Community Brag Posts

Drawer Organizer

Submitted by mseely02 on Tue, 01/22/2013 - 13:19

Organization is a constant struggle in our house and our junk drawer became more of a place to stick things when you didn't want them on the countertop than an actual funtional part of the kitchen. That won't change with the addition of the organizer, but it was nice to have it cleaned out.

In total, this only cost about $12 (for 3 drawers) and that was only because I used the S4S wood. My HD didn't carry 1x3 in anything else. May have been for the best because now I didn't have to sand anything.

The lesson learned from this project was that I should have cut everything to size instead of relying on the measurements of the drawer. The silverware drawer wasn't perfect and I will likely redo a little of it because the junk drawer turned out great.

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
None
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Toy box with upholstered seat

Submitted by Jarvo388 on Mon, 11/17/2014 - 13:16

This was my first project using designs from Ana White, and I am really pleased with how it's turned out. My son loves it! There were a few small errors but it was always going to be a learning curve and the good thing with wood is you can hide most errors. Using the pocket hole system was new to me, as it's not that big over here in the U.K but its a great system if joining wood. Also over here we tend to use different measurements and we pay a lot more for wood. I am looking forward to building more projects if the wife lets me ;) 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
£65
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White gloss. Next I would try a nicer or different finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Alexander Penn

Thu, 01/22/2015 - 19:41

Hello,
I am also a first timer and am just about to finish up the final coat of finish. I was wondering what you did to make the cushion on top? my girlfriend really wants to make a cushion for it but does no know where to start. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated! Your box looks amazing by the way. i like the lettters on the front.
Thanks
Alexander

Rustic X Coffee and End Table

Great project we did for a local customer. Super happy with the way it came out, and the contrast between the brown top and white base. Making the inset shelf a different color provided an additional later of difficulty, but the result is worth it.

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Toffee and Rustoleum Gloss White
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Christmas Tree/ 12 Days of Xmas

We saw this project a few months ago and I knew I had to add it to our holiday decor. Once it was built, it took a few weeks to figure out home to decorate it and came up with the 12 Days of Christmas using a Chalk Couture design. Still learning, had a few mishaps with the brad nailer, but I'm super happy how it came out!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Special Walnut, and then sanded most of it off. The blocks were painted with Waverly Ink and distressed. The design is from a Chalk Couture transfer.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Full Size Bed Frame

This is one of the first furniture projects ive done in 2 years. A finished picture will be up later on. I painted this project because the customer wanted it painted not a big fan of paint but what they want the get.

Estimated Cost
30 to 35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Satin paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Leaning Bookshelf from The Handbuilt Home

Submitted by Shorty on Wed, 11/19/2014 - 18:24

As my husband and I were slowly piecing this shelf together, I began to worry if it was going to end up rather unattractive. Turns out I had no need to worry and the completed project was better than I had imagined! It's extremely sturdy and a good size (I actually brought down the width a notch). I painted the shelves and supports separately which turned out to be an excellent idea.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Glidden Spanish Olive
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

A nice place for the living room "stuff"

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/24/2017 - 19:14

I followed the plans exactly except I made the legs 5 inches taller to allow more room on the bottom shelf. this was my first project with doors and drawers and my third big project after building a chicken coop and the Ana White triple pedestal table. I couldn't find 2x2s so I stripped 2x4s (the dimensions aren't exactly the same but close enough). Took me longer to build than it would most people because I'm not that experienced.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
About $130 for everything.
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Thalo green satin latex by Valspar. Then I watered down some black latex and wiped it on with a crumpled paper towel and wiped it off with another crumpled paper towel. I had some tintable glaze but I didn't like it as much as my watered-down paint method.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Farmhouse Console Table - Modified

Submitted by mpjacob08 on Thu, 12/10/2020 - 05:35

I Modified the plan to eliminate the middle shelf and shortened the length to fit as an entryway table.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$68
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White alkyd for bottom then conditioned the top before staining with special walnut then once dry used weathered oak. Sealed with oil based polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Our Big Boy Fort Bed!

Submitted by Kabarie on Fri, 01/25/2013 - 18:03

This was sooo easy for a first timer like myself. Followed Anna's plan. Learned as I went. Customized a little...started with the end panel..could only fit it cut in sections in car from store, so decided to separate the sections and open it up a little with a peek a boo window. Used a little unsanded grout in my paint choice so that my son can doodle some art on the panels with his chalk. Added some support boards on lower corners for extra support...also used the Long L brackets as bed rails to support the slats. Make sure you get enough wood to cut the vertical side of ladder as the plans didn't include it. Cost about $100 without the mattress. Very happy with it. Thanks Ana!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sanded, wiped down with wet rag and applied one coat of Minwax Ipswich Pine 221 to wood.

For painting the panels I mixed 2tbs of unsanded grout with 1 cup of my choice of paint so that chalk could be used on it.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

5 years in the making

first project ever, made a few alterations to both plans and came up with this.

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

Comments

The Full Farmhouse with a 15.5" clearance for under-the-bed storage

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/27/2017 - 08:42

For our small 1960's Master bedroom, I needed more storage for under-the-bed totes. When we were all done, I made a bedskirt with the needed drop-length to hide all of the totes.

Estimated Cost
$140
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Sherwin Williams Ovation extra-white
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

First built ever

Submitted by OlgaB on Sun, 12/13/2020 - 12:59

This is the first project I have ever built. It was super satisfying to make.

Estimated Cost
150
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Shellac (amber), Cabot exterior black, Helmsman clear gloss varnish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Rustic Bench

This is the Rustic X Bench featured in Ana's Book, The Handbuilt Home.

Estimated Cost
$30-$40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut & Early American stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

coffee table

Submitted by DanGraves on Wed, 11/26/2014 - 09:12

This was the first table we built.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$35.00 for wood and stain.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

Outdoor coffee table and side tables

Submitted by Eddie K on Wed, 03/01/2017 - 06:44

I build these basically with leftovers from our new fence.  The coffee table is 4x4 post legs with a 2x4 frame attached underneath.  For stability, I used a 12" wide scrap of 3/4" plywood on the top before attaching fence pickets.  Old tags were used on both sides and ends.  The (two) end tables were 2x4 legs with 1x4 side trim pieces, but without the plywood stabilizer, and a single cut down picket for the top.

Estimated Cost
A guess here, since it was all leftover lumber, but I'd say about $20-25 for the table and $6 for each table.
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Computer Desk with hutch

Submitted by SusanStory on Sat, 12/19/2020 - 07:19

My cousin needed a computer desk but wanted it to look like a piece of furniture when not in use since they have limited space. The left side stores her tower, the right side has a pullout shelf for her printer and storage for printer paper & supplies. She works with 2 monitors so the center on the hutch will accommodate both but be hidden when she isn't working. This was a fun project and using Shelfhelp made it a joy to build. They will be my "go-to" place when building large pieces of furniture.

Estimated Cost
$400.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Unfinished as they will stain to match their furniture

Comments

Child Adirondack Chairs

Submitted by KyleMelson on Mon, 01/28/2013 - 22:35

I'm not a writer, and English was my worst subject. So don't hold any grammatical errors against me.

This was a project that I built this past weekend. It's a set of child size adirondack chairs. The toughest part was the weather. It was too cold outside to paint, so I had to paint and assemble these in my living room. My two year old daughter kept trying to sit in them before the paint had an opportunity to dry.

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

Comments

Pam the Goatherd

Tue, 01/29/2013 - 11:59

They turned out very nicely!
I'm currently building a desk for my son in the living room of my home, so I know how that goes...
Congatulations on getting it done!

Hailey platform bed

Submitted by RuthE on Fri, 11/28/2014 - 17:30

I completed this project almost entirely by myself. I had a malfunction with the saw & needed assistance from my husband in the beginning, but borrowed a saw from a friend & completed the rest by myself. I made the platform bed one weekend & made the headboard another weekend. Fun project! And it turned out beautiful!! Thank you, Ana White for your awesome plans on your website!!! 

Estimated Cost
Unsure, I had most of the wood already.
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I preconditioned my wood with Minwax pre-stain conditioner & followed with Minwax Stain in Jacobean on the bed. For the headboard my son wanted a chalkboard in his room so I painted the center planks before I added the casing & trim with chalkboard paint. After I added the rest of the wood, I carefully preconditioned my wood with Minwax pre-stain conditioner & followed with Minwax Stain in Jacobean on the rest of the wood. Super easy!!
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Tilt Out Trash Bins

Submitted by rhsmit2 on Thu, 01/31/2013 - 21:01

I loved this project. Great way to clean up the kitchen and creates a nice usable shelf.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Kilz primer/paint in 1.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments