Community Brag Posts

The Traditional Wood Toddler Bed

Submitted by jputz2014 on Fri, 08/01/2014 - 05:39

This is The Traditional Wood Toddler Bed. Built straight from the plans. Worked out great and my daughter loved it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished for now. Daughter cant decide on a color.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4x4 Truss Table with Benches

My first furniture project. Made the 4x4 Truss table and matching benches. I used cedar for the 4x4’s as they are the only kind of untreated 4x4’s available here other than knotty pine for $9 a foot. The rest is spruce as that’s what most dimensional lumber here is. The only changes I made were to the pocket holes. I didn’t feel 2 on 1 side would be a tight enough joint so for the table I put them where the plans called for them and then 2 more on the opposite side. I filled in the visible pocket holes with 1/2 dowels and sawed them off flush

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
For the bases I used Varathane Ultimate Ebony stain and minwax fast drying polyurethane spray in satin.

For the tops I use Varathane Ultimate White Linen stain and Varathane Diamond Finish Soft Touch polyurethane in matte. I applied polyurethane with a brush. Very light sanding with 220 between coats to remove any dust particles that settled and with 400 after last coat. Final sanding was very very light. Just ran the rubber block sander over with the grain to remove any imperfections. This product really is aptly named. The matte finish is beautifully soft to touch.

I believe in the US the Varathane stains I used are branded Rust-Oleum.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Large Porch Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/31/2017 - 23:45

We built 2 XLarge Porch Benches,they where easy to build & look fabulous! Best part was it was a fraction of the cost if I were to buy these new!!! Thank you Ana!!! 

-Sandra 

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

Board game cabinet / charging station

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/06/2017 - 11:44

After Xmas I decided we needed a better place to keep our growing collection of board games. I made mine a bit deeper to fit our longer board games. Also, put a 3rd door on it. We also needed a central place to charge our phones and tablets. Paired with the top of the bedside charging table this cabinet is the perfect solution. Thank you!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Satin Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Full Size Farmhouse Canopy Bed With Storage

Submitted by Chantal V. on Sun, 11/02/2014 - 00:04

Believe it or not, this is my very first furniture project.  Inspired by my 8 yrs old son special needs to be able to draw his curtains close whenever he felt the need, I happily took on the challenge to build this for his pirate themed bedroom.  I have not filled the holes yet nor have I stained it in the walnut finish we have chosen.  The weather is just too cold for my taste (will wait until spring).  Currently, I will work on hemming the curtains.  I am just so proud that I could not wait until next year to share it with you all. I carefully changed the dimensions to a full size bed, changed the storage shelves sizes to accommodate 8 cube bins and 2 book shelves, added the canopy and some multi-coloured adjustable LED lights. Feeling so proud and have one really thrilled little boy!  Thanks Ana!!!

 

Estimated Cost
Roughly $500 but have lots of extra wood for a side table perhaps.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None as of yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 14:21

Great build!  Love the added curtains.  Congratulations on an awesome first furniture build!

Chantal V.

Mon, 11/03/2014 - 20:00

Thank you very much!  I had so much fun building it.  Besides, there is nothing more gratifying than getting a great big hug from my son with a heartfelt thank you.  Priceless!

Now my other two children have me planning their beds. :)  Mixing things up a bit using two totally different type of plans.  Can't wait to see the results.

Christmas Tree Shelf

After building myself a Christmas Tree shelf for 2019, friends and family wanted me to build them one for 2020. Three people wanted a smaller tree so I scaled down the plans and used 1x4's ripped to 3 inches. I also included cup hooks (3 or 4) and an aluminum french cleat hanger I found on Amazon for about $5 each when you buy three.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10-$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Various stains. Including mahogany, pecan, oak, special walnut, and white. Three clients wanted theirs unfinished.
For a top coat I used spray lacquer on one of white-washed trees and clear Krylon on another. No top coat was applied to the other trees.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Grammy’s bench

Porch bench for my parents’ new house.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior Valspar - Bright Red
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sectional Storage Sofa for Tiny House

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/25/2020 - 01:50

Thank you for the inspiration and plans to build the highly functional and stylish storage + seating solution! You used it for tiny house and I used it in children’s playhouse - it’s been excellent for toy storage! I also love that each piece is on wheels (even the stools that double as coffee table) - very smart and functional. I actually built another one for my garage and use that one for tool and hardware storage. Bravo Ana! Thanks again 😊

Estimated Cost
Under $100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Folding lap desk

This is my first project that I’ve done entirely by myself and I’m so happy with how it turned out. These plans were great! The only thing I did differently was make the legs 1/2 an inch longer and I stained the table instead of personalising. I made this for my mum and she loves it, thank you for these awesome plans ❤️ This only took me an afternoon to build and then just going back and puttying the screws and staining the table was done over a few days. The wood cost around $30 and I already had the putty and stain at home. It would cost more to make if you had to buy the stain and putty.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Trestle Table

Farmhouse Table 

Few Modifications, Tools use Miter Sae, Table Saw and Planer 

Check My Work At https://www.facebook.com/Custom-Patio-Retreats-1764656797122875/

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American From Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Platform bed with 11in 2x6 legs added

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/17/2017 - 09:32

We based this bed on plans we found on the Ana White website, but after final assembly we decided it was just a tad too low. Eventually we got around to adding the legs, which were made with left over pieces (from the bed project) of 2x6, cut to 11in.  We've been very pleased with the appearance, stability, and height of the bed this way. Now to wait for some nice weather to take out to the garage and stain/finish! If we would build it again, we would increase the width by an inch or two because the plans we followed "as-is" ended up being the exact dimensions of our mattress. Thankfully a foam mattress will squish into it and we won't have to rebuild for the extra inch. Overall pleased with our new bed. 

 

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished. Sanded to 120 grit
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

kids Bench

This is my husband's second project. He actually made 2 this weekend, one for my son and the other for my nephew. He lowered the bottom shelf to allow more room for books. He used a cherry stain. We love how it turned out-functional and nice to look at. I would say about 2 1/2 -3 hours to complete the project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Cherry minmax stain 235
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Gigantic planked sideboard

This was my second project and my first piece of furniture I built from Ana's plans. We have a vaulted ceiling in the hallway near my entry and needed a really big piece to fill up the large blank wall. I always hated the space but now I Love It. The Gigantic sideboard is perfect there. I finished it with milk paint and paste wax. If you inspect it closely it is not perfect but for my first piece... I love it and it's supposed to be rustic right!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I did not keep track of how much I spent but I'll say roughly 200 to 250 .
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I first used wood conditioner then sanded, sanded, and sanded. For the paint I used General Finishes Coastal Blue and topped it with minwax paste wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Pub Table

I built this with leftover ceramic tiles and using the pedestal table plans. I built it at the same height as our bar. The stools are from the vinatage bar stool plans and are modified with the rustic X as bracing for the legs, upholstery and are at a seat height of 25" rather than the 30". 

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
MInwax Royal Walnut with the poly mixed in
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Margo

Sun, 03/15/2015 - 04:31

Love your table! What is the measurement of your table top? I am wanting to build this but want more rectangular than square and am wandering about the base support with the slight change.

Toddler Chalkboard Easel

Submitted by Tea Granny on Tue, 03/05/2013 - 12:46

This easel was my 2nd Ana White project.

I decided to use an old picture frame to surround the chalkboard portion of the easel. I picked it up at an antique shop for under $5.

The wood was left unfinished, mostly because I ran out of time (I still haven't sanded the putty spots!). But now, I actually prefer it that way because it blends better with our furnishings. The legs of the easel are hinged so that it can fold up when not in use (I added removable pins on the tray support to make this happen).

This easel has been used every day - It has been such a great addition!

Thanks Ana for the great plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
less than $10 including antique frame
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Fine Touch to help sell our house

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/18/2017 - 12:57

In the plans of selling our home and move from Indiana to Washington, I visited  Ana's website I was able to build this easy, simple attractive outdoor furniture to give a little "Curb Appeal" Besides the couchs, I made a corner table. The cushions are made for chairs and the pillows are cheap pillows with new covers that my wife made. Sad thing about this is I hate to leave. I will just have to make another set some day?

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a latex with built-primer. It sat through this past winter and still looks new.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor Sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/25/2021 - 17:53

Made some adjustments to the original plans to help support larger cushions and pillows.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Used a roll of tape as a guide to round the headrest and arms.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Church pew style entry bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/26/2017 - 15:02

The bench measures 54" wide x 21" deep.  We slightly modified the Rogue Engineer plans at the customers request to allow it to sit flush against the wall. 

Estimated Cost
99.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain is 1 coat Minwax Classic Grey immediately followed by 1 coat Old Masters Dark Walnut Wiping Stain immediately followed by another coat of Minwax Classic Grey. Topcoat is Gemini Gem Coat Matte Pre-cat Lacquer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

DIY Murphy Wall Bed

Submitted by Dstor22 on Sun, 03/15/2015 - 07:05

Just finished up my Murphy Bed project. Hope you like.

Estimated Cost
280.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered Oak Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments