Community Brag Posts

Variation on the Charging Table

We loved Ana's charging table, but didn't think we needed the holes for charging - what we really needed was just a side table to go next to our couch, but one with storage capacity (hence the shelves behind the doors on the bottom) and a place to put the remotes and game controllers for the TV (hence the shelf at the top). We decided to keep the "secret" compartment on top that flips up, like in the original plans, for storing messy things with cords like the headphones that you can see in the picture.

We also decided to replace the solid wood doors with a glass pane, and used glass paint to paint a square in the middle of the glass.

This was our very first - ever! - furniture-making project and we both really love how it came out. :-)

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Golden Pecan Stain and three layers of a polyurethane finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Love this nightstand

Submitted by ehrobson13 on Thu, 01/11/2018 - 11:39

We were looking for nightstand that would match our new mantle moulding headboard and stumbled across these plans.  It was a cinch to build.  I adjusted the height and width up a bit, as we have a platform bed that is higher than most nightstands.  It turned out beautifully!  

 

I also made a few modifications and additions, for my own purposes.  I cut out a square in the backer board and mounted a charging block to the underside of the top piece.  That way, my phone, kindle and fitbit charging cords can be tucked away in the storage bins and I don't have wires all across the top. And I purchased a piece of thin plexiglass that I'm using to protect the top of the table.  It looks great and will keep any coffee or water rings/spills from damaging the stand's surface.

 

Also, hardwood plywood is a BEAST.  Good gawd, the splinters are a nightmare.  You HAVE to have leather or some other really thick gloves.  But there are just some things that are tough to do wearing gloves. So for the second nightstand, we put a coat of primer on the sheet of hardwood before we even started measuring and cutting.  That has helped so much with the splinters.  

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$85
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of primer and 3 coats of latex semi-gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Narrow Console Table - Modern Farmhouse Collection

Submitted by DPM on Tue, 12/28/2021 - 10:34

Hi Ana,

I live in the UK and really enjoy the range of projets you show on your website. Only been doing DIY woodworking for about a year and you have helped enormously.

I built this console table in time for Xmas and really pleased with the result. The plans you provide are perfect, simple, easy to follow and give just the right amount of detail. It means only wood needed for the project is bought and little is wasted. The videos you produce to accompany the plans are exactly what is needed. It is so helpful to see the suggested order of building the project and also as a check to see what each stage should look like.

Thanks again for all your efforts, they really are appreciated and best if luck for the new year and hopefully, many more projects.

Comments

Crate Caddy

Submitted by rhonit on Tue, 05/10/2011 - 14:25

Using old barn wood, too short for anything else. Love that four regular Mason jars can fit in it, and it is ideal for taking silverware outside for the BBQ's.
Cost was zero, all wood was from the scrap pile. Put together with a brad nailer, the is no finish on the wood. Actually build time was less then a hour. "Including clean up"

Estimated Cost
$0
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

coffee table

this is a coffee table that i had build just by looking at a picture and taking measurements of my previous coffee table that i had, I'm very glad to show the table off!

Estimated Cost
roughly $80-$90
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by mwg10 on Mon, 01/15/2018 - 07:57

I made a few modifications. 

I used shiplap instead of tongue and groove, raised the footboard by adding an extra 2 x 6 & used jacobean stain.

Thanks Ana for putting the plans and video on your site.

 

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

10 Dollar Ledge Shelves

Submitted by ValGal222 on Wed, 05/11/2011 - 20:40

Thanks Ana, I no longer "Think I Can"- I KNOW I CAN! : )

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet, need feedback on what color...
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Red Hen Home's Modified Providence Bench

This is a slightly modified version of the Providence Bench. I used 1x wood rather than 2x wood, so the legs are slightly longer to make the bench come out to the same height. Made this to match a planked-top table. More photos on my blog: http://redhenhome.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-other-solomon-table-bench.ht…

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Custom mix of Minwax Weathered Oak and Antique Walnut stain, followed by hand-rubbed polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JW

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 05:46

I like the planked top! Great job on the finish - it's rustic without being overdone. It's one of the things i love about pottery barn furniture.

What is the hand-rubbed polyurethane? Is that just the wipe-on stuff I keep seeing at the store? Was it easy to use?

Farmhouse table

Submitted by Camberjak on Tue, 06/30/2015 - 20:23

First large wood working project my husband and I completed. In love with Projects and plans by Ana white !

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150 dollars
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut and table top was pure white and sanded down and minwax dark walnut was rubbed on with a rag
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Quick basement shelves

Submitted by Panda on Thu, 01/18/2018 - 14:22

What a great project! This is my first Ana White project and definitely won't be my last!

 

I modified the garage plans to fit our basement. We have two beams the shelves needed to fit between, so I made the length 10' and bought 2x4s at 10'. Otherwise, I didn't do any modifications.

 

The wood was cut at the store for the lengths needed, making it super easy to come home and assemble! We secured the shelves to the basement supports and along the back wall. It's pretty secure and stable.

 

Overall this probably took a few hours (we took a break while constructing it). Next time I would make the shelves a bit deeper. 17" was fine, but a few more inches would have made the bins fit a bit better.

 

I am looking forward to making more!

Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

TV Stand

My wife wanted a new TV stand. I found some plans online but ended up using the basic plan then added my own ideas to it. Used all pine boards. Then finished with Minwax Simply White.

Comments

Convertible Picnic Benches

With the condition of our inherited 6-sided picnic table in my mind, the idea of these picnic benches was too appealing to ignore!
I gave away our old picnic table, and bought some cedar 2x6 from the lumber mill down the road. (He had a pretty good price so I used 2x6 for everything)
I decided to make them 6feet long instead of 4, and with an overhang of 8 inches rather than two I was able to avoid making a third leg set.
I got everything cut and gave it all a coat of stain before I assembled anything and then screwed the boards together with cedar deck screws.
I discovered when I had the tabletop bolted on that the 2x6 caused some issue with the tilting, so I had to go back with a handsaw and trim the front top corners of the back legs so that the table could tilt to the bench mode.
I'm still puzzling out why I have a bit of play in the top when it's bolted in either configuration...
Now if only this chilly rainy weather would quit so we could put them outside and start enjoying them!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Cedar Naturaltone Exterior Stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bathroom Towel rack

Submitted by sean1023 on Tue, 07/09/2013 - 20:10

I kind of came up with this on my own. I used 1 x 3 furring strips for the legs and stops for the shelves. I used 1 x 8 for the shelves. I wanted a semi distressed look so I painted white and then painted the blue very messy making sure I missed certain areas.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cottage End Table in Oak

Submitted by JanMarie63 on Mon, 07/06/2015 - 06:48

I loved making this Ana White's Narrow Cottage End Table plan after seeing it here on a search. I made it for my mother's 83rd birthday. She asked for oak and a light stain (Rust Oleum's Summer Oak Stain). Used three coats of wipe on Poly and one coat of Johnson's paste wax on the top. I bought the blue knob at Cost Plus World Market. The project took me two days. Will difinitely make another one but in pine this time.

Estimated Cost
$40, plus scrap wood on hand
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust Oleum Summer Oak Stain, Minwax Wipe-on Poly (3 coats), Johnson Paste wax final coat for table top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

She Shed - Guest Room, Craft Room, Office

Submitted by Chriss45 on Tue, 01/23/2018 - 08:18

I needed an office and also a guest room so i built a she shed and all the furniture.

Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

junesummer21

Thu, 01/25/2018 - 06:27

I love your murphy bed idea and would love to have plans for it. I too am looking for a guest bedroom and craft area and I know this would work in my space.

Chriss45

Mon, 02/05/2018 - 16:20

I didnt really have a plan when I was building my Murphy bed, I can do a sketchup plan for you if you would like. I used boat chair swivels instead of hinges and there is a YouTube video on how to do this. 

Chris

Nurserene62

Thu, 06/24/2021 - 23:11

Hi Chris! I would love to have a copy of the sketch up of this. I have a small she shed/guest cottage I would live to duplicate this in. Thanks in advance.

cgself12

Mon, 11/08/2021 - 14:18

Hi Chris!
I know I'm coming late to this party but I just found your shed and I adore it. You did an amazing job and I cannot express how impressed I am! I would also like a sketchup plan of both the murphy bed and the adjoining side cabinets. Great job!

Kim Daigle

Thu, 06/06/2019 - 10:59

I absolutely love everything about this she shed!!  I would be interested in a sketch up of the murphy bed as well as the cabinets next to it.  I would at least like to know what the dimensions of it all is.  You did an amazing job!  It's so beautiful!

mcocooper11

Tue, 06/25/2019 - 15:14

Me too!! I built a horizontal Murphy bed so I have that part done but I would like to see the plans for the cabinets on either side with the pull out desk!

so very cute!

Factory Cart Coffee Table

This was my first project, so it took me a while to make since I had to figure out what I was doing. But, it was so much fun and I'm excited to make more!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Mahogany, Minwax rub-on poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bunk and loft beds

I designed and built these beds with the help of my husband and daughter. We spent about $350 on the materials and about 4 days in the Texas heat to build it. My kiddos absolutely love them, especially my 7yr. old. His is the loft bed with a ladder system and a bookshelf, and area to play underneath. The bunk bed is for my 18yr. old and my 14yr. old, so it had to be extra sturdy. We built everything out of 2x6s except the bookshelf. It was built from 1x12s and plywood.

Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Ebony stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Queen size storage bed

We made this storage bed for our teenage daughter. She helped! She picked out the stain, comforter, and went through different plans with me to make it her own. She learned how to use a miter saw, sander, etc. and it was a great bonding experience. It's a few different plans, and we had to make modifications, but it is immensely better quality than store bought furniture we purchased a few years ago (it's falling apart!) and it has sentimental value. We are proud of the furniture, but even more proud of our daughter. :-)

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Charcoal Grey
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner