Community Brag Posts

Art Cable, A Variation of the Art Rail

We loved the Art Rail idea but also the idea of doing an art cable. We already had alot of the cable supplies at home, so that idea won. The Ana's Art Rail and Pottery Barn's Art Cable was our inspiration idea for doing the cable.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
less than $15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor patio table

Just a simple, but solid and stable patio table to replace the IKEA version that was warping and disintegrating. So much happier with this version. Also used bolts and wing nuts for attaching the legs for easy disassembly and storage for the winter. Should get many years out of this table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Opaque stain and polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

uijoonbug

Tue, 07/10/2018 - 16:57

I'd be interested in learning more about where and how you used these so that the table breaks down for storage.  Did you do the same with the chairs as well?  How well did it work for storage?  We don't need to break them down to store them but are a military family and it makes moving easier if we can break things down to take up less space.  

Pam's Bench

Submitted by CSaintD on Tue, 10/06/2015 - 10:41

#formeremortals   #anawhite  
A bench I built for my sister as a birthday present.  I used whitewood for the painted parts and some left over knotty alder for the top and cross supports.  The alder was from a kitchen rehab and I have been holding on to that wood for ages. :)  The hardest part was the cross supports - figuring out the angle was a bear!   Thanks for the plans Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I had the top wood saved from a kitchen rehab and the white wood was left over from other projects so no cost to me. But I estimate if you had to buy everything it would be around $25.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
The Alder was pre-finished from kitchen cabinets and I painted the whitewood with a sample I had from lowes.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor deck furniture

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/22/2018 - 09:04

Thanks Ana for the great, easy plans!

Note: I used an exterior deck paint to paint this furniture. Although it has a rough texture, it doesn't bother us because of the cushions. Very easy to spray off, and has been through two seasons with no chipping or discoloration. Yay for less refinishing time and effort!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Outdoor deck paint from Home Depot
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cedar deck box

Submitted by JMG on Wed, 07/06/2022 - 19:47

I had to modify these plans to use what I had on hand. I used left over cedar fence pickets (planed down and sealed) and adjusted the size to fit all my outdoor cushions. Overall dimensions are 49" wide x 28" deep x 26" high. I also used 2x4's instead of 2x2's because that is what I had in my shop. I added 1x3's around the top to fit snugly instead of using hinges (again trying to use what I had on hand). We get A LOT of rain in the summer so hopefully the cushions will stay dry. I also added some screen left over from the screened in porch to the bottom before adding the "floor" to keep bugs out. I just stapled it to the frame before adding the floor boards. I did add a piece of treated 1/4" plywood under the top in hopes of keeping the rain out.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

My first brag - numbered cubby

Submitted by baklund on Sat, 07/30/2011 - 13:56

I'm working on a few projects I have half finished, but when I saw this one the other day on Ana's site I could not wait to do it and post my first brag. It's not perfect, my spacing is a little off because I didn't double check my 4" spacer board (it was only 3 3/4!), but I still like it and will put it up in my son's room. I tried to use the 1 x 2 and 1 x 3 furring strips like Ana used but the spacing didn't look right so I made it totally out of 1 x 3 strips. I used a nail gun and miter saw - was much faster then doing by hand.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Black spray paint with white spray paint over the top and then sanded to show wear. Numbers are colored in with a sharpy (could not find my paint!)and distressed
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

farmhouse table and bench!

Submitted by maryday on Mon, 08/26/2013 - 09:37

My boyfriend and I built the farmhouse table and bench in one weekend. We are SO happy with the way it came out, thanks to Ana White for her plans!!

Estimated Cost
$90 for Lumber, $60 for Supplies
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax - Provincial, 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kentwood Sofa Table - Rendition

Wanted to build a nice sofa table to go underneed the large canvas behind my couch.  I wanted something more simple and robust to suit my taste, but also wanted to be able to give it a nice rustic look to to suit what my wife wanted.  The kentwood bookshelf fit the bill perfectly.

Estimated Cost
General finishes Orange Dye Stain - $26 pint
General Finishes Brown Mahogany Dye Stain - $26 pint
General Finishes High performance Polyurethane Satin - $32 quart
General Finishes High performance Polyurethane Matte - $32 quart
Kilz Premium Primer - $21 gallon
Bher Premium Plus Ultra Flat Enamel Pain - $30 gallon
1x12x8 common board - $20
1x6 poplar - $2.55 per foot

I would say your total for this project would be around 300 bucks, but it can be done a lot cheaper. Using cheaper products like Minwax stains and Varathane Polyurethane. You can also use common board through out and just paint the whole thing. A lot of the items I used this project I already had laying around the house. All in all I maybe spent 60 bucks for the stuff I didnt already have.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General finishes Orange And Brown Mahogany Waterbased Dye Stain
General Finishes High Performance Polyurethane. Satin for top and Matte for the base
Kilz Premium Primer
Bher Premium Plus Ultra Flat Enamel paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

High chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/28/2018 - 21:34

Thanks so much for the plans. Built it for my visiting nephew. Had a hard time with wood splitting, definitely predrill once you have the pocket holes lined up. I finished with food grade mineral oil, may go over it with beeswax.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Mineral oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fire Wood Shed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 07/17/2022 - 16:14

This is smaller version of Ana’s Firewood shed. We just need to load it with wood! It’s about 4 feet long, 2ft wide, and 5.5ft high. I so appreciate all the great plans available to the public! Thanks.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Twin Farmhouse Bed

Doll Bed...check
Toddler Bed....check
Twin Bed...check!

The only modifications I made to this bed was in how the side rails and slats were put together. I built this bed as a custom order so it needed to be portable and easy to disassemble. With another twin bed as my guide I constructed the side rails with a 2x8 with a 2x2 to support the slats. I used some long screws with the star pattern (yeah whats that called?) to attach the side rails from the outside of the headboard/footboard legs. For the slats, I drilled a hole about 2" from each end and inserted in small wooden dowel, then lined up my slats, making sure one was on the other side of each dowel. Then I used some strips on canvas fabric 2" wide and staple gunned it down each side to attach the slats. Then when you take it all apart you can just roll up your slats. Sorry should have taken more detailed photos of that....

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
about $20. I only had to buy the wood for the rails, everything else was free/reclaimed
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

rassyberries

Tue, 09/27/2011 - 09:05

Do you think I could do this same thing if I didn't have a box spring? I would really love your help. Thanks so much!

Cubby Bookshelf

I followed the plans for the Cubby Bookshelf, but added a 4th shelf to it. It is stained with a Rustoleum "Sunbleached" stain (I think it's called "Driftwood" now), with Minwax whitewash on top of that.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sunbleached stain and Whitewash
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Walnut C-tables

Submitted by SaraLodise on Wed, 10/14/2015 - 06:02

Final pieces for my walnut living room set.  C-shaped end tables that fit perfectly over the arms of the couches. They aren't large. Just enough to perch a glass of wine or snack plate when relaxing at the end of the day.

Estimated Cost
about $50 in walnut lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
3 - 4 coats of Waterlox Original
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bedside Table 11.04.18

Submitted by Soni_max on Mon, 11/05/2018 - 05:55

I built this for my son and his fiance. I am leaving the staining up to my son. It is only the 3rd or 4th piece of furniture I have built. I still have to build the match for it. I'm sure it will be much better, since I have learned from my mistakes with the first one. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50.00
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Soni_max

Tue, 03/26/2019 - 11:01

I am a true fan of your plans, site, and projects. Any time I want to build something new, I always check your site for ideas. You are an inspiration. 

Thanks,

Soni Max

Memphis,TN

Outdoor Tables and More - Thank You

Submitted by rhogle2000 on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 09:04

Thank you the inspiration!
I'm a retiree and beginner woodworker, through your videos I used leftover lumber and Trex decking from new deck to make two side tables, coffee table, and a bench.
Thank you so very much!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Easiest Hanging Daybed

Submitted by ajcajj on Fri, 08/05/2011 - 11:46

My boys have a small room, so once I saw these plans I knew I had to make them! I also used the plans for the rolling cubbies.

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

Comments

LAF (not verified)

Fri, 07/20/2012 - 11:20

How does one secure this hanging bed securely to the wall if one chooses to hang chain support 45 degrees from the front side to the wall?

Kitchen Island

Submitted by Kstudinski on Sat, 08/31/2013 - 10:52

I have a small kitchen with no room for a table and no storage space. When I saw the plan for this kitchen island i knew it would fit perfectly in our space and a project my husband and I could work on together. It took several days in total, but we had to work around the kids, so probably could be done faster if need be. It is made out of white pine, including the top and legs. We probably spent around $150, but we looked at several similar islands going for over $600 and not even made with wood. We are so pleased with the outcome. We cannot wait to get started on the bunk beds for our son.

Thanks Ana White!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Pine
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Channing Desk/1st ever project

Submitted by jodie0100 on Wed, 10/21/2015 - 13:01

My husband and I have never built anything.  We decided to build our teenage boy a desk, as I could not find anything I liked online.  The project was pretty simple for amateurs to follow.  The cutting and assembly was done in a day.  We decided to add the drawer and pull out shelf for the printer.  Really, figuring what color to stain it and the staining process was the most tedious.  We routered the drawer sides and the top of the desk for a nicer look.  So proud of our work and the fact that this will last our son for years to come.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Water based Charcoal w/ Black Glaze for the base and water based Vermont Maple with a top coat of water based toffee stain. For both the top and bottom pieces, I brushed on the stain, let it sit for 3 mins and then applied medium pressure to wipe. Let dry for 2 hours and completed process again. For the bottom piece, after the two coats of stain, I applied the black glaze using the same method. However, after wiping off, I then used a damp cloth to wipe down one time. I used a polyacrylic protective finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mug tree

Submitted by SoCalMom on Wed, 11/14/2018 - 17:22

Fun and easy build to use up some scraps and try out some finish techniques and router edging. Not perfect because I was getting the hang of a new router, but perfect low commitment project to practice on. I only did 2 hooks for my needs and preferred not having to knob on top. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$2 for hooks maybe? Everything else I already had on hand.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Vintage aqua stain followed by weathered grey stain and a coat of poly. F
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My very first woodworking project!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/12/2022 - 07:31

Just bought myself a miter saw and this was my first ever woodworking project... had a lot of fun putting it together. I opted to build the back the same as the sides rather than just putting the piece of plywood as suggested in the plans (and shortened the length of the drawer accordingly), so I could add a surge protector/usb port with extension cord in between the trim boards since the outlet placement in my bed is horrible and requires pulling out the bed from the wall anytime we need to plug something in. Took a bit longer than anticipated, with never having built anything before, but now that I know what I'm doing I expect the 2nd one to go much quicker!

Comments

Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by peaches76 on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 17:55

I built this nightstand several months ago, so I honestly don't remember my time or money investment all that well. It was a fun, easy project though. As usual the biggest time investment was in the finish work.

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Primed. Painted in Behr Cotton Fluff - Satin finish. Sanded and stained with Minwax Dark Walnut stain. The stain was pretty dark but I wanted to use up what I had. I just kept plenty of paper towels and paint thinner nearby to thin it down to the shade I wanted.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 03/18/2012 - 10:44

I read your description of the finish for your table but I was wondering if it was really paint, then stain in that order. I know nothing about finishes so any tips would be greatly appreciated.