Community Brag Posts

Sandbox with Benches

Submitted by boneill on Thu, 07/09/2020 - 04:39

Awesome sandbox !!

I’ve made a couple of these . One thing to save you money that I switched to on my second one is making the frame from 2x material vs 1x. Looks better too and is more sturdy .

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Cedar deck stain/sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Breakfast Bar

I built this bar for my mom to use i her dining room. I altered the plans for the X Style Desk to build this at bar height. This was my first time distressing anything and was pleased with the outcome. i used one coat of Minwax Dark Walnut stain and two coats of Minwax clear satin finish. White shellac Based primer, brown egg shell paint and Green egg shell paint for the base and sanded for the distressed look. I used dimensional pine lumber from the home center to build this with.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut stain and Clear satin Poly. White shellac Based primer, brown egg shell paint and Green egg shell paint for the base and sanded for the distressed look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Granddaughters purse and ribbon holder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/11/2016 - 11:13

My 5 year old granddaughter and I built this. Used scrap wood and had the knobs.

Estimated Cost
$5.00 Wood and antique knobs
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Pink paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modern Outdoor Chair from Pallet wood- OH MY

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/10/2020 - 12:06

It's a Friyay! and we have a bunch of used pallets at work the boss is wanting to get rid of. Well he is on vacay so ....
We (me and my office manager) had to alter the directions a bit but the end result is great. This was our first project and tools were very limited. Even so its a win win and we will be making more. Thank you Ana!

Estimated Cost
FREE
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
none yet but paint is being considered
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Custom Island with Granite Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/23/2024 - 14:33

I made a few changes to the original plans for this island. I had to convert all measurements to metric to begin with. I live in Portugal and standard size woods, such as 2x4s are simply not available. I found a lumber yard that had some extremely nice German Oak which was a pleasure to work with. Although, this did add some weight to the finished project. All wood needed to be jointed and planed to ensure straightness. The "X" cross braces are full length. I used my router to remove half the thickness where they intersect so that they interlock with each other.
The granite top was a remnant we brought with us when we moved here and was sized and shaped previously. Instead of using pocket screws to join pieces together I opted for doweling all pieces and did not use screws at all, except when attaching the tracks for the drawer.
Fortunately, the overall plans did not require much alteration to accommodate the granite.
I would have liked larger wheels but these allowed for the island to match the countertop height in our kitchen.

Christopher Mathrusse

Gift caddy/crate

Submitted by dmcarwin on Wed, 09/12/2012 - 05:22

I Love this plan! I had to modify mine a little form Ana's because the reclaimed wood I got was already cut in small pieces. I love how it turned out! I ended up giving it as a gift and made several more for the same purpose. You can see those on my blog!

Thanks Ana for another awesome plan!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free! Scrap wood
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a wood aging finish, steel wool in vinegar.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Tryde Coffee Table

Submitted by Trenny10 on Tue, 07/08/2014 - 12:39

This was my second project from Ana White and it turned out just as well as the Tryde Side Tables. The finish used was exactly the same as the side tables; however, just regular Cedar was used instead of Red Oak.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Began with 1 coat of standard wood conditioner, 1 coat of dark walnut stain and applied 5 coats of polyurethane, sanding it with 220 grit sandpaper after each coat had set.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sliding Barn Door Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/13/2016 - 21:21

This was a fairly easy build, but the hardware was a challenge. Very exciting that it actually worked. Followed hardware instructions linked in comments

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 +
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint for frame, top is varathane sunbleached with rustoleum glaze on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Indoor playhouse bed tower

Submitted by Natalieeh on Sun, 07/12/2020 - 18:08

Indoor playhouse above twin bed. Cost about $190. Took two full days. Built using the plans off this site. The inside play area is 42in by 39in. The plans have the mattress on the ground. I have a dog that sheds like crazy so I have her mattress on a metal frame but plant to build a low to the ground platform bed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
190
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted it white with just a Valspar ultra white primer and paint in one. I may do trim in another color later.
Make sure to get perfect 2x4s!!! No twists bends splits etc!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

The simpliest shelf stand

Submitted by hobbywood on Fri, 09/14/2012 - 03:47

I suppose this is the simpliest shelf stand ever :) Pls note that side boards should stand on bottom board (in order to provide tensile strength). Also pay attention that the construction shown will not be safety standing near the wall. You should screw it to the wall. Well, that's all. The top valance is made of floor plinth. PS. Sorry, English is not my native language, but I hope you can understand my post. Blog link leads to russian language page.

Estimated Cost
approximately 825 russian rubles (25 usd) each one
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Belinka rosewood glaze 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Compact Utensil Organizer

I made a counter top utensil organizer for our little kitchen and love how it solved a few utensil difficulties for us. I wish I could post plans, but all I can offer for now are photos and a brief explanation on my little blog: http://sunnysideup-stairs.blogspot.com/2014/07/compact-utensil-organize…

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Cutting Board Conditioner (beeswax, carnauba wax, oil blend)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

GREAT FOR KIDS AND FOR COUNTY FAIR EXIBIT

This was a fun project. I built it for our local county fair and it was a hit, I won an award.

I used all cedar 2x4 and 2x6 lumber. I used pocket hole screws. and glue and  I used carriage bolts to make it stronger. I used Thompson Simi- transparent stain/ sealer in a Honey color for the finish. It will last a long time and  will be perfect for  all kids, 

Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson's Honey semi transparent stain/ sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Modern Outdoor Sectional

Ten-day project (construction plus sewing) that concluded with exactly what we needed for our space. No big issues with the plan and really pleased with the result. Making the cushions was only possible through upholstery sewing experience. Thank you Ana White!

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Gloss Black Spray Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Custom Adirondack Chair Exotic Wood

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/31/2024 - 16:29

I have followed Anna for several years and really liked the Adirondack chairs so I finally got around to making mine, the plans are the same but I made some modification so I could use as much of the recycled mahogany I had. The wood came to me from South America in the form a crates, I kept as much of the original patina as I could as well as the chainsaw kerf marks. The seat was the only part where I used a different wood and that is kiln dried beetle kill pine.

 

My Smiling Mudroom Wall

Submitted by Daisy1 on Mon, 09/17/2012 - 04:36

Such a useful and attractive way to keep the mudroom area organized. Especially needed in our house which has no dedicated mudroom--just an area carved out by the kitchen door where we need to stash our coming and going type stuff. Loved the plans!

I made a few alterations to the originals to customize the plans to our particular needs, which are outlined in the blog post on our site, http://littlehouseinthesuburbs.com/2012/09/my-ana-white-mudroom.html.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used one coat of latex primer and two coats of latex paint, white, sanding between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cyndy Cook (not verified)

Sun, 09/23/2012 - 15:47

I love it! It is beautiful. Makes my boring mudroom frown! :D

Kid-Sized Adirondack Chair for Charity

Submitted by jaime19861 on Mon, 07/14/2014 - 18:39

I made this cute kid-sized Adirondack chair to be auctioned off for charity. The pattern I used for this can be found in Ana's book, The Handbuilt Home.

This chair costs less than $5 for the wood!

If you want to see more details and pictures about how I built it, check out my blog post.

Estimated Cost
$5 + paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Gloss Apple Red
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Custom Kitchen Island - Is this the biggest version of an already big plan?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/20/2016 - 21:19

I'm building a house for a client who wanted a country farm house feel.  The kichen cabinets are custom frames with beaded board inserts.  

Custom Kitchen Island

The custom kitchen island is unusually large for this size home at 10' 6" x 4'. The base cabinet 90" x 25 1/2".   But, there is no dining room.  I wanted the island to not look like the rest of the cabinets.  Then I found Ana's design.  I reworked the design to fit my space and the buyers preferences.  Trash pullout, larger drawers ect.  My plan was so far from typical site built trim that I decided I would build it myself or it would really be a budget breaker.  I do have experience in all aspects of building but, this is my biggest trim project.  Time?  I'm sure I have 40 + hours in it.  Money?  The columns alone were $500.  I'm sure I have $1,500+ in it.  Don't even ask how many cool tools I had to add to my collection just for this project!  

I built the custom kitchen island in pieces in the shop, and assembled it in place.  Very heavy, no way to move it after assembly. The stain went on today.  I'm happy with the way it turned out.  Thanks for the inspiration Ana!    

Estimated Cost
$1500 to $2,000
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams, custom color.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

lanatorlak

Fri, 10/21/2016 - 08:13

WOW! This is absolutely breathtaking! Just think of the memories that will be created around this beauty. The cabinets are great, but the console island steals the show! Job well done! 

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