Community Brag Posts

King Size Bed

Submitted by hailey807 on Fri, 01/17/2020 - 19:37

I love the farmhouse look and wanted to start changing out pieces in my bedroom. Good quality furniture is expensive, so I thought I would checkout DIY projects and came across Ana’s plans for a king bed. Her plans got me started and I changed a few things along the way. I LOVE the end result. 
 

I used Knotty Alder and Danish Oil in Dark Walnut. Alder is an easy wood to work with and the Danish Oil brings out all the beautiful grain. I highly recommend both. 
 

I decided to buy the metal frame and plywood to place the mattress on. 

Estimated Cost
500.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Danish Oil in Dark Walnut. I applied one coat and the finish is satin.

FYI: Danish Oil is very easy to work with and it made the grain of the wood “POP”. The great thing about this product is that it’s a stain/sealer combination and you apply it with a foam paint brush.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

DIY Wood Patio Set

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/15/2023 - 08:46

We were in need of a nice patio set and just couldn’t find the right fit until we came across some 2x4 plans and thought “that seems simple enough”. Took some planning for the right dimensions but I swear my husband can build anything. It turned out beautifully. He made a table, a sofa and a chair….burned them with a torch is certain areas then put polyurethane on them. Thanks for looking.

Lanette

Modified to fit an Earthbox and mounted to a bench

Submitted by BJ D on Wed, 04/18/2012 - 06:16

I took the design of the planter and stretched it to accomodate an "Earthbox" (which is 29 x 13.5x 11 inches) to see if I could boost the results of my little garden. Both planters were made the same size so that if I'd like, next season ,I can use two Earthboxes.

The bench was built to keep out bunnies, our Husky, give us a place to put down the bowl when picking from the garden and lastly to give Georgia a place to climb up and get a better view or help. It is made using some treated 2x6's for legs aand support and untreated 2x4's for the actual benchtop.

I'll add a protective finish (and missing trim on both ends) to the bench part later this week when I have some toddler free time at home :)

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

Comments

Fancy Desk - First Build

Submitted by mtairymd on Sat, 02/01/2014 - 04:02

This was the first project for me and my 15 year old son. He wanted a large, sturdy desk for his room. We loved the plans and we think it turned out pretty well.

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax black poly+stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Wood Handrail Banister

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/29/2016 - 12:09

Naturally we based our plans on the space and the railing we needed.  But it was easy to  do once we had the vision and the supply list Ana White provides.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

4x4 TRUSS BEAM TABLE

Submitted by largashell on Fri, 01/24/2020 - 07:52

I built this as a craft table for my family. I altered the plans to make the table larger to fit a specific space in our craft room. The table was easy to build and turned out great!

Thanks for the plans

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Craft table for the family
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Room Divider Wall with Built-in Storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 15:23

Modified the wall divider closet plan into a wall to serve as an extra bedroom in my basement. The inner wall was subsequently painted.

Grace LeBlanc

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Rosie's Baby Doll Bed

Submitted by nveelover on Sat, 04/21/2012 - 10:13

Made this based on the Oliva's Doll Crib plans with changes to the shape of the top of the ends (to better match my daughter's crib), taller end pieces (about 2 inches), and a shelf under the drawer. To keep the drawer from falling out, I built the crib as usual, then turned the crib upside down, and screwed two rubber stoppers to the front of the underside of the crib bottom. I then put the drawer in place, placed the bottom shelf, and then screwd it in through the bottom (which is on top right now because the whole thing is upside down). I also put in some spacers so that the drawer doesn't get stuck, squished between the bottom of the crib and the shelf.

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

Comments

kad050209 (not verified)

Mon, 09/10/2012 - 15:49

Can you tell me the measurements of wood you used? Piece by piece?

nveelover

Thu, 11/15/2012 - 16:05

I really did just follow the plan that Anna made. The ends, the tallest solid pieces of wood that I added length to, are about 21 inches long. Ana had them at 18 or 19 inches long. Everything else was the same.

Bedside Table

Submitted by AndyH on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 10:34

This is my third build based on the Kentwood Nightstand plan. Added a shelf this time to use as a charging station at night. Customized the height as well so matches the height of the bed.

Estimated Cost
$100
Finish Used
Minwax English Chestnut (3 coats) and Minwax Satin Poly (3 coats)..
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Distressed teal console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/29/2020 - 13:06

I’ve built quite a few of these. Once you understand how the plans are written, they’re very easy to modify!

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

Modern Outdoor Chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/22/2023 - 07:46

Great Project. We are very happy with the chair. It is modern. Amazing. Ana thanks!! The drawings are great.

Jhrios2003

Comments

Farmhouse Table

Since I am in the middle of a divorce, my ex- took my dining room furniture. I decided instead of buying something new, or getting a hand me down, I would build a new table. The wood top was made of 3 wood planks from my sister in laws hardwood flooring leftovers. It was sooo fun to make this. The stain was a mix of Minwax Providence and Ebony 3 to 1 mix appx. I did not add the bottom wood piece, as I did not think it needed it, it is plenty strong without it. I am working on the bench and chairs now. This has been by far my most fulfilling project ever. Enjoy!

Estimated Cost
$100 for stain, trim, poly etc. I had a lot of the wood, not the breadboards
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coat mix of Minwax Providence and Ebony (3 parts to one part)
4 coats Polysealant

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

brookifer86

Tue, 04/24/2012 - 09:55

I think you came up with a great solution to your dining room problem. As a victim of the "ex furniture snatch" myself, I also decided to build my own instead of buying. It was quite the confidence boost! Love the table with the wider boards. I also didn't use a stretcher for my Farmhouse Table, and it's held up perfectly for over a year now.

KellyJo1180

Thu, 09/27/2012 - 08:38

I am looking to do the same design with the larger boards in the middle. What size are the boards running vertically on the ends? 1 x 6?

justjack5454

Fri, 12/12/2014 - 13:59

I love the table you built thanksgiving day my table went
awol, so I need to get going on your design. P. S. I'm lipstick, sawdust, n wheelchair.

Farmhouse Media Console

A Farmhouse Media Console built from ana white's plans. This media console was built out of maple plywood and poplar for the face frame, doors, and top. The design at the bottom was a bit of a trick. I used a bucket for the half circle and a very thin piece of wood for the "wavy" design. The center door is known as a barrister door. I would be happy to answer any questions. Feel free to visit my facebook page www.facebook.com/timberandsoul

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
creme brulee paint by behr and early american stain by minwax with 3 coats of water based varathane
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Little Helper Learning Tower

This is a slightly modified version of the little helper tower, very sturdy design, i weigh 184lbs and use it to climb up to high places as if it were scaffolding. The modifications include making the sides the ladder and the ladder the sides, this allows for smaller hands to grip easier when climbing. It helps to mimic more a ladder design than climbing up the side. It also made for easier install of rungs for ladder. Screws go through the wood face into tge end of the rungs, then pocket homes were used for side supports which were larger woods pieces than the rungs  and pocket screws went from face of supports to the edge of the legs therefore no split out when doing pocket screws! All made from recycled wood from crates, dried and seasoned of course, if you use recycled wood it must be fully cured or it will warp and split over time.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
The wood was free from crates that were going to the dumpster from my job. About $25.00 for screws glue and dowels, we used deck-mate #8x2,1/2 screws to assure safety of the rungs because they had the highest shear strength. We used minwax golden oak from the local hazardous waste collection site and the same with the poly, so the finish was free!
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax golden oak on the lighter one and semi gloss poly brush on, others are special walnut with spray minwax poly semi gloss. I personally like the brush on poly for the finish on this type of project. It is tougher and hold out longer, but it is a pain to apply when it is all together. The stain was applied before the pieces were put together. Touched up stain after all was together and sanded off high spots then applied poly after all was finished, bottom of tower first then to front and sides.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Double loft / desk combo with storage ladder

Submitted by sylvialh on Thu, 04/26/2012 - 05:23

Our den is an awkward spot and we wanted to have a usable double bed as well as desk space for two people, but putting in two desks and a futon made it really cluttered and took up a lot of space, plus we were always having to move one of the desks in order to use the futon as a bed. So we combined all three items!

I changed the dimensions of the loft to accomodate the futon frame (I actually just dropped the futon bed support into the top of the loft) and then I used a long counter I already had as a desktop. The desk is sitting on large shelf brackets that are attached to the uprights of the loft, and then at the front there are shelves to hold up the front part of the desk.

It's ideal because most of the time we are not both working and so we can take advantage of the other person's space, but if we are both there there is enough room as well.

The plan I used below is awesome because everything is really firm but you can still take apart the key parts to get it out of the room. So I built it outside but put it together in the room itself.

We call it the sky bed and my friends love it. I also ditched the ladder and built the shelving unit you see that is both a ladder and shelves, and takes advantage of the shape of the room.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
none.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bookcase with large drawer beneath for my son's nursery

I built a bookcase with a large drawer beneath for my son's nursery. This build was based on Ana's plans for the Cube Drawer Bench and Hutch, but I changed a few things to make it my own. This was my first real attempt at making any kind of furniture, or anything else, really, and I'm fairly happy with the way it turned out. More importantly, my wife loves it.

I learned a TON from all the resources on this website. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$200? Maybe a little more.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I originally tried staining using a deep mahogany color from Sherwin Williams, but I hated it. It looked nearly purple. I ended up sanding that off and refinishing using General Finishes "Georgian Cherry" Gel Stain - 2 coats. I then applied two coats of Minwax Satin Polyurethane. The gel stain was exactly what I hoped it would be.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

misterwilbur

Mon, 02/10/2014 - 16:54

Thank you!

I attached the hutch to the drawer by drilling 4 pocket holes on the inside of the bookcase where the bottom meets the top of the drawer. I also used wood glue. I was concerned about the hutch moving around, and the possibility of it tipping over, so I decided to go ahead and build the two components as one piece, essentially.

Also, in order to add some additional strength and stability, I combined the frames on both components so that I would have vertical 1x2's going down the entire length of the backside of the piece. I also added horizontal 1x2's on the backside of each shelf. All these things combined really gave it a lot of extra strength.

My Pallet barn door TV Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/09/2016 - 09:46

Mini sliding barn doors. Made this piece out of pallet wood and used red oak for the top. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Honey and Pine Stain. Semi-Gloss on top and Satin on the rest
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bunk beds

I built this bunk bed from the plans here on Anna white, I love this site. I think it came out really good. It took a little longer than expected because I sanded every piece down, every corner, every side, every end,  because it's for my kids.  

I devised the ladder myself for my situation and modified the rails I found as well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Clear matte polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Custom Entertainment Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/02/2023 - 11:08

5ft Barn Door TV Stand.
I used the Grandy Barn Door Console as inspiration. I made it as 3 separate units and screwed them together. The shelves are adjustable, the bead board back was done on the table saw, the doors are maple with a hickory diagonal centre panel! This is my largest project so far and I have have to thank Ana White for the beautiful plans that you produce. Without you I’m not sure I would have attempted this. I am one proud lady 🥰

Debbie P

Built from Plan(s)

Finally I Finished My Bench

Submitted by Jake on Sat, 04/28/2012 - 14:18

It is a great storage bench. It took me a while to finish it because I made the decision to make the storage area deeper to 4.5 inches without thinking about how that would change the side panels. So I had some adjusting to do. I took my medicine and moved on. I was going to use the bench in the garage to store tools but it came out so well that now I may find a place in the house. Great bench and very sturdy. I was going to paint it entirely black but the idea of the flip top being a different color hit me and I kinda like it. If I do it over I would go with black hinges, which I can still do.

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar flat black and satin red paint..
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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