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Retro Play Kitchen

I made this from the Simple Play Kitchen Plan. I recently purchased Ana's book, and it inspired me to finally build something on my own. I am proud to say I got it done within a few weekends, with minimal issues.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-Gloss Behr Interior Latex, Sea Life
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Tall Narrow Wardrobe for Tiny House

Submitted by hkingman on Sun, 09/07/2014 - 20:27

Needed a wardrobe for a 24-inch wide space. Not sure you could buy such a thing -- certainly not in the small town where we live. Glancing at Ana's "Toy or TV Armoire" plans gave me an idea how to proceed.

Didn't plan for drawers, initially, but turned out I hadn't pre-stained enough trim for full-height doors, so decided to add drawers. Glanced at the insert plans, and it didn't look too bad. Decided to build the drawers right in with 22-inch 75lbs sliders, since again, not enough trim for full doors. Also, I think it might be tedious to first open a door or in my case doors just to get to the drawes. Miraculously, cabinet turned out to be square enough (+/- 1/16th inch) for the sliders. Here's to $99 table saws and pocket hole screws!

Thank you, Ana, for this and the other plans I built (craft table). Also, I admire your webmasters Drupal-craft!

Estimated Cost
$40 for the stain, $10 for varnish
$24 for hardware
$120 for plywood
$50 for trim
$30 for drawer sliders
$5 for pocket hole screws
Total: $279
Oh wait... $20 more for the two 2 x 6s used for the drawers, $8 worth of Tite Bond, and? Call it $310 or so.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Trim has two coats of Pratt & Lambert oil-based "Toy Wagon" color semi-transparent redwood stain, which takes two weeks to dry. The ply has water-based MinWax polyurathane. Finished most everything before assembling. Was too lazy to varnish over the trim, though that would certainly make it less "rustic." Oh well. It's not a piano.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

New Closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 12/27/2016 - 16:59

This is my first carpentry project. Bought my house recently and it had the white wire organizers on the wall but I wanted to do something different. Only had 6' width to work with so had to shorten it a bit and lose the middle shelves. Lowes didn't have enough 1x4's for the shelves so I used 1x8's and just left a gap in the front which in my opinion looks good.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200-$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat of Early American stain followed by a light sand and 1 coat of Minwax Polycrylic Clear Matte
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our Console

Submitted by anm8ed on Mon, 09/07/2020 - 09:08

It was fun to build this and i took my time over several weekends. Not being in a hurry probably helped me figure stuff out before actually doing things. I will probably remake the door as these are thick and probably to heavy. We will probably end up doing something decorative with the doors once we decide if we are making new ones or not.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Poly Shades espresso on the top and a simply flat white paint on the main console. Used wax sealer over the paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rough Sawn Oak Plank Dining Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/11/2024 - 07:47

Modified 4x4 Farmhouse table, my first picnic table project.. We used rough sawn oak planks from a tree cut down 20 years ago that were sitting in a garage waiting for a special build. All framing is built from 3/4” x 3” boards glued up to create the legs and supports. For character the water spots were sanded down but not out to bring out some different hues after staining. The benches follow the same design plan and when the outdoor poly sets up they will be added to the set. Great plans from Ana White! - by "Grandpa Can Fix It"

 

Built from Plan(s)

Refinished Red Oak Fireplace Mantel

This is a century old red oak fireplace mantel I bought off of Craigslist. It came out of a home in Louisville, KY. It was in bad shape as you can see in the photos. I stripped it and replaced the veneer that needed it. I had to modify it a bit to install it to my mother-in-laws brick fireplace. The mirror is mercury glass and beveled. I did add some red oak rope trim which I beveled to give a more formal look. I countersunk some holes along the sides that I covered with some red oak trim. This allowed me to attach studs to the brick and then attach the mantel to the studs. The very top shelf was rotted so I found some beautiful spalted red oak and rebuilt this. The former onlay on the front was beyond repair and I found the current salvaged onlay on Ebay for around $10. I am really happy with how it turned out.

Estimated Cost
$200-$40 initial cost and about $160 in improvements
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The stain is Minwax Early American. I gave the old growth wood 2 coats and the newer wood and trim 3 coats. I used Minwax fast drying satin polyurethane. I used three coats throughout the project. I applied 2 coats of poly and then sanded with 220 grain sandpaper before applying the third and final coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Electric Heaters (not verified)

Wed, 01/23/2013 - 04:05

Fireplaces can be a good option for heating the room as that consume low space area and provide heating in affordable prices. the most amazing thing about modern fireplaces is that they can be easily move anywhere in the house.

Coat Nook

Submitted by swari on Wed, 09/10/2014 - 10:57

I am a complete novice, learning as I go. But the plans were so straight forward and well written that I got brave and added some cubbies! So happy with the nook and it helps when trying to get three little ones out the door for the school bus in the mornings. All of the things they need are in one convenient place. 

Estimated Cost
$300. The hardware was pricey (hooks and drawer pulls), as well as the paint (I purchased gallon pails at $80/gallon since we will be using it elsewhere in the house).
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore semi gloss paint for the wood and egg shell finish for the walls.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Wed, 09/10/2014 - 14:17

This looks awesome!  You did a fab job on this build, it looks very professional!  The extra cubbies and bead board are a great touch too!

Outdoor furniture

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/30/2016 - 06:21

I love taking good stuff that people throw out and up cycle them. Someone on my street had thrown out two sofa sets and the cushions were is perfect condition. They had slip covers on them too. I washed the covers and built the sofa to fit the cushions. I built two single chairs, a love seat and a matching table. Super happy with the way it turned out.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stained and varnished.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Lisaatg3

Sun, 05/23/2021 - 08:49

How do you get the actual plans for this outdoor furniture set?

Fancy Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/09/2020 - 08:54

My mom, dad, husband, and I built this farmhouse table over the course of a couple weeks. The top was barnwood pine and the base was pine lumber. This was my first build and I'm hooked!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 (barnwood was most of the cost)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Grey stain on base and just poly on top
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Toddler step stool

Submitted by benhuard on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 06:23

This was made from a plan I found on this site. It was made out of scrap from another project so I had to adapt the plans based on the wood I had.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray primer and satin finish spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Modern Outdoor Sectional Armless Section

Submitted by Carlos on Fri, 09/12/2014 - 12:09

Esta Es la copia del Proyecto Llamado,  Moderno sencilla Pecado Seccional Sección brazos al aire libre, Si me Hizo Fácil Por los Planos tan faciles, Pienso HACER mas y de colores llamativos, Gracias Ana.

Estimated Cost
$ 50
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Como consejo les puedo decir que deben ir verificando las medidas y cuadrar el asiento.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fire Station loft

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/01/2017 - 19:03

Modified plans to make front panels open.  Gives more play room and easier to clean. Front panels are covered with brick themed fabric. Ladder has reflective tape on sides and steps have grip tape for traction.  Ladder has sturdy metal hooks and is removable. Sides are taller  to accommodate a younger child.

Estimated Cost
Did not track.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams gloss paint (recommended for furniture by sales representative)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modified dorm desks

Due to COVID-19 the first 9 weeks of my children's schooling will be online. When I looked for cheap desks in my area they were completely sold out. I have been a big fan of Ana White's designs since I first discovered her through Pinterest. This was my first furniture build project and while it's not perfect I will definitely be attempting another. I modified the height of the desks to fit my 1st and 5th graders. I also decided to add a second bookcase for extra support and storage. My husband owns a flooring store and he had custom quartz desktops made instead of using wood. We temporarily glued the desktops on versus a more permanent install. This is so when the kids go back to school full time and the desks are no longer needed in our dining room we can remove the bookshelves, finish the tops off in another way and move the bookshelves to their bedrooms! I may still add cork-board to the front section of each desk but I am undecided at the moment.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$175 for two desks
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The dark blue desk is one layer of Minwax water-based navy stain (son insisted on stain, I don't know why). Before staining we applied Minwax water based wood conditioner. Finished with 3 layers Minwax satin water-based Polycrylic. The lighter blue desk is Krylon Fusion all-in-one satin beach glass spray paint and primer in one. It is also finished with 3 layers of spray on Polycrylic.

My laundry basket dresser

I started with the standard laundry basket dresser but went with shelves. I thought that the baskets would last liner this way. The baskets used are from IKEA and sit on felt runners to keep the noise down.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Desk/Craft Space Table

I just started wood-working and found this to be a really nice build. I did, however, adjust the height of the desk legs from 31 inches to 36 inches, because I am 6'6" and felt I needed the leg room. I used 4 Severe Weather 2 1/4in x 2 1/4in x 36in Colonial Treated Deck Spindles from Lowes at $2.88 each for the legs. I also, added the drawer dividers to help organize the storage space. Otherwise, I stuck to the plans. 

Severe Weather 2-1/4-in x 2-1/4-in x 36-in Colonial Treated Deck Spindle http://www.lowes.com/pd_7954-432S2236T15N_4294610196__productId=3185415&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

Stainless Steel Drawer Pulls http://www.homedepot.com/p/Liberty-8-5-6-in-Steel-Bar-Cabinet-Hardware-Appliance-Pull-117060-0/202023671?MERCH=REC-_-NavPLPHorizontal1-4-_-NA-_-202023671-_-N

 

 

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Smokey blue chalk paint (1 cup of paint, 1 teaspoon of plaster of paris, & 1 teaspoon of water)
Minwax classic gray stain (used to give distressed spots more dimension)
Minwax dark walnut stain for desk top
Johnson paste wax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kitchen table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/03/2017 - 16:40

Kitchen Table with matching benches

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean Stain Top
White Semi Gloss Legs
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

TURNED LEG FARMHOUSE TABLE

Submitted by kwildman on Tue, 12/04/2012 - 07:27

I love how this table turned out! This table was built for a friend of mine who wanted a rustic farmhouse table with "fancy" legs. The legs and apron are painted white and distressed. The table top is stained 2 x 6 pine. We love it! Thank you so much for the plans Ana! The legs are 5" turned maple legs. First, I painted the legs and apron "java brown" and then using Minwax furniture paste wax, I applied wax to the areas that I wanted to distress. After two coats of satin white paint, I distressed the legs using 220 grit sandpaper. Two coats of wax and the legs were silky smooth! The top is 2 x 6 yellow pine. I used two coats of Rustoleum dark walnut, one coat of sanding sealer, a final sanding with 220 grit sandpaper and two coats of wax. Love it!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
First, I painted the legs and apron "java brown" and then using Minwax furniture paste wax, I applied wax to the areas that I wanted to distress. After two coats of satin white paint, I distressed the legs using 220 grit sandpaper. Two coats of wax and the legs were silky smooth!

The top is 2 x 6 yellow pine. I used two coats of Rustoleum dark walnut, one coat of sanding sealer, a final sanding with 220 grit sandpaper and two coats of wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments