Community Brag Posts

Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by jwhipp on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 11:38

We followed the outdoor sectional plan from Ana Whites blog to create this outdoor sectional. First we bought the cushions and custom built this sectional to fit the cushions. We used 2x4's and the kreg jig for pocket screws, then covered the base in beadboard and some pine trim, gave it a good sanding and a nice paint job.

Estimated Cost
900
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
bead board and pine trim
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Juanita_r

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 15:12

I just want to curl up there with a book and spend the day on that lounge, so pretty & inviting. where did you get the base and back cushions, they are a great colour?

jwhipp

Fri, 04/12/2013 - 05:46

Thanks! We built the frame according to Ana's design (customized dimensions for our cushions) and then covered the base in bead board and used pine trim around the edges. The cushions are from the Frontgate Outlet in Cincinnati.

Handmade by Jungle Jim

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/27/2017 - 15:11

Great plans, Ana. Very easy to build. A good project for someone like me who has no carpentry experience.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Polycrilic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Easy 8 ft shelves

Submitted by jeff.meyer on Wed, 06/16/2021 - 20:18

Easy picture frame shelves.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
24.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Media Cabinet

Submitted by scidster on Sun, 04/14/2013 - 10:35

Modified the size to be 42" (w) x 16" (d) x 19" (h). Used radiator covering grate for door inserts and left shelves open for horizontal component storage.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
130
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Swiss Coffee and minwax polycrylic top coat. Applied using Wagner HVLP sprayer (#518080). Pulls from Hobby Lobby.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Storage daybed with bookshelf

Submitted by Quinnfire on Mon, 03/02/2015 - 14:18

I made 3 cubbies underneath and left off the doors. I'm still looking for fabric bins to go under there. Instead of doing the bottome arm, I made a bookshelf so there would be more storage space in this little room. I love how it turned out.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Seesaw for my daughter Milica

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/31/2017 - 01:25

Seesaw for my daughter Milica!
Thank you Ana for the idea.
Greetings from Serbia.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
15€
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Belinka: Belles (for impregnation, 1 layer) + Toplasur UV Plus (3 layers) No.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Closet

Submitted by bpkliver on Sat, 06/26/2021 - 07:40

This was originated from an Ana closet build. There were bypass closet doors that I am still converting to hinged doors. I added the drawers in the center to eliminate the need for a dresser in the room. Doors should be ready in a couple weeks. I’m converting the bypass door to hinged, which is a project in itself!

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)

Comments

Firewood Shed using Round Posts and 2x4s

Submitted by tommybo76 on Mon, 04/15/2013 - 15:50

I used the basic design principles from Ana's site but decided to use 3.5x6.5 round fence posts (purchased at my local Tractor Supply Company) for a different look plus they are a little cheaper than 4x4 posts. I also used pressure treated 2x4s for some added strength and perhaps longer durability. I used Ana's cedar fence pickets idea for my roof (these pickets are used as walls on one of the other shed plans on this site). I didn't need a very robust roof as my firewood shed sits underneath the deck which provides a lot of protection from the rain. I attached the structure using 3 inch deck screws and the roof with 1.5 inch deck screws (nails would have been more than adequate for the roof but I had the screws on hand).

I did run into some problems due to my design changes. Most of my issues involved attempting to square up the round posts which are much closer in shape to a jagged stick than dimension lumber such as a 4x4 post. If I had to do it over again I would not have used the round posts. Constant tweaks and adjustments to the posts significantly delayed my build time and frustrated me at times. I was just barely able to wedge my woodshed in between the 2 deck posts which actually came in handy as I was able to secure the shed to the deck posts with 3 inch screws...making the shed very solid! The final issue I discovered after loading up my wood shed. The 2x4s at the bottom of the structure began to sag. I fixed this by using my floor jack to raise them up and placed 8 inch tall 4x4s underneath (2 in the front and 2 in the back).

Overall I'm happy with the way it turned out and I really love all the plans on this site...GREAT ideas!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$90
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My First Project Farm House Table

Submitted by iceman0941 on Thu, 03/05/2015 - 10:22

Thanks Anna White for your plans and for your great website!

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

Comments

Love these chairs!

Submitted by ae1ret99 on Fri, 07/16/2021 - 13:14

I needed some chairs for my firepit and I found these Ana White plans on Pinterest! They were not too hard to make and they look great!! The only problem I have now is what's my next project...cause now I have that "Creative Fever!"

Estimated Cost
$100/chair
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar Redwood Natural Tone
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Reclaimed Wood Farm Table

I built this table for a friend a few weekends ago. The reclaimed top turned out amazing!

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

Comments

Kitchen Shelf Organizer

Submitted by oadsitt on Sun, 03/08/2015 - 16:50

A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and little did I know how many papers and supplies come with having it. For a couple weeks our kitchen counter was just littered with testing supplies and literature, it got the where I couldn't take it anymore. I decided to build this little set of shelves; so darn cute and a quick, inexpensive build.  It took me about 5 hours total to complete the assembly and paint job and another hour or two to finish the stenciling. I am using it for all my diabetes accessories but it would work great as a little organizer for all that clutter that inevitably congregates in little piles on the kitchen table and counters.

One modification I made from the original plan was the angled cuts at the top; we unfortunately don't own a jigsaw so I just cut the side boards at a 30 degree angle to the corner instead. My shelves are also only 3/4 of an inch instead of 1 inch because I miss measured and did not buy enough supplies. So instead of waiting until I could get back to the store I ripped one of the 2X6 boards in half so I could utilize both sides.

To save a little money as lumber is pricey where we live, I bought 1- 2X6, 1-2X4, (both of these I match booked and ripped to create more material) and utilized 2 inch drywall screws which I countersank and filled before painting. Total cost was about $16 (I utilized paint was already had)

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

TV Stand with 2 different stains

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 19:28

Wife picked this plan for our TV stand for our new TV. Took 2 weekends to make and total cost was ~ $100.

Followed the build instruction from this website except for the "X" on both sides. I do not own a miter saw to cut all the differrent angles. Hence I cut the 60 degree angles using circular saw and speed square and put the x togetter by creating dados 3/4" deep on the center of both the 2x2 member of the X using a router.

 

For stains, we used Minwas Expresso for the bottom and the top we used Golden Pecan. 2 coats of stain folloed by 2 coats of high gloss polyurethane. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
1. Minwax Golden Pecan Stain
2. Minwax Expresso Stain
3. Minwax High Gloss Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

First big project

This was the first time I've tried to build anything this big. I have to say, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, especially since I didn't have a miter saw (just a circular saw) when I built this. I don't have a lot of time off from work, so it took me about 30 hours to build, but went surprisingly smooth.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$550.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Scuff Defense Interior Satin Enamel (can't recall specific color at the moment) and Minwax Espresso stain on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Headboard

Submitted by ema7172 on Sun, 04/21/2013 - 08:16

Farmhouse Headboard

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Classic Bunk Beds

Submitted by Vee.R on Wed, 03/11/2015 - 23:05

Classic Bunk Beds painted blue.

I used some scrap wood to build a small custom box so my kids can keep a water cup or book close by.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
sand with 80 grit, primer, sand with 120 grit, 2 coats of blue paint and 1 coat of polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Storage Bench

Submitted by bRick on Sat, 06/10/2017 - 17:26

Pretty basic bench made from Home Depot pine boards (the cheap ones, not the Select Pine stuff). I had some extra trim pieces from a past project so used that for the base trim. That stuff is pretty cheap anyhow so it wouldn't be too much to add to other projects. 

I didn't have too much trouble with this one other trying to get the paint on evenly. 

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Satin Black with General Finishes water-based clear coat (Flat)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Narrow Cottage End Tables

Submitted by akwebb3 on Tue, 08/03/2021 - 14:21

We bought new couches and of course they were larger then what we had in the Family Room previously and my old end tables would no longer fit. I needed something narrow to go on either side of the sofa and these fit the bill perfectly! I also really liked that they had drawers for remotes or other random things that usually just end up on top of the end tables.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)

Comments

Madeline Changing Table

Submitted by Huthbert on Wed, 04/24/2013 - 10:52

Had a lot of fun with this project! Glad to have it all put together! Thanks again for providing plans Ana!!

We wrote details on everything we did on our blog (http://thehuth.blogspot.com).

Here:
Side Bases: http://thehuth.blogspot.com/2012/10/madison-changing-table-part-1-side-…

Hutch: http://thehuth.blogspot.com/2012/11/madison-changing-table-part-2-hutch…

Center Base: http://thehuth.blogspot.com/2012/11/madison-changing-table-part-3-cente…

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
We did two coats of Behr Irish Mist and another two coats of Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

DIY Land of Nod Inspired Tabletop Puppet Theater

Submitted by jaime19861 on Sun, 03/15/2015 - 15:18

My niece's 4 year birthday was coming up, so I decided I would make something for her. I looked through my wood scraps and tried to come up with a project that would be quick to make and would make a 4 year old happy. I saw Land of Nod's Tabletop Theater and I knew it would be perfect! My measurements are not exactly the same as the Land of Nod version because I was using the scrap wood that I had on hand, but it worked out great! Not including painting time, this can be built in just a couple hours. You can find the step by step tutorial on my blog. 

Estimated Cost
I used all scrap wood to make mine. If you had to buy the wood, you could probably get it for around $5.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum paint in Chalkboard, Cherry Red, and Black
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Cedar & Marine Varnish

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/12/2017 - 20:07

Total cost per chair about $70 each. Cedar, Marine varnish & stainless screws are quite expensive. For the arm rest I used 1x6 Cedar rather than 1x4. All wood cut, sanded and varnished. All screws pre-drilled. All Cedar countersunk.

Estimated Cost
$70 x 2 = $140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Marine spar varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner