Community Brag Posts

Lovely Outdoor Dinner Table and Benches

Submitted by kristyzed on Tue, 09/23/2014 - 12:15

I fell in love with this set from the moment I saw it on Shanty-2-Chic's website.  I knew I had to have it for the deck I just built in my backyard.  It's pretty straightforward, the only difficulty I ran into was assembling the legs.  I copied the angles provided in the instructions to a "T" but there are still some gaps where the angled pieces join.  After spray painting it they are not very noticeable.  It is a heavy beast of a table and took everything in me to help my husband heave it up on to the deck, but it's absolutely lovely.  It is so large we can easily have people over for a BBQ and everyone fits around the table.  I'm so thrilled with the results.  Thanks, Ana!

Estimated Cost
$120 for the lumber (in southern Ontario)
$30 for spray paint and I already had stain on hand
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Rustoleum Black in a Semi-gloss finish spray paint for the legs and Minwax Early Emerican for the table and bench tops. Two coats of an outdoor Polyurethane was used to finish with a light sanding after the first coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kristyzed

Tue, 06/13/2017 - 15:41

So sorry, I just saw this question now!  Wish I had received an email to let me know you asked a question.  You need to use a hole saw bit.  It's just a bit that you can use with any drill.  You need to determine the diameter of the umbrella pole first and then use the appropriate bit.  Hope this helps. :)

Texas Themed Bench

Submitted by paigers01 on Mon, 01/09/2017 - 11:49

I modified this bench to incorporate a Texas theme. I traced a Texas shaped cutting board onto a 1x16 piece of edge-glued board, and then cut it out with my jigsaw.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax English Chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Dress Up Storage

My dad and I made this by following your plans for the Craftiness is not Optional Dress Up Storage - we ended up skipping the wheels because I have carpet in the playroom. We used a countersink drill bit to be able to place wood plugs on top of the screws, and sanded the whole thing with a power sander after finishing.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Semi-Gloss paint + primer in Bright Red
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cedar Planter

Submitted by Tiers on Sat, 09/27/2014 - 08:59

This was a pretty straight forward design! I am so in love with my new planters. This was my second Ana White build. I can't wait to do more. The only changes I made to the plans were adjusting the side up so they were even with the legs. Then I added a 1X3 topper as some of the others have done. The crests that are attached my husband had made while in the Phillipines. I've been waiting for a special project to use them on and this was definitely it! Thanks Ana!!

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax wood finish in Golden Pecan
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Alexandra's Tiny (Bedroom) House

The best part about having a child is you get the opportunity to be a kid again. So when we bought our house I told my wife I was going to build our daughter her very own tiny house. Since our daughter is only 3 years old and can't afford a mortgage of her own we had to settle for a condo in her bedroom. After watching episode after episode of tiny house living and getting inspired it was time to get to work. With some help from my little girl (and mommy) this is what we came up with. To be honest I have to admit my crowning achievement was the faucet I put together with some pipe fittings and 50 cent faucet handles I picked up at a salvage yard. I know, I know after building everything in and out of her tiny house it's the kitchen faucet I'm most proud of HA, HA, HA! . One of these days i'll learn to actually take good photo's but i'm sure you guys get the idea. I hope you guys like it and get inspired to be a little kid again like my wife and I got the opportunity to be.

Estimated Cost
$300-$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

anita1977

Thu, 01/12/2017 - 05:32

What a fantastic idea to build a tiny "house" for your little girl.  Love all the details!

Modern Chairs build

Submitted by luisp20 on Thu, 09/24/2020 - 13:10

I follow Ana's plan to build these chairs, I am new to this, (second project) but the plans were easy to follow and I had the tools to do it, had to adjust the size to meet my space requirements, and play around some, but my wife loved them, so its a good start. Thank you Ana White, I didn't know I could build this, but did it :)

Estimated Cost
$120.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr's semi transparent stain, Cedar color (ST-146)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

American Girl Doll Bed

Submitted by mrsdunlap on Fri, 12/21/2012 - 13:18

I got an American Girl doll on super sale for my step daughter for Christmas, so of course accessories were in order! I've only made the $10 ledges before (that I have yet to hang) and I don't have many tools so I needed a super simple project. When Ana posted the plans for this bed I knew it was the perfect match! After all, it is meant to be built by children hahaha.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$3
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
mis-tinted tester from Home Depot (only cost 50 cents!!!)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Pub Table

Submitted by kbrewste3 on Tue, 09/30/2014 - 14:42

This was my first build so I learned a lot!!! I love this table but looking back I know more now than I did then and would have done things a little different. I would have plancked the top using my Kreg Jig Jr. and looked for straighter boards at Home Depot. I also altered the design for the look that I wanted, a rustic one. The table is 44" square and stand 43.5" tall. I also mitered the corners of the top outside boards wanting to give it a more finished looked. It took me about 3 days of nap times to build. We use it almost every night to eat dinner. I found the chairs at Habitat for Humanity and have plans to build a few more. My Husband thinks I should paint the table and distress to match the chairs, but that has not happened yet. All together I had a great time and learned a ton.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut with Polyacrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

simple outdoor chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2017 - 11:00

This was my first chair. I made the arms and base with 2x4's. I added a 2x4 apron in the front and back and 1x4 apron to the sides.  My next chair I will try to use the Kreg for the arms, the base will be hidden with aprons, so it doesn't matter. The slates are 1x4 as the instructions provided recommended.  I got the cushion from Lowes for $50

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 - for pressure treated wood, exterior screws, stain and sealer.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Ipswich Pine- used foam brush
spar urethane - clear satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cabinet

Submitted by Aggiegirl on Sun, 09/27/2020 - 13:59

Here is the cabinet I built for our home office. I used the top and bottom design from the Console Table, but since I live in Texas where there is lots of humidity, I cut one piece from maple plywood.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Carrington Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Mini Version of Haley Simple Shelf

Submitted by Matty3481 on Sat, 10/04/2014 - 12:38

I made a mini version of the Haley Simple Shelves as my first project from this site.  I had only practiced with the Kreg Jig before making this, and learned that you should not make any project too small, or your Kreg holes won't fit.. Hence I had to face screw the shelf onto the frame.  Nevertheless this was fun to make, I love the color (Peacock by Behr) and best of all, it gets stuff off the bathroom counter!  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10 for paint sample and one 1x4 pine board.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr paint in Peacock
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Matty3481

Sun, 10/05/2014 - 17:53

Hi!

No.. I did use pocket holes and screws to attach the rear support (1x2) to the arched sides, but couldn't use pocket holes to attach the top to the back, hence face screwing the top on.  Kreg screws are very strong without the pockets too.

Farmhouse Sidetable

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/17/2017 - 21:14

This is the second thing i have ever built and I am SO excited with the result! This has inspired me to take on new ambitious woodworking projects. Love it, thanks for the free plans!

Estimated Cost
about $30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used satin finish white paint, and Danish Oil for the exposed wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic X Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/04/2020 - 14:42

Decided to lightly char this one with a propane torch and then apply a wipe on poly.

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Fire and poly

Comments

Loft Bed

Submitted by liamzoe on Wed, 12/26/2012 - 21:07

My husband used Ana's plans for the Loft bed and then added his own touch. My daughter loves it. It turned out great. Thank you Ana.. So much cheaper to build it yourself.

Estimated Cost
250.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
white Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Tuscan Turquoise Farm Table and Rustic Benches

Submitted by LisaM1216 on Wed, 10/08/2014 - 21:32

I had a lot of fun building this table and these benches for our Tuscan-themed kitchen. The weathered turquoise gives the surroundings a pop! Thanks, Ana, for the inspiration and for sharing the plans! The benches were built according to the plan, but I did modify the table without the runner underneath so that side chairs could be pushed in.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Tan chalk paint as base, then two more coats of turquoise mix colors. Sanded gently on the edges to get weathered look. Then three coats of polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

storage bed toychest conversion

Submitted by hkingman on Fri, 01/20/2017 - 19:24

A few years back, I built a twin version of Ana's Farmhouse Storage Bed for my step-daughter. After she moved out, I converted it to a huge toychest for my three-year-old.

I would have left it as a bed, but with a quality mattress it was so high I was afraid he could get hurt if he fell out.

The conversion is simple. Remove 24 screws, reconfigure, add back the screws in different places. The support blocks become feet for the chest, and the slats become spacers under the top part. 

He loves being able to get his toys out himself, and I love that he can put them away by himself. A big upgrade over plastic storage boxes on high clost shelves!

Once he's a bit older, I'll probably turn it into a bad again. 

Estimated Cost
Zero!
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Linen white
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic x end tables

Submitted by Keldani5 on Wed, 10/07/2020 - 14:53

This was a weekend project using pocket hole screws pine wood and a regular stain and wax coating

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and then wax to coat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Picnic Table Benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/11/2024 - 16:33

Love Ana’s plans. Wanted something simple as I’m new after building this deck.

The addition of the small scrap allows a single pin to work for the picnic table and very comfortable bench position. This has been a big hit. Thank you, Ana. - Jim

Seasonal And Holiday

Daybed With Three Trundle Drawers For Storage

This was my first ever project! I had never even operated a circular saw before this--so if I can do it, so can you!

I made this for my son for his 13th birthday. Because he was getting older, I thought it was time for him to have some nice things in his bedroom. I felt that what he had before was "junky." I couldn't find anything that I liked on craigslist that was also in my budget, so I did a Google search on how to build your own bed, and I ended up here on Ana-White.com!

I had a lot of fun making this project. It's definitely a confidence booster. There is A LOT of storage in this bed as well. Those drawers hold so much, that I was able to eliminate my son's dresser, and still have room left over.

Now for some technical details. For the caster wheels I used 1 3/4" wheels, but if you can't find those, 2" wheels would also work.

For the drawer bottoms, I used glue and brad nails. I found an inexpensive hand-powered staple gun that works with staples or brad nails. I wanted it to hold well, so I spaced the nails a couple of inches apart.

For the drawer pulls, I bought six 1 3/4" screws and drilled all the way through both the drawer face and the board behind it. On Ana's post, she mentioned that you could put the handles on the drawer faces before attaching them so that you would only have to drill through one board, but I wanted to have the option of changing the pulls in the future.

That's it! I am really happy with the way this bed turned out, and my son was very excited that he had such a cool bed that his mom built for him herself. To go along with this bed, I also built a Large Cubby Bookshelf With Adjustable Shelves Happy building!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
First, I used Minwax's water-based pre-stain wood conditioner. After waiting about 15 minutes, I sanded the wood again using 220 grit sandpaper. Then I used about four coats of Minwax's water-based "Sangria," to get the darkest color with that particular stain that I could possibly get. You have to allow 2 hours drying time between coats, and 3 hours after the final coat. Finally, I used 3 coats of Minwax's water-based polycrylic, again allowing to dry two hours between coats. I also lightly sanded with 220 grit sandpaper between coats of the polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner