Community Brag Posts

Gate-Leg Sewing Table

My husband and I built this table as our first project. We followed all of the dimensions from Ana's "Small Sewing Table" project here: http://ana-white.com/2010/10/plans/sewing-table-small-spaces?page=1 The only thing we changed was the size of the table top and the legs. We were worried about putting my heavy sewing machine on top of the leaf called for in the plan, so we created gate legs to support the leaves. Since the legs were going to be folded up in between the base and each leaf, we extended the center portion of the table top to accommodate the change. After it was assembled and stained, I decided that I didn't like the solid color, so I stenciled on a pattern with white latex enamel paint (what I had on hand) and continued to paint the base. After lightly scuffing it up with the sander, I layered 3 coats of poly on top. It has held up well, even after many large quilt projects! I just LOVE my sewing table!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Golden Oak Minwax Stain
Polycrilic
Valspa Latex Enamel in Satin White
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

TinyHouser

Fri, 08/05/2016 - 13:41

Hi there. Could you please tell me what the brackets are you used with the gateleg? Do you remember where you got them? Thank you!!!

Project Complete!

Here is my patio sectional made of 2x4s. Used my Kreg Jig for the first time to complete this project. I used pocket holes in as many places as possible, then finished it with two coats of leftover fence stain and two coats of semi-gloss outdoor Varathane spar urethane for a nice sheen. I modified the dimensions to fit the cushions that my wife purchased before I began the project. I made the back substantially taller to support the cushions and left the arms off of both ends of the sectional so people could sit facing sideways too. I left the corner of the sectional without a cushion so people would have a place to set drinks.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Two coats of Behr transperent weatherproofing all in one wood finish stain in "chocolate" (leftover from our fence) and two coats clear semi-gloss outdoor varathane spar urethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
Seasonal And Holiday

Book Ledges

These ledges are incredibly versatile and will easily grow with any child.  Books for the younger ones and then a gallery wall for when they grow.  They are so easy to build that literally, a child can do it, as you can see.  This was her first build that she completed by herself.  After the boards were cut of course.  Thanks Ana, this is a great plan and it was an AWESOME  day for the girls!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
sanded and painted white.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Guest Room Farmhouse Bed with planked wall

Submitted by The Allens on Sat, 11/02/2013 - 15:05

We loved the first farmhouse bed we built so much, that we decided to build another one for our guest bed. We loved the red paint, and weren't too sure how to accent it, so we went with a planked feature wall. Just need to build some night stands and hang some pictures and our guest room should be complete!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We primed and then painted 3 coats of red paint, I think California Poppy BEHR paint. Then I used a glaze, that I tinted with black paint, brushed it on and then wiped off with a damp rag. Finished it off with Minwax Polyurathene semi gloss clear coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

JoanneS

Sat, 11/02/2013 - 18:16

Awesome project! Love the bed and red finish, and the plank wall is brilliant! Love it!

The Allens

Sun, 11/03/2013 - 19:22

We didn't have any old distressed wood, so we bought pine tongue and groove from the hardware store and stained them ourselves. Then we just used a nail gun to attach them to the studs on the wall. It was surprisingly easy to do, just a bit time consuming. And nerve wrecking, we figured it would look either really good, or just awful! W are very pleased with how it turned out!

Bunk Bed

Submitted by hoffer5353 on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 14:04

I am very happy to have completed the up portion of the bunk bed. The full size down was done quite sometime ago and I became sidetracked on other projects.
This is a sturdy bed and a favorite in my home. One day I even found my husband napping (hiding) on the top bunk.
The part that I like the best is when we graduate from bunk beds we still have two beds to use.
I also completed the ladder and it works, but I cut it just alittle shorter than the plan called for. Lets just put another on my to do list.

Estimated Cost
100-200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
minwax, red oak stain. Minwax Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

hoffer5353

Sat, 02/11/2012 - 14:37

It was surprisingly more easy that I expected. It helped me stay motivated to finish both beds.

First Project!

Submitted by katiea40 on Sat, 04/07/2012 - 18:20

I saw this and thought - FINALLY...the answer to my laundry chaos! My husband built it for me this weekend with a couple of minor modifications. He put casters on the bottom, so I can move it to clean and sweep. He also added clear plastic drywall corner protectors over the 2x2's so that they paint is protected when the baskets slide in and out! Pretty clever! Oh, and I thought I was being super creative when I picked the color - and then saw that it is the EXACT color that you painted it! So much for that creative spark - but, I'll work on it! Thanks for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Primed and painted with high gloss finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

6' Square Sandbox

I've been wanting to buy or make a sandbox for my son for a couple of years now. Since seeing this on Ana White I knew I had to make it. My son is 4 yo and I didn't think the 4' square sandbox would be big enough for him, so I made it bigger. Ours is 6' square.

Materials:
4@1x8x6'
12@1x6x6'
2x4 - used leftovers from another project
8 hinges
4 handles
decking screws

Cut lengths:
2@1x8 cut to 71.5 (long sides of the box)
2@1x8 cut to 70.5 (short sides of the box)
did not cut the 1x6 boards (top planks) - actually designed the other boards to fit their length to prevent cutting (saving time) (note that original plan uses 1x4 planks - I used 1x6s so I could use the same number of planks but cover a larger area)
4@2x4 cut to 11.5 (arm rests)
4@2x4 cut to 18.5 (back supports)

followed instructions for assembly otherwise. At my husbands suggestion we put the handles on the sides and can easily open from either side - prevents having to lean over to the middle to open (back saver)

I finished the project in 4 hours including clean up and a couple of small breaks. This is my first Ana White project. It was a lot of fun to build and I hope my son will enjoy it for years to come!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$190
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Sand and stain with sealer included
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Mrs. Chellebelle

Sat, 09/01/2012 - 20:59

Wow, this is just what I need! I've been wanting to make a sandbox for under the playhouse but the other plan was too small. This would be great for the little guys. Thanks!

Daybed with Storage Trundle Drawer (Modified)

Submitted by Honeyb65 on Sat, 09/26/2020 - 10:05

Great plans for a really useful storage daybed! I modified the plans to include a slat back and rustic x sides, as well as changing the Trundle drawers to a single drawer to fit my exercise equipment. I finished the daybed with stain and chalk paint in old white and Paris Grey distressed for the perfect shabby chic look!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane stain in Dark Walnut, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White, color wash over the white with Paris Grey and then sanded for the white and some of the stain to show through.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Patio cooler/Grill cart!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 14:06

Great project! I'm new to wood working and have been looking for simple but challenging builds. Needless to say this fit the bill... This grill cart was a great starter build and ultimately became a Father's Day gift!  My Pops loved it! 

I did add a couple of custom pieces: a foldable table top extension and towel bar... things Dad will undoubtedly need as he's an outdoorsman who loves to BBQ!

Thanks for the idea/design plans! 

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-gloss spar urethane (3 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Thumb Chairs

This is seriously the easiest plan ever - great job, Ana! I needed a gift for some children on my husband's side of the family (2 boys, ages 2 and 7), and as I was desperately trying to figure out what to make/give to them Ana posted these amazing plans. I saw them and instantly knew they were perfect! I made them entirely out of scraps from a daybed I had made the previous weekend. The only thing I purchased was the green spray paint - $5 for two great gifts! And, it took me less than 2 hours to build them after work. We gave them to the children last weekend and they LOVED them. They couldn't stop carrying them around with them at the party, and their parents were so touched that I made them a home made gift. PS - As I was getting ready to paint the chairs, I had the blue spray paint leftover from another project and my husband suggested that the other one should be green. I had completely forgotten that Ana painted hers the exact same color! I guess it's a popular color combo, huh?

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$5
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Rustoleum Spray Paint in Deep Blue, Valspar Spray Paint in Garden Green
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Tow Mater Adirondack Chair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/06/2017 - 10:02

I made this chair for my 3 year old son who is obsessed with Disney Cars based off of Ana's 

Super easy little Adirondack chair plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Various
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Schmatt's Bar

We built this bar from two separate sets of plans. One was from Shanty 2 Chic and their outdoor bar. Because I don't like the flat top design and prefer to have two separate levels for bars (one for mixing drinks and one for drinking them), we used a tutorial from Pinterest as well. I essentially looked at pictures and evolved our own take on it. We decided to use 1X12 and 1X4 that I have stocked up. We also had an alder bar rail left over from our own bar that we attached. It fits well through doors and fit perfectly in our minivan for transporting. 

We gave this to my husband's cousin and his wife because they were hosting their first New Years Eve party. We are waiting for their instruction as far as shelving on the inside (they are still discussing for how many glasses and whether or not they want a refridgerator/kegorator installed) and the finish. 

Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish yet
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Modified Doll Bunk Bed

Submitted by dbwalk on Mon, 01/12/2015 - 20:19

I made this bunk bed for a friend's daughters.  I modified the plans by using 2x2's for the bed posts instead of 1x2's.  It made it harder to hide the screws but in the end I think it looks better.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $20.
Finish Used
I painted the wood with white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Faux Fireplace

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/29/2022 - 05:37

Small space faux fireplace. Thank you for the plans for the faux fireplace. Easy to make and has been used for every holiday.

Comments

Gas Pump Curio Cabinet

Theses cabinets were built for a customer from plans they had found online. The hardware was ordered with the plans for an extra expense and the glass was made to order. Hope you enjoy them thanks for looking.

Estimated Cost
$450 for two
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Latex paint
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

double loft bed

Submitted by smckeand on Fri, 03/23/2012 - 13:01

This is my extremely altered double loft bed. My sister needed a custom sized double loft bed, I figured I could use this plan and make two beds in an L shape, but the space I had to work with was smaller than these plans so I had to re-design most of the bed all together, I ended up attaching two sides of each bed to the wall with legs only on the outer pieces. She wanted a "fun" looking bed so I added a splash of color, just simple enough for me to make.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
sanded with 220 grit, primed, painted with sherwin williams pro classic
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

taslytoo

Wed, 08/01/2012 - 18:04

Might incorporate this idea into my girls room bed. Thanks for sharing.

Porch swing bed

Submitted by Beaulook on Tue, 01/28/2014 - 16:29

Started off with the original design but enlarged it to fit an oversize single mattress. The mattress cost me $35 from a local faith farm, while the materials came in around $200. I decided to hang under my backyard pergola. Fun and easy project.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Cedar stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

bhammond

Tue, 01/28/2014 - 21:10

Wow this looks so inviting I might just have to make one too! Nice work-- it looks great!

Shorty

Tue, 01/28/2014 - 21:26

Really great job on your porch swing bed AND an awesome looking patio/yard. Looks amazing all around!

Debbie Perkins

Mon, 07/27/2015 - 22:45

I want this!  I just made a couple of plant stands for my front porch.  My husband asked me what my next project was, why, a swing bed.  (This was only my second project!)  I want to put cup holders in those big ole arms!  We have a house at the beach in South Alabama, so, you gotta "hydrate."  This is an awesome swing.  I can't wait to do mine...pillows to rest on, one foot on the concrete pushing me in a slow swing. Cold beverage in my hand or in my cup holder. Yep, southern girl has a new project.  Love it!

Sliding Door Console

I modified the plans to have three compartments instead of four. Also, the hardware was a challenge.  Tip: use a wheel that has an internal bearing. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$200.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
pre-stain and golden oak by minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
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