Community Brag Posts

Upholstered Toddler (Not) Daybed

Submitted by Alyssa on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 16:32

My first "real" project! 


Of course I can't just follow directions though... I converted the upholstered toddler daybed into a non-daybed. In the process I messed up the measurements (not sure where) which made it tough to attach the headboard securely and also made it a couple of inches too long for the crib mattress. Oh well! It's solid now and we filled the gap with a rolled towel for the time being. I might make her a little box to fit in that spot and hold treasures.

Lesson learned is that building is fun, but I should let someone else worry about the math! ;)
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Can't remember exactly, but it felt like a lot in the end. Fabric, batting, and extra bits for structural support (because I didn't follow directions) added up. The wood was cheap.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint on the legs, distressed a little for practice (even though you can't really tell unless you're up close), polyacrylic over top (not sure what the topcoat should be, but I had it on hand!).

Note about the "Estimated Time Investment" - I'm sure this would not have taken as long for someone that had done more woodworking than I have. I've made a kitchen set and a bike ramp previously (not Ana's plans) but that's about it... Also it's a TODDLER bed, which means I have toddlers and that always makes things take twice as long!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Table

Submitted by mmmond03 on Sat, 09/16/2017 - 16:09

Built this table with some modifications from the rustic table plans. Made it 6ft and added the breadboard end. Fun project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil Based poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X end table

Submitted by damonawsgt on Tue, 06/04/2013 - 18:58

My first attempt at making something this caliber!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Apple Cider vinegar and steel wool. Lots of thin clear coats of poly sanding in between to get the high gloss on the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Park Bench

Submitted by ylopresto on Tue, 05/05/2015 - 12:21

Our deck was lackluster to say the least.  It had been a while since we did anything with it and we didn't spend much time out there because of it.  I wanted to add something cozy to encourage us to hang out there more.  I searched the internet and came across this bench.  It was just the thing!  My son and I spent a couple of hours building it, and another day or two priming and painting.  Now it looks great!  We are out there all the time.  Thanks Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$90 (includes wood, screws, primer, and paint)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover Gloss in Colonial Red
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Farmhouse bed - twin size

Submitted by Teazle33 on Wed, 09/20/2017 - 19:30

This is the first bed I have built. It turned out better than I expected. The plans were great and easy to follow. I completed the bed from start to finish in two days. The steps I made from leftover material. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Farmhouse Tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/16/2021 - 09:43

I made the coffee table, an end table and I modified the console table to add another shelf because I have too much stuff lol! These are my first wood projects and I am happy how they turned out 🥰

Comments

Changing table for my Baby. First project

Submitted by Jason on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 20:33

This was my first wood working project ever. I followed Ana's plan exactly except for the trim and partitions. I learned a lot from this project such as the correct pre-drilling hole size and the need for countersinks (I had quite a few split boards). I used Pine for the boards and MDF for the shelves but if I had to do it again I think I would go for plywood. All in all it was a rewarding project. The hardest part was the wood putty.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used KILZ primer and High Gloss white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

One of my first projects!

This was one of my first projects. I had some challenges with the cuts... I rushed through (since I had my 1 & 3 year old assisting) and didn't make exact cuts... as a result, there was a lot of trimming to do on the legs. Also, the pressure treated wood that we purchased was very weak and even with drilling pilot holes, I experienced quite a few splits when putting together the legs of the benches. (This is why I only have one bench, actually... I still need to buy more wood...) Otherwise, I love the table!!! I think I attached the legs of the table differently than instructed, though I can't recall what I did.. and we ended up cutting a 2x2 to tie in the legs (from mid-X to mid-X) for extra support. (My 3 year old son was leaping from the table and we wanted to make sure it could meet his demands.) We LOVE it overall!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Calico Critter house

Submitted by bobaina on Sun, 05/10/2015 - 12:21

My husband and I made this for our daughters' calico critters, which they received for Christmas. We wanted a house with few walls, so that all 3 girls could play simultaneously. We used Ana's dream dollhouse plan, but scaled it down to half the size. We also modified it slightly to fit what we needed.

This is just the perfect size for smaller toys like Littlest Pet Shop or other 3 to 4" tall toys.

This was our first build together and so it took us a while to do. For someone with a bit more experience, who also has all their materials and tools ready, this could be finished in 1 day or a weekend.

Estimated Cost
Aproximately $30 for the pine. This is for Canadian lumber. It may be less in the USA.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We used clear poly urethane for varnish. We painted the roof shingles (jumbo craft sticks) with acrylic craft paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

bobaina

Sun, 05/10/2015 - 13:06

Ana's roof shingles, which are cut scalloped strips, are a better way of doing the roof. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to fix each craft stick 'shingle' to the roof, and manage to keep each line straight. For a beginner, it's not easy. My advice is try Ana's method or you could also just make the roof from 2 solid pieces.

bobaina

Tue, 05/12/2015 - 03:17

thank you for this plan Ana. My girls love their critter house. It's getting lots of use and I'm determined to build more stuff for my girls. I'm so tired of spending money on flimsy plastic junk!

nrc261

Wed, 10/07/2015 - 14:07

This was the plan I was going to use for the Critter's line at Target. I didn't want to buy the plastic houses that they sale so decided to try and build one. How did you scale the dimension? Just by half all the way around? I am a confident beginner so I am not sure how to scale down dimensions. 

Hall Tree Bench DIY

Submitted by jimmysingh on Wed, 10/11/2017 - 08:13

Modified From Ana's Fancy-hall-tree bench plan.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White primer one coat, paint two coats, gloss water based polyurethane one coat
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Blue Farmhouse Table

Submitted by ktrodger on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 20:16

I wanted a kitchen table that was bigger than the one we had from Ikea, but the Farmhouse Table was too long. So we modified the length, left off the stretcher, and painted it a bright blue! The major lesson learned in this project was to be sure to store boards carefully. We bought the lumber, cut the boards, and then didn't work on the project for a couple of months. Even though the wood was in our garage, some of the boards warped a bit, leaving us with bends and curves to deal with once we started to build. Luckily, things came together, but there are many more imperfections in this table than would have been there if we'd built it sooner. But we still love it! 

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Blue semi-gloss paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table

Submitted by blmalloy on Sun, 06/09/2013 - 08:27

This table was actually our very first project! It took us longer because of that, but really, this table isn't very complicated at all! Cutting the arches were probably the most difficult part of the whole thing (hence why we left them off of the matching bench).
We modified this table down to 7.5 feet, but still kept the three arches because we loved the look of it. This table can still easily seat 8 people.
We modified the bench by not framing the top and leaving the arches off, but kept the same look of the legs so it would still match and keep the time/difficulty low.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
We used Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Dark Walnut and Rustoleum Ultimate Poly in Gloss. For some reason, the bench stained a bit lighter than the table even though the same wood and stain was used. The tabletop actually has four coats of poly because we initially went with Satin (using three coats) but really wanted the shine, so added a fourth coat of gloss. Next time we will just use gloss. :)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White Admin

Sun, 06/09/2013 - 12:12

Hard to believe this was your first project! You did an amazing job. Love the white tufted chairs to bring a rustic elegance to the set!

Toddler Height Nightstand

I came up with a simple design to build a nightstand for my daughter's room to go with the platform bed that I had just built. The only problem was that my daughter is 3 and she isn't very tall. So I figured a 2ft tall nightstand will do!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Rustic Console Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/23/2017 - 10:09

Built by Wndy D Keever-Keefe

"This was my very first build ever. Totally inspired by Ana White, I happened upon her site one day about 4 years ago and have since built lots of her plans."

Built from Plan(s)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified mudroom bench - hall bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/05/2021 - 09:18

Dear Ana White.,
First, I am a fan of your woodworkingand I follow you on YT. I like your approach to projects, making it simple and easy but still making very fine pieces that both are nice looking at and good for use.
My former neighbor needed a bench in the hallway of her new apartment; with the desired measures (roughly) 5’x19-20”x18” (150x50x45 cm). And then I saw your mudroom bench on YouTube which inspired me building my own bench according to the general ideas from yours’. So, I made like a frame with 2x3”, then I let the plywood sides proceed down to the floor, leaving a space between the carcass and the floor of 15 cm (6”), for shoes. Three drawers and using a scrap bit as space block for the drawer slides it was not that hard to get them in place. The top sheet is a slab of massive oak that are sold as “shelf material” at our local store (Bauhaus, possibly the Swedish equivalent for home Depot?).
I think it turned out pretty well, and I am grateful for your work, inspiring me and making my own woodworking easier.
Best//Göran Redmo Tyresö, Stockholm Sweden

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Modified Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Liz H. on Wed, 03/30/2011 - 13:04

This was our first project.  My husband and I took the Farmhouse bed plans and modified them to look more like the Hudson Bed from Pottery Barn.  This is a King size bed with removable side rails and under bed supports so that it can easily be collapsed for moving.

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I had to dye the wood using a mahogany dye to unify the woods and then applied three coats of mahogany and english chestnut stains mixed together and then mixed with lacquer and lacquer thinner. The drying in between was long. Next time I would paint poplar or use a different wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Printer's Console

There were a few misprints in the supply/cut list but if you read through the comments section it helps. I ended up making a list of the supplies and adding a column next to it with the cuts, that helped. Oh, and the store I bought the knobs from didn't have enough but the last one is coming! Pretty happy with the end result. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The estimated time was a bit longer than actual build time due to stain & poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

tara2

Wed, 06/12/2013 - 16:17

looks really nice! could you tell me the type and color of stain that you used? thanks!

For a big crowd

Submitted by Diesel911 on Wed, 05/13/2015 - 11:32

My first project built on the garage floor. Before I had work benches :)
I used a borrowed mitre saw, borrowed jig saw and a $20 drill.

Finish Used
Stained with early American and red elm. Clear coat afterwards
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments