Community Brag Posts

Sister project

Submitted by shannarae on Sun, 05/13/2018 - 17:49

Built for my sister. Bolts from Home Depot. Flat corner brackets are spray painted and hinges ordered from Lowe’s. 

Estimated Cost
About 475 with custom glass panes.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Used a white paint with enamel finish for hardness. Doors are stained for trim match in my sisters house but have a coat of wipe on poly on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Replacing Our Outdoor Furniture

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/25/2022 - 15:42

When our outdoor furniture started falling apart, we decided it was too expensive to replace until we found your plans for the “Modern Outdoor Chair from 2x4s and 2x6s.”
The design was almost exactly right.
The only change we made was to make the arms taller so the cushions from our original set would work. Instead of 2x6s for the sides we changed one of the boards to 2x8 and adjusted the arm height by a couple of inches. We made the chair first.
We then used the plans for the Loveseat and completed our set.
After painting the first chair after assembly, we decided it was easier to cut the wood and paint the parts prior to assembly and touch it up after.
The design adjustment matched perfectly. We also created a coffee table using the same type of assembly.
We know these loveseat and chairs will last!!!
Thanks so much
Kim and Scott Griffin

Comments

Simple Bar Stools

I used Ana's idea for the plan, but modified it slightly to stand up to my wrecking crew (aks the kiddos). I posted a step by step plan with photos on my blog if you want to use the information for yourself.

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut stain and three coats of poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jsle_bel

Tue, 07/05/2011 - 08:26

I tried posting on your blog but for some reason it wouldn’t allow me.

Okay, I seriously LOVE them! I'm in the process of making my own pub table for outside entertaining and was considering altering Ana's stool plans....now no need to! Thanks for posting, I'll just need to lengthen the legs a little and for that reason reinforce it a bit to make them sturdy (I've got three boys and a daughter that can be a rough as the boys). Thanks again and I'll be back to check out future posts. Check me out at: http://laundrywillwait.blogspot.com/

~Jen

Farmhouse bed

Thanks for the plans Ana! We love our new bed.

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

wjc129

Mon, 09/09/2013 - 11:16

Your bed looks like I am imagining mine will, minus possibly distressing it. I do have a question for you ... how did you attach the side rail to the footboard? I have gone through every brag post and only one of the posts had a photo of the connection to the footboard (they used brackets).

Outdoor table in Norway

I found the plans for a farmhouse table here on Ana White`s and decided that this would be a great design an real outdoor table.The table seats 12 people and I also made four benches to go with it. The reason I made four benches is that it is easyer when someone needs to get up and leave the table. Under the feet I mounted small blocks of wood since the table will be standing directly on the ground. This way the rainwater will pass under the feet and if necessary these blocks are easy to change. The feet and the supports are made with 2X4" and the tabletop is made with 1,5X6" all in pressuretreated pine. Pressuretreated pine workes well outdoor in the nordic climate here in Norway and is cheap and widly awailable.

Greatings from Norway

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
250 usd including the benches.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Console

This was my first project after discovering the "Ana White" web site.  After looking through the brag photos I zeroed in the Rustic X Console.  I was specifically inspired by the photos from "Celeste808" and "aDIYguy".  It also gave me an opportunity to try out my new Kreg Pocket jig. I hope you like the pictures.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I figure i spent about $95 in materials at the local Home depot. I already had some items at home that I used.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax Gunstock #231, Miniwax fast drying Polyurethane (1/2 pint), Behr-ultra Pure white eggshell finish paint and primer in one (quart)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Easiest Frenchy Benchy

Submitted by cbeach1717 on Thu, 07/07/2011 - 20:08

I took Ana's amazing easy upholstered bench from modern to "magnifique," with a simple pleated skirt and silk upholstered seat cushion! Now our oddly shaped breakfast nook has a built-in that doesn't look so--well--built-in! Ana was right, it truly doesn't get EASIER than this :o)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free Scrap Wood!
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Build bench according to Ana's instructions then staple on your skirt with a pleated pattern of your choosing--just pre-sew the hem. Then attach upholstered seat cushion from the underside with two inch screws!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Sat, 07/09/2011 - 23:15

looks so tres' chic....

Simple Cheap and Easy

Submitted by henryholub on Sat, 08/10/2013 - 23:29

I chose to laminate 1x2's together for legs, and then simply used a 1x2 as the brace between the legs. I also ran the top across my router to give it nice rounded edges around the top. Really was super easy and super cheap. I painted it to match my dog-kennel coffee table.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic One Paint, Gloss Rustoleum Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Back to school 2015

I was just thinking "Where can I put their backpacks and folders this year so we don't lose/forget so many things this year?" Thanks Ana! Modified the plans to make use of my scrap pile. I ordered the vinyls off Etsy from, The Vinyl Things in Life, she custom made them to my dimensions and I love the pop of color! Sorry I can't get better pictures, our entry is tiny.

Estimated Cost
$20, for hooks and vinyl. Wood was from the scrap pile.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain. Topcoat Polywhey in satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rear foyer bench!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/09/2022 - 13:19

Used the warming hut bench plan to build this rear foyer bench! I used Behr Stain & Poly in Mission oak (2 coats) and love the way it ties in with the rest of our house. Plus I love saying "Thanks, I made it!" when people see it and ask where I found something that fit so perfectly. :)

Comments

End tables to match the Media/Wine storage cabinet

Submitted by sgilly on Sat, 07/09/2011 - 23:21

Just want to thank you, Ana, for the wonderful plans and this site. I'm still so surprised that I was able to build something that looks so nice and is so functional. Since stumbling upon your site I've been able to put aside my fear of the "big" tools and do something that I've wanted to do for years. Since the media/wine cabinet I built for my daughter, using leftover material I built these end tables to match. She and my son-in-law are pleased, too.
I've got a couple more projects in progress right now for my son and my other daughter is putting her list together - I'm just so happy to be doing this!
These tables are similar to the narrow cottage end tables, but without the drawer.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Maybe $10 for both because I used mostly scraps
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted it using Spray paint in Espresso. I did put two coats of semi-gloss spray poly on it.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Thu, 07/14/2011 - 16:31

Nice job! I am interested in this console as well. I am scared of drawers and cabinet doors though! Were they that bad?

sgilly

Mon, 08/22/2011 - 12:20

Thanks. I kind of made it up as I went along!
Actually, the drawers weren't as scary as I thought they'd be - at least not at this size. This wasn't deep enough for me to use drawer guides, but they seem to work fine as is.

Free laundry dresser :-)

This is the second one of these I have made. I love the 1st one and I wanted to make one for my sisters birthday. Being on a pretty tight budget, the extra $40-$50 I needed for the materials was pretty illusive. While closing up our shop one day I noticed that our buildings dumpster was overflowing w/ perfectly good cabinet doors. I jumped rt in there and grabbed a few of them. I had them for a few days before I realized what I could use them for. I had to change the measurements a little but it worked out well. I used my kreg jig jr. To fasten them all together 1st (the plan says to attach the cleats 1st but because I was changing the measurements , I did it last). Instead of putting a back on it, I used scrap 1x 2 furring strips across the back of the cleats and it feels just as sturdy as the 1st one I built. To dress it up a bit, I painted the molding on the cabinet doors and the cleats a blueish grey and aged it for some character. Finishing w/ Johnson's paste wax.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$2 for kreg screws and paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Oops paint from Home Depot and Johnson's paste wax
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

spiceylg

Wed, 08/14/2013 - 04:48

Love that you repurposed something you found! Great recycling and free materials for you. A win-win! I'm sure your sister will love it!

Blanket ladder

Submitted by scoricha on Fri, 08/03/2018 - 21:35

Very easy to cut/assemble and very pleased with the result! It took about an hour to cut the boards and screw then together. Then another hour to same/pretreat/stain. Love it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10 not including stain (I already had)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

My Very First Project!

Submitted by MamaPepper on Wed, 07/13/2011 - 21:29

This was my first time ever using a drill AND a staple gun, and my first woodworking project since I made stilts out of wood and glue for 4-H, like, 25 years ago!

I'm not sure I did it right, and I had to place a plant stand strategically in order to keep it standing upright, but the boys love it so far! I ended up using the curtains that I had in the boys room, and the loops weren't big enough, so I improvised with ribbon, and the curtains weren't quite long enough to go around to the bottom, but I figure having the staples showing just made it look cool and industrial :)

All in all, I'm pretty darn proud of completing my first project!! Thanks for the awesome plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
20ish
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Rustic Farmhouse Table

Using Ana White's Rustic Table plans, I recreated her design by modifying the measurements to fit my dining space. I did not use wood glue, as the plans call for, and simply left the wood screws visible which I felt added a rustic touch. The top is stained with Minwax Special Walnut #224, and the bottom is painted Simply White by Benjamin Moore. The table measures 72"x42" and is 30" high. It can comfortably seat six chairs.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut #224
Polycrylic
Benjamin Moore Simply White
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

snomii

Sat, 09/07/2013 - 12:22

I love your choice of colour! It's the perfect backdrop to a nice dinner full of colour! I'm getting inspired to try this now!

Twin Farmhouse Bed with Jeremiah 29:13 carved into headboard

This is the second farmhouse bed that i've built from these plans.  I made a slight modification to shorten the headboard for this bed. Overall, it was a fun and enjoyable project. 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$160
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Walnut, and spray lacquer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner