Community Brag Posts

DIH Adirondack Chairs and Table

Submitted by ktprinkey on Thu, 07/09/2015 - 13:26

I built 4 chairs total. A set for my mother and another for my mother-in-law for Mothers Day. The first set I built are the green ones with the cushions. The second set are the stanined chairs. The second set went a little easier than the first because I learned from my mistakes. What I did differently on the second set was mainly to sand and stain before assembling. I had a hard time getting in between all of the nooks on the painted chairs. I ended up using my paint sprayer to paint them because it was just going to take forever otherwise. The side table was very easy and straightforward. No issues there. All in all a pretty easy project. Both moms were very pleased with their gift! Thank you Ana and Home Depot once again for the awesome plans!!

Estimated Cost
About $90 per set of chairs plus a side table. So 4 chairs + 2 side tables = $180
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted chairs are Sherwin Williams Softened Green. Stained chairs are Rustoleums American Walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Queen size storage bed with headboard storage

Submitted by Cranky on Mon, 01/29/2018 - 12:49

There was some deviation from the original plans..  We made the storage boxes a bit taller and the headboard has several new features.

First off, the under-bed storage takes up the whole size of the bed.  So the drawers (six of them) are nice and deep.  One of the drawers is actually the dog's bed now.

The picture doesn't show it but behind the headboard there are cubbies for storing books, tablets, phones, glasses, etc.

On both sides of the headboard there are four electrical outlets plus two USB charging outlets for charging tablets, phones, etc.

There are two reading lamps on the headboard as well.

I did the construction portion while my talented wife did the amazing paint job.

 

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
FAT paint, charcoal colour.
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

Axel

Sun, 06/09/2019 - 04:28

That's awesome! Do you have notes on how you did the modifications and the additional features?

Lit Rustic X Desk

Submitted by JRonin201 on Wed, 01/26/2022 - 19:26

Rustic X Desk with LED lights and slide-out wood crate drawer w/ antique copper handle. Mix of old and new. 58" across gives me tons of space!! Thank you Ana White for the plans and ideas xoxo

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Sturdy Work Bench - First project completed!

Submitted by kmatt55 on Sun, 05/22/2011 - 16:04

My first project from Ana's website! I figured in order to make more furniture I'm going to need a sturdy work bench to help me along the way. I cut my legs at 36" instead of 33". The 3 added inches brings it to a standard kitchen countertop height (I think, at least mine is). Thanks for the inspiration and plan pericles49!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$65
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Water based clear semi-gloss polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Clip strip art

This was a great way to keep my five year old daughter busy on a rainy afternoon. I had a scrap piece of 1x4 and bought some clothes pins and 10 cents clearance wooden figures at Joann. We also used some left over acrylic paint and some glitter nail polish. Thanks for a other great idea Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Amazing Ana White Couches

Submitted by Chris_Jen on Tue, 07/14/2015 - 05:14

I did add slats to the back as well as the sides as you can see in the photos. This was to hold the cushions in place and make sure they didn't fall out. Worked out very well. The 5 additional verticle slats were 11 1/4 inches and required no further purchase as they were made from the scraps. I also added the additional horizontal slat on the sides using 5/8 decking board left over from building the deck. The sides measured 25 1/2 to fit inside the arm and was 1 1/2 inches from the inside of the couch. I simply screwd them in from the front and back. The rear horizontal piece measures 75 inches and create additional support for the back cushoins, which in this case I used 17x17 inch pillows. I simply screwed this piece into the rear verticle slats. I finished all of it off with a 1/16 roundover bit with my router to make "soft" edges. All-in-all I think that the small changes made for a very polished looking and stout piece of outdoor furniture! 

Estimated Cost
$300 for both couches, cushions and specialty tools included in that cost. I used pressure treated lumber.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet. Will be using Woodrich Timber Oil.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Out door bench, temporary couch lol

Submitted by grayp on Fri, 02/11/2022 - 17:42

Thank you for your video and free plans. You are amazing. Took me 6 hours and I had it complete. I did have trouble with the two too back pieces, the pocket holes would not go in, so I screwed the back. I retired and took on wood working and by far…you make everything so simple….thank you

Comments

"Ameri-shelf"

Submitted by omarNY on Tue, 07/16/2013 - 18:19

My 8-year-old and I built a shelf for his room, based on the Rolling Cubby Bench plans. (The paint job is all him. He originally suggested trying to paint a picture of an eagle on it, we ultimately settled on a partial flag.)

I'm fairly new to woodworking, and this was my second of four projects I've built using plans from this site so far. Cutting and assembly was just a couple of hours, but finishing stretched this out into a several-night project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Teaching Easel

Submitted by vlane2014 on Fri, 07/17/2015 - 20:32

My father-in-law built this for me using Anna White's plans. He tweeked a few things to add somethings I wanted to add. A huge sheet of white board bought from Lowes was used to make both easel sides and the shelves. Once he had it built for me, I painted the lilac paint color onto the wood and whiteboard shelves. The black chalk board side was made by using black chalboard paint. I wanted it to look cute so, I added a black boarder on the white board, and then used a cotton ball with the lilac paint to make the paint blotch style on both sides. I cannot wait to use this in my classroom!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Lilac Valspar paint and black chalkboard paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Doll Mattress

Submitted by cslavinsky on Mon, 02/05/2018 - 16:07

I'm building a doll bunk bed from Ana's plans later on for a friend's daughter.  I figured that since I had all the materials to do the linens, I would get that finished now.  I used the plans from Ana's 18" doll mattress instructions and created these two sets of beds - they're "sisters" but not twins, since I ran out of materials to make 2 quilts.  Since it's going to one recipient, I figure she won't mind having 1 quilt and 1 blanket that coordinate.  The mattresses were SUPER easy to put together, and I opted to keep them plain without buttons, in case I want to make fitted sheets at another time.  Took me about 10 minutes to make each mattress.

Estimated Cost
Less than $10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Fabric used is from Amy Butler (Love).
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Pantry build

Convert understairs closet to Pantry using 3 upper kitchen cabinets as lower cabinets with basic 2x2 shelves.

Comments

Modified Ten Dollar Ledges/Story-time Corner

I loved these little ledges, especially since I had the perfect scraps for them. I needed a little extra storage in our story-time corner, and these were perfect. Took me one nap time to get them cut, assembled and painted! SWEET!!!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
Free (all from scraps, wood & paint)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
white interior spray paint (2 coats), poly spray finish (2 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

20 Second Office

I am in the process of remodeling/redecorating my tiny house. I started with the kitchen and am now moving into the living room. The two rooms are connected so I needed something that would match the "beachy feel without being obvious" style I am trying to accomplish. I also needed a place for my files, printer, etc since I don't have an office. My house is very small so I have to consider function in every piece of furniture I own. This table was the PERFECT solution! It hides my seldom used but definitely necessary office supplies while looking super cute and brightening up the room.

As you can see I made a few slight changes to the look of the trundle. I made it look like three "drawers" instead of the two in the plans, and used manila rope instead of handles or cutting out the shape in Ana's design. I also lined the inside of the trundle with felt to protect my computer, etc. from the hard surface of the wood. I couldn't help pick my favorite color, since you can't see it while the trundle is closed. Though not pictured here, I added a bracket for files as well (they didn't photograph well). I picked it up from a woodworking specialty store for $15.

All in all it was an easy second project for me, I had it built and nearly finished in a weekend.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used 3 coats of Minwax's Polyshades Classic Oak, sanding with 220 grit VERY lightly in between. This was my first time using a combo product and didn't find it to be as great as I thought it would be. It was easy to apply but was very runny so I had to triple check every nook and cranny for drips and pile ups after and even then still missed a few. I could have achieved a similar look in half the time using traditional methods. I'll finish the can but probably won't buy it again.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Camp Grandma

Wed, 08/13/2014 - 07:29

for our house at the beach. Thank you so much for sharing your design and your experience. We are just finishing up a 7 piece outdoor set for the deck. Your table is next, going right to the top of our "To Build List".

12 ft farmhouse table with extensions - reclaimed wood

I had no experience building furniture prior to this project but I wanted a 12 ft outdoor table and could not find one.  This tables center section is 8 ft and was built roughly following the plans for the farmhouse table.  I added two 2 ft extensions at each end making the overall table 12 ft.  The extensions included aprons so when installed they look to be part of the table.  The extensions just plug into the end apron of the center section with 2x4 oak braces which engage in the apron and under the table approximately 2 ft from end.  There is no visual sagging of the extensions. I finished the table with Sikkens DEK finish.

 

 

Estimated Cost
The lumber was reclaimed and cost approximately $400 for this project.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Sikkens DEK transparent
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First big project.

Submitted by tderringer on Sun, 02/18/2018 - 05:54

I needed a new desk and found some plans on Ana's website.Made a little modification to it for a little more work space. Turned out great I thought. Had never used pocket holes before, I think I'm hooked now.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark walnut stain and 3 coats of polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Cube Bookshelves

When we moved into our home we had minimal furniture pieces. On a tight budget and not wanting to buy something that was made of veneer, I stumbled upon the attractive and functional plans for the cube shelves. I love that I can "add on" to the set with additional pieces if I want to in the future. But for now, one set of cube shelving is just right for us.

This was the first project that I used the table saw by myself, and while it went just fine I do think it would have been helpful to have another set of hands around. Piecing together the first two joints was a bit challenging with only one set of hands holding the wood and putting in nails. But once I got a few done, the piece really came together quickly. It literally took me just a few hours to cut the pieces and put it together. It's the sanding painting and priming that can take some time and patience!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I use this cute cubby to hold books and gadgets that I like to keep out of sight in our family room area. If I had kids I think this would be an amazing storage unit for toys. Its so cute and functional. The canvas cube totes I picked up from Target for $12 for a set of 3.

I did add an additional top from a solid piece of wood that overhung on the edges slightly to give it a more finished look.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

WIDE CABIN DRESSER METAL SLIDES

Submitted by daddydrew on Fri, 07/19/2013 - 12:03

This was my third or fourth project and it was pretty tough. I started out with the basic build which was pretty simple and then I got to the end where everything was built except for the drawer slides and boy was it rough. I think that i spend half of the time on this project doing the drawer slides and half the time doing the build and the finish. I don't want to discourage anyone from doing this project but make sure you don't get in over your head. Check out my profile I am willing to do builds for people for an inexpensive price.

http://ana-white.com/users/daddydrew

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
minwax jacobean oil based stain
minwax polycrylic clear coat finish
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Comments

DIY Closet Tower

My daughter's room needed more storage and the closet was the perfect place to add some! Visit the blog link for more pictures.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Behr Primer and Paint in one, semi-gloss, matched to a piece of baseboard from my home.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate