Community Brag Posts

Farmhouse Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/07/2021 - 03:47

I used the plans from the site and it came out perfectly! Didn’t even make a wrong cut-pretty good for a super beginner.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Loft Bed

Submitted by Jenny Anne on Tue, 03/15/2011 - 08:43

I made this loft bed for my 4-year-old son.  It is plenty strong.  It can easily hold him and his daddy for bedtime stories.  I followed the plans to the letter.  I found this a challenging but attainable second project and only needed help with final assembly.  I'll start working on some bookshelves for under it but need to figure out how to work around the supports I already added (that are omitted in the bookshelf plans).  

Now I have to finish the poor kid's quilt so he can stop using my pink one.
Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
primed and painted with satin finish. I still need to cover the final assembly screws and touch up some junctions. One note if you paint this, DON'T paint the sections of the long boards that you'll have to slide in on final assembly. We had to sand that paint off to get them to squeeze in.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Outdoor Table

Submitted by ShannonMN on Sun, 06/02/2013 - 11:06

I took the Simple Outdoor Table along with a table I had seen at Pottery Barn and kind of put this together. It made of cedar and stained with a natural to keep the pretty color.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr stain and protect in natural color.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

bullitt453

Sun, 06/02/2013 - 19:28

Very nice! If you don't mind me asking, about how much money do you have invested in the table? I have been considering building something very similar, though smaller.

ShannonMN

Mon, 06/03/2013 - 13:25

Thanks! I did have extra wood left over but if I had to guess it was around $100 - $130 and that's for all cedar.

storchinsky

Mon, 06/03/2013 - 16:58

I really love the way you did this table! I've been considering a bunch of different plans and haven't been entirely satisfied with any of them. What are the dimensions of your table? And do you have measurements, or did you just figure it out as you went?

In reply to by storchinsky

ShannonMN

Wed, 06/05/2013 - 08:33

I started out with the size of 8 ft by 40 inches. It isn't exact but it's real close. After I had the initial measurements I just kind of pieced it together. I got ideas from looking at different tables on here and followed the pattern of the one I liked at Pottery Barn.

Used 2X2s to support the wings.

I essentially stuck to the main plan - except to support the wings I used 2X2 boards and standard hinges.

I was worried that there may not be enough space for my Ryobi 10" sliding miter saw because of the slide however, it fits nicely and there is plenty of space.

Thank you for the wonderful plan. This was my first project of this size and I am very happy with the results!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
More than I expected. $39 for the plywood (sanded), $16 for the 4 hinges, $17 for the 4 caster wheels. The boards I already had.
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

jennibee

Fri, 05/01/2015 - 08:10

This is great. I am currently getting my Dad's help to turn an old kitchen cabinet into a miter saw cabinet with wings like this. (it was a 1940's solid wood kitchen cabinet we took out of the house when we remodeled). I really like your 2x2 support struts. Have you considered putting a shelf in the middle of your box? It would add extra support and also more room to store stuff.

richsessums

Sat, 05/02/2015 - 09:09

Good idea. I did consider adding a shelf however I have now decided to use the lower area to store my small router table. I discovered that it would fit in the spot however it leaves not enough room for a shelf.

Farmhouse Coffee Table and end tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/08/2021 - 06:58

My dad and I built these amazing coffee and end tables during a Christmas last year. We modified the ends to for a “M” instead of the traditional farmhouse “X”. Our last name is Mayberry-so the M was fitting. Sadly, my father lost his battle to cancer and this was the last project we did-one that will forever hold precious memories! Thank you for the fabulous plans!

Comments

Coffee Table

My wife said she did not want anything for her birthday, so instead of buying her
something after she said that, I decided to try and make something.  We did not have a coffee table in our living room - when we hosted Christmas, we had a piece of plywood over boxes, covered with a table cloth.  So I decided to try and make a coffee table for her.

Made some mistakes sanding the top, so then had to spend a lot more time sanding out the gouges.I did not use a plan per se, but when I started looking here, it was remarkable similar to Clara's Table, with differeing dimensions.  The cost was a little higher due to the oak boards for the table top.  Those alone were $50.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I was tring to match the piece in the background as much as possible. For stain, the base was Minwax red oak and the top was Minwax gunstock. Sealed with 6 coats of Minwax wipe on poly - 4 clear, and 2 satin.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Red Cedar "Simple Outdoor Dining Table"

This table follows the plan pretty closely except that I wanted to use Red Cedar because of its beauty and durability. We can only get Red Cedar at one National Chain here and it only came in 6" widths, which meant a few recalculations. We also used deck strips (as recommended at the store) to attach the top from underneath (shown in photo) and adjusted the screw length to accommodate. We were able to keep waste to a minimum (seen in photo with triangle) by making sure to cut varying lengths from the boards (ie. one board gave us the length and width of the table). This was made easier by the available lengths of board from the store (8', 10', 12'). Another recommendation from the store was to use coated screws with cedar to prevent black streaks over time.
I love my new table!

Estimated Cost
$190
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

egookaasan

Wed, 11/11/2015 - 11:08

I was wondering about the size of this table.  If I need to make three different sized tables, 36x36  24x24  and 24x30 would this pattern be easy to adjust?

Thanks,

Sarah

Pallet Bench

Submitted by eralben on Mon, 05/04/2015 - 06:30

A friend gave me a pallet that I wanted to make into an outdoor bench.  I found Ana’s plans for a simple outdoor loveseat and they inspired the frame for the bench.  To make the bench I cut the pallet in half and then I adjusted Ana’s plans to make the frame to fit around the pallet. 

The pallet was free and I used scrap wood to build the frame so my only cost for this project was paint.  

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern outdoor patio chairs

Submitted by BubsGarage on Sun, 09/17/2017 - 17:32

Added a little extra back rest. Made a double chair in the process of making a 3 cushion couch.

 

Estimated Cost
$95 for the chair with the cushion
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck stain and sealer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

TerDickison2

Mon, 06/10/2019 - 18:43

I really like the backrest. I built the chair as is from the plans but found it really needs the backrest. Can I ask how you attached the backrest screw-wise and what the angle is? It looks like the backrest might have been screwed on from underneath the armrests before the armrests were screwed to the body of the chair. Am I thinking in the right direction? Thanks in advance!

Bunk beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/11/2021 - 08:03

Double bed at bottom, twin at top, still have to make the ladder

Comments

My very first build and I love it

Submitted by kimewest on Tue, 06/04/2013 - 20:47

This is my first try at building! Well, I have built above ground gardens but never furniture. Seeing what everyone has done on this site encouraged me to give it a try too. I'm so glad I did and it turned out exactly as I wanted. Now, I have several other projects that I'm excited to start. This could get addicting.

I needed a side table for my office and wanted it to match the decor. I have all black picture frames and accessories and needed the wood to look very similar to what was on the couch. I had planned on painting the bottom shelf but really liked it plain so decided to stain it as well.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $60 but would have been less if I'd done this before
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
High gloss black paint and Minwax Rosewood stain. I finished with a glossy polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Treehouse Adventure Bed (Alternate Beach Hut Bed)

I was looking for something to build for a fundraiser this year and found the Beach Hut Bed plans. I liked the idea of a little house inside a kids room but I wanted to do something a little more rustic. here's what I came up with!!!

The shopping list and cut list is pretty much the same. However, I only used one 1x3 and needed to buy 4 extra 1x4s. I lowered the bed deck about a foot and left half of the walls open for easy parent access. I sorta just winged it as I went. Turened out pretty neat!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Roof: Valspar Exterior latex paint+primer. Main structure: burned with torch, wipe on poly, high gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modern Farmhouse Queen Bed

Submitted by emcgill05 on Sun, 10/17/2021 - 18:12

This was done almost true to plans. Instead of 2x6s, I used 2x8s, I raised the footboard and side rails up 2 inches, and bought bed rail brackets to make for easy disassembly when it needs to be moved. I did add a 1x2 strip on each side of head board to cover where the T&G meets the 4x4 (strictly personal preference). Solid and sturdy. My son is happy to get a more masculine bed. Just got it all in his room today.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Factory Cart: How Low can you go?

Submitted by chjaway2 on Wed, 03/23/2011 - 08:15

The Factory cart was really easy to put together.

I used a pocket-hole jig to eliminate any screw heads on the exterior.
The wood I had was already distressed somewhat, but I figured that would add to the 'old' look when ultimately completed.
The most difficult part of this project was finding casters that I liked and that I could afford (those suckers are expensive!)  I'm still not 100% sold on the ones I purchased, but will keep my eyes open when out & about for replacements!
The plans posted on Ana-White.com could NOT have been easier to follow.
However, I should like to stress that this coffee table is EXTREMELY low to the ground.  One of the first lines on the plan page reads:  "This coffee table sits lower than traditional coffee tables." = understatement of the year!  (my fault, I should have compared the posted dimensions with an existing coffee table to get an idea before hand) 

The plans will make a awesome factory cart height factory cart, but a nearly-uncomfortable height coffee table (As is).  In the attached photo, you'll note a foot-rest in the upper left corner as compared to the finished factory cart.
 --again, the build was super easy & a LOT of fun because I intended the finish to look worn, I didn't have worry about scratching up the wood during the build.  In fact, the kids are looking forward to helping me distress it later!  I'll just have to increase the height of the sides to make it usable as a coffee table in our home.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
(Will) Paint, distress & stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Wide Cabin Dresser

Submitted by mebohn on Fri, 06/07/2013 - 05:46

I This project is definitely the most difficult I've ever built. I've done lot of drawer slides before, but for some reason this one was the hardest. I think the culprit was squaring, which was mysterious to me bc I'm careful to take a square constantly. Could've been bowed boards, too. But, after some patience and forcing the boards to do what the should, it worked. I did rip down 2x4's for strength b/c our stores do not carry the upgraded 2x2's and furring strips would just not have been strong enough for a dresser. My son is very happy to finally have a place for his clothes. Thanks Ana for these plans!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Steel Wool and vinegar, Rustoleum ultimate poly in matte
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 06/07/2013 - 08:26

Your efforts were worth it. This came out beautiful. Looks professional.

Benchright Coffee Table

This was one of my first projects. I made it for my daughter who was moving to a new apartment and wanted to replace her college coffee table. It was fairly easy other than keeping everything square so the drawers worked correctly. I finished it with Rust-Oleum Ebony stain and Minwax Satin Poly (3 coats). All the hardware and lumber came from the Orange big box store

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust Oleum Ebony Stain
Minwax Satin Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Storage bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 10/22/2021 - 16:28

I built this for my daughter, she has a somewhat small room and this have her so much storage. It was so fun to make it too. We’ve never been able to afford nice furniture and I’d never made anything from wood before but with Ana White’s plans I was able to do it. I love wood working!! Thank you Ana!

Comments