Community Brag Posts

Outdoor 2x4 Sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/28/2022 - 06:43

This sectional was made by my daughter @bluebellesdesign for my husband and me about 6 years ago. She used the 2x4s from a torn down fence. As you can see, it has aged well and the cushions are needing some love but it has been a tremendous addition to our outdoor living.

Comments

My modified simple, cheap, and easy console

Submitted by cbrowan on Sun, 08/21/2011 - 11:35

I wanted a simple table to highlight this retro sewing machine I inherited from my grandma. I had to modify a few of the dimensions of this table and add a different trim up top, but I really like the results!

Estimated Cost
FREE (used leftover boards/paint from a different project)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of Minwax Dark Walnut stain
1 distressed coat of Valspar Sea Breeze, semi-gloss
1 coat of Minwax Polyurethane finish, satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Corner Cupboard

Submitted by REASMOM on Thu, 09/12/2013 - 11:54

I've been looking for a corner unit for my kitchen for a couple of years, but couldn't find anything that I liked that fit my budget. This corner cupboard was exactly what I've been looking for. My husband and I built this together and I've definately discovered a new hobby!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Stain in Early American and 3 coats of Minwax Water Based Oil-Modified Polyurethane (Satin).
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

REASMOM

Tue, 09/17/2013 - 06:40

Thank you for choosing my corner cupboard as your featured brag post! I was so excited to see it on your facebook page last night :) I enjoy this website so much and can't thank you enough for sharing all these free and easy to follow plans! I love that reader's can share their builds and give tips and advice! Thank you for inspiring me to be creative!

Beauty Storage Cabinet with Sliding Mirror Door

Submitted by charms on Wed, 11/18/2015 - 08:39

I built the beauty storage cabinet with sliding mirror door from Ana White's website.

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Husband made this table for us ( part of my Christmas gift)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/05/2019 - 18:40

We just got the table up into the kitchen area today! (1/5/19) So glad he finished this! Next will be a bench or maybe two. Thank you Ana for the plans to make this! It came out very nice and everyone who I’ve sent the pics to have given my husband praise! (I also included the photos and the link to this site in my blog! Whoo! Positive vibes!)

The project took him a little bit since he works FT

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
77.01
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Off white paint with primer for legs, stain and sealant (unsure of the shade used)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Full farmhouse storage bed

Submitted by Lukilla on Fri, 10/07/2022 - 19:22

We built our little guy a twin bed when he was 1. 4 years later, he's outgrown it, and Ana White to the rescue! Not only were we able to upgrade the size to a full mattress, but the storage cubbies are a huge plus as well. Very easy to follow plans, took us about 3 days to knock it out.

Minwax Jacobean finish.

Comments

My Apothecary Cabinet

Submitted by Sarah A. on Mon, 08/22/2011 - 17:41

I have always loved apothecary consoles! Then my grandmother gave me her huge collection of pottery, which I have admired since I was a kid. I had nowhere to put it, so it was a perfect excuse to build this.

I used MDF for the cabinet and pine for the top. I did a thick top, I stacked two 1x6s on top of each other, giving me 1.5" thick top. I also distressed in and filled in with Ebony Wood filler. I absolutely love how it turned out. I hadn't used pine before, I always use poplar. This project made me love pine!

I modified the plan slightly...I made 4 doors instead of drawers. I also made the top cubbies 2" taller, just to add extra height. I still need baskets for the cubbies, though!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$180
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
For the top, I used Minwax stain in Provincial. I then distressed it with a screwdriver and filled in the scratches with ebony wood filler. I did two coats of wipe on poly on top, sanding between coats. For the base, I used Vaslpar kitchen and bath paint, can't remember exact color.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kristi Hays

Fri, 08/26/2011 - 08:29

You did an amazing job! This piece has been on my to-do list for awhile now. I think that's the beauty of Ana's site, seeing the wonderful finished projects of other amateur builders gives us all the confidence to tackle things we'd never otherwise dare. I hope when I finally get around to building this, it will turn out as lovely as yours has, thanks for sharing.

Sarah Crawford (not verified)

Mon, 08/29/2011 - 12:12

This looks really great! This is next on my to-do list to make as a tv stand... it'll be my biggest project yet & I'm nervous, but this looks wonderful & makes me think it'll be worth it :)

My creation

I've built 6 of these so far. They are fun to build. The # 1 request is for one that is bigger so I'm working on that next. A couple of things I changed iS the dowel rod from 1/2" to 7/8" and the body I thought wasn't rigid enough being cut from 1"x 10"x 10' and there wasn't sufficient room for screws and glue so I'm now using 2"x10"x10" it's working a lot better and is a lot more sturdy and easier to assemble. Another thing I have done is once assembled the the plans is I transcribed them to rigid cardboard so can use them over and over cuts the time down considerably. I'll post more pictures soon. I have named mine Lil' Moto

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$12
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I don't have a set plan for painting or a specialized finish. I just use what I have on hand or goto my local habitat for humanity repurpose store and pick up paint and stain for next to nothing. Also if you want a specialized color just go to Lowe's or Home Depot and pick out the cold you are looking for and just get sample jar for a couple of bucks it's enough to paint the whole ( at least it has been for me)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Snowflake

Submitted by Kyjo5 on Sat, 11/21/2015 - 21:13

Followed the plans for the Easy monogram snowflake, painted it with pewter gray, and added a set of battery powered led lights to the back.  Thanks for the plans Ana fun build and now everyone wants one. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Oil based paint. Pewter gray
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Garage DIY storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/09/2019 - 12:03

Very easy instructions!  I made mine 8 feet wide 6.5 feet tall and 2 feet deep. Thanks!

Estimated Cost
80$ including kreg jig
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Small Cedar Woodshed

Spaced out the boards to allow airflow; did a sliding barn door and metal roof. Thanks for the plans!

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Shoe crates

Submitted by stcarroll on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 10:08

We desperately needed something next to the door to put shoes in. I didn't quite yet have the courage to attempt the shoe dresser (http://ana-white.com/2011/01/shoe-dresser) and there are lots of scraps in our shop from my husbands projects. I tried these crates out and they were super easy and super fast to throw together during nap time. I primed and painted because I used plywood instead of 1x12.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
FREE!!!!!
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
primed and painted with left over paint we had from misc. projects.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

clucaswvu04 (not verified)

Fri, 09/09/2011 - 08:54

I loved the vintage crate plans but hadn't thought of a good use. We have a shoe problem in our house too. With 3 kids, they all get mixed up and it drives me crazy! We've tried an over the door shoe organizer; but that hasn't been especially helpful because the 2 youngest would need a stool to reach anything about the bottom 2 rows. I think I just found my weekend project - one for them each in a different color should do the trick. Thanks for sharing

5 Board Bench

Submitted by truckrun on Tue, 09/17/2013 - 20:50

I was looking for a plan for a 5 board bench so naturally I came to your site. I made your basic design but made it a little bit smaller in all dimensions and I put a half inch split down the middle of the top. I built it out of pine and painted it flat black. I gave the legs and underneath 3 coats of satin polyurethane and the top and sides received 5.

You can follow the build on my blog at :
http://funwithwoodworkingtoo.blogspot.com/2013/09/project-how-to-build-…

You can also watch a video of the build on my YouTube page at:
http://youtu.be/1_hz2n7v9ss

Thanks for the free plans!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
MINWAX water based satin polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Apothecary Media Console

Submitted by Laura Kemp on Mon, 11/23/2015 - 15:52

This project was made from Ana White's apothecary media console plan. The finish is Minwax Special Walnut on the drawers and top. On the sides is a finish technique I found on thehouseofsmiths.com - Faux Barn Wood Painting Tutorial.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used an Olympic Brand Weathered Barnwood stain first. Then I used a shade of light grey, dark grey, and black paints (all Valspar brand) that I bought at Lowe's. I used one color at a time - and used a dry brush technique to put each color on. Then I did a quick sanding and after I wiped it down, another coat of the weathered barnwood Olympic stain. One more sanding and it was done!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Bookcase

Submitted by SoCalMom on Sun, 01/13/2019 - 16:54

To be honest, not my favorite build but my daughter loves it.  Just one of those projects plagued with problems 

Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Vintage aqua stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Small Gable Roof Greenhouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 10/30/2022 - 08:45

Ana's plans are so easy to work with. This greenhouse was build with all recycled materials from our home build, except for the corrugated plastic (total cost approx. CAN $1,000). I did have to make it a little bit smaller as the area that was leveled was a bit smaller than planned. I'm planning to add raised beds inside, add a solar panel so that I can have light in the evening and a fan during the day. I'm planning to attach some gutters and a rain barrel.
This is my second project, based on Ana's plans (first one: https://www.ana-white.com/community-projects/indoor-firwood-console). Next, I'm planning to make the fancy X farmhouse table and bench with storage. Stay tuned.

Built from Plan(s)

Rustic Bench

Submitted by mom of 4 on Thu, 09/19/2013 - 21:53

I wanted a simple bench for my yard during the summer. This was a fun, simple build with a little bit of extra style. I used a fence picket for the seat and added a center support underneath, since it was a bit bendy. Sanded the top really well before finishing. Built with Kreg jig.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
The finish takes way more time than the building. Sanded first with 60, then 150 grit paper. One coat water-based primer, two coats white Behr enamel, two coats clear spray-on lacquer.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Clara table and chairs with chalkboard and cubbie

I made a few changes to the chairs and the table plans.  Most notable, I added a storage box for chalk for the chalkboard table top.  The build was incredibly easy.  You could assemble the table and chairs in just a few hours.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum Chalkboard paint. Two coats and some touch up.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/17/2019 - 06:37

Had a great time making this table! Can’t wait to make some benches to go with it!

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

Comments

Mudroom Hutch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/18/2022 - 09:51

I have been dreaming of this project for YEARS! I used shelfhelp to design the shelf size and the open bottom mudroom plans with matching hutch and the plan with lift up boot storage for inspiration. I still need to add trim but I'm so excited I couldn't wait to say THANK YOU for all the inspiration and help! We absolutely LOVE it!!

Comments

Reclaimed Wood Look Bedside Table - Modified

Submitted by lishamarie on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 18:42

I built the reclaimed wood headboard for our master bedroom, and then found some awesome reclaimed-look stools at Pottery Barn on sale. About a month after that, Ana came out with her reclaimed wood bedside table plans. I was slightly bummed that I already had these cool stools, but then I realized that I had a whole guest room that I could build for! My guest room has a beach theme so I painted my tables white. The room is also kind of small, so I decided that I would put in one drawer and put in a shelf on the bottom. That way it wouldn't look so huge in the room. I love it! And I found these cool bronze starfish knobs at Lowe's. I got a little overzealous at times and I have pocket hole screws in places that are visible, but not that visible. It could be better. All in all, I'm very happy with the way it turned out.

Estimated Cost
$60 (for two)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar Flat White Spray Paint and Valspar Clear Flat topcoat. I sanded all the edges with 150 grit sandpaper before applying the topcoat. After the topcoat dried, I lightly sanded it again with 220 grit sandpaper to smooth out all the bumps.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

leejae76

Sat, 10/15/2011 - 18:14

Curious about how the bottom shelf is supported - how did you attach it to the solid side panels? Looks great! :)