Community Brag Posts

Pottery Barn Benchright Inspired Side Table

Submitted by robinadams on Mon, 12/28/2015 - 11:12

A great project!!  I love how it turned out!  I used Poplar wood because I wanted a larger top than 1 inch but smaller than 2 inch.  Poplar had an in between size.  I love how it turned out!  Need to make another one now for my living room so that I have a matching set!  Thanks Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60 because poplar wood is expensive. I already had the stain and hardware.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut followed by 3 coats of Satin Polyurathane. Sanded with 1000 grit sandpaper in between poly coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Henry Desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/04/2019 - 04:48

Hey guys,

Here's my version of the Henry Desk following Ana's plans. There are a few minor differences that were requested by my client:

- A thicker top. I used 8/4 dressed pine (basically 2x6 knotty pine) and I laminated them together.

-Smaller desk - Top 60 inches long.

-A large drawer. 

-Through tenons on the right leg that I made by using a drill press, chisels and lots of elbow grease.  

 

I used mainly glue and dowels to assemble the pieces together, but also some pocket holes here and there.

 

Very helpful plan Ana. Thank you!

 

Erika

Rustic Charm Woodshop

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200 CAD
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Stain: Minwax water-based stain - 1 part Colonial Pine to 1 part Coffee.
Clear Coat: Varathane Diamond Satin finish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

LOVE our new hall tree!

Submitted by bgen10 on Sat, 01/28/2023 - 17:46

This was incredibly easy to build for a semi-newbie! The shopping list and cut list were a huge help! We love Ana-White.com!!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

So easy, so quick, so awesome drawer organizers

Had some scraps hanging around and thought I would try using Ana's plan to organize the mess. Wow. What a difference. So nice to build something to fit your space rather than working around a preformed, plastic or metal utensil holder. Thank you Ana!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
just sanded to get rid of rough edges and added a coat of poly. done.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Kristi's Craft Desk

This was my FIRST Ana White project ever! I really wanted the PB version of this desk, but didn't want to spend $1,200 (cough, cough, gag)!! I started out with Closet Maid cubbies (since I had never used a power tool - ever) just to be safe. Then, I went to Home Depot and got the MDF for the table top, and had the hubby help me figure out how much moulding to get (because it HAD to be fancy, darnit). I raised the height with 3 support boards across the top and the hubby made some feet for the cubbies. Then I attached the moulding. On the sides and back of the cubbies I used spray adhesive and paintable beadboard wallpaper! That stuff rocks! And it's really cheap at Lowe's.
I didn't get very detailed photos as this was my first project and I was so excited I didn't want to stop. Now all I have to do is fill in the nail holes and throw a coat of paint on it! The best part: The whole thing cost under $300!! AND the Ikea chair that I almost gave away fits and matches perfectly! Someday I will build matching chairs (1 for each side so I can craft with a gal-pal), but for now my craft room looks pretty awesome. Thanks Ana!!

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

Extra wide shoe bench and cubby area

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/30/2015 - 03:17

Modified the cubby plans to just be 5 cubby's wide. My wife wanted white so I dressed it up a bit with the bead board, trim and crown moulding.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Early American Stain/Lacquer/ Sherman Williams Extra White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Handcrafted table set

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/10/2019 - 10:18

I was tired of browsing the market place and seeing the same traditional farmhouse design coming from just about everyone in the woodworking industry. It seems as though the market place is inundated in the same 4 leg, and cross support design. I designed these to go against the grain. They were my first project ever and were sold within days. They had nearly 3k views within the first 2 weeks on facebook. I am particularly proud of them. 

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Briarsmoke varathane stain
Lacquer finish
Swan white legs support w/ poloycrylic finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kitchen Table Storage Bench

Submitted by Sailor0411 on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 06:47

I built this storage bench and my wife stained and painted it. It is for use at the kitchen table as well as have storage for baskets underneath. This is my 1st project I have used my Kreg Jig on. Absolutely love it!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Maple Finish with mixed paint to match our kitchen table for bottom.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

ken

Tue, 04/24/2012 - 08:54

I was thinking about building mine with the top having some over hang and like how yours turned out. Did you lay the boards on top of another piece used to make the top or where they laid on the open top and screwed to the sides?

Sweet Pea Garden Bed

Submitted by Aspenos on Sat, 10/12/2013 - 18:30

This project was a lot of work, but was so worth it. It took my husband and myself a month of working weekends and some evenings. We have 2 little girls that adore it. I think the little touches make it perfect. We have not completed the storage boxes, but they are in the beginning stages. We did alter the plans slightly as we liked the bottom doors to open so that I didn't have a tiny hole to crawl into to make the bed. We also made the space under the tallest step a closet area to hang up all their dress up clothes. I think this is one of those great projects you can make your own.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

birdsandsoap

Sun, 10/13/2013 - 12:10

I love the modifications you did on the lower bunk for easier access. And the little touches on the bed slats are fantastic. My girls say they want a bed exactly like this, nevermind that they already have it, haha!

Aspenos

Thu, 10/17/2013 - 08:24

We love this bed! Your plans were fantastic! Although it was a lot of work, it was so worth it. We have 2 friends now that are looking into making this bed for their girls. This bed is a dream come true. What little girl wouldn't want to have this in their room?

Garden bench

Submitted by law0103 on Sat, 01/02/2016 - 07:29

The plan had excellent bones, though I modified the top to hold a sink for rinsing and cleaning.  It is now painted "San Antonio Rose", and resides happily in the backyard.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore San Antonio Rose, enamel
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

law0103

Sat, 01/02/2016 - 07:34

Don't cheap out on tools!  This piece did not come out square, and I accept that as it is an outdoor work bench.  Good tools never go out of style!

Queen Size Day Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/15/2019 - 05:45

This is such an easy plan to make. It was my first time making ANYTHING but I was motivated by saving money. The original bed like this from a store was 1700 dollars. I did make a few beginner mistakes but figured it out.  I changed some of the measurments to fit my queen size mattress and of course its for my actual bedroom and not patio... I get so many compliments!! Hope you like it.

Estimated Cost
400.00 it was only so expensive because I had to by all the tools... worth every penny
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mahogany stain with a satin finish

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Kids Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/06/2023 - 14:00

Fun and easy project!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Storage Shelf

After replacing that trashed out IKEA dresser with the fire fighter style locker in the boys room I started taking apart said dresser to put out on heavy trash day. It was then I realized that while it wasnt the BEST materials, the top and sides were actually not all that bad. As it was the piece was too wide for the space I was looking to fill, so I did a little trim of the top, replaced the supports and framing and rebuilt this into a shelving unit.

I bought a couple 1x2s to frame shelf supports and actually used the base of the drawers as a shelf.

My neighbor across the street is a DJ and has about 100 million plastic crates in his garage that he is getting rid of (they used to hold his vinyl). So I took a few and have been finding uses for them. I spray painted 2 of them red and used them as the basis for where to attach the shelves.
I also had a couple of other baskets for toys that were just the right size for the small top shelf. I just need to go back and paint those red too.

Estimated Cost
just a couple bucks for those 1x2s
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Console Table

We built this console table after the rustic X coffee table and end table. We have learned from previous experience to cut the "X" last, marking them against the frame instead of measuring to cut. This time, my husband made a suggestion to leave the X's out and it was great! The console table still goes very well with the rustic X coffee table and end table, but without the X, it also fits well into other rooms we can use it for. In the end, we are very happy with the result!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Conditioned, stained in Kona, and matte finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/03/2016 - 09:35

Tripled the dimensions, filled with mums for the fall. Now pine boughs and fairy lights! Love!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Outdoor stain, poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Grandy barn door console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/21/2019 - 20:38

I had a different idea for the barn door hardware. I used 1/2" black pipe and fittings for the rail . I found rollers on eBay that were perfect for this application. It went together great and I love the industrial look .

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
300.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

6 Cube Bookcase

We are redoing our almost 3 year old girls room to a big girl room and we started with this! The Bed is almost finished and I can't wait to share it! I think adding the moulding to the top makes it look very pretty and professional. Our other two rooms have real PBK furniture in it but I honestly think this is going to look better!

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

Comments

C. Tyson (not verified)

Tue, 02/07/2012 - 06:15

This will look just perfect in my kid's room. I can't wait to try it out. Going to my local Lowe's in 30 minutes.

Mikey's Clubhouse Bed

Submitted by Jenga on Mon, 01/04/2016 - 17:41

Finished project for Mikey's bed.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Maple after burning for a antiqued weathered looked
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Desk X Build

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/26/2019 - 07:07

Full timelapse and thoughts are in the imgur album.

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Moonquake grey, Luck of Irish green. Polyurethane on top and drawer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner