Community Brag Posts

Dining Table

Submitted by Malka on Wed, 09/13/2017 - 00:43

Used the pub table plans, but went regular dining table height so as to make matching dining chairs. Painted in Rustoleum Latex Ultra White, and Stained in Minwax Espresso. Built using Douglas Fir lumber. Table top and chair seats are 2x4's and 2x6's that were biscuit joined. Table has adjustable leg levelers drilled into bottom of legs.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 for Table and 4 matched chairs
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Ultra White paint, Minwax Espresso stain, Minwax Gloss Fastdry poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rory's House

In need of a replacement for my hideous (but large!) wire kennel, I was ecstatic when Ana posted plans for an end table kennel, just like the fancy ones in Sky Mall magazines! Once I got out of my first trimester of pregnancy, I enlisted a friend to help me out with the build. I spent a little too much on lumber (I accidentally purchased the good whitewood, as opposed to furring strips) but I'm chalking that up to pregnancy brain. After a million Kreg Jig holes, the assembly was maybe an hour or less to put all four sides together. We decided to paint the interior prior to assembly, and that was a good choice! I put the sides together with L-brackets, and honestly did a pretty poor job of it. But the main reason was to easily disassemble it should it need to be moved at some point. I splurged on the hinges and gate closure, and love love LOVE the finished product! These were great, well-laid out plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
70
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded it with 100, then 150. I gave the MDF edges a quick coat of DAP to smooth things out, then sanded with 220. It's painted with 4 coats of semigloss white.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Herb garden gift

Submitted by bhoppy on Sun, 06/02/2013 - 21:47

I can't find ceder fencing here where we live so I just used a 1x6 I already had. I sealed it with Rustolem's Spar outdoor polyurethane in semi-gloss.

My 6 year old daughter planted the little basil plant seeds a couple weeks ago and we are giving this to one of her teachers this week as an end of year present.

I tried hand painting the herb garden part but it looked really bad so I sanded it down and added the little chalkboard vinyl stickers instead.

I used mostly stuff I had on hand to make the box... I used sissel rope for the handles since I had some. The only cost was for the stickers, terracotta pots and the seeds

Estimated Cost
$6
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustolem early american, dark walnit and spar outdoor poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

DIY Herringbone Barn Door

Submitted by susanshamp on Fri, 05/01/2015 - 22:25

This DIY Herringbone Barn Door is used over a simple hallway opening to separate the maing living space from the kids' bedrooms. I searched this site and Pinterest for inspiration, and loved the herringbone and chevron patterns that I found. This door was made of reclaimed barn wood and wrapped in raw steel channel iron. Hope you enjoy!

Estimated Cost
$150 for the wood and steel, not including the rolling hangers and track
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Modern Desk

I used Ana White's Modern 2x2 Desk Base Plan and Desktop with Storage Compartments plan to create this gorgeous desk for my sister!  This was my first real build, and first solo build, and I could not be more proud of how it turned out!

Estimated Cost
$90
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used matte black chalky finish paint for the legs and stain for the top (with two coats of poly).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table & Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/08/2021 - 11:26

I have a friend that is in a wheelchair and needed a table that she could sit at comfortably. This table was measured specifically for her and the bench measured for her family so that they can all enjoy meals together.

Comments

Elli's Doll Furniture

I made these using Ana's plans, of course, for our friend's little girl's 2nd birthday. I didn't want to paint them brown but my friend said Elli's room was brown and pink and she really wanted them that color. So...here they are and I love them!!!

I would say the hardest part was  the high chair-I always end up with one leg shorter than the others(I have made 3 high chairs so far).
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40.00 for the pair
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I got to use my Kreg Jig and tried the glue/sawdust method to fill the holes(didn't like it) so switched to plugs and I loved the results after sanding them down to surface level. I just painted them brown with some flat interior latex that I got as an "oops" for 1.50 at store near by and then painted the pink stripes(also "oops" paint). I didn't like the flat look so I used spray lacquer for a glossier more finished look. I also made the mattress(at HL you can get a square of foam big enough for 2 mattresses for about 8.00) and quilt and pillow from some pink w/white polka dot and white w/pink polka dot fabrics that I had lying around.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Vanity - pretty easy

This was a pretty easy project! It took my husband about 2 hours to cut and assemble and really required very little wood and materials. The long part was sanding, staining, and sealing it as we wanted to make sure it can withstand being in use in the bathroom. Looks great and we're really happy with how it turned out! We'll probably add the slats on the bottom sometime later.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Mahogany
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse queen bed with arch

I was so happy to finish this bed and get it set up today, one month and one day shy of my 20th wedding anniversary.  My husband and I had never been able to agree on a bed but we got a new memory foam mattress after Christmas and found Ana's website through an "IKEA hack" type of page.  We finally found something from Anna we agreed on and was affordable.  : )  I used non-mortising bed rail brackets as well as a center beam support, all from Woodcraft, so that this bed could be easily disassembled if needed.  I used a combination of 1x2 and 1x4 to create slats, 17 in all, about 2-3" apart, placed on cleats, all to hold the mattress and simulate the bed slats from IKEA.  I sanded 80-120-220 then covered with a wipe-on poly product from Watco, which was easier to work with than stains etc that need to sit, since I had to work in my dining room (else risk getting lots of maple "flyers" and pollen in my finish...)  Thank you, Ana, for all your great ideas and encouragement!  One tip: maybe sand some of the pieces, especially in the head and footboards, before assembling.  It was tricky to get into the tight places with the power sander and by hand.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I had to buy pretty much everything new so it cost me probably over $300.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Watco Wipe-on Poly, satin finish; old turtleneck shirts cut up and used as rags
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Toy Box

So, this isn't actually an Ana plan.  But I wanted to post it as an example of a hodge-podge of toybox ideas that I built with a bunch of 1x3's, my Kreg Jig and some pieces of plywood I had lying around. 
I actually made the top and ends by pocket holing 1x3's together and sanding them smooth.  The bottom and back are plywood, and the front piece doesn't line up flush to the bottom, but it doesn't matter because you can't see it!

I wouldn't have attempted a project like this if it wasn't for stumbling upon ana-white.com and learning about the kreg jig and how FUN it is to actually build FURNITURE!

:)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25-$50, I had leftover plywood to use up
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Melamine paint in a custom adjusted colour from an oops that my mom bought years ago! (Our Canadian Home Hardware paint lady actually re-tinted it for me, awesome!)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Providence Bench at Master Suite

This bench was very easy to make and perfect for a family who hasnt tackle any wood projects. We are so happy and pleased not only with the results but how satisfying it was to make your own piece of furniture.
I recommend this project not only for the bedroom but for many places in the house, specially in the Entry way.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$22 - $25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
The bench was painted in a champagne color that we found in Lowes called upps paint. The paint has primer and it can be used on wood materials as well so it was perfect.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Double Chair Bench

Very nice bench.  I have now made three.  This one is grey washed red cedar.  

Estimated Cost
170.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Grey Washed Flat Exterior paint, mixed 50/50 with water. Varathane Satin finish. Practice on scrap wood wiping on/off the grey paint to get the desired look. Polyurethane has a yellow hue, the varathane is crystal clear.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Folding Workbench

Submitted by suzeet305 on Mon, 10/18/2021 - 18:32

I'm a beginner DIYer and I knew one day I was going to have to make a workbench. I made mine 24x48 so I wanted a little more support to hold up the drop down leaf. I searched your site and found another plan with these gatelegs and knew this is what I wanted. I love the way it came out. What do you think?

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Potting Bench

Submitted by bluejazz on Thu, 03/24/2011 - 12:09

The plans are great.  This went together really fast.  I am cheating a little here, it is not quite complete; I need to add the side blocks on top and my wife would like a another panel added to the front at work height level, just for looks.  But the overall look won't be changed.  I struggled some with finishing (I usually do).  A couple spots  have runs I didn't see.  One will be covered by the front panel I'll add,but another needs sanding.

Just for fun I added a picture of the bench 3 years later. Its held up well to a lot of use and a lot of sitting out in the elements.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes Cedar Exterior 450 Water based stain. I was going to add a spar varnish to extend the life. I decided against that because while it likely would extend the life, I would have to strip it to re-stain. After a couple years, I can simply re-stain without stripping if I don't varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Shoe Dresser

I used a 4'x8' sheet of oak plywood. The only thing that I had to cut back on was the center shelf. I made it a 1x6 so that I would have enough wood. I used veneer for the front pieces and amber stain with polycrylic.

Estimated Cost
$75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Amber Stain with polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

FlygirlTRE

Sat, 06/08/2013 - 17:23

This is really cool! How many pairs of shoes can you fit in there and what types?

Built in Desk

Submitted by rosiejane on Mon, 05/11/2015 - 23:38

This desk is massive at 3.4m long (over 11 feet). Initially it was going to be a homework station for the kids but my husband decided that he'd like to use it as his office.
I'm somewhat embarrassed that this took well over 12 months to complete and I was easily distracted by other projects along the way. I made many mistakes but I learnt something from every one of them.
I modified plans to suit my space and used sketchup to plan it all out.

Estimated Cost
AUD$750. (incuding all paint and hardware) Drawer slides alone cost $180.
Finish Used
walnut stain & varnish
aquanamel semi-gloss - vivid white
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

amandabc123

Thu, 01/30/2020 - 09:19

I love this!  Do you have more information on how you did the top?  It looks like one solid piece, and I'm just curious where you purchased the panels and how you built the top to look so nice.

Holly's DIY Storage Bed

My daughter talked me into making her this custom full size storage bed, with a power center and a night light.

Estimated Cost
$300-$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments