Community Brag Posts

Rustic X End Table as a Dog Crate

Submitted by Spooner on Sun, 01/26/2014 - 17:40

End table modified slightly so that the underside area serves as a Dog Crate. Used Plexiglass on the X sides and other parts from a portable dog crate for the front and back. Also, leather corners add a Hunting/outdoor feel.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax poly shade for the top and economy black spray paint for base
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ladybug chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/21/2016 - 03:18

This was a true joy to build. I plan on making at least three to four more of these. Couple tips I learned though: I used pocket hole screw where I could to prevent drilling so many holes that would need to be filled: Ft board, Rear boards, and a couple others. Also I routed the edge of the very front board where the child's legs will be dangling from, as well as the inside/outside edges of the arm rests. Smoother the better I thought with little kids. Lastly, I painted all the boards and then put it together as recommended. However, I would go through the plans and only paint the surfaces that you know will either touch and will be difficult to get to or sides that won't be drilled out; unless you don't plan on filling the holes and painting over them. It will save you paint and time if you plan out what sides of what boards you'll paint first than doing them all at once.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$35
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/11/2020 - 11:38

Love this little bench! My bench is a little bigger than Ana's, and the seat is not as deep, but the plans were super easy to follow. It's just what I needed to finish out my living room!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$3
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Grow Light for Starting Seeds

Submitted by lbrown on Sun, 04/15/2012 - 08:31

I wanted to start some seeds indoors this year but I couldn't find a reasonably priced grow light that I liked so I decided to make one myself. With some wood scraps and a 48" fluorescent work light I came up with an easy design that was inexpensive, too. For details: http://www.homeandawaywithlisa.com/blog/2012/4/15/diy-grow-light-for-st…

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray paint primer followed by a few coats of white spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Clothesline Frame

Submitted by bhammond on Tue, 01/28/2014 - 20:57

This is huge and fits perfectly in my previously lonely naked hallway.
I also made a smaller one as a Christmas present and it has received many compliments!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X coffee table

Submitted by Malka on Tue, 04/26/2016 - 01:39

This was my 4th build, and only took a few weekends to do, working on it a few hours at a time each day. Pretty easy, though I didn't include the X braces on the sides due to miscutting them (just got the angles backwards). I used Minwax Provincial and Minwax polyurethane. Excuse the mess in the photos.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provincial and Minwax Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Long Modern TV Console with Pallet Wood

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/17/2020 - 14:18

This project was a Christmas present for my girlfriend. I modified these plans a little bit to put the open shelf in the middle and used the pallet wood for this instead of it being white. The pallet wood was such a pain to cut up in to usable strips but after cutting them down, gluing them up, and sanding them down (for ages) I couldn't be more pleased with how they turned out. I used Watco Danish in medium walnut for the finish and I think it brought out the imperfections in the wood beautifully. I just used some pre-made legs from Amazon instead of the base out of laziness.

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Watco Danish Oil in medium walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Lkr0nes@49 on Fri, 09/15/2023 - 08:35

My brother (the carpenter) hates pocket holes! So to get him to help me with your farmhouse bed no pocket hole bed plan was a dream come true! It took us a few weekends but it came out so awesome. I could never buy a bed of this quality anywhere without spending a fortune. Thanks Ana!

Lisette Riveira @lkr0nes

Big Kids Picnic Table

I really love the way this table turned out. It is sturdy and does not wobble. My kids have already climbed all over it, and it seems like it's going to hold up. I was nervous about the yellow (I tried to copy the yellow from the plan), but I love it. It is just the right thing to brighten up my big back yard. I worked on this table off and on for a couple of weeks. I primed and painted all of the boards before I put it together so that I wouldn't have to worry about painting through the small gaps. It just took forever to paint one side, let it dry, turn it, paint the other side, etc. (Is there a better way I haven't figured out yet??) I thought I was never going to be done painting. When we actually put the pieces together, it took maybe 45 minutes, and that's because I'm not very good at using the drill yet :) Good thing I have some help. I intended to fill in the screw holes and paint one more coat, but as soon as it was put together, it was begging to be put in the yard under the trees. So, I let it be finished, and its perfect!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used one coat of primer and two coats of yellow paint (the kind that is already tinted, I didn't pick a certain color). I probably should have used two coats of primer because some of the printing on the boards still showed through the paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Dining Table

Fish made the tabletop from white oak and the base is pine. We still need to build a bench for one side and purchase new chairs, but we are IN LOVE with this table...and it somehow has allowed us to dine as a family more.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut, two coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Master Closet - Wraparound

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/29/2016 - 11:41

I thought I'd wait and take these glorious after photos once I was done - but nevermind that idea.  Here are some pictures of progress, start to finish.  I still plan to build some shoe cubbies for the towers so that my wife has a little more shoe-room.

We have a 5th bedroom directly off the master with a double door entrance where the 5th bedroom's closet would have been.  The room had been an office for the previous owner and my wife decided it would be a perfect closet for her.  I followed the plans quite closely for the towers.  I wish I had considered my 8+ foot ceilings and just built the towers taller because 1) storing stuff on top will look messy, and 2) The hanger rods aren't spaced quite well enough for longer clothing.  Because of this, I had to build her another hanger on the other side of the wall, which increased the complexity of the project (corner shelves, more wood, more staining, more finishing, etc).  In the end, I think it turned out great.  I will walk through the process very quickly.

  • Bought premium birch plywood, had them cut it down in the store.  They did a good job.  If I were doing it again, I would buy Aspen or Pine in precut boards, and I estimated it would have cost less than $100 more with a much higher quality and more workability, especially considering I stained instead of painted.
  • Built Towers - used my kreg pocket hole jig a TON on this project.  For boards across the top, I put the pocket holes on top, where they will be out of site.  For bottoms, I was able to use finishing brads to nail down my boards to the frame.
  • Stained wood.  I used an oil stain.  After letting it dry 24hours+, I used finishing wax to turn make the plywood very smooth.  I painted on the wax real heavy and then buffed with an electric polishing wheel.  *tip* no matter what you are thinking, stain your wood before cutting and assembling.  It will save you hours.
  • Built 2x4 bases for the frame of the system.  I used my bases as a template for cutting back the carpet.  I then fastened the bases into the wall studs and sub flooring.
  • Installed towers, played with spacing until it felt right and then fastened them into the walls and into the base.
  • Cut wood down to size for the top and bottom pieces and installed and nailed down.
  • Cut down scraps into strips to support the corner shelves and nailed them into the wall.
  • Cut down scraps into corner shelves.  I used 2 pieces of wood for each shelf and added supports on the underside so that they can bear decent weight.  I should have just done more pocket holes.  It would have been stronger and cleaner.
  • Installed mini crown molding along top border.  Installed 1/4 inch trim on all facing edges (rather than mess with laminating strips). Installed baseboard trip to cover frame and clean up border of frame and carpet.
  • Built drawers using scrap plywood from the project (via the drawer plans on this site).  I didn't mess around, just cut my wood down to the right size and brad nailed the heck out of it.  They are very sturdy.  A thinner bottom and back would have decreased their weight, but I don't see any issues the way they are built.  I opted for the 1/2 inch gap around the border of the drawers.

That is pretty much it.  I think I have about $500-600 in it. Probably 60-70 hours.  If I did it all over again, I could do it better and faster and on the same budget.  As noted in the plans, SQUARE is the most important thing.  I had to fix all the tower shelves once I had them mounted to the wall because they just were not level/square enough.  

Estimated Cost
$500-600
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Varathane Premium Fast Dry Oil Wood Stain and MinWax Dark Finishing Wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Farm Bench

This was my first Ana White build, and I’m hooked. Super simple for a beginner to make. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Full Size Storage Bed

My son chose this system for his room (minus one bookcase - the room wasn't large enough!) and even painted a few of the pieces himself! he's very tall so I lengthened the bed to 92" which is the length of the extra-long mattresses. For the time being, I added 6" high-density foam to the end of his mattress. I also used plywood with edge banding instead of 1x12 boards.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around $200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dutch Boy Interior Satin in Alloy
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

DIY Wooden Cooler Stand - Vintage Look

Got this idea from the blue cooler project - but decided to deck it out with vintage trimmings. Everyone who has seen it loves it! Very fun project.

Estimated Cost
70.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Summer Oak - followed with polycryllc and johnson's furniture wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIY everything

Tue, 02/04/2014 - 21:32

I'm in the process of building one out of this plan too except I'm trying to use pallet wood. I love how your cooler turned out so I hope you don't mind that I use the same Coke sign. Awesome job!

Toy room shelving

Submitted by Ybrown118 on Mon, 05/02/2016 - 15:14

Super easy project. My space is smaller so I modified to 6ft instead of the 8ft used in the plana. I plan to make the white board crates to finish the project. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$31
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Baby Boy Nursery Dresser

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/29/2020 - 08:41

My wife had me build this dresser for our baby boy. She took features from a couple different Ana White dressers and combined it into one. We also added to the height of the drawers, adjusting the overall height of the dresser to serve as a baby changing station.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar satin finish and a poly clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Easiest hanging daybed

Submitted by Mrs. Baker on Mon, 04/23/2012 - 20:02

This was the first woodworking project I have undertaken from this site and it is simply wonderful!
very easy to follow plans, and easy assembly.
I have this daybed hanging from my back deck across from my hot tub and it is the most wonderful creation I've ever attempted!
I included a twin sized bunk-bed mattress instead of a traditional twin so that it would be thinner.
I zipped a vinyl cover over the mattress and then added sheets, decorative pillows, a throw blanket, and some lanterns to the platform.
I plan to hang a canopy that will drape over the ends.
The backdrop in the picture is comprised of two cloth shower curtains that hang from eyelets along the edge of our deck.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I have so far left my bed unfinished, but as soon as I pick a stain for my deck, I will add the same one to my daybed.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Alexia Bench

Submitted by jgriffin on Fri, 02/07/2014 - 10:55

My very first furniture build! Followed the construction plans and my bench turned out great! Thank you for helping others enjoy this craft!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
140.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed, painted with Heirloom white, sanded edges with a cat sander, then painted American Chestnut stain on the whole bench and wiped off. Finished it off with a coat of matte poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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