Community Brag Posts

Doll cradle

Submitted by JBachelor on Sun, 12/17/2017 - 20:14

My husband and I used your plans to make this cradle... He built it, and I painted it.  I’m so excited to give it to our granddaughter for Christmas!!

Estimated Cost
We used wood and paint we already had, so it was basically free.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JBachelor

Sun, 12/17/2017 - 20:52

I put that it took 10-20 hours... that was mostly the painting and drying time between each coat, and doing the A for her name.

Mid Century Modern Changing Table

Submitted by Mizthng67 on Tue, 06/18/2013 - 08:54

I had been looking everywhere for an antique Mid Century Modern buffet table to use as a changing table for my daughter but found that these vintage pieces ran about $1200 to $3000 and still needed refinishing. That was out of my price range so I came here and found plans for a console table that had the look I was going for.

The plan I found was too short in length and height so I reworked them a little to fit my needs. I just added a second cabinet in the same dimensions as the first onto the other end of the drawers to increase the length and bought 12" legs instead of 6" ones to increase the height. I used the same hardware that was recommended in the original plans but added a magnetic door stopper to make the cabinet doors flush with the frame when closed. I also added dowel rods in the cabinets because my daughter doesn't have a closet and I needed a place to hang her clothes.

It is great to have 2 cabinets because the left side holds clothes that are too big for her and the right holds all of the clothes she wears now. The drawers are nice and deep so I can put all her changing stuff like diapers and lotion in the top and fit all her socks, diaper covers, and pajamas in the other drawers.

I will say that I used 1x6's to make the drawers first but found that I am really bad at picking straight boards as there were a lot of gaps between the sides and the bottom of the drawer. I went back and used scrap pieces of 3/4" plywood for the drawer sides and they came out much better with no gaps, plus, the exposed top of the drawer sides look better.

This was a fairly fast project. I put it as a weekend project due to the down time between staining and poly coats. It was my first time working with edge banding and I loved it. It was super easy and kind of relaxing! Over-all, this project was easy and fun! This table meets all of my needs AND it looks great! Thanks Ana for the plans and thanks Brooke for the inspiration and tips!

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat of Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Kona followed by 3 coats of matte poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

dyank021

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 11:05

I am so impressed. Where did you get the beautiful hardware and gold rimmed midcentury feet?

Small Dresser - Barn Wood Drawer Face

Submitted by CustomPulp on Wed, 05/27/2015 - 06:25

My son needed a dresser that would fit a small space (no more than 40 inches wide). I modified the Cabin Collection plans to fit the small space. Looking at the plan, I wanted to brighten up the wood and opted not to stain. Instead I purchased an airless sprayer and was very pleased with the finish. For the drawer faces, I found old barn wood. The barn wood was a little tricky because some of the boards were warped. I brushed the wood with a stiff nylon brush to bring out the deep grain texture of the wood. Finally, purchased bronze finished drawer handles. Very pleased with the outcome. Thanks for the plans. Can't wait to start my next project.

Estimated Cost
Lumber $90.00. Barn wood drawer fronts were free (driving around in the country looking for barns that have collapsed. Farmer agreed to give me enough lumber for 3 dressers). Promised I would mention his name in the post. Thanks, Jerry Parker!!!
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Valspar interior - Dove White
Minwax Clear Polyurethane - Drawers
Drawer Fronts were not finished
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Christmas Tree Wall Shelf

Submitted by PhD_Phil on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 10:44

Christmas Tree Wall Shelf

Stockings hung using cabinet/drawer pull knobs that I found on Amazon

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
<$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Garage Shelving

Submitted by NLough on Thu, 12/16/2021 - 08:42

I made these shelves - following the plans on the site - with my kids who helped with the painting. What a straight forward way to organize the garage and have fun introducing kids to building. The shelves are deep enough for storage tubs, access items easily and are very sturdy. I would fully recommend this plan to get things sorted in your garage and have more room for other projects!

Comments

Farm House Table

Submitted by tedwarm on Fri, 05/29/2015 - 05:50

I used local Colorado beetle killed pine. I based the table on Anna's Farm House Table plans. I used the bread ends to create pull outs for 11 inch extensions on each end.

Estimated Cost
$350, not counting the planer that burned out during the milling of the wood.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
seven layers satin wipe on poly, two layers finish wax using steel wool
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Last minute Christmases gift. Bunny hutch.

Submitted by jlsomers on Sat, 12/23/2017 - 14:27

Thank you Ana for the plans. Our daughters dolls needed some pets and this project was the perfect home for her New bunnies!  I can't wait for her to open this gift Christmas morning. 

Estimated Cost
Used all scrap wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

4 in 1 Entrepreneur Stand

Submitted by jkjackson on Thu, 12/23/2021 - 19:55

I LOVE the hot cocoa stand but wanted to make it “year round”. So I also created accessories for lemonade, fireworks and snow cone stands. The signs are reversible. They are made of metal and attach with magnets. The banners also attach with magnets. There are hot cocoas, gingerbread cookies, peppermints, lemonades, iced cookies, a cake plate, fireworks, smoke bombs, bottle rockets, sparklers, snow cones and a snow cone holder that flips over to become a crate.

Comments

Cedar Table/Stool

Made with western red cedar from Lowes. So pretty!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
none
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

KennyBoy

Wed, 08/21/2019 - 09:00

Did you use any kind of finish on the cedar? I’m making one as an indoor end table. 

What grit sand paper did you use? 

Looks great by the way. Excellent job!

Bunk Bed plans

Submitted by mgibson on Tue, 06/02/2015 - 13:23

Easy project for making bunk beds. Plan was very easy to follow!

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

Love these end tables!

Submitted by TheMrsS on Wed, 12/27/2017 - 22:48

I loved this project! I had been wanting a new set of end tables for a while and I came across these plans and was in love! I altered them just a smidge by raising the bottom shelf a little so I could fit a vaccuum/broom under it more easily, but other than that I left it as is! For the decorative hardware, I used L brackets and large upholstery nails/tacks...you can find them in most craft stores...I picked mine up at Hobby Lobby.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a coat of pickling stain, and then a watered down latex paint to 'wash' over it to give the finish a subtle layered effect. I used Varathane Matte Poly on top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Queen Platform Storage Beds

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 13:01

My husband and I made two Queen Platform Storage Beds for our "Carriage House" apartment. They are a beautiful and functional upgrade! Thank you Ana for sharing your plans!

Comments

Rustic X console

Submitted by dsteinberg on Mon, 06/24/2013 - 06:55

This was my first project from ana white. Thank you for making such great and easy to follow plans! I will be making the matching coffee table next!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
- brushed on black tea
- Stained with steal wool #0000 dissolved in vinegar for 3 days.
- Sealed 3 times with Vermont Natural Coatings wipe on polywhey satin

Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Sypher2109

Mon, 07/08/2013 - 10:16

Was the color of the table brown like that after just the oxidation process or did it turn brown like that because of the Vermont Natural Coatings Polywhey?

The reason I ask is we're trying to decide between the wax finish, which we love, or the more protective and durable PolyWhey.

dsteinberg

Mon, 08/12/2013 - 12:43

Sorry for the late reply. I hope this advice is still useful for you. I figured I would have got an email if someone replied to my brag post. I just changed my settings so I will get emails in the future.

After the oxidation process It was a fairly dark brown. At this stage the colouring was not even everywhere so I used 220 grit sandpaper on a sanding block to lighten the colour and even it out. I sanded fairly lightly. After applying the Polywhey the colour did not change much. It is hard to describe as I am not a very artistic person, but it definitely made the colour richer and more pleasing to the eye after applying the Polywhey. As for the Polywhey, it is oderless and very quick and easy to apply. I put on 3 coats. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Kitchen Table

Submitted by dcdorey on Sat, 06/06/2015 - 10:32

Simple farmhouse table

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic x side table

Submitted by Nellie1217 on Sat, 12/30/2017 - 08:38

It was a fun and easy build. I did the oxidation finish for the first time on this project and am really happy with how it turned out. I also added washers to the lag screws on the legs to make it stand out a little more. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
First I applied a strong brew of black tea to the wood let that dry then went over it with the Vinegar/steel wool oxidation treatment. Let it dry for 24 hours then sanded it to give it a more rustic look. Then I Top coated it with a flat finish poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Shou Sugi Ban (Yakisugi) Cornhole Boards

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/26/2021 - 14:48

I'm James Farquhar, designer, and fabricator. This is the second set of cornhole boards I built this year. This set is the regulation size of 48" x 24" according to the American Cornhole Association. It is made from fir 2 x 4 s and pine 1 x 4 s (6 per board). Each board is glued with Titebond II and countersunk Torx top screws (#8 1-1/2 inches). It is coated with Minwax polyacrylic (8 layers sprayed on) and Howard's bee's wax (3 layers). The boards are secured with 3-inch toggle latches in pairs. Kayak carrying handles with four screw ports; I used the same Torx Screws I used to put the boards together, extra for strength. The total weight of the boards is 60 pounds. I used a Texas Flame Thrower to Shou Sugi Ban (Yakisugi), as a finish.

Comments

Library Cart - First Build

This is my first build from ana-white.com and it was a success. I am glad that I started out with a beginner project as my carpentry skills were a bit rusty but eventually everything came back to me, the step by step plans certainly helped! According to my daughter, I am the best mom ever!

The dragonfly/butterflies I found at Hobby Lobby for 67 cents a piece, what a steal!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Ultra White Satin Finish
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by JeremiahT on Tue, 06/25/2013 - 18:55

Table was built using refinished tops from an old table/bench set. Cedar was used for the base of the table and benches. Also created two half-size benches that can be used to add seating at the table, or moved to the living room when additional seating is needed there. Finished with mahogany stain and several coats of clear gloss polyurethane.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax in " Mahogany" and clear gloss poly also by Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Art cart

Submitted by Ericagrace on Mon, 01/01/2018 - 14:36

Art cart!

i used furniture glide feet instead of wheels. I put the plexi on hinges. All scrap materials except for hinges. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner