Community Brag Posts

Coffee Table

This a coffee table I built that is based on Pottery Barn's Rhys Coffee table and features and open shelf and six drawers. I modified the plans to include a top and changes to the drawer fronts. The original plans can be found here at Ana White's website: http://ana-white.com/2012/02/plans/rhyan-coffee-table

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax - Red Mahogany
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Adirondack Stool using Metric Units

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/28/2019 - 00:32

My very first woodworking project. Had to convert all plans to metric units and adapt to available wood stocks in Bucharest. If you want details, don't hesitate to contact me.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
15 EUR (excl. tools)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
insulation primer + varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

workbench

Submitted by ddietz12 on Fri, 09/09/2011 - 10:33

Built two of these workbenches using 2x4's I found in the dumpsters around my neighborhood. Tested out rustoleum stain for the tops. Covered really well in just one coat.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum stain in kona
Clear lacquer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

dan-k

Fri, 09/09/2011 - 20:45

Looks great, I like the look of the dark top, but it might make it harder to see small objects.

kdearing (not verified)

Tue, 11/13/2012 - 18:14

Nicely done! I also like the look of the stained top!

ddietz12

Mon, 05/06/2013 - 06:49

Wow. Thank you for those unbelievably kind words. I am not an architect though. My main profession was a service manager and now I'm unemployed and partially disabled. I just love to be creative and use my hands. I also love photography. I did all my work on nights and weekends. Again, thank you for the kind words.

Family Work Table

Submitted by msw1978 on Fri, 09/27/2013 - 05:18

This was a project that I messed up and it actually turned out much better than the original idea. I wanted to to make a buffet/side-table for our dinning room but ended up measuring wrong and this turned into what it is now.
I am happy with the way it turned out. It was pretty simple to make as far as the design is concerned.
The woodwork involved was planing, cutting, sanding, etc and then there was bit of metal work like cutting and welding.
I love how the milk baskets tie things together.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Miniwax wipe on polyeurethene
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 09/27/2013 - 08:39

What a happy accident! I really like this and the milk crates finish it off fabulous!

Farm table and puppy version.

Submitted by Old JMU on Sat, 12/12/2015 - 16:10

Table I built for my wife. She found it while browsing Ana's site. Loved it so much she wanted one for herself. Came out so nice we decided to make our puppy a version of her own.     

 

LOVE THIS SITE!!!!

Estimated Cost
Dog table - less than $10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain and satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Nice easy farmhouse table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/03/2019 - 10:15

I added four coats of polyurethane on top of a American Walnut stain.

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

Charcuterie Board

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/28/2022 - 15:27

Made a this for my step-daughter and her husband for Christmas. Love your projects, and am learning to do everything on my own which is so empowering thank you for sharing and encouraging all us girls we can do it!

Comments

Trestle Table

I was just about to sketchup this plan and Ana beat me to it! YEAH! I made two yesterday afternoon.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I spent about $40 to build 2 and had a 1/2 sheet of plywood left over.
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
none YET.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JenS (not verified)

Wed, 09/14/2011 - 11:51

So glad you built this. I totally have it on my to-do list. Looks great!

Corner Cupboard in Cottage White

Submitted by The Keys on Sun, 09/29/2013 - 18:20

We made this piece 7' tall rather than 6' tall so that it would go well in our dining room, leaving the cabinet doors the same height but adjusting the upper shelves to fit.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
White paint and primer that we also used on the trim throughout our house.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Signy Table and Chair

My husband I and I made this for our daughter for Christmas! It's so cute we couldn't wait and she's been sitting and playing at it ever since.  We are pretty novice and building and this was easy and fun for us to complete.  We will make another chair in the future, but for now we just did the one!

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

California King Modified

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/08/2019 - 10:48

This was my first furniture build.  Wanted something a little more detailed, so did solid panels, and inset molding into the panels for depth.  I also wanted a taller footboard, so the panel is 18" high instead of the 15" that the plan showed.  Ended up adding some crown molding as well, but mostly to cover up my mistakes.  Also dressed up the side rails by covering them in a matching molding as well.  Didn't want to use box springs, so moved the slats up to the top of the rail, and spaced them with 2" gaps between slats to give maximum support to the mattress.  Since we have a small dog that I tend to trip over in the dark, I ran a 24' rope light along the interior side panels and footboard, and plugged into a wireless switch that I mounted to side of headboard, which I can turn on and off from bed.  Stained it with General Finishes Mahogany Brown and then two coats of poly.  Really happy with the way this turned out!  Can't wait to do some more building, thanks to Ana! :-)

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
General Finishes Brown Mahogany stain and two coats of poly in a glossy finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Trash/Recycle Cabinet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 07:03

Thanks for the plan Ana… my Christmas break project. Plans were very well done….
Joe in Boston…

Comments

Play Kitchen

Submitted by kld182 on Tue, 09/20/2011 - 12:31

I spent lots of time looking at all the photos posted on this site of people's amazing renditions of "Grace's Play Kitchen." I was so inspired by everyone's creativity! I found an old wooden play stove at a flea market and decided to make a matching sink. I took Ana's plans to the carpenter at the wood shop on the military base where I am stationed and asked if he could help me build a matching piece. We spent about 4 hours one Saturday building the sink. The carpenter had so much fun helping me, he suggested I build a matching refrigerator. So that was created in another couple hours the following Saturday. I did as much of the building as I could, but definitely had some help from the carpenter as I'm a novice. (Thanks, John!) I made the curtain and matching towels, but found the apron and chef's hat on Etsy. (Thanks, "SweetApronzNCupcakes"!). The play kitchen is in my kitchen, so my two year old daughter can pretend play while I'm working on meal preparation. Thanks again, Ana and all the creative folks who contributed ideas! I foresee many hours of play enjoyed by this play kitchen, and hope it can be passed on to future generations!

Estimated Cost
$150 (this is a rough estimate, everything purchased was in Euro and the exchange rate stinks!)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
water based acrylic paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Benchwright Console

Made this for my lovely friends Melissa and Lance and their adorable little boy Rylin.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
I think about $100 or less
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Oxidized the edges with vinegar & steel wool, 1 coat of Minwax Special Walnut, 1 coat Minwax weathered Oak, Random rub n buff spots of Minwax Dark Walnut, distressed with a dirtbike chain, hammer and a 1x2 with 6 nail tips poking through, hit the peice all over with those objects to create wormholes and random distressed markings
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Home Office Project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/20/2015 - 13:43

The Classic Collections was exactly what we were looking for when we decided to re-do our home office.

Estimated Cost
>$500
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Rosewood gel stain, Poly and Semi-gloss White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Photo Ledge from $10 ledges, slightly modified

Submitted by sshelby on Tue, 09/27/2011 - 06:47

8 foot long photo ledge inspired by $10 ledges project plan, http://ana-white.com/2010/10/ten-dollar-ledges.html

I used a 1x4, 1x3, and a 1x2 and added some crown molding to the bottom for a little something extra.

Estimated Cost
$15 in lumber
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Reclaimed Pine and Poplar

Submitted by Richard714 on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 07:43

My friend saw the Gaby Kitchen Island that I posted on FB and asked me to make a wine display for him. I immediately went to Anna's site to look for a design. Added LED lights from IKEA.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Water based Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Standing High Chair

Submitted by stacynabby on Thu, 12/24/2015 - 07:49

I modified the "standing high chair" from Ana's plan and from Blame Crayons blog post...so, I did a little freestyling. The standing platform is adjustable height, just like Ana's. My friend asked me to make this for her mom for Christmas.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30-40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

maxstout

Thu, 08/25/2016 - 08:36

I lovel your modification to add the entry-step to Ana's plans. I think I will try to re-create that myself, any special tips on adding that extra step?

Open Shelving for our tiny cabin

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/19/2019 - 06:07

We wanted to get rid of the plastic contractor’s cabinets in our tiny 1930 cabin on the Delaware River.  Found your plans and video and went straight to Home Depot. Took only a few hours and we love it!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Early American stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Farmhouse table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2023 - 14:45

First time doing anything this big. The crosses on the side kicked my butt but I think I got them figured out.

Comments

Kitchen play set

Submitted by amym on Sun, 10/02/2011 - 12:13

I made this for my daughter for Christmas last year. Well, actually Santa did, or at least that's what she tells people. I had one of the big companies cut the lumber for me, but a few boards were cut incorrectly. I live about 25 minutes from a local hardware store and needed to have them re-cut. Luckily for me, my father-in-law is handy and he brought out his circular saw and helped me even out my boards. Then, for Christmas I got a gift too - a table saw.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a tip from Ana and looked to the OOPS section at Home Depot. I had this color matched with a swatch, it didn't come out quite the color I intended, but I am happy with it. Its a little difficult to see in the picture, but the finish is quite flat.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner