Community Brag Posts

Oak Twin Pioneer Bed

Submitted by yukondixon on Mon, 08/31/2015 - 22:07

I used red oak for this bed and finished it with danish oil (golden oak colour).  It turned out pretty well.  I decided to go without nails and screws, glue and biscuits for the joints and I used small dowels to hold the caps on the posts.  First project that I tired using only glue and biscuits and it wasn't that hard.  I also bought some bed rail hangers from Lee Valley to make the bed easier to take apart and put back together.  I used 2x2 for the slats because I don't have a box spring in the bed (to keep it lower since my son is only 2 1/2 at the time I built it).  If I put a box spring in there later, I'll change out the slats to something thinner.  Thanks for the plans, it worked out great.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $200 with red oak, glue and danish oil (wood can be expensive up here in the Yukon)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Danish Oil - Golden Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cedar shim side tables

Submitted by Tbacks on Mon, 05/28/2018 - 18:15

I built the cedar shim headboard and bed for my daughter and her husband a few months ago.  It turned out so beautiful that I decided to make bedside tables to match.  I used the basic pattern with some adjustments to accommodate using a 1x8 for the drawer instead of a 1x6 to give more room for the shims.  

 

The final tables turned out even more beautiful than I could have imagined.  Thank you Anna for the patterns and the inspiration to create such beautiful gifts.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Espresso stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Jack's Tavern

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/27/2022 - 07:57

Your barn door cabinet pattern reconfigured to fit my wall and my first from scratch project "Jack's Tavern" named after my appreciative husband. Working with your patterns and experience through trial and error gave me the confidence to create!

by Patti

Built from Plan(s)

DIY Chaise Lounge Chairs

Submitted by jroubinek on Wed, 07/06/2011 - 10:44

This was my very first project to take on with Ana's plans. It took a little longer than I would have liked only because I got frustrated and put it to the side for a MONTH. I realized how important it was to pre-drill my holes and then got the motivation to get back to it. Once I got started again, it was finished in NO TIME! I still need to stain one of them, but I couldn't be happier with the result.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Wood Conditioner to make sure I didn't have to worry about blotchiness. Then I used a paintbrush to apply Minwax's Dark Walnut stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

geophyrd

Sun, 07/31/2011 - 07:55

I'm right in the middle of building one of these. My problem is that the 2x4s specified are 2" thick...having to rip them down and that took a lot of guts. Did them all except the long boards. Going to do those later today (if I don't melt) and when my wife can give me a hand.

How did you rip them to size?

Also, did you use a router table to round the edges?

MichelleC

Fri, 07/20/2012 - 09:21

These look great! Geophyrd...do you mean 2x2's? You just use the ones straight from the store, also referred to as furring strips...that will save you a lot of time and stress rather than ripping down 2x4's. When the plans say 2x2's, they aren't going to actually be 2", and the plans don't say that they have to be 2". Ana writes the plans as simply as possible without us having to do complicated steps like ripping down boards thank goodness!

Greenhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/05/2022 - 15:31

Build this greenhouse using your plans, by myself over 2 weekends. Turned out great!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

King Easy Build Headboard

Submitted by Grohsie on Sat, 07/09/2011 - 08:21

Loved creating this- I was worried that it wouldn't come out well and I wasn't prepared for the amount of time it took to pick out my supplies, but it's done and I love it! Thanks for the plans and for everyone's brag photos- I loved seeing that others had done it and hoped I could, too.

Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut (2 coats) and water-based polyurethane (2 coats).
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Sherry Maraci (not verified)

Mon, 08/06/2012 - 14:12

This is absolutely stunning - I can't wait to make one of my own!

New coffee table for the LR

Submitted by ewhitten on Mon, 08/12/2013 - 06:59

While my wife was away for the weekend, the boys (3 year old twins) decided to surprise her with a new coffee table! We had to get rid of the old IKEA one due to its sharp edges... we've already had one ER visit and nine stitches! A few notes/things I learned: * Pay attention to which side of the wood you leave facing out. A lot of my boards had one smoother side and I accidentally put those face-down. Meant a lot more sanding. * A belt sander would have made this a lot easier. * I took care to round all the exposed outer edges with the sander. A router would have been better for this, as it took a lot of care to make sure they were even. * It's going to get about three coats of polyurethane now, but I still would recommend coasters. This thing is HEAVY. It will probably outlast me. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Skipped the wood conditioner and used Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain - Kona (black/brown)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Upholstered chunky leg bed

Submitted by amil04 on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 08:40

I followed the plans but modified for a king size. I upholstered my bed in a linen colored upholstery fabric and added the nailhead trim to the headboard. This is the most sturdy bed I have ever owned. I don’t know if I will ever be able to buy from a store again!!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Upholstery fabric and walnut stain on the legs
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Interior barn door to match new bed!

Submitted by Texan59 on Thu, 05/12/2022 - 18:21

After completing the farmhouse bed, I decided that the closet door had to go. Using the same basic idea of materials, tongue and groove pine and 1x4 square edge boards. I'm very pleased so far as the door came together really well, again the lumber quality that the big box stores have is,less than ideal. Need to do my final sanding before adding a whitewash finish and matte clear poly and the hardware!

Comments

My $30 Closet Makeover!

Submitted by scokenour on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 12:57

This project is closest to the Simple Closet Organizer, but I wanted to be able to re-use the existing components of the closet. The only purchased materials were one sheet of cabinet grade plywood and dowel rod holders (since I already had paint and screws).

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
sand, prime, sand, paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor Sectional from Redwood

Submitted by ACEarl on Wed, 08/14/2013 - 07:50

I wanted to build this sectional such that it could be used with or without cushions. I modified the backs so that pillows and cushions would not fall through. Because I wanted to use redwood rather than the cheaper pine stock, I had to rip the lumber myself out of 2x4s. This process was a little tedious and required some minor modifications because the stock was slightly thinner than production lumber. However, this saved me money because each cut list resulted in two chairs rather than one. I also built the ottomans, side tables, and potting tables using ana-white plans. Because I dimensioned the lumber myself, this project took considerably longer than the estimate on the plans. This was a fun project that I will enjoy for many years to come.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used Thomson's Water Seal and teak oil.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My first project - metric mitre saw stand

Submitted by EmH-C on Sun, 09/13/2015 - 03:30

Adaptation to fit my little mitre saw, small workshop and the metric timber available in B&Q. My first build, this should let me build more while staying comfortable and safe. I'm ridiculously pleased with myself!

It took longer to build than expected because my little boy thinks naps are for wimps.

In case anyone in the UK wants to build similar, here's my adapted sizes.

18mm plywood cutting list:

2   85cm x 50cm (sides)

3    50cm x 50cm (shelves)

2    50cm x 60cm (leaves)

2    45cm x 30cm (leaf supports - replaced fancy brackets that were too expensive over here)

Timber cuts:

6  34mm x 34mm @ 50cm (cleats)

6  18mm x 70mm @ 52cm (supports)

2  18mm x 70mm @ 42cm (spacers) 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
£40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Help me use my mitre saw safely and comfortably.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Wife's Kindergarten Classroom

Been a while since I had time to actually build anything worth posting about! My wife wanted some items for her Kindergarten classroom this year, so built several items, most inspired by the Farmhouse family.

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

Comments

jennyboo

Sat, 06/12/2021 - 11:23

I am moving from 15 and half years of third grade to a first year of first grade. I NEED tables for my kids. I plan on building my own. I am building mine as a "2 seater." Would you please share the dimensions of these student tables? I love the teacher desk too. I built something similar for my home.

Essential Bed Frame

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/26/2022 - 15:29

I had to move quickly from Washington to Ohio for a job ( which I've since quit!). I flew here in January, with two suitcases. I ordered a nectar mattress and needed a frame. Built it, stained it vintage blue, love it!

Comments

Lap Desk

Submitted by canesa on Thu, 07/14/2011 - 23:29

When we finished our playroom I knew I needed to build the lap desk for their nail salon! It's the perfect size to do nails on and it holds all of their nail polish, files and cotton balls. I didn't add the trays on the side of the desk because we didn't have the space. I think I probably spent more time trying to figure out the hinges than I did building the desk!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I had scrap wood to build this desk so my only cost was the hinges.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint for now. I definitely need to bling it up for their salon!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

lollypoppy

Sun, 11/06/2011 - 11:45

Nail salon desk is ingenious!! My daughter would definitely love it. Cute painting on the wall too :)

Modified 2x4 Craft Table

Submitted by JKnight on Sun, 08/18/2013 - 20:31

I needed a microwave cart/table/stand, but couldn't find one at a price I was agreeable with. So naturally I started snooping on the internet. I originally found this plan, http://ana-white.com/2013/05/plans/2x4-craft-table and then modified it to fit my microwave and able to hide my garbage can underneath. I plan on finishing it with a ruffled skirt (to actually hide the can) and stenciling+staining the wood.

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

Tweaked 6 cube Cubby and Bookshelf

Submitted by Ryan57ford on Sun, 09/09/2018 - 07:56

I used the 6 Cubby plans and just started tweaking.  First was the plan to just do 12 cubbies, then decided to just put in adjustable shelves for aethetic purposes and not having it look too "Boxy"  After that decided it would look better with doors too.

 

as for the shelf on top, I used the cubby bookshelf plans and just made it wider to match the width of the doors and then decided to also make it adjustable shelving as well.  (used the kreg shelf pin system.)

 

Overall turned out pretty good. I am making a even bigger one for my other room.

Estimated Cost
$250ish
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kona Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Living Room Set

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/04/2022 - 12:31

Just finished this set up. All Poplar and Birch Ply.

Comments