Community Brag Posts

Coat Rack

I built this coat rack a couple of years ago for our house when our little girl ripped the one we had out of the wall trying to get her coat off the hook lol. I was actually able to reuse the hooks from the cheap little coat rack that we had bought from the home store. It attached into the wall using drywall anchors so it wasn’t all that secure to begin with. I set out to make one that would look a lot nicer and have some room for storage. The design I came up with works great for  storing all our coats and hats, but also the cubby storage at the top is great for storing keys and gloves and whatever else you may need to store.

Estimated Cost
$150
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cabana turned Galmper

Submitted by JeannaF on Wed, 06/17/2020 - 19:16

I stumbled across the Cabana design and just fell in love.
Once I decided I was making in tough, I needed to customize it a bit to meet our needs.
1. Needed to be able to sleep in it (so Mosquito proof)
2. If I am sleeping in it I want
a. Privacy
b. Possible rain protection ( I like a dry bed)
3.Need to be able to have a guest

So, We made it a bit larger 9x10
Added screens all around and under floor boards, Zipper entrance in front.
Made Canvas side panels (attach with velcro)
Made front and back canvas panels/doorways.
Chose two stacking twin beds that can be snapped together for a couple or left apart for two guests.

Just for fun, we used timber framing ties (Simpson Strong) instead of the joist hangers and end caps...this gives is big beefy bolt heads and black metal straps across the beams. They do the same thing but give it a more rugged look.

My 12 year old has slept in it for two weeks already and plans to not come in until the snows come this winter!

Thanks so much for the great inspiration and general plan to get us started.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 for all the Tent Canvas and about $500 in other materials.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Canvas
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

raised garden bed

Submitted by abbpim on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 10:13

I built this a couple months ago and I'm finally getting around to posting a brag post. This is the second woodworking project I've ever done and my first year gardening! I almost spent over a hundred dollars on one of these raised garden beds and then I saw Ana White's plans and I am so grateful! Hopefully my tomatoes will be ripe soon, but one thing is for sure... this raised garden bed paid for itself with the amount of veggies I'm getting from it! I have big gardening plans for next year! Sorry my second pic is sideways... can't figure it out!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none... I've heard finish chemicals can seep through into the plant roots and then into the veggies.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Wedding Gift for my Brother

Submitted by mkwsrt4 on Thu, 06/05/2014 - 03:03

This is the 2nd Rustic X Coffee table I built. This I built as a wedding gift for my Brother and His wife. Instead of the X posts on the ends I opted for a column design on the end. It was actually a little more time consuming but I think it looks great.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I sanded the table and used a coat of pre-stain. I then used a light stain, and I applied 2 coats. I used two coats of polyurethane sanding after the first coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Storage Benches

I built these modern storage benches for some friends of ours. They needed some space to store their little girls toys. They planned to use some wicker baskets they had. I took the measurements for the baskets and built the storage spaces around it. 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modern Loveseat with Slight Modification

Thanks so much for this plan. I modified it slightly by using 2x6 For the arms so I could cut out a hole for a glass or bottle. I also added an additional 2x4 underneath to keep the glass from falling through.

I spent a lot of time sanding and putting the first finishing coat on each piece prior to assembly to make final finishing easier. Extended elapsed time but I think it made actual time shorter.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Coat 1: 70% Teak Oil 30% Cabot Gold Sunlit Walnut
Coat 2: Cabot Gold Sunlit Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wishing Well Planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/01/2024 - 09:17

Just finished this wishing well, it’s not an Ana-White but thought I’d show it anyway. We are going to use it as a planter. Got the plans from construction 101.

Ck1998

Poolside Outdoor Sectional

Submitted by Christian on Fri, 08/17/2012 - 13:35

Pocket Screws are my new favorite things! Total of 10 chairs made, 6 corners and 4 sides. Over 230 cuts, and 1000 pocket screws. It took me a while to finish, but I am very pleased with the result. I would not attempt this project without the Kregg Jig or similar product however. It saved me a bunch of time. The plans were detailed and easy to follow. I added a back brace to the design, and decided to make three separate units instead of a u-shaped sofa. This adds more armrests to the unit. I intend to add end tables in the corners and a table in the middle still. Instead of screwing the chairs together I used One-Wrap Velcro so the units can be reconfigured. I purchased the cushions instead of making them. Lowes had some on sale for $50. It added about $500 to the total cost, but it was worth not having to sew.

Estimated Cost
$1000 ($500 wood, $500 cushions)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Olympic Maximum deck coating.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sue_McL

Sun, 08/19/2012 - 09:03

Just got inspired (Thanks to Ana) and built a deck this summer.

Wanted to do something in the Simple Modern Collection...

Been trying to figure out what chairs and loveseats to put out there. You've given me the inspiration to do it this way!

I think I'll just start it easy -- one sectional at a time.... easier on the budget, too. And I sew, so the cushions will be done at home during the winter -- mix 'n' match.

Am raising the seat height a little (bad knees) and would love to know if there is any way to slant the back? I'm sure I'll figure something out.

Can't wait to show this to my family!!!

Beautiful.... just beautiful...

Patio table

Submitted by Matt Shane on Sat, 06/07/2014 - 19:30

Needed a patio table for this space and decided on this plan. After the build portion, the stain finish really made it complete. Now time for some summer get togethers.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Premium Wood Coatings Semi-Transparent Weatherproofing All'-In-One Wood Stain and Sealer
Color-Coffee (ST-103)

2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Storage Chair and Clara Table for Granddaughter's Homeschool

This was my first venture in building furniture. My granddaughter needed a new table and chair and insisted I could make it myself since I built her a playhouse (from a kit.) That's when I googled and found Ana White's amazing site and all the easy to follow plans.

 

I chose the Clara Table and Childrens Storage Chair. They reminded me of school - and my granddaughter who was 3 at the time loved playing school. Plus, since her parents plan to homeschool, I thought this would be a great starter setup.

 

I started with the chair. I did struggle with screwing it together, so it's not perfect. But it is sturdy; the storage box helped with stability too. After struggling with the chair, I decided to buy a kreg jig like Ana suggests - and boy did that make a difference! The table went together so fast and easily, I was literally in shock. And it's so strong I can sit on it. I'm sure if I had tried building it with just screwing the regular way, it would have been wobbly.

 

I bought a 24"x36" tabletop instead of using the 3 boards joined together and so had to adjust the measurements of the apron pieces accordingly. I thought it would make a smoother writing surface. I originally intended to paint it all white, but the grain on the top was so gorgeous, I decided to stain it - and I stained the chair seat to match.

 

This project was so much fun and came out so nice, I decided to build a toddler bed from Ana's plans. You can see that project here: Toddler Bed

Estimated Cost
Table: $22 (spent a little more for the table top)
Chair: $6 (had a scrap 1x10 that I used for the seat)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Weathered Oak Stain for table top and chair seat.
Glidden Satin Endurance Plus in Canyon Echo.
Minwax Polycrylic in Clear Satin over all - paint and stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Murphy bed made from solid wood

My husband used the plans from this website to make a single Murphy bed. He didn't make any changes, save for building the frame out of solid poplar and using birch plywood for the flat surface the mattress sits on when it's unfolded. We trimmed it to mimic the the lines of a built-in in the same room, and stained it Jacobean to make it look dark. It's a solid piece of furniture and is saving us tons of space.

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

Rustic Coffee table

Submitted by pappa on Tue, 06/10/2014 - 12:49

Table was built for my daughter, now she wants me to build the End table and Sofa table. LOL

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Lag123

Sun, 07/26/2015 - 11:19

I love this color! What stain and finish did you use?

Doll bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/10/2016 - 19:25

Can't believe I forgot to share this.  Fixing to make two more!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Organizer for knitting needles & crochet hooks

Submitted by Wendy KT on Wed, 06/24/2020 - 13:47

I used Ana and Jaime's desk organizer plans to build this, but I'm using it in my craft room instead for my needles/hooks/small accessories. This plan was part of Ana's Handbuilt Holiday plans found here: https://ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/desktop-office-or-vanity-bea…

Estimated Cost
10.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Duck egg blue chalk paint and clear wax.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by jwerne2 on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 09:29

We made two of the Farmhouse Bedside Tables to go with the Farmhouse Queen Bed with Arch. The nighstands went together quickly and are beautiful! You just can't beat the quality for the cost to build them. My husband added a piece of wood behind the drawer to act as a stop so the drawer doesn't push in too far. We chose not to add drawer slides because the drawers are perfect without. Another great plan.

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

Pottery Barn benchwright TV stand

I altered the dimensions from the plans slightly to meet my needs. I added self-closing, heavy duty hinges for the doors because a basic euro- hinge from home depot would not hold the weight of the doors with glass. For the finish, I sanded the edges slightly after painting and used a minwax stain maker to stain the sanded areas giving a clean, distressed look. I used gel stain for the first time on this build. Softer woods such as pine or alder are prone to blotchy finishes when stained. I built the top out of Alder and stained it with gel stain from general finishes. I am very happy with how the top turned out after using the gel stain. I did not have to use a pre-stain conditioner either.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$230.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Crème brulee by Behr, Nutmeg gel stain by General finishes
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Grandy sliding door console

We needed a new TV stand, so me and my boyfriend picked out this plan. We worked on it together. It took us about a week. Barn door hardware is pricey, so we made our own hardware with steel stock and garage door pulleys.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250-300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark walnut top
"Porpoise" by Sherwin Williams for base
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Inspiring First Woodworking Project

Submitted by WomanPower on Sat, 06/27/2020 - 21:52

**From a Woodworker First Project Perspective**

Power Tools: I used a circular saw (Ridgid, lifetime warranty) for all of my cutting because it was the easiest tool to use once I got into a rythem for cutting plywood and other materials.

Other helpful tools: I had 2 height adjusting saw horses that made it easy on my back made by Kobalt. There were some mistakes in the beggining with keeping the lines straigt but a circular saw track (kreg) easily fixed that problem for most of the cutting. After awhile it got easier to steadily cut following a drawn line with no track (hubby was impressed). Overall, this project was a process of trial and error but I learned from every hiccup along the way. Next up, chicken coop... :D

**How It All Started**
While deployed I had a lot of time to imagine my very own personal workspace to complete DIY projects and when I saw this design I could not wait to get home and begin my new hobby. This project inspired me to really get serious about woodworking. Never in my life had I ever built anything from plywood and 2x4s, much less had I ever used a circular saw. I'm proud of myself for completing this from start to finish as a first project. Thank you Ana!

Peace and Blessings,
WP

Estimated Cost
420
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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