Community Brag Posts
Farmhouse King Bed- Beetle Kill Pine
This was our first build and it was quite a big project to take on to start with. We had so much fun and learned so much along the way.
Our biggest lessons were to hand pick our wood and make sure we get the straightest pieces possible. We had to wrestle some wood to make this bed work! Clamp everything especially when using large bolts as the pieces would pull apart from each other. We even used a ratchet strap at one point becuase our small clamps weren't cutting it. I'm sure there's a better way and we'd love to hear about it but we made what we had work. We also had to figure out how to attach the side rails and at what height. We ended up using 3 4-inch screws on each end to screw them into the posts.
We love this bed not only because it was a labor of love but because its such a solid beautiful piece.
Comments
Sun, 03/01/2020 - 11:29
What about the red tendencies of 4*4 lumber?
Very nice! I love the lighter wood too, but my wife likes the darker stain, so we compromised in the middle for the finish. Why arethe post always so red? I can appreciate the natural tendency of nature to add color, but the 4*4's are always red-er in color. Do they always use a different pine or certain part of the tree for those?
Mon, 01/18/2021 - 11:27
I believe the posts are…
I believe the posts are actually Douglas fir and not pine judging by the look and color of the grains.
Modern Adirondack Chairs
This was a fun project and the plans were perfect.
Rustic Nightstand
I really liked the plans and did not change from them too much. The top is pine 2 X 4's and color is bluish grey minwax stain aged barrel.
Perry
Double Desk
This was our first project! We built it exactly like the plans. We finished it with a clear satin poly and we are thrilled with the results. Next we plan to paint the room.
Husky Farmhouse Dining Table
I love building my own wood furniture so that I can have beautiful pieces of furniture in my home while saving money! And while this project definitely cost more than the others I have done, I am so glad I splurged on the table legs. They ran me about $260 after tax and shipping costs, but I really think they give the table that extra OOMF! So a total of about $300 is nothing compared to a price tag at Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware!
I chose this stain because I really wanted something to contrast with our dark leather couch and white dining chairs and this stain was even more perfect than what I expected it to be.
Pallet outdoor sectional!
I made the sectional from pallet wood
Needed extra wood for legs to be stable. I made these under the house, and unfortunately had to take apart to get out! luckily i used screws.
I made to measure after getting the outdoor cushions first.
Taught me heaps
Modern Oversized Outdoor Chair
I made one of these chairs the the back hit me to low and was uncomfortable so this one I the legs 5 1/2” longer. This is my second project and took half a day but I am very happy with the outcome and started a second chair to match.
DIY Wood Chair
Still needs a finish but I couldnt wait to share.
Danny
Saw Horse Work Bench
This was my first project off of Ana's site. I followed her simple sawhorse table plans verbatim. The only thing different I did was use a self-made chalkboard paint for the top (instructions under the finish section) and added screws to the left side to mount my power strip with (easy on and off for everything on the bench). I made the top a chalkboard top so that I could write notes on the table and mark measurements for various projects. Costs were $30 for wood (some leftover), $8 for paint, $2 for screws, and $5 for surge protected power strip. If you have any other questions please let me know.
King Farmhouse Bed
Second project ive completed from Ana White, and I am very happy with how this bed turned out! The only thing I would fix would be the finish, I wanted it a bit whiter. not so creamy. Otherwise very quick and easy fun project to do. =)
Then I sanded down just so raised grains would become exposed.
1 coat of dark walnut stain (wipe on with cloth)
Done.
Comments
Thu, 05/22/2014 - 16:34
Thank You Ana.
Thank you for sharing all of these awesome projects. I was always hesitant when it came to wood, but now I cant seem to stop!
Tue, 06/10/2014 - 08:13
More about your finish
How exactly did you achieve this finish? sand first, paint second, sand again and then stain?
In reply to More about your finish by JGoates
Wed, 06/11/2014 - 13:43
How I got the finish!
(You can do all this before or after your project is put together or not.)
Be sure to do a test piece before hand so you can see exactly what your getting :)
The first step I did once the head board and foot board were put together, was to sand any sharp edges or corners. I liked mine rounded and worn looking. I did not sand anything else.
Second step is to paint 1 even coat of a basic white latex paint.
Third step is to sand away some white paint. because we didnt sand it before hand the grains in the wood will be very bumpy. so the paint on the grains will sand off while the paint lower than the grain will remain. makes sense? hopefully i explained that right!
Fourth step is to now wipe on the stain of your choice. I went with Dark walnut. It stains the paint a bit bringing the white to a gray/brown tone. and stains the wood dark walnut so the grain patterns show up dark.
Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck!
Thu, 01/29/2015 - 07:49
sanding
What grit of sand paper did you use to sand off the white paint? and did you sand it by hand? Also, for the dark walnut stain, did you wipe off immediately or leave it on for a bit before wiping? Beautiful bed, I want to achieve this look!
Fri, 02/06/2015 - 09:15
Hi jbogan15, thank you!
Hi jbogan15, thank you!
For sanding I used a palm sander with 120 grit to get the job done a bit quicker, than went over lightly with 220. When staining I actually just dipped a rag in the stain and would wipe the stain on. =)
Good luck!
Justin
Fri, 01/27/2017 - 11:05
SIde rails
Love this look! Exactly what I am trying to achieve...A few questions about the side rails. How high did you connect them to the 4x4 posts and exactly how did you connect them? Did you use brackets or screw right into the posts? Thank You!
Thu, 09/05/2019 - 15:07
Mattress height
I have seen several beds from Anna White. I was wondering if the frame require a box spring mattress or not. If not, are the beds lower than what a traditional mattress and box springs are. Thanks !
Emily's playroom chairs
So we had our grandchild Emily needing a play table and chairs, a limited budget, an old play table but no chairs! Ana White to the rescue! We made 4 chairs and painted them and the table to match. As you can see Emily has made lots of new friends over tea!
Modern Adirondacks UK
Hi Ana
Just wanted to say thanks for the plans. Here's how ours came out!
Ben.
Outdoor Chairs with Side Table
Done the 2x4 chair and table, I think it turned out well. Bought the cushions at Lowes.
Ray and Sandy
School Library Cart
My 11 year old son made this library cart for our homeschool books. He followed Ana's plans with a few changes on dimensions. I love how it turned out, and it is a perfect addition to our school room. We kept the cost low by using some wood and paint that we already had.
Shared room
We have 3 (almost) teenage boys and needed the storage of the Brookstone bed for their sport gear, etc. I built 2 of them and my 15 year old built his. I can't get over how easy they were to build! This was the first building project I ever made and they turned out beautifully! The headboard took about 2 hours to build and the bed about 5 hours. I was pretty slow though, checking and double checking measurements, glueing and clamping like crazy, being careful not to rush. Still, 7 hours to make the bed and a couple hours to paint, not a bad days work! The lumber cost $144/each so we were happy with the cost of the beds. I would highly recommend furniture movers underneath them. I used 4 huge ones under the ends of the 2x2 supports and small squares under the legs/headboard. They move so easily with them! Thanks, Ana, for a great plan!! We are so thankful and love our new beds!!
Comments
Toy Box
This design turned out to be perfect! It was super simple and easy to build! Easy to follow plans! Great beginner project!
Comments
Wood Picnic Table
Built this to replace a cheap picnic table that I had bought. The table is solid and a great first project for me Pops. The grandkids will enjoy this one and Gammy has me already building #2 table. Thank you for the plans and your expertise.
Mark E aka Pops
Sewing Tables
I have a friend who makes beautiful quilts. She's been doing this by sitting on the floor to cut her fabric and plopping her sewing machine on a wobbly folding table. When she decided to turn her guest room into a dual purpose sewing/guest room she asked me to build her something that would fit into a niche under her dormer window.
The built in table has two large drawers for sewing notions and is supported at the back by a shelving unit with adjustable shelves. She plans to store items that she seldom uses here. They will be accessible, but out of the way and barely visible when she has guests using her room.
I suggested that I also build Anna's sewing table for small spaces so that she use that as a night stand when not in use as a cutting table.
I usually don't finish projects I build for others - I'm just not good at it! But, my friend asked me to put a finish on it. She picked out the Minwax polyshades product, and I have to tell you that it was a nightmare! (You can read about that here: http://thewidowsworkshop.blogspot.com/2012/06/lessons-learned-again.html)
I ended up using a stripping product to remove that finish. The final finish, just a stain and rub on poly, turned out beautifully!
Installation was also a challenge, but using brute force - and a hammer! - I was able to fit it between those very out-of-square walls!
She's happy, I'm happy to be done!
Neighbors
I found Ana's website in my search for the desk plans, and in the process found many other wonderful plans I want to try. My goal is to make a sawhorse desk for my new home office. I need to learn all proper woodworking skills, however.
Therefore, I decided to start with this birdhouse project, which was a joy for me since I have a fascination with photographing birdhouses wherever I go. I also have fond memories of making birdhouses with my mother when I was a little girl. She did all the cutting and nailing, and I sanded and painted.
This project brought back happy memories, and my mom got a kick out of seeing photos of the finished results.
In addition, today I had the wonderful opportunity to photograph my own birdhouses!
Paint colors for the birdhouse on the left are called: Country Heather (blue), Bittersweet Stem (beige), brandywine (terracotta), and Pistachio Ice (green) for accents.
The colors of the house on the right also included Country Heather, Bittersweet Stem, and Pistachio Ice (again for accents). In addition, Buttered Hazelnut was used for the walls and roof.
I completed most of the painting prior to assembly, adding only accents such as hearts and windows post-assembly.
Surf Shack Bunk Bed (Using Club House Bed Plans)
We decided to follow the Club House bed plans, but we added another bunk below. We did this by adding a foot to the height and duplicating the slats and ends etc. My boys absolutely love this bed! We actually enjoyed building it. I can't wait to try more Ana White plans - they were so easy to follow and it's so satisfying having made something cool from scratch.
Comments
jeannemariahunt
Thu, 05/15/2014 - 07:43
Farmhouse Table
This was a fairly simple plan and I'm thrilled about how the table looks.