Community Brag Posts

Desk Accessory Sets from Scrap Wood

Submitted by JoanneS on Mon, 08/19/2013 - 18:06

These were the inspiration pieces for the 1-Board cedar desk accessory set plan. These were made entirely of scrap wood. These sets are all painted, they will be gifts for the girls at work.

The wood for these is some 3/8" plywood (crate and pencil cup sides), 1x2 (bottom of business card holder and ends of pencil cup), some 1/2" x 1 1/2" craft board (sides of paper clip trays, business card holder), 3/4" plywood (bottoms of paper clip trays), some small squares of Wainscoat paneling (sides of gray pencil cup), some 1/4" plywood (bottom of pencil cup), some 1" strips of some old painted lauan (old project, pulled apart and the wood is being repurposed) and a couple of little pieces of 1/2" x 3/4" S4S (fronts of business card holders).

You can see the mishmash of different materials in the shot of an unfinished set, and also the stack of them waiting in the wings on my work table (it's starting to look like a Jackson Pollock painting :) heehee)

All the paints and materials were left overs from other projects. I hadn't decided on the finishes yet while I was building. These would be even easier to make if I had finished all the pieces first!

It was fun building these, it's great to be able to take something that may have gone in the bin, and make it into something lovely. I'm hoping the girls like these!

I've got a cube drawer plan in the works (a 1-board cedar with 2 drawers, and also have measurements for a 3-drawer from 3/8" thick craft board and 1/4" plywood, like the one on the table). I'll get to those soon.

Estimated Cost
0 - all scrap and left over finishes
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
The gray set received 1 coat of white primer, 1 coat of gray (Ace Royal in Greek Column), then was distressed with 100-grit sandpaper, and given a coat of Minwax's crystal clear polycrylic in satin.

The blue set received 2 coats of Clark & Kensington paint tinted to Benjamin Moore's Blue Echo, and glazed with Minwax Express Color in Walnut. This set received a top coat of Minwax Oil Modified water based poly (I have lots of that left over from last year's island build).

The one on the table is receiving 3 coats of Benjamin Moore Aura in Wenge.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Linda7

Mon, 08/19/2013 - 20:40

Thanks for sharing your pictures and plans for the desk accessories and trinket box. What great ideas for inexpensive gifts for people on you list!

JoanneS

Tue, 08/20/2013 - 15:09

Thanks Linda! I've absolutely had a ball planning and working on these! I'm so glad you like them! :)

yurra-bazain

Fri, 08/30/2013 - 17:57

I love when something is functional and adorable (and affordable to boot)! This is great; I am sure you'll have very many happy recipients of these cute desk accessories!

JoanneS

Thu, 08/22/2013 - 13:25

Yvonne, thank you for the nice comment! :) I'm working toward my goal of finding things to make from all the left-over wood in my garage. I didn't realize how much had accumulated. Really I am having a ball doing this! I did go buy some more cedar pickets though, I'm going to work on the 1-board cube plan this weekend. :)

farmhouse queen size bed

Submitted by patrickd86 on Mon, 09/21/2015 - 16:53

Thank you for the plans. This turned out great for our room.

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

Entryway console

Submitted by danwade on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 17:23

Entryway console without base pieces to more closely match my other furniture.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Nautica shimmering sea paint with furniture was. American walnut stain with clear satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic Kitchen Island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/09/2022 - 14:25

Love how this turned out! Thanks Ana!

Comments

Chalkboard top art table

I already made the stack-able chairs for my daughter, but she was using an end table for an art table and her chairs would not fit under it. I took the old legs and frame off of the table and built the clara table frame. I kept the original table top. I then spray painted the legs black and for the top I used chalkboard spray paint which I found at Michaels. She now has a fun table that can be used for art projects and she can draw right on it. The before photo below shows the original table. I took the spindle legs, painted them different colors, and I will be using them for a bench to go with a new dining table I am building.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Black chalkboard spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Master Bedroom

Submitted by fanofana on Tue, 08/20/2013 - 14:09

After living in the basement with our young children for the first few years after moving into our new home, we were ready to claim the master bedroom on the main level. We made it a winter project and re-did the whole room (good-bye lavender walls). We made the headboard from Ana's "Reclaimed Headboard" plans and one of the night stands from the "Kentwood Nightstand" plans! We love the final look and saved ourselves a TON of cash in the process.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I went for an aged look by painting them, stripping most of the paint off leaving a little white, then used a vinegar/steel wool solution to get the aged effect. The technique I used can be found at the following link http://beingbrook.com/rustic-headboard-aged-wood/
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our Flare!

Submitted by bfinnemore on Mon, 09/28/2015 - 11:56

Hi Anna, I really had fun making our version of your sliding mirror project! Thought you might enjoy the photos!  I made it into a jewelry cabinet.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Coffee Table - Gaming/Dining Table Combo

Submitted by bknjohnson on Sun, 10/14/2018 - 12:25

My wife was interested in a coffee table that we could also use for playing games or company for meals, and naturally we found just the thing on Ana White's website.  I got some 2x2 pine from a lumberyard after not being happy with box store lumber.  The table top is made of pine glued together.  I decided to put the 2x4s underneath which gave some heft to the top so it does not wobble.  It fits tighter than I would want, so lesson learned for me I should have paid more attention there.  Since we wanted to paint the piece I went with the pine top.  If it were going to be displayed somewhere else in the house, or stained, I would have chosen a harder wood for the top.  The nice part of this plan, I could easily build another nicer top to go with the base if I wanted too.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer; Valspar Signature interior paint and Minwax Polycrylic. I also tried Minwax One Coat Polyurethane with horrible results. Don't bother with the One Coat. I ended up sanding it off, repainting two coats, and using the polycrylic I usually use with much better results. Light sanding between each coat. Be patient, don't rush.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modern Geo Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/23/2022 - 21:58

I followed the instructions for the Modern Geo Headboard but adjusted them to fit my bed frame because I don’t have a platform bed. I’ve refurbished pieces before but this is the first one I have actually built from scratch. It’s certainly not perfect but I’m so happy with how it turned out. Lots of satisfaction in knowing I built this and it cost a fraction of the similar one I wanted to buy in store. Thank you for the inspiration.
-Teena

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Potting Bench

This was our first build project! We spent the most amount of time picking the color than we did on the actual assembly. We extended the back 2 legs 36 inches to accommodate the window frame and shelf.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Grey Wisp
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Spring

Mon, 07/25/2011 - 09:02

This is beautiful! I have a garage full of these windows and I have been trying to figure out things to do with them before my husband decides to throw them out.

bhoppy

Mon, 07/25/2011 - 12:05

Love the window too! DId you paint hte wood right away or wait a while?

Emma AND Sarah

Wed, 07/27/2011 - 19:21

We painted it right away. We were so excited to finish our first project. We didn't paint the window though. Thanks for the comments

Adirondack Chair in Pine

This Adirondack chair was done in pine. I followed Ana's plan, with only one modification ... went with a wider armrest. I thought the wider armrest would be handy for resting a drink.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Haven't finished it yet, but have selected Minwax Puritan Pine 218, followed by a urethane finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My first Ana White project!

This was my first Ana White project and I can't wait to start another. I love the bench and it was easy to follow the plans. You can find the entire story of this build on my website.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan in Paris Grey
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Rustic corner shelf with matching halltree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/01/2022 - 20:46

My take on a corner cupboard. I used old barn tim form backing and somewhat modified the plans. I actually made the hall tree first and then the matching cupboard. I finished it off with a custom distressed finish.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Farmhouse Bed (King) Modified

Submitted by camcginty on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 09:00

I used the Farmhouse Bed Plans and a picture posted on the FB page to get the look I wanted. We have a split king adjustable bed and needed the bed to allow the mattresses to adjust up and down at the headboard and footboard. The actual opening for the bed is 82X82. I used birch plywood for the main panel on the headboard and footboard and trimmed it with 1X4's, 1X2's, cove & chair rail trim. The headers are 2X4's and 2X6's. I tapered the untreated 4X4 posts which I found at our local store. For the sides I used 2X12's and raised them to allow extra room under the bed for storage. I used lots of wood filler, sanded for a whole day, applied wood conditioner and used a gel stain. I made the mistake of not wiping off the first coat of stain because it looked so good. After I applied the second coat it was too dark and showed brush marks. When it isn't so humid outside, I plan to sand it down and re-stain. I'll also apply a protective top coat at that point. I did purchase bed rail brackets online and they provide a nice tight fit.

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood conditioner, Varathane Gel Stain (Cabernet)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

StacieM

Mon, 08/01/2011 - 07:37

This is amazing! This is exactly the look I want when I make my King Bed. I love the geometric look with the trim on the headboard and footboard but the traditional look that the trim around the top gives. It makes the bed a little more modern versus rustic. I Love It!

Cassidy Bed Works Well with a Sleep Number Platform

My husband and I bought our California king Sleep Number bed several years after we bought our solid wood bedroom furniture and it was too big to use with the bed that came with our dressers. After our most recent move, I decided I would have to finally part with the dressers in order to have a bedroom set that matches, which was hard because I love the simple, classic style of the dressers. Then I found this site and the plans for the Cassidy bed.

To make the Cassidy bed work for us, I extended height of the side rails and footboard to the floor so that our little dog could not hide under the bed when it was time for her to go into her kennel. That means I had to buy two sheets of plywood, one for the headboard to be cut from and one for the footboard to be cut from, and I bought 1x16s instead of 1x12s for the side rails. I also adapted the entire dimensions of the bed so that it fits around the plastic platform of our Sleep number bed, so we did not need to use the 2x4 slats. In fact, we did not use any of the 2x4s in the plan. The side rails are hung on the scrap lengths of the plywood. Finally, we did not decorate the headboard with door shims.

In the end, the bed is incredibly solid and beautiful. Afterword, I finished it to match our dressers, which I had stripped, as well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Three coats of Minwax Red Walnut and three coats of Minwax Polyurethane (Satin)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Cameron Dresser

Submitted by TMW on Thu, 10/08/2015 - 07:11

My son needed a dresser to fit in a specific space. I had a truckload of 1x6 sitting in the shop. I designed this to use all 1x6's. The sides were created by making rails and stiles using tongue and groove joinery. the panels were planed down to fit into the grooves. The panels are not glued in they are floating. I made a front frame that was pocket screwed together and attached it to the sides using biscuits. I glued up the top and made a simple cove molding with my router table. The drawers fronts were made like the sides using tongue and groove and a floating panel.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain and shellac
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wide Platform bed

This bed is my first "for profit" bed.  Took some design changes so it could be taken apart and put together easily with metal bed brackets.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
This finish was MInwax Expresso with several coats of satin polyacrylic lightly sanding between each.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Round Farmhouse Table - Yes, You Really Can Cut A Circle W/ A Skillsaw

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/16/2022 - 08:29

Your plans are so clear and easy to follow. Your video on using the skillsaw to cut a circle was sooo valuable. We easily created the same jig and got really good results. I have followed your YouTube channel and blogs for years and wanted to finally say thank you for all that you share!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Doll farmhouse bed for Avery

Submitted by brguad on Mon, 08/01/2011 - 13:58

Once I saw the plans posted I knew my daughter would love it and she does!! Every time she goes to bed she has to put her babies in bed too. This was a simple build but very rewarding. THanks Ana!!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
sanded 120, white flat paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor Sectional with Corner Pieces

Submitted by unotrainer on Tue, 08/27/2013 - 09:51

We used 2x4s instead of 1x4s to make it more sturdy. We had to adjust some cuts accordingly. I bought the cushions at Target on clearance.

Estimated Cost
$250 with cushions
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Toy Storage

Submitted by milleall on Mon, 10/12/2015 - 07:45

I needed some quick and easy toy storage for the living room to catch the toys that inevitably end up there.  I had a basket in the corner, but then the toys made marks on the wall.  This cubby storage keeps them away from the wall and adds some more veritical space.  I made this project quick and easy with just my nailer (I didn't use pocket holes) and a simple stain finish.  I shortened the width to fit the space between my fireplace and the door, and as a result I did 2 cubbies instead of 3.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane stain in Golden Oak and 2 coats of Triple Thick Poly in Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner