I was looking to build a desk for my wife. I searched around on YouTube for ideas and came up with this one: https://youtu.be/IN0j34WDlg4. I made a few modifications and added a few features to come up with this corner desk.
1 sheet 3/4" blond wood plywood.
1/4 sheet of 1/2" plywood for the drawers.
1 box 10mm laminate flooring.
1/4" trim cut from poplar for the edges of the plywood.
It took my wife and I about 2 days to complete the project.
I started this project several weeks ago, and I am very happy with the outcome. Please see my Blog since there is so much information. www.atouchofarkansas.com
I had been looking everywhere for an antique Mid Century Modern buffet table to use as a changing table for my daughter but found that these vintage pieces ran about $1200 to $3000 and still needed refinishing. That was out of my price range so I came here and found plans for a console table that had the look I was going for.
The plan I found was too short in length and height so I reworked them a little to fit my needs. I just added a second cabinet in the same dimensions as the first onto the other end of the drawers to increase the length and bought 12" legs instead of 6" ones to increase the height. I used the same hardware that was recommended in the original plans but added a magnetic door stopper to make the cabinet doors flush with the frame when closed. I also added dowel rods in the cabinets because my daughter doesn't have a closet and I needed a place to hang her clothes.
It is great to have 2 cabinets because the left side holds clothes that are too big for her and the right holds all of the clothes she wears now. The drawers are nice and deep so I can put all her changing stuff like diapers and lotion in the top and fit all her socks, diaper covers, and pajamas in the other drawers.
I will say that I used 1x6's to make the drawers first but found that I am really bad at picking straight boards as there were a lot of gaps between the sides and the bottom of the drawer. I went back and used scrap pieces of 3/4" plywood for the drawer sides and they came out much better with no gaps, plus, the exposed top of the drawer sides look better.
This was a fairly fast project. I put it as a weekend project due to the down time between staining and poly coats. It was my first time working with edge banding and I loved it. It was super easy and kind of relaxing! Over-all, this project was easy and fun! This table meets all of my needs AND it looks great! Thanks Ana for the plans and thanks Brooke for the inspiration and tips!
Fri, 06/28/2013 - 11:02
Wow, really great job. I love mid century mod, and you pulled it off perfectly!
My son needed a dresser that would fit a small space (no more than 40 inches wide). I modified the Cabin Collection plans to fit the small space. Looking at the plan, I wanted to brighten up the wood and opted not to stain. Instead I purchased an airless sprayer and was very pleased with the finish. For the drawer faces, I found old barn wood. The barn wood was a little tricky because some of the boards were warped. I brushed the wood with a stiff nylon brush to bring out the deep grain texture of the wood. Finally, purchased bronze finished drawer handles. Very pleased with the outcome. Thanks for the plans. Can't wait to start my next project.
Christmas Tree Wall Shelf
Stockings hung using cabinet/drawer pull knobs that I found on Amazon
This is a modified version of Mimi's fireplace, adjusted to fit an area only 24" wide.
Fireplace is 21" wide at the mantle.
The Yule log was made from a supermarket log by cutting off the face and cutting down the rest of the log to make the planter.
Thu, 12/16/2021 - 07:44
The wood is white pine finished with Minwax Early American with 10.32's red added per quart.
Matching American girl Adirondack chair and kids Adirondack chair build!
This was a blast to build. This was all a gift for my wife since the traditional 5th anniversary gift is wood.
The coffee table and console are both awesome! The only thing I would change/modify is the end table, because its kinda big and doesn't really look its part of the set other than the "X". I would maybe take about 2 or 3 inches off all sides or maybe 3 off the sides so its not such a box.
Thu, 06/20/2013 - 07:31
I'll start one! Go for the poly. You're absolutely right, it will bring up the beautiful grain, and show off the "X" accents. Nice work, by the way!
Thu, 06/20/2013 - 07:32
I'll start one! Go for the poly. You're absolutely right, it will bring up the beautiful grain, and show off the "X" accents. Nice work, by the way!
Thu, 06/20/2013 - 08:39
Beautiful builds! Wow, they look wonderful. What an amazing gift! From the pics, the end table looks fine, too, as the furniture isn't a small scale. I love the two-tone so I say go for just the poly!
Thu, 06/20/2013 - 12:08
I think you did an amazing job :) love the contrast of the two tones. Using poly for the rest would be beautiful. I cant wait to do this project myself.
Thu, 06/20/2013 - 15:47
What a wonderful gift! These tables are beautiful, great job on this build! I love the two-tone - One more vote for the poly! :)
Fri, 06/21/2013 - 13:04
I'm going to go with only the Poly over the bare wood. Thanks for the comments and advise! It will be a few weeks due to work and travel but I'll send updated pics once its done.
Sat, 02/24/2018 - 21:18
I like the naked/poly look too. The other option I think would look good would be painting it white. The contrast between the white frame and darker kona top and shelf would be cool.
I used local Colorado beetle killed pine. I based the table on Anna's Farm House Table plans. I used the bread ends to create pull outs for 11 inch extensions on each end.
Thank you Ana for the plans. Our daughters dolls needed some pets and this project was the perfect home for her New bunnies! I can't wait for her to open this gift Christmas morning.
Created from scraps using Ana’s plans for the bed and the mattress.
Fri, 12/24/2021 - 14:33
Thanks for the great plans and making the mattress so simple (for those of us who feel like just threading a sewing machine is like playing the game Mouse Trap while under the influence! 😄)
I wanted to make a custom sized side table to fit just right between our two recliners. And I really wanted to make use of some pallet scraps. So I built this frame the same as Ana's plan (adjusting for my size), and then came up with a layout for the top to make use of my small 15 inch pieces of pallet wood.
Made with western red cedar from Lowes. So pretty!
Wed, 08/21/2019 - 09:00
Did you use any kind of finish on the cedar? I’m making one as an indoor end table.
What grit sand paper did you use?
Looks great by the way. Excellent job!
I loved this project! I had been wanting a new set of end tables for a while and I came across these plans and was in love! I altered them just a smidge by raising the bottom shelf a little so I could fit a vaccuum/broom under it more easily, but other than that I left it as is! For the decorative hardware, I used L brackets and large upholstery nails/tacks...you can find them in most craft stores...I picked mine up at Hobby Lobby.
Ana White’s plans are the best I’ve seen. Some are easy and some are challenging builds. She’s so very encouraging in her videos. She makes me feel like I can keep on building. I’m very happy to say I started my business from her inspirations.
This was my first project from ana white. Thank you for making such great and easy to follow plans! I will be making the matching coffee table next!
Mon, 07/08/2013 - 10:16
Was the color of the table brown like that after just the oxidation process or did it turn brown like that because of the Vermont Natural Coatings Polywhey?
The reason I ask is we're trying to decide between the wax finish, which we love, or the more protective and durable PolyWhey.
Mon, 08/12/2013 - 12:43
Sorry for the late reply. I hope this advice is still useful for you. I figured I would have got an email if someone replied to my brag post. I just changed my settings so I will get emails in the future.
After the oxidation process It was a fairly dark brown. At this stage the colouring was not even everywhere so I used 220 grit sandpaper on a sanding block to lighten the colour and even it out. I sanded fairly lightly. After applying the Polywhey the colour did not change much. It is hard to describe as I am not a very artistic person, but it definitely made the colour richer and more pleasing to the eye after applying the Polywhey. As for the Polywhey, it is oderless and very quick and easy to apply. I put on 3 coats. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
It was a fun and easy build. I did the oxidation finish for the first time on this project and am really happy with how it turned out. I also added washers to the lag screws on the legs to make it stand out a little more.
My husband built this a few years ago to free up counter space in our tiny kitchen and we just love it.
This is my first build from ana-white.com and it was a success. I am glad that I started out with a beginner project as my carpentry skills were a bit rusty but eventually everything came back to me, the step by step plans certainly helped! According to my daughter, I am the best mom ever!
The dragonfly/butterflies I found at Hobby Lobby for 67 cents a piece, what a steal!
Comments
Ana White Admin
Sun, 12/05/2021 - 09:28
Cool desk!
That looks amazing, thank you for sharing!