Community Brag Posts

Storage Bench

I followed the plans and everything went really well. Th bench was built to match a Farmhouse Bed and nightstand that I built. I added fake drawers and knobs to make it match the nightstand. The top of the bench is made from boards screwed together rather than plywood, to add a little character.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint with a clear acrylic on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

DIY Closet Conversion

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/30/2016 - 20:23

We built and designed this as we went while working within the existing closet.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Salad bar with handles

Submitted by Sara on Sun, 07/21/2019 - 11:18

My husband made this with a few tweaks: taller dividers to be even with the sides, smoothing of edges, and handles! It was perfect for our salad bar and pizza party!

Estimated Cost
$0 (used scrap plywood)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none, but we plan to use butcher block oil/sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

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

Pottery Barn Inspired Dresser

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 02/03/2016 - 07:21

My husband built the dresser for our three-year-old son. He built and stained the dresser over the course of a week.

Estimated Cost
$300 including slides and pulls. We used select pine which increased the cost.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain. The drawers took more coats to match the frame and still ended up slightly lighter than the rest of the dresser.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Corona Coffee Table - Square

Submitted by oneillrp on Sat, 07/27/2019 - 11:44

Built this table out of solid Maple, which made it much more expensive to build, but such a beautiful piece of furniture. I bought the legs from Osborne Wood. One thing I did to cut down on cost was to use 1" X 6" wood for the 5 center table-top boards instead of the 2" X 6" called for in the plans. Underneath those, I put a piece of 3/4" plywood to increase the thickness to match the (4) 2" X 6" outer edges. This is not visible unless you climb under the table to look at it from underneath but I think it actually helped to create a flat (almost seamless) table top. Thank you for the plans! I put a lot of work into this piece and I think it will remain in my family for generations!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$700.00 (
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
-3 coats of Varathane Stain (the color is Briarsmoke)
-2 coats of Varathane Polyurethane (Matte Finish)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

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

Cayden Stool

Submitted by hechoenwi on Tue, 11/19/2013 - 15:06

This was my very first project. I wanted to jump right in and start with a Storage Farm House bed but my husband was convinced that I would start a project and just leave it hanging and insisted that I start with something smaller. He was sooo impressed with these stools! I originally had planned to upholster the top as in the plan but we preferred the look with out it! The plans were very easy to follow.

Estimated Cost
$80 for two chairs
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Ipswich Pine - Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/05/2016 - 05:52

Pretty easy just followed the plans 

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Chandelier

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/12/2019 - 10:50

Farmhouse chandelier that I'm building for a customer. I used a vanity bar light for the lighting for the chandelier. I just have to add the Edison bulbs and chains and it will be done!

Man cave

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/05/2023 - 04:21

We made these chairs following easy instructions from AnaWhite!

Comments

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!

Dinning room table

Submitted by Btpowell on Thu, 11/21/2013 - 09:19

Needed something I could put together between work in a few weeks to serve thanksgiving on. The base of the table is modified from Ana's build and the table top is a frame I built and filled with log slices and clear epoxy resin

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
100 for lumber.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut then red oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

kennonr79

Thu, 11/21/2013 - 10:14

Awesome idea for the top. Would love to see a pic of the finished product!

kennonr79

Thu, 11/21/2013 - 10:14

Awesome idea for the top. Would love to see a pic of the finished product!

spiceylg

Thu, 11/21/2013 - 12:15

Love it and I agree with kennonr79, would love to see a pic of the finished product! So unique!

Farmhouse Table for Thanksgiving

Submitted by Midorable on Sun, 02/07/2016 - 12:55

My husband and I bought our first house back in October and wanted to build a table so we could host Thanksgiving dinner at our new place. With the help of my dad and his collection of tools, we were able to use the farmhouse table plans from Ana-White which turned out nicely. We used a dark walnut stain and a couple coats of MInwax Helmsman Spur Urethane.

Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain
Minwax Helmsman Spur Urethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Side Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/31/2019 - 06:24

First thing my husband has ever attempted to build and I love it! Thanks Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)

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

8 Foot Standing work table for trade

Submitted by ksmith311 on Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:29

We built this 8 foot long standing work table in trade for a friend. It turned out great! We had some scrap 2'x2' pieces of white maple plywood that we used for the top and framed them out with 1x3's. Then we made a simple base of 4x4s and 2x4s. It is a super simple table but it's so pretty!

I've been eyeing Rustoleum's new wood stain called "Willow" so I decided to give it a try for this project. It is sooo pretty. It lightens the wood almost like a white wash but it has this pearlescent quality to it and I'm swooning for it! Then we put 2 coats of satin poly over the top and legs. I prefer to use wax but he is using the table as a work surface and needed something a little stronger.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum "Willow" and minwax satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Double Chair with Table

Submitted by Codding58 on Tue, 02/09/2016 - 11:05

This was a fun project for me and my son. Total time was probably a weekend, including finish. I used Douglas Fur, and spent around $100 including finish and nails ect.

Estimated Cost
$125 including conditioner, finish and hardware
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Conditioner and Spar Urethane (2 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modern Bunk Beds in Antique White

Submitted by arlo on Wed, 09/18/2019 - 18:46

I used the overall dimensions from the plan for the beds. Some differences:

  1. For the ladder we wanted less footprint, so attached it vertically.
  2. I modified the guard rail to attach to the top of the side rail, and the side of the vertical board. These were fastened with pocket screws. This method eliminates the support 2x4s that would jut into the mattress area.
  3. I cut the ladder and guard rail corners to 45 degrees and routed the edges.
  4. I used just 2 bolts and nylon lock nuts per connection, which is plenty strong enough since the weight is on the vertical 2x4s.
  5. We used IKEA LUROY slatted bed bases to support the mattresses.

Tips:

  1. When you prepare the vertical boards with notches, be sure to use the same 2x6 boards that will be your actual side rails. I accidentally used one from another job that was slightly narrower, so I had to open up those notches when I assembled.
  2. Be sure to test fit everything before painting, including drilling for the bolts.
  3. Pre-drill and counter sink the holes in the vertical supports and in the 2x2 slat supports. Then use wood screws.
  4. If the bed base is noisy, wax the support rail. Renaissance Wax works great.
  5. For any job using pocket screws, be sure to set the tool for the correct board width. I accidentally had it set for 3/4, so had to fill those holes and flip the guard rail and re-drill for 2-1/2.
  6. For the 1/2" gaps, I used scrap boards, teed together as spacers. You can see in the photo of the guard rail.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Latex based, Antique White. 2-3 coats as needed. This used about 3/4 of a gallon.

For a better finish you should use a proper primer first.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner