Community Brag Posts

Thumb chair

Submitted by Chef Sowa on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 18:11

Second plan I decided to build from this site, my daughter loves it. She's 19 months old now, but should grow into it fairly soon, she can still climb into it though. Slapped it together in less than an hour. Small modifications from the original plan. I used a 1 x 12 tread (leftover from a previous project) for the seat and back. Painted and sealed it, and let dry over night. Thanks again Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

American Girl Canopy Bed

Submitted by sraper2 on Tue, 12/03/2013 - 17:01

I built the American Girl canopy bed and closet for a family friend for Christmas. This plan was so much fun to make! I will definitely be making a few more for Christmas. I put a tutorial for the mattress I made and will be adding tutorials for the rest of the bedding on my blog tomorrow. Thanks so much!!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer, white pain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Built two headboards for my boys!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/17/2016 - 08:03

I'm not a carpenter by any stretch of the imagination. This is the first building project I've done in God knows how long. Having a brad nailer is almost a must. it make the assembly of this headboard a piece of cake. The hardest part by far for me was finding untreated 4x4's. especially since we wanted to leave them the natural color of the wood. I finally found a local lumber yard that also had a pallet shop where they make custom pallets for area businesses. They had some untreated 4x4's that they use to make pallets with. It took me quite a while to pick out some good ones from the bunch. Even after being very selective with the 4x4's I still had to take 80 grit sandpaper on a belt sander to them to get them to the finished product. They turned out great though. I would say that I'm a jack of all trades type of person, but had no experience building anything remotely close to furniture before. I am usually handy when it comes to figuring things out and doing work with my hands though. If you are looking for a good project to try out, then this one is a great one to start on. As for now, I don't plan to make the footboard and rails for this bed. These headboards cost me a total of about $52 or $53 each in materials. It took me a total of about 5-6 hours to build (2 hours of that was sanding on the 4x4's.)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$55 for headboard only.
Finish Used
natural
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bar / Buffet Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 06:23

Made from a combination of Ana White plans to build the ultimate home bar! I used the Rustic Sideboard / Buffet Table and Modular Bar Wine Grid Hutch plans for this custom build

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Fort bed!

Submitted by paulashley on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 17:07

We are so thankful for the plan! This is our first building project (ever!) My son loves his new fort bed, and we feel so empowered to have done it ourselves!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
For us, about $70 total
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

mamalecia11

Wed, 01/25/2012 - 19:47

I was looking for a cute, simple bed for our 9 year old son as he gets a room to himself for the first time in his life(we adopted him from Haiti 2 years ago, where he shared with 4-8 little boys and then he has shared with his little sister since they came to us). This is just what I was looking for and didn't know it-haha.

Mantel

My parents have hated their fireplace since they moved into their house 18 years ago. When they moved in it was black bricks, so we painted it white, but it was still really sad looking. I finally got on Ana's site and found plans for Mimi's Faux Mantel and got to work. We just love how it turned out. Really warms up the space and now the fireplace in the focal point of the room. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
minwax prestain, minwax red mahogany (2 coats), minwax polyurethane (2 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Margery

Sun, 10/05/2014 - 18:34

what a fantastic job you did!  That settles it....this week I'm picking up my materials and getting to work.  I've thought about it for long enough.  Your mantel is an inspiration to me because it's exactly what I've been looking for.  Your parents must be so happy.  again, Great Job!!!

Coffee table with toy storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/20/2016 - 11:09

Coffee table with built in toy storage with glaze coat top

Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut stain with glaze coat top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kitchen Island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 16:21

Our kitchen REALLY needed an island, and with a few modifications from Ana's plan, we had the perfect new piece for our home!

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

Plant stand so grand :-)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/09/2023 - 14:20

Was recommended by YT (yes I subscribed) thought it was awesome. Just getting into woodworking and thought it was perfect to try. Appreciate the help, very kind. Godspeed.

Comments

Pet Feeder

Submitted by lazyLiz on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 16:48

I am building a TV console and hutch (will be posting soon) and I have left over of small cut of boards from this project. While waiting for my media center to dry, I built this pet feeder.

I have this messy eater dog (weimaraner) who slobbers all over my floor moulding. Worst thing...she bangs the wall with her aluminum bowl when she tries to lick every single bits of her food there is! So, with that story to tell, I designed and built her a pet feeder(inspired by the small pet feeder plan). And no more banging and messy wall!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I'd say $ 2.00 to $5.00 (every materials used were left overs from my media center project)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
glossy white paint and drops of colored paint for the name and prints
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

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

Headboard with lights

Submitted by wtclarke1 on Thu, 10/03/2019 - 10:21

This is a queen size headboard I built for our guest room.  This is inspired by http://ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/reclaimed-wood-headboard-queen-size.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

ipex bookshelf

Submitted by jkolo on Thu, 02/02/2012 - 22:27

Great bookcase. I used a 3" screw through the top center into the wall to add lateral stability. Now it is rock solid. The majority of time was spent sanding and finishing.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The all-in-one stain with poly doesn't coat evenly on pine. I ended up stopping half way through, sanding it off, then used a Minwax stain, then Satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Poplar and birch expanded dog crate

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/24/2016 - 10:47

I saw this plan on pinterest and really liked the way it looked. I bought the wood, but let it sit for a year because it wasn't a priority. Well, we were getting a new dog and he needed a little more room due to hip surgery. So, I expanded the crate dimension and got to work. I added 6 inches to the width, and 4 to the length but turns out I was about an inch shy all the way around to fit a plastic liner tray. Next one will be better. I used birch plywood on the side panels and the bottom panel, but used 4 inch wide board to create a slatted top rather than a solid top. I put hinges on the top with a window latch style lock, and put 2 slider style gate locks on the door. the color was from using medium walnut Danish oil, finished with 3 coats of gloss poly. During the project, I took time to teach my 9 yr old daughter how to use various tools, from the drill to the power miter saw. It was a great bonding time for us, and for a worthwhile reason- the new dog.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350-400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Medium walnut Danish oil, glossy polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cedar log table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/20/2023 - 12:01

All cut up with our sawmill! Francesca and Bob Schilling. Beaverdam, Virginia

Comments

Wine Rack

Submitted by Bredimi on Tue, 02/07/2012 - 15:35

I loved the Holman Entertaining Shleves from Pottery Barn, however, I didn't like the price. Taking the $10 ledge plans and modifying them, I set out to make my own. I used a 1 x 10 (bottom), 1 x 6 (back) and a 1 x 3 (front). They are 23 7/8 inches long to get the 3 shelves out of 6 foot boards. To get the holes to hold the top of the bottle, I used a 1 and 1/4 inch forstner bit. Since I had gift cards left from Christmas I splurged on the wood and bought the select pine.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I had gift cards, but my out of pocket expenses for the 3 shelves was $22.89
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted them Valspar Lincoln Cottage Black
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

babysteps

Tue, 01/14/2014 - 10:55

I love your adaptation of the original design. I have been looking for an example of someone who made this plan into a wider shelf. Has it held up well? I was worried about the stress on the joints when you make it deeper. Has yours handled the weight of the bottles?

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

Rustic x + tryde combo media stand

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/28/2016 - 09:47

I saw someone else make a stand similar to this by combining the rustic x and tryde plans. I just used 1x for the sides instead of the x. Didn't take more than a few hrs to build but finishing took forever bc a couple boards were crowned so I sanded forever. If anyone has aby questions or needs help feel free to email me @ [email protected]

Estimated Cost
100-150
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Jacobean minnwax, semi gloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

fancy jewelry box

Made this with my brother as a gift for my daughter 20th birthday . Wood is from reclaimed cypress and hand rubbed shellac finish

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

Factory Cart Coffee Table

Submitted by Syndee on Fri, 02/10/2012 - 22:11

(Sorry my photos aren't the best, there is a black spot on my lens which shows up on some pictures.)

I had a lot of fun making this! I'd been wanting a vintage factory cart for over a year when I found this plan on Pinterest which led me here. I wanted to get a rustic industrial look so I made the table in the picture from the Ana White site that is stained and not the green one. After getting the base built, my husband and I decided we wanted it taller (since we have a dog who would love to sniff at whatever we put on it). And while I'm at it, why not add some storage? So I added more 2x4s and attached them to both the base and additional 1x6s. I put the 1x6s on the front and both sides, leaving the back open. I flipped the whole thing over, put the casters on and added plywood to the bottom of those 2x4s. then added two small boards give support to the plywood, which created a storage shelf. I then sanded and stained it and finished it off with two coats of semi-gloss poly. I did not counter-sink my screws or used wood filler as I was going for the rustic industrial look and I love the way it looks. It is very sturdy, too. I have moved it all around, slid it on its side trying to get some decent pictures and its just as sturdy as ever.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
< $100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain color is Kona. Two coats of poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments