Community Brag Posts

Flat back book racks

Submitted by Spolitte on Wed, 03/21/2012 - 20:39

These came together nicely but I definitely advocate the right tool for cutting the curves on the sides. Also, the next time we make them, and we most likely will, I will make the roomy version. The wider size will give us a little more room for a few extra books. All in all the girls are very please with them. I like that they are just above their bed to make night time reading easy and fun. Couldn't have done it without you Ana. Thanks.

Estimated Cost
10ish dollars minus paint
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
We painted all the surfaces a No Voc semi gloss for easy cleaning. When it came time to add the girls names I found that a bright semi gloss with layers of corresponding glitter paint added the vivid contrast and bling that all little girls love.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Simplest Armoire

Submitted by carongirls on Sat, 01/11/2014 - 16:20

We needed something to put clothes in. A dresser wouldn't of been big enough, so I decided on the armoire. I shortened the height so I'd only had to buy 2 1x12's. Everything else is the same. The 1x12's were so warped I had a heck of time with the doors.
I'm not digging the distressing. I tried the Vaseline thing. Never again it was a mess. I'll just stick to sanding it down from now on.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Son's new bed.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/03/2016 - 07:26

This bed came out beautiful! Thank you for the plans. 

Estimated Cost
$300.00
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Provincial, Dark Walnut, Golden Oak
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic X End Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 12/07/2019 - 12:47

This is a simple super fun build, you can easily make several in one day and there are so many options on finish. I

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
White Chalk Paint and Minwax Dark Walnut stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Narrow Console table

Submitted by lazyLiz on Sun, 03/25/2012 - 11:27

I wanted a hallway side table, using Ana White's Simple, Cheap and Easy console table directions (as usual with most of my built) and revising the measurement and adding some thing in here and there I was able to build me this! Thanks to my new jigsaw my husband bought me :) Measures 55" long, 34" height and 14-1/2" depth.

Estimated Cost
$ 45.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
dark mahogany and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

vacookie

Thu, 04/12/2012 - 13:17

I am looking at making this soon and really like what you did with the sides. Any tips should I decide to go a similar route on mine? I haven't done that type of work before with my jigsaw and am not sure can pull it off but it looks so good!

daisy (not verified)

Tue, 07/24/2012 - 11:11

could you pretty please share how you did the sides and everything on this table...I love this exact table (the one you built) and it would be PERFECT in our family room under the t.v. Pretty, pretty please :)

First project

Submitted by MadJack73 on Mon, 01/13/2014 - 12:34

Rustic X Console, minus the X. And I used the finishing techniques from another project. I also built a bar before I found this site and we painted the bar stools the same color as this console to tie in the two spaces in the finished basement. I would say the most stress was that I couldnt find straight boards.. so being square was a challenge. Also when you follow the plans, it says to make both sides ( figure 8s) then attach the shelves.. I put the 2x4s on the top to connect and then did the shelves. I figured if all the pieces were right lenght, then it was best way of assuring the project would be as square as possible. I know it would be on carpet, so I wasnt too worried, but when I brought in into basement to paint, all 6 legs sat very flush on the ground with the slightest of wobble. So, I would say rest one side on the ground.. line up the 2X4s that connect the two sides at the top and then go from there, then do the shelves.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$217 ( including Kreg Master JIg set )
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Krylon brown spray paint over the bare wood when assembled. Mostly along the edges and knots. Then vaseline over parts of the spray painted area. Then painted over this with Behr Satin Natural Gray.when it was all dried in 12 hours. I wiped off vaseline exposing some of the brown and then sanded lightly to rough it up. We wanted Beachie feel, so we avoided the X on the end. But I can see how it would be stronger with the X. We are mostly using it for a few light components and subwoofer and baskets.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Ladder planter

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/05/2016 - 15:26

Had a blast building this for my mother. Only problem now is everyone in my family wants one!

Estimated Cost
$20
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bookcase

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 12/13/2019 - 18:53

My wife wanted a bookcase for her office. She had an idea on what she wanted, so this is what I came up with.
Made the case with 3/4” MDF.

Estimated Cost
About $38
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Easy to Build Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 08/17/2023 - 13:40

Easy to build workbench. I added an extra 2 1/2 inches (width) to the top plywood cut. This gave me a 1 1/4" lip to the front and back sides. I wanted to be able to clamp on all sides of the bench. Also added casters since I wanted to use this as an outdoor table for entertaining if needed and to simply have mobility with the bench. So far I love it!

Modern Cutout Headboard

I was so thrilled to see this cut out, modern headboard included in Ana's plans, since I had been lusting over the expensive West Elm version for months. It was really easy, and I'm thrilled with the results.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$60
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Water based stain and poly
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Cube Storage Shelf

This is another piece for my living room to go along with the console table I've already finished. My hope is to replace all of the furniture in the living room with matching pieces to finally have a house that doesn't look like it was decorated through the Salvation Army.

This one has the specific purpose of a toy box for our two year old. Now she has a place to store her toys that she keeps in the living room instead of just piling them up in that corner. It's based on the 6 cube bookshelf design and finished with three coats of Varathane's Kona poly blend over regular pine.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Varathane's Kona polyblend
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Comments

X Console Table / Coffee Bar

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/16/2019 - 16:26

Needed a new coffee bar to fit a specific area. Changed the plans to fit my needs and this is the result. Spent a few hours a day over two weekends, probably 8-10 hours in all (paint/stain/poly included)

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Wood Console

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/21/2023 - 09:48

My son needed more shelves/storage in his room. Modified this a bit shorter in length and with to fit better in his space. Easy to build and love how it turned out!

Built from Plan(s)

Jelly Cupboard

Submitted by emilyr on Mon, 04/02/2012 - 18:15

Ever since I saw this cupboard, I wanted it. So when I got a free day I jumped at the chance to build it. I love it! The only problem is trying to figure out where I want to put it.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$30-40
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Porter's Prussian Blue and black spray paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

tommyc325

Thu, 02/19/2015 - 19:11

Hi Ana - I dont mean any disrespect but how do you figure this project costs $30-40. I bought just the boards no hardware or plywood and its cost me $60. Pine #2.

Please let me know your thoughts and where you buy your wood from.

Bander

Fri, 02/20/2015 - 12:00

The cost estimate is from emilyr, posted almost three years ago. Lumber prices fluctuate, but $30-40 is still quite low. I estimate about $100 to buy the lumber (pine) on the shopping list from Ana's plan at current prices in my area.

Brookstone storage bed

Submitted by ajordan on Sat, 01/18/2014 - 16:48

This is the first project I have done; we used a couple of different plans to make this bed. I had to change dimensions to make this into a full size bed. Overall I am very happy with the way it all came together. We made this for our 8 year old daughter and now I'm working on a vanity! I used the twin headboard plan made taller and wider for a full, I made a footboard to match and the storage bins bellow are from the modified farmhouse queen made a little smaller to fit a full.

Estimated Cost
$250 with the lights
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax Red mahogany first coat, min wax sun bleached second coat and then I used Martha Stewart bronze metallic paint. I watered down the paint to make a wash then I put it on and wiped it off like I did the stain which gave it a little brown color and shimmer!
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

fancy x farmhouse table-first timer!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/10/2016 - 22:31

These wood plans were great! Easy to follow and an awesome first project for my hubby and I to build together. Only hitch for us was by choosing to make the longer bench we didn't check the placement of the feet before attaching it. When we were done we weren't able to push the benches under the table so we had to redo that step.

Estimated Cost
$120
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
We used two coats of minxwax red oak 215 stain and 3 coats of minwax semi gloss polyurethane.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Bed made to order - Twin XL

Submitted by kjoslyn78 on Sun, 12/22/2019 - 10:40

My daughter has a twin XL bed, which we had been unable to find a frame for since getting it. After 2 years of her mattress and box springs on the floor, this plan came out and a plan was hatched to get it made. The biggest change we needed to do different from the twin plans was to make the side rails and the side rail cleats 5" longer to accommodate the XL length. We also added a middle support to keep the side from bowing out, and the cleats are at the bottom of the siderails, as we are using a boxpsring and mattress. 

Estimated Cost
$110
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I dont remember what we finished with, but the kid spilled half the can in the grass :)Photo is after sanding, and before finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

amymarie02

Mon, 03/28/2022 - 09:47

Hi do you have the measurements and what to buy for this bed frame? We also have a twin xl mattess and cannot find a frame anywhere

Square Picnic Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/26/2023 - 12:32

V2 of my Fijian Kauri 6 seater table.
Urethaned the tops and weatherboard paint on frame for the elements.

Comments

Play kitchen for Christmas

Submitted by vacookie on Thu, 04/05/2012 - 18:18

I never built anything before this. I really wanted a sturdy wooden kitchen for my son for Christmas but they were sooo expensive. Then I found this plan and decided to give it a try. And I did it! All by myself with no real experience (seriously, I had to buy a drill for the project). It isn't perfect but my son doesn't know (or care) and I had fun doing it. Note that as we have it placed across the threshold from carpet to tile floor, I currently have a board underneath to level it. I modified to put a door on the sink since I don't sew and thought the curtain might look a bit feminine on my son's kitchen.

Estimated Cost
hard to say since I had lots of start up costs, maybe $130? could do for more or less
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I believe the green paint is "Olivine".
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner