Community Brag Posts

Narrow Farmhouse Table

This is a narrow farmhouse table that I was asked to build for my neighbors. The plan was very easy to follow and didn't take long to do at all. I used 1x12x8' shelving board from the local home improvement center for most of the application. When mating the top together, I used a biscuit joiner, (aside to what the plans called for), for added strength. Also, I remember from years back that you should alternate the "rings" in the lumber to prevent bowing. This gave me a smooth, level table top without using a planer. Using the shelving board made this table very light, I love this table!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
less than $100.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Cabot Stain with sealer - gingerbread. Used a brush to put it on, but recommend a foam brush. Do not wipe on with a rag. I sanded, (used 220 grit sandpaper), after drying to give it the distressed look. I applied 2 coats of Minwax Polycrylic for the finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse table and bench

We loved the farmhouse table plan and the bench. We modified a bit to make it 6ft. We just loved how it turned out. We used cedar for the legs. We wanted something to contrast a bit. I didn't stain the legs just coated with poly.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax dark walnut and semi gloss poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Clara inspired kid's table

Child sized table. Used a 24" project-style top (all-in-one), 1x2s for the supports, and 2x2s for the legs.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Penetrating Stain and Minwax Polyurethane for the top
White cabinet paint for the legs and supports
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Garage shelves

Submitted by papadog on Thu, 10/31/2019 - 11:46

Added some storage to the garage. Wife got some more room for her canning. Looks much better than older metal shelving. Thanks for the ideas, again!

Estimated Cost
240
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Raised Bed Garden

This is a very simple project. It measures 8' x 8' and is 11" high. I simply used eight 2" x 6" treated pine boards and one 8' 4" x 4" treated pine post. I used an 11" 4 x 4 cross member in each corner and an 11" 4 x 4 in the center to connect the 2 x 6's. I used 2 coats of a water based natural cedar deck stain as a finish. I connected everything using 3 inch deck screws.

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Water based deck and fence stain (natural cedar). I used 2 coats applied with a brush.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Sat, 03/10/2012 - 07:58

Wow! That turned out beautifully! We are looking at starting a raised bed garden as well. Yours turned out great.

Quick question/concern, though. Are you growing edibles in yours? If so, what did you do to block the treated lumber so it doesn't leach chemicals into the soil?

You did a fantastic job!

windjamer812

Sun, 03/11/2012 - 01:37

The chemicals used to treat lumber today are safe. Even with growing food. I can attest that the plants will not be dwarfed by it either. My tomatoes reached heights of 6 feet. I have included a link to a PDF file from Purdue University explaining that. The stain is simply an exterior water based deck stain called natural cedar. The chemicals in stain that are used today no longer contain arsenic. This was eliminated in 2003. This includes oil based stains. I hope that answers your question.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hort.purdue.edu%2Fe…

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 08:28

Hey windjamer812,

Thanks for the response and the link! That's good to know as it really opens up the materials available to me. I'll go check out that PDF as well.

Your project turned out beautifully. I'm excited to start something similar.

Thanks, again!
Cindy

P.S. Go Boilermakers! ;-)

First Project and PUMPED!!

Submitted by FongerB on Fri, 01/03/2014 - 07:57

This was my first project ever and I'm so excited how well it turned out!! However, I did modify the length and height for my space. The table is 40" long and 33" tall. The finish is Benjamin Moore Tawny Day Lily (awful name) with their high gloss wood finish. Thank you Ana!! You made this project seem easy and now I'm excited to build more!

Estimated Cost
40$
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Benjamin Moore Tawny Day Lily (3 coats) + Benjamin Moore High Gloss wood finish (2 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Had to be custom.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 17:52

Thanks, Ana for the plan!  We were remodeling a nearly 60 year old bathroom and a store bought vanity would absolutely not fit. Using your awesome plans, we were able to get a vanity that would fit, and be one of a kind.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300 for the cabinet.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Three coats of Valspar Cabinet Enamel in Sherwin William's Tri-corn Black. Wait 24 hours between coats and sand lightly with 220 grit. Then, two coats of Minwax Satin Wipe On Poly. Again, sanding even lighter between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Kids Wooden Play Grill

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/03/2019 - 17:10

Built this toy grill for my nephews first birthday. Went together without many hiccups. I will say these plans seemed less detailed than other Ana White plans I have worked on...but for the better I guess, as it forced me to figure somethings out on my own. I opted to add the drawer behind the grill plate, like the blogger who also made this grill did. Kept the same color scheme as well. Pretty proud of how it turned out.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Desk Hutch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/24/2023 - 10:24

Built this for my desk at work.

Buck Roop

Picnic Table

Submitted by tara2 on Tue, 03/13/2012 - 07:35

Our first project of many to come!!! Thanks Ana for your website!

Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Queen Size Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Koji on Sun, 01/05/2014 - 12:09

Started off as the rustic farmhouse bed, but I couldn't help adding bits to it - dentil moulding, panels on the headboard and footboard.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut over minwax stain base. Helps to keep the staining to a minimum with less soaking in and dark spots.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Built it in one day. So very pleased with this bench.

I am so very happy on how this bench turned out. I am new at building things and so I asked my husband to help me we did this in a day. now I have 3 people that want one (family of course.)

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

Comments

tgrott

Wed, 03/30/2016 - 07:46

Do you have plans?  I haven't built anything yet and have my neice's wedding shower this weekend...thinking this would be an AWESOME gift for her!!! 

Can one lady with one weak arm take this project on by herself???

And, can you tell us how much it cost you to make?

 

Thanks!

Doll Stroller

Submitted by DIYMomof4 on Fri, 11/15/2019 - 06:50

I made this stroller to donate to a charity fundraiser.  I'm very pleased with how it turned out!  I routered the edges with a small round over bit, which I think makes it a bit safer for little ones.  I attached the 1x2's of the handle 3" above the stroller bottom, which gives it a height similar to other doll strollers.  I also decide to change the way the wheels were attached.  In the picture, the wheels are attached as the plan shows.  I decided I would use (2) 3/8" metal rods as axles, washers for spacers, and an axle cap on each end.   This works really well, and the axle caps look nicer than the painted bolts.  Unfortunately, I donated the stroller without taking updated pictures!   

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Ultra Ceylon Cream and Radient Rose
Valspar satin polyurethane - on the wheel backs and edges
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

Single Lounger for the Simple Modern Outdoor Collection

Submitted by Shai on Fri, 03/16/2012 - 20:07

I used Ana's pattern, but modified it a bit to suit my needs and my materials. I used a large pallet I got for free from a local building supply company. My total cost was $8.00, which was for the hinges and the screws. I am so happy with it, and very grateful to Ana White for providing the plans!

Estimated Cost
$8.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished, but I plan to stain it dark brown to match our other patio furniture.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

komalb

Tue, 08/20/2019 - 14:54

Can you post some pics of the back/underside so I can see modifications better? I was hoping to do something just like this and wanted to get some inspiration for the backrest portion. 

Customized Hailey storage bed

I got tired of the aluminum framed bunk beds in my kids room, and wanted to build something they can enjoy for years to come.

My 7 year old didn't have the luxury of one of our dogs jumping up on his bed, as he was on the top bunk, and my wife and I didn't interact with him as much as we would have liked during his reading time prior to bed.

Only one thing to do....build the boys some beds. Although they have a little less room in their bedroom, they have their own individual beds and storage nooks.

In an effort to reduce wasted space, I took a similar page out of birdsandsoap's book by hinging the footboard to create easy access to the void under the slats.

The head and footboards were 'tiled' by simply cutting 1x2 and 1x3 pieces and attaching them with wood glue.

Between the sanding, staining, and poly coats, it took about a week (on and off) to complete the set, but overall am very happy with the finished project.

Only 1 bed is included in the pics, as the other one is identical.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Knot Good with Wood

Thu, 01/09/2014 - 04:05

I was unsure exactly how I wanted to design and finish, so I just looked through tons of brags on here. I think they are very cool now that they are done, and my kids end up using the hinged footboard to gain access to build small forts.....

Thanks for the great feedback!

handcrafted amish style side table

Submitted by rburmania on Tue, 03/29/2016 - 10:56

Handcrafted amish style table easy to do and gorgeous

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Provincial and black satin passing
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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