Community Brag Posts

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

Photo Gallery Ledges

I was always a fan of the gallery wall, but not having a big empty space in any of my main rooms I didn't think I could have one.  However, once I finally got my stairway and upper hallway painted, I realized the wall needed something and the gallery ledges would be perfect!  Save the old plaster walls from being bashed with picture hanging nails too!
I build them out've 1x3's and a small 1/4 round for the front edge instead of a 1x2.
I made 2 3' long and 2 4' long and staggered them on the walls, as the walls are at a slight angle to each other.
I decided to paint them the same colour as the walls so they would blend in and the picture frames would stand out.  All the frames are varying wood stain colours that go with the trim in the house.

I love having a place to put all the pictures I never find time to put up!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$24 for all 4
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Paint. Home Hardware 'Burnt Sugar'
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse Bunkbeds with Stairs

Submitted by Yodannos on Sun, 06/09/2013 - 13:19

We have a rental unit and decided to fill one room with 2 sets of bunk beds. One is a twin over a full. The other is a full over full. Due to a duct running through one corner, and limited amount of space, I decided to build a set of stairs on the 17" gap. I used the simple bunk bed plans, but modified it to the style of the farmhouse. Also, I changed several of the heights of the foot/head boards. The full over full will have a ladder coming off the end and is in progress.

Estimated Cost
$450
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Ebony Stain. Satin Polyeurethene.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Nightstand

Submitted by RenoRustic on Tue, 05/12/2015 - 10:17

I built this nightstand when my wife and I purchased a new bed. We had to rearrange the bedroom and as such, I no longer had a desk or table on my side of the bed. I wanted something "country" style and after searching through several different plans I found a brag post that fit exactly what I was looking for. Well, technically, I found the original Farmhouse Bedside Table plans and modified them to fit what I needed. It wasn't until after I completed the project that I realized there was a "Mini" version as well. What can I say, I'm not that great as using search. I actually built this over a year ago at this point, and it was the second project I ever built. I learned quite a bit on this project, including the fact your project will only come out as good as your lumber selection! This build actually created my addiction for DIY and woodworking. Thank you Ana!

Estimated Cost
$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Minwax Special Walnut for the entire project, then painted the base and drawer Behr white (their basic white off the shelf, I didn't have the paint mixed) in semi-gloss. I antiqued everything for a more rustic look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Potting bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 11/05/2021 - 13:24

Decided to spent the lock down on my back deck.
Always wanted to try a little gardening but I don’t actually have a back yard only a common area. This was a perfect fit and awesome to build. I have never built anything before!

Comments

Craft Table Build

Submitted by cathytn2 on Thu, 03/31/2011 - 05:28

I emailed my husband the plans for this desk on a Friday night and said we HAVE to make this desk this weekend.  I can't believe he actually went for it!  Well it turned into about 3 weekends and some nights of painting.  We also had some issues getting straight and square plywood and boards with knots in them.  He also added some extra holes in the sides for me to adjust the shelves.  We used an oil based white paint to finish the desk and looks nice and clean and shiny.  I can't wait to get started on our next project!  Please check out my blog for more details and photos and information on materials used, etc. (kitcats-studio.blogspot.com/2011/craft-table-made-from-plans.html
PS - {I had one more coat of paint on the drawers to finish so ignore the bare fronts of the drawers.}

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We primed everything using Zissner and then used an oil based white paint (about $15/gallon) from Lowe's for the finish. The trick to doing this is a WELL ventilated area, and a good brush. Although we're kind of lazy about cleaning up from oil based paint (it's a chore) so we got a medium cost brush (about $5) and threw it away when we were done with it. I used general handles from Lowes and the color on the inside of the drawers is Valspar Turquoise Tint 5006-10B.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Table and benches

This is the first furniture building project that my husband and I have completed. It took us about 5 weekends to complete it- including finishing.

We started with the benches as recommended in some of the comments and ended up buying a pocket hole jig and redoing the tops of the benches before completing the table.

The stain is Minwax Red Chestnut and there are three coats of Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane on it. We're so happy with it and can't wait to start the next project!

Estimated Cost
about $200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Red Chestnut stain- one coat
Minway Fast Drying Polyurethane in Semi Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Above Toilet Storage Ladder

I was inspired by Ana's Over the Toilet - Leaning Storage Ladder to create my own!  This build is about as easy as it can get!  Just 3 easy steps. More pictures and details can be found HERE.

Let's chat wood!

Lumber:

(2) 8' - 2x4

(1) 8' - 2x6

(1) 8' - 2x8

Step 1:

Drill pocket holes into ladder legs.

Step 2:

Attach shelves with 2" wood screws.

You will attach your smaller 2x6 shelf at 17" from the top of each ladder leg and your larger 2x8 shelf at 34" from the top of each ladder leg as well.

I plugged each hole with 3/4" pine wood plugs.

Step 3:

Sand and paint

Happy building!

Miranda

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I used stain first, then painted over it with Rustoleum's Painters Touch Paint in white.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

The Littlest Helper Tower

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/10/2021 - 08:30

Built from supplied plan. Slight modifications made to curved rails and larger dimensional lumber used for corner rails.
This tower was built for my granddaughter Amara

Paul S.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Hutch

I built this hutch from Ana's book. I made a few modifications to the plans. The stained top and stained back planks are from reclaimed wood. If you build this hutch be sure to choose white knobs. I my opinion, its what makes those hutch pop. If anyone has any questions I would be happy to answer them. - Brad

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

mrsjones23

Tue, 10/28/2014 - 07:25

Hello! I am currently building this console table and hutch. At the moment, I am stuck on attaching the console legs to the side aprons. The legs are not sitting flush with the side aprons. Did you have this issue with your 2x2's when attaching them to the side aprons? If so, how did you fix this issue? The directions say to attach flush to the aprons but mine won't be flush on both sides, only one.

jwoelk

Sat, 07/25/2015 - 07:59

Where are the plans for this hutch? My wife wants this exact hutch for her birthday.

Great Book Caddy / Wine Rack / Side Table..fun project!

Submitted by Don Ellery on Sat, 05/16/2015 - 17:12

Great project plans from Ana and of course, LadyGoats. Thank You!

Wood: Pine (similar cut list to what was in the plans)

Time to complete: Approx 4 hours.

Joints: 3/4 inch pocket holes with 1 1/4 inch pocket hole screws and glue. Love my Kreg Jig.

Stain: Varathane Espresso color, two applications.

Fun morning project! This table/shelf can be used for so many things. Once the two pieces are secured together it is very solid. The bottom was made from Ana's x book caddy plan and the shelf was modified from LadyGoats booksellers plan.

Hope you all like it!

Don

Estimated Cost
$80, approx. Depends on what type of wood you use.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Espresso color varathane, single application, foam brush and rubbed with rag to finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Kitchen Island with Butcher Block and Reclaimed Wood

Custom Kitchen Island with a butcher block top and reclaimed pallet wood on the sides and back. Sliding barndoors cover the lower cabinets and hammered black gate knobs finish out the upper drawer. 

Estimated Cost
1500.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Doll House Bookshelf

Submitted by alhskier on Mon, 04/04/2011 - 19:43

My first project from this website.  Made it for my daughter's first birthday! Had a fun time with it. Caulked the joints for a cleaner look, it came out great.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Caulk, and semi gloss paint!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Princess Castle bed with storage

Submitted by bbcarey on Tue, 06/25/2013 - 12:36

Our daughter has a very small room. She also LOVES disney princesses. So I wanted to build her a princess castle bed.... but how do you fit a castle bed in a 9x11 bedroom?

There were some plans on Ana's site (good plans), and others on-line. But many of these plans had the bed on the TOP of the castle, and we were concerned with her trying to make her way down if she needed to in the middle of the night.

She also loves her Disney princess canopy bed that she has now... so if I could somehow build the castle around that bed, we'd be set. Which is exactly what we did.

I reviewed several pictures online, and then designed this bed with Sketchup (I LOVE that tool).

There is storage in the stairs, in the towers on the front down below, and in the back up on top. I also put rope lights inside around the ceiling over her bed for that 'Night light Princess glow."

There is also enough room on top for her bed if she wants to put it up there at some point in the future.

The idea for the decoration came from another poster who simply used the Vinyl Disney princess wall decals.

She loves it. Plus its big enough for daddy to read stories to her up in the loft at bedtime!

I've posted the plans on the sketchup warehouse... here is the link...

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=65f7fb029052c660cb6c…

If you can't find it with that search the sketchup warehouse for 'castle bed.'

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Latex interior paint. Castle top and trim were painted with spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

ThaddeusSwarfburnIII

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 16:17

Nice work. We worried about the height for our three year old, and if I were to build another (hah!) I would definitely make it lower. Carpeting the stairs is a good idea, I think I'm going to do the same. You've done well to cram everything into a small footprint. We're house-shopping now, and the tape measure comes with us. Gotta have 2.8m in the kid's room! Decals are great. My daughter went off hers for a while - nothing breaks your heart like a kid saying they want to give away something you worked really hard to build, even if you know they don't mean it. My wife put on some big wall stickers of a tree with squirrels and birds and suddenly she's in love with it again. Princess indeed (eyeroll).

bbcarey

Sat, 07/27/2013 - 20:53

Interesting your commented today :-) I am doing a similar project for my son for his 3rd birthday (this weekend) making a Lightning McQueen garage for his Ligthning McQueen bed...

Thanks for your comments... the castle project was fun. Its been fun to be able to even do these things now that I've visited Ana's site. And yes- I know its going to be a bummer when they no longer want the castle, or the garage (I had my son's bed in his garage tonight and not knowing better he hopped on the bed and jumped and bumped his head bad... now he's scared to have the bed in the garage- AND ITS NOT EVEN DONE YET!)

Thanks again..