Community Brag Posts

My first Adirondack chair

My first attempt at building an Adirondack chair. Ana's plans were easy to follow and very accurate. I would classify myself as a Beginner+.. Recently suffered bad thumb cut making cedar planters. Always think safety first. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$55.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Glidden Latex. One coat of primer and 3 coats of Glidden canary yellow latex.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bench

This was our first build. I have always wanted a rustic table and bench set, but they are so expensive. We already had a miter saw and jig saw, so I thought why not. We did not use a pocket jig when we built this, so we had to brainstorm for the bread boards. I found these really long screws at Lowe's and they worked great. I actually love the way they look. We are going to use the screws on the next bench even though we have a Kreg Jig now. Soon I will have my dream table without spending $2,000!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I distressed the bench using a sock with two bolts in it. I also used a hammer, but was very careful to not hit it so it looked like a hammer imprint. I used: Minwax Pre-Stain wood conditioner, followed by Minwax Red Mahogany #225, and finished with Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane Clear Gloss. I put I think 3 coats of stain and 3 coats of Poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Miter Saw Cart

Submitted by tracysmith on Mon, 06/11/2012 - 13:24

Love this plan, it was easy to do. I did modify it a little as did another member with longer support arms. I just purchased an extra 2x2 and cut it to fit! Thanks for the great plans!!! Hope to see more shop furniture on here soon!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Providence Picnic Table by Falafel and the Bee

This is my second large wood project...and both from this blog! The plans were fabulously easy. This was the first time I used my miter saw, and it was a great way to break it in.

 

Estimated Cost
Under $120.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Arborcoat Transparent Teak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

Channing Bookcase/Desk combo

Submitted by Maremilina on Sun, 07/10/2016 - 23:24

Wife wanted bookcases for all our books and a desk/work area for her calendar.  I decided to modify the Channing Bookcase to suit our needs.  We built 5 of them to fit the wall.  We did not attach the back trim piece on the shelves to give them a recessed look.  Convinced the wife to let me buy the Kreg K4 system, which saved my sanity for the over 500 pocket holes we had to drill in this project. Thanks for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
With paint, about $350 but we live in Guam, so prices are significantly higher!
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Marquee interior semi-gloss dark navy blue and ultra pure white (top and back).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

2x4 sectional outdoor sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/12/2020 - 08:10

My first Ana White project. My friend Shelley and I are RN's, and she got me hooked on woodworking. I started with cushions from Lowes ( in the sizes that you recommended)to see if I loved the sectional for a few years. I loved it so much I decided to have custom Sunbrella fabric ones made. Even though the custom ones were more expensive, it has been worth it. They go perfect with my California Mission style home. Now I want to add the armless one and make it a U-shape. I did add a piece at the bottom back of each sofa to hold the cushions in. The seat cushions would slide out the back when sitting on the sofa. I made the coffee table to match. Our family loves it!

Estimated Cost
building materials for sofa $250. Custom Sunbrella Fabric cushiosn $2000
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained with Carrington Minwax and sealed with spray Shellac
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sideboard/Game Console

Submitted by jakegarner on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 14:19

Used the plan for a double-entry console to make a triple cabinet to go behind the couch and serve as a board game console and sideboard for the dining room.

Lowered the total height to 34 in to fit behind the couch. The total length is 8 feet.
For the plywood top I edged them then pine boards to make the top look more like a solid piece of wood and stained it.

Estimated Cost
$300-400
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Cluckingham Cottage

Cluckingham Cottage wasn’t built in a day, but it WAS built by a DAME!
A-frame instructions were pretty helpful considering the builder knows nothing about construction. I made a few modifications to accommodate my 5 chooks + 2 bantams . Sturdy and tight structure.

Estimated Cost
Under $400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)

X-style coffee and end table

My mother wanted something to match the table she got for under her TV, and I found the plans here for the x-style coffee table and small end table to be very fitting. The crosses were pretty difficult with just a hand saw, but with the help of my brother in law we got these done in a few days.

Estimated Cost
$100-150 for both with paint
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar - the perfect white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cedar Outdoor Dining Table and Benches

My wife and I loved the version that Finns-Dad made but we wanted it to be rectangular. The top is 1x6s around the edges with 1x4s in between. The frame is 1x4s. The bench tops are all 1x4s with 4x4 legs. There are 3/8 inch lag bolts in the legs. We did 4 coats of the urethane.

This was my first major project, and while there are many things that I would do differently if given the opportunity, we're still very pleased with it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum Varathane Classic Clear Water Based Outdoor Spar Urethane Semi Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kids storage table and thumb chairs

Submitted by dmcarwin on Thu, 10/04/2012 - 06:31

I made this for my boys and they LOVE it! I opted for a square top, since the flower would not have gone over well...Plus I found a square top for $1 at the Restore and who can pass that up, and the legs were free. The rest of the wood was from the Home Depot Cull bin or furring strips. The chairs didn't get rounded (no jig saw) and I didn't add a hole (not a big enough drill bit). But my boys love them and use them all the time!

Thanks Ana for such great plans!

Check out more at http://mylove2create.blogspot.com/2012/10/diy-kids-table-and-chairs.html

Estimated Cost
Less than $10
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint I had on hand.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Roller Cart

Submitted by Ulrike on Fri, 07/31/2020 - 09:30

Fun and easy build. Took ~4h all in.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kid's storage table and benches

Submitted by spiceylg on Wed, 10/24/2012 - 10:08

We built three of these for a women and children's shelter. We had friends help us with various aspects of the project. The colors are definitely more vibrant in person. Table tops are painted with chalkboard paint. Because we built three, it took three weeks with some down time here and there. Haven't sat down and figured cost but I know other bragposts have included them if you are curious.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Gray primer, Olympic 2 in 1 paint (still needed primer!) and Valspar Chalkboard paint for table top. All topped off with three coats of Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Guest ma crazy (not verified)

Wed, 10/24/2012 - 20:49

This is beauitful I love the colors! The children are going to love them too! Keep doing God's work!

yurra-bazain

Mon, 02/25/2013 - 20:57

It is amazing that you built these for a women and children's shelter. You are truly using your talents for good. :) Thank you for the inspiration.

MrsPowers

Fri, 06/28/2013 - 22:27

Hi! I absolutely love the colors you used (and the chalkboard paint is pretty awesome as well). I did have a question. I saw your question about the type of material to keep costs down. The 1 in material in my town is way more expensive than 3/4 in quality Purebond plywood. Do you think the plywood would hold up? This would be much more cost effective and leave some change to do a couple of extra small projects. Thank you in advance for your help!

spiceylg

Tue, 07/23/2013 - 05:12

MrsPowers, I am just now seeing your comment, my apologies! I don't see why the plywood wouldn't hold up, but unfortunately, I am not the one to ask. I am still quite the novice! I had asked about material for the top because I originally didn't want to buy the pre-made round tops. However, time got away from us, so we ended up just biting the bullet and buying them after all. If you are on Facebook, you will probably get a question answered quicker there. Ana's wall name on Facebook is Knockoff Wood. Best wishes on your future projects and sorry I couldn't be of more help!

Rustic table with storage and chairs

The table top is modified from Ana's farmhouse table, the base is modified from the storage table and the chairs are modified from the extra tall bar stool. This project took me the weekend to complete, because of those darn chairs!!!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot pecan stain and semi-gloss Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

In reply to by patrickhosey

little stuf

Sun, 11/04/2012 - 06:52

For the ladder I used straight 2x2s and 2x3's. I like the look of the straight back. I didn't want pocket holes on either side, so I used 3" screws through the legs into the 2x3s. I used a scrap 2x3 as a spacer.

Basement Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/27/2016 - 11:44

Thanks for the instructions! Here's my version. I haven't built much of anything before, but I needed it in my basement to handle kids' stuff. My version is 18 feet long. I combined a 12-foot and 6-foot 2x4 to get that length, which meant less cutting, which I had done at Lowe's (for free). I used the 6-foot 2x4s throughout the shelf to ensure it was strong (in other words, I didn't want a 12-foot "section" and a weaker 6-foot "section" added on).

 

I was able to get everything in my car but the ride home was slow. I also had to use my egress window to get the 12-foot boards in the basement.

 

Total cost for me was about $170 including a couple boxes of screws and wood glue. I could've easily spent double the cost on store-bought shelving. Thanks for the plans!

Estimated Cost
$170
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Ana White chicken coop with modifications

We started with the basic chicken shed coop plans and modified it some. We wanted the peak to be in the front for ease of access and to allow leaves from tree overhead and rain and snow to fall to the back away from the entrance. The windows raise from the inside using 1/8" wire secured on the inside with a rope cleat hook.

We added Dutch doors. We added latches for the pop door to keep it iopen or closed as needed. Dutch doors also have decorative latches and eyehook latches to secure them when they are fully open. I rested the shed on 12 in. x 8 in. x 12 in. concrete patio pier blocks to allow drainage. we extended the roof about 6 " to allow for extra protection and avoid dripping whe  it rains.

On the inside I have a roost and a poop deck. Hanging from the poopdeck I have their feed to keep it off the floor and keep shavings, etc. from getting into the food. The poop deck  and the floor are covered with comercial grade tile to facilitate easier cleaning.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$1,000 including tools (Keg Jig) decorative hinges, wood, sheathing, shingles.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White KILZ primer, Glidden Kenya for walls of coop and basic Glidden white. and Glidden red for Dutch Doors, for 1X6 under roof Glidden dark brown
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

anxo-a

Sat, 03/14/2015 - 02:50

Hi!

I love your coop and the modifications you made - I was planning on doing the same thing with the placement of the door. I was wondering if you could post a couple of photo of the inside of the coop? I'm especially interested in where you placed the roost.

Thank you so much for sharing!

Sturdy Workbench

Submitted by AhmaNaz on Thu, 09/17/2020 - 09:43

Did a couple builds for my family out of state and quickly realized that working without a station is CRAZY. Addedd wheels for mobility as I left it there.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60 to 75
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Raw
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

storage bed toychest conversion

Submitted by hkingman on Fri, 01/20/2017 - 19:24

A few years back, I built a twin version of Ana's Farmhouse Storage Bed for my step-daughter. After she moved out, I converted it to a huge toychest for my three-year-old.

I would have left it as a bed, but with a quality mattress it was so high I was afraid he could get hurt if he fell out.

The conversion is simple. Remove 24 screws, reconfigure, add back the screws in different places. The support blocks become feet for the chest, and the slats become spacers under the top part. 

He loves being able to get his toys out himself, and I love that he can put them away by himself. A big upgrade over plastic storage boxes on high clost shelves!

Once he's a bit older, I'll probably turn it into a bad again. 

Estimated Cost
Zero!
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Linen white
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

High Loft with Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/18/2024 - 10:06

My sons tiny box room needed updating. He wanted something more grown up. The brief was "a high bed with a den underneath". As with all Ana White plans it was easy to follow and gave me the inspiration to build something bespoke to a very limited space. I have added a desk for him to do homework. He's over the moon with it. Thank you for the inspiration. - Harry

Poker table

Submitted by Trishalado on Wed, 02/01/2017 - 07:27

Using the Benchmark Octagon table plans found here for the inspiration for our poker table we completely customized the top and modified the base to suit our needs! The dining top cover is yet to be finished but we are definitely thrilled with the result thus far especially seeing as though it was our first ever build! 

Estimated Cost
$500+
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments