Community Brag Posts

Balin Console Table

Submitted by cmfergy on Mon, 01/26/2015 - 12:18

I just built this table over the weekend. I started building this on a Saturday afternoon and finished it on Sunday afternoon. On Monday I put a coat of Minwax Honey on it. On Tuesday, I put a second coat of stain on it. On Thursday, I put a coat of semi-gloss poly on it and on Friday, I put a second coat of poly on it. All in all, I'd say I put in about 15 - 20 hours on it. Well worth the time and effort and cash savings!

I used a Kreg pocket-hole jig instead of nails which caused me to have to think a little bit about where and how I wanted to join the wood together.  I also spent a little more on some nice wood (pine) as this was going in our front living room and I wanted it to look as nice as possible.

This is really only the second piece of furniture I've ever built. I built a beam mantle last month just in time for Christmas. I think both of them turned out really nice!  Let me know if you have any questions.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Honey Stain (2 coats)
Minwax Semi-Gloss Poly (2 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Barn Door Vanity

I previously made a table console with an open bottom for a friend. I thought I’d try this with a hanging cabinet in our guest bath. The mini barn door hardware I purchased from Amazon, but the shortest track I could find was 30.” So I had to chop down to 24” the cabinet's width. I definitely enjoyed making this and can see where I can improve productivity next time. This thing was heavy!

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White cabinet paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modified Michaela's Kitchen Island

Submitted by PeteMooren on Tue, 03/19/2013 - 20:22

Thank you Ana for such a great and easy plan. We are very happy with the finished product.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut stain and antique white paint followed by polycrylic. Used butcher block wood conditioner for the table top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

my girls love it!

Submitted by jennv81 on Fri, 01/30/2015 - 21:36

This was a labor of love, but so worth it when completed! My girls love it, I love all the storage!

Estimated Cost
$800
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Gloss latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic x console table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/29/2017 - 13:30

I love this plan!

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

Outdoor sofa 72” long

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/14/2021 - 17:38

Very easy build, and so comfortable. I love it! Thanks for the plans Ana

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by lmaynard on Fri, 03/22/2013 - 12:37

My husband and I fell in love with this table when we found the plan on Ana White. He did the building, I did the staining and painting. We built the matching bench and found the chairs on Craig's List. It was perfect for our outdoor space.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kendal Dresser - upgraded

Submitted by Mobrien07 on Tue, 02/03/2015 - 15:59

I added front drawer trim & a walnut stained top to this already great design  

 

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut
Varathane clear coat
Sherwin Williams high gloss white
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kmom721

Sat, 06/22/2019 - 08:44

It looks like they just bought some moulding and attached it

 

Cedar Planter Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/02/2017 - 09:52

Great, simple plans and exactly what we needed for a planter box.  A great use for scrap lumber or leftover lumber.  The finished size is very practical.  This is our second Ana White project.  Garage shelving project was as simple and successful.  

Estimated Cost
Made from mostly leftover lumber. Minimal costs.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain & Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modified 2X4 Truss Style Farm Bench

Submitted by Bigherd on Wed, 04/21/2021 - 05:13

I had a customer that like the 2x4 truss style farm bench but wanted one only 30" long to be used as an entry way bench. Sine this bench is 18" shorter than the 48" bench i caused the truss to be at a very steep angle. It did not look good so the I deleted the truss from this 30" wide bench. The customer was very happy how it turned out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Finish Used
primer, paint, stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My First Project - 6 Cube Bookshelf

Submitted by katiemakes on Tue, 03/26/2013 - 02:10

I desperately needed some storage in my workroom and finally decided to make this! It's from the 6 Cube Bookshelf plan and it works perfectly in this space I've got in my workroom.
I would've rather used real wood throughout, but this is my first proper project and to keep the cost down I used MDF for the main boards (all cut to size by my local B&Q, yay!) and planed whitewood 1x2s.
I definitely learnt a lot on this project, but most of the mistakes are hidden under the paint :-) and in the end I'm really pleased.
I wanted an off-white finish and, after a baffling time in the paint aisle, chose a very pale grey, it sits in the room perfectly! I'm hoping to make some fabric boxes for it, but not sure what colours I want yet.
Now for the next project...

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
£70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
'Grey Tint' (from Homebase) matt emulsion over white primer, with matt clear water-based varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

katiemakes

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 15:07

Thank you :) the fabric problem is made worse because I work in a fabric shop, so just have way too much choice!

Simple Wood Slab Coffee Table

Submitted by MOX13 on Fri, 02/06/2015 - 10:37

This was my first solo wood project I have done without my dad, now that I have moved across the country. It was a great intro to woodworking, and I definitely learned a TON. I did this with a generic "tool set" I got for christmas a few years ago, all battery powered.

Note to other beginners:

- Circular saws that are battery powered may not have the juice to cut through those 2x8's, which led me to have some uneven cuts. 

- Careful with the wood glue. If it leaks out between the boards it can be a B**** to clean up and will cause some issues with staining down the road. 

Long story short: Love this project, super happy with the turnout even with some imperfections! Has me bit by the DIY/Woodworking bug! 

 

Estimated Cost
Wood - $50-60
With extra supplies I needed to get besides drill/circular saw: $120ish
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean - Two coats separated by 24 hours (was cold in the garage ~15 degrees outside) so gave it plenty of drying time.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Beautiful table!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/05/2017 - 10:29

These plans were very easy to follow and the end result is beautiful. Thank you so much!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona stain with matte poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Red Hen Home's Gray Providence Bench

Providence Bench with a top made of three 2x6's rather than 2x4's. Tried to get it to stain gray, but had BAD luck with stain, so it has a multi-layered painted finish.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Sunbleached stain was a major FAIL!
Ended up dry-brushing on white and gray paint, and glazing with Minwax Ebony stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

LisaMarie

Thu, 03/28/2013 - 22:05

I love this-I need to make one for my entryway. You did a great job on the dry brushing.

Twin Beds

Farmhouse twin bed with trundle made of yellow pine with a dark stain.

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

Living room bookshelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/06/2021 - 06:27

We ordered 2 custom bookshelves using the configurator. Each is 48" x 72" and 11.5 in deep. We primed and painted the pieces first, then assembled using pocket screws. A little touch up required. We attached a back of 1/4 in plywood for a cleaner look, and attached to wall, added baseboard trim. Attached a small facing piece to top edge only. We love them!

Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Lightly sanded, applied Shellac primer, lightly sanded any rough spots, then applied 2 coats of white trim paint. We painted the pieces first, then assembled.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Beautiful Headboard

Submitted by EmilyE on Sun, 03/31/2013 - 10:05

This was my first project from this site, and I couldn't be happier with it! It was easy and fun. I didn't have ANY supplies outside of a hammer, so my cost was a little higher since I had to purchase everything - nails, wood conditioner, stain, polyurethane, sand paper, etc.

Overall, very happy with how it turned out!

Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Children's Bunk Bed

Over a year ago my wife Rebecca and I decided that our two oldest children would love to have bunk beds.  They are close in age and already share many toys, so sharing a room made sense.  Plus we had to make room for our third child that was on his way!

We searched for bunk beds and found that those within our budget were made of low quality plywood.  We were concerned about the safety of potential bunk beds and whether they could withstand our boys’ roughness.  Quality bunk beds, on the other hand, were easily above a thousand dollars which was way beyond our budget.  We were pretty bummed that we could not find our kids a suitable bunk bed within our expectations.

Then Rebecca suggested: “You could build them one.”

Hmmmmmm.  It was an interesting statement from my wife, perhaps even a challenge.  A challenge that I immediately immersed myself into.  Mission accepted!

What I did differently:

  • Added extra posts for a sturdier bunk bed.
  • Bunk bed is longer to fit twin mattresses, height increased.
  • Added rail slats and trim.
  • Added LED lights.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Approx $500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-oleum Light Walnut = 3 coats, Polyurethane Satin Interior = 3 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic X Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/12/2017 - 17:11

I built this table for my sister-in-law's townhome. I also put the stone on the fireplace.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Homemade with 0000 steel wool and vinegar
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Dan Dodd on Fri, 05/14/2021 - 06:37

Here is one of the coffee tables I built for a customer. Honey Stain, gloss polyurethane. Took about 4 hours total. Fun build

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Honey Stain, gloss poly, white gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments