Community Brag Posts

Coffee table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2021 - 16:59

My second ever project my wife said I could do followed your plans are use pocket hose after asking about using them and you sent me a link on how to use it. I did not use the X instead my wife wanted me to Make a cross so it would go with the crosses in our living room thanks for the plans.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$56.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Are used a minwax would finish and then I use up oil based polyurethane semi gloss from Behr
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

first try :)

Submitted by booksgirl on Sun, 02/17/2013 - 16:30

This took me an afternoon because I have never used a compound mitre saw before so I was teaching myself through trial & error.
It was really fun to try and I will definitly be making more!

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Half-sized Rustic X table

I used 1x6 cypress wood for the top as well as middle and bottom shelves. This wood was given to me from my in-laws and came from an old corn crib that was torn down on their farm. The remaining 2x2's, 2x4's, corner brackets and screws were picked up as used or broken pieces from a local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. I also picked up the tung oil I finished with from the same place.  The pics show the various stages of build from the initial raw pieces that had been planed/sanded to using Hillary's tea and vinegar oxidation; after a good bit of tung oil was used; finally right before I gave it away as a Christmas gift. I had never worked with old cypress wood previously and was very impressed with how it accepted the oxidation (nice and light) as well as the oil finish. I preserved the old nail holes in the wood as much as possible and you might even notice I left some the white paint from the old corn crib that was on the end of one piece. Great plans - fun little project!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$10 - 15
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Tea and vinegar/steel wool, tung oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Finished the table!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 03/26/2017 - 10:16

We struggled with the angles because we made the table bigger than this tutorial suggests but all in all, awesome build.

Estimated Cost
$80
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Sweet pea bunk bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 01/26/2021 - 12:17

Thanks so much for the plans to build the sweet pea bunk bed.
It was just the ticket.
My little girl loves it, we used glitter paint and used some to replicate the stars and night sky on the lower bunk ceiling
We made a little ladder only because of space (or lack of) and will make the shutters and drawers at a later date.
Many thanks.

Dan, Alena and Leonie

Estimated Cost
£700
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Zinsser sealer
Valspar satin with gold and silver glitter
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Tryde Coffee Table

This is our very first Ana White project! We are so happy with how it turned out and have definitely been inspired to continue to create. Plans are already in the works for matching end tables, a dining table, and a bookshelf! We used cedar for this table. The stain was MinWax American Walnut, the slight red hue is from the wood only. We finished it with polycrylic because we didn't want any ambering. I think we probably spent about 6 hours doing the actual building A lot of that was spent trying to get the table top boards flush against each other. Any tips for picking straight pieces would be very helpful!! I would suggest cutting and screwing together on the same day do boards don't start to dry out. The rest of the time was really about doing test staining, waiting for coats to dry, etc. We did this in our basement so having water base stains was really key.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
MinWax water based conditioner (pre-stain) (applied with cloth)
MinWax water based American Walnut (applied with cloth)
MinWax polyryclic finish (applied with brush)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Beach Cottage Dresser

Submitted by diyduo on Sun, 12/28/2014 - 15:38

This is a modified version of Patrick's beach cottage dresser with a shelf at the bottom instead of a fourth drawer. The dresser was painted with Americana Decor chalky paint and distressed with Americana Decor wax. Thanks for this excellent plan, Ana and Patrick! 

Estimated Cost
Under $100.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Americana Decor Chalky Paint, 2 containers of 'Primitive' and 1 container of 'Treasure'
Americana Decor Creme Wax, Deep Brown
Americana Decor Soft Touch Varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Patio sectional

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/27/2017 - 12:22

This was exactly what I was looking for! I was able to make a sectional that fit our 4-season patio perfectly, and saved thousands of $$ in the process. 

 

Cushion details

Fullerton Outdoor Deep Seating Cushion Set - Threshold - http://www.target.com/p/fullerton-outdoor-deep-seating-cushion-set-threshold/-/A-52019240

Watch for sales on patio furniture, we were able to save 35% on the cushions (30% off sale + 5% Target REDCard discount)

 

Estimated Cost(s):

  • Lumber = $200
  • Cushions = $500
  • Screws, stain, miscellaneous supplies = $100
  • Total = $800

Finish Used:

  • Minwax Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner
  • Minwax English Chestnut Oil-Based Stain
  • Minway Fast Drying Polyurethane
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Lighted hall tree

Submitted by jeff.meyer on Tue, 02/02/2021 - 16:35

A lighted hall tree.

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Simple Changing Table

Submitted by JimmyE3 on Sat, 02/23/2013 - 08:59

Wanted to make our friends who were expecting a nice gift that would serve them for many years to come. Used a Kreg Jig (greatest tool ever for amateur carpenter or wood worker!!) for most of the joinery. Wanted it to have a bit of an older look to it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$75
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American 230 stain and Fast Drying Polyurethane Clear Satin (2 coats)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Workbench console

Submitted by lincey23 on Wed, 12/31/2014 - 08:27

We built this after getting a new tv. We love it.

 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
we used standard pine so it probably cost with stain around $90 to build. Took longer to stain and sand than anything.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
oak stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/09/2021 - 08:09

I wanted to buy Adirondack for comfortable lounge chairs but they are so expensive! Came across these plans and it took a little bit of trial and error but they turned out great! Completed 6 chairs total and they are super comfortable and look great!

Estimated Cost
$70 per chair
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Seasonal And Holiday

Apothecary Console

Submitted by drewkayla on Sun, 02/24/2013 - 23:10

Apothecary Console

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Krylon white primer, Krylon gloss Ivory, walnut stain and polyurethane spray in semi gloss, Behr faux glaze mixed with a Behr brown (roasted nut)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Numbered Cubby Desk Organizer

Submitted by donnamarie on Sat, 01/03/2015 - 12:50

Here's my version of Ana's 'Numbered Cubbies on the Wall'.  Mine is made from a 6' long 1/2" x 3" craft board and a 6' long 1" x 4".  I followed Ana's plan, adjusting mine for a smaller size and proportion.  I used a finish nailer with 1" nails.  The numbers were drawn on with black Sharpie following Ana's method.  First print out a 3" number in your choice of font, cut it out and tape to the cubby, press HARD to outline the number with a ball-point pen, then remove the stencil and fill in with paint or marker. 

This is an easy and fun project.  It's very versatile and cute and looks store bought and expensive.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$15
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Woodfinish in Provincial 211, with numbers written in black Sharpie
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Black and Brown Simple Outdoor Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/01/2017 - 12:47

I built the simple outdoor table using a black frame and Brown boards on top.  

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 with paint
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Black outdoor paint and valspar color radiance dark brown
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

We Did It! We Made The Farmhouse Table and Bench!

Submitted by fsufan3535 on Tue, 02/16/2021 - 10:58

My sister and I made The Farmhouse Table and Bench (with pocket holes) for my daughter and son-in-love. She was so surprised, she cried! I think she loved it!! It was my first project and now I'm getting requests from my oldest daughter to make one for her after her closing the end of next month.
Thank you Ana White for sharing your plans and making it so easy to follow!

Family File System

Submitted by dmcarwin on Tue, 02/26/2013 - 12:21

I fell in love with this project when it was first posted...which was quite a while ago. I am so happy to have it hanging in my home making my life SO much easier! I modified it to fit the needs of my family and I LOVE it! Check out my blog for more details!

Estimated Cost
I used scrap wood, I just purchased the hooks!
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Spray paint White
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Our family coffee table

Easy to build 

Estimated Cost
$30-$40
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Black walnut stain s/g laquer
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Loft bed with side rail

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/03/2017 - 13:53

na

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Plant Corner

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 02/23/2021 - 08:35

This was my first piece of furniture to make all on my own and the Corner Cupboard plans were soooo helpful! I needed more space for plants and had already built shelves in every window of my house, so I decided it was time to make a larger space to house my plants and add supplemental lighting so I could put it anywhere I wanted. This corner was dark and I don't love lamp light, so I thought a pop of color + plants + daylight grow lights would be perfect for the space! I've been taking on more carpentry projects and also wanted something that was a bit more challenging. This plan was perfect! I'm more of a napkin planner myself, so it was nice having the structure provided in Ana's plans and the cut list was super helpful. I had to make some modifications to fit things into my car, but it all came together nicely! This being a plant hutch with grow lights was the plan all along, but I gotta tell ya, when it came to having to drill 3/4" holes in the back of my newly built beautiful hutch, it took me a minute to work up the courage! I really love how it all came together - thanks for sharing your plans, Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kilz primer + Behr orange flambe paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Train Table

Submitted by amberhibbs on Fri, 03/01/2013 - 10:17

I made this train table for my nieces for Christmas. They LOVED it!

I used pre-primed MDF boards and plywood. I skipped the bottom shelf since I knew it would never actually be used as a coffee table and cut half circles out of the top for access so that it wouldn't need hardware.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 (I bought the plywood at the ReStore and saved some money)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I gave it two coats of an aqua I mixed myself from some random paints I had around the house, then distressed the edges and used a Minwax Stain Marker on the bare spots I created. I should have gave the whole thing a coat of furniture wax or hemp oil, butt I didn't get that done before Christmas morning came.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner