Community Brag Posts

My Take on the Benchwright Console Table

Unfortunately, I just finished building this console table two weeks before Ana and Jim's plans went up on the web site! What I wouldn't have given for the plans! Without the plans, my dad helped me modify the Tryde Console Table to look more like Pottery Barn's Benchwright Console Table, but it was definitely a labor of love (and took me three months to complete, primarily due to lack of motivation and bad weather in Chicago). But I am so pleased with the final result! Because my console table is based off the Tryde project plan, I used 4x4s for the legs, and 2x2s/2x4s for the top. Some of the wood came from other projects, including the loft bed my dad built for me nearly 15 years ago! The bottom shelf is a 1x12 that has been cut with a jigsaw to "perfectly" fit around the posts. I say "perfectly" because I definitely had to use some wood filler around three of the posts! The drawers were the hardest part, and where I really could have used a plan! They are much smaller than they appear from the outside - I used 1x2s for the sides, then attached a 1x6 face to match the sides and back of the console table. Both drawers are firmly held in place by metal drawer slides, which means I don't have to worry about the drawer falling out because it's been overloaded with glassware (as you can see, the console was a late holiday present for my partner, who is using it as his bar). I should have used a thicker piece of plywood on the bottom, because as you can see, the screws attached to the drawer slides protrude. It's nothing we can't live with though! We really wanted the piece to look older than it is (hence why we purposely chose knotty boards), and with some many reclaimed boards, I knew the stain would have to be dark. We chose a Red Oak Minwax stain and applied it once to the legs (pine) and twice to everything else (mostly whitewood). Two coats of Deft later, and we love the result. It looks exactly the way we hoped it would and we love the mix of dark and light shades.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$175 - $200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Oak stain (satin)
Deft Clear Wood Finish (satin)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Lady Goats

Sat, 04/14/2012 - 11:32

I'm impressed that you figured that all out on your own, but moreso with the finish! That's probably one of the best finishes I've seen yet, and I'm not usually a fan of medium toned wood! Very nice!

spiceylg

Sat, 04/14/2012 - 16:24

I prefer the chunkier look of these legs. This is beautiful! Totally looks store bought!

First time using Ana's plans

Submitted by will on Mon, 01/27/2014 - 18:16

Less than $40 and fun with a Kreg jig.

Estimated Cost
less than $40
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Lucky_Photo

Mon, 01/27/2014 - 20:25

This looks really good! What type of stain is this? What was the process if it was different from the "normal' method of applying stain?

will

Wed, 01/29/2014 - 06:36

I used the Minwax poly/stain mix. Two coats of black and then two additional coats of clear gloss poly over that. It was meant for a friend, but I liked it so much in my living room... Well, lets just say I have to build her another one.

strouse6

Thu, 02/27/2014 - 14:12

Looks amazing - can't buy that look at any store. Oil based poly?

Book Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/22/2016 - 11:08

I built this book rack using scrap wood and modified plans from the Full Length Plate Rack. It was a really straightforward build, and functions very well as vertical storage that takes up little space. I predrilled, screwed and glued all of the joints, vs. stapling.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
2 coats of "Simplicity" country chic chalk paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/14/2020 - 05:02

This was my first furniture build, and I'm very much an amateur at woodworking. That being said, this was very easy to build and we're thrilled with the result. The only things I changed were making the bed 6 inches taller so we could store more under it and using 4x4s for the center leg supports. Also, I used joist hangers to hang the center supports instead of screwing through the footboard and headboard support.

I can't wait to build the matching nightstands!

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax polyshades in pecan.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Under Cabinet Spice Rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/11/2023 - 13:06

I needed to clear out a shelf in my cabinet and add a spice rack so I could actually see everything. This came out perfect! Made of Oak and stained with classic oak. Very simple to build and hung with pocket screws

James Breadbox

Built from Plan(s)

Simple Adirondack Chair

Stuck to the plans exactly how Ana laid out for me and it was quite amazing how well and easily it comes together. If I learned one thing from this project it was to always stain the wood before you put a project together haha, what a pain it was to stain in between all those slates. I am planning on building a few more with some variations and some ottomans. Pictures to follow if it is a success.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$70
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Used a Redwood premixed stain from Lowes. When mixed with the pine it turned a little more orange than I was hoping.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Diy mudroom entryway

This was my very first building project. I needed a place for my kids to store their things as they went in and out of the house. I happened to have a perfect place to add built ins just inside my front door. Our house is pretty small and there wasn't much room anywhere else. It took me quite awhile, but I was able to learn from reading several Ana White plans and then I designed this myself. I learned how to use Google sketch-up in order to design it. I hope you enjoy checking it out!

Estimated Cost
150-ish
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Generic white paint from Walmart, Gloss finish. Three coats. Minwax Dark Walnut stain for Bench. MInwax Polycrilic as a top coat for the bench.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

tommybo76

Wed, 01/29/2014 - 20:06

I love the details used. Especially the seating area color choice, buckets for storage and extra shelf...what do you plan on using the smaller shelves above the hooks to store? One small suggestion, you might consider adding extra hooks on the side panels. I did this on my project and I think we've used every hook we have LOL! Fantastic job!!

In reply to by tommybo76

Anna at Home-h…

Thu, 01/30/2014 - 16:20

Thank you so much! You are right, that is something I actually have plans to do. We can always use more hooks! The smaller slots are for school papers. My kids each have a section (I have four kids). They are to take out any papers that they need me to see and place them in the homework slot...I will then either return it to the slot or trash it, if need by. I also use it to put anything I find laying around the house that belongs in their bookbags or that needs to go to school in (library books, etc). You can see the whole tutorial, if you're interested, here: http://www.home-heart-and-hands.blogspot.com/2014/01/diy-mudroom-and-ent...

Anna at Home-h…

Thu, 01/30/2014 - 13:26

Thank you so much! You are right, that is something I actually have plans to do. We can always use more hooks! The smaller slots are for school papers. My kids each have a section (I have four kids). They are to take out any papers that they need me to see and place them in the homework slot...I will then either return it to the slot or trash it, if need by. I also use it to put anything I find laying around the house that belongs in their bookbags or that needs to go to school in (library books, etc). You can see the whole tutorial, if you're interested, here: http://www.home-heart-and-hands.blogspot.com/2014/01/diy-mudroom-and-en…

Sandbox with built in seats/lid

6'x6' with 12'' Treated Sides, 1x4 and 1x6 SPF tops/seats and 2x4 Brace under Seats to accommodate the 6 foot span. Sanded and Painted.

Completed in 2 days, couple hours each day, sanded/painted all boards before assembly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Exterior Grade Paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

LEGO Play and Storage Table

Submitted by Bradnag on Sun, 01/19/2020 - 14:13

Used the plans for the Arts & Crafts Play Table, but ditched the angled legs (the squared off legs have no stability issues at all), and used a regular piece of 1/4" fiberboard instead of acrylic for the lid. On the lid I glued a 15x15 LEGO baseplate, and compartments underneath are for LEGO storage. The local REStore had an 8ft length of 3" laminated MDF trim for $2, which worked perfectly as the trim for the top of the table with no sanding or painting required.

I know the paint in the photo looks super-streaky, but I used some leftover Rust-Oleum cobalt blue metallic floor paint, so it's shimmery and glossy. Unfortunately the visual effect photographs poorly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Rust-Oleum metallic floor paint, cobalt blue
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Indoor Outdoor Side Table

Used the table and cutout logo's and put back into the table using luan scraps. ;0)

Estimated Cost
50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain Chesnut English
Weather sealer
polycrilic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Colonel (not verified)

Fri, 04/20/2012 - 18:53

How exactly did you get the logos on the table? They look carved or burnt...they are really awesome!

jcrabb

Tue, 04/24/2012 - 13:28

I was wondering the same thing as Colonel.....How did you get the team logos on the table top? I love this!

Antique Armoir

Submitted by George R S on Sat, 02/01/2014 - 19:11

This is the first furniture project I have built from a plan found on-line - at Ana's Website. The plan was very easy to follow and I thoroughly enjoyed building this piece of furniture. I made some alterations to the upper cabinet as per shelving. I used an antique finish to match my bed. The match and design is perfect!

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr primer and paint in one. Oil based walnut antique gel. Silver acrylic paint. Water based satin finish varethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse X Coffee Table

Submitted by Loaded918 on Fri, 01/24/2020 - 17:09

This was my first woodworking project, and it turned out really well. I am going to have to make all of the matching furniture to go with it as well now. My wife has been pushing me to find a hobby (probably to get me out of her hair), and it looks like I have found the one. Did this one with just a circular saw and a drill, now it's time to get a Kreg Jig. Also need to find a way to make my cuts a tad bit straighter as well, but I hope this soon leads to me getting a miter saw.

Estimated Cost
$36
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Mission Oak by Miniwax
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sylvie's coat tree

I built my daughter a coat tree from Ana's plans and it looks basically just like Ana's-even the same color. My daughter-in-law saw it and wanted one for my granddaughter's room to hold her dressup clothes but she wanted a natural look, instead of painted and her room is basically natural wood, red and white so this is what I came up with. I would never have even known I could build a coat tree if I hadn't tried Ana's first!! This one was super easy and cheap, made mostly with scraps and some varnish I already had. I had to buy the balls, dowel and letter S.

I would encourage anyone to build one of these if they have need of a coat tree. You could even make it adult size if you combined Ana's plans with these plans and screwed in some hooks.

Estimated Cost
about $8.00 if you don't have scraps
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray on varnish and acrylic paint for knobs and letter.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Crayon holder

Submitted by cookiecrab on Tue, 02/04/2014 - 18:56

Had left over 2x3's so I used those. The kids love them!! Easy to make. Cost $10 due to stickers and paint.

Estimated Cost
$10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

4x4 Truss Table

Submitted by BojackH on Mon, 05/02/2016 - 20:08

We needed a sturdy table but didn't want to spend a fortune buying one so decided to take a stab at building one.  Our space isn't too large but also wanted the ability to expand the table with leaves if we have a large crowd.  I built leaves by cutting notches in the horizontal leg 4x4 and then sliding in/out with 2x2's attached (see pic).

I will say it makes life a whole lot easier learning how to use Sketchup or some other design software.  That way you can visualize what it will look like, cuts you need to make especially if you will be deviating from the original post design and don't want to do math in your head (like me).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
~$200 for wood
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used the vinegar/ steel wool solution and then 6 coats of Minewax semi gloss polyurethene. Before applying polyurethene, I used a blow torch on the corners to make some neat burn marks.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Scrap Wood Barn

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/22/2023 - 08:11

My daughter watched me do another build project and wanted something for herself. We built the Toy Barn from Ana White's plans using only scraps around the garage!

Laura Thompson

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

easiest daybed turned floating twin beds

we love ana's plans, and we love the way this one was executed by the bumper crop. check out more pics of our girl version and how we did it at http://www.iwantbdphotography.com/archives/2661

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$90 each
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
none :) gutsy for a kid's room. not sure how they will hold up, but we just love the raw unfinished look
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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