Community Brag Posts

Storage Bed

We used the plans for a six drawer storage bed to build this with a custom headboard and footboard. We used plywood to build these boxes but have since switched to using MDF. We use a pine laminate for the drawer faces.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Custom mix
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

leftysgirl

Sat, 09/26/2020 - 05:51

I absolutely love this style. I am trying to figure out your modifications.
What size pine planks are those for the foot and head board? 6”?

Thanks!

Floating Shelves... Simply Fantastic and Easy...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/27/2021 - 19:48

Utilized your idea... First ever woodworking project. My wife is super excited these shelves came out superb. She is excited to see what I have planned next. Thank you.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Our new pantry

We bought a vacation home that has such a small kitchen. I knew we needed more storage. So I checked out Ana's plans and made this bad boy based on the Simplest Armoire plans.

The home is in the mountain/lakes area of northern New Hampshire, so I wanted to bring the outside colors in. I used Valspar Cabin Red paint and the Valspar Antiquing glaze over the top after distressing it a bit.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 +
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Cabin Red paint
Valspar Antiquing glaze
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sideboard Table

Submitted by HeyManMan on Thu, 06/25/2015 - 22:21

So many great plans on this website! I am constantly looking to Ana's website for inspiration for my next project around the house. The inspiration for this piece was that we needed something to fit an odd space in our home. Looking through the site we found the perfect fit. We based our design off Ana's planked wood sideboard table with a few minor changes. First since we wanted to do a two-tone finish, so I added an additional piece to the top of the face frame to keep the look symmetrical. I also used two 2x10's for the table top instead of what the plan called for and beadboard for the inset panel in the doors and sides. I decided to use tongue and groove construction for the sides of the table and for the doors. A technique for building inset doors that has worked for me is to build the doors to the exact size of your door opening and use the table saw to trim the tops and sides to fit as needed. This way I am to achieve a very uniform fit that can be difficult to obtain otherwise (unless you are a pro, which I am not!) I finished the inside of the sideboard table with satin polyurethane, the exterior base and doors with sprayed high gloss paint. The top was finished with min-wax ebony and 3 coats semi gloss polyurethane. Everyone in the family was very happy with how this turned out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
2 coats paint, 2 coats stain, 3 coats brushed polyurethane (light sanding between coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

X coffee table!

Submitted by Bcasteen on Sun, 01/14/2018 - 16:10

My hunny made this, love how it turned out! I couldn’t find one that I liked so he made this for me.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/31/2021 - 07:03

I used some of the measurements that I found on your site and downsized them to fit my needs. The table was a wedding gift for my granddaughter. She and her new husband were very pleased. Thanks for your help.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Picture Frame

Submitted by karahart on Wed, 05/11/2011 - 09:22

This was my first try at making a picture frame. I've used this same principle to make single framed picture frames numerous times since then. Thanks Ana! Such an easy build!

Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I used minwax's water based stain in red.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Island for our Modular Bar

Submitted by SaraLodise on Mon, 07/08/2013 - 05:37

Second Project! Although the storage capacity of the Modular Bar is awesome, we needed a good workspace for pouring the drinks :)
I modified the "Simple Kitchen Island" plan a little:
1) Instead of using a 2'x4' project panel for the tabletop, I used the jig to put together two 1x12s, this made it a little bit narrower, but since I was staining I prefered the look of the edges of solid oak.
2) I didn't need the storage of the bottom shelf (and the dogs would get in anything I put there), however I knew people may put their feet on the bottom rails so I beefed them up to 1x4s instead of 1x2s and added a middle beam to stabilize them some.
3) I increased the total height some so we can pull the island up to our current 36" high dining room table to accomodated two extra people.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Oak Boards: $130 Finish: $15 (was able to use some scrap from Mod Bar)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Gel Stain in Aged Oak (1 coat) + 3 coats of Miniwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jenna Boone

Tue, 11/12/2013 - 16:41

It looks like it came out really nice. I have been looking for a bar plan and I think this is what I needed to see. You did a great job.

Country Table

Submitted by Jon Keck on Mon, 06/29/2015 - 19:07

Country Table - dark walnut stain and satin polyurethane coat.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark walnut and clear satin polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

King size storage bed...

I saw your design for the queen and made the king for my wife. As you can see the mattress we have is not long enough because they are two small twins next to each other. We need a new mattress but it’s not in the budget yet. 

 

I also made some floating night stands of my own design to match so the drawers would still be able to open on the sides. 

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

Book Shelf

Submitted by ivyfamily5 on Mon, 01/03/2022 - 16:21

I used the Kentwood bookshelf plans and tweaked it to fit the space. My daughter loves it and is working on organizing her room. She is looking for the perfect mirror to put in the biggest shelf, and an earring jewelry box

Comments

Our pallet shelf

This was the easiest project EVER! And I love the look! The wall space I have for it wasn't long enough to accommodate the width of the whole pallet, so I cut it right after the center brace. Used another piece of the pallet for the bottom. Did a little sanding around the edges so it wasn't rough. That's it! Just wanted a shelf for a few bottles of wine and a cookbook. Voila!

Estimated Cost
zero
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
No finishing required here as I loved the patina of the pallet.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Reclaimed shelving

Submitted by Bksmith on Tue, 07/09/2013 - 09:10

This is my first hand made project using reclaimed wood. I always liked the look of the wood and black gas pipe together.
Hope you enjoy it

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

Comments

yurra-bazain

Tue, 07/09/2013 - 10:47

I love how you mixed reclaimed wood and black pipes, something I haven't even considered when building furniture yet. :)

First time project

Submitted by keahunter on Sat, 07/04/2015 - 03:17

This was my first attempt at making anything. Thank you to Ana for providing such easy plans and the encouragement to try something. I think I'm hooked!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Rustic end table pet kennel

I was able to take the end table plan and modify it slightly to accommodate the kennal. I added the detail to the sides using a couple 2x2. The for door and rear I made a frame and then cut down some wire shelving. I think it turned out quite nice. Now the dog has a good place to sleep and I don’t have to have an ugly kennal in my great room. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Antique white chalk paint and a mix of about 4 stains for the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Easy DIY Garage Workbench with modifications

Submitted by kimsteps on Thu, 01/13/2022 - 14:30

My fabulous husband bought me an awesome new miter saw for Christmas, and it is way too heavy to lug around! So my first project with the new saw was a workbench to mount it on! I added wheels so it can roll anywhere. I'm also very short and wanted to store a very tall shop vac on the lower shelf so I made modifications to accommodate that. I also made it 30" x 36" to make it just the right size for my saw. I will be using this piece as the center of other work tables I will build in the future!

Comments

Parson Tower Desk

Submitted by millpherd on Tue, 05/17/2011 - 11:25

I made a few modifications to the plans, but the overall simplistic design was what I was after. Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint with thick polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

X Frame nightstand

Used the simple nightstand from this site, and modified to add in the "X" on the sides. Finished in a Classic gray minwax to give reclaimed wood look.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Classic Grey minwax, rustoleum poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Barbara Thomas

Thu, 07/11/2013 - 19:32

Can you please post how you did this. I'm going to make my first project this weekend and I would like it to be this. I know it's based off the simple nightstand but can you give the details on the alters especially how to make the x? Thank you

thefarmerswife

Sat, 02/04/2017 - 13:39

Did she ever post her plans? If so, I can't find them! I prefer this design to Ana White's original, but I don't trust myself enough to try and wing it and make it look like hers. Did you end up making something similar?

thewoodbuilder

Fri, 07/12/2013 - 08:39

Thanks guy's! :0) The only modification from the original nightstand was adding the x. I do my x's different from the the other rustic x way. I will take some pics of how I do it today.

thewoodbuilder

Fri, 07/12/2013 - 08:39

Thanks guy's! :0) The only modification from the original nightstand was adding the x. I do my x's different from the the other rustic x way. I will take some pics of how I do it today.

ShannonEmily93

Sun, 07/24/2016 - 12:38

I am very interested in building these nightstandss, could you post the plans, or where would I be able to locate the plans? Thank you!

Oohlaladesigns

Tue, 08/23/2016 - 05:30

Your nightstands are beautiful and I am working on creating my own! Did you keep with the original plans and use the 1x2 and 1x3's for the legs? Yours look thinner. Did you use 1x2's for the X sides?

Owen's bench

Submitted by scuba4fun1 on Tue, 07/07/2015 - 06:19

I made this for my grandnephew and it was really easy to build. I put it together first using a power brad nailer and then went back and screwed it all together for extra strength. The cut/build took just a few hours. The painting took several hours since I didn't prepaint and had to tape off where the colors were different (lesson learned for next time).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Approx $100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior Enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tiny house MIL unit

Ever since I saw the "wild rose" I knew it was the one I would build for my mom. I wanted a tiny house she would not have to climb a loft for her bedroom and still fit everything she would need. This is a brilliant layout! Many family, friends, and strangers donated money, time, appliances, and windows to get this house built. My husband and I have been finishing it up ourselves with some professional help in between since September and just put the appliances in today. Tomorrow the sink and counter-it's really happening, pinch me I'm dreaming! Thank you Ana & family, I can't imagine what kind of house my mom would have ended up with without your help. This was a really easy and fun build. Thank you so much!

Estimated Cost
20K
5 months
Finish Used
outside will be painted with stian. Inside we mixed a stain of red mahogany and early american to match the windows
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced