Community Brag Posts

Simple Farmhouse Bed Single

Submitted by lindslar on Fri, 10/15/2021 - 05:40

This was my first project and I’m beyond proud. Thank you for the instructions!!!

Comments

Changing table for my Baby. First project

Submitted by Jason on Tue, 03/22/2011 - 20:33

This was my first wood working project ever. I followed Ana's plan exactly except for the trim and partitions. I learned a lot from this project such as the correct pre-drilling hole size and the need for countersinks (I had quite a few split boards). I used Pine for the boards and MDF for the shelves but if I had to do it again I think I would go for plywood. All in all it was a rewarding project. The hardest part was the wood putty.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used KILZ primer and High Gloss white paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

One of my first projects!

This was one of my first projects. I had some challenges with the cuts... I rushed through (since I had my 1 & 3 year old assisting) and didn't make exact cuts... as a result, there was a lot of trimming to do on the legs. Also, the pressure treated wood that we purchased was very weak and even with drilling pilot holes, I experienced quite a few splits when putting together the legs of the benches. (This is why I only have one bench, actually... I still need to buy more wood...) Otherwise, I love the table!!! I think I attached the legs of the table differently than instructed, though I can't recall what I did.. and we ended up cutting a 2x2 to tie in the legs (from mid-X to mid-X) for extra support. (My 3 year old son was leaping from the table and we wanted to make sure it could meet his demands.) We LOVE it overall!

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
No finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Little Bear's Loft Bed

My daughter had talked about wanting a loft bed for a long time so after of plenty of research, we went for it. The shelves of the bookcase, except the top and bottom, are made from 3/4 plywood I had laying around. I did my best to utilize as much lumber that I already had in the basement to reduce costs.

Underneath the bed is LED Rope Lighting and the gaps under the rails were stenciled with the bear paws since my daughters nickname is Little Bear.

People have loved it enough I think there's a couple people that are going to buy the supplies so I can build it for them. The one thing I wish I had during the construction was an oscillating multi-tool to trim off the Kreg plugs. I now have one and plan on using it a fair amount.

On to the next project!!

Ben

Estimated Cost
Around $200 since I used higher quality lumber and Ohio is expensive
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Semigloss paint and bear paw stencil
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Sliding Door Media Console

Submitted by BobC on Sun, 10/08/2017 - 11:26

Built this to replace a shorter, store-bought media table that was just a dust collector.  I really enjoyed building this, especially making the hardware by hand. Thanks to one of the other builders for the plans to build the iron door hangers.  

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

My first build I Love this closet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 10/21/2021 - 11:32

When I wanted to unpack I found this amazing design by Ana White. I transformed my living room into my workshop. And voila my first build was accomplished
Thanks for all your amazing designs

Comments

Blue Farmhouse Table

Submitted by ktrodger on Fri, 03/25/2011 - 20:16

I wanted a kitchen table that was bigger than the one we had from Ikea, but the Farmhouse Table was too long. So we modified the length, left off the stretcher, and painted it a bright blue! The major lesson learned in this project was to be sure to store boards carefully. We bought the lumber, cut the boards, and then didn't work on the project for a couple of months. Even though the wood was in our garage, some of the boards warped a bit, leaving us with bends and curves to deal with once we started to build. Luckily, things came together, but there are many more imperfections in this table than would have been there if we'd built it sooner. But we still love it! 

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Blue semi-gloss paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Triple Pedestal Farmhouse Table

Submitted by blmalloy on Sun, 06/09/2013 - 08:27

This table was actually our very first project! It took us longer because of that, but really, this table isn't very complicated at all! Cutting the arches were probably the most difficult part of the whole thing (hence why we left them off of the matching bench).
We modified this table down to 7.5 feet, but still kept the three arches because we loved the look of it. This table can still easily seat 8 people.
We modified the bench by not framing the top and leaving the arches off, but kept the same look of the legs so it would still match and keep the time/difficulty low.

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
We used Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Dark Walnut and Rustoleum Ultimate Poly in Gloss. For some reason, the bench stained a bit lighter than the table even though the same wood and stain was used. The tabletop actually has four coats of poly because we initially went with Satin (using three coats) but really wanted the shine, so added a fourth coat of gloss. Next time we will just use gloss. :)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Ana White Admin

Sun, 06/09/2013 - 12:12

Hard to believe this was your first project! You did an amazing job. Love the white tufted chairs to bring a rustic elegance to the set!

Bookcase wall unit

Submitted by kwhitt on Tue, 05/12/2015 - 08:38

This is the project that inspired me to start woodworking. I'm a bookaholic and have always used cheap, particle board bookcases from Walmart for storage. They're fine for the price, but over time the shelves bow and they NEVER survive a move. When I outgrew the three units I had, I balked at buying a fourth, which I didn't really have room for anyway. Enter Ana White! This is actually based off a brag project under the IKEA Lack Inspired Bookcase. What I love best about building my own is that I can customize to suit my needs. I was able to put almost twice as much shelving into about the same area. And if I outgrow these, I can just build another!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
about $175
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Miniwax Espresso Stain, Varathane Satin Triple Thick Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

3 hook coat rack

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/03/2021 - 12:40

Thank you for this - I just made it slightly longer.

Comments

Modified Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Liz H. on Wed, 03/30/2011 - 13:04

This was our first project.  My husband and I took the Farmhouse bed plans and modified them to look more like the Hudson Bed from Pottery Barn.  This is a King size bed with removable side rails and under bed supports so that it can easily be collapsed for moving.

Estimated Cost
$600
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I had to dye the wood using a mahogany dye to unify the woods and then applied three coats of mahogany and english chestnut stains mixed together and then mixed with lacquer and lacquer thinner. The drying in between was long. Next time I would paint poplar or use a different wood.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Printer's Console

There were a few misprints in the supply/cut list but if you read through the comments section it helps. I ended up making a list of the supplies and adding a column next to it with the cuts, that helped. Oh, and the store I bought the knobs from didn't have enough but the last one is coming! Pretty happy with the end result. Thanks Ana!

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
The estimated time was a bit longer than actual build time due to stain & poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

tara2

Wed, 06/12/2013 - 16:17

looks really nice! could you tell me the type and color of stain that you used? thanks!

Focal point of the room

Submitted by Diesel911 on Wed, 05/13/2015 - 11:19

Beautiful and functional. Nobody believes I built this :)

Built from Plan(s)
Finish Used
Paint with stain applied over it. This was a very bright red with kona stain wiped over and then immediately wiped off. I did apply a clear coat to protect it. The kona stain really subdues the color of the paint.. This was a VERY bright red.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

JoanneS

Wed, 05/13/2015 - 14:19

What a gorgeous build! Absolutely love the color too! I was just trying to picture a red like that today, and now I know it looks wonderful!

Wood Toy Fishing Game

This was a very easy project from scrap wood I had leftover from previous projects. I modified the box a little. I cut slits in the box so the top slides on nicely. I also stained the box and sealed because I love the look of stained wood. I used early American wood stain.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
early american
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Mod wine cabinet

This was a really fun project. Thank you to Ana White for the awesome plans to make this wine cabinet possible. It's much loved, and is a beautiful new additions to a new home. I enjoyed making it, the plans were very easy to follow.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Full Storage Bed

I built the Full Storage Bed using Ana's plans!  It was very easy and I love the storage space!  You can see it and my modifications at our blog http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2011/03/crates-for-storage-bed.html

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut stain and Minwax Polycrylic Gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Wedding Bench

Submitted by MrsTalbott on Wed, 06/12/2013 - 08:58

I stole this idea from another brag and had to have it at my wedding. The Bench was fairly cheap to make and took about 4 hours total. I hand made the stencils using cardstock, shipping tape, Xacto knife, and alot of tedious cutout work! I used a sharpie silver paint marker to fill in the stencil. Turned out great and now its at the foot of our bed and we get to look at all of our guest comments everyday!

Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut Satin
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Mini Farmhouse Bedside Table

Submitted by Rustybuns on Sat, 05/16/2015 - 00:34

This was the first furniture DIY project for my wife and I. We loved the look of the original farmhouse bedside table plans but they were bigger than what we needed at the moment and didn't want to try to cram them into our room. The mini plans were exactly what we needed. For a first time build, I am pleased with the results and we ended up spending about $75 plus the cost of stain for the two tables. Similar, all-wood night stands run around $200 per table so it doesn't get much better than that. We opted for the Minwax Dark Walnut stain.

Estimated Cost
$75 plus stain
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Dark Walnut
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

RenoRustic

Sun, 05/17/2015 - 19:43

I built my mini farmhouse beside table last year as my second build. Did you use a brush or rag while staining? Every time I use dark walnut I get a much darker color, and yours came out perfect for a project I'm going to start soon.

Wood Truck Bookshelf

Submitted by sraper2 on Sat, 12/02/2017 - 12:12

I built this truck to give to my son for a Christmas gift.  It came together really fast.  It took about 2 hours including sanding, painting, staining, waxing, and assembly.  I really love the finished product!  I have a lot of pictures of the process on my blog.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Amy Howard Chalk Paint and Wax, Minwax Special Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project