Community Brag Posts

This is actually a mash up of Ana's "Mudroom Bench with Easy Drawers" design, and a "Mudroom Lockers" post by Infarrantly Creative. The end result is a 66" W x 98" H x 19 1/4" D built-in bench with 2 drawers and 4 cabinets. I did the cabinets first, to easily support them while installing on a temporary ledger board without the bench in the way. Unlike Infarrantly, I did not have existing cabinets to re-purpose, but I found 30W x 24H x 12D cabinets that practically matched the adjoining kitchen in both color and style. I also added matching pulls and handles to tie both rooms together. I almost went with taller cabinets to the ceiling, but this approach with Crown Molding "not-to-ceiling" matches the kitchen cabinets. I also bought matching trim pieces for the ends and across the bottom so anything touching the cabinets matched in color and texture. In hindsight, the color-matched paint was so close, though, I could have saved some cash by cutting and painting those pieces instead. Everything gray below this point is 1x material cut to spec and then painted. The bench is based on Ana's design (modified to two drawers) with Infarrantly's stained top. The top is a pine board from HD stained to closely match our LVP in that room, and the entire first floor. You will notice the top rail of the bench frame (attached to the top with Kreg pocket holes to minimize visible nails/screws) is also stained to give illusion of a thicker slab. The stain closely matches our LVP in that room, and the entire first floor. This was my first time building drawers, but thanks to Ana's "Easy" drawer design, it still worked out pretty well. The drawer frame technique (instead of faces) made everything a little more forgiving (which I definitely needed). After painting and reinstalling, I noticed that some of the reveal around the drawers did not line up evenly and straight around them. I simply adjusted the rails (drawer side), and the middle upright between them, without needing to remove or rebuild the drawers or the frames - WHEW! Between the cabinets and bench, I used 1x12's and 1x2's, down the sides - although you could leverage the existing wall finish. I also added vertical shiplap to the back, but again you could leave the existing wall finish or use beadboard. It is painted teal to coordinate with the adjoining kitchen's tile and backsplash. I added the Hummingbird coat hooks, since we love those feathered visitors around our deck in the summer. Thanks to both Ana White and Infarrantly Creative for inspiring this addition to our new home.

Made these as a wedding gift for my niece and her husband. I found the peel and stick skins on Amazon for about $30 for a set of two. Makes a really cool looking top although I will say it also makes it much more delicate to scratches and scuffs. I decided to add 1/8" trim pieces all around the edge of the stock 2x4 plywood since it's not a perfect 2 feet by 4 feet measurement. That also allowed me to fold the edge of the peel and stick skins to where they were then underneath the trim board that was glued and nailed in. I think it gave it a perfect looking edge. I also mounted led corn hole lights (also purchased on Amazon) that make it fun to play in the dark. Another great plan Ana! My niece is going to be stoked!

Total cost for all materials used was around $116 but keep in mind I added extra things not mentioned in the plans. Without those additions it would have been about $50 so very inexpensive.

My First Project

My husband and I had a problem.  We were tired of sleeping on a mattress on the floor, and most beds were out of the question because my husband is tall. 6'7" tall.  Ana White's plan looked perfect, but I had never built anything before, unless you count an improvised 'clean the gutters from the ground" stick.

I knew I had to make something that could be taken apart because we are renters right now, so it will take a little bit of work, but after some modifications to the plans, it will come apart when it needs to.  We are also not small big humans, so the bed is appropriately beefed up where it needed to be- to accommodate 2 big humans, 2 fairly large dogs, 150 lb latex foam mattress, and any future kids.

I also had to make changes to the King size plans because Ana's original plans have the mattress oriented sideways, which would be too short for us.

For extra storage space, a hangout for dust bunnies and dogs, and a just a plain tall bed for tall people, I made the foot-board posts taller, and attached the rails higher than the plans indicate.  I also made a platform for our mattress to sit on out of 2x4's, 2x6's, and 3/4" plywood.  This bed is STURDY.

To support the slats and mattress well, I hung a 2x6 with joist hangers in the middle of the bed frame (see picture below), and it stops the 2x4 slats and plywood from bending in the middle.

We are so happy with our new bed. Made the headboard a foot lower. Like it a bit better this way. Thanks Ana for the awesome plans Greetings from Belgium Marrah and Erik

I had an old table that was in my basement.  I wanted to re-do my craft room.  I have been thinking and thinking about it.  So when I saw Ana’s link to her drawer organizer – and how to install drawer slides – I thought – ok – now it’s time to do it.

I spent about a week drafting plans, making measurements.  At first I was going to recycle the metal sliders I had left over from the kids dressers…but there wasn’t enough – and to do 12 drawers would be more money than I wanted to spend.

So – a trip to home depot – I was able to take this table that was just collecting junk – literally – to an organized and functional crafting cabinet – with huge deep drawers.  There are 12 drawers in total.  They are all 6 inch in height, 26 inches deep, and then there are 8 that are 16 inches wide, and 4 that are 12 inches wide.

Here are some before and after pictures – I have all the details on the build on my blog.  I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Ana.  Her plans and continual inspiration!

This was my version of the cabin bed plans on this site.
My son loves it and of course my wife does too..

This is my first KOW project...I built the playhouse loft bed for my daughter, Kayla.  She named it Lofty Cottage.  I used leftover pink paint from painting her table and chair set for the inside of the playhouse.  I made the letterbox from scraps and the half-door from the door cutout.  I added hardware that matches the hardware on her other furniture.  I made the banner by hand and hand painted the birdhouse and the sign.  She loves it!  Thanks for the great plans Ana!  Can't wait to start on something new now!