Community Brag Posts

Scrap Lap Desk

Submitted by Marcie89 on Fri, 02/12/2016 - 14:46

 

This lap desk was easy to build, it took me less than 2 hrs.  The painting and finishing...um, a bit longer.  I really hate painting, and filling nail holes is not my favorite thing to do, either.  But overall I am glad I built this little desk, as it will keep all of my beads and jewelry-making stuff handy for when I am sitting in front of the tv at night.  The side storage compartments were omitted to keep it on the lighter side, and the front handle serves no purpose whatsoever, it is purely decorative.  I added my initials on the top, they are just fancy gold stickers I found at the craft store.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black gloss enamel paint
General Finishes Gel Stain in Prairie Wheat
Semi-gloss polyurethane clear finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic Farm House Table

Submitted by Scotto on Mon, 09/30/2019 - 22:00

First Crack at any wood work since high school. All timber used was reclaimed hard wood, hours of

planing,sanding and clamping (its heavy). A few mistakes but that's learning.

Estimated Cost
$300 Australian
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Estapol - Tung oil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

chicken coop

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/23/2023 - 19:14

I've wanted chickens for a long time and loved this chicken coop plan. I used lots of salvaged materials so made minor changes in dimensions to use what I had and I absolutely love this! Probably took me longer to build than it should have but the Houston weather was not in my favor....

Comments

Sofa table

Submitted by thomas3557 on Sun, 12/01/2013 - 16:37

This is a sofa table made from 2x6 framing lumber. I did the bottom shelves a bit different than the plan.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Vinegar/Steel wool on top and black milk paint on bottom.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

philipmcraft

Mon, 11/28/2016 - 15:20

Where are the plans for this sofa table?  I see the pics but don't see anything about dimensions.

Simple Twin Bunk Beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/15/2016 - 14:38

I built the Simple Bed into bunk beds. The plans for this project are pretty straight forward. The only change I made in the plans, was use 2" x 4" angle plates to mount the side rails to the head and foot boards. This made it easy to assemble and disassemble if the beds needed to be separated or moved. I also had to use two 2"x4"'s mated together to make the bed posts since 4"x4"'s are only available pressure treated. The ladder is constructed of 2"x4" with the steps spaced 10" on center. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I stained the beds with Minwax "Puritan Pine 218". I prepped the wood with Minwax Pre-Stain Conditioner. Pre-Stain Conditioner prevents the stain from looking blotchy.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Full size Storage bed for Grandson

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 20:17

My grandson needed a bigger bed. His mom needed more storage. So, with a few tweaks, this storage bed was just what they needed. One side will always be against the wall so on that piece I added a hinged too so that seasonal items could be stored there-like gilly suits for hunting season. There’s also room between the two side pieces for more storage. They didn’t want it too tall, But still needed multiple drawers. There are four 8” drawers on the side, with two false fronts on the side of the end piece. The end piece had two large deep drawers that will be perfect for bulky items-lots of sweat shirts. So far so good-they both love it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American stain. Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modern Cedar Outdoor Storage Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/30/2023 - 16:39

I had built two outdoor chairs with love seat (modified from the sofa plans) with 2x4s. The cushion seats were 24" x 24". Where to store them? I modified the Modern Cedar Outdoor Storage Bench plans to make the box wider, higher, longer to accommodate the cushions. With five boards comprising the top, it's a bit wider than the box so I didn't need to carve in an opening.

Comments

Land of nod knock-off bankable bookcase

Submitted by Chef Sowa on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 18:43

My third project from the Ana-white.com site. Our daughter's books and toys were outgrowing the toy box and small magazine rack we were using, saw this plan, no brainier. It led me the the land of nod website, to see the real deal, and I liked the version with the closed top better, so I modified the plans to fit my needs. Added some trim and oak veneer for the edges, a little stain, and waa laa... Found some boxes at lowe's, perfect fit. We'll move it into her room after I build a new media console for the living room

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax poly shades antique walnut satin
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Pedestal farmhouse table

Submitted by Towboatjs on Wed, 12/04/2013 - 01:33

My wife wanted a farmhouse dining room table for our new house, I wanted to get into woodworking so these plans were a perfect fit. Bonus was adding a few tools to my collection! Revised plans to two pedestals and shortened about 2 feet. If I were to do over I would have stained and poly'd separately, but I tried to save steps because I was finishing inside the house and didn't have time for separate steps before leaving town. Ran into a few hiccups along the way but both my wife and I are happy with the end results.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Poly shades stain and poly in one, sanded Down to "distress" and then a few coats of wipe on satin polyurethane on table top to resist stains and for easier cleanup
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Media Stand

We built this media stand for our home and we had many that followed. We put a backing on ours to hide the cords and such. It makes it feel a lot classier & takes under 5 minutes to add! We used 1/8" particle board and we used our neumatic nail gun. 

All in all, this is a super easy beginner project that adds a big bang to the space!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
80.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
This is our custom beachwood stain. A few stains from Minwax mixed together.
We then Distressed it & applied 3 coats of semi-gloss polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tryde End Table

Submitted by frmoody on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 08:49

I had a very old, weathered 2 x 10 and wanted to build a couple of end tables for beside our new couch. All I did with the top was to lightly sand to take away a bit of the weathered wood. I had to purchase two 4 x 4 x 8' fir posts for the legs. I decided against adding the bottom shelves.

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
For the top all I applied was two coats of Tung Oil. The legs were given two coats of Minwax Water Based Colonial Pine stain followed by two coats of Varathane semi gloss interior water based finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Modified Essential Entryway Bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 06/05/2023 - 13:56

Worked with a client to create a boot bench with adjustable shelves. The Essential Entryway Bench was a perfect starting point! I extended the top trim to home the 4” cushion. I love Ana’s plans! Thank you!!!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Faux beam

Submitted by vickyand on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 20:07

We took down a wall in our basement which left us with a gap in between the ceilings and two ceilings at different heights...the beam filled the gap perfectly!

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
we stained it with Minwax Special Walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Faux Fireplace for Holiday Markets

For the holiday markets this year, some other dog related businesses, along with myself, colaborated on dog stockings! I really wanted to feature the stockings and not just decorate my booth with generic ornaments etc. My boyfriend was kind enough to help me with this project and it has been a hit! I think I am going to change out the decal with chalkboard though. The decal just looks to cheesey and I think the chalkboard will give it a more rustic and crafty fell. Thanks for the idea!!

Finish Used
Stain for the molding and then stain with color added for the interior green portion
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Ana White Barn Door Entertainment Center / Closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/02/2019 - 17:07

After many months of trying to find the perfect piece of furniture for our bedroom, I stumbled upon Ana White’s barn door entertainment center. I loved it so much that instead, we turned it into an armoire for our bedroom. Behind the barn doors are shelves that holds our clothes, and in the center we added simple pull out drawers. The center space was perfect for our tv. We had to rework the size of the piece and it is 7 feet instead of the 8 feet that the plan called for. This is my favorite build (we have done a lot of them)!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$600-$650
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Behr Graphite grey
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Chaise Lounge

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/09/2023 - 15:53

It was so much fun to do and it's perfect for my front porch! I modified it a bit to fit and it was easy to do so.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Combined Tryde Media hutch & Rustic Media Console

Submitted by lazyLiz on Sat, 01/28/2012 - 20:56

My very second furniture do-it-myself. This furniture was inspired by both the Tryde hutch and rustic media console built to suit my space and need. Whew! now I feel like I can build anything:-) Thanks Ana!

Estimated Cost
$250.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
glossy white paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

My first (half) project- built-in cabinets!

Submitted by LE1066 on Tue, 12/10/2013 - 21:11

Using the base cabinets 101 post and other members' ideas and tips, I built these nine cabinets. It's my first project, and I'm very pleased. I live in a 1960's split level with nearly zero storage space... Until now. Next step is to top them with bookshelves, and add some decorative molding. Will start cutting wood once the temperature allows me to set up my sawhorses in my driveway again. Can't wait. Might make something really quick for my husband between now and Christmas. Thanks Ana and everyone else- I'm inspired.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Flat white paint inside, then sherwin Williams proClassic enamel for doors and outer surfaces. Sanding between coats seems to be important.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

mezzopiana

Wed, 12/11/2013 - 05:59

You may just be my inspiration for building something very similar for my kids' playroom. Very, very good-looking storage you built there! Well done - especially for a first build :)

Reese

Thu, 12/12/2013 - 07:16

Wow! They look So Good! I'm so impressed that this was your first build. Is the top just plywwod also? It looks so smooth and glossy i can't tell. How much did it end up costing?

Our Farmhouse Sunflower Bedroom

Submitted by cjschulz on Mon, 02/22/2016 - 21:58

We combined two plans to accommodate for a boxspring with a mattress. We also liked the plan with the 4x4 posts so we tweaked the two plans and made it work.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
To achieve a rustic look I "sloppy painted" with 2 shades of grey, white and some black. Once the paint was thoroughly dry, I used a course grit sandpaper to lightly take off paint in some areas, leaving it thicker in spots. I then applied barn wood grey stain and immediately wiped it. I finished with a satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Dvega

Fri, 03/25/2016 - 09:44

Hi! What grey do you use , latex or it was stain?

 

cjschulz

Tue, 09/17/2019 - 23:07

I used two shades of grey, white and black enamel paint to "sloppy paint" in various areas.  Then I sanded off the paint, leaving some areas thicker than others.  When I liked the look recreating "rustic barn wood" I then stained over the entire surface with barn wood grey stain.

New farmhouse bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/03/2019 - 11:51

I needed to replace my bed quickly. I could not sleep in my old one anymore. Unfortunately I did not have the money to buy a new one so I turned to Ana white and a short time later I had a new bed and a fresh start. My kids and I love this bed. It’s hard to get them to sleep in their own beds now!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments