1. Home

Community Brag Posts

8 foot picnic table

Submitted by Abby721 on Sat, 07/18/2020 - 08:40

This picnic table was a quick build and turned out amazing. I modified the center base support by adding an extra table top support and seat support board to the opposite side of the center legs to give the table symmetry to accommodate an umbrella hole. I also shortened both cross supports by an inch to make sure the base wouldn’t be longer than the top boards. The space between the center table support boards and seat support boards is the perfect size to fit a standard umbrella. I used a 1 3/4” hole saw to make the umbrella hole. The build and stain/paint took me about 5 hours but additional time is needed to properly seal the table. I used untreated pine. Treated pine may give the table longevity but it would also add a lot of weight to an already heavy table. This was a relatively easy and quick build and is a great size to fit my whole family plus a couple guests! I’m happy with how it turned out and would recommend this build to anyone looking for a budget friendly and simple patio table.

Built from Plan(s)
Long Picnic Table
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Briarsmoke for the top and Rustoleum Canyon Black Satin for the base. Sealed with 2 coats of Varathane Helmsman Spar Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday
Spring
Summer

Skyscraper desk and modified locker

Submitted by ibthemom on Mon, 07/28/2014 - 17:57

This was my first ever project! I built the skyscraper bookcase and then built a second one, only modifying it to make a locker style cabinet for backpacks!

Built from Plan(s)
Pine 1x12 Bookshelves
Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

54" Round Pedestal Table

This was such a fun build. Instead of the square table top I opted for a 54" round table top and I also altered the plans for the base. I upped the size for each board used to give it a chunkier look ( Ex: instead of 2x4s, I used 2x6s and so on)

Blog Link
Custom Builds
Built from Plan(s)
Square Pedestal Table
How to Build a Round Table Top with Free Patterns in Different Sizes
Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1 Coat Minwax - Wood Conditioner
1 Coat Minwax - Ebony
3 Coats Minwax - Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My version "Michaela's Kitchen Island"

Submitted by Lorri Dee on Sun, 12/04/2016 - 20:38

Built from discount 70% off lumber from Home Depot. I planed and cut down to size with a Ridged planer and table saw, then screwed together with kreg pocket screws. Since I will be kneading bread on it, I used a natural coffee stain and then butcher block finish..

Built from Plan(s)
Build Michaela's Kitchen Island
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Coffee stain with butcher block mineral oil and bee's wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse bench

Once I made the farmhouse table, I had to make the bench to go with it! It compliments the table very well. Easy to build only took a couple hours from start to finish. I also used the kreg pocket hole jig on this project as well so no screw holes could been seen. Thank you Ana for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Farmhouse Bench - No Pocket Holes Version
Farmhouse Table - No Pocket Holes Plan
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White satin paint, white wash for the seat over the stain, weathered gray stain, fast drying polyurethane 3 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wood Can Organizer

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/15/2024 - 11:57

I love all the free plans. I built this one last year based off one of the plans. Edited to add space length and width, with an end for taller cans. by Chasity Abbott on Facebook

Built from Plan(s)
Wall Mounted Can Organizer

Complete Diningroom Set

I have lived in my house for over 9 years and have never done anything to it until recently. I have made the commitment to move away from plain white walls and boring "plug-n-play" furniture. I discovered Ana's site a few months ago and have been a daily visitor. I made this dining room set with the confidence Ana's instructions gave me and I am forever grateful.

I made a few adjustments to the Parson Chair, making it longer in the back and used 5 degree angle instead of 15 and made the seat wider for our hefty hips and I used all 2x3s for the "chair bones".

Built from Plan(s)
Husky Farmhouse Table
Parson Chair Plans
Estimated Cost
A little over $350 for everything including fabric
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Kona, Olympic Milk Paint White, Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ralphyo

Sun, 04/03/2016 - 17:33

I really like the matching bench.  I am going to make this table for my daughter and she wants a bench with it.  I am wondering where you found matching legs short enough for the bench?  I have been looking but what I find are legs for end tables but they are too long.  Seems the bench-top height should be a standard 18 inches.  Thanks for any help.

For my soon-to-be niece

Submitted by mikeanddad on Tue, 12/20/2016 - 07:46

Thanks for the great plans! I built this toy box with my dad for my soon-to-be niece.

We followed the plans closely, but added four additional parts:

1) Added 3 inch foam, batting, and fabric on the top of the toybox

2) Lined the interior. We used 1/8 inch harboard. We cut the harboard to size, used spray adhesive to attach the fabric to the harboard, and then attached the hardboard to the toy box with loctite adhesive.

3) Added two handles to the side

4) Used a vinyl sticker pruchased from Etsy with my neice's name on the front

We used semi-gloss paint and finished the toy box with sem-glass polycrylic (brushed on, not the spray can).

Enjoy!

Best,

Mike

Built from Plan(s)
Simple Modern Toy Box with Lid
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

X - Farm House Table

I modified this plan just a little on the ends, and I can not tell you how pleased I am with it! I did run into some issues with lining the boards up properly due to imperfections (and not laying the boards out ahead of time in the store because I was rushing at closing time), but in the end, I decided to add a wood filler in between the boards and everyone just raves over it. I could not imagine it having come out better. I would not do it any other way. 

Thank you Ana!! 

PS... I have a wonderful idea for a loft bed, but the plans are not provided. I know you would do it justice.. how do I submit the photo????

Built from Plan(s)
Fancy X Farmhouse Table
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin, Custom mixed stain, stainable wood filler, sander.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

jeffross

Sun, 01/07/2018 - 07:22

My appologies if I'm missing it but are there build plans for this table.  I would really like to build this for a friend but I'm not sure my skills will enable me to free style this. Thanks in Advance.  Jeff

cjtrunk21

Fri, 05/29/2020 - 11:50

Did plans over get posted for this table? Love the design. Thanks.

Farm table/bench combo

Submitted by Junkyard15 on Fri, 09/26/2014 - 05:48

I used the plans for the Fancy X Farmhouse table, but customized the lengths of both the bench and table to fit our room and to the sizes we wanted.  Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Fancy X Farmhouse Table
Fancy X Farmhouse Bench
Estimated Cost
Wood was less than $200.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Gel Stain and Minwax Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Barn door Console

Submitted by Steve1980 on Sat, 10/03/2020 - 07:22

My first project, I built it out of rough cut lumber that I cut on my parents portable sawmill. Took me three weekends to build, turned out pretty good, but I would change how I did a few things.

Built from Plan(s)
Grandy Barn Door Console
Estimated Cost
$150-$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Burned all the wood with a hand held torch
Varathane triple thick
Varathane grey stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Hall Tree - 1st Wedding Anniversary Gift

Submitted by Smokeydog on Tue, 10/07/2014 - 08:09

I combined Mimi's Hall Tree with the Alexia Bench for this project.  It really turned out great. My son and his wife love it. It also made me feel pretty good that I built something for them that hopefully will be passed down to future generations. 

Built from Plan(s)
Mimi's Narrow Hall Tree Hutch
Vintage Drawer Bench
Estimated Cost
300.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Satin spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Toddler Farmhouse/Platform Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/19/2017 - 09:54

Our 18 month old was constantly climbing out of her crib so we got a cheap toddler bed and tried it out. She liked to go under the bed and almost always got one of her legs stuck between the slats on the under side of the matress. 

I decided to build a bed and found Anna White's Toddler Farmhouse bed plans. We modified the plans ever so slightly to make it a platform style to address our original issue.

For the stain, we used 1 coat of steel wool and white vinegar that sat for 24 hours and prepped the wood with 3 bags of black tea steeped in boiling water for 10 minutes. The color was exactly what we were looking for.

This is my first project and there was a good amount of learning involved but it turned out amazing!

Built from Plan(s)
Toddler Farmhouse Bed
Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White Vinegar and Steel Wool - 24 hour soaking time - 1 Coat
Large Mason Jar of Black Tea - Steeped for 10 minutes in boiling water, 3 bags - 2 Coats
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Small Stocking Stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/11/2024 - 16:12

Here is something I finished this weekend!

I did change the measurements to 30" across since I only need 2 stockings. - Krystal Sims on Facebook

Built from Plan(s)
Stocking Stand

Comments

ThomasMate

Tue, 11/12/2024 - 08:45

This is such a thoughtful and insightful post! I really appreciate the way you’ve highlighted the importance of simplifying complex ideas. It's so easy to get lost in overwhelming amounts of information, and that's where services like Nocramming https://nocramming.com/discounts/preply-promo-code can make a huge difference. They help break down content into digestible chunks, making learning or understanding something new much easier and more manageable. Definitely a great approach to keep things clear and focused—thanks for sharing this perspective!

Farmhouse end table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/10/2020 - 19:10

Loves making this!

Built from Plan(s)
Side Table [Modern Farmhouse Collection]
Finish Used
Varathane carbon gray

Comments

Channing bookcase

Submitted by wsixnive on Tue, 01/24/2017 - 19:00

I made those for the christmas present of my hoby.

Followed Ana's plan exeactly same and it worked well for my need.

Thank you, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Channing Bookcase
Estimated Cost
$120~140 each.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax doark walnut and chestnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Three story doll house for my granddaughter

Here's my version of the Dream Doll House. Three stories, made with birch plywood and pine, featuring realistic stairs, baseboards, crown molding, exterior corner battens, and left in the natural state with just a few coats of water-based poly. Put the whole thing on casters for ease of rolling around the playroom. Fun project and the hugs were all the reward I needed!

Built from Plan(s)
Open Frame Dollhouse for 12" Dolls
Estimated Cost
Maybe around $100.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Water-based polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments