Community Brag Posts

Wagon

Submitted by gbyrne on Sun, 12/21/2014 - 17:22

Based this wagon on plans found on Ana White's site. I built this for a 2 year old girl of a co-worker. She is right now using it to pull around her dolls.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tv console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/22/2017 - 08:30

Sliding barn door tv console. Created the metal hardware from aluminum i bought from home depot ($80)

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

The Best Floating Shelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2021 - 09:15

These floating shelves were so simple and are so strong! I decided to not attach the tops because you can’t see up there anyways. So will make a good hidden storage spot for small items.

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Pine was stained with minwax Early American and layered with Mineax weathered oak.

kids' lounge bench

Submitted by JennyInGex on Sun, 02/17/2013 - 00:33

My first project besides some simple shelves. I wanted to use old sturdy wood I had from parts of a bed so I used the ana white plan but improvised quite a bit. I also accidentally made it much higher but like it this way. I am going to paint it a deep bright greek blue in the spring. I am happy with it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60 euros
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Industrial Closet System

Submitted by gmwillar on Wed, 12/24/2014 - 07:07

I built this closet system for our basement gym as a Christmas present to my boyfriend.  He loved it!

I stained all of the boards before building as suggested in the plan - it definitely saved a lot of time and stress.  After cutting and staining, and I brought all of the pieces downstairs to build.  

The actual building went relatively quickly, but without perfectly straight boards, the shelves themselves were a little tricky.  I also just nailed the shelf boards down with wood glue rather than screwing them in to save time - it's still sturdy and secure.

The length of the closet is about 8 feet long, so the middle shelf is about 1 foot and the two rod shelves are about 3.5 feet long.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 Canadian
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Golden Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Anna-white.com

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/25/2017 - 18:01

This was pretty easy and inexpensive to make.  I'm going to make the coffee table this weekend, but converting it to a chest with a lift top.  Purchased some cantilever hinges for that on Amazon for about $35.  Will post pics of that once it's done.  Sorry the photos came out sideways....They keep uploading that way even though they are right side up on my iPad......

Estimated Cost
$35 each
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ebony stain with satin clear topcoat. Only one coat of each. Stain wiped on, purdy brush for clear.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Four Dollar Birthday Chair

My wife wanted me to build a chair for our son, who is about to turn 1. The idea is that he'll take pictures with this chair throughout the years. I searched high & low for the perfect chair that my wife would like and found nothing. I don't know why I didn't just come to your page first, I've visited for years. I dressed it up a little using stringers (porch railing) for legs instead of 1x's, and button plugs vs. putty to cover the screws. Just needs paint and its done. The wife loves it!

Estimated Cost
$30-35

Comments

My family loves it and so do I!

Submitted by tonypilot7 on Mon, 02/18/2013 - 18:13

Easy Peasy!

Materials & cost: Framing grade pine and 1x3 furring strips. $110 including finish materials.

I used some of the excess 2 x 6 that I had left over to make the feet square instead of just using 2x4s like in the plans. just cut them to the same length as the 2x4 feet, then butt them up against the 2x4 feet and mount them to the frame.

Also, I made the support beam removable by using face-mount 2x4 joist hangars to hold it instead of bolts.

Total build time = less than one week

Next project will be a custom headboard for it..

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
110 including finish materials
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
( I didn't use any stain on this project!)
.
.
I torched the surface of the pine with a propane burner. Charred the base and feet heavily then brushed off the char with nylon bristle brush. You can't see it in these photos, but it brought out a lot of bronzes and amber in the wood grain. Plus it gave the wood a texture that reminds me of heavily weathered or aged wood.

For the 1 x 3 strips on top, I routed all the edges inside and out, then I used the propane burner, but just scared it a little. I kept the torch moving so that it didn't get too dark. I then coated the whole project with boiled linseed oil (2 coats, wipe on, let soak for 20 minutes, then wipe off. 24 hours between coats, and let dry 72 hours). Then, I used a citrus and beeswax paste wax on top. 2 coats of wax and a lot of buffing later, I like the results.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

American Girl Dollhouse

Submitted by twoeyes on Sun, 12/28/2014 - 01:25

I followed the plan for making the shell of the house, but since I have access to help and the on-post woodshop I made a few changes.  We cut a 2x4 to fit the doorway, and then used the lazer cutter to make the panels, after sanding and painting, I used a necklace bead as the doorknob.  We also cut some 1" square blocks and drilled the center, the used the grinder to round them out to make a holder for the dowl curtain rod.  I also used scrap frame wood for the window/door trim.  Then I covered the entire house in wallpaper!  The outside is a brick wallpaper, the inside is a gray/silver with sparkles, and the ceiling is white with sparkles.  I used cork for the floor so it would be soft and warm feeling.  It took me a long time, but I am very happy with the results.  My daughter was thrilled to recieve this on Christmas morning!  

Estimated Cost
About $400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Wallpaper
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My first project!

Submitted by Triskelle on Sun, 03/26/2017 - 22:20

Built a pair of these for the master bedroom as my first project... Not too bad, very functional, and I was able to use mostly wood I had laying around...

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

Rolling Kitchen Island with tilt trashcan and Holy cutting board

Submitted by MBlack on Thu, 02/21/2013 - 16:27

I saw Ana's tilt trashcan plan and I knew that I had to tackle this bad boy. I didn't want anything stationary because my 1910 kitchen is big but also pushed against the walls. My stove is 7 steps from a counter top so prep is kind of a pain.

I modified Ana's original plan to be taller and even (well, close) with the stove's height for extra counter space. I also wanted a slide out cutting board with a hole so that while I'm chopping my ingredients, I can scoop it into the hole that drops directly into the trash.

I'm a very ambitious girl who doesn't like to be told that I can't do something. This is also my second built....my first is a huge craft supply cabinet made from old barn wood that is lovingly referred to as 'The Outhouse'. My tools are limited to a 7in circular saw, drill, and Kreg Gig. I knew this would be tough but after a few head scratches, I have a pretty cool island.

If you have questions about what I asked, please ask. There are all types of wicked little tricks/fixes in this beast.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum Kona Stain for the frame and an acrylic wash for the sides. You can use those little cheap bottles of acrylic paint. Dip your brush in water then a small dip in paint. Brush it on then treat it like stain. Depending on how much paint is on your brush and the longer you leave the wash on the wood, the more darker and opaque the color becomes. Definetly test before applying to a completed project. The whole thing is coated with 6 coates of matte poly since it's a piece of kitchen furniture.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

nicolepitts

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 08:11

we are about to start building and island based off this plan as well and i love the holy cutting board idea. do you have pictures of that or advice on how to accomplish it? we plan to make it twice the width with two trash cans. ( we have 5 kids= lots of trash!) 

Cassidy Bed - KING

Submitted by hwinger on Tue, 12/30/2014 - 14:51

We made this bed in the king size. DEFINITELY sand each shim prior to gluing it down. It is definitely no fun rolling over in the night and hurting my hand on the rough shims. I would also recommend staining the headboard (the base for the shims) prior to gluing down shims so that any holes between shims blend in with the stain color underneath. We did not and there are a couple spots that you can see the plain wood under the shims. Also, we did what they recommended in the plans to secure the side rails. The bed is not very stable and squeaks. We keep talking about altering it somewhat, but it's so dang heavy that we have been putting it off. One other thing that I wish we had done would have been to sand off the corners of the end of the footboard. We've gotten a few bruises from walking into the ends. It cost more than we expected and it took longer. But overall, we love it and are very happy with it. Just wish we had known now to do some things differently. 

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Made 8 so far for various friends and family!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/28/2017 - 18:27

changed the dimensions some but thanks for the inspirations!  

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Acrylic craft paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My built in bookcase based on the Extra Wide Console Bookcase

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/06/2021 - 14:48

I used the Extra Wide Console Bookcase plans as inspiration for my built in bookcase. I made the top width 75" with the base width at 72" to fit snuggly in the little nook in my foyer. I didn't put a back on it since I attached it to the wall. I did anchor it with several screws to both columns. Also, instead of using the small additional piece on the top, I used an 1x8 and a 1x6 to make the top. I used my Kreg jig to attach the two board together along with some wood glue.

Very tickled with the results. Once the paint is good and dry, my photos, key bowl, and coin jar along with lots of books will be put on it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I had left over paint, spent about $110 for the kiln dried pine wood and mouldings.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White enamel paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Laundry Room Redo

I needed a new laundry system, and thank goodness I found Ana White's projects on Pinterest! I incorporated the laundry sorter and added casters to the bottom as well as a paper towel roll on the side since it is next to the sink. I also used a modified version of the washer/dryer platform into my space. It does not have the bottom platform and the 4x4's are inside the 2x4's and attached to the platform as well as the 2x4's. Sterilite makes organizer drawers that fit exactly in the opening of under the platform. And, voila! New colors, new organization, new light bulbs :0), new laundry room!

Estimated Cost
$170
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar from Lowe's
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Entry closet organizer

This was my first project using Ana's plans. It's a combination between the smiling mudroom and the shoe shrine altered to fit sneakers and boots. I was very happy with how it turned out and couldn't wait to get on with my second project which was the planked sideboard. We were doing renos at the time and I was able to build the closet organizer before enclosing the closet. That thing is never moving.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded,painted,sanded,painted,sanded and topped it with minwax paste wax. The paint is Sherwin Williams "Tidewater" eg-shel.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ridge Media Console

Submitted by Kingspiper on Fri, 03/31/2017 - 12:25

Made media center for new TV / speaker from Jen Woodhouse design I found on Ana White.  Turned out well. Changed some aspects to fit my situation.  I changed some of the joinery, and used a 12 inch piece of pine on the back to allow for stability and ample space for cord management. I used three hinges due to weight of the front and put some corner cushions for grandson's sake (toddler).  Most items bought at local home improvement store but index card holders bought on ebay for very reasonable price.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Wood / hinges and accoutrements around 150.00 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax pre-stain / Varathane Light Walnut stain / Varathane satin Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Large Rustic X Bench

Here it is. Our first building project (not attached to a wall) that we used plans for:) I am so happy with the way it turned out. We had been looking for a bench for months. I was thinking that I would find something I like, refinish it and then upholster the top. But then I came across this post from a wonderful blog (that I will be using TONS more ideas from) and knew that this was going to be our bench:) I am happy to say that I think I have finally found a hobby that we can ALL get use to:) The kids have fun, we have fun...and we actually walk away with a finished piece! Love that!

Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax stain in Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

American Girl Doll sized Kitchen

I bought my daughter an American Girl doll for Christmas and was very excited to make a few items to go with her. My first project was a kitchen with a sink and a stove. I plan to make her a fridge too, but haven’t had time yet. I looked around online at plans for a child’s play kitchen and kinda got ideas for the doll kitchen.  Most of my inspiration came from this play kitchen from Ana White.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Sat, 01/03/2015 - 18:11

This is completely adorable! Love all the creative touches you described in your blog link. What kind of knobs did you use on the stove?

ILoveDIYing

Sun, 01/04/2015 - 12:06

Thank you so much! The knobs are wooden wheels from Hobby Lobby. Then I hot glued a dowel cap over the screw. Not sure how durable the caps will be, but I guess I can just glue them back on if they fall off. It looks cute, but that's the one part I wish I had put a little more though into. I made a farmhouse doll bed from Ana's plans too. I'll be posting that when I have time.