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Library Book Cart

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/04/2016 - 07:59

My wife is a preschool teacher and needed this badly. Easy project for a beginner like me. I got the mdf cut to size at my local hardwarestore. The build took me about 3 hours, the paintjob a lot longer. I made holes in the sides instead of the rectangular handles, because I thought that would be easier. And the holes work perfecty. I'm pleased with the finished project. Great quality for a small prize. Next up: the play kitchen!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Planked wood sideboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/24/2019 - 17:08

Built from planked wood sideboard plan

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around $50 for hardware and $50 for finishes. Lumber was free (all scrap).
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Latex paint and stain with water based PU topcoat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My Build, and Property Brothers love

My second build, built the X coffee table too. But had to share that the Property Brothers used a table just like this plan in their show!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

washer and dryer pedestal

Submitted by KL728MX on Tue, 01/05/2016 - 13:07

my wife tagged me on facebook right before Xmas with the plans and picture of this, so i dusted off my tools and built her one as a present. its not only great for her but it makes the laundry easier for me as well. I had to mofidy the base of mine because my dryer vent comes up through the floor in the corner.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar white latex
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pink Fur Daybed

I am thrilled with how my daughter’s bed turned out.  I used the basic pink fur bed idea, and tweaked the plans to meet our needs.  I found iron chair feet at Hobby Lobby, and prefer them to the hairpin legs. Thanks so much for the idea, Ana!
Estimated Cost
$200 - mostly fabric!
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Pink fur fabric
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Entry Level Entryway

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 06:13

I built this farmhouse style entryway table while we waited for our house to be completed. It was the first of many projects I dreamed of completing. After it was done, I used a “navy” stain that wasn’t quite what I had planned but ended up bringing color to the area.

Comments

Smaller Dog Crate / Kennel

Submitted by pamin on Wed, 11/02/2011 - 12:56

Smaller version of Ana's Dog Kennel. Took me about 3 weeks (working on weekends and few hours after work). Made from maple and cherry.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70 ( I had the tools, just needed to by the wood)
Finish Used
Semi-Gloss Poly, sanding in between (120 -> 180 -> 220 -> 400 -> 600)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Sun, 11/06/2011 - 16:07

This really looks fabulous! Great job!

As a 'dog family', we always have rescues and visitors on board. This looks so much better than anything I've seen in stores and for less money, too.

I'm definitely adding this to my to-do list.

P.S. Your pup is adorable, too! ;-)

Ejade

Tue, 12/06/2011 - 16:44

I have 2 yorkies and would LOVE to make this for them, this is sooooo going on my todo list.

Koli is tooo cute as well!!!

Proud2busmc (not verified)

Sun, 07/22/2012 - 06:43

This version looks great, how did you do the sides to make it look fancier? I love the personal touches on this crate!

Beach House Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/07/2016 - 09:33

My wife wanted an antiqued turquiose headboard for our beach house. Your plans and dimensions worked perfectly. I added the center support to bring the warped boards into compliance. Thank you Ana ...

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
turquoise spray paint, antique glaze and poly urethane clearcoat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor X Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/25/2019 - 21:59

i made a mudification in plans. it takes me two days to finish it.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Tall Parson's Barstools

Submitted by bulcaoma on Mon, 11/07/2011 - 13:27

I have been searching for great barstools for years. So I was so excited when I saw Ana's Parson's Chair plans. I adjusted Ana's plan to create the height and dimensions of a barstool. I used more 2x2s for legs and rungs. The angle was changed to 5 degrees for legs and 10 degrees for seat back (Rather than remember geometry formulas, I found an online triangle angle calculator to get accurate leg lengths). I also have a hate-hate (not love hate) relationship with my sewing machine, so I chose to upholster with a staple gun and found tips for this at youtube. To take the guesswork out of the finishing I also found tips and techniques for that on youtube--namely that General Finishes gel stain is the way to go. The dry time on the finish is why I considered this a weeklong project, but this could easily be finished within a day. Thanks again Ana--thanks to you we have great barstools at such a fraction of the cost.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
One coat Zissner seal coat, 3 coats General Finishes Java Gel Stain, 3 coats General Finishes Arm-R-Seal.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Tarra (not verified)

Fri, 03/02/2012 - 19:22

Would you mind sharing the measurements for your version? We are in need of 24" barstools/chairs for a counter height table that was given to us, and cannot seem to find DIY instructions for what we are needing, anywhere! We'd REALLY appreciate it!

20 Sec Tidy Up Coffee Table

Submitted by vdregz on Fri, 10/25/2013 - 17:19

This project should have only taken me a few hours, but with a little one to take care of, I managed to make it take forever!
Super simple plan to follow - absolutely love how it turned out!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rolling Crate Side Table

I made a simple rolling crate, and put it on its sides. Attached casters on the bottom. I used my scrap 2x4's for the top. Boom! A beautiful rolling side table with storage.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black base finish with glossy spray paint. Top is stained in a few different hues. See blog post linked in this post to find more information.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dresser

Submitted by Nick72 on Sat, 05/11/2019 - 07:54

Dresser created for my parents.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
chalk paint and furniture wax
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Kindergarten Bookcase

Submitted by MikeB on Tue, 11/15/2011 - 10:49

Here is my first attempt at this bookshelf. Don't own a pocket hole jig, so I used screws(1 x4 shelves) and brads(Molding) through side boards. Gotta invest in the Kreg jig for future projects. I used a jigsaw with a guide to cut the back panel. I cut it a little outside the line and sanded it flush with the sides. (no table saw, either)...

For the fronts, I used molding. I found out that the pre-painted molding, doesn't like to hold paint. Took several coats of the Hunter green to cover sufficiently for the base coat. Time estimate was given for construction and sanding. Thanks for the awesome design Ana. My wife's Kindergarten class should really enjoy this in the classroom along with the Kinder-nook.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
less then 30 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Hunter green Latex as the base coat. Pure white latex, dry brushed after about an hour dry time after last base coat was applied. Finally, a Polyurethane finish to seal. This was my first attempt at dry brushing. It is very easy, just make sure that you blot your brush really good prior to brushing on.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sofa table

This was the first project I had ever built through Ana White. A great table.

Estimated Cost
Approximately $50. I only had to purchase the wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Not sure of the color of stain I used as I built this years ago. It was most likely an ebony or early American color.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Electric Fireplace Surround

Slowly replacing all of the furniture in my home with things that I build. I used pallets for the structure, maple flooring for the facing, some scrap from shutter doors for the doors, 1×2 for the trim and adhesive tiles from the local ReStore for the top and around the fireplace insert. Perfectly fits a 65" tv. 

Estimated Cost
Less than $25 + the insert that I took from a particle board surround purchased from Menards several years ago.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax, variety of stains, Minwax polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate