Community Brag Posts

Playhouse with Swing Set

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/01/2016 - 12:48

We really enjoyed building this playhouse swing set for our kids.  We have a decent slope to our backyard, so we needed to sink our posts, which required a bit more work thank Ana's plans.  We also used a real window (my dad just happened to have in his garage) instead of the 3 open aired windows Ana's plans called for.  Inside we built a fold under table, shelf, and a chalkboard for thier entertainment.  

Estimated Cost
$800
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Kids Storage Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 11/04/2023 - 14:34

Grandson needed a bed at our house for when he comes and stays. Designed and built this bed, features a bookcase headboard. Drawers on one side and storage cubbies on the opposite side.

Chalkboard Shelf

Submitted by beansurfin on Mon, 05/21/2012 - 14:02

This is a smaller version of the easiest chalkboard shelf. We needed a smaller shelf to fit between the garage door and coat closet so this was it. It was also my first time using my Kreg Jig, which I love. Such a simple little project but I am excited.

Estimated Cost
Less the $10
Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
Chalk board spray paint.
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

DIY Factory cart coffee table

Submitted by ACarrell on Wed, 03/05/2014 - 07:21

After seeing the plans for the Factory Cart Coffee Table on this site, I decided I should build one. I didn't actually follow the plans exactly...really just used them as "inspiration". I went with 5" swivel casters and 8" fixed casters, and the stain is Minwax hickory poly that has been sanded back a bit. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Now on to the next project !

Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Hickory Polyurethane

Wiped on for about 5 minutes, wiped off, then sanded back a touch to give a more worn look.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Table

Submitted by Malka on Fri, 06/03/2016 - 23:32

This was my 5th build. Took a few weekends working in the morning. Table is Weathered Oak (base) and Early American (top) stain. Modified the plans to make it slightly smaller so it would fit better in my kitchen. Very sturdy and table looks gorgeous in person, very happy.

Estimated Cost
$110+/-
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American and Weathered Oak
Rustoleum Triple Thick Polyurethane (2 coats on base, 3 on table)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Round the corner bookshelf

Submitted by tanlines on Thu, 05/24/2012 - 07:44

My son needed organization and of course instead of buying something I thought I could build one. I've been eyeballing Ana's site and found this project. This is my very first one. I only had a manual mitre saw so it took a long time to cut all the pieces but it did get done and in the process my hubby bought me a mitre saw! It wasn't hard to put together but the instructions are very detailed. As u can see from the photo, my little man helped me with it!

Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Doing things big in Texas

Submitted by StewartTX on Sat, 03/08/2014 - 15:18

We decided to build this a bit bigger and taller. I will caution you to be careful as we came inches to not making it through our doorways. We expanded the depth 15" to make it a full bed and we extended the length of the legs to allow for 48" clearance underneath.

We also went with a rock wall instead of a ladder. I 1st built the angle too steep; recommend at least a 30 degree angle on a wall. Kid's love it; mom not so much when attempting to make the bed! :)

We went with military theme - green rope lights, camo netting for a roof, and sandbags filled with old clothes from my high school years for a bunker underneath.

Great project! Thanks for the idea!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$350 - materials. Needed to invest $250 in new tools
Finish Used
Natural Minwax stain then clear satin poly
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Farmhouse Storage Bed (California King, headboard with bookshelves)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 06/07/2016 - 19:51

Modified the Farmhouse Storage Bed with Storage Drawers. Changed the design to california king and added booshelves to the headboard. Will eventually turn a shelf into a nightstand for water/light. I LOVE IT!! Thanks for the Design, Ana!

Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
minwax grey stain and light grey paint (I can't remember the color, but it's valspar prairie something)
Recommended Skill Level
Advanced

Mudroom Bench, Above Storage and Drawers

Submitted by advanlente on Sat, 03/28/2020 - 11:16

When we moved into our home, this whole area was empty. I don't remember seeing anything in this spot during our walkthrough. But I knew it would be a perfect spot for a mudroom. We were also getting a puppy and I did not want my shoes to be torn to bits. This was my very first build. I will forever be proud of this. 

See-Saw

Submitted by phanna on Sun, 05/27/2012 - 10:48

Built this for our Daughters 4th birthday. Both our girls love it! If we had not painted it with outdoor paint we would have been done in a few hours. It took awhile for the paint to dry and we did multiple coats.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Firewood holder

I needed a better way to store my fire wood. The rack that we had only held enough wood for to load the fire place and add 2 or 3 as needed before the wood was gone. I wanted something that I could hold more wood.

I was looking online at different racks and came across something that looked like a bookcase with no shelves filled with wood. I then looked at where I had my wood and saw that I had a nook to put something like that in. The photo of the shelves with only a little wood is all the wood that was in the metal holder. I had a lot of space left.

After looking at various store for bookcases and shelving, hoping in vain that I could find something cheep that would fit the size I needed, I came to see what plans I could use from Ana's site. I looked at the cube tower and the locker cabinet and finally used the pdf from the locker cab resized to fit my needs.

My wife remembered seeing something about banding on here,( http://ana-white.com/2013/11/momplex/finishing-plywood-edges-edge-bandi… ) So we found some white to match the wood. I think the banding turned out good.

I did have a hard time getting the drill in to the pocket holes for the second side of shelf. I started to look on line and found 3" bits at Lowes and HD, but it was 10:30 at night. After looking some more I found a great post on Kreg's site for using a ratchet with a 1/4" socket to hold the bit. http://kregjig.ning.com/photo/ratchetasrtangledriver-1?context=user

My wife also said I should add one more shelf for keeping the wood stable. I told her that I would be fine. Now that I have filled it up all the way I think another shelf would be good to keep the wood rotated. Have one stack of room temp wood, and one of just from outside trying to warm up. So she was right that I should put in another shelf. ;)

I think it has opened the space by the fire place and should help my daughter not to stub her toes like she did with the rack.

The wood was $30 and HD cut if for no charge. It only took one sheet. The banding was around $5 and I had to buy some more Kreg screws.

The Size is 12 1/2"W 18"D and 79" high.

The blue bag under the shelving is an Ikea bag. It is just the right size and strength to carry the wood in.
Mike

Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
White MDF with White banding
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Woven back bench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 06/12/2016 - 09:55

Built for my parents 50th anniversary 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
£60
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Cupronel outdoor furniture stain (teak)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate
Seasonal And Holiday

Sturdy Bench Meets the Camera

Submitted by Jake on Wed, 05/30/2012 - 15:28

A friend who has a photog service on the side said she needed a bench for group photos. Selected this modern farm bench and it has been a great hit. I did not make any changes in the design. Took a day and about $20 in lumber. Sorry for the photo clarity or lack thereof, I have several orders from her family members but I need to get on with my projects.

Estimated Cost
$25
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I gave the bench to my friend with the agreement that she would complete the finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse King Bed

Submitted by rccostner on Sun, 03/16/2014 - 15:14

This is my first project and I've spent a couple of months preparing for it. My wife loved the plans for this bed and I loved the challenge. I reviewed the plans for both the king and queen size beds and read through all of the comments before starting. The comments were especially helpful, so thanks to everyone for contributing. I took my time with project hoping to minimize beginner mistakes. We recently upgraded to a king sized mattress and already had a bed frame (we highly recommend this one)

 

So I adjusted the plans for making just the headboard and footboard along with the runners. I omitted the 1x3 boards to account for orienting our king bed so that it is 76" wide and 80" long. Initially, I made the mistake of thinking that 1x6 boards would be adequate for runners. But that wouldn't withstand the constant onslaught of our kids climbing into our bed, so I switched to 2x6 boards and it's much sturdier. I cut the runners 3" longer than the bed frame to allow for room for the bedding and to account for the 1" overlap from the 2x6 cap on the footboard. L brackets were perfect for attaching them to the headboard and footboard. Now that this is under my belt I'm looking forward to my next project.

Estimated Cost
300
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
primer, Valspar paint - Honey Milk
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

I Love These Shelves

Wanted to make something for the house and seen these plans and though I would give it a shot. didn't think I would love them as much as I do! My wife loves them even more I think. Also added my own little touch with an old paddle that I burned our last name into. I think it makes a nice little touch. 

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Natural
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner
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