Community Brag Posts

Twin Headboards with Barnlight from Reclaimed Headboard plans

Submitted by brickton on Sun, 03/10/2013 - 19:54

I built our boys matching twin sized headboard based on the reclaimed headboard plan. I added some height to the headboard to account for the lights (to avoid them smacking their head on the light) but that's about it. You can read more about the beds here: http://thehouseoflists.wordpress.com/2013/03/10/twins/ The build time was ridiculously quick. I just measured once, set the guide for the saw and cut both sets of all the pieces. The majority of the time was waiting for the poly to dry in the basement. It was a bit too chilly and damp I think, but eventually it dried.

Estimated Cost
$60 each, $120 total
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted Benjamin Moore Puritan Gray with one (poorly applied) coat of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Closet storage

Submitted by Tjkelly on Fri, 01/16/2015 - 15:45

Great storage idea which makes things easy to see and get to

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Tjkelly

Wed, 01/28/2015 - 18:50

Thank you very much, Ana you have inspired myself and my wife to undertake woodworking projects that I thought were unattainable. You have made these projects easy, fun and affordable

Entertainment center

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/18/2017 - 12:54

I love how this turned out! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered grey stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mastering Pocket Holes

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/20/2021 - 19:01

I made this DIY 2x4 Cart without the casters, but added a middle wood bar to the sides. I edited the dimensions to fit the space under a window. I cannot wait to put the felt pads on the bottom and get it into the room. My goal was to accomplish/master pocket holes and I am very happy with the results.

Finish Used
All oil based carrington stain color and 2 coats of oil poly with a slight sand in between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Camp Loft bed with modified stairs

Submitted by Lissa on Wed, 03/13/2013 - 10:26

This was only my 2nd project after the tabletop easel. Due to my inexperience this took longer for me to build and required more trips to the store, but was overall a straightforward and uncomplicated build, and my girls love their new bed. The stain application isn't perfect, but I'm very happy with the color / informal look, and found the Minwax water based stain very easy to work with - my 5 year old was able to help.

Tips:
-To make construction easier I ultimately inset the side rails 1", using scrap 1/4" plywood and 1x4" to support the sides while the bed was on its side. This made it easier to get a more precise fit, and enabled me to manage it without an additional pair of hands.
-I should have accounted for the cleats interfering with the drill before putting pocket holes in the support 2x6's, as I wound up needing to redrill them after gluing on the cleats as the cleats got in the way of the drill.
-We do find the bed shimmies a bit back and forth, so will be adding another 75" support brace at the bottom.
-To fit our space I narrowed the platform 1.5" and there is still plenty of room to play on the platform, and the small ladder is easy to navigate.
-The full stairs wouldn't fit our space so I first tried adding 2 2x4's steps directly into the platform frame as a ladder, but my girls (3 & 5) found this a little difficult to navigate. So I wound up building a modified ladder from the Simple Bunk Bed plan and that works well.

Estimated Cost
$100-$150 for lumber and finish materials. Additional cost to purchase equipment (Kreg jig and orbital sander)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax water based stain in Harvest Grain. Also used MinWax water based wood conditioner and Minwax Polycrylic protective finish in Satin (spray can.)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Console table

This console table was built using Alder lumber.  I modified Ana's plans slighly by removing the center, vertical brace, and changing the thickness of the top.  I also altered the top by making it a "breadboard" style top.  The finish I created was unique in that fact that it was a 5 layer process.  Because Alder wood is a "blotchy" prone wood, I sealed it with shellac first, applied 1 coat of antique walnut gel stain, sprayed a toner (dye mixed in shellac)  to darken the wood, and then applied 2 coats of poly.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
shellac, gel stain, transfast dye, poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor beverage cart

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/20/2017 - 14:55

I love using recycled and refurbished wood.  I saw some Cedar leftovers and made this project.  @theshopbycecilia

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Coffee Table

We made a few alterations to these plans. Added lift up hinges.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Red mahogany on top. White paint for bottom.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ana White Admin

Sun, 03/28/2021 - 17:02

Fantastic mods, love the look of this! Would love to see it in it's final resting place:)

side street bunk bed

Submitted by zfinlayb on Fri, 03/15/2013 - 00:19

I chose to modify one end to incorporate the ladder using The 2 x 6s. I made a template and used a jigsaw to cut out the u shapes. A lot of work! Mostly sanding I made the bottom sides removable for guests an when they eventually are not needed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
450.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
None yet. Intend to use a light stain and sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Laundry Pedestal

Submitted by shellyward on Thu, 01/22/2015 - 10:03

Had to buy a new washer and dryer several months ago and wanted the front loaders.  I was unwilling to pay $600 for the pedestals at the hardware store so I had been dealing with them on the floor until I found this plan.  Built these and absolutely LOVE them.  No more killing my back getting laundry done.  These sit higher than the ones from the hardware store so even better!!! I keep 3 laundry baskets underneath.

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

Sturdy and easy bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/23/2017 - 00:19

Went with 1x4 instead of plywood for head and footboard and dragged a classic cherry stain from minwax total cost of $280 in louisiana

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

my Adirondack Stool higher version

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/02/2021 - 17:57

I decided to make two Adirondack stools, they looks simple and easy and I have 2*2 and 1*3 slats on hand.
Cutting and painting didn't take too much time, but I was struggling with assembling. It was hard to square the board. When I finished them, they were great, I love them!They are 24" heigh.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dresser

Needed a new bedroom set. Loved the Madison plan, but also loved the idea from another brag post. The Rhyan nightstand had tile on the top. So I added porcelain tile to the top. Wanted something different.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Miniwax red oak and polyurethane gloss coat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Industrial Bookshelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/08/2021 - 17:03

My husband made these gorgeous, inexpensive bookshelves for my classroom. We modified the plans to create a couple of different sizes. I love them, and they work perfectly for the classroom library.

https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/30-industrial-bookshelf

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Woodstain- Sunbleached
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My version of the Clubhouse Bed

Decided to make this bed as a father-son project. We modified the original plan a bit but used most of the ideas from the site. We decided to make it taller since we had the ceiling height available and wanted real usable space under the bed. I built this one with 58" clearance under the bed. We also made the windows hinge outward to prevent head bangs when playing in the bed. We also added a bit more support on the front and the back panels.

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I sprayed on a clear poly using a HVLP sprayer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic x console table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/29/2017 - 13:30

I love this plan!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Special walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Potting Bench Project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 04/14/2021 - 10:50

Fun project indeed! Just make sure its all square every step of the way.
Thanks, I look forward to perusing some more projects!!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson's Clear Wood Sealer, two coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

My son is gonna love it

Submitted by dannyk9260 on Fri, 03/22/2013 - 20:30

this was an easy project and so practical. I saw the "other" version of this and wondered where $70 worth of time and materials went. This cost me $7 and about an hour and a half. I love making something that I've seen for a fraction of the cost, and this site makes it so easy.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$7
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax English chestnut, 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kendal Dresser - upgraded

Submitted by Mobrien07 on Tue, 02/03/2015 - 15:59

I added front drawer trim & a walnut stained top to this already great design  

 

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut
Varathane clear coat
Sherwin Williams high gloss white
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kmom721

Sat, 06/22/2019 - 08:44

It looks like they just bought some moulding and attached it

 

Cedar Planter Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/02/2017 - 09:52

Great, simple plans and exactly what we needed for a planter box.  A great use for scrap lumber or leftover lumber.  The finished size is very practical.  This is our second Ana White project.  Garage shelving project was as simple and successful.  

Estimated Cost
Made from mostly leftover lumber. Minimal costs.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain & Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate