Community Brag Posts

Produce Stand

I really enjoyed this project!  It was very easy and inexpensive.  I used Weathered Oak stain to make the pine look aged.  I also countersunk all of the screws and used oak button dowels to give it a finished look.  I learned how to create the wording and images through YouTube.  Search: how to transfer an inkjet photo to wood.  Cool trick.

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Debbie742

Tue, 12/01/2015 - 04:50

My sister in law would like one of these and I'm wondering what angle cut you used for your support boards?  I like the idea of going corner to corner vs trying to get each one centered and not making a mistake. I'm also wondering about spacing and if you kept the measurements the same as "Over The Big Moon" ?  Thanks so much!!!

 

Debora Cadene

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

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

Modified Ten Dollar Floating Ledges

Submitted by Radcrafter on Thu, 04/16/2015 - 22:33

I love these shelves.  So simple to build and still make a big impact.  I built mine just a little different from the plan.  I used 1x3 furring strips for the bottom and back pieces instead of 1x4's and then ripped a 1" strip from another 1x3 for each shelf to create the front trim piece instead of a 1x2.  The shorter front trim piece gives me just enough ledge to keep the frames from slipping off the ledge, but provides maxium display area for the art work.  

For three shelves just like these you need:

  • 7 -  1 x 3 x 8' furring strips 
  • Special Walnut Stain from Minwax
  • Satin Poly for finish (I also used Minwax for this too)

They were assembled using 2" fiinishing nails and lots of wood glue.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20-30 approx for 3 shelves
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut Stain, Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Becca Trunk

Submitted by DMax2010 on Sat, 04/25/2015 - 17:44

Love this trunk! It was my first attempt at moulding and I probably should have practiced on scrap wood first (recommend)! But it turned out great and one of my favorite pieces (because it's filled with toys).

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Not sure, I purchased the purebond plywood and the moulding but pretty much had the rest already
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Body of trunk:
Minwax Express Color in Walnut (base)
Behr Premium Plus Flat in Juniper Ash
Rustoleum Soft Touch Matte Poly

Top:
Minwax Express Color in Walnut
Rustoleum Soft Touch Matte Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kids Country Bench Modified: First Build

Submitted by EllenFitz on Sun, 03/13/2011 - 19:20

My husband and I put this together to fit a spot that was just slightly off of what standard furniture would accomodate. Looking for something simple as a first build, we went with the Kids Country Bench and made some changes along the way.
We made 3 cubbies on the bottom shelf for extra storage and a little extra stability, since our boards were more bowed than we preferred. We also removed the front and back aprons. In the front we just attached a 1x2 that we ripped into a 1x1 as a trim piece. In the back, we centered a 1x2 to give a slight lip in the back.
I don't have a jigsaw, so we used my FIL's Scroll Saw. That was interesting ... but the sides turned out ok. Not perfect, but ok.
I was hoping to finish this with a high gloss product, but since the boards we ended up with more 'rustic' than I anticipated, I decided to embrace that and go with a distressed finish. I used a spray primer, and then one coat of Sherwin Williams yellow, covered with a dry brush of Sherwin Williams blue. I then sanded the corners and edges and finished with a spray top coat.
We had lots of fun, although it took us a long time. We were only working in small shifts, in between naps. If we had managed to get, say, 3 straight hours to build, I think we could have finished in in that time period.
This was a great starter project, and it's nice to know that we can make MINOR modifications to a plan and not have it fall apart on us :)
Thanks for the inspiration Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Distressed/Dry Brush paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kitchen Island, Trash Can Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 11/11/2021 - 21:46

I absolutely love this kitchen island/trash storage/prep station. I had so much fun building this with my father in law who is a professional carpenter. I had built several other projects, but with this project and his help, I feel that I can finally say I am an "advanced" builder :)

I had so much fun with this, and I can't believe how it turned out.

Comments

Y Truss Round Table

Submitted by Gcomfort on Tue, 05/26/2015 - 05:33

Using the "Y Truss Round Table" plans, I created a 48" table with metal accents.

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

Comments

Gcomfort

Fri, 06/05/2015 - 08:11

The table top is 1.5 inches thick made up of 2 layers of 3/4 inch think plywood. The top layer of the table top is hickory plywood (the top and bottom layers of the plywood are hickory). The base layer of the table top is 3/4 inch general plywood from Home Depot.

Thanks, again.

bcolligen

Sat, 09/19/2015 - 11:18

I actually looked at the hardware stores for something similar before you answered by comment.  I wasn't able to find anything that I thought would work.  Do you remember what the aluminum is used for in other jobs?  Or what area you found it in?  

A family member suggested using the metal stips that hold down the end of carpet, but it's not long enough for the table.

Thank you!

Modish Adirondack Chair

Submitted by imatt86 on Sun, 04/17/2011 - 09:07

I built this in an afternoon and painted the next day. It was quite fun. BIG TIP!!! Paint BEFORE you build!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer + Paint all in one
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

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

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?

Printmaker Sideboard

I purchased the Restoration Hardware Printmaker Sideboard but unfortunately we had issues with the delivered product so returned it. We then came across your plans online and my husband decided to build it for me instead. Our sideboard is all simple pine from Lowes, basic drawer slides and antique brass handles from Lee Valley. My husband adjusted Anna's plans and created 12 drawers more like the Restoration Hardware piece as we really like drawers for storage. We built it over about 5 weekends. It was a very ambitious project for our first but my husband was truly the brains and Braun of the process.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Light sanding (wanted a rough finish), 80 grit then 120 grit, only enough to smooth splinters etc.
1 coat Old Masters Provincial Gel Stain applied with sponge brush
Saman Dead Flat Clearcoat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

dmcarwin

Mon, 07/15/2013 - 10:45

I am super impressed!! Way to go! I have always love this piece!

MWarder

Wed, 10/02/2013 - 14:43

LOVE LOVE LOVE this console! You did an amazing job! I'm going to have my husband help build us something similar. Wondering what size antique brass handles you used? Thanks:)

Storage console designed by a 5 year old

Last year I built a "Cara Storage Console" and matching bookcase for my 12 year old granddaughter. Her 5 year old sister decided she needed one too, but a little bigger so she could store all her "ponies" on it. She and her mother planned it all out over a period of a few weeks and what ended up being built was 5' wide and 7'3" tall. It is 20" deep. Anna's plan was scaled up a bit and then had to be broken down in to two sections, upper and lower, so it could be brought in to the house. The sides and shelves are all 1x12 pine boards put together with glue and Kreg screws. The back took most of 2 sheets of 1/4" plywood. 1x2's were added for support under the front and back of the shelves.

Fortunately her other grandmother is really good at painting, so it was given a couple coats of semigloss pink along with pink heart wall paper. The grandbaby and her little brother started loading it up before Granny could even finish the sides.

The good part is that all her toys will fit on these shelves. The bad part is she won't pick up all her toys and put them on these shelves.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Semigloss paint, pink. Pink heart wall paper.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Fancy X Farmhouse Table and Benches

I LOVE my new patio table and benches. They came out great, and I hope they hold up for several years with the waterproofing stain I used.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Waterproofing Stain in semitransparent Navajo White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cedar Boxes

Submitted by drowland on Sat, 07/09/2011 - 07:18

We built these before we saw these plans, but they are pretty much the same... We added the chicken wire to keep the rabbits (and our dog) out of the garden. We added the owl to keep the birds out. We've gotten a ton of tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers so far. Next year, we'll add a few more beds. We also added the verticle garden to take up less space, but its not deep enough. We'll make the next one deeper.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

KatieO (not verified)

Sat, 07/09/2011 - 20:11

Wow! LOVE IT! I love the taller posts so you can incorporate the chicken wire! I SOOOO needed to do something like that this year. Also, the vertical garden boxes are BRILLIANT! LOVE IT!

drowland

Thu, 11/17/2011 - 07:59

We ended up getting a ton of tomoatoes and green peppers from the garden boxes. We've actually built a couple more. We'll probably double again before next spring. We're looking at adding more veggies.

We now have ton of stuff planted for the fall...

Guest (not verified)

Tue, 03/13/2012 - 10:46

How did you build the upright planter boxes? Do you mind explaining the building process/design? I really want to plant this in my yard!

colton's mom (not verified)

Tue, 04/03/2012 - 06:19

i love the vertical boxes. I am just trying my hand at the world with a green thumb and could use as much advice as possible about how to make as well as to line the boxes or not to line them. All advice appreciated!

berman (not verified)

Fri, 11/23/2012 - 21:53

Hi, my name is berman. I found you pin from my pinterest and your box garden is so great. I am a newbie in this field and so interested to build garden in my house. If i can ask you some question, could you please to answer that?

cheers,
berman

Seasonal And Holiday

Double Inset Bookshelf Doors

Submitted by dholubar on Wed, 08/21/2013 - 07:08

You made this project look so simple that I just had to try it. However, to suit my needs I had to make a few alterations to the plans. I had a set of bi-fold doors that were in need of replacement and I thought inset bookshelf doors would be the perfect way to replace them. This project was easy enough for me to do it myself and I am really new to the DIY game but I did have some help. I really love the way they turned out. You can read all about my my adventure at http://heresalittletmi.blogspot.com/2013/08/bookshelf-doors.html

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120.00
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Best Lounger Ever

Submitted by teeninyg on Sun, 08/21/2011 - 13:37

This was my second project from the site. I wanted somewhere to read my book on the back deck. This chair is perfect. When I get tired of reading I can lay it down and take a nap. It is very sturdy and easy to put together. I do recommend using pocket holes to assemble it. I found it much easier.

Estimated Cost
$70.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded the seat and sides of the chair. Then stained it with oak and finished it with polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack chair

Submitted by takahler on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 10:53

My fiance and I built 2 of these chairs. He took one to his house and one is at my house...for now. Picked up 2 cushions at Walmart on Clearance. I sit in it quite often. Great plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut and polyurethane (2-3 coats)

We stained the boards before putting the chair together. It takes a lot longer to build this way, but maybe it is easier in the long run.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner