Community Brag Posts

Starting Small with the Farmhouse Doll Bed

Submitted by QueenMahin on Sat, 03/12/2011 - 05:34

This was my very, very first woodworking project. My daughter and I needed beds, but decided to start small. I’d been scoping out Ana’s plans for weeks or maybe months, and finally, finally worked up the nerve to tackle a project. Everything worked out beautifully. Somehow, I’d been intimidated about the idea of learning how to countersink screws, but with Ana’s directions it was easy! I did get a measurement wrong somewhere and after cutting all the wood, the 5 1×3′s for the panel were too wide for the panel top, so instead I spaced out four of them. My daughter has never liked dolls, so I made the bed thinking that it would be a gift for someone else, but my daughter really, really liked it and wanted to keep it. Now the doll bed lives at the foot of the full-sized bed that we made as our second Ana White project! Now if I could only figure out how to sew a doll-sized pillow… Thank you Ana for making this simple.

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr paint with primer – turquoise
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Herb planter from reclaimed pallet

Submitted by dlhunter on Tue, 05/28/2013 - 11:21

I used a pallet I found in a burn pile, cut it down, added a bottom piece from one of the other cross pieces, painted, stenciled, and covered it with a coat of poly. I then added potting soil and herbs, and screwed it into the studs of our porch. It's off the ground so my dogs can't get into it and my chickens won't sample the plants!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Antique workbench console bar

Submitted by aem4v2000 on Fri, 04/24/2015 - 18:14

This project was much easier than I originally anticipated. Even cutting the legs at angles and sanding them down to appear curved was easier than I expected.  I also used early american stain by Minwax. I used only one coat though and in hindsight might have done two to make it a bit darker. I used Minwax clear paste wax (two coats) to achieve a low sheen and protective layer. I was able to find a toilet paper holder similar to the one Ana used at one of my local big box stores. I wasn't able to find anything else I liked better. 

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
less than $100 including the stain and towel bar holder
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American stain (one coat) and Minwax clear paste wax (two coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pallet backboard

Submitted by ErinRN on Thu, 09/07/2017 - 06:55

My son found an old basketball rim and wanted it for his room. I googled plans and lo and behold, Ana provided again!! He wanted it simple (i.e. so he didn't have to do much work) so we stripped a pallet down and followed Ana's plans, sanding it but not staining it. He didn't want the frame for it either. The back is held together with 3 1x2's, 1 1/4" nails, and wood glue. Thankfully it is 32" wide so I could drill it into wood studs, although I did tell him this is not to be dunked on :-) He ordered a new net from Amazon for $5 and there you have it!

Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tall Wood Planters

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 19:31

This planter was easy to make. Two days including finish.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

What Nesting Instincts Can Build

I had SO MUCH FUN building this play kitchen. I looked at all the different play kitchens on the site and took what I liked. I love bead board and I LOVED the oven light idea. I’m 7 months pregnant and was still able to put this together. My lower back was starting to complain by the end so it is good I finished it up when I did. I used a kreg jig jr. instead of a nailer. For this project I wish I had a nailer, I think it would have been easier. Maybe I’ll get one for Christmas! Up next – the cabin collection!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Just sanded, primer, and paint. I hand sanded the sink and the oven but then was able to borrow a sander for the fridge (so much nicer, I’m sure that goes without saying). I painted the pieces to the refrigerator doors before I put them together.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Memory Box

I needed a way to display some old pictures... I just love the look of old pictures and and wanted something different than an ordinary frame.This is one of the easiest and cheapest picture display project you can do.

A full tutorial can be found at www.AHouse-2-Home.com

Feel free to leave a comment on our site, we greatly appreciate them!

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Distressed - Stain, dry, paint , dry , sand
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse Bed

This is my favorite build so far! I love the look of this bed! 

One thing I wish I had known was how long it was going to be. The bed is a good foot and a half longer than my mattress, which is a standard queen. I would recommend measuring and cutting your side rails according to your mattress - I think I am going to go back and shorten mine. 

Also - I used my bed rails, instead of the slats this called for. I also used bed rail hooks (I ordered them from Amazon for $20) so that I can take this bed apart. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse dining table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/06/2021 - 14:44

We could not find a table that we liked within our price range so we decided to take matters into our own hands. Thanks to Anna White we were inspired to create this piece, our first wood building project ever!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

PB Logan Classic Storage Wall Side Base and Hutch--modified

Submitted by kristen on Mon, 03/14/2011 - 18:24

This is my third Ana White project and I modified it quite a bit from the plan. I was inspired by the PB Logan Collection that Ana has a knock off plan of called the Classic Storage Wall and Hutch. You can read more about the whys and hows of this project on my blog pinktoesandpowertools.wordpress.com in the Cabinet and Hutch-laundry room category under woodworking (there are currently 17 posts about this project--yowza!). But the modifications that I made from Ana's plans were that I had to make it less wide, I added two drawers in the cabinet, and I put a back on this that mimics the PB picture (which happens to be the wall behind their open-backed units, not an actual back). The base also hides a cat litter box behind it, so the back is open and the doors do NOT open--they are a fake front. No need to peek in at a litter box and it eliminated the cost of hinges. I learned A LOT during this build! First experiences were: using a circular saw, making a straight cut jig for a circular saw to cut plywood, using a jigsaw, using a compressor and nail gun, cutting crown and base molding miter cuts, tearing out base molding to fit the cabinet, cutting out an electrical outlet in the cabinet and extending the outlet, learning how to remove pneumatic nails that find their way out to the front of your project, and probably more that I can't think of now! The back isn't quite done, but it won't be too much prettier than what the picture shows, and you can see how the litter box looks. I might turn it sideways and cut out a hole in the side--haven't decided on that yet... I am really pleased with how this turned out and I'm excited to start on my next Ana White plan (probably modified, knowing me!).

Estimated Cost
$250 for modified version
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Primer and White paint are Olympic (Lowe's) No VOC paint. I topcoated it all with General Finishes High Performance Water-Based Poly and Minwax Water-Based Polycrylic in a satin finish (didn't have enough of either to do the whole project).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

outdoor sofa from reclaimed wood

Using Ana's plan as a guide, I built two of these sofas to fit an outdoor cushion I already had. I used wood from our old deck -- a great way to re-use and save money, too!

Estimated Cost
$110/sofa (lumber was free)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
None, although eventually I will probably seal it with outdoor PolyWhey by Vermont Natural Coatings.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Conner Side Tables

Built a set of Conner Side tables for my Daughter and Son-in-law that live in Austin Texas. 

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Polyshield Ebony
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Charging Station

Submitted by Bradnag on Wed, 09/13/2017 - 05:20

I used the charging station plans as my first attempt at building something using pocket holes, and also my first real attempt at building any piece of furniture from scratch. I stuck pretty much to Ana's plans except for not cutting the front footer (I didn't own a jigsaw at the time) and using panes of frosted glass as the center of the doors.

 

As a piece of furniture it gets used every day, but it has been most invaluable to me as a learning experience. I've built many pieces of furniture in the time since I made the charging station, growing my skills each time. But this project was where I started, so it always feels a little extra special to me.

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Premium Fast Dry Wood Stain, weathered gray
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

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