Community Brag Posts

King Size Farmhouse Bed

This was our first big DIY project and I absolutely LOVE the finished product. We now have a solid, sturdy king size bed that everyone loves. The plans were pretty easy to follow although I chose to make the headboard and footboard taller than mentioned on the original plans. The measurements came from another Ana White DIY-er  http://diystinctlymade.com/2014/02/05/diy-pottery-barn-farmhouse-bed/  . For the bed frame, brackets and 2x4s were used. The stain use was dark walnut by Rust-o-leum and finished with minwax polyurethane semigloss. Working on and off, it took us approximately 2 weeks to finish the project; although, I'm pretty sure it could've been completed in a weekend. 

Finish Used
dark walnut stain by Rust-o-leum and finished with minwax polyurethane semiglos
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Entryway console

Submitted by danwade on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 17:23

Entryway console without base pieces to more closely match my other furniture.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Nautica shimmering sea paint with furniture was. American walnut stain with clear satin poly.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Rustic Kitchen Island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/09/2022 - 14:25

Love how this turned out! Thanks Ana!

Comments

Simple Outdoor Lounge Chair

Submitted by stacynabby on Sun, 07/17/2011 - 19:57

I've now made two Simple Outdoor Lounge Chairs and can't get over how sturdy they are! I also modified mine to have a 1x6 arm rest, but I ripped the back part of the arm rest so it tapered down to the 4" on the back side. I also made the chairs an inch taller on the legs since my family and I are tall.

Estimated Cost
$35
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax - Colonial Maple
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Camp Loft Bed with Matching Doll Sized Loft Bed

Submitted by lisatw on Tue, 08/20/2013 - 17:20

We made this loft bed for my daughter's 4th birthday. I did all of the cuts, sanding, and painting on my own, and had my husband help me with the assembly of the bed. It took us 2 full days to complete this build. The sanding and painting was the most tedious part of the project. I think it cost us about $150 for all of the lumber, paint, screws, etc.

My daughter's really into playing with 18" dolls right now, so I decided to make a mini version of her loft bed for her dolls. I think it turned out really well and she absolutely loves it! The doll sized loft bed only cost about $15 to make (including wood, foam for the mattress and fabric). You can't beat that price for a wooden doll bed...and what little girl wouldn't love a matching bed for her dolls?!?!

I'm so happy with how both beds turned out!

Estimated Cost
$150
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Semi-gloss paint
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

JoanneS

Tue, 08/20/2013 - 18:32

This looks awesome! Love the pink on the steps. And the matching doll bed, how cute is that?! :) Great job!

Rustic x desk

Love how it turned out cost a little more if you count stain,wood conditioner..etc wasn't bad still.wood probably cost around 60-70 cheap and better then most anything you can buy.. Lots more to come 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
60-120
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax, poloyshine blue is transparent behr Wedgwood stain
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Coffee Table - Gaming/Dining Table Combo

Submitted by bknjohnson on Sun, 10/14/2018 - 12:25

My wife was interested in a coffee table that we could also use for playing games or company for meals, and naturally we found just the thing on Ana White's website.  I got some 2x2 pine from a lumberyard after not being happy with box store lumber.  The table top is made of pine glued together.  I decided to put the 2x4s underneath which gave some heft to the top so it does not wobble.  It fits tighter than I would want, so lesson learned for me I should have paid more attention there.  Since we wanted to paint the piece I went with the pine top.  If it were going to be displayed somewhere else in the house, or stained, I would have chosen a harder wood for the top.  The nice part of this plan, I could easily build another nicer top to go with the base if I wanted too.

Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer; Valspar Signature interior paint and Minwax Polycrylic. I also tried Minwax One Coat Polyurethane with horrible results. Don't bother with the One Coat. I ended up sanding it off, repainting two coats, and using the polycrylic I usually use with much better results. Light sanding between each coat. Be patient, don't rush.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

Modern Geo Headboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/23/2022 - 21:58

I followed the instructions for the Modern Geo Headboard but adjusted them to fit my bed frame because I don’t have a platform bed. I’ve refurbished pieces before but this is the first one I have actually built from scratch. It’s certainly not perfect but I’m so happy with how it turned out. Lots of satisfaction in knowing I built this and it cost a fraction of the similar one I wanted to buy in store. Thank you for the inspiration.
-Teena

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Bathroom Re-do

I so wish I had taken a before picture! Last summer we did a lot to make over this bathroom. Previously the cabinets were a birch color with a white door (gross). The faucet was one that came with the house, cheapo builder's grade, a tacky medicine cabinet, and that oh so attractive Hollywood lighting. So we painted the cabinet black, replaced the medicine cabinet with a nicer black mirror, replaced the faucet and lights. That had it looking pretty decent, but the wall above the toilet had 3 small pictures hung rather oddly to hide some poor patch jobs from a busted towel bar. So when I saw the plan for the bathroom shelf I was thrilled! I made a few adjustments to the size to meet what I wanted and got started. I also had an extra 30 minutes before a birthday party we were leaving for and had some scraps already the right size for a simple step stool.

Estimated Cost
Free...all made from leftovers and reclaimed wood
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

jaimehack

Thu, 03/07/2013 - 23:28

Oh! Your bathroom re-do projects sounds cool and abrupt. Myself being a bathroom lover usually spend times in Bathrooms. Besides always avid to observe the interiors. As you have done up with the black fixtures and cabinet, I guess it looks pretty stunning. Your ideas and the layout looks good to me and for sure I'm going to utilize my next afternoon.

Straight leg farmhouse table

Slightly based on Ana White's husky farmhouse table, this table has 4x4s as legs and a nice, thick planked top with breadboard ends. It will easily seat 6 and will seat 8 in a pinch! I also build a bench to match, using the same concept, just smaller dimensions.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
I used a combination of golden pecan and dark walnut stain on the top. I painted the legs black and used Rustoleum's polyurethane in semi-gloss to seal the whole thing.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 08/23/2013 - 09:26

I concur with JoanneS. Love the stain on the top and I also love the two tone look. Beautiful build!

Under the Sink Storage

My under the sink door cabinet is smaller than what's on the plan so i had to improvise.  A paper towel dispenser won't fit anymore so I just made another shelf.  I love it.  No clutter and everything is so organized. :) 

Estimated Time Investment
An Hour or Two (0-2 Hours)
Finish Used
I painted it with the same color as my kitchen cabinets SW Urbane Bronze
Recommended Skill Level
Starter Project

Thank you, Ana, for the easy plans for a great table!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 10/17/2018 - 13:29

I made the table from rough-cut cedar that was harvested on my father's land. All I spent was $16 on Danish oil and $5 on sand paper but its priceless to me. Thanks Ana!!!

Estimated Cost
$25.00
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Danish oil
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Rustic corner shelf with matching halltree

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 07/01/2022 - 20:46

My take on a corner cupboard. I used old barn tim form backing and somewhat modified the plans. I actually made the hall tree first and then the matching cupboard. I finished it off with a custom distressed finish.

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Hanging outdoor bed

I made this hanging outdoor bed for our screened in porch using Ana's plans. This was one of the first things I've built, and the plans were very easy to follow. I wanted all of the outside trim to be decorative but it was much more expensive, so I settled for just the top piece. I love this web site and am about to tackle the Board and Batten project. Thanks Ana!!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100 (not including bed, cover and pillows)
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Lemon Zest by Behr$
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

T (not verified)

Sun, 04/15/2012 - 19:58

I love this plan! One question, does anyone have any suggestions for how to add arms or a back to it to lean against? Or what types of arms/back would look best? I can't figure out where to put them so that the ropes/chains wouldn't rub against them.

Darmel (not verified)

Sun, 07/29/2012 - 00:25

I really like this as it is so great as a relaxation element for a tranquil space.

First Project!

Submitted by meg_odom on Sun, 08/25/2013 - 16:09

My husband and I built this as our first project & are thrilled with the way it turned out! We shortened it to 44" to fit our space. It took us a few hours but we got the Kreg Jig working the first try (though on a current project it is giving us some headaches). We really enjoyed building this on a rainy Saturday and received many compliments after posting the finished project on facebook. Looking forward to our next project - thanks so much for all your tutorials Ana & other submitters!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Early American (1 coat) with Minwax Satin Poly (2 coats, brushed) for the top & shelves; Olympic Bewitched Satin (high grade with primer).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cameron nightstand

Submitted by TMW on Thu, 10/08/2015 - 07:18

After I built the dresser for my son, he decided he needed a nightstand. This was his project, I only advised and offered assistance. He was 15 and he came up with the design and we glued up the panels. He cut, sanded and assembled himself. He stained and applied the shellac. I am very proud of him.

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

Wide Platform bed

This bed is my first "for profit" bed.  Took some design changes so it could be taken apart and put together easily with metal bed brackets.

Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
This finish was MInwax Expresso with several coats of satin polyacrylic lightly sanding between each.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Round Farmhouse Table - Yes, You Really Can Cut A Circle W/ A Skillsaw

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 07/16/2022 - 08:29

Your plans are so clear and easy to follow. Your video on using the skillsaw to cut a circle was sooo valuable. We easily created the same jig and got really good results. I have followed your YouTube channel and blogs for years and wanted to finally say thank you for all that you share!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

Copy Cat Bedside Table

I needed new bedside tables to replace mine that were falling apart. I love the whole Stratton line at PB. I wanted to make something similar, but a bit more sturdy.

So, I made this table with a much more solid bottom shelf and a deep drawer with a full face to mimic the sides and the back panels.

Estimated Cost
Wood $20-$25, Drawer Slides $7, Drawer Handle $2
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I haven't determined yet.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Tiled raised dog feeder!

Submitted by DogDoc25 on Tue, 08/27/2013 - 18:28

The design for this feeder came from Ana's raised feeder as well and the people who have made these feeders with tile. I had a lot of fun making this and I love how it turned out! I can see how they would be addicting to make. I constructed the wooden base (I just eyeballed how long to make it and how tall to make the legs based on the size of my bowls). I nailed hardibacker to the wooden top and applied the tile with thin set and mortar. This feeder is for my bigger dog, so disregard my small dogs checking it out:) The grout was a dark tan color before it dried, and I really like the color it ended up being. I bought the tile and grout from the habitat from humanity store, which had a big selection of miscellaneous tiles for basically free! Fun project!

Estimated Cost
about $45 (had to buy tile supplies that I didn't already have) but for just materials (wood, tile, thin set, wood trim, and mortar) around $30
Estimated Time Investment
Day Project (6-9 Hours)
Finish Used
Put down wood conditioner and then 2 coats of minwax dark walnut (left on for about 10 minutes in between coats), then applied 2 coats of polycrylic
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse Bedroom Set

Submitted by kingw on Mon, 10/12/2015 - 09:16

I started about 2 years ago by making one of the Mini Farmhouse Style bedside tables.  My wife loved it so I made a second.  Then I made the bench a year or so ago with plans from this site too.  Unfortunately I can't find where those plans are now.  Maybe in Ana's book (I have that at home too)? I just finished the Reclaimed Wood Headboard with wood I reclaimed from the big orange store :)
I put a 1/4" chamfer on the edges of the panels for the headboard, and had to add a brace in the back because none of them were perfectly flat.  No one has seen the headboard yet, but I've had friends ask me where I bought the bedside tables and bench.  I've never had a matched set before.  This is a definite bedroom upgrade!
Stain is Minwax Special Walnut, paint is Gotham Grey from Behr.

Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments