Community Brag Posts

My first build ever !

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/02/2022 - 05:04

My daughter needing a dining room table. After discovering Ana White’s web site and building plans, I figured I could do this ! I have a background in quilting so I was thinking , cut the material , piece it together....simple !!!! It was definitely the plans and YouTube videos that made this achievable. I had never run a miter saw or table saw in my life ! I still can’t properly read a measuring tape !!! I had the basics down and away I went !!!
It turned out beautifully and best part of all is I could gift my daughter a table and bench made with love from mom !!

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut stain and sealed with minwax polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Outdoor Sofa

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/09/2023 - 15:46

Choose the equivalent of 4 x2 here in Australia but as you can see the Depths were different. Painted in Dulux outdoor paint in Vivid White

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Workbench Console and Hutch

Submitted by AlohaMama on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 12:11

We needed space, display space as well as gadget space. The Workbench Console and Rustic Hutch fit in well with the dinner table I modified from Ana's Farmhouse table. Instead of adding the 2x6 on the front and towel bar, I opted to leave the face clean with just a 2x4 and add some reclaimed antique drawer pulls on the side for decoration.

Instead of plywood or 1x4's for the back of the hutch I used the ever handy bead board. Same feel, but cut to size. We also raised the shelf up 12" from the bottom so that I could easily vacuum under it and it would be a great place for a basket or 2 just to hide linens.

Thank you Ana...my house is transforming one project at a time...

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Danish Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Jarrah

Fri, 01/27/2012 - 11:25

I like this a lot! You did a fabulous job! I can see a ton of applications where I could use something like this around the house.

Clubhouse bed!

This took me for-ever to build but mainly because I have an infant plus two other children. I think the actual time in hours was about 15 for the build and about the same for finish work. We modified the plans to fit my sons full size mattress. We also spent a lot on lumber because, initially, I thought I would stain but ended up painting.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Primer and 4 (yes 4!) coats of water based paint. DO NOT use Valspar.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Grandy TV Stand

Submitted by imsomark on Mon, 02/22/2016 - 12:34

This was my first woodworking project and I really like how it turned out. The instructions for building the unit were pretty clear and I only deviated from them in two ways: 1) Since I am using this as a tv stand, I added a port (pictured) for xbox / cable box HDMI cables. I painted the port the same color as the unit so it blends in well. 2) To attach the top two stained pieces of wood, I used pocket holes instead of drilling down from the top. That way I didn't need to use any wood filler. I think I used 7 or so pocket holes per board and it seemed to be held pretty well. For the paint color, I copied kbdesigns' unit and used 'Intellectual' by Behr. I don't remember the stain for the wood but the stain is a darker color than it shows in the pictures. As far as the hardware, I modified those plans as follows: 1) I used a vise to bend the aluminum flat bar to provide stopping points for the doors, so they don't just slide right off the bar. I think I bent about 1.25-1.5 inches at the end. I just used a hammer and a vise and the metal bent fairly easily. 2) I drilled four holes instead of three for more support. 3) For the bar pieces on the doors, I made them 4.5 inches instead of 8.5 inches. I liked the shorter look in the original Grandy examples. 4) I used the clevis pins from the pulleys I bought to attach the wheels to the bars. Note: her instructions for the pulley wheels seemed very difficult. I was able to find pulleys on clevis pins that could easily be removed from the wheel casing, or whatever it is called. I found them at Home Depot. I think they were 1.5 inches.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Honey Do

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/03/2019 - 11:45

After moving, my wife informed me that I would be building her a new TV console. This is the end result. Now we need a bigger TV!

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint and Minwax stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

A beautiful spot in a less than perfect yard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/16/2023 - 13:43

When my husband left he left behind an entire tier of our yard that he'd used to throw sticks, branches, clippings, dead plants, you name it for years. I cleared the mess last spring and am excited to make it beautiful this season!

Comments

bench #5

rustic bench, modified length and omitted x detail, painted numbers

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
1. Minwax ipswich pine
2. Minwax early American
3. two coats clear satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

5 tater tots (not verified)

Wed, 02/08/2012 - 08:27

Sometime I wish I hadn't been handed down such a nice dining table and chair (plus coordinating antique buffet!)set from my parents. I read about this project at your site and would love to build this for my family. We are expecting baby #6 and two benches with 1, 2, and 3 on one and 4, 5, and 6 on the other would be too cute.

I keep hoping my parents will build again, this time in the style that matches their previous set and I can "generously" give them back the heirloom set ;-).

Noah's Modern Dresser

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/24/2016 - 17:31

Thanks so much for this build post.  We actually were about to purchase the dresser that this is designed after, but I couldn't stomach the 900 price tag.  I headed to anna-white.com to see if she had plans for anything similar and voila! the plans for the exact dresser we wanted were here!  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I spent about $300 in materials.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used red oak stain from minwax, and white paint. We coated it all in a rub-on poly finish for durability.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Desk Bling accessory sets for Christmas

Submitted by JoanneS on Tue, 12/17/2013 - 14:28

These desk sets were made from scrap wood and left over finishes, and are the inspiration for the desk bling accessory set plan, the cedar 1-board desk accessory set plan, and the 1-board cedar 2 drawer desktop storage cube plan. I had a ball planning and building these 4 sets over the summer, and gave them to the girls at work today as Christmas gifts. They were a big hit!

The cube sides and drawer fronts are made from scraps of wainscoat paneling.

The gray set is a distressed finish (not shown - the matching cube storage included pulls painted in oil rubbed bronze). The Espresso painted set received pulls spray-painted in silver. The Onyx set was stained with Minwax Express color, with pulls spray-painted in silver. The blue set received 2 coats of paint, and a Walnut glaze. Those pulls were done with a gray paint wash, with sea glass pebbles glued on the fronts.

The pulls are all made from pieces of S4S moulding, sanded and then painted. These also received a poly topcoat before attaching with super glue.

Total time for each set is about an afternoon each. Each set received multiple coats for the finishes, but was well worth the effort.

For some added "bling," I raided my stash of sticky-back felt scraps and applied to the bottoms of each piece, along with the drawer bottoms.

Estimated Cost
all materials already on hand, except for the sea glass (purchased at Michael's)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Gray: 1 coat white, 1 coat gray (Ace, Greek Column), distressed with 100-grit sandpaper, 1 coat polycrylic satin.
Espresso: 3 coats Benjamin Moore aura paint in Wenge, 1 coat polycrylic satin.
Onyx: 2 coats Minwax Express Color in Onyx (brushed on), 2 coats polycrylic satin.
Blue: 2 coats Clark & Kensington tinted to Benjamin Moore's Blue Echo, glazed with Minwax Express Color in Walnut, top coated with Minwax Oil Modified water based poly in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Loft bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/28/2016 - 18:35

I loved making this bed. This was my first experience using a Kreg Jig and it was great! We added three inches to the height of the bed so that my daughter could stand up for the next two years or so without bonking her head. We opted for rungs instead of stairs to save more space. We also used 2x4s cut to width for bed slats instead of a bunkie board.

Estimated Cost
$90 for all lumber, wood condition, stain and PH screws
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax wood conditioner
Minwax Ipswich Pine
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Chunky leg table

Submitted by tonellieto on Sun, 10/06/2019 - 21:16

I made this table from the husky farmhouse table plan, I have loved this  table since I first saw the plan. I used 4” legs instead of 5” and 1x6’s for the top. It turned out beautifully. I did purchase the Osborne legs as recommended.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Top: stained with “Early american satin stain.
Legs and base: sarin black spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Epoxy Table Top

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 07:14

Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of the finished product, but these are the table tops I built for couch tables in my basement. First time working with resin, I learned a lot!

Buildermomma

Barnwood Frame - Variation

Submitted by Joni on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 08:48

Have you checked out prices at framing stores lately? Since I didn't want to pay $250 for a frame, I decided to make one out of some spare 1x4 Douglas Fir that I had. It's a single board with a router cut at the edge for detailing. I routed a rabbet onto the back, and kreg-jigged it together. I distressed the wood by beating it with a hammer and chain.

Prior to completing the frame, I took a sample piece to the framing store (who would be matting it) to make sure they could work with my rabbet size. I ended up having to make it deeper and wider to accommodate them, so I would advise doing this if you're taking it to a framer.

I never dreamed I could actually make a frame, much less a piece of furniture. Thanks so much to Ana for sparking all of this. I've found my creative calling thanks to her!

Estimated Cost
Free (spare wood!)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
1. Minwax water-based wood conditioner. 2. Minwax mix of Onyx & American Walnut water-based stain. 3. General Finishes Glaze in Van Dyke Brown. 4. Bartley's Satin Polyurethane (4 coats).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Becky Smith (not verified)

Thu, 02/16/2012 - 04:32

That is really beautiful! I've been considering the same build for the same reasons. Framing costs are outragous! I've never used a router before and I guess I'm a little intimidated by them. What do you think? Are they too hard to use? Worth investing in?

Thanks!

Joni

Tue, 02/21/2012 - 08:11

Becky -- thanks for the feedback. The router is hard for me, but I don't think I know all the ins and outs of how to use it. For making the rabbet on the back, I've found out that a table saw works SO MUCH BETTER than trying to use the router. I believe that a dado blade for the table saw could make the decorative cut (and much easier, faster, and cleaner than trying to use the router).

Wood block pyramid

Submitted by Lsh108 on Sat, 12/21/2013 - 06:35

What a great little gift idea and made this in about 4 hours. HD had 2x2 poplar turning blocks that were perfectly straight and pretty smooth to start with. Required minimal sanding. Each board was $1.98 but was 32 inches long. So you have to buy 15. Start with the larger cuts first. The end of each board will produce one or two of the smaller cuts. Used the food coloring and also coconut oil on the blocks.
Great project, had fun doing it.

Estimated Cost
$32
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Food coloring and coconut oil
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Clara Table

Submitted by WolffA on Fri, 10/11/2019 - 07:51

I stained the top with Dark Walnut stain and used perfect white paint. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain. Ultra White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

x bench

Submitted by sidman on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 02:41

I loved this bench when I saw the plan and had to try it. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
20.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Red oak stain on top and painted the botton black.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Fire Pit Benches

Submitted by tsmonson on Mon, 12/23/2013 - 21:24

This was an easy plan to follow! We built these for around our fire pit. The finishes is what took the longest. The tops are stained American Walnut.

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

Comments