Community Brag Posts

Kitchen nook

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/10/2019 - 07:26

I have just finished this project one thing I recommend is the pneumatic lifts for the lids they are 10 dollars a piece and make a huge difference 

Estimated Cost
300-400
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Strap hinges and pneumatic lifts
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Child size table and chairs

Submitted by kbates05 on Sat, 10/15/2011 - 16:55

Table was a little tricky for me and the wood kept splitting and the legs didn't seem very sturdy. The wood I have isn't the straightest so that gave me some trouble. Changed the dimensions of the table to 24" x 36" and used a lodge pole pine board so the top is a solid piece instead of the 1x8's keep the junk from collecting between the slats. The chair was pretty easy to build and my kids just love it. Thinking I will paint the table and chairs a high gloss white so it is scrub able and look good in our house.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
None yet. Thinking high gloss bright white.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Skipper's Stool

Submitted by c-e-fogus on Sat, 10/12/2013 - 17:14

We needed a couple of sturdy step stools for the bathrooms. My boys are not tall enough to reach the sink for hand washing and teeth brushing. Wally wanted $8 for a plastic thing. So I headed to the big orange store and bought a few 2X4's. $12 for both stools, plus the paint and screws which I already had.

I used the plans from the Skipper's Stool for some of my cuts. But I used 3-2X4 pieces for the top and shortened the legs to 10 inches. I was going to put on the side stretchers but it was super sturdy with the pocket holes and 2.5 inch pocket hole screws. So I left them off. A few coats of paint and they are good to go. Two of my boys can stand on one so that makes them a hit.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Gliddon Paint and Primer in one, color: organic celery.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Leaning orchard ladder

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 01/02/2016 - 04:43

I wanted something quick and easy to display or hold magazines or blankets. I used two 3x5x8, cut the bottom at 5 degrees and the top that leans against the wall at 85 degrees. You don't have to do this, but I liked the look. Last, I drilled 8 holes at 1 1/4" diameter to fit 1 1/4" dowel cut in inch increments: 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11. I used a brad nailer to hold the dowels in place from behind.

Estimated Cost
$30.00 - the dowels are the most expensive.
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Old flat wall green/blue.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Patio cooler

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/14/2019 - 18:29

Made this as a gift for our supervisor with my coworkers contributing to the cost

Estimated Cost
350
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kids Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/06/2023 - 14:00

Fun and easy project!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Il Bagno

5 kids, 1 bathroom, lots of waiting.
Not long ago I built the "waiting bench" and while it looks great, the space needed another little touch.

So I painted a sign saying, "Il Bagno", that's a prettier way to say "the bathroom" (in italiano).

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
had various left over spray paints that I layered, then put a dry brush coat of white(ish) paint. Then mixed some acrylic paint for the lettering and then did a little blue wash over the top. then after dry, gave it a little sand.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Rustic X End Table

My husband and I built this after the Rustic X coffee table won us over. The end table building plan is awesome, straight-forward, easy to follow. What we have learned from building the coffee table was that it is much easier to finish the frame and then mark the 2x2 against the bars for exact cut. We tried following the cut list, but turned out if the other cuts are slightly off, or the table is not squared, or the wood is not straight, then there may be a slight gap. So marking the 2x2 against the built frame was a much easier option for us. Of note, the end table is pretty big. So if you have a smaller living room, you may want to size down accordingly.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Conditioned, stained in Kona, matte finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Truck shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 01/03/2016 - 09:26

Filling with books for out first grandchild

 

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

72 inch vanity

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/21/2019 - 19:25

We needed an inexpensive alternative for our master bathroom remodel. After looking at Ana-White.com, I decided I should build a vanity myself. 

I had been gifted some newel posts, which I thought would work great for legs. The aprons and shelf slats were made with "choice" pine that I purchased from a big box store. I had two drawers leftover from a piece of furniture that was repurposed and I added new fronts from a piece of wood left from that same piece of furniture. I also had some leftover 1/4 inch plywood that I used to partition the drawers. 

The overall length once the counter is installed will be 72 1/2 inches by 23 inches wide. Because we are using vessel sinks (sitting on the countertop) I choose to make the base of the vanity 32 inches high. 

 

Estimated Cost
Under $100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Wood stain, custom color.
3 coats of poly acrylic in matte
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

B's toy box

Submitted by kareylynn on Mon, 10/24/2011 - 19:12

I built this toy chest out of some beautiful oak. I used brad nails to tack on a sign I painted with his name. That can be removed later with little damage to the chest.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$150.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Golden Oak, 2 coats of Rub On Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kitchen set

This was a kitchen for friends daughters birthday. I used my nail gun on this, made it so much easier:)

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used Behr Ocean Pearl and polycrylic coat.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

DMax2010

Fri, 10/18/2013 - 04:47

I made this kitchen for my son, it was one of my first projects, and I love seeing all the different ways people decorate these!

My new dinning table is complete!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/04/2016 - 14:48

Thank you for the inspiration - I love how mine turned out!

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

Comments

first furniture project

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/26/2019 - 05:46

was my project at collage on my first course self desian and cost of extra wood  £38  MATERIAL TO COVER  £25

 

Estimated Cost
£60
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
CLEAR SEALANT
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Rustic X coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/18/2023 - 02:39

Wanted a new coffee table and loved the plans for this. I wanted something slight different though with a solid hardwood top.
I used only reclaimed timber. The frame is from old construction lumber which I planted and squared off. The top and bottom slats are iroko and sycamore sourced from commercial wood recycling project.
I had a little bit of wood left over so made some matching coasters and coaster holder

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Farmhouse Table by hubby, kids and I

Submitted by nicoletims on Fri, 10/28/2011 - 05:03

We used Ana's farmhouse table plans. Everyone compliments us on it; even thought that we purchased it at Restoration Hardware.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

[email protected]

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 06:20

I like the table, but how do you attach the breadboard ends to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood? How did you flatten such a large tabletop with all those knots? Did you use a super-industrial flatbed sander or did you just use hand planes?

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 10:36

Gorgeous table!

It turned out really nice. I have some of the same questions as above (for all types of projects large expanses of joined up wood).

Does wood expansion and contraction cause any problems with wood attached with the Kreg Jig?

How do you get things smooth when joining up several pieces of wood? Are you using a belt sander? Just letting things end up where they may? Hand planes?

A big industrial planer is out for us. We don't have the room and I don't have the expertise. I'm hoping the planing/sanding is simple and easy, since I am way new to all this!

I'm not sure, but I *think* there is going to be a Kreg Jig and some wood coming my way for my birthday next month! I am so excited I could just scream (but I'll still act surprised LOL).

OK, sorry to just go crazy with a long post here. Your table looks wonderful! You guys did a great job!

claydowling

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 18:48

There are no wood movement problems along the long pieces, Those will expand and contract together. You can get problems with the cross piece on the ends.

As far as leveling the pieces, it's generally not done with this kind of furniture. But if you decided that it did need to be level, hand planes are the only good solution. I just did a table top, and it was moderately strenuous, but it didn't kill me, and it's very nice now.

If you want to learn how to do it, there are good books and videos on hand tools that discuss it. I grabbed Hand Tool Essentials as well as looking at a couple of good online videos from Chris Schwarz.

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 19:38

Hey Clay,

Thanks for the information. I will go do some research to see what I can learn about hand planing for when the project demands it. I'll also go look for some Chris Schwarz vids, too.

I appreciate the input!

nicoletims

Sun, 10/30/2011 - 13:52

Thank you for the kudos!

To answer some of the questions - there is a small gap at each end where the breadboards are attached that should allow for some expanding and contracting. As for finishing the top, we did not use a planer, just a palm sander. We were going for the rustic look, so the small imperfections give it some of that character we were trying for. After sanding we just put a couple coats of poly - the color of the natural wood with poly perfectly matched the chairs we had, which made it easy!

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Sun, 10/30/2011 - 14:54

Thanks, Nicole!

Your table really turned out beautifully. I love a bit of a rustic/cottage-y vibe, so I'm glad to hear that a palm sander did the trick. I'm not too intimidated by a palm sander, so that's another bonus.

You guys did a great job!

In reply to by Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Jake

Tue, 06/19/2012 - 20:01

I was recently diagnosed with Vibration Induced White Finger (yes it is a real malady) caused by over use of vibrating tools. I think the culprit was the palm sander. If you are concerned choose a rotating sander that has vibration control. I got one for Father's Day and it is great. I have not had any problems sanding surfaces down to smooth and level with 60 grit paper even with knots. Then I just go to 100 grit and then 150 grit and the surface is great.

TommyHawk

Fri, 12/20/2013 - 07:20

First of all, this looks great! I am going to attempt to build one. Two questions at least for now....
1) How long is your table? Unless you have narrow chairs, I don't see how 4 chairs would fit comfortably on the sides.

2) Where did you get your chairs? They also look great with the table.

Again, Great Job!!

TC

Giant outdoor sectional

Submitted by nprince on Mon, 10/21/2013 - 09:49

This is the first wood working project I took on. My husband thought I should start with, like a birdhouse or something, but I'm a "go big or go home" kind of person (plus I hate birds), so I thought a seven piece sectional was the way to go. After a few lessons from him on the miter saw, I got the clear to work on the project solo. (My husband builds a lot of our furniture but I insisted I wanted to do this 100% myself...and he surprisingly agreed).

The first section took a really long time for me to do (maybe 4 hours), but considering I've never even so much as drilled a hole for a screw, I considered it a success. After that (and after I decided to go out and buy a Kreg Jig - best invention ever - and ditch the "knock off" I tried to buy/use), it was pretty smooth sailing from then on out. Aside from being time consuming, I was surprised at how easy the plans were to follow. Ana it truly amazing for publishing these.

From start to finish, it probably took me a month to complete (and THANK GOD we bought a paint sprayer in anticipation for painting the outside of our house, or I think it would've taken at least another week to finish). But that's also because I stupidly decided to sew all of the cushions/pillows myself. I just couldn't justify ordering pre-made ones for seven individual pieces (the price quote I was getting for that and what I wanted was close to $1,000 in itself).

Overall, I'm VERY excited/please with how it turned out. I priced out the West Elm sectional of this size and it would've cost us about six times what it cost us to build from scratch. I can't wait to take on the next project (after a much needed break...)

Estimated Cost
Wood ($200), Cushions ($450)
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
I used a dark espresso outdoor behr pain.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

nprince

Mon, 10/21/2013 - 15:02

I stumbled upon your site a couple of months ago, and I'm a bit obsessed. I have a laundry list of projects I want to do now...more to come!

- Nicole

Smaller Dog Crate with a drawer!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/06/2016 - 12:28

You may remember my green stratton day beds that I built a long time ago- finally I have another project to post- I am soo happy I found Ana White's website. We just got back from a 2.5 week vacation in Israel and my dogs were staying with my sister. She told me they had been sleeping in the same kennel together instead of separately. Their kennels are too small so I decided to build them one using wood I already had. But since they are small dogs, I decided to size it down- but I wanted it end table height- so I built a smaller kennel- 20"H x 19"W x 28"D. but... I added a drawer to the top to bring it to the right height. You can read all about it on my blog- link below.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
provincial wood stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments