Community Brag Posts

Tilt Out Garbage Bin

Submitted by stephie_00 on Thu, 04/23/2015 - 19:16

Modified the plan to use pallet wood and stained it classic grey for a weathered look.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Min wax Classic Gray oil-based stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

2 Door Corrugated Metal Cabinet

Submitted by mahouna on Sun, 09/03/2017 - 04:47

I would love to supply plans, but I just get an idea and "wing it", need to start writing things down! Cost, less than $50.

Estimated Cost
Less than 50 dollars, metal is $10 and it is cut by shears, so using it makes a quick build since the back is done quite quickly.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Post Office / Bank

I used Ana's Library Base Plan and modified it slightly to include cubby holes on the bottom and an acrylic "window" at the top to create a post office for my daughter. This now also gets used as a "bank" and a "fast food window"! Lots of fun!!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint, Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Out door sectional

This is my first woodwork project, completed as a team, with my husband. Was good fun at times and frustrating at times! Our wood was thicker by a couple of millimetres out meaning the plans needed to be tweaked.
Table was designed with the chair structure.

We had cushions and covers made to measure (we live in SE Asia so cheaper than UK or US) about £200.

Looking forward to building some deck chairs next!!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

The Boy Cave

It was time to upgrade my boy's toddler beds to big boy beds. They wanted bunk beds but I was afraid they'd take turns jumping off the top bunk. When I came across the Sweet Pea bunk bed plans I was so excited because the design wouldn't allow them to jump off the top bunk.

I was inspired by someone else on this feed who built doors. I also tweaked the pergola a bit. I also added extra support to the rear panel framing by adding another vertical post from the top of the horizontal post to the top bunk horizontal post and then another from the top bunk to the bottom bunk horizontal post, both directly down the middle. Probably overkill but felt that was a long run for the rear panel sections. I made my roof out of plywood siding panel and framed it on the back side to keep it from bowing and added support. A few more added elements are a dedicated fan for each bunk, reading lights, and led light strips that flash and fade into different colors. 

I had a lot of fun building this and since it's been completed, I've had even more fun building much smaller projects. 

Thank you Jenny for sharing your plans on Anna White's website and thank you Anna White for sharing all of your wonderful plans as well! 

Estimated Cost
$800
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Water Based Stain in Slate and American Walnut. Mute with watered down antique white latex paint then lightly feather antique white paint for the final touch to get the distressed streaks. Finshed with Minwax Water based satin polyurethane.
Used onyx black latex paint on the roof and antique white on all of the trim.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 04:39

The first pic is the rustic x with 2x6. These plans are easily modified. The second is the rustic x with 1x material. Both projects were fun to complete!

Comments

Barn door table, Inspired by the Tryde Table

Submitted by LeslieD on Mon, 03/14/2011 - 14:33

This is my first project and I was very excited about doing it. I wanted something unique but something like the Tryde table.
I hope you all enjoy it and get inspiration from this table like I did.
Thank you Ana.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The only thing I did by hand is use a hand saw. Everything I used besides that was electric. It took me more time to make this table because I have never built anything before and wanted to take my time. I started on a Sunday and was done by Wednesday.
Measure twice, cut once.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Spa Side Table

I completed this table with my 5 year old daughter as my assistant. My husband requested a table to put next to our new hot tub to set his drinks on and this is perfect. We only put one board on the top because I felt since it would be outside, I wanted a smooth top. I just screwed it in diagonally from the bottom. I also used spar varnish since it would be outside.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-o-Leum Ultimate Wood Stain in Kona
Semi-gloss Spar Varnish (3 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Love my hall tree

Submitted by Mags624 on Tue, 04/28/2015 - 21:33

My husband built this with the help and guidance (and tools!) from his dad. Great family project (bro in law and nephew also helped) and bonding experience. It was their housewarming gift to us. My husband did all the finishing work (ebony stain and minwax varnish) and I got to pick out the hooks (anthropologie). We upgraded the wood to oak. LOVE it. Thank you!! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Scrap Wood Wall Heart

Submitted by Malka on Wed, 09/13/2017 - 01:14

Had some scrap pieces of 1x4 and 1/8'' ply, so I glued up the 1x4s and used a coping saw to cut out the heart shape, then tacked in the plywood behind it. 1x4 is stained in Early American, and plywood is stained in Red Mahogany. Finished in Satin poly. Added a personalized message to the back and gave to my fiance.

Estimated Cost
N/A Used scrap wood and supplies on hand.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American and Red Mahogany, Minwax Spray Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/07/2021 - 13:30

We couldn't find the perfect piece that would accommodate a crowd. As always, Ana's easy-to-follow and adaptable plans came through for us! We used a version of the One Arm 2x4 Outdoor Sofa to build this 8x12 sectional.

Comments

Toy Workbench

Submitted by alifrancis on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 14:46

I have always loved handmade gifts, both giving them and recieving them.  So when we got an invitation to our friend's 3yr old son's party, I knew the perfect gift.  I loved this plan from the moment Ana posted it, but my kids were just too old for it now :(

This was a very inexpensive an easy build.  The best part was putting a giant bow around it and taking it to the party.  Jax lit up when he saw it. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15 including paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Used a Kilz spray primer and sanded it after dried. Painted it with Kelly Moore Blue that we had left over in our garage in an eggshell finish. Finished it off with two coats of Minwax Polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack Chair

Submitted by nateDuncan on Mon, 06/03/2013 - 12:10

I had built a few of these chairs a year and a half ago similar to the red ones that you have on the step by step instructions. That was my first time at customer building and painting anything. Needless to say, my skills have improved over time.

So, I wanted to build this chair for my dad for fathers day. He had an old plastic Adirondack chair sitting in his backyard that was really gross. I wanted to replace it with something nice. So he is obviously a UK fan and I wanted to see if I could paint the logo on correctly while also giving myself the opportunity to build something and see if I can make this chair a lot better than the ones I had previously built.

So I decided to curve the back of the chair and curve the ends of the arms. I recently got a nice dewalt random orbital sander which helped out alot in getting it nice and smooth. I made my own wood putty using the leftover sawdust and glue mixed together. I also fastened the wood together using glue and polymer coated screws. Which are supposed to last alot longer than regular wood screws when using pressure treated pine.

I took my time to make sure the pieces were all square when assembled which was better than previous building projects. Also, as far as finishing the chair, I primed it and then put 3 layers of the Kentucky blue Outdoor paint with a brush (which seems like it took forever). I made the stencil by just printing the logo on a piece of cardstock paper. Then I cut out the logo with a razor, then I wrapped the paper in duct tape to make the stencil it a little stronger and to fix the areas that ripped when cutting the card stock paper. Then I cut out the duct tape where the logo is. I made a couple of test paints using the stencil on some scrap to make sure my technique was good. Then once I felt comfortable, I painted 4 coats of very thin paint on the chair where the logo is. After all was dry, I did a light by hand sanding to make it smooth and then sprayed some clear coat on it for an extra level of protection and to make it shine a little.

It was a fun project and my dad really liked it.

Some things I would have done differently for next time would be to use a router to flush cut the seat slats and also use the router to give a nicer rounded edges for the arms and all of the slats as well. Also, It would be nice to mount a stainless bottle opener to the chair to open your drinks (maybe on the outside of the arm of the chair.

Thanks for the plans. I check your site all the time for ideas.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
primer, paint, clear coat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

X Coffee Table

Submitted by jennadlm on Sat, 05/02/2015 - 16:13

Me and my husband built this table last year. We built everything according to the plans, except we needed it to be shorter. The table is only 3 feet long instead of 5 feet long. We love how it turned out! Thank you Ana for the awesome easy to use plan.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat of black tea, and Steel wool disintegrated in vinegar for the stain. Polyurethane to finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Mini farmhouse bedside table w/ hidden compartment

Decided to add a secret compartmet on the bottom of this stand for small personal items.  Used piano hinge and cabinet push latch.  Wanted to hide the hinge but kept it easy and simple so I painted it black and you can barely see it.  This site is amazing and I cant wait to make more projects.

Estimated Cost
$20-40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Black cherry with 2-3 coats of tongue oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Coffee and End Tables…

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/09/2021 - 08:41

Just constructed these tables from used 2” X 4”’s and Fence Pickets….

Comments

King Fancy Farmhouse Bed

I made this bed pretty much by myself, my hubby helped me assemble it in the bedroom.  It is king size so I had to do my own measurements.  To my surprise it was pretty easy.  Just make your measurements accurate.  Had  blast.  Next project please!

Estimated Cost
$130 I splurged on the trim and spent $37. Plus I had 2x4's on hand for the bed frame.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut I had on hand. I couldn't find the gel stain I wanted. I would have preferred to not see such a contrast with the grain then I sealed it with a satin spray. After a few months I ended up painting the bed. I was just not happy with the wood look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pipers Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Plug5 on Tue, 06/04/2013 - 16:25

My wife, and I wanted to upgrade my 5yr old daughters bed. Hopefully this will give her enough encouragement to actually sleep in her room!

The bed turned out great, and my daughter loves it!

This project took a little longer than usual, because with the exception of the couple pieces of plywood all the parts are made from rough maple lumber. The longest part was planing, and gluing all the parts up.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dura Clean Satin Paint with sprayed on white primer.

I used a 4"mini roller with a slight texture for the finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy Hall Tree

This is the second project I made from Ana White Plans. I used some scrap wood so I had to use wood filler to fill in some blemishes so I could not stain the wood. Instead I painted it with a gloss white. It turned out really nice.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White Gloss paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Mud Room Bench and Cabinets

Submitted by skmojo on Wed, 10/13/2021 - 12:45

This is actually a mash up of Ana's "Mudroom Bench with Easy Drawers" design, and a "Mudroom Lockers" post by Infarrantly Creative. The end result is a 66" W x 98" H x 19 1/4" D built-in bench with 2 drawers and 4 cabinets. I did the cabinets first, to easily support them while installing on a temporary ledger board without the bench in the way. Unlike Infarrantly, I did not have existing cabinets to re-purpose, but I found 30W x 24H x 12D cabinets that practically matched the adjoining kitchen in both color and style. I also added matching pulls and handles to tie both rooms together. I almost went with taller cabinets to the ceiling, but this approach with Crown Molding "not-to-ceiling" matches the kitchen cabinets. I also bought matching trim pieces for the ends and across the bottom so anything touching the cabinets matched in color and texture. In hindsight, the color-matched paint was so close, though, I could have saved some cash by cutting and painting those pieces instead. Everything gray below this point is 1x material cut to spec and then painted. The bench is based on Ana's design (modified to two drawers) with Infarrantly's stained top. The top is a pine board from HD stained to closely match our LVP in that room, and the entire first floor. You will notice the top rail of the bench frame (attached to the top with Kreg pocket holes to minimize visible nails/screws) is also stained to give illusion of a thicker slab. The stain closely matches our LVP in that room, and the entire first floor. This was my first time building drawers, but thanks to Ana's "Easy" drawer design, it still worked out pretty well. The drawer frame technique (instead of faces) made everything a little more forgiving (which I definitely needed). After painting and reinstalling, I noticed that some of the reveal around the drawers did not line up evenly and straight around them. I simply adjusted the rails (drawer side), and the middle upright between them, without needing to remove or rebuild the drawers or the frames - WHEW! Between the cabinets and bench, I used 1x12's and 1x2's, down the sides - although you could leverage the existing wall finish. I also added vertical shiplap to the back, but again you could leave the existing wall finish or use beadboard. It is painted teal to coordinate with the adjoining kitchen's tile and backsplash. I added the Hummingbird coat hooks, since we love those feathered visitors around our deck in the summer. Thanks to both Ana White and Infarrantly Creative for inspiring this addition to our new home.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments