Community Brag Posts

Kitchen work station

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/13/2023 - 06:50

Work station is 24” wide x 19” deep x 30” high bead board with 1 1/2” frame and 1 1/2” butcher block work top. No plans were used, picked the size we wanted and just went for it.

Comments

Barn Beam Shelf

Submitted by amym on Sun, 10/02/2011 - 12:01

These shelves were easy to make and are sturdy also. I haven't gotten frames for my pictures yet - I was so excited to hang up my shelf.

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

Rolling Dressers with Flip-up Compartment

Submitted by SaraLodise on Sat, 10/05/2013 - 17:39

New dressers to match the nightstands. I modified the plans to make three smaller drawers up top and added a flip-up compartment for small stuff like jewelry, hair brushes and trinkets etc. It was fun to get more creative.

I made two at the same time so the wood and stain would be more consistent. However, in hindsight, I will never do any project that requires me to make 14 drawers at the same time again. I also used planked 1x4s instead of plywood for the sides and tops for looks. This made the dressers about an inch or so narrower. I used 2x4s instead of 2x2s for the bottoms of the frames to beef it up and reduce deflection, and also did not use braces in the back.

Wood -> $245/dresser
Hardware -> $ 150/dresser
Strain -> $20/dresser

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$415/dresser
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Wood conditioner -> 1 coat of Miniwax oil based stain in Weathered Oak -> 1 coat of Miniwax oil based stain in Special walnut -> 2 coats of Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

daybed converted to fit ikea kura bunk bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/26/2015 - 12:29

We wanted to add some storage to our Ikea Kura bunk bed. We needed to adjust the size of the day bed by a couple of inches but worked awesome. Looks like one finished bunk bed.

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

Comments

Trakrys1011

Wed, 02/03/2016 - 12:43

Hi i just purchased the lumber to make this following the plan from thw original day bed. Would you happen to still have the changes that you made to put it under the ikea kura bunkbed?

Entryway closet bench

Submitted by ga2akwld on Mon, 02/25/2019 - 13:33

Adapted from Ana's mudroom in closet plans, I made this to fit the small closet when you walk into the house. I slotted it and hung wire baskets for air flow since it will be used mainly for hats and gloves which we wear more than not up here in AK. Next for the closet directly across will be a sho storage project which I'm sure I will find on here. Thank you Ana for your awesome site and work you put in.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Espresso min wax and satin poly for top. Morning sky chalked paint for bottom.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Can Organizer

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 05:34

THANK YOU! This was a great idea. Our pantry is deep and narrow and it was impossible to know what canned items we had. Also, since the spacing between our shelves is 11", none of the tiered can organizers on the market would work for us (too tall). We added two tiers to your plan and cut the top tier in half (for my large cans of whole tomatoes!). We are very happy with how this project turned out.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

dresser turned bathroom vanity

Submitted by leahrush4 on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 08:23

We looked high and low for a sturdy dresser we could convert to a vanity for our kid's bathroom. We could find nothing for under $500 so we decided to make it. We used solid hickory for the top and bottom and hickory vaneer for the rest. Only the middle drawers are useable, the side ones have a faux front to leave room for the sink plumbing behind. My husband also reinforced the bottom compartments by making them three separate compartments instead of one solid one. We ordered the sinks from overstock.com and the faucets are from Lowes.

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

catee (not verified)

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 16:39

My kids have been bugging for years for double sinks. I LOVE this. I was thinking along the same line but never got past the thinking part. This is GORGEOUS!

cathrobi (not verified)

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 10:52

Wow, this is stunning! You did an awesome job! The only thing I can't figure out is how you were able to attach the plumbing? Did your husband have to crawl underneath to reach the pipes?

"Fireplace"

Only heating source for our house have been wood stove and some mornings we don't feel like starting a fire even if it is chilly, so we bought electric fire place. As our house is Scandinavian country romantic style, I wanted to make modern fireplace a bit more rustic.
We are missing some beams and moldings, so it looks a bit "naked" now.

More about this project you can read in my blog:
http://ourleaningtree.wordpress.com/diy/fireplace/

Estimated Cost
left over lumber
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

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

Anthropologie-Inspired Magazine Racks for Barbie Organization

I was inspired to make these wall racks for my daughter's Barbie dolls after seeing a magazine rack on the Anthropologie website that sold for $118! I made 3 of them for under $15 each. Storing the dolls standing up keeps their hair from getting so tangled. It also makes it easier for my daughter to see her dolls, play with them, and put them away when she's done. Finally, they make wall decor out of toys she already owns and loves. This was an easy project that a beginner can do, and it only took a couple of days. We love our Barbie racks!

Comments

Twin Farmhouse Bed

This was made with the Farmhouse Bed Plan.
Woodworking runs in my family, but this is my first item built from scratch.

We decided to leave it bare for a while. It looks beautiful as is.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Right around $100 for all wood and screws needed. Mattress was $200 and bedding was $60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jbayer80

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 07:24

I will be building this with modifications to the headboard. I'm going to put baseball bats in-between the 4x4's as the header.

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

Simple white vanity

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/31/2023 - 21:59

Made using your simple grey vanity plans finished in antique white varithane poly stain, made the middle drawer a tilt out, and the vanity top is my own personal touch cut from a butcher block counter, used the cut off pieces to make the back splash sealed with varithane poly stain. Still a work in progress as I’ve yet to install the doors or middle shelf. Love the vanity thanks for the design!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Narrow Farmhouse Sewing Table

Submitted by melodylisa on Mon, 10/17/2011 - 07:49

modifications to plans: legs not tapered; shortened table by two feet.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Olde Century Colors in ‘Candlelight’
General Finishes Wood Stain in ‘Georgian Cherry’
General Finishes Gel Topcoat
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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

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