Community Brag Posts

Distressed Mail Organizer

Submitted by trev88 on Wed, 12/28/2011 - 07:15

I found a picture of a mail organizer (URL below) on Ana's website and my wife really wanted one similar to it. So we took that idea, added some antique accessories to the side and name plate on the front.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black matte spray paint then latex paint over. Sanded paint back for the black spray paint to show through. This gives the rustic look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic Table

My wife and I wanted a rustic looking table for our cabin and didn't want to pay a fortune for it! This was my first project and I found it pretty easy to make. The finish is Briwax Rustic Pine and I was so happy with how it turned out I had to build some chairs to go with it! The chairs were made from a plan I found for making chairs using 2x4s

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Briwax Rustic Pine.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Sun, 11/17/2013 - 07:30

These look awesome! Love the finish - how many coats of Briwax did you need to achieve that sheen? It's just the perfect amount of shine. And those chairs! Can you post some close-ups of those designs on the backs? Those look sooo cool, how did you do them?

Turned Leg Coffee Table with Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/03/2016 - 06:56

We combined the plans for the Turned Leg Coffee Table and the Corona Coffee Table to add the storage shelf for toys. Visit my blog for more details and pictures:

Estimated Cost
Using low-grade pine, we spent about $180.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Faux top stain using Minwax Gel Stain and Behr paint. Details are at www.renovatedfaith.com
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Desk with drawers and open cabinets

Submitted by kwall5 on Thu, 07/25/2019 - 20:10

I used a modified version of the narrow drawer unit as the foundation for this desk build. I decided to make wooden drawer guides rather than using manufacturer metal guides. I liked the idea of it having a more traditional wood-on-wood feel and saving a few dollars. I love the simplicity of the base cabinet design and the contrast between the painted base and stained top. Thanks yo all who shared their projects for the inspiration!

Estimated Cost
About $250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Paint, stain, and polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic Table with Beam Legs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/28/2023 - 14:52

Just a super heavy rustic table I built for my neighbor. Thank you Ana for help in giving me the confidence to start my wood working journey.

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Simple Work Bench

Submitted by 1zach4 on Sun, 01/01/2012 - 20:09

Simple workbench using 2x4's and a 3/4" 24"x48" top and 2.5" screws.

Added an extra board to the bottom for more storage space. Actually built 2 of these to have a longer work station for the miter saw and to assist in ripping larger boards with my circular saw since I do not have space in my garage for a table saw.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40 per bench
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

TV Stand, Media console

We needed a TV stand and I wasn't able to find anything from store... as usually. I found a plan here and decided to modify it a bit to fit our needs.

It was very simple and took me total maybe two hours plus painting

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
20$
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffee and End Table Rebuild and Refinish

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/05/2016 - 00:22

Rebuilt the tops of a coffee table and two end tables using 1x3 and 1x4 common pine boards. Boards were joined together using glue and then Kreg Jig pocket holes and Kreg screws. Tops were finished with Minwax dark walnut stain and bases were painted a light cream color.

Estimated Cost
Cost would be about $60. This would included to cost of the pine boards and the stain and paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax oil-bases dark walnut and Minwax Polycrylic Water-based semi-gloss top coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4x4 Truss Beam Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/11/2019 - 16:22

My husband made this beautiful kitchen table using redwood 4x4s left over from another project, and poplar for the top. With some help with the planing, it came out beautifully and matches our existing chairs. Thank you for the plans.

Built from Plan(s)

Boy Kitchen

Submitted by brit1002 on Wed, 01/04/2012 - 03:10

My almost 3 year old son was getting really into playing pretend and would always bring me and my husband little toys and he would say "here's your pancakes I made you". So when I seen Grace's kitchen I knew I needed to make my boys one. I had limited time to work on it as I work full-time and it's winter here so the garage isnt the funnest place for them to hang out. It was so fun and easy (Thanks to your plans) to build and they love it! I made the burners out of wood with my jig saw as I couldn't find anything else I liked. The sink is just an old mixing bowl that fit perfectly. The faucet is from the Orange store and was only $10. I had the hardest time with hinges I initially went with the ones that Anna had done. I found that my littlest guy (1.5 years old) was having a hard time pulling the doors open though so I switched to regular hinges and a cheap magnetic closer. I saved the other hinges though so when he gets a bit older I can switch back. One of the best parts of my build is my husband bought me a ROUTER!

Estimated Cost
$100... It was about $70 for wood and then paint, handles, and hinges
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Just several coats of paint and magnetic paint for the fridge.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dewey Setlak (not verified)

Wed, 01/04/2012 - 05:49

That's cute! Not to mention, cool too! So your son can actually cook there? If you all play it right, he may just develop the aptitude and love for cooking, and grow up to be a chef someday!

terrillr (not verified)

Wed, 01/04/2012 - 08:48

I got my youngest son a kitchen set (purchased, never even thought about making one my self!) long ago because he played "cooking" too. He and his brother loved it, and the the youngest did become a chef!

Custom flller cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/07/2016 - 12:02

I replaced my gas stove, and could not find a 36" wide stove that was affordable, and had the features I wanted. I bought standard 30' stove, but had a gap to fill. Found this site; adapted the filler cabinet to 7 3/4 inches and found the pullout shelving unit. Added a drawer front with a pull, and it is great!

Estimated Cost
$220
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax polyshades in Honey Pine for cabinet front only.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

First Solo Project- Farm Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/30/2019 - 17:34

My 6 and 8 year old boys helped me build this bench because I couldn't stomach paying $200 for one with 3 little boys. It cost about $40 and it was so easy to do. We are all so proud of the end result.

Estimated Cost
40
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Premium wood stain-Kona
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Planter

Submitted by rsacco on Mon, 05/08/2023 - 11:59

I made these for my Aunt. She loved them. Can't wait to do another Ana project!!

Comments

Helper Tower

Submitted by cfgenie on Fri, 01/06/2012 - 12:28

I saw a stand like this in a catalog for over $250 and knew I could build it instead for way less! I used the hinges so it collapses and both my daughter and I LOVE this stand :-) It is sturdy enough that my 4 yr old daughter and her 7 old brother can both be on it at the same time, wiggling and giggling.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Bright pink first rolled on and then sprayed additional coats through my HPLV sprayer. 2 coats of clear top coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

4x4 Truss Beam Table

Submitted by adkates on Sun, 11/24/2013 - 07:56

We needed a dining table. We saw this plan and fell in love. It didn't look like it would be impossible for two people who have never made furniture, so we gave it a shot! We finished it over three weekends and couldn't be happier with how it came out. Thank you for the plans!!!
Tips: we were initially skeptical about using regular old lumber, but it came out amazing.
Rustoleum stain and polyurethane...use it!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150 (we bought a new sander too)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Ultimate Stain in Dark Walnut (single coat) and Matte Polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

speerman86

Sat, 10/11/2014 - 15:56

Hi there! Beautiful table.

This is my first time doing any sort of woodworking. Do you recall the type of wood you used? I'm not sure what kind would be best. Any help would be great :)

Derek

DSRIFFE

Sat, 11/12/2016 - 09:38

I want to make this table for my son's dining room.  Home Depot Yellow pine has curved edges so my question is.  How did you get the tabletop so flush without the curves showing on all the wood piece edges?  This flat no edge appearence is what I want to make it look less like a pic-nic table.

 

Rustic Coffee Table

Submitted by Mitch3088 on Tue, 02/09/2016 - 10:09

Handmade coffee table base on Corona plans. Bottom shelf was chagned to wooden slats instead of solid plywood. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobsen Stain
Behr White Paint thinned with water
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Camp Loft Bed Modified & Modern Kids Bookcase

This build was super fun and easy.  I modified it slightly with a bottom bunk and outdoor grade slide for my two grandsons.  The room is only 10x10 so it pretty much takes up all the space, but I left a good amount of space under the bed (11”) for storage or for the dog to hide.

I attached hinges to the stairs for easy access to underneath, maybe for a hidden fort or more storage.  To gain extra support for the beds, I added angle irons to the top bunk legs and 11" 2x4s to the bottom bunks legs for the cross bars to sit on.  Both my husband and I tested, and they're not going anywhere, pretty solid.

Thanks Ana & Jared for sharing your talents with the rest of us!!  I wish I had room in my home to make every single one of your projects!

🥰,

Alexis 

 

Estimated Cost
$260 (w/slide)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Provencial
Behr Marquee in “Inked”
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Raised Planter Box

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 11:59

I helped my 3 grands make this for their mom for Mother's Day. They loved it and she was over the moon!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

DIY Dollhouse for American Girl Dolls

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/12/2016 - 12:11

Using Ana's three-storey dollhouse as a foundation, I amended the measurements to create a narrower dollhouse (36" wide) to fit our space.

Estimated Cost
This dollhouse - using MDF and 1 x 6" boards for the roof, came in at $100 Canadian. (Less wood since my plan was both narrower and didn't include the centre dividers. Remember when buying castors to choose ones that will hold at least 150lbs - this sucker is heavy!
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used some small mis-tint containers from our local Home Depot which came in at $1 per container. The flooring is peel-and-stick tile which range in price from about $0.60 to $1.34 each.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse tables!!! Made from Ana's plans!!!!

Followed Ana's plan for the easy ~8 ft Farmhouse table and then I made the counter height for 4 Farmhouse table! I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Learning Tower

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/22/2023 - 16:27

I loved doing this project. Having the space so open on the top half made me a bit nervous, so I used some extra pieces to fill in the sides. It took me longer than 6h to complete; but I had fun while putting it together, so things worked out well. Now I can't stop thinking about what to do next!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Ana White Admin

Mon, 05/22/2023 - 19:47

Love the pink and love that you can't wait for your next project, it looks so great!