Community Brag Posts

Library Book Cart ( A smaller version)

Submitted by nanpannapa on Tue, 05/24/2011 - 13:22

I built a smaller version..THank you so much Ana for the plan. This one is only 2 ft tall and 22.5 inches wide..Perfect size for my 2 year old.
I added a hook to hang my daughter's doodle and on the other side, I added an aluminum tin(wrapped in a scrapbook paper sealed with mod podge) so she can put her magnetic letters/numbers on there. Added this little crayon holder as well. :-)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Left over satin paint. Scrapbook paper, Mod Podge
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Kitchen Renovation thanks to Ana-White

Submitted by mcbuckle on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 12:38

The ongoing saga of our cruddy old kitchen is finally over, for the most part. We attempted the quick fix and failed and now with a little time, knowledge and cash we think we finally got it right. Our ceilings are lower than the average house so we couldn't buy stock cabinets. We custom made everything and added some accessories. All thanks to Ana-White!! You are so awesome!!

For more photos etc... just visit:

http://buckleyjournal.blogspot.com/2013/07/kitchen-reno-redo-20.html

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin-Moore "Dove White" applied with a spray-gun.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

mcbuckle

Wed, 07/17/2013 - 05:23

Thank you Gina! I couldn't have done it with out that wonderful chop saw table you designed!!

yurra-bazain

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 23:16

You've got guts AND glory! :) Wish I had the confidence a year ago to build our kitchen cabinets. I hired a friend of a friend. It took months for him to build the 5 bases, then he took another job and left our kitchen without doors and drawers. If he doesn't come this weekend like he promised, I'm revving up our circular saw and growing some guts myself.

Thank you for the inspiration. (Oh, I was not able to post a comment on your blog. When it asked me to type in the code to prove I am not a robot or web spider, the submit comment button was missing.)

mcbuckle

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 05:48

Go for it!! Trust me, if I could do it anybody can.

And thanks for the heads up, I think I fixed the comment issue!

Lasso the Moon

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 11:54

This looks so beautiful. Aren't you proud!?! I'm relatively new to this site, and can't believe the sense of empowerment that comes with building for my home. Well done. This is inspiring me to keep going!
Anna

My biggest project to date.

Submitted by bkis1969 on Thu, 07/16/2015 - 13:43

I made this bar several years ago after returning from a deployment to Iraq. I used the spillway as a convenient location for some of my military award coins. At this point I had little in the way of skill so it is rough but everything else being equal, it turned out just fine for the garage man cave.

Estimated Cost
800.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Tile Top, Black Walnut Stain, Light Oak Stain, and Varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bedside End Tables

Submitted by Grace734 on Mon, 02/05/2018 - 07:38

These are made from the three drawer plans but modified the size to meet our needs and used planks for shelves instead of drawers. Painted white and black gel stain. 

 

UPDATE FROM ANA - We have received MANY requests for this plan and have created a plan inspired by this post here.

Shopping List (for ONE bedside table) + Tools

  • 1 - 1x2 @ 6 feet long
  • 5 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long
  • 2 - 2x2 @ 8 feet long
  • 1-1/4" and 2-1/2" pocket hole screws
  • 1-1/4" brad nails
  • wood glue
  • Kreg Jig
  • Compound Miter saw
  • Drill
  • Brad Nailer (18 guage)

Cut List (for ONE bedside table)

  • 4 - 1x2 @ 14" - Side panel trim
  • 8 - 1x4 @ 23-1/4" - Side panels
  • 4 - 2x2 @ 27-1/4" - Legs
  • 6 - 2x2 @ 14" - Shelf support
  • 8 - 1x4 @ 17" - Shelves
  • 5 - 1x4 @ 18" - Top

Cut 1x4s and 1x2s with miter saw. Layout side panel 1x4s as shown above.  Measure and cut 1x2 to length.  Nail the 1x2 to the 1x4s, two nails per overlap with glue.  Make sure your side panels are square.  Build two.

Drill 3/4" pocket holes on inside edge of 1x4 ends as shown above.  Cut 2x2s with compound miter saw. Attach to the 2x2 legs with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.

Set Kreg Jig to 1-1/2" setting.  Drill 1-1/2" pocket holes on end of each 2x2, one per end.  Attach to 2x2s with wood glue as shown above.

Cut 1x4 shelf boards with compound miter saw.  Nail and glue to the inside of the project as shown above.

Cut 1x4 top boards with compound miter saw.  Nail and glue to top with 1-1/4" nails and wood glue.

If you wish to add a back, measure and cut from 1/4" plywood and attach with 3/4" brad nails.

Estimated Cost
100.00 for both.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
One coat of eggshell white PPG
Two coats of ebony gel stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Two Story 18" or American Girl Dollhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/26/2022 - 09:03

My husband and I made this for our 7 year old granddaughter's birthday. She loved it!! As always, your plans are step by step and easy to follow. Thank you!!!

Comments

My very own Apothecary Console!

When I first found Ana's site, I fell in love with this project. I knew it was one I had to 'work up to'. I got a few projects under my belt and then I tackled this one. I am so pleased with how it turned out. No, it isn't perfect...but I made it :) Thanks for the great plans and inspiration Ana!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $300 total (higher costs of everything living on an island)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Nuwood walnut stain with 3 coats of glossy poly finish for the top, and 'night on the town' (flat interior base) paint for the bottom with one coat of glossy poly. I wasn't crazy about the poly on the blue part, but I didn't want to sand it down and try again... just wanted to get it in so I could use it :) Maybe later on down the road when I'm ready for a new look.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cedar Planter Boxes

Submitted by KaityJene on Wed, 07/17/2013 - 19:59

They were simple to make and the plan was easy to follow. The only modification I made was adding the 1x3 topper in place of the longer legs sticking out of the top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$23
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Thompson's Water Seal which I just brushed on using a cheap paint brush.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Debi G

Fri, 07/19/2013 - 06:36

Adding these to my to-do list for spring (yes, I plan ahead). I'm thinking of elevating and elongating them to fit around a bay window.

Modified grandy console

Submitted by Lukilla on Thu, 02/15/2018 - 12:22

Built a smaller version of the grandy console with slot in the top for a sound bar. This was my first time using barn door hardware. Was a good time.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250 (includes barn door hardware)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean stain anf white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Whiskey/ Wine Bar

Submitted by Dan Dodd on Fri, 03/18/2022 - 13:43

Whiskey on the left, Wine rack & glass holders on the right with storage in the middle. Frame built mostly with Pine, painted with Peppercorn Grey. Cherry tabletop with live edge. Finished with boiled linseed oil and semi-gloss polyurethane. A whiskey Bar should be fun! Stick on lights in each bay battery powered, comes with remote with many color options.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Ana White Admin

Fri, 03/18/2022 - 17:41

It looks great and serves it purpose, love the added lights for fun! Thanks for sharing:)

Kentwood Nightstands #My First Project

Submitted by daddydrew on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 11:41

This was my first project I did this many months back and I have just now started to put up brags after getting into building furniture for about 8 months now. This project was much easier than I expected and I did the build out in about two hours. When I did this project all that I had tool wise was a mitre saw, a drill, and a tape measure so if you want a project that uses minimal tools this one would be a great one to start with! I think that I spent around $125 on this bedside table and that number is a little bit higher because I used all premium wood because it was my first project. I stained it with Jacobean oil based stain and then I used the polycrylic finish (both by minwax) which turned out great I think!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean oil based stain
polycrylic clear coat finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Mud Room Family Clothes Closet

Our son built this based off of these plans. He had to make the corner hanging areas smaller to fit our area, but we were still able to use this space for hanging items.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor Sectional (modified park bench)

Submitted by JustJ on Tue, 02/20/2018 - 08:16

This is a modified version of Ana's park bench.  Had a large deck, with plenty of room for a sectional. 

I basically built two benches.  One with an extended back (to create the back for the side of the second), and modified the front leg to sit under the frame, to allow the second bench to sit flush.  I used lag bolts to attach them together on the seat base.  Using lag bolts allows it to be easily taken apart for moving.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Finished with Minwax Espress Polystain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Simple Potting Bench

Submitted by navylangs on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 10:15

This has to be one of our favorite Ana projects so far! And our first using the Kreg Jig - which I now love!
Much to the dismay of the neighbor kids next door - it's not a candy stand. Nope, for now it's destined to be my little red potting bench.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

queen sized bed for my twin sized son

My son wanted a bigger bed so when his friends and cousins sleep over they dont have to squeeze into his twin. My son is 12 by the way, so when I got a king I gave him my queen. I needed to raise it up because I knew I wanted to build a trundle to put under it. This bed is pretty heavy, very sturdy (even with 5 kids sleeping on it or jumping on it) I took the idea from my Malm bed from ikea but its a lot heavier and stronger

Estimated Cost
just under $100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax ebony stain. 2 coats. semi gloss poly spray
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Reclaimed look headboard with vinegar and steel wool finish

Submitted by edaffron on Mon, 07/27/2015 - 20:00

Used a vinegar and steel wool solution. Also put some six inch 1x6 3 inches from the bottom as a bracket to mount to a full bed frame. If I later upgrade to a queen I will but the wood bracket flush and reattach

Estimated Cost
About $95
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Vinegar and steel wool brewed a month
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Patio table

Thanks for all the ideas. Wanted to share my build with everyone. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet will be applying sherwin Williams river birch in future
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Apothecary...not perfect, but ok

Submitted by Marisol on Sun, 06/05/2011 - 15:29

I worked on this by myself for 1 month...i am exhausted, still need to glue the flase drawer fronts, but am overall happy with it, still functional.

Estimated Cost
$140.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut staing and Behr white paint with primer
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

bhammond

Mon, 01/20/2014 - 20:51

This is beautiful. Imperfections (I can't see any) definately add to the character. It looks perfect to me, way to go!

American Girl Doll Bunk bed

I made this bed for my daughter's birthday using poplar wood. Since I can only work at night after the kids are in bed I think it took me about 3 nights working an hour or two each night to build it and then a Saturday afternoon to finish it. I finished it using a Miniwax pre-stain, Miniwax English Chestnut stain, and then completed it with a couple coats of polyurethane.

She actually helped me at the end to stencil on the names of her dolls, a couple butterflies and a flower on the bottom of the top bunk so her baby had a pretty picture to look at while she slept :). She loves the bed.

We also worked together to make her cousin a single bed that I will share photos of also. Thank you so much for sharing the plans with us!

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Pre-Stain, Miniwax English Chestnut, Polyurethane,
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner