Community Brag Posts

Great DYI platform bed!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/28/2017 - 19:31

The bed in grey, also made the backboard taller (and doubled support on back) because the bed will have a box spring (photo 2).  Awesome plans, love the look already.  Excuse the background mess.  The back wall is part of the same project! Thanks again for the plans!!

 

Note to future builders, learn from my one fatal mistake, be really picky on your quality of wood.  I had some slight frame issues because on a bad board that resulted in about a 1/4 inch bow on one side.  My slats are all use rival but you can see some done touch both sides...that is the bow.  Still no one will likely notice but me.

 

Second, there was no info on spacing along the frame for attaching the 2x4 to the 2x6.  I used 12", maybe overkill.

Estimated Cost
Excluding the Kreig jig that I did not have materials cost about 200. I had the 2x4 already and I uses more 2x6 to raise the backboard higher so this is estimate.

Remember to account for time to:
Let wood acclimate (min 48 hrs), dry times between coats. I did 2 coats then a sealant with a day inbetween each. Also I was solo on this so 2 people could be even quicker.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Grey varnish sanded a bit to look work then sealant.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dining room table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:55

I built it. My wife stained and polyester it.

Comments

Lee and Beth's Simple Nightstands

Submitted by community-cont… on Fri, 02/25/2011 - 10:39

we’re back with another furniture project. This time we built the Simplest Nightstand. Actually, we had enough lumber that we were able to build two of them! It was a little more difficult than the coffee table and side table, but still wasn’t bad once Lee figured it out. The hardest part was getting the drawer to fit right. The first one Lee built, he didn’t get the drawer bottom square, but the second time around went much smoother. The first time, he cut all of the pieces out at once, but the second time, he cut and fit each piece separately. This proved to be very helpful. For the side pieces, we used plybead instead of plywood, and nailed trim pieces underneath the table top. Also, instead of using two separate pieces on the table top, we used the top off of an old tv tray that we weren’t using anymore. It was the perfect fit, and looks really good! Both tables cost us 50 dollars and took about 6 hours to build both of them. The first table took 4 hours to build, but the second one only took 2! We absolutely love your easy to use plans, and can’t wait to try another one! There’s so many great plans to choose from, we’re not sure what to try next!!

We love our new tables, thanks again for another great plan! We’ll be back!

Read more about Lee and Beth's Projects.

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

Bookshelf/Wall Seperator

I made this for a friend who needed some separation of 2 rooms. It works well as a see through wall/storage. I seen a photo of this and made it to the specs of that. It is 65" x 31.5" x 11 1/4". It turned out really well and very sturdy. The boxes are 12"x20". Bottom shelf is 7" from the bottom. I used all shelving wood which I would change now if I knew how much it chipped away and how heavy it is.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Mostly Kreg jig the project and painting before assembly would have been a better choice looking back.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/01/2017 - 15:03

Recently built this table my first build actually. I told my wife we needed a new table because we didn't have enough room for our youngest to move up to the table she said let's build one. Well I did the "building" and she did the staining painting and sanding. She is currently putting new fabric on our old chairs. And now she has me building a bed. Her words when I finished "I didn't know you could build stuff". My reply "that was part of the plan lol". Thanks for all the designs.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

The Modern Fire Pit

Submitted by prelude on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:20

I started out several years ago building the Modern Adirondack Chairs using Ana White's plans. Customers loved the modern design and I was able to fulfill orders in any color or stain. Customers even asked if I could make a children's and adult size chair. These pans are available upon request.

As the trend towards outdoor living increased due to the pandemic, I expanded my product line to tables, benches and patio planters. I even created my own design for a fire pit rack and bench based upon Ana's designs.

Today, I have a thriving business for commercial and residential fire pit furniture and accessories.

I continue to follow Ana White for inspiration and ideas, George

Comments

Cubby Shelf

Submitted by Pauline M on Wed, 04/01/2015 - 03:55

I am a beginer and I am following my dream of having my own tools and workshed. As a result of finding your site Ana I believed I could achieve it and now I have. 

Thanks so much for your great plans and inspiration. This bookshelf is my third project from your site.

I will post the two other projects pictures when they are finished, they need paint touchup.

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Gift for the child I childmind.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Veggie Bin

Submitted by Dlwj27 on Tue, 07/04/2017 - 10:45

I followed the plans as written and my veggie bin came out looking awesome.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Pre-treated with Rust-oleum Weathered Wood Accelerator then gave distressed look by dry brushing Waverly Chalk Paint in Crystal. Finished using Mini Was Polyurethane Clear Satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor Sectional Furniture

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:36

I love the versatility of this furniture. I wanted the ability to move it around in different seating sets. It was my first project with no help from my husband. So very easy to do and follow. I made a few tweaks and made wood plugs for all the screw holes. I plan to stain it later. I used ikea cushions.

Comments

Liberty Wall Art

Submitted by kari on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 12:05

When Ana posted plans for this I immediately fell in love with it. I had a friend visiting, and I thought this would be a great project for us to do together.
A lot of time spent on this project was taking apart pallets, not an easy job. My poor friend did that part, she is great! I think the old pallets really made this look as good as it does, they were already so rustic.
The pallets were free and collecting free pallets was an adventure of it's own. I found a large piece of particle board in the depot's scrap bin for 51 cents! Can't beat that.

Estimated Cost
cost of paint
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I chose paint samples from the depot and had them mixed in the cheapest paint they had, which was Glidden. I just got the flat.
I used a drybrush technique to let some of the wood texture show through.
I had to cut out my own stencils to get the stars just right, but I love how it turned out.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Date in the backyard patio table and bench set

I made this for my wife. I used 2x3 glue and screw together for the table top. I have a conception that a heavy table top create a sturdy table. I used redwood 2x3 with lag screw. The sitting bench is completely made out of 2x3.

Estimated Cost
80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Box chairs with an added back

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/14/2017 - 00:28

Thanks for the plans Ana. I substituted 5/4 x 6 for the 2x6 and it is plenty strong and sturdy. Also added an angled back to support 24x24" cushion. Very pleased with the finished chairs.

BTW: I have now used 4 of your plans. The X harvest table, an outside dining table and patio loungers (4 of them) and the box chairs. Cheers!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Storage bench/ coffee table

Submitted by DianeS on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 12:59

The storage bench/ coffee table, customized for a small room to hold my son's lap top, and game controllers.
I cut it down from 48" to 36" and it worked great!

Estimated Cost
40.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax goldon oak with 3 coats of poly clear satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bunk Beds with a Maine Cottage twist

I built these bunk beds for my almost-10 year old twins this spring! These were modified from the Side Street Bunk Bed plans to accommodate the longer Twin XL mattresses. I took inspiration from the Maine Cottage bunk bed collection for the end panels of the beds, and added furniture feet as finials on each post. It was a fun build, but pretty time intensive as I built both sets at the same time. This was my first major build.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar premium paint+primer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kitchen Lazy Susan

Submitted by bsbdays on Mon, 04/06/2015 - 06:29

This is a sample of what I have done using Ana's plans. Thanks Ana!!! I will be posting my entire kitchen Reno in the near future.

Estimated Cost
Cabinet was $98.00, Lazy Susan was $145.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Green House

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 07/13/2017 - 08:31

I built this amazing green house following your plans!  My wife and I moved our family from the city to an amazing 5 acre homestead out in the country here in Wisconsin. We are super happy that we will be able to keep our new garden going longer!  Thanks so much for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
We spent about $800 for the frame and plastic panels. Then we spent another $250 for the reclaimed barnwood siding. We found the door at a reclamation site for $25.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I followed Ana's plan pretty closely. This was the first building I ever built from scratch. It was a little difficult to get the foundation level. But I figured it out. I used pressure treated 6x6s on top of gravel. I was able to screw the actual walls down to the 6x6s.

I'm actually building a second building from these plans to use as a chicken coop. Once it's done I will post photos.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Entry console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 15:23

I used one by material because I wanted a piece that was less bulky. I also made side tables from the same plan.8 love these, they are exactly what I have been looking for!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Danielle's Shoe Crates

Submitted by zigmommy on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 14:54

We went a little crazy bringing pallets home once I got the idea that we could build something so cool and functional out of only a small amount of new lumber! We've had these about 6 months now and they still look great and serve our family in a very real and functional way! My boys have been WONDERFUL about keeping all their shoes in their crates!

Estimated Cost
About $10 per cart
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Just lots of sanding and Mod Podge to seal the customizations!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Coffee Table - First build!

This was my first build and I loved making it! I wasn't able to make the 60 degree cuts needed for the x's but I hope to be able to add them in the future!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 for lumber, $70 for tools & supplies (Kreg Jig, screws, clamps, stain, etc.)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project