Community Brag Posts

Just My Size Closet

Just My Size Closet!

Built this from Ana's plans with a few modifications.

Started with a big empty box after ripping the old stuff out and finished with this look.

Adjustable shelves and all !

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Whatever white paint my wife bought !!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Large Porch Bench with X Backs to highlight feature wall

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 11/09/2020 - 16:29

Using the Ana White plans of Large porch Bench with X backs I was able to create this amazing area in the entrance way of our home. The bench was part of a larger project where I added the modeling and shelves to the wall. The plans were great, I just made the bench a bit smaller, as the original size was a bit overwhelming inside the home.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Table (wooden pallets)

Submitted by dak1ne on Thu, 01/31/2013 - 20:36

Hello, I'm doing furniture with wooden pallets and I found your awesome website with nice explanations and plans so I decided to make this nice farmhouse table but with wood from shipment wooden pallets.
Thank you very much for all your work and plans !

I will make other furnitures from your plans with wooden pallets :D and post the brags here soon.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
mahogany wax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Joe Shape

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 03/15/2017 - 21:19

Fun and easy project. I couldn't be happier with the end results. Great plan from Ana White. 

Estimated Cost
$83 for coffee and end table.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Waterlox on top and Sherwin Williams furniture paint on frame.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X Square Oversized Coffee Table

Submitted by Lotus1 on Fri, 12/19/2014 - 18:56

We could not find a large enough coffee table that we wanted so we decided to make our own.  We loved the Rustic X plan and thought if we put two tables toghether we could get the pefect table size for our living room.  Project cost us around $120 and it took us a week to complete, but we are happy with the results.  The color is a dark expresso.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The stain is called Kona
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Wishing Well Planter

Submitted by RobKelly3 on Sat, 03/16/2013 - 16:57

This is a wishing well I made for my sister for her wedding. It will be used during the wedding for people to drop "wish you well" cards into and afterward she can use it as a planter in her yard.
I followed ideas from multiple plans here on Ana-White.com, but I didn't follow any specific plan. Mostly I followed tips and instructions for cutting angles, drilling pocket holes and some finishing tips. This is the first "big" project I've done and I"m quite proud of it.

With everything, it measures 44.5 inches high. The well measures 21 inches across and 15 inches high. The roof measures 22.75 inches by 23.75 inches.

I hope y'all like it. I worked hard on this! :)

Thank you, Ana and everyone who contributes to this site. It's been so much fun and I've got lots of ideas for more stuff. If I was any good at all at Google Sketchup I'd put up the plans but I'm not. If anyone could help me with that, that would great. :)

Have a great day!

Estimated Cost
about $100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Maximum Stain and Sealant in One, Semi-Transparent, in Oxford Brown. Use 2inch stain brush. Used 100, 150, and 220 grit sandpaper before staining.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

bellows86

Mon, 07/21/2014 - 20:04

Anyway you can please tell me the angle for the boards ont the walls. I reallly like your well, and would like to build this for my wife but im not sure on what angles to use thank you

Octagonal Picnic Table

Submitted by frmoody on Fri, 05/28/2021 - 15:08

To say this was a complicated build is an understatement. Lots of pieces, lots of different angles and lots of screwing it together. It was really tough to keep everything perfectly square but in the end it turned out well. It is a very heavy table. I want to get it outside on a sunny day for some photos.

Estimated Cost
The price of lumber is ridiculous right now. Last summer this would have cost me about $200 in materials but I spent about $450 on wood, finish and screws. 2 x 4 x 8's right now are about $10.40 CAD$ and 2 x 4 x 6's are about $15.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I first painted all black parts with Wood Shield Oil Deck & Siding solid stain. I used two coats. I painted most of the boards prior to cutting to save time. The top and seats were stained with MinWax Gunstock Stain. Once everything was together I put on two coats of Helmsman outdoor polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Shanty Sideboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/17/2021 - 04:47

Wife fell in love with these plans from Ana White. Took longer than I want to admit to finish, but looks amazing! Thank you for the plans Ana!

This was my first major project for my wife with a set of new tools to start into woodworking.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Around $200 in lumbar and hardware
$500 or so in tools and mistakes learned along the way!
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar ultra white
Minwax Jacobean (three coats)
Minwax clear semi gloss polyurethane (three coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Pergola

Submitted by benfsu00 on Fri, 04/19/2013 - 01:30

I have wanted a pergola for years and since we moved into our new construction in Dec. '12, I decided to finally go for it and add it to our new backyard plans. When I stumbled onto the plan on ana-white.com, I couldn't be more thrilled to see how simple of a project it was. I do not mean that it was an easy build by any means. I wanted a "beefier" look to it so I used 2x6 and 2x4's. The 4x4 posts are 10ft long (I was going to use 12 ft until I realized just how tall they were!). I stole the steel anchor post idea from the Popular Mechanics site and the "look" of the pergola from the Weatherly plan. I decided not to notch each beam due to time constraints and I just didn't think I need to. I did use zinc L brackets to secure the 2x6s to the support beams (also 2x6s). The top is stiff as can be but the bottom has a slight give to it since it is only four 4x4s sitting on post anchor brackets. I am planning on adding about 6 inches of concrete around the base of the posts (after my HOA "approves" the pergola) to stiffing the structure and then trim around the base for a more "custom" look to it. It will be similar style to the Weatherly except wider around the base so that I can set drinks on it. It took about 8 hours total and about an hour of that was setting the steel anchor posts (measuring and installing 2 1/4" red head screws into the 4" concrete slab patio).

I will stain it with a semi-transparent (BEHR brand) redwood-ish color in a few months after the PT pine dries.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

outdoor sofa from reclaimed wood

Using Ana's plan as a guide, I built two of these sofas to fit an outdoor cushion I already had. I used wood from our old deck -- a great way to re-use and save money, too!

Estimated Cost
$110/sofa (lumber was free)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None, although eventually I will probably seal it with outdoor PolyWhey by Vermont Natural Coatings.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Blue Farmhouse Table

Submitted by ktrodger on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 20:16

I wanted a kitchen table that was bigger than the one we had from Ikea, but the Farmhouse Table was too long. So we modified the length, left off the stretcher, and painted it a bright blue! The major lesson learned in this project was to be sure to store boards carefully. We bought the lumber, cut the boards, and then didn't work on the project for a couple of months. Even though the wood was in our garage, some of the boards warped a bit, leaving us with bends and curves to deal with once we started to build. Luckily, things came together, but there are many more imperfections in this table than would have been there if we'd built it sooner. But we still love it! 

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Blue semi-gloss paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bookcase wall unit

Submitted by kwhitt on Tue, 05/12/2015 - 08:38

This is the project that inspired me to start woodworking. I'm a bookaholic and have always used cheap, particle board bookcases from Walmart for storage. They're fine for the price, but over time the shelves bow and they NEVER survive a move. When I outgrew the three units I had, I balked at buying a fourth, which I didn't really have room for anyway. Enter Ana White! This is actually based off a brag project under the IKEA Lack Inspired Bookcase. What I love best about building my own is that I can customize to suit my needs. I was able to put almost twice as much shelving into about the same area. And if I outgrow these, I can just build another!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
about $175
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Miniwax Espresso Stain, Varathane Satin Triple Thick Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

3 hook coat rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/03/2021 - 12:40

Thank you for this - I just made it slightly longer.

Comments

Modified Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Liz H. on Wed, 03/30/2011 - 13:04

This was our first project.  My husband and I took the Farmhouse bed plans and modified them to look more like the Hudson Bed from Pottery Barn.  This is a King size bed with removable side rails and under bed supports so that it can easily be collapsed for moving.

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I had to dye the wood using a mahogany dye to unify the woods and then applied three coats of mahogany and english chestnut stains mixed together and then mixed with lacquer and lacquer thinner. The drying in between was long. Next time I would paint poplar or use a different wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

10 Dollar Ledges

These cost about 10 bucks a piece as she said. This was my first project. Not too bad.... obviously not perfect. But I learned a lot while doing this...
These took me a weekend to do... probably 6-8 hours.
When I took this I was still working on filling the ledges with photos... dont mind the craziness! :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
30.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Modish Adirondack Chair

Submitted by osuguy81 on Mon, 04/11/2011 - 10:49

This is my first build from Ana-White, I built these Adirondack Chairs in an afternoon, for my wife as an early mothers day present. Painted with Sherwin Williams Resilience Gloss latex Festival Green paint. Added some cushins from Target that we got on sale. It was a fairly easy built and I really enjoyed using the Kreg Jig to create the hidden pocket holes.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted with Sherwin Williams Resilience Gloss latex Festival Green paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

A Changing Table/Dresser for my Son's Rustic Nursery

Submitted by PHILLSAM on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 14:18

I wanted to share my most recent build with you.

With only weeks before my son is due I finished his changing table/dresser.

I am still new to this whole woodworking adventure and this was my largest project yet. (Completed project was around $95)

This dresser had a ton of ‘firsts’ for me and along with that I probably made nearly every mistake you can.

My firsts on this thing were:

-pocket holes
-sliding dovetails (to attach the drawer fronts)
-hand-cut dovetails (rear corners of the drawers)
-drawers with glides
-hinged doors
-table top fasteners
-distressing a paintjob

It was built knowing that my wife wanted it painted , hence the mismatched wood used(see pre-paint pics below). The nursery is designed around a rustic theme (see wall shelf unit in the first pic).
I will also be adding a hanging wall clock made from weathered pallet wood in the coming weeks.

I think one of the most challenging things for this project might have been the use of Home Depot lumber.
We were on a major budget so I purchased the cheapest wood in the sizes I needed. This meant combing throught the stacks to find acceptable pieces.
I do not own a jointer or planer, so in order to flatten and correct thickness issues with the wood I resorted to good ‘ol hand planes.
Time consuming, yes. But also very satisfying.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Painted all edges with a gray that matched the crib sheets, then painted over it with an off white (I think it was called Superhide White).
Next I took a file (adds texture to abrasions) to scuff up the edges revealing the gray paint and some of the bare wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

danicarby

Sun, 04/12/2015 - 16:18

What an absolutely beautiful changing table! It's just my style too! Do you have building plans? I'm currently 7 months pregnant with baby #4 and trying to get our nursery together!

Fancy X Farmhouse Table

Submitted by ktprinkey on Sat, 05/30/2015 - 08:58

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Driftwood12

Sun, 11/01/2015 - 08:45

Your table is gorgeous! I'm building this right now and am looking for this color stain ... What did you use? thank you!!

Driftwood12

Sun, 11/01/2015 - 08:45

Your table is gorgeous! I'm building this right now and am looking for this color stain ... What did you use? thank you!!

ktprinkey

Mon, 12/21/2015 - 21:04

Sorry I'm just now seeing your comment!  If you still need the info I used a coat of Rustoleums Weathered Gray and then a coat of Minwax Provincial.  I only left the Provincial sit on for maybe about a minute before wiping it off.  Hope this helps!

ktprinkey

Mon, 12/21/2015 - 21:05

Sorry I'm just now seeing your comment!  If you still need the info I used a coat of Rustoleums Weathered Gray and then a coat of Minwax Provincial.  I only left the Provincial sit on for maybe about a minute before wiping it off.  Hope this helps!

Woven Garden Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 13:13

I used White Oak, 2 X 2 and 2 X 4 for the frame with 1 X 4 for the seats. This was my first attempt at mortise and tenon joinery (instead of pocket screws) and the woven pieces were held in with dowel pins.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

HGTV's Home Town featured Table

I built this table in the summer of 2017 specifically for our new home.  I used the reclaimed barnwood from my wife's grandfather's corn crib barn he built in 1947 along with a few pieces of lumber cut from trees that were blown down during hurricane Katrina.  The table top boards were planed to 1" thick and glued on edge with biscuits.  The table top is wrapped by a ripped rafter from the barn about 2" x 2".  The verticals of the legs are laminated leftover pieces, one of which has the initials of a son preserved from the original barn.  The horizontals of the legs are from pine and red oak Katrina wood.  The table bracing is made from barn rafter material and the metal straps are made from scrap and painted black.  The table itself has no stain, because we felt the true charm would be more appreciated showing the old nail holes, knots, and bug scarring.  It is finished with three coats of clear matte polycrylic.  I engineered the table into two pieces, so that the top could be removed for ease of transport. 

You may see our table in HGTV's Home Town Season 2 Episode 3 originally airing January 22, 2018 at 8 CST.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
No stain. Three coats of matte clear polycrylic.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Reclaimed Wood Headboard

The hubbs helped me build this during a day off from work. We spent an hour after work the following few nights working on the finish. Tons of compliments on this headboard...a few coworkers have even built their own after seeing ours!

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Oak Polystain - distressed using hammers, nails, screwdrivers, chains, and even a blow torch
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Seasonal And Holiday