Community Brag Posts

Our First Project: A CA Mudroom

Submitted by jcablopez on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 11:28

I've been looking for a storage solution for the area next to the driveway we use as our main entrance. The area opens to the kitchen, dining, and living rooms. We had a computer desk here, but it just ended up piled with junk all the time and backpacks and jackets ended up on the floor.

I fell in love with the smiling mud room plans as soon as I saw them, but it took a while to convince my husband we should try to build it. I used the Smiling Mud Room plans and modified to add the computer desk section since we couldn't move our internet cable. It didn't have to be really big since we don't use the desktop computer very often.

I still need to find baskets for the shelves and I'm planning to make a fabric skirt to cover the computer and cords. My kids already got out their old backpacks to test it out, so hopefully they'll use it!

We bought the Kreg jig as recommended and now my husband is planning lots of new projects just so he can use it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a tinted primer and Valspar Signature semi-gloss paint in Posh Red. It took 1 coat of primer and 2 coats of paint. The plywood took the paint better than the pine, so some of the trim got 3 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

My biggest project to date.

Submitted by bkis1969 on Thu, 07/16/2015 - 13:43

I made this bar several years ago after returning from a deployment to Iraq. I used the spillway as a convenient location for some of my military award coins. At this point I had little in the way of skill so it is rough but everything else being equal, it turned out just fine for the garage man cave.

Estimated Cost
800.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Tile Top, Black Walnut Stain, Light Oak Stain, and Varnish.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Apothecary

Submitted by Ryanwill on Mon, 02/05/2018 - 09:14

Thank you so much for the plans! My wife is extremely happy with the results and so am I. I am in the process of adapting these plans to make a matching end table. Once again, thank you!

Estimated Cost
250-300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
3 coats of Minwax Early American and several (lost count) applications fof Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Library Cart - Teachers Gift

Submitted by lollypoppy on Fri, 05/27/2011 - 09:32

The moment I saw this I knew it would be a perfect teachers gift for my daughters teacher. She loved it.
This was only my second project, the first being the 10 dollar ledges. I'm glad I tried a smaller project before tackling the farmhouse bed. I think it helped with just knowing how to assemble a project a bit better.
I used my Kreg Jig and it worked marvelous! Also I ended up not having a jigsaw so I just cut the top at a 35 degree angle with the miter saw and rounded the edges a bit with the sander. I was going to add handles but the top goes up enough that it's easy to manuever without. I also wanted her to be able to fit it in anywhere and was worried that the handles sticking out would just get in the way.
Overall I think it turned out great. Her teacher loves it. Thank you Anna for such wonderful plans!!

Krista

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dog Kennell / End Table

Submitted by Lilo7 on Wed, 07/17/2013 - 15:30

This projected turned out great! I admit, it was a bit of a stretch for me. This was the first project where I had to use the Kreg jig. Yikes! That takes some time getting used to! I chose to stain my Kennell/End Table with Minwax Red Elm. And that took the longest! Everyone always makes it look easy to stain something, I still haven't gotten the complete hang of it after project 50, and the waiting between coats is for the birds. But, I am happy with the overall end product! Thanks Mrs. Ana White!

Estimated Cost
I used premium wood, so about $125
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Elm, two really thick coats!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

YankeeBelle

Wed, 07/17/2013 - 17:26

It looks so professional and so much nicer than the fatally versions! Great job!! BTW what plan did you use?

Lilo7

Thu, 07/18/2013 - 08:48

Hi YankeeBelle,

I used the plans for the "Large Wood Pet Kennel End Table." If you chose to do this project, beware that the cut sheet does not include all of the plywood cuts. There should be two identical for the sides, and one additional one for the back.

Thanks again!

Simple Pine Dining Chair

Adapted from the Harriet Chair found at ana-white.com, this simple and comfortable pine chair is equally at home in the kitchen and home office. Built to last, it can be custom designed for small or tall customers alike. The chair pictured here is finished with red mahogany stain and matte varnish.

Comments

Mud Room Family Clothes Closet

Our son built this based off of these plans. He had to make the corner hanging areas smaller to fit our area, but we were still able to use this space for hanging items.

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

Comments

Farmhouse King Headboard/Barn Door

I found a barn door headboard in a rustic furniture store years ago. They wanted $2700 for a Queen size....no thank you! I followed the plans for the Farmhouse King Bed and added cross pieces for barn door look using instructions from the Brookstone Headboard. I cut the legs at 56” to add some height and I set the bottom of the back panel at 18” above the floor to make sure no gap is seen with our thinner, memory foam mattress. I couldn’t be happier with our headboard and the total cost, including screws & stain, was about $150! Boom! Thank you Ana White for sharing plans! I’m working on the Mini Farmhouse Bedside Table now & feel like I can build anything! I would highly recommend Power Pro Premium Interior screws (no splitting or stripped heads, no pre-drilling & they counter-sink great in soft wood). For the 4x4 posts I used GRK UberGrade R4 multi-purpose 4” screws, which had the same quality, all from Lowe’s.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used wood conditioner, as recommended. Then 2 coats of Minwax Special Walnut with light sanding in between. I chose 2 coats of clear satin polyurethane, lightly sanding in between for a great rustic finish that’s not too glossy. I did beat up the wood and sanded off all square edges prior to applying any finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Phenomenal Family Room Built-Ins

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/05/2022 - 22:55

We had an awkward family room with a second front door which rendered the layout less functional than it could have been. My sister mused, "I wonder what would happen if you took out the second entry and added built ins?," and this project was born. With a 4 year old and a 2 year old and limited tools and workshop space, we were excited to find ShelfHelp, which allowed us to create custom built ins at a fraction of the cost and time they otherwise would have required (utilizing the "Frameless Built-Ins, All in One Method" plan) . Including the custom soapstone top that we had made from a local shop that was advertising remnants, the project came in under $1000, and we were thrilled with the results. SO MUCH TOY STORAGE, an unobtrusive TV, and a much more functional layout. Thank you, Ana White!

Comments

mamas shelves

Made these shelves for my mom.

Estimated Cost
FREE. I used scrap wood but it would prob cost around $10 for the wood
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax espresso stain and semi gloss polyurathane spray
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Reclaimed look headboard with vinegar and steel wool finish

Submitted by edaffron on Mon, 07/27/2015 - 20:00

Used a vinegar and steel wool solution. Also put some six inch 1x6 3 inches from the bottom as a bracket to mount to a full bed frame. If I later upgrade to a queen I will but the wood bracket flush and reattach

Estimated Cost
About $95
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Vinegar and steel wool brewed a month
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Adirondack chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/10/2022 - 14:17

Starting the slow process of creating a backyard oasis. Was looking at Adirondack chairs, and plastic ones seemed to have issues with breaking, and don’t want to spend $150 per chair or more for wood. Found this post, and just completed my first chair. I used some of my wood decking that I just replaced, so probably $30 per chair, so really happy. Very comfortable as well, so thank you for the time to figure out things.

Comments

Queen Size Farm Bed

Submitted by msts on Sun, 06/05/2011 - 12:54

This took about 10 hours, including prime and paint. I raised the side rails 3 1/2 inches to dado the posts to accept a 2x4 siderail on the inside of the post, with 1x8 covering it at the center of the post. The siderails are bolted with 4x5/16" bolts, washers and nuts. We chose to leave it more rustic, showing the siderails at the ends and the bolt holes. It is all pine, bought new and along with a 1" forstner bit to recess the bolts, cost $198. It can be repainted at any time. Tools I used were a compound saw for ease of cutting straight cuts, a cordless and corded drill, 1/2" socket and box wrench, easy square and a circular saw for the 1x8's. We painted it with left over paint. Because its pine, we primed with BIN,

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
BIN Primer Sealer, one coat on knots then another full coat.
Benjamin Moore Pearl Luster "
Butter" Finish Coat, two coats.
I sand all wood with an orbital sander prior to assembly. Then I use a block sander after the primer dries and between the first and final coat of paint. I only sand after the primer and paint to knock off anything that might be sticking up off the surface. I don't go crazy.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

marlaandwilliam

Sun, 06/05/2011 - 18:27

Looks great! What did you use for the panels in the headboard and footboard? it almost looks like beadboard ?

Mark Shortt (not verified)

Sun, 06/05/2011 - 20:23

It is 1x5 bead board (pine). Some places call it match board. It is v-groove, tongue and groove and has a smooth (flat) side and a two inch flat, bead, two inch flat side. The plans called for a 61" wide panel but I made it 58" with the dadoed posts (1 1/2 inch each cut).
If you want to do the panel using the T&G bead board, make sure to lay your 1x4's out the distance of what ever height you want your panels and center the first piece of T&G bead board on both the top and bottom panel. Then you work your way out fitting the T&G and screwing in each piece. When you come to the two end pieces, they are going to ned to be ripped but by starting at center, they will be even at the end when ripped.
Another tip is when screwing the panel, you will want to get at least halfway into the 3 1/2" post. measure the distance you want to cut on the drill bit and put a piece of tape on the bit. Then drill until you get to the tape.

Adirondack Love Seat

Submitted by burgan on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 15:06

Modified from Ana's Home Depot DIY, using all pine lumber w/1x6 for the arms.

Estimated Cost
$55
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Left natural...for now.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustix X Console

Submitted by colawtx on Sat, 08/01/2015 - 08:03

We modified the size slighly 54x16x29 and added a 1" reveal at the front. The top is made of 1" cedar planks. All the wood we used for this project was free recyled wood. The top color is expresso satin and the support structure is pure white.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic X Console

Submitted by aelliott on Fri, 03/02/2018 - 09:24

Had a blast doing this project! Wife was skeptical at first but it's found a great spot in our home as an entry way table! Thanks for the plans!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

File Cabinet based on Eco Office File Base Plans

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 08:22

I got tired of wrestling with my old filing cabinet and decided to build one that would stand up to regular use. Based on the AW plan noted, I build this out of 3/4" plywood. The drawer faces are 1/2" birch plywood and the hardware is salvaged from old kitchen cabinets. Overall dimensions are slightly modified to fit my space. Painted the cabinet box flat black and because the birch faces have such an interesting swirl, I used clear poly for the drawers. Fun project that works well and looks great.

Comments

Exactly what I wanted

Submitted by rhamil12 on Thu, 07/25/2013 - 08:07

I stumbled upon the octagon picinic table almost by mistake. I set out to just find a blueprint for a standard picnic table to know how much materials I needed and this came up in the top of the Google search. As soon as I saw it I knew it would be perfect for my backyard. It looks great and the neighbors are quiet jealous!

In the first additional photo you will also see the entry way bench and storage shelf (http://ana-white.com/2009/11/plans-for-entry-storage-benchshelf_2314.ht…) that I worked on when I wanted a break from the table.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Redwood Naturaltone Semi-transparent Deck stain/seal
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

jlbarahona

Thu, 07/25/2013 - 16:56

This is gorgeous, i'd love this for my backyard! Do you know how much it cost you? thanks!