Community Brag Posts

Sturdy Workbench Modified

Submitted by Seth on Sat, 07/13/2013 - 21:55

This is a modified version of the sturdy workbench. I made it six feet long, about three feet wide (I can't remember exactly), and 36'' high. Since I'm 6'2'', I needed a bench that didn't keep me constantly bending over.

I used Douglas Fir framing lumber and 3/4'' plywood for the surface. The plywood was a cheap replaceable option since hardwood is extremely expensive in my area. The wood warped a bit after I built it, so its clearly not perfect. But who cares, its a workbench after all...

I used left over paint / stain I had laying around in the garage. The gray is a custom mix interior paint, and the stain is Minwax Golden Oak. I used 1 coat of stain, and three coats of Poly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax golden oak 1x, conditioner 1x, and poly 3x.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Craftsman Style Sweet Pea Bunk Beds

Submitted by Perkelator on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 21:56

I'm so thankful for these plans! I love how these beds turned out, my daughters love them too! Whenever they have friends come over, this is the first place all of them want to go (not necessarily a good thing, I know).

I wrote about the project on my blog: sharethepants.blogspot.com

This is my third project that I've attempted since finding this amazing website and it's certainly my favorite!

I ended up leaving off the pergola due to an overactive climbing two year old. We are planning on adding some additional decorations as we have ideas. Mailbox and house numbers on on their way.

Estimated Cost
350-400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Satin finish paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

birdsandsoap

Fri, 07/26/2013 - 22:24

I love the color combo! It looks great without the pergola too. And I love the way you built/painted the flower boxes under the bed. nice job!

Perkelator

Fri, 07/26/2013 - 23:37

I can't tell you how great your plans are! I am so impressed by all the details you put into it. I changed some things (like paneling instead of the charming 1X3's and 1X4's, and leaving the back open) but I was so impressed by how everything came together--especially the stairs. You did a fantastic job.

Easy and Fast DIY Garage Workshop

I used these plans and modified the height to create functional countertop and shelving in my garage. I added a little face framing too. Thank you for the inspiration Ana!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mineral Oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

tarah

Thu, 03/26/2020 - 15:58

How do I access the plans used for this project? Thanks!

My laundry basket dresser with doors

Submitted by jensimmons on Sun, 07/03/2011 - 20:19

I wanted to use our laundry basket dresser as a collector for dirty laundry in our bathroom, and wanted it to have doors so it would blend in better. I also made the shelf above for our towels. It is painted white with a faux-zinc finish on the top. I made the top slightly larger so it would overhang and added cute little bun feet. My talented friend Carli helped me build the doors (and by helped I mean I handed her things while she impressed me with all her tools and skills!) and frame.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75-100 (can't remember exactly)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
white semi-gloss paint, zinc faux finish: layer 1 dark charcoal paint, layer 2 dark pewter metallic glaze, layer 3 white paint thinned with water & rubbed on/off.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 07/29/2011 - 23:37

this is perfect! i totally need a bunch just like this! I love the added doors!

Pam in Colorado (not verified)

Sat, 09/17/2011 - 12:48

This is the look I'd like, fit the baskets and hide them behind doors until you are ready to do the laundry. These could be made for bedrooms, bathrooms, toy rooms (okay, toys instead of dirty laundry)...

Guest (not verified)

Fri, 11/11/2011 - 08:05

I absolutely love this! Could you please add instructions on how to make/paint and install the doors? I am a newbie to making my own furniture. Thanks!

Guest (not verified)

Wed, 01/11/2012 - 08:29

I love this idea! I will have a new bathroom soon and I think this will get used! What are the dimensions, or what style cabinet would you suggest to look for? TIA!

Jennifer Simmons (not verified)

Fri, 02/17/2012 - 05:57

The dimensions are the same as Ana's plan: http://ana-white.com/2010/11/laundry-basket-dresser except that the top is slightly bigger (3/4" overhang on front/sides) to look more like a countertop. On the doors we just made a frame w/ angled pieces, routed a notched line on the back & glued/nailed some beadboard in from the back. Sorry I can't be much more detailed on that, a friend did most of the doors for me!

Guest (not verified)

Sun, 02/19/2012 - 07:42

I actually got the plywood to do this project and I was going to add doors. I looked at the baskets suggested but it seems they would stick out the front. I was just curious, did you use different baskets that would fit inside the cabinet or did you make the cabinet slightly deeper?

Jennifer Simmons (not verified)

Sat, 02/25/2012 - 05:36

Actually I discovered the same problem after it was built. I just didn't put a back on and they stick out a tiny bit in the back. I actually kind of like it that way because it lets some air in (being in the bathroom and putting towels in I could see it getting mildewy without much circulation). But if I had gotten the baskets first I probably would have made it about 2" deeper, then leave some open space, but not all, on the back.

Kitchen Ledge Shelves

I built ledge shelves for our kitchen using reclaimed wood I painted teal, then silver, then flat black (Napoleon).

Love having them. :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5.40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Teal semi-gloss latex undercoat, silver spray paint, matte black (Napoleon) latex paint top coat.

I wasn't sure what color I wanted. I didn't seal the shelves, just in case I changed my mind again, but I love how knicking it brings out the teal or the silver under the black!
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

JoanneS

Sat, 08/10/2013 - 19:19

Great looking shelves, and it's neat how you got these in the corner shape. It adds so much storage! The color looks perfect with the tile and counter. Love the little flecks of the other colors peeking through too! Great job!

In reply to by JoanneS

yurra-bazain

Sun, 08/11/2013 - 10:15

These ledge shelves really are my favorite shelves right now. I plan to add a few more to my daughter's room, but I'll wait to make those until after I build her dresser. :)

babysteps

Tue, 01/14/2014 - 11:42

I love your adaptation of the original design. I have been looking for an example of someone who made this plan into a wider shelf. Has it held up well? I was worried about the stress on the joints when you make it deeper. Has yours handled the weight? How wide is the bottom piece?

In reply to by babysteps

yurra-bazain

Mon, 04/21/2014 - 11:14

I've had the shelves up for about a year now and it's still in the same spot. The corner shelves are the most sturdy, most likely because it is supported by screws in two perpendicular walls. Its filled with mason jars (re-used, cleaned pickle jars) of pantry items, and there is no visible stress on the joints that I can see.

The smaller shelf is not as sturdy because I could not locate a stud (that didn't have electrical wiring close to it). I used wall anchors and it sags ever so slightly forward (about a millimeter). We only keep our drinkware on it, however.

The base of the shelf is made from a 1x8 (7-1/4" wide). The full width of the shelf with the 1x4 back and 1x2 front lip is about 8-3/4" wide.

I hope this comment reaches you and that it helpful!

Grid mirror

Submitted by Jtlarson12 on Tue, 09/11/2018 - 10:20

DIY grid mirror. Used exact plan. 

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut 2716
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Bathroom Storage Cabinet

I built this cabinet to store magazines and diapers (towels when the time comes) in the small 1/2 bath.

The top was made with left over oak pieces from when I ripped out the carpet and 2x12 stairs and replaced with oak treads.

Estimated Cost
$20 (already had the treads)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
jacobean stain on top, pale sandy beige paint with jacobean stain used as glaze on body.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Debi G

Wed, 07/27/2011 - 11:15

I just created something similar. The way the top and body coordinate, and how the top cubbies are sized make this a stand-out.
Something similar would work for my classroom, too.

Rustic X-Console Table

Submitted by LN2014 on Wed, 10/14/2015 - 14:19

Rustic X-Console Table made from just 2x6s striped in half to make the legs instead of using 2x4s and cutting down a 2x6 to 1 1/2in cuts to make 1x1 stripes.  I used 3/4in sanded plywood for the shelves. Everything was put together with Kreg jig screws and wood glue. Stain was applied using an air compressor and spray gun to spray a even coat of stain in sections at a time, while the stain is still wet, I wipe off the excess stain with a clean rag leaving an even wood stain finish results. This cuts the staining from what would normally take hours of painful hand staining to just minutes with a spray gun. After the stain drys, I go over the table with either fine wool pad or 1000 grit sand paper to remove any rough spots. I then apply the polyurethane with the spray gun as well. Once that dries, I go over the table again with 2000 grit wet/dry sand paper leaving a ultra smooth even finish. I use a total of 6 (2x6 white pine boards) striped to needed sizes and half of (4x8 sanded 3/4in plywood) for this project. I had to modify the demensions for the different sizes of cuts, but overall saving money instead of buying the individual 2x4s,1x1s, and solid pine boards. It takes a bit longer but well worth it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Ash Stain
Varathane Satin polyurethane water based
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Dining Room Buffet Cabinet

Submitted by kdins31 on Sat, 08/13/2011 - 11:26

I scoured the web unsuccessfully for months trying to find a cabinet big enough to store everything we needed to store. I wanted something huge and bright and simple, and so I decided to just build away. It's 8'4" long, 18" deep and 36" tall. Topped with a slab of Giallo Napoleon granite and painted a nice plain white. Took me only a few nights to build and paint, thanks to my power nailer and power paint sprayer. Thanks to a great deal on a remnant granite slab, this was just about $400 total start to finish. I winged the entire plan and didn't really use any plans in particular, though I have gathered many great ideas and tips from this site.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$450-500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin white, nothing special!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

shanestric

Sat, 08/13/2011 - 14:51

Wow - looks great! You would think it was done by a pro! You should be very proud of your finished product.

Toy garage

I got inspired by Ana to design my own toy garage - so that there would be somewhere to store all the hot wheels that kept piling up! I have no idea what the angle is for the driveway ramp - it was trial and error with help from my husband, but it's pretty sturdy. Between the mitered cut and the copious amounts of glue, it holds the weight of a 25 lb toddler walking up it (though I try to discourage it!).
I used chalkboard paint and acrylics - so that we can draw parking stalls, lanes, or arrows as desired - my son helped with the painting. So far, the favorite activities are sending the cars down the ramp, one after another...

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic X Base Farmhouse table

This table was made following the Ana White plan for the 8' table. I stained the whole thing Dark Walnut. I the rubbed Vaseline on the edges and anywhere else that I wanted distressed. I painted the table with a light coat of white chalk paint and sanded it to distress it after it dried. After getting the look that I wanted I applied a clear wax.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Daek Walnut stain
Rustoleum chalked linen white paint
Minwax finishing wax natural color
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Miter saw cart

I looked at several solutions for a potable miter saw cart given that I had just purchased a new miter saw and it is quite heavy. Opted for the miter saw cart in Ana's website because it provided the most flexibility given my limited working space.

Built from Plan(s)

Rustic Farmhouse Table with Distressed Finish

Submitted by petesveen on Tue, 10/15/2013 - 13:06

When I saw Ana's plans I had to make this table for my home. I like the rustic look, and so I distressed the wood using a steel wool and vinegar solution. I modified the top by using four 2x8's and one 2x10. Otherwise everything is the same. It turned out great and everyone who has seen it at my home loves it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$130
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Brushed one coat of steel wool and vinegar. Then brushed on 2 coats of Minwax semi-gloss. Next, I sanded using 400 grit. After sanding, I wiped on a very thin 3rd coat of poly using a clean rag.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kabarie

Mon, 11/04/2013 - 14:00

The finish you chose just sold this table to me. Love it love it! Great job!

beccalc1981

Fri, 09/05/2014 - 05:55

So very very new to all this wood working but very excited to get started! I LOVE the finished look of this table. I had never heard of steel wool and vinegar, but just googled and can't to try it! Thanks!

charchav

Wed, 11/25/2015 - 07:14

I Love this Table . You should just come to our house and make it for us.LOL

I was just wondering what type of wood did you use? We live in the south east and cant find any Douglas Fir wood. what other wood would you suggest?

thanks Char

Misha1dibbs

Tue, 08/09/2016 - 07:12

The table looks fantastic. I know you built this two years ago. How has the top of the table held up? I am currently working on this table, and I am debating weather or not to use the kreg pocket screws or to use 7/16ths dowels for the body and mortise and tenon joints for the breadboards. However, that is more work than the kreg screws. If the kregs hold up well, than I would rather do that. Anyway, the table looks fantastic.

King storage bed

This bed was built using poplar, and pine wood. I used poplar for most of the stained pieces that are visible, and the stain is varathanes Early American. This is the fourth bed I’ve built with Ana’s Farmhouse Storage Bed plans, because it breaks down to four pieces, headboard, footboard and two side boxes, along with the drawers. This makes it easy to assemble on site.

Estimated Cost
$550
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane, Early American stain
Varathane satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Bengals97

Tue, 07/28/2020 - 14:33

I really like how you built this...I noticed you used the queen plans but made a king. Would you be able to share the changes you made to make this a king. I am still relatively new in my woodworking passion compared to your 25 years of experience. Thanks for sharing your end result...I would be open to pay for the updated plans if need be as I know your time and experience is valuable.

DIY Red Storage Sofa

Submitted by TracAttack on Mon, 11/07/2011 - 23:11

Thanks Ana White for the blue print to an awesome storage sofa. I used the similar dimensions except mine is a bit shorter in width (60 inches wide). Now I just need to find awesome pillows to go with it.

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

Comments

Erika (not verified)

Sat, 12/24/2011 - 18:57

How much did it cost you to build this?

Cynthia l. (not verified)

Sat, 12/08/2012 - 05:41

How has the sofa held up? I want to make one, and also would like to know how much it cost to make.

Mothersday Planter

Thanks for these plans! I was able to complete this planter in one afternoon.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sliding Door console with Cedar pickets

Submitted by KathrynK13 on Tue, 01/12/2016 - 18:46

My first big build and I love it! I followed the plans in concept but changed the materials. My frame is still 2x3, but all the trim and siding is cedar fence pickets. I love these! They need a lot of finish work (sanding for days!), but the look is so rustic and real.

I also came up with a great way to get the sliding door look for only $9 in materials. The other tutorials I found online would have been $60+ and I just didn't want to spend that much. Make sure to check out my tutorial for the sliding door hardware.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Under $100 with some scraps that will be used on the second matching piece
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
DIY distressed finish. Stained cedar pickets with Early American then did a quick painting with basic white I had on hand. Lightly sanded to reveal a bit of wood grain and distress.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

My Modern Farmhouse Table

Submitted by samsam06 on Wed, 11/30/2011 - 16:20

Started on Saturday Afternoon around 5pm and finished building on Sunday, sanding on Monday, stain and poly on Tuesday and we ate Thanksgiving Dinner on it on Thursday. All that is left is the wood putty! Not perfect but VERY happy with it :)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Providence Stain & Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Oak Coffee Table

Submitted by Smokeydog on Sat, 01/23/2016 - 13:09

I made this table entirely from oak.  It was somewhat more expensive than other projects I've done but my wife wanted a new coffee table so I thought why not go for it.  I found hard wood to be much easier to work with than other wood.  I like how it turned out.  I used "Mom's  Train Table" plan but added two 22 inch deep draws.  A little extra storage is always a good thing!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
300.00 dollars Boy, solid oak does not grow on trees!
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax wood conditioner, Minwax cherry satin Stai , Minwax polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate