Community Brag Posts

Full Size Simple Bed with Arch

Submitted by jalfieri on Mon, 12/05/2011 - 17:14

I'm building new beds for my daughters for Christmas. My oldest wants a bigger bed, so she's getting the full size simple bed. My baby bear needs a little more space in her room, so she gets the loft bed. The loft bed is finished but no pic's yet, as I can't assemble it till Christmas. For the full bed, I combined the Simple Full Bed with the Simple Bed with Arch. It's not quite finished yet, but here is a picture of the headboard. I'll add more pics when I'm done. I want to thank Ana for the hard work she puts into this website. To go out and buy similar beds to the ones I'm building would have probably cost me a couple thousand dollars, and would have been made of flake board. Because of Ana's plans, both my children will sleep on good quality, solid wood furniture for under five hundred dollars. Thanx Ana!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Plus Ultra
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Small Rolling Kitchen Island Rustic X

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/19/2016 - 15:43

This was my husband's first furniture build and he really enjoyed it. The whole project took about three or four hours to build. He changed the top to a plank style with Douglas fir pine planks which I then beat up with a hammer and a screwdriver to look old. The top was then stained with five layers of Minwax Ipswich Pine and sealed with two coats of satin polyurethane. The base of the island was chalk painted, then distressed. I then took the Minwax furniture stain and wiped it on over the chalk paint and immediately wiped it off to age it and darken the chalk paint. I then sealed it with Rustoleum Chalked Matte Clear. We love our new kitchen island and it really fits in with our little cottage!

Estimated Cost
$75-$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk paint, Minwax Ipswich Pine
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Little Kids picnic table

Submitted by nkukona on Wed, 06/12/2019 - 14:23

Preschool picnic table from plans posted on Ana White. Thanks for sharing the plans. My kids and family love the table. Doesn’t take long to make, but painting with two colors added some extra time.

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

Farmhouse Mirror

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/27/2023 - 09:26

This is a simple project that requires very few tools and a beginners level took about a hour to make:)

Comments

headboard, queensize

Submitted by elainefour on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 08:34

I needed a guest room, pronto, so I made this bed in an afternoon. I used lots of glue and my cordless finish nailer. I'm very happy with the outcome and thinking about my next project. Thank you, Ana.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
dark walnut stain painted over with antique white milk paint, then distressed around the edges.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse table

Submitted by TCrilly on Tue, 11/05/2013 - 17:29

We originally re-sized these plans smaller to make a worktable for my office. Once that was built and we realized that we actually could make a table, we decided to make the full sized version. It turned out beautifully! A couple of clients have actually asked if they could pay us to make them one! Thank you, Ana, for the plans. :-)

Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot walnut with semi-gloss poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2016 - 04:18

I used pallet wood on the top and regular 2x4's on the bottom section.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Polyurethane on the top, and black paint below
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoors couch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/04/2023 - 18:12

After thinking about it for 2 weeks, going over and over in my head of the sizes to cut and remembering the video of what went where, I put it to action. Took me about 2.5 hrs to build and modify where I needed to.

Comments

Flip Top Storage Bench

Submitted by trev88 on Sat, 12/17/2011 - 13:43

I came across Ana's website while searching for bench ideas and I liked her Flip Top Storage Bench a lot. I like the idea of wood lap joints which can add an antique effect, so I added two wooden squares in the corners of the top 1 x 4.

I still haven't put the lacquer finish on yet but will upload finished photos soon.

Estimated Cost
$50 (minus the finish)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax conditioner, Stained with Minwax Red Mahogany and will be finished with Sherwin Williams Vinyl Sealer then S-W Gloss lacquer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Victoria Marie (not verified)

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 18:51

You did a great job with this! I love the finish.

I'm actually in the process of making it as my very first building project, and I have a question for you. My bench is kind of wobbly so far. I attached the shelves with one pocket hole in each corner (all that would fit) and I think that's the reason. I think I'm going to need to attach L brackets underneath the bottom shelf for support. How did you attach the shelf, and is your bench sturdy? Thanks! - Victoria

trev88

Tue, 04/24/2012 - 08:13

Victoria,

For the top shelf, I put two pocket screws in each board, in each corner (so 4 per corner).

For the bottom, I put one pocket screw underneath the 1x12 in the corners (total of 4 screws), then the 1x2 or 1x3 strip i nailed into the 1x12.

Everytime board touches board I use glue also. Mine is holding up pretty good and sturdy. I know this stuff is hard to explain so if you send a photo that might be easier to explain.

Trevor

DIY Upholstered Dining Chairs

Submitted by katie0910 on Fri, 11/08/2013 - 08:35

We built these Parson chairs to go with our farmhouse table. We wanted to save some money as well as have chairs that matched our table perfectly. We absolutely love them! I modified the plans a bit, so please check my blog post to see how I made these to fit our table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40 each
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Provencial
Minwax Polycrylic
Wood conditioner
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Fri, 11/08/2013 - 17:00

Your chairs look awesome! Beautifully done and the upholstery looks very professional. The finish and colors look perfect with your table. Great build!

Double art desk

We have two girls of drawing age so we made this one a double desk, so each of them could have there own paper roll. We used eye hole fastness on the top and elbow brackets on the bottom to secure to the wall.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Laundry Sort/Fold Station

Submitted by Tbacks on Sun, 07/07/2019 - 19:26

A laundry room remodel is on the to-do list but by using the laundry station pattern as a base I made a few adjustments to complete my station.  

Stain is Varathane Briarsmoke.  Absolutely love the color!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Made from pine common board with a sanded birch tabletop.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Briarsmoke
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Entryway Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/11/2023 - 19:22

48 in wide and 18 in deep. Love how it turned out.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Outdoor Side Table

I adjusted the size of this table for the space between the chairs in our screened in porch. It's a cute little addition, it it was a cheap, fast project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I spray painted this in a fun bright blue.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Shoe Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/26/2016 - 19:31

I needed something to control the shoe situation by the front door. After looking at several Ana White plans, I knew the Spa Bench would be perfect. I modified it just a little, and you can get more details in my blog post.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30 in wood
$10 finishing products
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint (Behr marquee sample)
Stain (Minwax)
Polycrylic
Soft touch varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

2x4 outdoor sectionals, modified 2x4 coffee table

Submitted by damcow88 on Mon, 07/15/2019 - 06:09

I took the 2x4 outdoor sectional plans and built two complete sectionals, then I modified the 2x4 coffee table plans to accommodate a home made fire table. I built the burner and plumbed the system using an old stove top from an RV and some black iron pipe. To finish off the set, I used my tiger torch to burn the wood and sealed it all with spar varnish. I love it!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood burning and spar varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor Sectional with Slanted Back

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/16/2023 - 11:28

Fun project! Started with rough western red cedar which I ran through a jointer and planer to get good lumber.

I made a few changes to the design. I used thinner seat boards and cut a leaning tilt in the backrests. I also added 2 boards on the back rests.

I used all pocket holes to hide the screws. Once they dry out I will seal the sectionals.

Got a full set of cushions on Amazon for $300. Total for this project was around $700. Not too bad!

Laptop Table Customization

Submitted by hapsap on Sun, 12/25/2011 - 06:08

Thanks for the laptop table idea. I added a shelf, used furniture sliders for the feet (on carpet), and did a plastic inlay on top to put pictures. I used primed white MDF and painted it black, then brown, and gave it a weathered look by sanding it. This was a Christmas present for my mom and she loves it.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Interior paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Leslie in RI (not verified)

Sun, 12/25/2011 - 09:57

I built this shelf for my two pugs to hang their stockings for Christmas. As you can tell, they've been a little naughty lately. Actually, Lesterann, my three month old, has been the naughty one. Calvin, my 13 year old, is a prince. :)

I love this shelf and can't wait to use it in the kitchen as a reminder board.

Merry Christmas Everyone, and thank you Ana for all you do.

Apothecary style coffee table

Submitted by bhammond on Tue, 11/12/2013 - 12:12

Apothecary-style coffee table. I love it. And my family room is clean!

Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Old white paint I had stashed away, stained with coffee. I simply painted coffee over the white parts of my project, waited 20 minutes, then wiped it off.

Minwax english chestnut wood finish on table top. I also used a q-tip to apply this finish to sanded edges of false-drawers and corners.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Laptop Desk with Storage

How to build a simple laptop desk to use when working from the couch. This was a quick build from a woodworking plan found on the Ana White website. We added a small storage area for my blogging binder. 

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Distressing with pink paint and wood stain, poly on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner