Community Brag Posts

Fireplace makeover

Submitted by Stewsterl on Sun, 04/05/2015 - 00:30

This is my first DIY project ever. No plans. 

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

Comments

Square Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 15:01

This is a bit larger than Ana’s plan. I added additional support to the table top and added a braced opening for the umbrella. I also went for a more rounded finish by rounding all the corners of the table and benches with my jigsaw and then sanding to create smooth curves.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Leaning Wall Media Center

Submitted by KatieLott on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 13:45

Recently I was a Crate and Barrel and I found the Sloane Leaning Desk and thought that it would be perfect for my media center. (See that wall heater under the desk, I needed that to be open and I was tired of my big wood box of a media center on the, now, couch wall.) So knowing that I had seen the Leaning Wall Shelf on this site I knew I could reconfigure it a bit to work out for my own needs.

First, I cut the dimensions down a bit. Instead of the 31 1/2" length on all of the shelves I cut them at 24". Then then all the back trim at 25 1/2". Then for the middle section, I cut the shelf and desk at 36" and the back trim to 37 1/2". The side trim for the desk is 14 1/4". The desk itself was 22x36" and the top shelf was cut from a 1x8x6. I did this because I could cut all the other shelves and the desk from one piece of 4x8' plywood. For added support I used a 2x4 as the brace under the desk and added 1x2 braces (cut at a 45 degree angle) for extra support on the front/ sides of the desk (see photo). I also left all the edges squared off for a more modern look, like the Sloane.

I hope this helps you and good luck with your project! FYI, this was my first build EVER, and with a little help from my dad cutting the wood and getting it level, I got it done pretty easily. Oh, and get yourself some large clamps or an extra set of hands to help hold things together while you're drilling.

Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I built the main supports and shelves separately then sanded, primed and painted them before assembling them in my home. For the primer I used 1qt. Zinsser 1-2-3 (1 coat), then used 1qt. of Martha Stewart, Seal (2 coats with a smooth finish roller) in a satin finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Adirondack Chair

Submitted by maparuna on Sat, 05/18/2013 - 19:07

Built three Adirondack Chair, got the dimensions from Ana's Adirondack Chair and modify dimensions for the smaller chair for my daughter. Used ceder and pine. Cost about CDN 40 per chair. Specially I would like to thanks Ana giving information about simple but beautiful furniture designs.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Used for my backyard
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kitchen Cabinets

Submitted by bsbdays on Tue, 04/07/2015 - 06:18

Here is a pic of kitchen cabinets I built using Ana's plans.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Calmly

Tue, 04/07/2015 - 11:40

If you lived near me, I would hire you. If you can do this, your funk tire buying days are over ! Awesome job!

bsbdays

Mon, 05/04/2015 - 12:00

Thank you, this was my first Kitchen remodel. I am not sure if I want to do this for hire. I may just build the cabinets but not sure if I want to install anymore.

bsbdays

Mon, 05/04/2015 - 12:03

I still have to install the back splash and flooring. Going with a knotty pine flooring. I will distress it and I am going to install vintage Common Rose Head nails at the butt joints of the flooring.

Hall Tree

Submitted by Don Ellery on Wed, 07/19/2017 - 11:25

I made this project for a friend.  It was very important to get straight boards for the back in order to make everything square.  Let me know if you have any questions!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet! I did fill and sand the project and condition the wood for paint. Any exposed pocket holes were filled with angled dowels, some wood filler, and then sanded flat. I used a little extra 1x3 in order to face the middle two dividers. One more note...depending on your board length, you might need to get an extra 1x4. An 8 footer will leave you 1" short for the 41" board. But hey! Leftover wood turns into a new project!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 15:58

Farmhouse table

Comments

Pallet Shelf!

Submitted by tracysmith on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 16:30

Ok, so no one is going to get really jazzed about this but me, but hey.. I actually had to cut this, which I did on my own with no help from the hubs and nail in the bottom boards. That was a bit tricky cause I used other pallet wood so I didn't have to rob any of the nice stuff from my scrap pile. :-)

Estimated Cost
FREE
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
We ended up painting these for my Dad and step-Mom, but for my own that I have, we put nothing on them at all.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Portable countertop

Submitted by Spacemanta on Mon, 05/20/2013 - 20:53

I made this from the kitchen island plans, but added a countertop. It's really sturdy and cost about $65 in materials. I love it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

painted buffet

Submitted by samtmsvp on Wed, 04/08/2015 - 23:15

I basically just followed the plans on this site. it is really a pretty simple build but it helps to have a second person and it is very time consuming.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
olympic one paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Our finished product

Submitted by gkreations on Thu, 08/03/2017 - 10:14

Accidentally flipped the outsides but like how it came out.

Estimated Cost
45
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pedestal table base with hinoki wood top.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 17:44

I used Anna Whites DIY plans to build the base for our dining room table. Then I went to my “wood guy” RV and picked up a beautiful piece of hinoki wood for the top. Love it 😍

Although advance, the pedestal plans were very straightforward and easy to follow. Made me look like a pro.

Comments

doll crib

Doll crib with storage bin.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
1. one coat primer
2. two coats pink eggshell finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Chicken Run

Submitted by Kdline on Mon, 04/13/2015 - 06:36

We built this coop from an existing playhouse and used Ana's plans to build the run!  So easy and turned out perfectly!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sliding laundry room door

Submitted by Flowerchld on Tue, 08/08/2017 - 16:19

Sliding door to my laundry room with etched, stained glass window

Estimated Cost
$50 plus glass and etching gel, sliding door hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Steel wool soaked for a week in vinegar and painted on
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Twin Farmhouse Doll Bed

I love love love these plans! Based on the helpful comments made by other readers, I decided to narrow the bed by leaving one 1x3 out of the head and foot board panels and shortening the other 1x3's and 1x2's as needed. Added mitered trim around the head and foot boards.

The build was super easy and only took a couple of hours. I'm classifying this as a "day project" (6-9 hours) to allow time to paint or stain.

Estimated Cost
$5 for the trim added to the head & fooboards; remainder of material was salvaged from the scrap pile
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
spray primer, 2 coats Behr semi-gloss in Cally Lilly, 1 coat Minwax Polycrylic...120 and 200 grit sandpaper between coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Vintage Step Stool

Submitted by chrisiross on Mon, 05/27/2013 - 08:18

I made this awesome step stool for my daughter to be able to reach things a little bit better. It works perfectly. And the heart adds the perfect touch, don't you think?

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
paint and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4x4 Truss Beam Table

Submitted by ___Ron___ on Mon, 08/21/2017 - 16:06

This is the dining room table I built for my house. It was based on the 4x4 truss beam table plans I found here on Ana's website. I opted against stain, and decided on a clear polyurethane finish to highlight the wood's natural beauty. I've had this table for over a year now, and it has withstood the rigors of young children quite nicely. Thanks Ana!

Sincerely,

Ron Floyd

Portland, OR

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

Rustic X Console Table

Submitted by hnick78 on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 06:25

I was commissioned to build this console table along with a couple “Rustic X” bookshelves. The finish is distressed white and True Browns stain.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments