Community Brag Posts

Flip down art desk

Submitted by Nphartw on Mon, 01/28/2013 - 14:23

This is our first project. My wife was searching the Internet for a small desk to buy/build after we decided it was time for the little one to have a dedicated art station. She was previously using a small chair in her room. Followed the plans with the exception of making it 18" tall instead of the 16" the plan calls for.
Overall it was very easy. But definitely attach the hinges before finally assembly of the bottom frame. That took about an hour to put 4 screws in with fingers, screw bit, and a wrench.
I built and my wife painted.

Thank you Ana White and everyone for their follow up comments.

Nick

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr paint and primer in one.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Easiest Industrial Cart

Submitted by Joss on Thu, 11/27/2014 - 03:13

So easy to make!

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse bedside table

This was made for a bedroom at our cabin. Nice extra large drawer and storage baskets. My favorite finish colors so far!

Estimated Cost
50$ not including baskets
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Strong tea, with steel wool and vinegar and sealed with clear varathane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Rendouthit on Wed, 01/30/2013 - 12:33

Fantastic project! Our first ever woodworking adventure and it turned out beautifully!

Estimated Cost
175
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Turned leg farmhouse table

Submitted by tracysmith on Sun, 11/30/2014 - 10:37

I built this table awhile ago and have been enjoying it with my family.

I used the husky farmhouse legs from Osborne Wood Products, painted them with APC mineral paint in Beach Glass and finished with MMS Hemp oil

The top, I used two project panels 6' long, finished in Minwax Dark Walnut stain and finished with clear, satin polyurethane.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I spent about $140 on the legs alone - yikes! and about another $65 - $75 in project panels and other supplies.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Oil based stain in Dark Walnut
APC Mineral paint in Beach Glass with MMS Hemp oil to seal it.
Clear, satin polyurethane
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

Storage bench

Saw the plans on the site and decided to make it. We had been looking for plans for a bench and my wife really liked this one.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$ 75.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted the body and lid with semi gloss paint and two coats of polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Trunk Side Table

Submitted by carriesty on Wed, 12/03/2014 - 11:03

This was one fun project. I needed a functional side table next to my big chair. I took my inspiration from Ana White's Emerson changing table. I love the rustic planked look. Thanks for the inspiration!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial and Walnut. I also used painters tape and white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic X Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/08/2017 - 08:42

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.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Less than $100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial and Wipe-on Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

A Big Huge Desk for My Son

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!!!!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax "Golden Oak" Stain
Varathane Polyurethane
Benjamin Moore "Copper Mine" paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Linda7

Fri, 02/08/2013 - 09:17

Pam,
This is such a neat build for someone who has to really "spread out". That's what I'd like to be able to do, but don't have the room. Your son's a lucky man.

Linda

King Farmhouse BED

This is my DIY for a farmhouse bed. Inspired by Anna white and Pottery Barn. I wanted a sturdy look and used 4 x 4 posts and decided to make a king!

Check out my blog:

http://www.woodworkingfourdummies.com/blog/king-farmhouse-bed-diy

 

Cheers,

Ian

Estimated Cost
$ 270.00 CDN
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut with a water based polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor sectional

Submitted by maw0130 on Fri, 03/10/2017 - 07:44

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. 

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

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

Clothes Line Picture Frame

Submitted by jzacharuk on Tue, 02/05/2013 - 21:33

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.

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

Range Hood Cover

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!!

 

 

 

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Off the shelf Semi gloss White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Lofted Kids Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/13/2017 - 10:49

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 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$175
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cabinets for games and piano books!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/05/2021 - 08:26

I’ve been following Ana for almost a decade and this was my first build. I loved this design plan so much I made two versions in a week! It was easy to modify the dimensions for both to accommodate the baseboard heating behind the double cabinet. I wanted a flush alignment along the wall. I love how it turned out! I definitely learned from my mistakes and the second one came out much better than the first. I made both cabinets from one 4 x 8 sheet of plywood. So cost effective!!

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Still deciding...eeks!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

APOTHECARY COFFEE TABLE WITH TRUNDLE

Submitted by athonu on Fri, 02/08/2013 - 13:50

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.

Estimated Cost
$120 for lumber, paint, stain, and hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Semi Gloss in an off-white, MinWax water base stain in American Walnut, and MinWax Polycrylic protective finish in a satin sheen.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Cedar Chest

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.   

Estimated Cost
$350.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax stain and hand-rubbed varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments