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

Comments

Taylors Coffee Table

Submitted by momeneek on Mon, 04/06/2015 - 09:12

I built this coffee table from the Taylor's Coffee Table plans (http://ana-white.com/2014/02/plans/taylors-coffee-table) with a few "artistic"/necessary liberties.  For the top, I used a slightly different pattern than shown on the plans.  Starting from one side to the other, my plan includes a 1"x2", a 2"x6", a 2"x2", two side-by-side 2"x6", a 2"x2", a 2"x6", and finally a 1"x2".  I liked the extra overhang that the 1"x2" included on the outside edges of the table.

I do not own a jigsaw, so instead of making the entire bottom shelf out of plywood, I made a "border" with 1"x4" boards with the adjoining corners cut at 45 degrees so that each side of the border matched up nicely.  This allowed me to use a standard rectangular piece of plywood for the shelf "inlay."  

As a first attempt at any sort of table, this turned out much better than I could have hoped!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used Minwax pre-stain/wood conditioner followed by a single coat of Minwax Honey Oil Based Stain and three coats of Minwax Satin Fast Drying Polyurethane. I used 000 & 0000 steel wool between coats of polyurethane. Dust removal was completed with a vacuum followed by tack cloth.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Vegetable Bin Conversion- Shoe Rack

I have had this space under my television that I never knew what I should do with it. There is a baseboard heater on the wall so I always figured I could put anything against it. I also have a lot of shoes. When I saw the plans for the vegetable bin I figured I could convert it to hold my shoes. 

 

I used 1x8s for the middle legs allowing the cabinet to sit over my baseboard heater. I adjusted the height of each cubby to fit the various sizes of shoes I own. I put 1x4s along the back so as to allow everything to breath. It took me about 2 days to complete. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used American Walnut stain. I then painted over the stain with white paint. I sanded all of it down and added another very light coat of the American Walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kitchen Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 15:36

Still in process, just waiting for the cabinet doors to match my kitchen. I got the car us from shelf help. Learned how to make the pocket holes and the face frame! Saved me about $3,000!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Ana White Admin

Mon, 10/04/2021 - 16:51

Very cool, thank you so much for sharing and for using Shelf Help! Can't wait to see it all finished, it looks like an amazing addition!

Chalkboard Crate Planters

I made 3 crates using Ana Whites Chalkboard Produce Crate plan. It was my first woodworking project, was totally doable, and has created a monster. The middle crate in the photos was the first one, and I added extra 1x3s on the sides because I thought I didn't want the gaps between the side boards. Changed my mind for the second 2. I wanted a chippy finish so I stained with glaze and burnt umber by Golden, followed by a topcoat of dry brushed Titan Buff. I sealed with CeCe Caldwell Aging Wax.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained with acrylic glaze and burnt umber by Golden, followed by a topcoat of dry brushed Titan Buff
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Reading Fort

Submitted by dhynd on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 08:36

Super easy. Done in less than one hour. Used Target's Black-Out curtains.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Twin farmhouse

We used the least expensive pine at Lowe's because I really like the variation in the wood.  I think it adds character.  This was the first time I've used Weathered Oak and boy is it sheer!  You can hardly tell it's there over the dark walnut but it did seem to lighten it just a little and give a slight grey to the very dark areas.  Really liked the outcome!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered oak over dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farm Table and floating shelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 17:23

Built for my Daughter and Son-in-laws new home

Comments

Red Hen Home's Narrow Cabin Dresser

This was my first project with drawers, and I learned through sad experience how important it is to have ULTRA straight boards to begin with! I am grateful for things like itty-bitty washers to help correct things that aren't quite straight enough. More info on my blog!

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Top and shelf are a custom mix gray-brown stain. Red Valspar paint for the body, glazed with ebony stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

IraqTANKER4thID

Mon, 10/21/2013 - 10:47

I had to use Full Extension slides instead of regular euros because of the seam for the drawer bottom being right in the middle of the mounting holes. Now my drawers are not quite mounting the correct way. I have learned a lot of painful lessons on this one. Man.

My first attempt at making furniture.

Submitted by MikeA on Sat, 04/11/2015 - 18:48

This is my first DIY furniture build.  Had some issues with the Poly, but it turned out better than I thought.  I used a couple of Turnbuckles with black hammer spray paint instead of the back slant supports.  Made some mistakes, but learned a lot.  Thanks Ana for the great site and all of the great posts.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

MikeA

Fri, 05/29/2015 - 22:51

Actually it was a pristine pine project board that was very easily dented and marked. If you notice the corner, that's from shortening it and roughly cutting with a circular saw. The end of the cut chipped the corner off and I just sanded it down with a rotary sander. Same sander for the edges gave me the tree ring look. I also went with cheaper 2x4 that had some blemishes and then sanded them down to give it a more lived in look for the side legs.

DIY Loft Bed

I assisted a friend in building a loft bed for her daughter.  We followed free plans by Ana White for the junior loft bed. We made a few modifications such as changing it to fit a full-sized mattress (more details on my blog). The loft bed is the largest furniture item that I have built thus far. I have learned a lot from working on the project.

 

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cottage Bench with Storage Cubbies

Submitted by srodge1 on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 19:56

Cute little bench!

Comments

Modern Farm Bench Adaptation

Submitted by babysteps on Thu, 03/10/2011 - 10:03

I have been wanting a bench for this space for years. I adapted the plans to fit the baskets I was already using. I used 2x8s to make the seat deeper. Final dimensions are 60" wide by 17.5 deep by 18" high.
My actual cut list:
2 - 2x4 by 57" front and back apron
4 - 2x6 by 18" legs
2 - 2x8 by 57" seat
6 - 2x2 by 14.5" seat supports
2 - 2x4 by 6.5" side spacer between legs
I used a Kreg jig for the first time to attach the support pieces to the side aprons. I used the same hollow made by the Kreg to add a few screws through the support pieces into the top.

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax wood conditioner. Minwax Pecan and Early American blend. Minwax gloss poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Very first project - planter boxes

Submitted by Howegirl on Sun, 05/26/2013 - 09:25

My very first woodworking project. I learned a lot. Most importantly, to watch my cuts more carefully. Also, a good stain and stencil dress up anything. I used braided jute for handles and love them!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Garage Hall Tree

Submitted by Smokeydog on Sat, 04/18/2015 - 10:41

I built this little hall tree, bench and shoe organizer for the garage entirely from scrap lumber and left over paint.  Keeps us organizeed.  I really like it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
None
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Left over paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Faux Printmaker's Cabinet Entertainment Console

Submitted by jcrist30 on Mon, 08/21/2017 - 07:53

Of all of my Ana White-inspired builds, this is absolutely my favorite so far and the first piece of furniture I've built that I absolutely want to use as the centerpiece and inspiration for my DIY redecorating. I slightly modified the height of the top compartments so that all of our electronic equipment would fit.  I also used 2x4's, which I ripped into 2x2's using an old blade where I slightly bent a couple of the teeth to leave the rustic curf marks.  Because I altered the height of the top and bottom sections, I had to rip down my 1x3's for the bottom, and I had to use 1x4's (ripped down appropriately) for the top section's flip-down faux drawer fronts.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The finish is a custom mixture of Varathane's Carbon Gray, Weathered Gray, Birchwood, and Espresso with two coats of Minwax Polycrylic in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rachelmh

Fri, 01/10/2020 - 11:28

Absolutely beautiful.  I plan to build this in two weeks, or start building it.  Love your pulls.  Where did you find them?

Outdoor chaise lounge

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 05:56

At the beginning of the covid lockdown my daughter who was attending college started looking for outdoor inexpensive chaise lounges to relax on since gathering in public areas was not allowed. We couldn’t find any so, I started searching for simple plans to make from scratch and ran across this plan. It came together very quickly and the instructions were very clear.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

First Build: Bookshelves

This was my first build, and it went really well. My dad helped me to cut the wood, and I was able to completely assemble, prime, and paint them by myself in the basement.
I decided not to use MDF, instead I used plywood, I think they turned out to be quite sturdy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr White High gloss paint and white primer.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

A dog bed for Roo

Submitted by sagey on Wed, 04/22/2015 - 23:08

This is a dog bed for my dog Roo! considering it was my first time building anything I thought this would be a good project.

I used a kreg mini jig and bought cheap wooden ball post caps (that i sanded for an eternity) and wooden embellishments for a cute touch.

I made the removable piped box cushions using premier prints fabrics. The fabric has proven to be very durable and has stood up to frequent washing and looks as beautiful as it did on day one.

I am thrilled with my project and am thankful to Ana for giving me the confidence to try and the tools to ensure my success!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
35.00$
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
matte paint
wax finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Glow in the dark Cedar Chest

Submitted by mahouna on Sat, 09/02/2017 - 18:15

I had this  idea, cut  approv 150 plus slivers of 4 x 4 and glued and nailed them on. Always wanted to try 

the glow in the dark powder, yes it works!!

Estimated Cost
not much, already had chest and old timbers.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
sealed with Rustoleum Matte Sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mail Box

I used Ana's plan to make this mailbox for my daughter. I altered the plan a bit from the original. The hardest part was cutting the curve at the top sides, and putting on the door with a toddler helping! This piece is VERY LOVED by my daughter, and gets LOTS of play!

Estimated Cost
about $20 including lock and hinges (I used scrap wood pieces.)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint, decoupage
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate