The Handbuilt Home: 34 Simple Stylish and Budget-Friendly Woodworking Projects for Every Room

I primarily bought this book to understand very basic woodworking to build useful items for my home. The explanations and instructions are clear and offer options to customize with slightly different woods, hardware or techniques. Each project contains a “cut list” so you know exactly what you’ll need to build your project. The most basic tools are used so you won’t feel like you need to buy new ones. The book contained an equal amount of projects I would build and those that I would not (kids furniture, some kitchen items etc) which is to be expected.

I always wanted to get into some form of woodworking, specifically making furniture pieces. Expense aside, I was never able to find exactly what I wanted in furniture showrooms. Usually it's the size that is a problem. I live in a standard 1950's three bedroom ranch and the massive McMansion furniture showrooms were just not cutting it. I also like the farm and industrial look. I actually heard about the author's online blog from another craft site and that's where I saw this book.The projects in the book are incredibly lovely. Any of them would look good in any house no matter what a person's decorating sense was. What is very handy about this book is that the author assumes you are an absolute beginner and explains in detail exactly what tools you do or do not need (it's not as many as you would think), what they're for specifically and how to use them. If you're not a beginner, you can just skip this chapter and dig right in. I'm a fairly handy individual (I've remodeled my entire house myself) but I read the tools and tips chapters all the way through and learned a number of new things. What's nice is that it is laid out in clear language all in once place for you.For each project, there are tons of pictures and step-by-step directions. The projects are actually useful things too. So many times, I get one of these books and find that none of the projects are anything that I would need or want. I'm especially fond of the farmhouse table. I don't need a table but I'm tempted to make it anyway and ditch my current one.Additionally, this author does run a website and blog on which many of these projects (plus additional ones not in the book) are discussed. You can also interact with other builders and get help.

This young woman up in Alaska is simply astonishing for her carpentry skills, and the writing is good as well. I bought the book for my Kindle so I would not lose it before I could build some of the projects included in her book. Specifically, I bought the e-book for the picture ledge project. My need is not for pictures, but for a support to go around my dining room above the door and window moldings so that I may hide the LED rope lighting which shines up to the ceiling, controlled by dimmers, and thus make the square room appear to have a small "cove" encircling it. It would become an architectural feature of the room.Originally I'd had a cabinetmaker attempt to build my "cove" for the lighting, but it did not work out right as he began mounting the parts on the wall. I called a halt to his work. Then in the middle of this, I discovered the picture ledges, and a willing professional carpenter (one who worked on our home remodel) is due to complete the ledges around the room. He will do it when he gets a bad weather off day.What I like about the book and all the projects, the author gives a great materials list. She shows the process, explains the use of power tools. Her book is directed primarily toward women, empowering us to do more with power tools, and making recommendations in the process. In a way, it is somewhat autobiographical in the reading of the projects. She had a need for a picture ledge, and the creativity to build what she saw as too expensive purchased. I can attest to the savings enjoyed by skilled do-it-yourselfers.I recommend this book for women new to using power tools who are interested in creating home furnishings for a reasonable cost. You can do it yourself and get exactly what you want. So you are married and young, and your husband is tired at the end of the week, and you don't want to nag--of course not--get inspired by this "can do" little lady and customize a project for YOUR home. It is inspiring, and you won't forget the empowered feeling long after you put the book down.

I am a budding DIY'er - that being said, I've not actually built furniture so much as remodeled or refinished a previously built product. I ran across Ana's website through my mother who is a DIY addict with varying degree's of success (Mom, admit it...some things just fall through. Don't be hating.)When I saw the plans she had on her website for free, I grew intrigued and found a plethora of designs that could suit just about anyone. I was happy to see a strong female presence in woodworking, and she has a great way of breaking things down step by step so that even *I* can understand it. When I saw she'd released a book, I immediately put it on my wishlist and bought it when I had a windfall come through.The book is very colorful, with great step-by-step instructions (or destructions, as it is in my family), and I am quickly beginning to become excited to tackling some of them. With a brand new house, three kids, four dogs and two cats (not to mention 2 adults who think they're kids), this books is jam-packed full of ideas, tips and plans for any room in the house!I greatly appreciate the shopping list for each project, the detailed cut list, tools and finished suggested for each project. If Ana White has another book coming out, I'm totally adding it to my library of awesome.

Once again Ana does not disappoint with this delightful book. The colors, photos and explanations are just as fantastic as they are on her website (which if you haven't already checked out you should do so immediately!) I already have a large collection of furniture in my house built courtesy of Ana's plans. If you're new to woodworking and have always been interested in making furniture for yourself but think you need to have some kind of degree to do it, well then pick up this book and get to building! You'll be surprised at what you can do! I'm not sure how interested advanced woodworkers would find this book seeing as how I consider myself a beginner but there may be some little tidbits in here that you find interesting or want to build as well with more advanced techniques.

Like the author, I love to dabble in furniture making. This is a simple book, which teaches from experience without seeking to patronise. Bear in mind that it's American; all the dimensions are imperial and some of the tool / material descriptions aren't what we are used to. However, once you've overcome that you'll find the projects straightforward and easy to alter to suit your needs. Worth every penny...

Found Ana White's blog by accident during a search for tips on how to distress furniture. I not only learned how to do it correctly, but there was so much more. Step by step instructions on how to build your own furniture. To my amazement, there was a book as well. I ordered it immediately and just got it.Makes me proud to be a woman.I currently live in Spain, looking for a pocket hole jig and pocket hole screws will prove to be very amusing, since I don't know what it is called in Spanish.I build things all the time. Usually with concrete and in my garden, but not exclusively. (That's why my neighbours call me Rambo. My name is Maria.)Woodworking is a first for me and I look forward to getting started.The plans are easy to follow, detailed and meant to help you accomplish your goal or rather finish the project...not deter you from it.There is a coffee table I've been admiring that retails for 750.00 dollars. With this book...I can make it myself.Thank you Ana White, from the bottom of my heart.

There isn't anything in here you can't get for free from the blog. That being said, supporting someone by buying their book is something I would recommend. It's well bound, contains many of her most popular designs, and can be approached by either the beginner or the experienced. This also makes an excellent gift. You may as well buy the Kreg pocket hole jig with it though, as all of the designs use it. And that's not a bad thing by any means.

I love this book. As a woman doing wood work, it is refreshing to find such a book that is written by a woman. Ana does not assume her readers know anything of wood work and offers many tips to make the job easier. The range of projects would suit both beginners and experienced wood workers alike.