Community Brag Posts

This was a great project! I didn't use the 2x6's for the top, as one wasn't quite straight. I used some pretty poplar I had in the basement and it worked beautifully. I wouldn't use poplar for a high-use project but this table top won't see much abuse.  Used pocket holes to connect them and used finish nails and glue to attach to the apron. Minwax Provincial stain and wipe-on poly in gloss. 5 coats on the top and shelves. 3 on the rest. This is a really sturdy, beautiful piece. And so cheap! Took 2 weekends  - a few hours here and there and time in between poly coats.

My adult son needed a bigger computer desk for the new computer with double monitors and lots of accessories that he received for Christmas from his Dad. I ripped a sheet of plywood in half length-wise using Ana's tip of clamping a 2x4 to the board to be cut in order to get a long, straight line with a circular saw. The front edge of the plywood desktop is covered with flat trim to make it smooth and give it a finished look. I built two basic bookshelves to hold up the ends of the desk for storage of software and other accessories. Since the desktop is 8 ft long and will be supporting a lot of equipment, I decided it needed a 2x4 framework in the middle to keep it from sagging. My son wanted space between the desktop and the wall for lights and wires, etc., so that's why there is a 6inch gap between the back of the desktop and the wall.
The bookcases and desktop are stained with MinWax "Golden Oak" and sealed with Varathane Premium Polyurethane. I didn't use any wood prep because I was going for a more rustic look. The underside of the desk and the 2x4 framework is painted with Benjamin Moore "Copper Mine" in a Pearl Finish.
I didn't use any particular plan, but put together several ideas that I've learned from following Ana's blog for a few years now. My son is thrilled with his desk and we both are looking forward to furnishing his entire apartment with hand-built furniture from this site.
Thanks, Ana!!!!

This is built similar to the Reef sofa from Crate and Barrel. The Design Confidential had some plans, but I made my own. My 24" x24" cushions didn't fit their plans so I modified to fit. Plus the base and frame are modified a good bit. Also, I've built a swing too that matches. I'm loving it...and so are the fur babies. 

This was a fun little project. Not only did we get to use Ana's new picture frame plan, but we also tried out the whitewashed stained finish.

I have a very ugly, plain old range hood that needed to go.  It's not in my budget to get a custom range hood or to buy and insert.  So, I decided to cover up the existing one.  Turned out great IMHO :)  For details and a step by step tutorial including cut list for my project, click over to my blog.  Thanks for looking!!

I took the Fire Station plans and the Little Cottage plan and came up with this for my grandson.  He wanted a slide so I came up with that on my owe 

My version of the APOTHECARY COFFEE TABLE WITH TRUNDLE, I decided to add a back for added strength and support. It's solid as a rock. I also went back and sanded down the edges after painting and added stain as well as stained directly over the painted panels for a more weathered look. This is my first project from ana-white.com, hopefully there will be more to come.

We have considered buying a cedar-lined chest to store blankets, towels, etc. for many years.  However, we couldn’t find one that came close to matching the Knotty Pine bedroom set that we had in our master suite. 

Hence, our design criteria was quite simple; match the bedroom set and have a chest sturdy enough to support our Beagles as they peer at the squirrels outside the window.

We used plans / ideas from several different chest designs which were readily available on the internet.  Most of those plans were using hard woods such as oak.  Those plans called for a hard wood framing with ¼” oak plywood for the panels.  Since we needed to use Knotty Pine to match the bedroom set, we used 1” Knotty Pine for framing and Knotty Pine ¾ ply w/ Kreg Screws and copious glue to strengthen the construct.  We finished it off with locally available 3/8” cedar T.G. planks.  It is very heavy and very strong!  This project was done entirely w/ Kreg Screws and no router rabbeting for the panels.

We learned the following while doing this project:

·      When using soft woods, always put the power sander on the wood before you start the sander.  Otherwise, you can get scratching / sander burns that don’t present themselves until staining begins.

·      While very strong, ¾” plywood is very heavy!

·      When using plywood, it is recommended that you stain both the visible and non-visible sides of each piece where glue is not to be applied.  Otherwise the chance for delaminating increases dramatically.

60 hours work and $350 to build.   

Farmhouse Trestle Table 

6' Table

Check my work at https://www.facebook.com/Custom-Patio-Retreats-1764656797122875/

Wanting nice seating for the patio, I could not afford the sofa I wanted from Restoration Hardware. Since I have more interest and willingness than money, I looked on-line for a DIY design. Fortunately, I found Ana's site and her plan. I lengthened her sofa design to fit the RH cushions and went to work. Thank you Ana for easy to follow plans, especially thanks for the cutting & shopping lists! I had your plan by my side during the entire process. Now, I'm ready to build a footrest bench to place in front of it. (I did order the RH cushions... on sale, but still expensive!) I am 71 years old.... you never have to stop becoming, it is a choice!

This table was a lot of fun to make! I love it with the dark top and white base!!!! 

We were so excited to stumble across your plans on Pinterest for this farmhouse table. We literally seen the same table for 1600.00 on Wayfair's website. We can not wait to tackle another one for outdoors. Thank you. 

Patio Seating I decided on.. Went with the same concept i did as before with the pallet storage table bench, just on a larger scale. Added the back and complete.. Probably should of done 6 supports for the back since its a solid 10 foot bench. Its completely stable but most defiantly would recommend 6 vs 5. I did do the lid in 5 foot sections to make easier for taking on and off.

Modified a plan to fit 200x90cm mattress and added platform with steps from another Ana's plan.  Also added LED strip light under mattress base and under the platform. We leave that on at night so it's safer if he would wake up at night :)

In the future I'm planning to build a desk with drawers and a bookcase to fit under the bed.

Thank you Ana, my son loves it :)

2016 update :)

Finally added drawers (from Ana's plan) desk and shelfs. added four cool white LED lights over the desk.

Thank you again for your plans!

After multiple military moves, we were tired of factory made furniture with veneers that don't hold up to wear. So we were so happy to find the plans for this bed in a Cal King size.  Not only is it a classic design, but it's solid, sturdy, and we know exactly how to repair it if needed! We built everything to plan except that we used brackets to attach the side rails for ease of dissembling during moves. We love that it works with our freestanding, moveable base Tempurpedic mattress with no need for support slats.