Community Brag Posts

Bare Legs and Milk Paint

Submitted by KiraLynne on Tue, 02/10/2015 - 12:01

Hey, y'all. Here is how our milk paint dining table turned out. We are proud of it. Keep checking the blog and I will have more pictures of our complete dinning room flip posted. 

Thanks,

Kira

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

Flip up desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/09/2017 - 17:09

I'm in love with the way these turned out!  Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$150 (incl finish)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain in Gunstock, varathane polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Step stool

Submitted by brittrad14 on Sun, 05/09/2021 - 10:22

Love, love , love this step stool. It’s perfect and relatively easy to make.

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood finish early american
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

FLat Wall book shelf

Submitted by Jolynnw on Sun, 03/31/2013 - 20:27

We needed a small space book shelf that my kids could have next to their beds. So we searched the internet for a shelf. We found one that is similar to this one and we made our own plans and built them. It was so simple and our 2 boys, 5 and 7 helped make them with us. I then found it here! Easy and simple.

Estimated Cost
20$
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded and Painted a glossy white.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic table

Modeled after the rustic table.  I made it smaller and taller.  I used Pine boards and golden oak stain and also jacobean stain.  The legs can come off by unscrewing them.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Golden Oak and Jacobean stain. Poly over that.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Pub table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/13/2017 - 07:07

A full write up of this build, including photos & dimensions, is here: http://imgur.com/gallery/YyawW

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
The wood cost $40.
The Kreg K5 pocket hole jig cost ~$130.
The stain & polyurethane cost ~$15 total.
The lag bolts + washers + nuts cost ~$10 total.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1) Sand all individual pieces (prior to assembly) by hand. I believe I used only 60 grit sand paper, because I wanted to retain the look of lumber.
2) Varathane brand stain; color "Early American." Applied with a rag, not a brush.
3) Varathane brand Triple Thick Polyurethane; satin finish. Applied with a rag, not a brush. Polyurethane applied to the 2x6 table top surface boards only (i.e. I did not apply polyurethane to the table's skirt or to the table's legs).
4) Lightly sand the dried polyurethane by hand with 300 grit sand paper to obtain a smooth-to-the-touch surface finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Desk with Wormy Chestnut

Submitted by csolanzo on Mon, 05/17/2021 - 10:37

I just completed my first build (#AnaWhiteFarmhouseDesk). It has a ton of mistakes, but they are my mistakes to learn from.
1. Measure twice cut once not measure once cuss twice.
2. Cutting 2x4s in half does not make a store bought 2x2. Which is really 1 1/2 x 1 1/2. Who determined that we would measure wood (used in carpentry which requires very precise measurements) and just round up? Awwe, they'll figure it out!
3. Steelwool & vinegar stain with a black tea conditioner provide a beautiful aged wood appearance, but when using different types of wood it is nearly impossible to match (maybe even store bought stains are like that, too.)
4. When your 95 yr old grandfather (how freakin' cool is it that I have a 95 yr old grandfather... With a planer no less) tells you to catch the "wormy Chestnut planks" on the other side (okay... I'm bragging about getting my hands on wormy Chestnut for my desk top) remember to bring you own PPE because at 95 he doesn't require ear protection and doesn't give a frog's fat a$# if sawdust shoots in your eyes & nose... What's the problem???? He never had a new pair of shoes until he was in the military serving in world war 2 so what's a little sawdust?
5. Sometimes you just need to ask for help from your trusty uncle! Thanks to my uncle Nathan (Lord do I love this man!) I finally, with his help, completed the build by assembling the desk top yesterday. I was so afraid of screwing up my gold desk top (aka wormy Chestnut)
6. Mistakes... Do not fear them, but rather embrace them because that is life's playground where learning happens.
7. Learn from others. Thank you Ana White, Woodworking for beginners members FB group and YouTube!

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Steelwool & vinegar stain with a black tea conditioner provide a beautiful aged wood appearance for the body.

Desktop and shelf hardwoods were given a few layers of had rubbed poly.

Triple Truss Coffee Table

I used all metal casters on my table for a more industrial look! This table is huge so make sure you measure the room you are planning on putting it in! For more info & pics check out my blog: http://builditwithbrooke.blogspot.com/

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut & Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Planked Sideboard Entertainment Center

The design of our planked entertainment center is a compilation from various designs offered on Ana White; Planked Sideboard http://ana-white.com/node/4682 &  Media Center http://ana-white.com/2012/04/plans/rebecca-media-center-console-piece.  This is the 1st piece in our collection of 6 being made in the Farm House style for our Great Room and Dining Room.   We considered this to be our “practice piece” in preparation for the remainder of the collection with many important lessons learned.

The wood used was Red Grandis, which is plantation Eucalyptus and has just recently been made available in the U.S.   Red Grandis is being sold in California to replace Mahogany due to the environmentally unfriendly agriculture practices of many Mahogany producers.  While highly recommended by our local hard-wood retailer, we were reticent as we couldn’t find much information about Red Grandis on the internet.  And, while we don’t completely know how it will stand the test of time, we found it to be very user friendly, and it cut, machined, drilled & stained very well.   

This was our first attempt at making drawers.  While it took some re-cutting / re-routering, we are pleased with the final result and have gained some cautious confidence for the next pieces.  We did learn, in our hands at least, that the Rockler 45° Lock Miter Router Bits  provided a much more reproducible drawer corner than the Rockler Drawer Lock Router Bit - 1" Dia x 1/2" H x 1/2" Shank .

This was also the first time that we have used Miller Dowels and we were very impressed with their ease of use and outstanding fixation.  Additionally, I called the Miller Dowel company a couple of times for information and found them to be very accommodating and informative.  Based on our experience, we would recommend that you consider them for your next project.  One tip that we learned along the way was to put shipping tape around ( 5”strip above, below and each side) the dowel before you cut off the tip as it, apparently, lubricates the flex saw and protects the finished surface from being damaged while removing the tip.  

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax stain Red Chestnut
Minwax Satin finish Hand-rubbed Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Simple Paver Coffee Table (patio)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 09:15

Ana,

I was looking for a Mother's day project that I could build with my 14 year old son. When I saw your share on Pinterest, I figured this would be perfect.  There were a limited number of pieces (in terms of sizes/lengths) and the construction was pretty basic.

We purchased our pavers at Lowe's and found that they only sold 11 7/8" pavers (after our build).  However, the 1/4" reveal around the border of the pavers turned out to be a terrific little detail. You would think it was on purpose.

As always, keep up the great work and sharing. 

WoodworkCity

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyshade
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

slamarca

Wed, 09/13/2017 - 07:12

Hi Ana,

Could you please tell me if you sealed the pavers. 

Thanks so much for all the inspiration you have given me!!! I am going thru a very difficult time and don't see it getting better anytime soon, you helped me find myself and my passion. When I feel like I can't take another day, I go to your webisite and find one of your projects. Building gets my mind off of everything and a little break in all the worring.  I just can't thank you enough!

Thank you Ana,     Susan 

Farmhouse table

Submitted by lilh_18 on Thu, 05/27/2021 - 20:42

Adjust the height slightly. Easy to follow plans, quick project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Play Workbench

Submitted by Jlreber on Fri, 04/05/2013 - 19:53

I built this play workbench for my son's 2nd birthday present. He (and his big sister) couldn't be more thrilled with it! It was built in one evening after the kids went to bed. Only the pegboard and top piece were attached the morning after because of the paint of course. Now my big man can work next to me in the garage all spring and summer long.

I linked a blog below which was my model of inspiration for this project but I modified it to suit the size we wanted. I used premium pine studs (3 1/2" x 1 1/2") that had a beautiful natural red hue to them and a 18" x 24" cut piece of plywood pegboard which was painted with some spare blue paint. 2 1/2" deck screws were used for all attachments and drilled flush with intention of being exposed for a rugged look. The bench measures 24" wide, 17" deep, 41.5" tall from the back with a 19.5" tall countertop.

My wife and I had a lot of fun getting creative with what to add to it.

Estimated Cost
$17 for wood and $8 for 2'x4' piece of pegboard
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Leftover blue paint for pegboard (Annapolis Blue by Olympic)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modified Reclaimed Wood Look Bedside Table-Now With Hutch

I couldn't find a kitchen hutch to fit my space/needs so I modified this bedside table plan. I widened it 3 inches then extended it up! Now I have room for all my cook books! I love it!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax early american stain with Minwax water based oil-modified polyurethane in clear satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Office Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/21/2017 - 08:24

Thank you Ana for all of your woodworking plans. I have made several now and this desk is my latest. I stuck with the plywood for the file cabinets and went with an ash top panel made from 8" wide boards in order to practice some jointing and planing. The stain is minwax honey finished with 7 coats of poly. Again, thank you.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bookcase/ laundry and cleaning storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/02/2021 - 08:26

We mainly followed the plan but made some adjustments because we wanted the “ugly” side to be able to house brooms and mops and we cut the width down just a tad. We absolutely love how it turned out!! And we definitely needed this in our space!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

School Room Bookshelf

Very quick and easy project. Used the plans but adjusted the width and used pocket hole screws. We made ours 54" wide. After building the entire box and horizontal shelves with pocket holes you can secure the vertical pieces with brad nails. Start with the top row first and you can secure all of those with brad nails. Then use pocket holes on the top of the bottom vertical pieces because it won't really show. You won't be able to nail it since the top vertical piece will be in the way. 

I put some extra 1x2 scrap pieces on the bottom of the shelves for extra support but it would probably be fine without it. We just knew we were going to be loading this thing up and wanted it to last forever and it's not visible anyways.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$85 - We only needed three 8 foot 1x2 pieces because we weren't putting it on wheels and the back we didn't trim since it was going to be against the wall. 1x12 common boards were about $18 each and 1x2 select pieces are $5 Adds up quick but it is some much better than cheap particle board shelves.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic Modern Platform Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 12:48

We loved this bed much! And others loved it so much that the people who purchased our home requested to keep the bed frame as well. I guess we'll be building it again. We used a vinegar/steel wool solution to oxidize the wood and then sealed it with a natural finish (rubio-monocoat 'cotton white'). Thank you for these plans!

Finish Used
vinegar / steel wool + rubio monocoat cotton white,
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

octagon lazy susan

1st time working in walnut, 1st time using my miter saw for more than 90 degree cuts!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Old Master's Gel Stain Dark Walnut, Waterlox

Comments

Work apron made at workshop

I belong to a crafters group that had an evening workshop to make garden and workshop aprons. I chose this one from Ana White because it had exactly what I needed (namely big pockets and not too long).

I used outdoor fabric for the striped and solid brown pockets, bias tape (purchased at the local craft store) and a regular drop cloth from the hardware store. I was hesitant that this apron might not hold up to tools, nails, etc. but once I finished it, I think it will work great because the pockets are lines with the drop cloth fabric. The apron came out very sturdy feeling.

The project itself is pretty easy. The only hiccup you might have is if you've never applied trim/bias tape to a project before. That isn't hard either but you may want to look at a Youtube video or two on how to apply bias tape (trim) before starting. I bought my bias tape ready made at the craft store. It will be in the sewing notions section by the thread usually. I used the double fold version of bias tape because I think it's easier to use.

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

2 x 4 Garage Shelves Built into Basement Storage!

Hello Everyone! This is my FIRST brag post here on Ana-White.com - but not the first project that we've built from her awesome plans. :) 

We have an unfinished basement that desperately needed some shelving because 1. It's our workshop in the Winter and 2. We don't have an official 'storage' room in the basement of our split level home. When I saw these plans I immediately thought they could be modified to fit our space and get my stuff off the floor! 

I modified the plans just enough to fit our space. After reading through them completely, I realized for an 8 ft wide space (beside the stairs) I only needed three supports for the shelves. Easy! The only trick was fitting the shelf into the space AFTER installing the shelves. Because I had walls on two sides (unlike the tutorial) I couldn't do the shelves as the last step. 

I LOVE how these turned out! They are a strong as a ladder (we tested them... :)) and they hold everything I need them to, and a little bit more. It's a definite improvement on my previously messy, cluttered, saw-dust covered space ... :) 

Estimated Cost
Our space was 8ft tall by 8ft wide, so we ended up purchasing about $60 worth of 2x4s to complete the project. We also used 2.5" screws, which are around $4 per box of 75.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None - we left the wood bare and natural because it's just for storage - not for looks. :)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Handmade by Jungle Jim

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/27/2017 - 15:11

Great plans, Ana. Very easy to build. A good project for someone like me who has no carpentry experience.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Polycrilic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner