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Cubby Storage System

Submitted by beckysnest on Fri, 04/01/2011 - 11:04

This was my first building project ever! Even though it took longer than I expected to complete (I have four tiny kids and snagged an hour here and there during nap time over the course of many months), it was absolutely worth the time investment (and wait)! Hanging the doors was tricky (my awesome husband tackled that part), but other than that it was easy to put together. Finishing it was the hardest part by far. If I were to do it again, I'd probably do some preliminary sanding of the boards before putting them together and I would most certainly not use oak (I was talked into it by the HD guys) especially since I ended up painting it. I think it would have turned out just as great if I'd used a cheaper wood or MDF. Thanks for the plans Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Open Bases for the Cubby Storage Collection
Cubby Hutch for the Cubby Storage Collection
Simple Open Shelf Bench Made From Plywood - Customize Size
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Started with two coats of Behr Ultra Interior Satin (paint w/primer) color matched to Martha Stewart Barn Red (sanded between coats). After one final (light) sanding to distress, I finished with one coat of Ralph Lauren Glaze in Tobacco that I had on hand (brush on one side of surface and then quickly wipe away excess with an old rag--moving the rag in the direction of the wood grain). The glaze brought out the wood grain more and helped tone down the exposed wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Fancy Jewelry Box

Submitted by JoanneS on Thu, 06/04/2015 - 14:35

One of my friends at work is going to a new job, and this build is her going away gift. It is a variation of the Fancy Jewelry Box, with the following modifications:

Made from select pine, no plywood is visible on the outside on this build.
Slightly smaller, the box is made from 1x6, the back is a ½” x 5 ½” craft board, and the door outsides are 3/8” x 5 ½” craft boards.
The drawer boxes are ¼” thick craft board and the doors and overlay drawer faces are 3/8” thick craft board.
Overall dimensions are 13” wide, 5 ½” deep, and 14 ¼” tall.
The select pine worked very well for the luxe stained finish I was trying to achieve.
Used fancy knobs instead of wood knobs (also swapped out the included screws for shorter ones).

I really took my time on this to get everything just so. The project took about 15 hours in total, including the build, finishing, and decorations - - a bit at a time, spread out over the last couple of weeks.

I'm very happy to say the gift was a big hit!

Built from Plan(s)
Fancy Jewelry Box
Estimated Cost
$90
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Finish: 2 coats of Varathane Stain + Poly in Early American, with a top coat of Minwax Polycrylic in Gloss. The drawers and doors are lined with embossed felt, and the box bottom and drawer bottoms are covered with sticky-back felt. The ring holder is a scrap of high density foam covered with sticky-back felt. The knobs are acrylic crystal and the back has flat hinges in antique brass (swapped out the included screws for shorter ones on the hinges and knobs). The hooks are ¾” brass shoulder hooks.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X desk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 15:19

When my son graduated from the paramedic course in college I asked him what I could make for him. He said that he needed a desk. So I made one using your plan out of 2X4’s. I used my propane torch to lightly burn the wood, then I made a void and inserted, my Cap badge from when I was in the service and coated the top in epoxy . The rest of the desk has several coats of polyurethane

Built from Plan(s)
Rustic X Desk

Comments

Farm table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/31/2021 - 07:03

I used some of the measurements that I found on your site and downsized them to fit my needs. The table was a wedding gift for my granddaughter. She and her new husband were very pleased. Thanks for your help.

Built from Plan(s)
Simplest Farm Table

Comments

Tiny house MIL unit

Ever since I saw the "wild rose" I knew it was the one I would build for my mom. I wanted a tiny house she would not have to climb a loft for her bedroom and still fit everything she would need. This is a brilliant layout! Many family, friends, and strangers donated money, time, appliances, and windows to get this house built. My husband and I have been finishing it up ourselves with some professional help in between since September and just put the appliances in today. Tomorrow the sink and counter-it's really happening, pinch me I'm dreaming! Thank you Ana & family, I can't imagine what kind of house my mom would have ended up with without your help. This was a really easy and fun build. Thank you so much!

Blog Link
Hilltop workshops:tiny house
Estimated Cost
20K
5 months
Finish Used
outside will be painted with stian. Inside we mixed a stain of red mahogany and early american to match the windows
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Rustic X Coffee Table

Submitted by Lukilla on Wed, 01/19/2022 - 11:54

Had fun with this build. Love how large this table is. Gives me a place to put my feet up and there is still room for the kids to play with Legos. Lots of storage space underneath.

Finished with Varathane Golden Oak with Minwax Ebony lowlights.

Blog Link
Like our FB page!
Built from Plan(s)
Rustic X Coffee Table

Comments

Rolling Side Table

Submitted by Bradnag on Sat, 02/03/2018 - 13:04

I had a bunch of scrap 3/4" MDF, so I used that instead of wood. The result is still as sturdy but a bit heavier than if I'd have used pine, which has added to the table's stability. I added a cup holder, but otherwise kept to the base instructions with no extra mods. I put an extra thick layer of polycrylic on the top surface, to protect the MDF from absorbing any spills. This was just a test run, so I didn't bother filling any of the visable pocket holes. Given how cheap and easy this was to build, I imagine I'll end up making 2-3 more.

Built from Plan(s)
Rolling C End Table or Sofa Table
Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Dutch Boy primer+paint, Minwax Polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My $30 Closet Makeover!

Submitted by scokenour on Mon, 07/11/2011 - 12:57

This project is closest to the Simple Closet Organizer, but I wanted to be able to re-use the existing components of the closet. The only purchased materials were one sheet of cabinet grade plywood and dowel rod holders (since I already had paint and screws).

Blog Link
My $30 Closet Makeover
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
sand, prime, sand, paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Wife's Kindergarten Classroom

Been a while since I had time to actually build anything worth posting about! My wife wanted some items for her Kindergarten classroom this year, so built several items, most inspired by the Farmhouse family.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jennyboo

Sat, 06/12/2021 - 11:23

I am moving from 15 and half years of third grade to a first year of first grade. I NEED tables for my kids. I plan on building my own. I am building mine as a "2 seater." Would you please share the dimensions of these student tables? I love the teacher desk too. I built something similar for my home.

DIY Kids Art Table

I'm so excited Ana created plans for this table!  When I first came across it on Pottery Barn Kids it was love at first sight. :D  I built it over the weekend for my little toddler.  Unfortunately, he's too short for it, but he'll grow into soon enough. :)  (I secretly wished it was an art table appropriate for my height!)

It cost me about $75 to build.  I splurged and bought select pine boards for the project.  The art table was also my submission for September's Fab Furniture Flippin' Contest.  September's sponsor is General Finishes and the theme was geometry!

Now, I just need to build matching seats! I love the little stools Ana built; maybe I'll do something sorta like that. :)  

 

Thank you Ana for inspiring me to build!

 

Blog Link
DIY Geometric Kids Art Table
Built from Plan(s)
Modern Play Table with Storage
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes Milk Paint (Snow White), Acrylic craft paints for the geometric pattern, ECOS Paints Woodshield in Pine Needles for the cubby stain, and ECOS Paints Gloss Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cedar deck box

Submitted by JMG on Wed, 07/06/2022 - 19:47

I had to modify these plans to use what I had on hand. I used left over cedar fence pickets (planed down and sealed) and adjusted the size to fit all my outdoor cushions. Overall dimensions are 49" wide x 28" deep x 26" high. I also used 2x4's instead of 2x2's because that is what I had in my shop. I added 1x3's around the top to fit snugly instead of using hinges (again trying to use what I had on hand). We get A LOT of rain in the summer so hopefully the cushions will stay dry. I also added some screen left over from the screened in porch to the bottom before adding the "floor" to keep bugs out. I just stapled it to the frame before adding the floor boards. I did add a piece of treated 1/4" plywood under the top in hopes of keeping the rain out.

Built from Plan(s)
DIY Outdoor Storage Box

Comments

farmhouse table and bench!

Submitted by maryday on Mon, 08/26/2013 - 09:37

My boyfriend and I built the farmhouse table and bench in one weekend. We are SO happy with the way it came out, thanks to Ana White for her plans!!

Estimated Cost
$90 for Lumber, $60 for Supplies
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax - Provincial, 2 coats
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Outdoor Tables and More - Thank You

Submitted by rhogle2000 on Thu, 08/04/2022 - 09:04

Thank you the inspiration!
I'm a retiree and beginner woodworker, through your videos I used leftover lumber and Trex decking from new deck to make two side tables, coffee table, and a bench.
Thank you so very much!

Built from Plan(s)
2x4 Outdoor Side Table

Comments

Mug tree

Submitted by SoCalMom on Wed, 11/14/2018 - 17:22

Fun and easy build to use up some scraps and try out some finish techniques and router edging. Not perfect because I was getting the hang of a new router, but perfect low commitment project to practice on. I only did 2 hooks for my needs and preferred not having to knob on top. 

Built from Plan(s)
Cup Tree
Estimated Cost
$2 for hooks maybe? Everything else I already had on hand.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Vintage aqua stain followed by weathered grey stain and a coat of poly. F
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Mudroom Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/23/2022 - 15:43

This mudroom bench is my favorite Ana White build! Everyone has a place for shoes, backpacks and boots can be stored in the bench. We added baskets to keep gloves, hats and other small items organized.

Built from Plan(s)
Closet Mudroom Bench with Hinge Up Boot Storage Compartment

Comments

Egg Holder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 10/01/2022 - 13:17

This was very easy to make and I love how it turned out! It was a fun gift to give to our chicken-loving friends:-).

Built from Plan(s)
Wooden Egg Holder

Comments

Bookcase Dollhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/07/2019 - 11:23

My aunt wanted to get her grandaughter a dollhouse for Christmas.  I came to Ana's website and found this plan.  It was tedious and time-consuming, but it was worth it.  This was such a great confidence builder and has led me to build a lot more things for other people.  I can't wait to see what the future holds.  Used these plans...http://www.ana-white.com/2012/07/bookcase-dollhouse

Built from Plan(s)
Dollhouse Bookcase
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate