Community Brag Posts

Doll Highchair

Submitted by Jeff_henke on Wed, 03/20/2013 - 20:47

Used basic plan, with some customization to the seat back and the tray area of the chair. Finished with white enamel paint, pine stain, and high gloss polyurethane to protect the wood.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
<$10 mostly scrap wood and leftover paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White enamel paint for the frame and pine stain with two coats of clear poly on the natural parts.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2x4 Accent Table

Submitted by Deitrich on Sun, 02/01/2015 - 06:35

I used the ideas of many and added my own as well, with the bottom shelf and 30 degree edge cuts on legs and bottom edge of table top. I constructed this in two separate parts, frame and inserts. I stained the the gray and brown parts separately then finished assembly and clear coated. I used nine 2x4x8' and one 1x8x6'. Table top is 60" x 22". I had to use one piece of 2x6 and rip to 4" wide. This filled the 1/2" gap I was left with on the gray part of table top. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$90.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Weathered Gray and Kona, one coat each.
for the top coat I used Rust-Oleum Ultimate Polyurethane in Semi-Gloss, three coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jody Knowles

Mon, 02/02/2015 - 14:26

I really like the contrast with the colors. You did an outstanding job of making this piece a one of a kind. Very, very nice.

DIYGoddess18

Mon, 03/12/2018 - 12:41

Did you happen to have a support for the bottom shelf?  This is exactly what I'm wanting for my entry way! Awesome job and love the colors!

King farmhouse bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/30/2017 - 09:23

Built this over the course of a week, but could have been done in a weekend if I didn't have three young ones. My husband is military and we move often, so it is built to be broken down into three large pieces. Used these http://www.rockler.com/5-surface-mounted-bed-rail-brackets to attach the rails to the head board and footboard. This bed is a tank and doesn't move at all! We are in love with the way it turned out! 

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ivory tower colored chalk paint by Renaissance with 2 coats of minwax polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Adirondack Chairs - First Project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/16/2021 - 06:32

I ended up painting them a Bright Blue and Bright Red like crayola colors and I forgot to take an after picture but I was so excited about this because it was my FIRST time building something with wood. My husband made the table with the scraps I had leftover.

Comments

Stella's Loft Bed Conversion from Classic Bunk Bed Plans

Loved the chunky look of the bunk bed plans but needed space for toys and junk.
Raised the height and used lag screws for extra security .
Stella can't wait to go to bed at night , so I take that as a successful project.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Truss beam farmhouse table

Submitted by Mjh60 on Tue, 02/03/2015 - 19:41

This was my first table I built, very happy I found these plans. The legs were pressure treated 4x4's which made it very heavy one I put it all together. Thanks for the plans Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax stain and polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Weatherly X back

Loved making the Weatherly for the back porch. Extended it out to be a four seater on the long side and 3 seater on the short. Finding a deal on the cushions is the key (I didn't). 

Did make a jig for the X back to make them more exact and consistent. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
The materials were $150. The cushions were about $600.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
MInwax Ebony stain with Minwax Helmsman Gloss finish. Doesn't show in the picture but the grain shows through. I changed the time investment to week long because sanding, staining, finishing, and sanding, and finishing took a few days.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/22/2021 - 10:17

I originally made the Adirondack chairs in a Beach style, then I made them matte black for around the fire pit. I modified the design a little, making the arms wider (to accommodate food and drink better) and fanned the back a bit. Everyone loves the look and how comfortable they are, as well as how sturdy they are. Goodbye to those plastic chairs that break.

Thanks for the great project ideas during the quarantine.

Estimated Cost
$70/each
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
FLat Black spray-paint, and High Gloss Bright Colors brushed on (then Turtled Waxed so the chairs dry quickly)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Camp Loft Bed with Steps and Landing

Submitted by amelia86mn on Tue, 03/26/2013 - 17:51

We built this bed for our daughter. We needed more space in her bedroom and she LOVES it! Thank you so much www.ana-white.com and Pinterest for the plans! Turned out awesome!

Estimated Cost
$90 + a new saw for my father-in-law after we knocked his over by accident.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Wood Finish Golden Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Wed, 03/27/2013 - 05:02

Great job and that mural is amazing!!! She looks like one happy girl!

Kid's kit doll bed

Submitted by capt jack on Sat, 02/07/2015 - 18:11

My granddaughters requested beds for their multiple American Girl dolls.  I found this project and it looked like it would be fun to make.  Well, the girls have friends so the order soon totalled 19 beds.  After making a prototype I realized this would be time consuming and the results erratic if I didn't fashion some jigs for constructing the beds.  The jigs added speed and precision to the project.  Also, after building a few and puttying the screw countersinks, I tried connecting side rails to the head and foot boards using pocket screws.  This works great..Pictures of the jigs are attached.

Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin finish latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

X Entertainment Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/06/2017 - 03:48

My friend and I made this together and it was my first time using the Kreg pocket hole system. I was very impressed. The base of the piece is pine finished with a white-wash stain so the grain is still visible. The top is a restored piece of walnut finished with a simple clear coat of polycrillic. Thank you so much for the design idea! My friends love it in their living room!

Estimated Cost
60-80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Adirondack Love!

This was my second build ever, and I'm so extremely satisfied with the entire process! Ana's plan was super easy to follow, and I couldn't be more proud of how they turned out!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Coffee or Game Table Hayrake Style

Submitted by Jake on Fri, 03/29/2013 - 17:38

The better half wanted a coffee table for the rec room to use for snacks and board games. I had seen the use of a hayrake stretcher on tables so, since I like to experiment, give it a try on this table.

Estimated Cost
About $60 since I went upscale on the top and the legs.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The frame is painted Pompeian Red. The top is stained with Kona and then two coats of antique oil. Lots of sanding preceeded all of the painting and staining.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

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