Community Brag Posts

Haley Platform Bed and Headboard

Submitted by nelson6889 on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 07:50

First time building a bed. The plans were spot on and easy to follow. Used my left over flooring to make the headboard planks.

Estimated Cost
200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Painted with semi gloss White
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Simple Entryway Bench

Submitted by eulysses on Sun, 05/11/2014 - 19:46

This is my second project. I based it on the "simple easy storage bench". I made this for my wife, she requested an entryway bench as you enter the house from the garage. I'm glad I was able to finish it just in time for Mother's Day :).

I learned a lot by doing this project (e.g. hiding nails, wood fillers, warped wood, sanding, to name a few). There's still a lot of things to learn, I'm hoping to be able to practice more.

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Clear Gloss Polyurethane (minwax)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Simple Outdoor Table

Submitted by MrThompson on Sun, 08/14/2016 - 08:30

I was inspired by Handymommy's set, using the arm chairs instead of the standard ones, so thanks to you!

The wood I had was all rough cut 1 x 6's so I had to adjust the plans a bit.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$250
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Helmsman clear gloss
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project
Seasonal And Holiday

Benchright Table and Farmhouse Bench

Great plans and a great build. I used 4x4’s for the legs and decided to go with the Farmhouse Bench instead. The color I went with is Weathered Grey. I applied it with a brush and immediately wipes it off with a clean rag, then 2 coats of poly to finish it off.

Estimated Cost
$200
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Weathered Grey Oil Based Stain with Semi-gloss Poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Storage Desk System

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/17/2024 - 10:04

Custom built-in desk and bookshelves. We combined plans for a massive desk with bookshelves. Working from home, I needed to maximize my storage space but wanted to create beauty and function at the same time. I love the finished results! I admire my new desk everyday I "go to work."

 

$2.00 Scrap Lap Desk

This was a really quick and easy build. I built it with two bucks and two hours with some scrap wood I had laying around. The only thing I bought was a package of 2 standard hinges ($2). Also, I deviated from the plan a little by not including the lower storage compartments (didn't want it to get too heavy), making the legs 4" shorter (so it's more comfortable to use in bed), and not building the storage dividers under the flip-top lid. Check out more info by clicking my blog link!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$2.00
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
A quick sanding and a coat of Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Dark Walnut.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Farmhouse Table

This was my first woodworking project. Thank you Ana for providing the plan and making it easier for me.

Estimated Cost
60
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax oak and fast drying poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

14 person farmhouse table

Submitted by Udeyhawk on Tue, 08/16/2016 - 16:49

My wife wanted to seat 14, so I basically doubled the plan with a few extra inches on each side.  We also wanted umbrellas, so drilled  holes where they would just meet.  The stain is the Behr semi-transparent deck stain and sealer in Harbor grey.

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

AP - Play Kitchen

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/31/2020 - 19:20

Loved the plans from the site Ana! I got inspired seeing all the lovely play kitchens that everyone had created! Thought I'd share the one I've made for my little one as well, she loves it!

Bookshelf and Bench Built-in

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/23/2024 - 10:39

I apologize for not having before and after shots from the same perspective, but this is the bookcase I built to replace the very poorly sized and very poor quality bookcase that was in this room before. The room has a slanted ceiling that goes from 8' to 16,' and has baseboard heaters that got in the way of cabinetry. I worked around it. These were my first cabinets, and they didn't come out exactly has I had envisioned, but they're pretty darn close! The shelves are all on brackets that are screwed into studs in the wall, and the boards that make the sides of the bookcase aren't even screwed down. I wanted something that would be sturdy and yet easy to take down or change. I left space in the middle because we'd like to put in a fireplace one day...

MelissaLeigh144

Double Desk

Submitted by mtroutman on Wed, 07/25/2012 - 09:28

This was our first project! We built it exactly like the plans. We finished it with a clear satin poly and we are thrilled with the results. Next we plan to paint the room.

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

Husky Farmhouse Dining Table

I love building my own wood furniture so that I can have beautiful pieces of furniture in my home while saving money! And while this project definitely cost more than the others I have done, I am so glad I splurged on the table legs. They ran me about $260 after tax and shipping costs, but I really think they give the table that extra OOMF! So a total of about $300 is nothing compared to a price tag at Pottery Barn or Restoration Hardware!

I chose this stain because I really wanted something to contrast with our dark leather couch and white dining chairs and this stain was even more perfect than what I expected it to be.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane Early American with Helmsman protective coating
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmouse

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/19/2016 - 23:09

My first building project ever. Love it and plan on putting it in my dining eventually 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
70
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse coffee table and large side tables

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/03/2020 - 06:17

I needed a new hobby and missed going out on date nights with my husband. So we decided to take on a new hobby that we could do together while filling in our new home. (We moved from Florida to Illinois a year ago) I came across the farmhouse coffee table plans and just loved how it looked. With it being a beginner project I was pretty optimistic about how it would come out. I watched videos on how to stain and use polyurethane on YouTube to complete the project. I love that my husband and I built these together and that we can finish furnishing our new house with things we built.
Our cost was higher cause I added in everything it took to get to the end result.

Estimated Cost
$200
Finish Used
Minwax Pre-stain
Minwax Stain in Early American
Minwax Fast drying Polyurethane

Saw Horse Work Bench

Submitted by jsquires3 on Thu, 07/26/2012 - 23:34

This was my first project off of Ana's site. I followed her simple sawhorse table plans verbatim. The only thing different I did was use a self-made chalkboard paint for the top (instructions under the finish section) and added screws to the left side to mount my power strip with (easy on and off for everything on the bench). I made the top a chalkboard top so that I could write notes on the table and mark measurements for various projects. Costs were $30 for wood (some leftover), $8 for paint, $2 for screws, and $5 for surge protected power strip. If you have any other questions please let me know.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Espresso stain for legs and a self-made dark blue chalkboard paint for top (mix about 1 cup of paint with 2 tablespoons of non sanded tile grout).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

King Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by jhavinga on Thu, 05/22/2014 - 16:31

Second project ive completed from Ana White, and I am very happy with how this bed turned out! The only thing I would fix would be the finish, I wanted it a bit whiter. not so creamy. Otherwise very quick and easy fun project to do. =)

Estimated Cost
$300
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
1 coat of a basic latex white paint.
Then I sanded down just so raised grains would become exposed.
1 coat of dark walnut stain (wipe on with cloth)
Done.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

jhavinga

Thu, 05/22/2014 - 16:34

Thank you for sharing all of these awesome projects. I was always hesitant when it came to wood, but now I cant seem to stop!

jhavinga

Wed, 06/11/2014 - 13:43

(You can do all this before or after your project is put together or not.)
Be sure to do a test piece before hand so you can see exactly what your getting :)

The first step I did once the head board and foot board were put together, was to sand any sharp edges or corners. I liked mine rounded and worn looking. I did not sand anything else.

Second step is to paint 1 even coat of a basic white latex paint.

Third step is to sand away some white paint. because we didnt sand it before hand the grains in the wood will be very bumpy. so the paint on the grains will sand off while the paint lower than the grain will remain. makes sense? hopefully i explained that right!

Fourth step is to now wipe on the stain of your choice. I went with Dark walnut. It stains the paint a bit bringing the white to a gray/brown tone. and stains the wood dark walnut so the grain patterns show up dark.

Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck!

jbogan15

Thu, 01/29/2015 - 07:49

What grit of sand paper did you use to sand off the white paint? and did you sand it by hand? Also, for the dark walnut stain, did you wipe off immediately or leave it on for a bit before wiping? Beautiful bed, I want to achieve this look!

In reply to by jbogan15

jhavinga

Fri, 02/06/2015 - 09:15

Hi jbogan15, thank you!
For sanding I used a palm sander with 120 grit to get the job done a bit quicker, than went over lightly with 220. When staining I actually just dipped a rag in the stain and would wipe the stain on. =)

Good luck!
Justin

kosborn

Fri, 01/27/2017 - 11:05

Love this look! Exactly what I am trying to achieve...A few questions about the side rails. How high did you connect them to the 4x4 posts and exactly how did you connect them? Did you use brackets or screw right into the posts? Thank You!

barkleyl

Thu, 09/05/2019 - 15:07

I have seen several beds from Anna White. I was wondering if the frame require a box spring mattress or not. If not, are the beds lower than what a traditional mattress and box springs are. Thanks ! 

Keepsake doll crib and highchair

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/22/2016 - 12:54

We were trying to figure out what to give our granddaughter for Christmas when the great grandparents arrived with our 2 kids old maple crib from the 80's. After much debate(well, not really, apparently the crib now breaks every law in the book!)  we decided to repurpose it into keepsakes. Enter Ana White!  We settled on a doll crib and doll highchair.  After many design changes trying to best utilize the old wood we came up with these. As you can see they were a hit and luckily very sturdy!  There are now 2 doll cribs, 2 high chairs and 4 granddaughters, each family has a set as a keepsake.  There are a few scraps left just in case a grandson happens along! Should be enough for a logging truck!

Estimated Cost
$30
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Original finish plus Danish oil and clearcoat on cut ends
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Garden Enclosure

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/04/2020 - 17:29

My chickens took over my garden area and being the voracious raptors they are, I needed to build a garden enclosure to keep my veggies safe. I modified a little, making my beds deeper. I also had to stretch chicken wire over the top to keep the great flyers out. I also used it as a way to organize my garden tools (which is possible because I live in Southern California with moderate temperatures and little rain. Thanks for the plans! Yvonne

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
500
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Deck on the outside. Clear coat on the inside. I also added chalkboard paint on the inside so I could fill in what I’m growing and erase it after.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Washer and Dryer Pedestal

Submitted by katie0910 on Mon, 07/30/2012 - 13:10

Our very first project! We absolutely love how it looks and that there's an easy way for our kids to sort their laundry. Can't wait to start more projects! You can see how we built it here http://addicted2diy.com/2014/01/14/diy-laundry-pedestal/

Estimated Cost
$125
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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