Community Brag Posts

Simple Faux Fireplace

Submitted by ksmith311 on Sun, 11/24/2013 - 11:43

I was drooling over Ana's Faux Fireplace plan and it was perfect! Low profile, beautiful, and I knew I had to have it. We had a bunch of leftover 3/4" MDF and didn't want to spend any money on this project so we constructed the Faux Fireplace out of ripped MDF, a leftover 1x6, 1x2 and some quarter round! We made the faux beam top out of 1x4s as a slip cover that mounts to the wall.

We painted it with the off the shelf antique white paint by valspar that I had leftover and some "American Walnut" stain for the top. I painted the wall behind it in black chalkboard paint. This is the first piece of furniture we've made that pretty much serves NO function but I love it sooo much.

I put a basket in the opening with some christmas lights, burlap and chunks of 2x2s (I want some birch logs in there!) and they look pretty lovely when plugged in.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
American walnut for top, Antique white and black chalkboard paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Craft/Sewing Table

Submitted by mawright86 on Wed, 02/10/2016 - 09:45

This is a craft table following the Modern Craft Table Plans.  There were some adjustments to increase the size of the table to fit the entire width of the window.  The final dimensions of the top turned out at 72" x 36" and fits my wifes cutting sheet perfectly on top with no overhang.  The project did turn out a little taller than anticipated (built it as if it was a standing workbench or elevated) so that posed an issue with the foot pedal but overall, the wife approves.  Future additions may be to add a drawer and attach a couple of adjustable lights, but on to other projects to improve her craft room.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Used MDF and saved some on the cost, overall, about $150. 2 Sheets of MDF a few 1x2's and 2x2's, plus primer and paint.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Paint, Kilz Primer, Minwax Poly on top
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

queen bed frame

Submitted by CoreyS on Sun, 01/08/2012 - 20:39

This was my first build! I do enjoy this bed unfortunatly i found ana's blog just after i had built it. next time i build a bed i am totally building the farmhouse bed to match the farmhouse nightstand i also just built and will post. hopefully ana in her busy life will find time to post a plan for a farmhouse tallboy dresser to match!

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
two coats of minwax mission oak polyshades followed by a coat of minwax semi gloss poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Toy storage bins

Submitted by DIYMomof4 on Fri, 02/12/2016 - 16:26

I made this for my 2 year old daughter. She absolutely loves it! I'm glad I only made two levels, because she uses the top to play with her toys. The open bins make it easy for her to find what she wants to play with and she even likes to put things away. I had extra shiplap boards, so I used them for the back.   The back is a bit higher than the top, which helps keep toys from falling behind the bins.  I secured it to the wall with furniture straps screwed into wall studs.  The only tricky part of building this was figuring out the angle cuts. I built this about 6 months ago and it has held up very well. It is a very sturdy design!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I think I used English Chestnut by Minwax for the stain. I also did several layers of Minwax high-build polyurethane clear semi-gloss. I lightly sanded with fine grit in between coats. I also wiped it with mineral spirits in between coats. It came out very smooth and has withstood several water and chocolate milk spills!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

2x4 Outdoor Sectional and Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 17:56

I followed the instructions on the Ana White website, and followed a few of the commenters ideas to reduce the size slightly to minimize the wood costs. I used pocket holes wherever I could to try and reduce the amount of visible screw heads. The cushions were purchased at Big Lots and the cedar was purchased at the big home improvement store. My 5 year old and I worked on this and are so proud of how it turned out.

Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Teak Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Farmhouse Bed King

Submitted by moldah on Wed, 01/11/2012 - 15:15

This was the plan that started my addiction! We had just gotten new mattresses, and we needed a new bed frame. All of the furniture stores have dark stains, and we wanted something natural and bright. I was searching one night found your site, and that was it. A few changes, increased the height of the headboard and footboard, wanted a slight overhang on the top of each as well. Also added an additional 2x4 between the legs of the headboard for support.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Natural
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kate (not verified)

Wed, 01/11/2012 - 17:15

That looks great! The natural finish looks really great with your bedding. I love the higher headboard - we're planning to do the same with the farmhouse bed I'm planning so that my husband will be able to sit up in bed without hitting the back.

Did you end up using the boxspring, or is the mattress just in slats? I couldn't tell from your picture.

moldah

Wed, 01/11/2012 - 18:23

Hi, thanks for the positive response :) The mattress and box spring both are on here. In fact, I kept the bed itself on the original metal frame below, and added the side rails to hide it. Purchased the hardware for the side rails from Rockler

MichaelAndMelissa

Fri, 01/13/2012 - 08:42

All I can say is wow. Definitely showing this to my wife today. We had plans to do something like this but yours is up up and away! Excellent job!

moldah

Fri, 01/13/2012 - 15:48

I'm glad you like the lights. I go back and forth on them. I hated that I had to drill holes into the wood to run the cord, as it does not give us the option to remove later on. Also, if you go with the lights, you might want to put some double sided tape on the back. Thanks!

RyanJ (not verified)

Tue, 01/17/2012 - 11:15

The bed looks great. The routered edges are a nice touch.

Did you attach the bed to the original metal bed frame at all?

moldah

Tue, 01/17/2012 - 14:20

Yes, the 2x4 I put between the headboard legs for support, I did drill a hole on each side, and attached the top of the bed frame to that with bolts.

Szetoklin (not verified)

Tue, 04/03/2012 - 09:41

My husband just forwarded me a link of your bed.
It is SO SO beautiful!!! Love the reading light. Where did you get that by the way?
The bed is so pretty. Love the natural wood look and the knots.
We too have mostly dark wood stain in the house and love this light color look. Did you stain it or coat it with something?

igapo

Sat, 04/28/2012 - 15:26

Hi Moldah,

Very impressive and great addition with the lights. Can you tell me how tall your final headboard and footboard are? Thanks.

Elizabeth "Lizzie" (not verified)

Sat, 06/16/2012 - 04:46

LOVE IT! I love doing things like this and I am inspired by seeing your pictures!! I am especially impressed with the Star Wars case noted on your endtable LOL Right there I know you have great taste in films, too!!! I am going to do this project! Great job!

Usmc3mama

Fri, 08/09/2013 - 20:35

Since there were no plans we are making one similar. Thanks for sharing

Marybaileycole

Wed, 09/04/2013 - 17:10

Wow, this is so beautiful! Great Job! We are very amateur builders and I had a couple questions. Do you have a blog with more details? How did you achieve the routered edges? And also, do you mind sharing the cost of the project? Thanks!

rangers_31

Sun, 11/03/2013 - 08:44

By how many inches did you increase the height of the headboard and footboard? I am thinking about doing the same when I build this bed and was hoping for some guidance.

Sofa table

Submitted by thomas3557 on Sun, 12/01/2013 - 16:37

This is a sofa table made from 2x6 framing lumber. I did the bottom shelves a bit different than the plan.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Vinegar/Steel wool on top and black milk paint on bottom.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

philipmcraft

Mon, 11/28/2016 - 15:20

Where are the plans for this sofa table?  I see the pics but don't see anything about dimensions.

Toy Box

Submitted by bsbdays on Mon, 02/15/2016 - 20:20

Built this using Ana's plans, thanks Ana!!!!

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Fit for a queen!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 20:57

I made this beautiful, queen size, farmhouse style bed for my friend’s daughter. It was her sweet 16 gift. I used Ana’s plans and it turned out even better than I imagined it ever could.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Ana White

Tue, 11/05/2019 - 10:40

Thank you so much for entering this project in our October 2019 brag post contest.  We are so excited to let you know this entry was randomly selected for a $100 gift card!  

Look out for an email from us shortly.

Thanks! Ana

Land of nod knock-off bankable bookcase

Submitted by Chef Sowa on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 18:43

My third project from the Ana-white.com site. Our daughter's books and toys were outgrowing the toy box and small magazine rack we were using, saw this plan, no brainier. It led me the the land of nod website, to see the real deal, and I liked the version with the closed top better, so I modified the plans to fit my needs. Added some trim and oak veneer for the edges, a little stain, and waa laa... Found some boxes at lowe's, perfect fit. We'll move it into her room after I build a new media console for the living room

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax poly shades antique walnut satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pedestal farmhouse table

Submitted by Towboatjs on Wed, 12/04/2013 - 01:33

My wife wanted a farmhouse dining room table for our new house, I wanted to get into woodworking so these plans were a perfect fit. Bonus was adding a few tools to my collection! Revised plans to two pedestals and shortened about 2 feet. If I were to do over I would have stained and poly'd separately, but I tried to save steps because I was finishing inside the house and didn't have time for separate steps before leaving town. Ran into a few hiccups along the way but both my wife and I are happy with the end results.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Poly shades stain and poly in one, sanded Down to "distress" and then a few coats of wipe on satin polyurethane on table top to resist stains and for easier cleanup
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Rustic X-Frame Coffee Table

We've built so many of these coffee tables, but this one has got to be my favorite. Isn't the stain so dreamy?

I think the biggest thing about this coffee table is to finish it properly. We like to plane our boards down so it gives it a bit more of a seamless look - but real rustic lovers don't need to do this. 

We sanded the coffee table down with 120 grit paper & then stained this table in Sunbleached Oak by Varathane. It's literally the most stunning color. Blends with almost any decor. 

Once that was dry, we applied two coats of polyurathane 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
75.00 CA
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
We sanded the coffee table down with 120 grit paper & then stained this table in Sunbleached Oak by Varathane. It's literally the most stunning color. Blends with almost any decor. 
Once that was dry, we applied two coats of polyurathane 
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic X Tall Bookshelves

Submitted by frmoody on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 09:23

A friend wanted these bookshelves to match the Farmhouse X Desk but she wanted them narrow so they would fit in a small office. This was a very challenging and at times frustrating build getting everything to fit and getting the X's correct but in the end they turned out very well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
The wood was painted with a white cabinet paint and the shelves were stained with Varathane Kona.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Faux beam

Submitted by vickyand on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 20:07

We took down a wall in our basement which left us with a gap in between the ceilings and two ceilings at different heights...the beam filled the gap perfectly!

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
we stained it with Minwax Special Walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Faux Fireplace for Holiday Markets

For the holiday markets this year, some other dog related businesses, along with myself, colaborated on dog stockings! I really wanted to feature the stockings and not just decorate my booth with generic ornaments etc. My boyfriend was kind enough to help me with this project and it has been a hit! I think I am going to change out the decal with chalkboard though. The decal just looks to cheesey and I think the chalkboard will give it a more rustic and crafty fell. Thanks for the idea!!

Finish Used
Stain for the molding and then stain with color added for the interior green portion
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Workbench

Submitted by RyanLaw on Sat, 02/20/2016 - 22:33

I built this workbench in about two hours.

It is a nice, sturdy bench that I plan to use often.

For the top I used two sheets of 1/2" MDF.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cheveron Headboard Full size storage bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 19:34

This project was fun but at the same time difficult. Taking king size plans and adapting down to full size posed a challenge but i worked through ot and turned out a fantastic piece of furniture! I have never attempted this size project before but i am glad i did it. I literally put blood sweat and tears into this. Nothing says great project like a trip to the emergency room!

Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Combined Tryde Media hutch & Rustic Media Console

Submitted by lazyLiz on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 20:56

My very second furniture do-it-myself. This furniture was inspired by both the Tryde hutch and rustic media console built to suit my space and need. Whew! now I feel like I can build anything:-) Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
glossy white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My first (half) project- built-in cabinets!

Submitted by LE1066 on Tue, 12/10/2013 - 21:11

Using the base cabinets 101 post and other members' ideas and tips, I built these nine cabinets. It's my first project, and I'm very pleased. I live in a 1960's split level with nearly zero storage space... Until now. Next step is to top them with bookshelves, and add some decorative molding. Will start cutting wood once the temperature allows me to set up my sawhorses in my driveway again. Can't wait. Might make something really quick for my husband between now and Christmas. Thanks Ana and everyone else- I'm inspired.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Flat white paint inside, then sherwin Williams proClassic enamel for doors and outer surfaces. Sanding between coats seems to be important.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

mezzopiana

Wed, 12/11/2013 - 05:59

You may just be my inspiration for building something very similar for my kids' playroom. Very, very good-looking storage you built there! Well done - especially for a first build :)

Reese

Thu, 12/12/2013 - 07:16

Wow! They look So Good! I'm so impressed that this was your first build. Is the top just plywwod also? It looks so smooth and glossy i can't tell. How much did it end up costing?

Rustic Coffee Table

Submitted by cjschulz on Mon, 02/22/2016 - 22:20

Because we needed this coffee table for a small living room, we scaled the length down a bit from the plans. It worked really well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
To achieve a rustic look I "sloppy painted" with 2 shades of grey, white, rust and some black. Once the paint was thoroughly dry, I used a course grit sandpaper to lightly take off paint in some areas, leaving it thicker in spots. I then applied minwax provincial stain and immediately wiped it. I finished with a satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate