change the panel direction. At least they're pointing the right direction on my skylights.
Great design, and of course, I love the 'live edge' details you added throughout!

Picket Planter Boxes

Submitted by JaxCopper on Mon, 05/09/2022 - 19:09

Thanks Ana, I built your planter box, actually built 2 of them, one for each mom. The were a huge hit and I already have people asking me to build them one.

So loved building this planter box. Thanks for all you do for your fellow woodworkers!

Dale G
Callahan, FL

Comments

1-Board Trinket Box from Cedar Fence Picket

Submitted by JoanneS on Fri, 08/16/2013 - 15:30

I built this as the prototype for the 1-Board Cedar Trinket Box plan. My goal had been to create something that would make a nice gift, only use 1 cedar fence picket (about $3 in wood), didn't require any special cutting or ripping, and could be made with just your miter saw and brad nailer (you could use regular nails and hammer too, but I love my nailgun!) Also highly recommend using a palm sander for this. (Love my power tools!)

As I was building I discovered the beauty of cedar, the imperfections of cedar fence boards, and the value of prototyping. I added some tweaks to the plan to identify the places where you should build the first part, then measure, then cut the next part.

This took about 2 1/2 hrs to build, which included a whole lot of sanding. I started with 80-grit, then 220 grit to get the board surfaces smooth. After the prototype was assembled and I noticed how much cupping there was in my fence board, I broke out the 60-grit and went over all the high spots to smooth them down. Next time I'll be much more careful to choose a board without much of a cup. It did give some real interesting grain patterns though, so it all worked out in the end.

For pulls I cut a couple of interesting looking knots from my cedar board and glued them on. The next one I'd like to try some strips of leather or maybe a rope knot for pulls.

Estimated Cost
$3 in wood + finishing materials
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I started to leave this one natural, but after trying the tutorial for the Walnut Minwax Express Color on cedar, I had to use that finish on this piece. I'm loving the walnut color! Topcoat is 1 coat of Minwax Oil Modified water based poly in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

yurra-bazain

Fri, 08/16/2013 - 17:44

Joanne, I am so blessed to see how creative you are every day, how you approach your builds with others in mind, and how you work with the situations you encounter and turn things into functional and beautiful pieces! =D Thank you for sharing your creativity with passion and drive!

JoanneS

Sat, 08/17/2013 - 05:10

Thank you so much for your kind comments! I have gained so much from the experience of participating on this site, I am hoping sharing this might be helpful to fellow readers/builders. Building, and sharing it here brings me joy, and I want to share that!

Small raised planter stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/10/2022 - 17:04

Plan to use as a cooler :) adjusted dimensions to fit a bigger planter box and added some decorative details. It came out great!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

www.ana-white.com/Hutch

Submitted by svtigrz on Sun, 10/28/2018 - 04:39

My wife wanted a hutch to store her canner and supplies in. We searched online for hutches and Hoosier cabinets and they were anywhere from $1200-$2000!!. That's when I said "I can build that". I sat down and custom designed on CAD and started my build. I was able to find the butcher block top at Lowes for $50!!.  It took me about 3 weeks to build it in my spare time. I had to special order some of the hardware because I could not find what I wanted locally. I had a lot of fun building it. On to my next project!!

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
stain and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Wood Sideboard

I decided to make this planked sideboard in early Nov. I just finished the build last week, working a few hours here and there in my basement. 
The plan is excellent and easy to follow. I’m a fine artist and graphic designer by trade so I am used to precise measuring, I strongly believe in the mantra of “measure three times cut once.” Follow the plan measurements to the 1/8” and your build will be spot on. I never have used pocket screw assembly before (I’m not really an active woodworker... my last build was a rustic farm table 17 years ago) 
so I invested in several Kreg jigs and practiced on some scrap pieces and was encouraged by the ease and accuracy!
This sideboard is a beast... so you will have to assemble the unit in its final resting place. 
I can’t imagine what this thing actually weighs fully assembled. I opted to use Blum concealed hinges for the doors, Promark full extension soft close drawer slides. The knobs and pulls are from the Top Knobs Dakota Collection in patina rouge finish.
My one remaining task is what color finish to apply... I am pouring through color charts trying to decide. I know it has to be a water based low VOC product since the sideboard is in our living space and we don’t want fumes. Building this piece of furniture was a great experience, and knowing that I saved upwards of $2,500. on a similar store bought version makes it even sweeter.
Built from Plan(s)

My Daughters Playhouse- My First Project

Submitted by SheilaS on Sun, 10/09/2011 - 08:32

My 2 year old daughter played in a playhouse at a farm and was just amazed by the "little house" every time we would see them at the store or driving down the road she would just scream "mom, its a little house, little house!" I knew I wanted to get her one and started to search. Couldn't believe the price of playhouse kits so I figured I could build it. This playhouse took about 2 weeks to finish but I only worked on it a couple of hours at a time just a couple times a week. Total cost for me for just the playhouse not including paint was $343.90. Thanks Ana for posting the plans and showing everyone that anyone can build!

Estimated Cost
$344.90
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Play Kitchen

Submitted by fanofana on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 07:28

I saw this project and thought it would be a perfect project. My daughter has a Christmas birthday so I wanted to do something big that she would remember.

I didn't want to be rushed so I started this project in the fall. I built the basic "boxes" in a day but took my time finding accessories and doing all the finishing touches(sanding, painting, adding handles,etc). For the sink and stove I used Ana's plans but for the fridge I took a short cut and started with a shelving unit we already had, cut it to size and added doors.

It was fun a fun project. I loved having a great starting point and then being able to make it my own with paint and accessories. My in-laws live on a farm so scrounged their junk piles and found the sink faucet and the stove knobs (free, gotta love that)!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I bought some durable white paint and then used left over green paint for the accents (countertops, fridge doors and over door).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

laurakc181

Sat, 12/31/2011 - 04:29

I love the faucet!!!! Why didn't I think of that ;) And my daughter saw the cookies in the oven and yelled....my cookies! lol....We got her the same play set along with some other Melissa and Doug wooden play food :) Great job btw!

cassidy bed - king

Submitted by twiebe20 on Mon, 03/10/2014 - 11:47

After buying our king size mattress we went to look at bedroom furniture and realized how expensive nice bedroom furniture is. So I decided to build a bed and night stand myself, and they turned out great and cost less than 200 for both projects! I'm now a do it yourselfers and looking forward to more great projects!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
175
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Kona. Something I figured out by the end of the project is the best way to stain the wood was after applying the stain wipe it off after approximately 5-10 min.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

fosters522

Sat, 01/10/2015 - 07:35

What boards did you use for your side tables? Did you purchase extra just for them or are the left overs from the bed? Do you be chance have the demotions of the tables? They look awesome!

Storage Daybed with Trundle Drawers + Storage Headboard and Hutch

I combined Ana's plans for Daybed with Storage Trundle Drawers and a Storage Headboard with a Small Hutch.

This is my 3rd daybed with storage drawers. It's such an easy build and gives so much extra space. The entire project took about 40 hours. I used Minwax stain in Classic Grey and three coats of polyurethane. For the drawers, I used 1.5" casters. I drilled a hole through the back of the headboard to feed cords through. Then I put the whole thing in the back of my truck and drove 500 miles for the final assembly. :)  In the provided photos, some of the pieces are flush because I hadn't permanently attached them. 

Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Classic Grey
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Raised bed planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/02/2020 - 16:36

Hey Ana,

I saw your raised bed planter and decided to tackle it for ourselves. It measures 2'x8' and stands 28" to the bottom of the planter. I used redwood fencing for the sides and bottom at a cost of $1.79 each. I didn't use the wire mesh for the bottom but drilled 1/4" holes in the redwood fencing for drainage.

Thanks for the idea!!

Mike Howell

Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I left ours in it's natural state
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Workbench

Submitted by Ulrike on Sun, 06/21/2020 - 09:37

Built 2 of the workbenches for our garage. The plans made assembly very easy and quick. We had Home Depot cut the plywood to size.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)

Comments

Outdoor rolling bar top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 07/08/2020 - 19:43

We had some leftover granite from an outdoor kitchen build and wanted to maximize the use of it. We loved the look of a rustic table from Pottery Barn and set out to find something that was asking the same aesthetic. I came across the Jilly and Mia workbench console and thought it would work great with some minor modifications. I shortened the overall length and height, went with some heavy duty casters to support the weight of the granite, and reinforced the cross beams that would support the 3/4" plywood sheet and granite. I went with cedar for this build since it was outdoors and I'll finish it with a clear sealant.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Master Closet For My Wife

Submitted by Indy69 on Mon, 10/17/2016 - 17:10

I expanded on the plans I found at Ana White and made this closet.  They are 8' high, and made from Birch plywood and 1x2's from my local Home Depot.  I ended up using 12 sheets of plywood and 18 1x2's.  Sanded and stained with Minwax Jacobean and Satin clear on the unit and semi-gloss on the drawers.  I intalled soft-close drawer slides that I found on Amazon for $120 for 15 pairs which included the rear mounting brackets, which I highly recommend using as they save you a ton of labor and make it much easier to install the slides. 

 

What I like most about my work, is that I found regular hanging rods that were too expensive or just plain did not fit the end sockets.  I used galvanized fence rod typically used for the top of chain link fences, and simply brushed them with 0000 steel wool and then polished them on my buffing wheel.  If you want the brushed look, simply don't buff them.  What was best about using fencing rods, was that it cost about a dollar a foot and was much stronger than buying the actual chrome rods which were over three times more money.

 

For the corners, you will see that they are three angled rods, which you can not buy anywhere.  So, I purchased 1" galvanized electrical conduit. and bent it with a tubing bender.  I simply measured what I needed, and put two 45 degree bends in the rod, installed 1" sockets on each end, and a center rod support for the middle.  These two were polished with 0000 steel wool and then polished to a chrome finish.  They look amazing, and the best part is that it cost $6 for a ten foot piece, which was more than enough to do both corners.  You cannot beat the cost of using fence rods and electrical conduit for closet rods. 

 

I plan to install a small drawer island in the middle later as I require a need for more drawere space. 

 

Thanks to Ana White for the help.  I already have a few more next projects lined up using her ideas here.

Estimated Cost
Under $1000 for everything
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean with satin and semi-gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

outdoor patio furniture

Well this was first project my hubby and I tackled together. He actually let me use the power tools. The plans were great! Loved having a shopping list! I made the cushion s myself. I have to say, I wish I had made the couch and chairs the size of cushions available at Lowes . AFt e r you buy foam batting fabric and chording I found set at lowes for a lot less but I am so happy how it all turned out . Thks for providing plNz!

Estimated Cost
500 with cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Non transparent stain.Olympic elite stain an sealant n one
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

charitydtrull

Sun, 05/24/2020 - 14:45

I can't find the plans for these pieces. I found the one using 2x4, but these pieces look like they use 2x2. Can someone tell me where to get the plans?
Thank you,

Seasonal And Holiday

Laundry Basket Tower

Submitted by KeithT on Wed, 11/16/2016 - 08:32

I built this for our laundry sorting needs using the Brook 4 tall and lengthwise plan. I modified the plan to take the baskets width wise, added a little more distance between baskets, and added guide rails above each basket (except the top one) to allow them to be partial pulled out without flipping out. I also beveled and slightly rounded the front of the guide rails just for looks. I think it turned out pretty good for my first woodworking project.
 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Check out / Display Counter

I built this Counter for a new business in Chatham, Va. Will add lighting in side !

Finish Used
Black Stain/Early American highlites/Gloss poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

West Elm Knockoff Chevron Queen Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/13/2017 - 21:07

This was my first build and I am so happy with how it turned out! The plans from Jen Woodhouse were extremely easy to follow and I would definitely recommend this project to others!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adirondack Minnie Mouse

Submitted by vangy04 on Fri, 11/14/2014 - 08:29

My daughter is into everything Minnie Mouse right now so I figured, why not!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used stickers for the white details, but my daughter promptly peeled them all off. I suggest paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

pr22joyce

Thu, 09/08/2016 - 12:08

I have looked, clicked all over this site to download the plans for the Minnie Mouse Adirondack chair.  Can someone please help?

KelHad

Sun, 02/19/2017 - 13:28

Has anyone been able to locate the plans for the Minnie Mouse chair yet?

I still can't find them.

Back