Community Brag Posts

Braden Entry Lockers and Benchs

This project was for a garage entry and is perfect for what was needed. As described in the plans, it took about 9 hours. We chose to use Home Depot instead of Lowe's for materials. Some cuts were not done correctly and some missing. Went back once to complete. Rented a Nailer which was huge! Well worth it. The plans did not include how to attach the lockers to the benches, so we used 'L' brackets. May have missed those directions somewhere? We had orignally planned to make 3 benches and 4 lockers. Decided to use an existing bench in place of the middle Braden bench and worked just fine. Would not use pine again, but only plywood. Many pieces were warped and difficult to get lockers square, and we picked out the lumber! We chose not to add the drawers to the benches, but will add canvas bins for shoes.

Estimated Cost
$500
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-gloss White Bear Premium Primer/Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Armoire with Mirror

Submitted by DCecil43 on Mon, 07/08/2019 - 20:12

I didn't find plans that I liked on this site but I took what we had and modified it to be taller and wider.  Drawers are also a lot deeper.  This was a really tough one for me as there was so much going on but in the end, this came out absolutely amazing!

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax True Black Stain and Minwax Satin Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Standing Outdoor Planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/14/2023 - 06:42

A friend of mine has issues with her knees but loves gardening so I built this to allow her to continue gardening. She loved it.

I didnt follow any particular set of plans I watched several you tube videos and combined different ideas from the videos to develop my own plan.

Comments

Craft table

I used the plans for the cfaft table top and shelf but changed a few things. On the left side table i made a shelf/cubby hole for wrapping paper and some small shelves I think it came out good!

Estimated Cost
85
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
java bean semi gloss on top sides sherwin williams mocha
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Dog Day Bed

I used the farmhouse doll bed as inspiration, and ran with it. Mostly I made it up as I went along- but it's sturdy, and cute. I still need to finalize the cushion, but I'm happy with it overall.

Estimated Cost
20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
walnut gel stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Sand and water table

I love this table!  On cool winter mornings we fill it with warm water.  The built in umbrella stand will be essential once the Texas sun comes out.  

Hopefully it buys me some free time to finish some projects!  laugh 

I already have lots of requests to build more of these for friends and family.  I have some edits in mind to make it a little faster and easier next time.

Many thanks to Ana and all the contributers for all the inspiration and tips!

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

Love the console

Submitted by Sissy0820 on Wed, 07/17/2019 - 17:56

I love how this console turned out I made a few changes > Made it taller at top to fit the larger hardware and changed the top.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
painted base white , burned top then clear coated it.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Custom Storage Bench

Storage bench using Shelf Help by Judith Noffz

"What can I say … we love Ana White’s Shelf Help Now.
We both love the quality of the wood. You just can’t find that around here. I love that I can create what’s in my mind with a drawing and rob can take her template and build!!!"

kids table & chairs

Clara table with one piece top and chairs modified with 2x2 legs and one piece seat.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Table:
1. One coat primer
2. Two coats Behr swiss coffee
3. Distressed and sealed Minwax clear satin poly
Chairs:
1. One coat primer
2. Two coats Benjamin Moore summer shower
3. Distressed and sealed Minwax clear satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First Project

My 11 year old is a girlie girl and has been asking my wife and I for the American Girl Star Armoire cabinet for 2 years. I found a similar plan here on Ana-White's Plan page. I decide to use a little nice quality wood (Aspen) instead of just a clear pine wood. It turned out nicer than even I could have expected.

My daughter got this for her 11 Bday this past Sunday and has already filled the cabinet with all her special AG Dresses. I added my own twist by putting a 1/4" Chalkboard back on it so she can use it to play school with her AG Dolls.

I have a couple people interested in making one for them for Christmas. :)

My next project will be one of the bunk-beds featured on Ana's website.

Estimated Cost
$72.00 (Material & Hardware ONLY)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
My friend has a "cup gun" sprayer and the cabinet has 3 coats of white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

bhammond

Fri, 11/15/2013 - 17:19

Beautiful cabinet, and what a treasure for your daughter! How did you make the star so flawlessly?

Nice work!

4x4 truss beam table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/31/2016 - 13:30

My wife's cousin builtthis table using your plans and we loved it. I wanted a lager table, so I made a few modification. The table top is 5 8 ft 2x10's. I love the finished product. More importantly, my wife loves it! Thanks for the plans!

Estimated Cost
Approximately $200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax classic grey and 2 coats of minwax semi gloss polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Doll Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by kne16415 on Thu, 12/29/2011 - 12:53

Farmhouse doll bed with adorable bedding made

Estimated Cost
10.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Retirement Gift Man Crate

Submitted by JoanneS on Sun, 11/17/2013 - 09:34

This man crate is a gift for a co worker who is retiring. We'll put all his keepsake gifts in here and he'll have to open it with a crowbar. :) The dimensions on this were adjusted to the size of 17" long, 12" wide, and 10 3/4" high (about the size of a case of copier paper). It is made with 1/2" birch plywood and poplar craft boards. I chose to use the hardwood plywood since I found out folks would be signing it, and it's much easier to write on this with a ballpoint pen than on regular plywood. Plus, less sanding for me to do ! ;)

To keep it from being so heavy when it's filled, I substituted 1/4" plywood for the top and bottom, and left the trim off of the ends. I arranged the pieces so the trim on the front & back covered the cut ends of the 1/2" plywood.

The lettering was traced on (it's "Stencil" font, in 105 pt size, printed from Powerpoint) using a ballpoint pen to dent the surface, then a black Sharpie pen to outline. Hubby thought it looked nice just with the letters in outline, and that's shown in the picture.

Also on this one, I made a little gift tag with some clip-art, and mod-podge'd it to the bottom.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35 for hardwood plywood and poplar trim boards
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished - left it this way to make it easier for folks to sign the crate.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

JoanneS

Tue, 11/19/2013 - 16:03

The man crate was a big hit at the retirement party! I think we're starting a tradition ;) We had his wife stash the crowbar, and when it was time for him to open it, we asked, "does anyone have a crowbar?" - and then his wife said, "Here you go!" and pulls one out of her shoulder bag! It was a hoot! :)

Classroom Central

As a teacher, I rarely sit at my desk. I usually end up just piling stuff on it! I have a podium I use for my laptop and resources as I teach. This unit replaces the secondhand bookcases I’d had as well as the storage for items like post-its, highlighters, pencils, etc. that were in my desk drawers. I have so much more space without the bulky teacher desk! Note: the doors are not on the original plan. I bought special project pine that was 16” wide, and cut them to 14 3/16” width.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I stained it with brewed tea, then finished it with Spar Urethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

A successful build!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/30/2023 - 14:52

I decided to make beds for my kids after looking at ones to purchase that all had bad reviews about the sturdiness.
Thank you for providing such comprehensive plans here. I have never built anything from scratch before, and this project was a lot of fun. I'll be starting a second one this week.

Comments

Marlee's Kitchen "Just Like Grammie's"

Submitted by Laura Fama on Mon, 01/02/2012 - 06:05

I started this project months ago... hoping to give this to Marlee for her 3rd birthday... that was September. Here it is... 99.99% complete... 3.5 months past the deadline... Just in time for Christmas. I used the plans for Grace's Kitchen pieces with some modifications. I extended the cabinet for the sink... gave her a farmer's sink... and extra counter space. What kitchen doesn't need additional counter space??? I left it open storage for now... I wanted to add doors... but ran out of time... ha ha... The oven I added the drop down door below the oven compartment for additional storage. I painted the burners on her cooktop.. just like Grammie's... I couldn't find the handles I wanted in black... I had to buy the stainless ones and prime and spray them black... that was pricey ... The fridge has 5+ coats of magnetic primer under the stainless steel paint. I got a pic of an icemaker/water dispenser from the web and Mod Podged it to the freezer door. I had just as much fun shopping for her supplies as I did making the kitchen. Most of the food products are from Melissa & Doug... and mostly all made of wood!! Too bad she's only here a couple nights a month.... maybe I might have to have my own friends over to play when she's not here!!! Thank you Ana... once again I owe it all to you!!!!

Estimated Cost
$150-$200
Finish Used
Rustoleum Magnetic Primer
Rustoleum Stainless Steel Paint
Sherwin Williams Caviar paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

laurakc181

Mon, 01/02/2012 - 08:31

This is probably the best one I have seen! Honestly - the fridge is fantastic and that sink is insanely awesome! I am jealous now lol....I am sure she loves it and who says YOU aren't allowed to play with it while she is not there ;)

Laura Fama

Mon, 01/02/2012 - 19:12

Thank you. That's very nice of you to say, there are many beautiful sets on here. Yours is very nice too. I love the grill on your stove. That's a great addition.

Jaque (not verified)

Wed, 01/04/2012 - 21:06

THAT IS AMAZING I LOVE IT!! I may take some ideas for myself I have 2 little girls and I think the extra space would be perfect for them so they dont fight over a little space. I JUST LOVE THIS!!!

Laura Fama

Thu, 01/05/2012 - 18:31

I think the extra space is going to work out well. My granddaughter is already using it and if she didn't have it, I suspect she'd make my play sandwich on the floor!! I would like to make another piece, for additional storage and maybe a microwave, but I'm running out of space in her room!!!

Guest (not verified)

Mon, 02/06/2012 - 19:08

Could you please tell me the dimensions of your sink & counter? Thanks,

Lotus (not verified)

Sun, 08/19/2012 - 10:30

Where did you find that cute sink? Id love to make this for my daughter, you did a great job.

Laura Fama

Sun, 08/19/2012 - 18:35

Thank you, I built the sink. Just made a box and painted it with stainless steel paint. I really winged it with the sink. The counter top is two boards that were scrap from the fridge joined with pocket holes. I splurged and bought the faucet.

DSalvagni

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 09:22

I love your kitchen set at first i thought it was the real deal. the stainless on black looks amazing what paint did you use to get the stainless color? also what did you use for the stove knobs they look real Great job.

Laura Fama

Thu, 01/08/2015 - 07:20

Sorry this reply is so late...I used Rustoleum stainless steel paint. It's awesome. The knobs are real. They're replacement knobs for a range, sold at Lowe's. I was able to work with them and they actually turn.

Lily's Library Cart

First project of yours that I built. Came out so much better than I expected.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Valspar White Paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Triple Pedestal Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/05/2016 - 18:33

Brazilian walnut flooring top from lumber store and pine everywhere else. 

Estimated Cost
About double because of the Brazilian walnut top. $300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Triple thick clear varnish 3 coats lightly sanded in between coats.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate