Community Brag Posts

Slipcovered Bench

Submitted by Linda7 on Tue, 02/11/2014 - 16:55

My mother needed a bench in her small entryway. She had definite dimensions in mind and we looked everywhere. None fit the bill. Then I saw these plans and we went from there. She had leftover fabric from recovering her dining room chairs, and I had the plywood. She wanted the Queen Anne legs to go with her traditional furniture; we put felt floor protectors on the bottom of the feet of the legs, which helps keep the bench from moving so easily on the tile floor. The plans were easy to follow, including the tutorial on how to sew the slipcover. The bench worked out just like she had hoped. Thanks Ana, for the great plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60.00; about $40 for the legs, foam, and finish
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshades in walnut; two or three coats. This acts more like paint, but you can re-coat in just an hour or so. I then used minwax poly in satin three coats for protection.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Restoration Hardware Inspired table

Submitted by EstebanM on Fri, 05/20/2016 - 10:31

Needed a classy table...

Purchased the chairs separetely. Sanded the legs from black paint back to wood, and stained them to match the table.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Weathered Oak with a satin seal
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Platform inspired bed frame

Submitted by KL728MX on Sun, 02/23/2014 - 15:01

I had searched for a nice bed frame for the longest time. I wanted something that would last and the prices in furniture stores or antique shops were crazy. I found the plans for the platform bed/headboard and modified them a little. I used 2x12's for the frame and set my 2x6's down inside for my box spring. 2x6's for the headboard and trimmed it the same way as in the plans. I love it. Thanks for the plans Ana.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
125
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust oleum dark walnut. I didn't put polyurethane on it so it would have an older look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Jmar2038

Fri, 05/30/2014 - 18:40

Love your inspired bed! What size mattress is your frame for? I am looking to make a frame just like yours for a queen size bed. Do you have your measurements or are they pretty similar to the original post? Complete beginner here, any help is much appreciated!!

Door spice rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/10/2016 - 18:02

love Ana!  We moved from the city to a late 1800's Victorian farm house with no closets, no basement, no storage!  This was a great Woodshop 101 project for my husband and me, and gave us extra space in the kitchen. Can't wait to do another Ana project. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
A mix of paint and water-base poly
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

King Size Platform Bed

Submitted by hawaiitara on Sun, 06/03/2012 - 20:09

After building my daughter's beds and some outdoor day beds, I finally got around to building a bed for my husband and I. I altered the plans to a king size bed. I added a second 2x4 in the middle for support and around the inside edges as I used the box springs to make the bed taller. Using the kreg jig really made this project so easy. I also used 1x8's instead of 2x8's because I couldn't find those in Hawaii anywhere, except pressure treated wood. It still turned out great.
Thanks for the wonderful plans!

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used cabot stain in antique walnut with a cabot satin poly over it.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Katie Saldivar (not verified)

Mon, 06/25/2012 - 19:40

I LOVE this bed! I'm asking my husband to build it and I was wondering if you could email me the dimensions for the plans of a king size Chestwick Platform bed? I'm pretty sure he could figure them out on his own, but I'd love to make it easier for him :) Love your work!

Larryshandywife

Wed, 08/22/2012 - 23:04

Whats the point of sharing projects with people when they dont leave the dimensions????............How stupid!!!

sgilly

Thu, 08/23/2012 - 08:25

For sharing. It's beautiful, and how smart you are to work from existing plans but be able to figure out the dimensions you need for your own bed!

DIY Media Console

Several months ago, my sister approached me with the request of helping her build a media console for her home.   We left off the doors and drawers in favor of having open shelves.  We worked on this project over the course of several weekends and my sister is very happy with the final result!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean, ECOS Paints WoodShield Satin Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Barstools

Submitted by lazyLiz on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 21:22

A 30" tall bar stools inspired by the plan simplest stool.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$ 40- $60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
valspar white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Handygirl

Sat, 07/07/2012 - 18:47

I love these stools! I love the curve in the top. Are yours square on top or rectangle?
Also, what size of board is the top (seat)?

Rusty Cottage

Fri, 07/20/2012 - 05:32

I like your design. Finally made an account and will be making matching ones. Thanks for the inspiration. If the better half doesn't like the first one I will have a new stool for my workbench

MrsPowers

Fri, 08/31/2012 - 20:27

Hi! You're stools came out wonderful. I was wondering how you got the seat to be curved that way.
Thanks!

Taylor Console

Submitted by raybotelho on Fri, 04/04/2014 - 14:57

I love this plan and had already built one a few months ago. It is an easy project to tackle ;) I did change things up a bit. Will be building another one soon :) Thank you so much for sharing the plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain followed by white dry brushing on the base.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Matching Stools for Kids

This was my second project from Ana White, and overall it was successful. I used a miter saw for the cuts (struggled with the bevel because my 12 inch saw isn't a slider, a kreg jig to attach everything (struggled to attach the 1x3s to the legs due to the angle of the dril and tight space), but everything eventually was held solidly together and it's really very sturdy. My husband is about 160 and he was able to jump on it with absolutely no give. 

 

The paint is just small samples we had on hand from home depot to coordinate with other projects in the kids' rooms, and I handpainted the letters. I finished it with a double coat of polycrylic. 

Estimated Cost
$20 total for two stools.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
paint and polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Entry Way Bench

Built this plan and it came out amazing. I used a sheet of siding for the back to really bring out some grains!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Matte white bher paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Dining Room Table and Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/22/2016 - 13:26

This was my first ever DIY project as I wouldnt consider myself a handy man, but I had alot of fun making this table and bench. I modified the design as I wasn't confident in making the necessary cuts for the X but I added a long support underneath the table top so that the top wouldn't sag (hopefully!).  Since completing the table, I've grown more comfortable with my carpentry "skills" and all I want to do on the weekends is build things! I'm sure I'm driving my wife insane!

It took me a lot longer as I had a couple weekends where I could only work on the table and bench for an hour or two but you can definitely do it in a weekend.

 

Thanks Ana! 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Miniwax Expresso Polyshades
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Beer Wall for Wedding

My cousin recently got married and wanted a beer wall at her wedding. I quickly searched Ana's site for the perfect plan and chose the Tall Panel Headboard for my starting point. With a few modifications it became a beer wall in no time at all. I love how Ana's plans can be easily modified to make a totally different project.

No fancy wood was used here. Just regular wood from the big box store. A jockey box was attached to the back side of the wall. It worked awesome!

Since I discovered this site in January, I've made close to 30 items from her plans. I'm ridiculously addicted and not just with Ana's site but also with her blog friends. For Valentine's Day I asked for a Air Strike gun and got it. It was better than jewelry and chocolates! I'm well on my way to collecting my own tools and learning how to save money by making it myself. Oh, and I can't even begin to tell you how impressed everyone is with my finished products.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
roughly $200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar paint from Lowes
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Poker Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/13/2024 - 12:50

Start from scratch and completed my first Poker Table.

Conrad White St. George’s, Newfoundland

4x4 Truss Beam Table & Bench

Submitted by Shane03 on Wed, 08/17/2016 - 12:26

When my wife and I moved we sold our old table and was in need of a new one. We've shopped around and didn't like anything we were seeing. She insisted that I build one but I never had any time due to my job. In the past it would've been easy because that's what I did was woodworking. So she researched and came across ana's plan and she loved it. Keeping the wife happy I made time. I made my material list & cutlist but was concerned with using construction grade lumber for the tabletop due to over time it likes to cup and warp in the right conditions. Instead I went with 8/4 Poplar which will make a solid tabletop and last forever. I was only able to work weekends on the project so it was finished in a month which I added the total hours & it equaled 1 week.  She loves her new table and is now shopping for 5 canvas chairs to go with it. With her posting on social media I now have requests to build more. Where will I find the time?

Estimated Cost
$375.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I started with Minwax Espresso wood stain on the base of the table & Bench. I then applied 2 coats of Old Fashioned Milk Paint Snow White. Next I used 320 grit sandpaper to knocked any loose paint chips off & distress areas I wanted to antique. Finally I applied 3 coats of Minwax Polycrylic Matte, sanding with a 320 grit sanding block in between coats. The top I started with wood conditioner because poplar doesn't take stain well it is very blotchy. Next I used Minwax Espresso wood stain. Finally I applied 4 coats of General Finishes High Performance Flat while sanding in between coats using 320 grit sanding block.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

AP - Play Kitchen

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/31/2020 - 19:20

Loved the plans from the site Ana! I got inspired seeing all the lovely play kitchens that everyone had created! Thought I'd share the one I've made for my little one as well, she loves it!

Garden Enclosure

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 17:29

My chickens took over my garden area and being the voracious raptors they are, I needed to build a garden enclosure to keep my veggies safe. I modified a little, making my beds deeper. I also had to stretch chicken wire over the top to keep the great flyers out. I also used it as a way to organize my garden tools (which is possible because I live in Southern California with moderate temperatures and little rain. Thanks for the plans! Yvonne

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck on the outside. Clear coat on the inside. I also added chalkboard paint on the inside so I could fill in what I’m growing and erase it after.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/07/2020 - 18:45

Loved these plans. Made a table as well. Great set!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

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