Community Brag Posts

Entryway Bench and Storage Shelf

This is perfect for my two boys. I can now get them to stop dropping their coats and bags on the floor as soon as they get home from school!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
General Finishes dark brow dye and Minwax clear gloss polyeurothane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Worm Composter Bins with Cabinet

I made the worm composter from Ana's plan and built a cabinet out of old pallets. The stack of worm composters drawers slide in and out of the cabinet on a heavy duty drawer glide set. I used cedar fence board. For 3 bucks a board, it was worth the work to rip them down and sand them. The bottom drawer has a tray built out of old flashing and slopes towards a hose bib in order to collect the worm tea. I designed the drawer insert out of cardboard and cut it out of flashing, using a pop rivet gun to put it together, sealing the seams with flashing caulking. The drawer has a sheet of aluminum window screen under the top square of cedar.

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Some free varnish from the County Drop and Swap recycle center
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse table with no stretcher and benches

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/25/2017 - 11:12

7 1/2 foot table using basic Ana White plans. I removed the stretcher to allow for more seating... but reinforced the underside to help make it structurally stronger. I also didn't add breadboards as the boss didn't like them. Painted the benches and legs of the table white.... stained the top with miniwax classic grey with a few coats of poly.

Estimated Cost
$350 (including wood and screws)... I used finished boards for the top so those were more expensive.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

4x4 Truss Beam Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 12:23

Inspired by the designs from Ana White and Whitney from Shanty2Chic and so thankful for the clear instructions, I built this 4x4 Truss Beam dining table using locally sourced clear Douglas Fir. We are so pleased with the results!

https://www.ana-white.com/woodworking-projects/4x4-truss-beam-table

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Shelf for daughter's room

Submitted by tw41 on Mon, 05/06/2013 - 23:31

My wife and daughter wanted a shelf for her room - had to be pink. All I had to go on was a picture from a Pottery Barn ad. It's made from poplar and was my first kreg pocket hole project.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Had to be pink. I listed the paint above in the additional images section.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Chopped Jilly and Mia Kitchen Island

Submitted by pcarroll on Fri, 03/27/2015 - 20:44

Loved the Jilly and Mia Workbench Console but didn't have the space.  So, I chopped the width in half and used 2x6's for the top.  Pocket holes used throughout and 4.5" casters and decorative clavos used for the red lipstick.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 (including clavos and caster wheels)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
White milk paint used on frame; layered special walnut/aged oak/whitewash/finish wax on planked top and lower shelf.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tall Tapered Planters

These were exactly what we were looking for to dress up the front of our house.  They are a great size and went together pretty easily.  Getting the angle cuts right took a few tries, but once you get past that it's all pretty simple!  Also these are very forgiving for small errors and they look fantastic!  We made three for across the front of our house and painted them to match our front door.  For more details on our planters, please follow the link to our blog!

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Olympic Exterior Paint - Ruby Lips
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

DIY Barn Door Pantry

We have been a subscriber of Ann White's YouTube channel for quite some time. With our kitchen remodel we needed an idea for our pantry. All I can say is thank you Ann White!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

First Build at the Farm

Submitted by angmorfeld on Thu, 05/09/2013 - 07:00

We just moved to a farm and luckily the house has a wood shop! So we chose to do this farm house table as our first build at our new house. It was so much fun....and it was a great project for my husband and I to work on together! Total working time was about 10 hours, that did not include the time it took for the stain to dry and the poly to set. I am incredibly impatient and probably applied the poly over the stain too early, but with a project like a "rustic farmhouse table", the imperfections from my haste go unnoticed. Next build: barn doors.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American, 2 coats. Top coat of Minwax Wipe on Poly, 3 coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tropical Pallet Outdoor Room: Renters’ Remodel

Submitted by ananda on Sun, 03/29/2015 - 20:44

Yes we are RENTERS, and yes, we sneakily “REMODELED” a tropical island style outdoor room, with pallets!

The entire project is done with scrap pallet wood- from pallet living wall, pallet furniture, to stenciled pallet wood floors -  just to prove that not only can one have a magazine worthy "remodel" as renters, it can be done with minimal cost as well!
 
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Outdoor Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:07

Outdoor coffee table with lift top. Modified the top slightly but went by the plans otherwise. Still need to paint/stain. A fun build and super functional!

Comments

Planked Wood Headboard- King

Submitted by ambuford21 on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 06:19

I made this in an afternoon as a wedding gift for my brother and soon to be sister-in-law. This was my first project using Ana's plans and I can't beleive I got it finished in a day. The hardest part was getting everything filled in and painted since I used paint grade pine. I did add a length of half round to the top just under the ledge for a little more decorative effect. I didn't realize how huge and heavy it would turn out. Guess that's just what happens when you build something entirely out of wood

Estimated Cost
$120.00
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin finish Valspar paint in black.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Going crazy in California

Submitted by Chris 1975 on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 05:13

This is a base loft bed which was my first project. I used raw pine for everything, and then stained. I added the flip top desk, and cubbys on the back wall as well for more storage. But then one of friends had an old play ground set, which he was selling at a ridiculously low price! Due to the pool and BBQ island however, it did not make sense to put these in the back yard. SO, I decided to take down the ladder and give him a rock wall! Both my son and daughter absolutely love it! I am now going to build the platform on the foot of the bed for the slide. More to come!!!! ;)

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Simple bed

Submitted by colleenps on Tue, 03/31/2015 - 12:08

This was my first ever build, I had a blast! I have always wanted to work with wood but never knew where to start. We have 7 children and we have gone threw so many beds and wasted so much money over the years on cheap beds. I wanted to build something that was sturdy and something that would last. Thanks to Ana White I found these plans. My husband showed me how to use the tools and I got to work. We're a military family so we move every 1 to 3 years, so I had to make some adjustments so it could be taken apart and moved over and over again. Thank you Ana White for these plans and so much more. You have been such an inspiration, if it wasn't for you and your site I would've never have found the motivation and courage to start building.

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

Comments

Grey X Farmhouse table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/03/2017 - 14:03

X Farm house table - distressed grey.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax - Grey Stain - 3x thick Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Outdoor Hot Tub Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/04/2021 - 13:33

I needed a table along side our hot tub, primarily for drinks or appetizers while using the hot tub. The farmhouse table plan worked out perfectly to its height and how it fit in well with the structure of the hot tub. It also does double duty with my grill directly across from it allowing me some storage shelves or grill items.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

cubby bench

Three cube bench for entryway.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
1. one coat primer
2. two coats Behr elegant white, satin finish
3. sand with 120 grit, light distressing
4. two coats satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our long awaited media cabinet!

My husband and I built this together over the course of three months. We would grab an hour here and there when we had the time.

I am notorious for my numerous "projects", but my husband is so patient and he usually indulges my curiosity. We both learned so much building this, and even though he feigns indifference, I can tell that my husband is just as proud as I am of the end result. We are absolute beginners and my critical eyes can find many imperfections, but I can't help but be amazed that we actually built this thing - this is huge for us!!

We plan to build the rest of the wall system eventually (piece by piece), but I couldn't wait to share.

Thanks Ana for giving us so much of yourself!!

P.S: Lumber wise you get what you pay for - even if you are painting, go for the higher quality plywood and craftboard. The price premium is well worth the frustration it will save you - especially if you are a beginner like us.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Vintage white from the Allen Roth Collection - Valspar Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Vinyl record cabinet

I know this is a pretty basic build but I still wanted to share it.  I used pine for the entire piece.  It took longer to finish this piece than to build it haha.  The finishing process consided of a pre-stain condiitoner, antique walnut gel stain, and several coats of toner.  

 

 

Estimated Cost
$70.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments