Community Brag Posts

Modern Bench

Submitted by cinschultz on Fri, 07/19/2019 - 18:46

Built this modern bench to put in my prarie.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffee Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/21/2023 - 10:41

Our wine fridge died, and we didn't really need to replace it. Since we can always use more storage space in the kitchen, the hubby made me this coffee bar as adapted from a coffee bar brag post that was adapted from Michela's Kitchen Island plan. He was able to make it with all 2x4s and created the 4x4 legs by gluing 2 boards together. Put it on some caster wheels and we have a perfect coffee bar!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Distressed console table (free)

Submitted by JoanneS on Tue, 12/27/2011 - 18:12

Ana's simple, cheap and easy console table, made entirely with repurposed and scrap wood, so it was free! The plan was great, and it was easy to adjust to the wood I had on hand. The distressed finish was fun to do too.

Estimated Cost
free (everything was scrap wood, and paint was left over)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
white paint, then a coat of gray over the white, and sanded to reveal the white. Paint was left-over that we had on hand.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Tall Secretary

I needed some good storage for my laundry/mud room, and loved Ana's tall secretary plan. I was on a pretty tight budget, so I decided to modify things a bit so I could use some old 2x12 boards from my Dad's barn. I subbed out the 1x12's and 1x2 trim by simply using the thicker boards. I decided to leave off doors on the bottom for now, and added a curtain with a suspension rod to hide our cat's litterbox. I also added a shelf for extra storage. Now she loves hiding in there and jumping out at me when I do the laundry! I made the flip down door with some old fence pickets and simply planked them together with a cleat on the back. I didn't have any euro or hidden hinges, so I used small basic hinges and attached them to the 3/4" inside edge of the door and the base of the cabinet so the door can flip down fully for easy access to my laundry soap. I really like the rustic look of the secretary, and it's perfect for sorting all the mail and keeping it off my counters!

Estimated Cost
free
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None, I may clean it up and wax it to prevent any soap stains
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

girly girls

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/02/2016 - 19:38

My neighbor danny made these beds

Estimated Cost
700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Farmhouse Queen Bed Made

Submitted by AKMan279 on Tue, 07/23/2019 - 22:11

This bed is amazing.  Great design, very sturdy and another Ana White project in the books!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Satin white paint with 3 coats of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sunroom chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/28/2023 - 01:44

I saw your outdoor chairs so decided made 2 out of 2x4 from your plans. I put the 1 that is finished in my sun/ coffee room. I love it and ha e had many brags so I give them your info and a couple of friends are making them. Thank you

Comments

Shadowbox Shelving Unit

Submitted by kpcrash on Sat, 12/31/2011 - 18:35

This project is all about using a Kreg Jig. My daughter asked for some shadowboxes to go around her chalkboard. 1 piece of 3/4" plywood and a few 1x2's later - here it is. It's really just an 8' x 2' box with the window panes inside - super simple, but does require a compact drill. Mounted to the wall using a ledger board underneath, then, pocket holes in the top shelf to join it to the studs. Quite sturdy. One day I'll learn Sketch-Up well enough to make this into a plan.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Classic Cherry Stain, Shellac clear. The wood was sanded to 400 grit, then stained via cloth. Shellac sprayed on via Preval as the air compressor was on strike.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Superhero Loft Bed

This was my first Ana White project and we had a blast putting it together. The plans were clearly explained and the end result is a sturdy loft bed for my son.

There were only a few modifications to this build from the suggested plans. First, I traded out the 2X6's for the bed supports and replaced them with 2X8's. I also replaced the cleats with 2X3's and used the same for the bed slats. Between the slats and the mattress is 1/2" OSB. We also did not use the steps as it took too much floor space for our needs. We added some 2X4's for a ladder step up to the landing.

The theme is Superhero so I designed a custom hero logo in Adobe Illustrator, printed it out and carved it into 3/4" birch plywood with a rotary tool and router.

We're pretty much done with the bed. We now just have to arrange the room and add some lights underneath and maybe some extra storage under the landing.

My boy loves his new bed and I loved building it with him and my dad. It was a blast and will be one of the most memorable weekends of our lives! There's nothing like building with family.

Estimated Cost
$200 (including new mattress)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The finish is two coats of Clark-Kensignton paint + primer availabled at Ace Hardware. The red accents are from the "oops" pile of paints I rummaged through while they mixed my gray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First DIY Project

Submitted by Barnes9916 on Thu, 02/04/2016 - 16:16

This is my first DIY project and I learned alot. It was fairly easy to put together following the ste-by-step plans. I did however have to cut the legs of the table down by three inches due to mis-measuring, but besides that minor hiccup this project was great. This was also the first time ever applying, or even working with, wood stain. Some of the areas did not come out as dark as I wanted, but the overall look of the stain, and the finished product we're pleased with.

 

For my next project I'm going to really try my hand, step everything up a notch, and attempt the Faux Fireplace Mantle with Hidden Storage Cabinets ( http://www.ana-white.com/2014/11/free_plans/faux-fireplace-mantle-hidden-storage-cabinets ). Wish me luck!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut, Semi-Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

DIY Corrugated Metal Wood Awning

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/05/2019 - 12:11

DIY CORRUGATED METAL WOOD AWNING

Made in less than 4 hours

(Awning takes 24 hours to get aged look)

Simple & fun way to add character above a wall mural, a family photo, a sign, or even a window indoors!

This DIY cost us under $100 to do and is 11 ft long

We do have a full tutorial on how to make it on our Youtube channel Living it Country

Mostly Cedar Vanity for the New House

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/04/2023 - 09:49

After looking at some terribly overpriced particle board vanities, I found the lovely Rustic Farmhouse Double Bath Vanity plans and decided to go for it. I think this vanity turned out much better than anything I could have bought with the same amount of money, and it will last much longer too!! Thanks Ana!!

Comments

Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by brookita12 on Tue, 01/03/2012 - 20:27

I looked ALL OVER for a bedside table that met my demands and my budget. It did not exsist. I found the Farmhouse Bedside Table and fell in love with it! It was definately a more tricky build, and my husband and I learned ALOT about what we know and what we don't know about tools, wood, angles, measurements, etc. But it was a fun project to do together and I just LOVE how it turned out! We definately surprised ourselves on this one! Only about $35, not too shabby! Only piece of advice would be to measure and cut as you go- some of the measurements didn't work out for us (not sure why...) but we were glad we didn't cut them ahead of time! We measured everypiece and double checked it. But we are new to work working, so cut at your own risk :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint: Lowe's Valspar "Du Jour" White
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jigganancy

Fri, 01/06/2012 - 10:58

I made the bedside table and love your modern (without being overly modern) look! great job,

Children's Ladder Bookshelf

Loved doing this project! We had been have a book-tastrophy for over a year. Too many books and not enough shelf space, and the shelf space we had wasn't being used efficiently. I love the different sizes for different books. We made some adjustments to the plans including using baseboard and wider shelves.

We did a blog post going into more detail here:

http://thisinsanehouse.blogspot.com/2013/11/brag-post-diy-small-footpri…

Thanks for viewing!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted it white first, then attached blue painter's tape and painted blue over that. Once that was almost completely dry, we peeled it away for clean lined chevrons. The chevrons weren't made to be perfect since they'll be covered 99% of the time.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Tryde Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/07/2016 - 01:19

I used the Tryde Console Table plans to make a small table to go in our conference room.  I liked the design, but if I had to do it again, I probably would have not built in the breadboard ends.

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

Patio couch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/27/2019 - 10:08

This couch was made using recycled wood from an old deck. The cushions were made using material from an extendable awning. Overall the project cost me $60 for the foam and stain.

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

Nightstands

Submitted by kwlogue on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 20:08

Fun and rewarding projects to finish. Took me way too long to finish, but 2 sever TBIs will do that to a person. Made a few modifications to the original King and nightstand plans but worked out fine. Thanks for these plans Ana!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Dresser

Submitted by elainefour on Fri, 01/06/2012 - 09:33

I needed some furniture for the entryway and made this dresser. All it needs now is a few accessories! Thanks Ana.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a light cherry stain and topcoated with a matte black paint. I lightly distressed the edges to have the stain show through.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 01/06/2012 - 12:00

I love this. I would love to build this, but modify it to be more narrow. I am afraid to do both. I don't have the confidence yet to modify or tackle drawers. Yikes. Going to have to bit the bullet one of these days!

Bunk bed

Submitted by Pkoldman on Sat, 11/23/2013 - 13:12

The ladder was a little to straight up, so I built a separate ladder. Made the toy box
From recycled kitchen cabinet doors.

Estimated Cost
Bunk bed
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pallet Scraps Table

Submitted by BERobinson on Tue, 02/09/2016 - 07:28

Had a bunch of scrap wood laying around from deconstructed and unused pallets. Great idea for a table top. NOTE: Table top will be uneven because of different widths and thicknesses of pallet scraps. Use a planer if you have access.

Estimated Cost
FREE
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
deep redwood stain on the top with a poly finish. Same stain on legs, then painted with white chalk paint, sanded down, and waxed with a dirty black paint rag.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner