Community Brag Posts

Sandbox

Submitted by megan_m on Tue, 09/18/2012 - 17:38

Thank you Ana for these plans!
This is a wonderful sandbox for toddlers, my kids love it. I build it a couple months ago, and it's gotten quite a bit of use already. So far it's even stood up to them jumping on it when it's closed, which is the only thing I was worried about. ;)
I'm not an experienced builder but i built this in an afternoon with the kids playing around in the yard with me, so this was a great project for me!

I used Minwax Polyshades, a stain and seal in one to finish this project. (I thought that would be a neat idea to skip a step, but I should have known that's usually a bad idea) I noticed that it didn't turn out to be nearly as dark as I expected and though I like how it turned out on this project just as well. I don't think that I'd buy another can when this one is used up.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60-ish
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of Minwax Polyshades in Royal Walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2x4 modified sectional with 1x4 modified corner with build in cooler box

Submitted by TechByDay on Wed, 07/16/2014 - 15:30

I used the 2x4 modified plan to make these, minus the corner section which I took the back off of and converted it to an end table. I also modified that end table to have a "cooler box" in it. We have used this for 2 years and its still as strong as the day it was built, finally got cushions last week and it looks even better. I have had several friend and family ask when I am going to build theirs.

Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Sweet stair gate

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/23/2016 - 16:37

I just pictured what it was supposed to look like and winged it

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Espresso stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Adirondack Chairs. Thanks

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/19/2020 - 16:16

Ana,

Thanks for making the plans available. Was looking for a simple plan and here is it. Needed to replace 4 aging chairs to match a pine table and a bar. Looking forward to another project in the fall. You definitely made a good choice on the pitch of that chairs. Very comfortable.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Spar urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

Vintage Crate

Submitted by stina7186 on Thu, 09/20/2012 - 14:10

This project was a lot of fun for me and my husband. Extremely simple. We bought a 1x12x4 for $6.42 and spent about $3.00 for stencils, the rest we had on hand. We cut the 1x12 into the two 1x12x11.5 (for the sides) and then cut one piece in 1x12x18 (for the bottom) we decided not to cut it into two 1x6s because they would practically be touching each other anyways. We did not put wheels on the bottom either, as it is going on a shelf in our laundry room.

Estimated Cost
$10.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Hunter's Table

This is agreat project to cut your teeth on. Even though this was very roughly put together, the end reult was still furniture-worthy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
MINWAX Golden Oak Wood Finish
Hunter Green Topside Spray Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Lego Kentwood Bed

Submitted by Sb1212 on Wed, 10/26/2016 - 20:29

I am one of Ana's biggest fans. I have been building furniture using Ana's plan for a year in a half now. This is my first time ever posting though. I built this lego themed kentwood bed for my 5 year old son who loves legos. The lego house is built with left over scrap wood I had laying around. I love how it turned out and my son also loves it! Thanks Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My Chair based on Ana's Modern Adirondack Chair

The design plan from the https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/2x4-modern-adirondack-ch… worked out really well and with tiny modifications to the dimensions i was able to build this in a couple of days. All the wood used was discards on a construction site plus a neighbor discarding a dismantled old fence. Added my footstool which was fairly straight-froward as well. My wife made a few cushions at home for it and its super comfy Really happy with the way the whole thing worked out. Thanks Ana

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Benchright Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Huthbert on Mon, 09/24/2012 - 14:49

We made this after making the benchright bench! You can also see the bench in the pictures. Love the table (and bench)! We wrote about the project (step by step) on our blog- http://thehuth.blogspot.com/

Thanks for sharing plans!

Estimated Cost
$162.27
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat- Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
2 coats-Minwax Oil-Based Dark Walnut Wood Stain
4 coats- Minwax Polyurethane (We kept getting bugs stuck in the coat which is why we had to repeat so many times)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse table

My wife and I saw this exact table at restoration hardware for $3000 and I couldn't see spending that on a table. So I decided to take on this project which took about 8-12 hours to complete, building the table and bench was easy, just took a while to sand and stain. When all was said and done I had about $200 wrapped up in it.

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

Easy Console Table

I loved this easy project, and I made it even easier by using a solid pine panel for the top.  I also added a bottom shelf to allow for storage.  Please see my blog post for details on our size customization, cut list and modifications.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum Dark Walnut stain, Valspar Semi-gloss "Bayside"
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Window Banquette Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/17/2024 - 09:56

My husband and I used the plans from Ana White’s Banquette bench with a few minor tweaks. We placed our single freestanding(not mounted to the wall)bench in our Carolina room. I also made bench cushions and pillows to make this a comfy place to watch the birds or the golfers out back. It was an easy and fast project to complete.

My perfect endtable

I built this using a combination of Ana-Whites plans and JenWoodhouse alterations.
I made my tables to fit my sofa so they are only 20" tall.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35 per table
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustomeum Ultimate stain in Kona and S/W Eider White Paint in Semi-gloss.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Larger closet / armoire

Submitted by Mfitz08 on Tue, 07/22/2014 - 20:23

I increased the size of the original pLan per the customers request. 45" wide x 72" high x 22" deep. Had to build it in my garage and the dismantle it and build it again at their house as it wouldn't fit up the stairs all together.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used minwax provincial on the main body- the customer is finishing the trim pieces and putting a coat of flat poly on it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Hailey Platform Bed - Queen

Submitted by sdelmastro on Tue, 11/01/2016 - 14:45

More than happy with how this turned out. Hoping to do the headboard soon after a few orders. Decided to use ash and match a dresser I made. Used pine 1x6s and attached ash 1x6s on the outside for the frame. Used ash for the trim, as well. Assembled with pocket holes and wood glue. Decided to raise the legs 1" and turn then on the lathe. Used 4x4 douglas fir for the legs instead of a 2x4. Attached the legs with carriage bolts. Not shown are plugs to cover the bolts. Finished with a golden oak stain and semi-gloss polyurethane.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Already had the ash.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Golden Oak - Fast dry - 1 Coat
Varathane Polyurethane - Semi Gloss - 3 Coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Platform Bedframe: Teenage Perfection

The second furniture building project I've ever made. It was super fun to make, though I probably spent half my time making sure ever corner was square!

I used 2 x 8's for a bit of extra depth (my daughter has a deep mattress) but other than that I followed the plan, even down to the 6" hairpin legs.

My daughter wanted a really simple headboard so I added a Chevron-style headboard from https://vintagerevivals.com/70-diy-slatted-headboard. As an upcycle, I used the wooden slats from a bedframe we were getting rid of and it worked perfectly.

Fantastic project and happy teen!!

Estimated Cost
$150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Chalked Ultra Mat in Aged Grey

I rubbed it on with a wet rag and used a bit of water to thin it out to create a beachy look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Loft bed with stair

Submitted by tajordan on Tue, 10/02/2012 - 11:59

When my wife told me that our son needed a new bed, I saw that as an opportunity to buy some new tools. After selecting which bed to build from your site, I spent a few hours over the weekend making the loft bed with stairs. Our son loves it! The only thing left to do is decide on a paint color.

Estimated Cost
110
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
N/A
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
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